FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 14/2/14

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (14/2/14)

We’ve done the rounds again and picked out the best new music from the last seven days. Consider your Valentine’s playlist sorted. 

Appropriately, we kick things off with Bella Union’s latest signing, Ráj, and his debut, “Let Me Love You”. Don’t be fooled though – this is no happy ending. Sheer heartbreak over empty guitars and spooky percussion, Ráj’s soul repeatedly bleats, “let me love you, ’till it hurts”, and we might just hurt a bit too. An exceptionally promising debut from the LA-based artist. 

Another heart-tugger, “1955″, from new London-based dream-poppers Anto Dust was too hard to ignore despite its imitative dreamgaze composition. Walls of reverb, echoed vocals, humming psych organs and dampened beats combine to make a song that never starts nor ends; an endless loop of expansive, otherworldly sounds.

Woman’s Hour treated us to the first fruits of their labour since signing to Secretly Canadian with “Her Ghost” - a soft, progressive number that glows with confidence. Thankfully, the London-via-Kendal four-piece haven’t lost their knack for keeping musical components at arm’s length: synths skittering at their own accord and guitar lines darting. Fiona Jane’s gentle Northern burr nicely blankets the track, snatching you away from February’s cold winds.

Perhaps it was all the attention on Prince over the last week that got us hooked on Meanwhile's funk-pop debut, “Luvletta”. Ignoring the obvious musical comparisons, the song is so buoyant it could blow the roof off any raucous house party. Horn-sections, big synth barks, colourful vocals and a vivacious rhythm section make for a surefire weekend winner.

Last but not least, Cornwall-based sister duo Hockeysmith dropped possibly the best thing we’ve heard this year: “But Blood”. Where previous demos were mesmerising, if not a little distracted, “But Blood” is the sound of a band truly beginning to hone their craft: angled on brooding sub-bass, skewered acid hooks, fluid drone and opulent vocals. The stunning video is also worth a peep.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best tracks below:

FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 7/2/14

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (7/2/14)

Fresh music to sink your teeth into: our selection of the week’s best new music from the last seven days.

Hitting us with her poppiest cut to date, burgeoning Swedish/Barbadian artist Naomi Pilgrim dropped the immediately catchy, “Rainmakers”. Retaining her velvet RnB coo whilst opting for a more washed-out electronic sound, the track is the last piece in the puzzle of her self-titled debut EP (streaming now) and another exciting, upfront track.

It was all doom and gloom when we heard “Dust Hung Heavy” by new Manchester duo Shield Patterns, but we welcomed this beautiful melancholia. Blushing with dark synths, banshee vocals, electronic blinks and rumbling percussion, “Dust Hung Heavy” nicely straddles the line between the synthetic and the organic – enthralling from start to finish.

Another purveyor of the alt. RnB that’s currently dominating music blogs (our hand goes up too) was SLK’s debut follow-up, “Be”. Proving that she’s not just a one off, “Be” is one helluva song, bulging with gallantly slow beats, nipped samples and polished vocals. Though it takes a bite of the neo-soul that Jessie Ware and Laura Welsh produce, it makes its own kind of impact by turning down the tempo.

Elusive Manchester producer Oceaán can hardly put a foot wrong. His latest track, “To Lose” (a taste of what’s to come on his forthcoming debut EP), showed off his self-styled brand of subtle, slow-mo electronic music: its fingers in future garage, neo soul and, yet again, that omnipotent alt RnB. With clouded synths and misshapen croons fidgeting over crisp beats, there’s a wee nod to Jai Paul’s mysterious and warped creations, and we love every bit of it.

Lastly, the opening beats and heavy-loaded vocals on Cyril Hahn and Javeon’s ”Breaking” were an early weekend tease, bristling as they do with undulating, deep house rhythms. A warm chorus carried by Javeon’s husky voice swells with buzzy, tumbling samples – a sound not shy to Hahn’s PMR labelmates, Disclosure.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best new music below:

FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 31/1/14

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (31/1/14)

Another batch of sterling music has come our way. Here’s our pick of the week’s best new music from the past seven days. 

Alhough we first heard his bedroom demo back in October, 18-year-old Londoner Shivum Sharma dropped a re-touched version of his breathaking, “Flicker”. On this new cut, forlorn sax and bold percussion make an appearance at the close, nicely supporting his unruly, delicate falsetto. A simple and stoic composition, “Flicker” is a track that will stay with you all day long.

London house producer KAASI dished-out, “Caroline Street” – a release thick with undulating synth pads and glitchy electronics that are so synonymous with the genre. It’s a cosy, mellow track begging to be played on loop as you wind down from the week.

As far as debuts go, mysterious duo Gold Spectacles couldn’t have impressed us more on “Steal You Away”. Rolling drums, lively bass hooks and elegant male/female vocal pairings combine to make a colourful patchwork of sounds that become more vibrant upon each listen. Like the above, they’re also from the big smoke, but that's all we know. Let’s hope we can find out more.

