Photo: Press
As you might expect, new music news today is dominated by the first full single from Daft Punk's new record. Rather unsurprisingly it's shot straight up the chart and settled at No. 1 on the iTunes list.
But don't fool yourself into thinking that that's all there's been this week, because there's been absolutely loads. Gold Panda has announced the release of a new album later in the year, and gave us our first taste of what's to come; Empire Of The Sun get us pumped up for summer with a blast of uplifting positivity; Florence + The Machine unveil their track from The Great Gatsby's soundtrack and get us even more excited about the film.
Gigwise have collected some of the best new tracks of the last week into a handy list for you, sorting your weekend listening out for you. Happy listening!
Daft Punk - 'Get Lucky'
Possibly the biggest, most eagerly awaited single release this year, 'Get Lucky' has already risen to the top of the iTunes chart despite only being made available to buy this morning (April 19). It's a huge relief to have something concrete to go on after months of speculation over what the new Daft Punk sound would be. Well, there's a strong disco vibe (though we pretty much knew that) and the duo are returning to a live, rather than massively digitalised, sound. The clip of the track shown at Coachella last week showed the robots playing drums and bass with Nile Rodgers playing guitar and Pharrell Williams fronting the group. Whatever the constitution of the new album, 'Get Lucky' shows that the duo do it very well, with incredible attention to the details of the sonic make-up of the track. Everything sounds just right, full of slick funk and catchy grooves. Get excited about the album, if you weren't already.
Jaden Smith - 'Hello'
When children of music/film stars decide to have a crack at rap, it's rarely a good idea. Often what you get is a child rapping as if they're an adult, or a sugary piece of childish faux-rap that you can't wait to remind their future selves about. But Jaden Smith manages to avoid both of these things. Musically, the track is solid. In terms of lyrical dexterity, the teenager does a good job of keeping a steady flow while remaining entertaining. Most importantly he chooses his subject matter wisely. He raps about being adolescent, about doing the usual things someone his age does and almost pokes fun at any expectation that he might embarrass himself by trying to come across as older than he is. He goes about his business with an honest humility that far outstretches his age. Now if he would just stop hanging out with Justin Bieber...
Empire Of The Sun - 'Alive'
We're pretty excited about the new Empire Of the Sun record, not least because of this track; a punchy, uplifting piece of pre-summer excitement. Musically the track is fairly simple, but this is one of its strength. A simple thudding beat and simple washes of synth provide the perfect back drop for the collective voices and the lyrics positive message. This is definitely on course to be a huge summer anthem, expect to hear it everywhere.
Gold Panda - 'Brazil'
Three years after bursting into music fans' collective consciousness back in 2010, Gold Panda announces new album Half Of Where You Live and premiers new track 'Brazil', a mesmeric collection of glitches and great swathes of synths. According to the man himself the track is a reference to a trip he made to Sao Paulo while on tour, and captures the sense of the exciting unknown involved in travelling while at the same time creating a feel of global unity and togetherness.
Pulp vs Soulwax - 'After You'
One of the most eagerly awaited special releases of this year's Record Store Day, Soulwax apply their trademark prodution techniques to Pulp's 'After You' to create a moody, housey piece of electro groove. The tone of Cocker's voice matches the glitchy bleeps of the synths perfectly. The minimal, techno-ish feeling of the track creates the ideal atmosphere for the sardonic edge to the vocals, and the track is simply one of the coolest things around at the moment. The production is flawless, and the vision applied to the remixed track makes it something that truly stands on its own two feet, away from the original track.
London Grammar - 'Wasting My Young Years'
One of the most exciting new acts around on the London scene at the moment, the trio's Metal & Dust EP earlier this year justified the hype that's followed them since last year. New track 'Wasting My Young Years' follows in much the same vein. Hannah Reid's haunted (and haunting) vocals are the focal point, casting dark, somber images, while an intricate piano line and the escalating drums of the chorus give the track some serious backbone. Definitely keep an eye on this three-piece over the course of the next year or so, they've got a debut album to release and it promises to be something more than simply impressive.
Edgar The Beatmaker - 'Feotus'
Archie Marshall is far busier than anyone his age has any business being. Having previously released tracks under his Zoo Kid and DJ JD Sports monikers, he's now adopted the Edgar The Beatmaker pseudonym to put out something a little bit different. Marshall's voice is unmistakable, but this track is punctuated by a kicking hip hop beat coupled with a wistful piano line while Marshall's lyrics lament over previously mistaken priorities. At only two minutes ten seconds, it's one to file under 'short but sweet', but it's most definitely something you want to get your hands on.
Outkast - 'Return Of The G' Ryan Hemsworth Remix
Perhaps it's simply because it's been so long since the last official Outkast release, but everyone seems to fall over themselves whenever anything Andre-3000/Big Boi related surfaces. This remix from Ryan Hemsworth of a track taken from the duo's third album Aquamini is huge though, with a chunky pulsating bassline throbbing below the lazy, drawled rhymes. Hemsworth contribution makes the voices sound bigger and more sinister, there's a dark swagger to the track that is Outkast through and through. Hopefully there actually will be some new material from the Atlanta rap duo eventually.
Rina Sawayama - 'Who?'
London-based Rina Sawayama first drew the attention of the music press earlier this year with 'Sleeping in Waking', and now brings us the B-side 'Who?', continuing the dark pop vibes of the single. Her voice bursts through the darkness of mediocrity like a blasting beam of light, while the track's hefty beat immediately demands attention. The track unfolds across its two and a half minutes, giving the listener more and more as it goes on. Another incredible voice that promises seriously good things to come.
Florence + The Machine - 'Over The Love'
The soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby must be as eagerly awaited as the film itself, with executive producer Jay-Z drafting in a whole host of big names. Florence + The Machine deliver 'Over The Love', a narrative track told from the perspective of Daisy Buchanan, The Great Gatsby's lifelong crush. Welch's epic vocals are in full force on this track, though she also allows the intensity to fall away for quieter moments before bursting back in with blasts of harmonies and stunning power. Given the film and it's examination of decadence, the song sounds like it will fit perfectly on the soundtrack, capturing the noir-ish, sinister atmosphere of the novel.
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