Photo: Michael Lee Jamison
It's been one hell of a year for Frightened Rabbit. Not only did Painting Of A Panic Attack see them return from the brink of implosion, but the record that saw them team up with The National's Aaron Dessner is the finest of their career - driven by a new sense of adventure and compulsion. An honest record to break your heart and put it back together again.
And it's a long way from over yet. Before the band hit the road for a hectic month of festivals, incuding Latitude Festival, we asked frontman Scott Hutchison to review the biggest new tracks of the week - taking on everyone from Radiohead and Biffy Clyro to Busted, Blink 182, Calvin Harris and beyond...
Radiohead - 'Burn The Witch'
"It was never going to be shit, was it? I don't love this just yet, but there are some brilliant moments. Whoever dealt with the strings on this deserves a firm handshake. Would've been a very average Radiohead song without them plucking away. The video is superb."
Biffy Clyro - 'Animal Style'
"Bit of classic Biffy here. Little shards of madness, big fuckin' chorus, snarling maniacal vocals. I like it and canny wait to see them out on tour again."
Busted - 'Coming Home'
"Well this is a bit of a surprise. There are one or two iffy lyrics in there (the Taj Mahal bit? Errrrr), and overall it's a bit dull but there are some nice wee sections to this song. I have no idea what most Busted fans will make of it, and although I do admire the attempt to be grown ups, shouldn't they just have written another one about high school?"
Blink 182 - 'Bored To Death'
"Sounds like a Blink 182 song. People who like Blink 182 will like this song. I don't really like this song but that doesn't matter at all, does it?"
Todd Terje - 'Do You Wanna Bump?'
"This one is a tad ridiculous, but I could definitely shrug my shoulders along to it at 3am. I enjoy the way he says "bumP" with the accentuated 'P'. That's probably the best thing about this tune. Would've made for an excellent 80's one hit wonder. I can picture this lot being introduced by Bruno Brooks on Top Of The Pops."
Marissa Nadler - 'Katie I Know'
"All the dreamy swoon you could ever want. Maybe a little bit meandering for me, but I'd happily spend a small portion of a Sunday with this song."
Mitski - 'Happy'
"I enjoyed this, but I would like for everyone to STOP with the saxophones. It was fun initially, now it's an absolute eye roller. The song reminds me of another artist and I can't think who it is right now. Help. (Five mins later... Got it. St Vincent)."
AlunaGeorge - 'My Blood'
"I'm not really into the "bomp clicky tappy" genre. You know, all those fast electro hi-hats and finger clicks and almost nothing else going on at all. The video features exactly the kind of place one might listen to this music. Alone in a bed sit, checking yerself out in a mirror after one of the marijuana cigs."
Calvin Harris & Rihanna - 'This Is What You Came For'
"Sorry, I only did 30 seconds of this song. That's all I could handle. What a vodka and coke of a tune. I do not like this one bit, but I'm glad he's rich and fit and tanned and happy."
Jodie Abacus - 'She's In Love With The Weekend'
"I like this one! Enjoying the Princely sound, and the subtle vocal effect is brilliant. The video is an instant classic, I love his shoulder shrug dance! Bravo Jodie!"
MORE - Check out more from our Frightened Rabbit takeover below:
- Scott talking us through his favourite music, books and TV (including a desire to go on Bake Off)
- Scott's magnificent track-by-track review of Painting Of A Panic Attack
- Drummer and brother Grant gave us his guide to the finest pubs for a pint in Glasgow
