Photo: Press
Summer continues to threaten its arrival, and this week we've got some great tracks to enjoy in the sun, whatever your musical persuasion might be.
Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye this week gave us a taste of the impact Dave Sitek has had on the band in his role as producer. Fleetwood Mac bring us their first new material since 2003 in the form of the Extended Player EP and show they still know their way around a folk-rock number, and Angel Haze strengthens her claim to the Best Female Rapper in the world title with blistering lyrical dexterity laid over a Purity Ring sample.
On top of that we've got new tracks from Clams Casino, soul duo Myron & E and exciting new comer spells.
Check out the week's best new tracks below...
Beady Eye - 'Second Bite Of The Apple'
Liam Gallagher has a lot riding on the new Beady Eye material, having said this week that he'll consider quitting music if BE doesn't prove more successful than debut Different Gears, Still Speeding. Having drafted Dave Sitek in to produce the record the band attempting to branch out in new directions. 'Second Bite Of The Apple' is built on a rattling, downbeat drum pattern with Liam crooning and musing over the top of huge guitar notes.
Angel Haze - 'Lofticries'
Built on a Purity Ring sample, the latest offering from Angel Haze sees the competition for the Greatest Female Rapper title heat up again. An impressive lyrical flow meets the gently lapping musical backdrop to give the track an irresistible sway. 'My mind's an art gallery' raps Haze, and that seems an apt description as she crafts incredibly vivid images with harsh, confrontational rhymes. Iggy Azalea had seemed miles ahead of competition from Haze and Azaelia Banks, but 'Lofticries' sees Angel pull alongside Iggy, leaving Banks trailing.
Gogol Bordello - 'Malandrino'
New York's gypsy punks return with a new track ahead of the release of their sixth studio albums in July. In typically bizarro fashion Eugene Hutz opens the song singing about his memories of birth in his clipped accent over a picked guitar before the track bursts into a lively, foot-stamping party. There's really nothing that sounds like Gogol, and this is a quitessential demonstration of what the band does best - a track full of punk energy inbued with the all the band's gypsy personality. "I was born with singing heart," sings Hutz and you fully believe him.
Capital Cities - 'Safe And Sound'
'Safe And Sound' was released in the US last year but is back for 2013 and now comes packed with a brilliant new video. It's a lovely slice of upbeat dance music that's fun-loving and sincere in equal measures. A fizzing, thumping electro beat introduces the track with the indie duo's vocals being punctuated by blasts of brass. With a renewed interest in the track it's easy to see this becoming of the the most played tracks of the summer, lending itself to dancefloors and full of feel good energy.
Kodaline - 'Love Like This'
Having been tipped before Christmas as a band to watch this year, Kodaline are currently preparing to release their debut album in the summer and now bring us new single 'Love Like This' - a country-tinged track drenched in harmonica and showcasing Steve Garrigan's vocal talents. The rumbling drums and frantically strummed guitars are somewhat reminiscent of Mumford & Sons, but Kodaline are vocally much closer to a traditional pop-rock song. The entire track builds to a climatic drum pattern and it's easy to see why this is already a live favourite.
Fleetwood Mac - 'Sad Angel'
After the hype brought about by the announcement of Fleetwood's return to the stage, fans now have something new to be excited about in the form of a new EP titled Extended Player. It's the first new music since 2003's Say You Will, and 'Sad Angel' sees the band rocking their way through what's a pretty traditional sounding folk-rock sound. The lyrics are fairly simplistic, but the music is the focus really, which is simple but satisfying and sure to whet Mac fans' appetites for the forthcoming live shows.
spells - 'exits'
The recording moniker of San Francisco native Jennifer D, spells, seems to be a fairly new musical endeavor, with the first tracks being uploaded to soundcloud about a week ago. There's traces of classical training in 'exits' with the singer sounding wistfully forlorn but equally at peace with a resounding feeling of calmness throughout the track. A ponderous beat and slowly stepping bassline, complimented by strokes of strings, gives the track an airy spaciousness. With only four soundcloud uploads to her name it's early days for spells, but she's definitely one to keep an eye on.
Myron & E - 'If I Gave You My Love'
Myron & E (Myron Glasper and Eric 'E Da Boss' Cooke) met while on tour with Blackalicious as backing singer and tour DJ respectively. Preparing to release their debut album through Stones Throw in July, they deliver this free download to whet our appetites. Soaking in nostalgic soul that is not dissimilar to the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings in some respects. But the duo inject a degree of freshness to their sound; the vocals are silky smooth and the music is deftly arranged to keep the groove trotting along while the vocal pitch rises and falls.
ASTR - 'Operate'
There's not a whole bunch known about NYC duo ASTR, but there debut single 'Operate' is the sort of hip hop/R&B/pop hybrid that's bound to take them far. The beat snaps and clicks while the synths and bass rumble over the top. There's a slightly haunted feeling to the vocals, particularly across the chorus, but they're delivered with a confident sassiness that could easily belong to any number of big name female popstars.
Clams Casino ft DOOM - 'Bookfiend'
Amid a wealth of dark, sinister, trap-orientated hip hop Clams Casion drop this laidback, hazy track with the aid of DOOM. The rapper's lyrics are savvy and well structured, but it's the washed-out music that leaves a lasting impression on the listener. Introspective and peaceful, the track incorporates the sort of chill-out vibes that are perfect for the early summer period. A refreshing contrast to a lot of the hip hop on offer at the moment.
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