Bloody Rainbow – Built to Spill:
Legendary 90’s indie rock band Built To Spill are to make a return with a new album, the focus of this one being covers of the genius lo-fi innovator Daniel Johnston following his death late last year. This song ‘Bloody Rainbow’ is a very simple melodic twee tune just over 2 minutes in length and is a great return for Built to Spill. Their very distinctive sound translates very well into covering this kind of material, with Doug’s voice sounding just as impressive as it did in the 90’s. Looking forward to this album!
Texas Drums pt 1 & 2 – Pottery:
Pottery are a new Canadian / UK band I am just becoming familiar with through the release of this double track: Texas Drums Pt 1 & 2. In this song, Pottery show us their light and almost comedic spin on a post punk sound that could be compared to early talking heads, but with an extra element of dance. As demonstrated by the title, this track has 2 parts to it; the first being a driving dance punk beat accompanied with gang vocals, which eventually progresses into a longer more slowed down instrumental passage with more drowned out incoherent vocals. I have seen a few modern post punk bands do this kind of progressive 2 part tracks, cautiously leading me to call this phenomenon: Prog-post-punk? Either way Pottery have come through with a great sound, definitely looking out for their album in April.
I am not maternal – otoboke beaver:
Otoboke Beaver, female fronted Japanese hardcore punk band, have released a new song titled ‘I am not maternal’ following their highly praised ITEKOMA HITS last year. This track does not go as hard as some of the songs on their last album but has a very catchy hook and is a total banger.
What Kinda Music – Tom Misch Yussef Dayes:
Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes, two prominent artists from the London scene have come together for a collaborative project combining Toms distinctive style of easygoing alternative rnb / neo-soul with Yussef Dayes, one of the most innovative in London’s thriving jazz scene. This track ‘What Kinda Music’ is a standout for Tom Misch for me as I usually find the production and instrumentals do not stand out as much for me but Yussef’s drumming and percussion sounds fits perfectly with his style and the pace of the song with Tom even sounding like Thom Yorke in parts of the song. Very interesting collaboration and am looking forward to what their album sounds like together.
We Will Always Love You – Avalanches & Blood Orange:
The Avalanches are back! Prolific experimental plunderphonics group the avalanches had their comeback album in 2016, their first album in over 15 years and now they are back again with an upcoming album. This new track titled ‘We Will Always Love You’ features the one and only Blood Orange (aka Devonte Hynes) and it is fantastic, maybe my favourite track of the month. It is like a psychedelic trip-hop track and features very dreamy production, beginning with a lowkey rap verse from Blood Orange followed by a beautifully blissful chorus which features blood orange distinctive singing style accompanied with avalanches choir type female vocals, ecstasy.
BALD! – JPEGMAFIA:
JPEGMAFIA is back doing what he does best, following his critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘All my Heroes are Cornballs’ released late last year, he is already back releasing his own unique brand of forward thinking experimental hip hop. The theme of this song ‘BALD!’ being a reference to his new hairstyle with the video that accompanied this showing that he has shaved his head bald. The dreamy ethereal production is still present, without some of the more abrasive aspects of some of the cuts on his last album. Not sure if this is being released as a single to an upcoming album as Peggy usually just drops his material when he wants to and often comes across like he doesn’t give a shit. Great track either way!
Schemin – Inner Wave:
Inner Wave are a group I am not massively familiar with, only being aware of one other of their tracks before hearing this. However it seems like inner wave are taking a new approach based on the contrast I noticed from their indie psychedelic pop past to this new song. Titled Schemin, this track sees inner wave try their luck with a druggy hypnagogic rap track. Obviously pulling from their arsenal of previously used psychedelic and hypnagogic production techniques, this bouncy but equally low key track suits their style and sounds a lot more original than the material they have made previously.
Describe – Perfume Genius:
Art pop innovator Perfume Genius is returning with a new album in May ‘Set My Heart On Fire Immediately’, and has come out with a new song titled Describe. This song shows Perfume Genius trying his luck (successfully) with a very noisy and distorted shoegaze track. What I love about this track is the unique modern twist on noise pop / shoegaze with the forward thinking production making the wall of sound all the more enveloping and engaging, combined with Hadreas’ lush vocals that you would not often hear in a song from this genre. Excited to see what Perfume Genius has in store for us next!
Turned To String – No Age:
Prolific shoegaze punk outfit No Age return from a 2 year hiatus following their 2018 Snares Like a Haircut (their first album in 5 years). This new track Turned to String follows much more of a simple post-punk / alt rock song structure without featuring much feedback or other shoegazey production techniques on vocals that you would often expect to find in their music. No Age taking a more direct approach works out though, a straightforward punky banger with some of the sludgy lofi instrumentals remaining.
Here’s The Thing – Sports Team:
Cambridge indie rockers / post punk revivalists Sports Team have released a new single titled ‘Here’s the Thing’ for their upcoming debut album in June. The song features a political message covering all the modern myths and misconceptions about general life, employment and social issues that are often said and brands them all as lies that the listener should take no note of. The jerky vocal style of the singer Alex Rice, a crucial part of their distinctive sound, sounds as great here as ever.
All is Lost – Wasted Shirt (Ty Segall & Black Pus):
Wasted Shirt are a new collaborative project from two of the most prolific people in the noise rock scene today, Ty segall with his countless genre bending discography boasting 15 albums since 2010, alongside Brian Chippendale, also known as Black pus: the drummer of legendary experimental noise rock duo Lighting Bolt. I wasn’t an enormous fan of the album due to its slight derivativity and experimental noise without enough melody for my tastes but the one track that stood out to me was All is Lost. A noisy off kilter track, featuring both ty and brian on vocals. The track follows a simple structure, one half featuring lo fi shouting over Brians drumming, the other part only distinguishable by a repeating crushing noisy riff. The track maintains a lot of the experimental sounds of lightning bolts music as well as the tone of many of Ty’s own work.
All songs found in this playlist below:
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