This week has seen some huge artists make a comeback and we've reported on incredible tracks from the likes of Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Liam Gallagher, Lorde, and The Arcade Fire. But this column isn't about repeating praise we've already given, it's an opportunity to, yes, give a second appreciation to our very favourite big releases, but we also cast a light on overlooked acts who operate in the shadows, making music whatever the weather financially.
Asking our favourite tastemakers in the business as well as inhouse writers we have a strong list of track to enjoy. Happy listening.
Authors: Jack Palfrey (JP), Dom Gourlay (DG), Nick Roseblade (NR), Nick Bamigboye (NB), Cai Trefor (CT).
Kevin Morby - '1234'
Kevin Morby’s fourth album City Music is due for release 16 June and see’s the LA based singer/songwriter pay homage to metropolitan living. As he puts it: “It’s a mix-tape, a fever dream, a love letter dedicated to those cities that I cannot get rid of, to those cities that are all inside of me". He’s already blessed us with the soulful, Cohen-esque grit of 'Come To Me Now' and 'Aboard My Train' but earlier this week he debuted the latest single from the LP, 1234. It’s an uplifting, hip-shaking hit of breezy garage pop that stomps its way through its short two-minute running time leaving you desperately wanting more with each listen. (JP)
TOUTS - 'Political People'
Following on from a lineage of politically charged Irish bands that includes Stiff Little Fingers and Rudi, Derry's Touts also sound like they belong in 1978 which isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, if we were still in that time zone Margaret Thatcher wouldn't be in power and the political shit storm we're faced with today might never have happened. Wishful thinking never hurt anyone. Unlike the Tories... (DG)
MXLX - 'I Just Want to Ride my Bike Into the Sky and Disappear'
‘I Just Want to Ride my Bike Into the Sky and Disappear’ is one of the stand out tracks on MXLX’s latest album ‘Kicking Away at the Decrepit Walls til the Beautiful Sunshine Blisters Thru the Cracks’. As with everything that MXLX releases this isn’t easy listening. After an opening salvo, that sounds like a drum loop imploding on itself, a dark and menacing bassline appears. This is then coupled with scatter shot drumming and a chilling vocal sample, lets you know that MXLX is back to his terrifying best! ‘Kicking Away at the Decrepit Walls til the Beautiful Sunshine Blisters Thru the Cracks’ is a real contender for album of the year. (NR)
Prophets of Rage - 'Unfuck The World'
They've got a point. The word is truly - ahem - fucked at the minute, and it does need saying. Unfortunately, being politically outspoken and making that the premisce of a musical group is an achievement few manage well. But if we're to pick out the best of all time it's Rage Against THe Machine. It makes sense then that this other project, which is essentially RATM minus Zach De La Rocha, are such naturals. Instead of Rocha, the Californian rockers are blessed with the presence of Chuck D from Public Enemy and B-Real from Cypress Hill as frontmen as they meaningfully command such important words. This tune is quite raw rock sounding and fairly similar in feel to the direction Tim Commerford, the bassist, took with his band Wakrat. It's all about showing how actually evil a lot of powerful people's actions are in this world and condemning them for it. Well done, you're totally our heroes. (CT)
Denzel Himself - 'WYA'
The closest thing Croydon has to Tyler The Creator, Denzel Himself rhymes over his own quirky production. 'WYA' which stands for Where You At? sounds like Slum Village 2.0, Denzel rhetorically asks about physical location but is really asking if we're ready to accept such a futuristic sound. Inspired by artists such as J Davey and Odd Future, Denzel flys the flag for off kilter, future soul from the UK. It's not all road rap and Grime over here. (NB)
Avalanche Party - 'I'm So Wet'
Avalanche Party hail from the village of Castleton which is situated in amidst the North Yorkshire moors. While that wouldn't normally be a decisive factor in appraising someone's art, it's clearly an influential part of the band's make up. Not least in their derision at what surroundings them and the attitudes of those encountered in everyday life. With a sound that sits somewhere between both the Chapman and Fat White families and a theatrical vocal delivery that recalls Paul Draper at his most cutting, 'I'm So Wet' is as deft as avant garde bargain bin glam could ever get this year. Sequinned bin liners ahoy! (DG)
