Photo: Press
What a week for new music it has been. As masses of bleary-eyed festival goers made their way back from Glastonbury and struggled to re-adjust back into reality, the rest of the world was enjoying a treasure trove stream of new releases and track premieres.
Big-hitters like Jay-Z, Ellie Goulding, Robin Thicke and Azealia Banks all stormed back with songs destined to dominate the airwaves this summer, while fresh meat like Gigwise favourites London Grammar and Arthur Beatrice eyed-up the future with some pretty awe-inspiring fresh sounds.
Meanwhile, familiar faces such as Mutya Keisha Siobahn and Moby also found the time to show that they've still got what it takes to pen a brilliant single.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine with Gigwise's favourite new tracks of the week.
Mutya Keisha Siobhan 'Flatline'
Apologies The Saturdays and Little Mix, you shall not be inheriting Girls Aloud's crown as the UK's biggest girlgroup. Apologies ladies. Instead, with one sweet single, the original Sugababes returned this week with a sumptuous new single produced by Dev Hynes. A No.1 single is a near certainty.
London Grammar 'Strong'
As stately as their previous releases, 'Strong' is a soaring and rich blend of sweet textures and slowly shuffling beats - making for an intimate power ballad that will surely rocket London Grammar to the fame and acclaim that deservedly awaits them. It's crying out for a dancefloor remix, but in the mean time just sit back and enjoy its subtle majesty.
Juilio Bashmore 'Duccy'
Packed with all of the distinctive heavy bass that is celebrated throughout all Bashmore's work, 'Duccy' is supported by an intense dance foundation and some pretty sweet and splashy hi-hat that will have you bouncing into what promises to be a very sweaty weekend.
Moby 'A Case For Shame'
That famous bald bloke in glasses who isn't Michael Stipe of Heston Blumenthal returns with a slow-burning, piano led soul track that builds into an epic, string-driven slice of classic Moby, with echoes of his career-defining Play album. This is the perfect number to wind away those sweet summer sunsets.
Moderat 'Bad Kingdom'
Modeselektor and Apparat join forces on this dark and brooding kick of mild electro. A phat, wet and meandering bass line underlies an infectious tripping beat above the soulful harping lyrics: "This is not what you wanted - not what you had in mind." I'll you'll find that it very much is.
Arthur Beatrice 'Vandals'
Taken from Beatrice's forthcoming Carter EP, 'Vandals' is a delicate but undeniable earworm built of tender vocals, aching piano and a slow-building crescendo. "All of my flaws, could never be yours," they pine. Sounds pretty faultless to us.
Ellie Goulding 'Burn'
Goulding returns with new single. Playing with powerful dance beats paired with her soft, signature vocals, 'Burn' is anything but predictable. Co-written by One Republic frontman Ryan Redder and produced by Gren Kurstin, it proves itself as a powerful, upbeat track - flirting with the dance world but never succumbs to easy club beats.
Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake 'Holy Grail'
The 'Mirrors' star collaborated with the Hov on this pretty awesome single from Jay-Z's new album, Magna Carta Holy Grail. Timberlake holds his own throughout the chorus, who lifts the track with his airy yet soulful vocals, before Jay-Z brings things back down to Earth with his grimey tones and the Kurt Cobain lyrics add a smack of novelty to the mix.
Azealia Banks featuring Pharrell 'ATM Jam'
Azealia teams up with the ever popular (and amazing) Pharrell, in their collaboration for 'ATM Jam'. Whilst the track sees Pharrell take lead, the rhythmic beat and horn effects confirm that the track is still very much Azealia. Still, another example of the fact that everything Pharrel touches turns to solid gold.
Robin Thicke 'Give It 2 U'
The follow up to the insane chart success of 'Blurred Lines', 'Give It 2 U' features Kendrick Lamar and is unfortunately co-written by Will.i.am. Still, the already star studded track is sure to take off as yet another 2013 summer anthem by Thicke.
