by Michael Baggs

Dan Black, Chvrches, PINs: best tracks of the week

Huge new tunes from Jamie Isaac, Royksopp, Fyfe, Ellie Goulding and more

 

Dan Black, Chvrches, PINs: best tracks of the week

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The weekend is upon us once again (hurrah etc) and once again, the past week has brought us some amazing new tunes that have made the working week (all four days of it) much more pleasureable.

From a returning electro-popper to a slice of grunge-inspired lady rock, to ridiculous US comedy rock and a blinding slice of French dances music, check out the ten best new tracks of the past week.

Listen, enjoy.

Dan Black feat. Kelis - 'Hearts'
What a tune. Dan Black's debut album UN didn't quite set him on to the road to stardom he so richly deserved, but the UK electro star is back and sounding better than ever on this ruddy marvellous new duet with Kelis. A simple but effective chorus and spectacular club production makes this one of the most exciting tracks of the past seven days. All hail electropop's new golden couple.

 

PINs - 'Stay True'
If 2013 hasn't brought you enough fierce lady-rock from the likes of Savages and Deap Vally, then PINs return will fill the gap in your life and listening habits. A beautiful slice of female rock, with stunning grunge influences and a rousing choral hook. Girls rock.

 

Chvrches - 'Gun'
Seriously, these Scots can do no wrong. Every track we've heard from Chvrches in 2013 has been flawless - and 'Gun' may just be the strongest yet. No album has been announced, which is slightly annoying, but when they deliver perfect pop so frequently, we're happy with their currently softly-softly approach to releases.

 

The Lonely Island feat. Robyn - 'Get Kindgerarten'
It's not big and it's not clever - but boy, the new Lonely Island single sure is a whole lot of (juvenile) fun. Teaming up with Swedish star Robyn should add a touch of cool to the US comedy group, but instead, the singer is more than happy to descend to their level and sing nonsense lyrics - the highlights of which include urging female fans to give birth on the dancefloor and male fans to wave their genitals in the air. Nonsense fun.

 

Royksopp - 'Daddy's Groove'
Norwegian duo Royksopp have not released an album since Senior in 2010, but this week premiered a brand new track, 'Daddy's Groove' from the latest in the Late Night Tales series. Massively chilled and boasting a vocodered vocal that would shame even Daft Punk, 'Daddy's Groove' makes us all the most eager to know what Royksopp have in the pipeline.

 

Chateau Marmont - 'The Wind Blows' (Yuksek remix)
King Midas of the remix world, everything Yuksek touches turns into gold. Here, the hugely respected producer turns his attentions to new French band Chateau Marmont for a pounding reworking of their new single 'Wind Blows'. A very big tune indeed.

 

Jamie Isaac - 'Softly Draining Seas'
Stop what you're doing and have a sit down. It's not all about big remixes and squealing guitars, sometimes a song stands out quietly, and this London newcomer's latest release is a sublime slice of 2013 chill out.

 

Fyfe - 'Conversations'
Newcomer Fyfe has stayed remarkably silent about his current project (Paul Dixon was previously the frontman of David's Lyre) and is letting the music do the talking. Fortunately, what the music has to say is bloody brilliant, as his latest track 'Conversations' proves. Touches of electronica blend with guitar licks taken from The xx textbook, while Dixon's distinct vocal elevates the track above other leftfield newcomers.

 

Fuck Buttons 'The Red Wing'
When it comes to unconventional, Fuck Buttons have it licked. Taken from the band's third album Slow Focus, 'The Red Wing' is a dark and impenetrable wall of sound - but contstructed so meticulously that it is impossible not to relish in its dark intricacies. The jaw dropping crescendo is a mind blowing explosion of sound.

 

Ellie Goulding 'Tessellate'
Goulding knows her stuff when it comes to cover versions. Having previously turn her talents to 'High For This' by The Weeknd, the UK star this week revealed a cover version of Alt-J's huge 'Tessellate', breathing new life into one of the biggest songs of 2012.

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