James Heather - 'Oizys'
Minimal classical piano might not sound like something to get excited about, but James Heather’s music is! Through delicate and evocative flourishes Heather takes us on a rollercoaster ride through regret, longing and remorse. There is a subtle beauty to Oizys that beguiles as much as it transfixes. However this isn’t a melodic meditative track, and there is an underlying visceral malice that permeants Oizys. Given that Oizys is the Greek God of anxiety anything that was too peaceful wouldn’t make sense. Heather releases his debut EP Modulations on June 9th. (NR)
Jesse James Solomon Feat Suspect - 'Son Of The Ends'
Jesse James is like Kano meets The Streets, a voracious, eloquent emcee who is also soft spoken and extremely reflective. This new offering featuring Suspect, who gained attention with his recent collab with Giggs 'Wonder What', is a graphic illustration of life in SE17. Jesse explains he 'spits crack and I give it free to them' and apt description of his lyrical prowess which also alludes to social problems in his area of Woolwich Road, South East London. Conscious, socially aware rap has never sounded cooler over skippy production from Felix Joseph and Red Lee. (NB)
Liam Gallagher - 'Wall Of Glass'
When it came out earlier this week, the internet had a tendency to praise LG's return with football language; words like "knocked it out the park", and "back of the net" flooded social media. It's laddy and very positive and I can't help agree that it's sounding huge, even if our reviewer of the Brixton show argues otherwise. That distinct Mancunian drawl from the icon who personifies Britpop is as powerful as ever on 'Wall Of Glass', it signal a confident comeback with classic swagger whilsts embracing modern production with a fresher bass-heavy production complim enting his vocals and Oasis-sounding guitar shreds. Triumphant. (CT)
Arcade Fire - 'Everything Now'
I was never in doubt Arcade Fire would be short of ideas for their comeback single. But just how brilliant it is has truly impressed me. Even in a weeks that's seen new songs from all the big hitters like Radiohead, Foo Fighters, and Lorde, this stands out as my favourite. This is helped being fan of the first two albums more than The Suburbs and Reflektor as the sonics draw many parallels to the earlier material. However, it's also very progressive and continues to show the journey the band are on in going beyond Western influences and incorporating avant garde music from areas of the world less commonly expressed in popular music. The release is the title track from their forthcoming new album out 28 July, an album we'll definitely be devouring. (CT)
Griff Lynch - 'No One Cares'
By day Griff Lynch is a Welsh language tv director, by night he's a musician carving out off-kilter electro pop so good that his day employers should be worried. The song, sung in English through the accent of someone who's first language Welsh can't help but draw comparisons with Gruff Rhys or Meilyr Jones. But overall the sonics have some remarkable probably chance similarities with a Danish band cutting into the mainstream in Denmark named Franske Piger, It's a modern take on the 80s that's pushing indie pop in a direction that we can't help love. The synth settings, the harmonies, the guitars, everything is just spot on here. (CT)
Floating Points - 'Kelso Dunes'
Electronic producer Floating Points (aka Sam Shephard) recently announced Reflections – Mojave Desert - a short-film/soundtrack project due for release June 30 on Pluto. This week he revealed the second cut from the project, 'Kelso Dunes', a four-minute track and video that sees Sam and his band sounding more cinematic and hypnotic than ever, performing against a mesmerising backdrop of dark desert sky. ‘Reflections – Mojave Desert’ is the first installment in a new series of projects set to explore the relationship between environment and sound. The film, directed by long-time collaborators Jason Galea and Ben Jones, will premiere at the Barbican Theatre in London on June 29. (JP)
