More about: Taylor SwiftPVASarah KinsleySTONEHarrietteMonthly PlaylistOn RepeatChappell Roan
Inserting some comment about how fast time moves here… October is over, winter is setting in, Christmas songs are now acceptable.
Delivering some of the most highly anticipated records of 2022 as last minute contenders for coveted album of the year slots, October saw releases from Taylor Swift, The 1975, The Big Moon and a slight disappointment from Arctic Monkeys, to name a few. Also handing us some incredible singles that are settling the tone for 2023 ones to watch lists, Sarah Kinsley and Chappell Roan offers up some clear stand outs.
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Keeping you caught up on any tracks you might have missed, our monthly playlist compiles what the Gigwise team has kept on repeat all month. For October, here are some of our highlights…
'Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve' - Taylor Swift
After releasing Midnights, Taylor Swift dropped an extended version mere hours later with 7 bonus tracks. Already a perfect 10/10 album, additional track ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ stands out as something deeply special. Building on the conversation she launched with ‘All Too Well (10 minute version)’, tackling the age gap relationships head on, we’d argue that ‘Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve’ is even more heartbreaking. Full of gothic, echoing harmonies to match the brutal imagery - it’s killer and we’re more than ready to fight John Mayer after screaming every word.
'Money (Hope Ain’t Gone)' - Stone
As one of our ones to watch for 2022, Stone came through on the promise we saw in them on ‘Money (Hope Ain’t Gone)’. Heavily leaning into that scouse 90s, nostalgia influence like The Stone Roses if they were more pissed off, lead singer Fin Power gives his best performance yet.
'Casual' - Chappell Roan
Chappell has yet to release a song that isn’t perfect. It’s hard to imagine an artist with more potential, and honestly we’d bet it all on her - with ‘Casual’ being another golden step. Offering a slower sound with more vulnerable lyricism that we’ve heard yet, ‘Casual’ focuses in on her flawless pop vocal on this tale of modern dating. With every song, we’re waiting for more. We want Chappell Roan world domination or at least some UK shows.
'Bad Dad' - PVA
PVA’s album Blush has been on regular rotation all month, especially perfect to soundtrack focus hours to reluctantly power through work. As a real stand out, ‘Bad Dad’ captures all the best bits of the band. Merging electronic undertones with a spoken word vocal that leans into the recently post-punk obsession - something about Ella singing “i’m a bad dad” riles us up.
'The Giver' - Sarah Kinsley
As much as you can curse what TikTok has done to the music industry, it’s hard to hate it when it delivers a track like ‘The Giver’. Following the success of her Cypress EP, Sarah Kinsley has stripped it right back here to give full credit to the demo that blew up, demanding every bit of attention go direct to those lyrics. Singing “He is hungry for someone but doesn’t know who”, it would be embarrassing to admit how many times we (read: i’ve) sung along to this on sad sunday nights this month…
'Fucking Married' - Harriette
What even is there to say about this track? As cuffing season sets in and the engagement posts come rolling in Harriette singing “at least i’m not fucking married” couldn’t have come as a better time. Her 3rd track and she’s knocked it out of the park again, all eyes on Harriette for 2023.
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