Twosome Alpines made a welcome return after a year’s break away from creating their irrefutably catchy brand of electronica. “Oasis”, the act’s brand new track, boasts tropical bleeps, lazy beats and Catherine Pockson’s confident, studio-fit vocals. A strong offering.

Last up – and moving away from UK capital – was Canadian popstress Lowell with her powerhouse smash, “Cloud 69″. Bringing to mind the brattish attitude of Sleigh Bells minus the full-throttled discordant noise, the track comes packed with ricocheting drums, girlish vocals and punchy guitars that hit you square in the gut. It follows Lowell’s recent signing to Canadian label Arts & Crafts, and the track harps in celebration.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best new music below:

LISTEN/WATCH: Orthy, Pixel Fix, Lion Bark, Young Fathers, We Are Shining

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (13/1/14 - 16/1/14)

Orthy - "Night Touch"

Texan electronic outfit Orthy give us a taste of what’s to come on their new EP via the warm, melodic house sentiments of “Night Touch”.

Sounding like the opening to a Wild Beasts song with its sharp wood blocks snaps and rumbling percussion, “Night Call” soon finds itself lost in high energy harmonies, relentless beats and swirling, hallucinogenic layers.

The five-piece, headed up by bedroom musician Ian Orth, count The Beach Boys amongst their influences and that love of rich vocal alliances sits tight at the track’s centre.

It’s immersive stuff, so just sit back and let its lush layers wash over you.

E.M.I.L.Y. EP is out now via Dither Down, with an album to follow.

 

Pixel Fix - "Fall"

Oxford fourpiece Pixel Fix return with “Fall” and prove that guitars and electronics still make a healthy pairing. 

On last year’s releases “Rosa” and “Rome”, the band seemed to be testing the waters of this fusion, consistently marrying the two musical families with a film of ambience. On “Fall”, the band have picked up from where they left off, but this time radiate a brighter, poppier sound. Funk guitars intelligently nit-pick at rewound samples and buoyant rhythms, and soft vocals sit nice and tight in the mix.

Live, the band exude an energy that swerves towards the old math-rock leanings of fellow Oxfordians Foals, but on this song there’s a strange, active calmness that’s simply a pleasure to hear. Fall EP is out on 24 February.




Lion Bark - "Longhorns"

Brighton quintet Lion Bark have pricked up tastemakers’ ears with their perfumed dream-pop. Now they unveil the new video for “Longhorns”, premiering today on Best Fit. 

The visuals explore a young man’s paranoia seemingly imposed through self-exile, set amid cascading guitars, breezy percussion and gorgeous off-kilter croons.

Director Ben Pender explains: “Longhorns is a song about coping and coming to terms with absence. This void can quickly lead to you shutting yourself off from the outside world, seeking comfort only in mundane activities, instead of confronting your problems head on. “The result is a sequence of nightmarish reactions from a gritty and somewhat surreal reality, which leads Guy to find strength in accepting the reality he faces, and then acting upon it – knowing this perception is temporary."

“Longhorns” precedes an EP release this year.

Young Fathers - "GET UP"

Ahead of the release of their next album, DEAD, Liberian/Nigerian/Scottish trio Young Fathers drop meteoric new track, “GET UP”. 

Hitting you square on with dissonant foghorn blasts, giant beats and spits of “I’m the catalyst for the revolution”, “GET UP” knows no bounds in its impact. The trio almost refuse to be pigeonholed – yes, on the rap sections there are clear parallels with Massive Attack – but there’s something much more alternative here with smatterings of afrobeat and upfront pop. Though the track’s dissonance can unsettle you upon the first listen, you’ll soon be pushing repeat.

DEAD is out on Anticon/Big Dada on 3 February.

We Are Shining - "Killing" (feat. Eliza Doolittle)

Previously releasing tracks on Young Turks under the guise of The Shining, new London duo We Are Shining have now flipped record labels, penned chunks of their debut LP and hoisted Brit songstress Eliza Doolittle aboard for new single, “Killing”.

It’s thus a fresh start for established DJ/producer Acyde and Morgan Zarate of Hyperdub, and "Killing” sounds like they’re ready to take on the world.

Following their startling debut, “Wheel” late last year, this new track is just as impressive and eclectic; afrobeats tug at an ostinato bass line and Ms Doolittle’s bright vocals bounce along syncopated rhythms.

Brass interjections are heard amongst watery guitars at the close – notably the only big change in the song’s loop-lush character – boldy reminding you why they can’t be ignored. Much like Young Fathers who we featured yesterday, We Are Shining style a world music of their own.

 “Killing” is taken from the duo’s new mixtape.

FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 10/1/14

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (10/1/14)

Well, 2014, you’ve already delivered on the music front. Here’s our pick of the best new music from the past seven days. 

London crooner Kwabs teamed up once more with Vienna-based producer SOHN and the results were startling. Where the earthy vocal gushes of “Last Stand” were a welcome listen for fans of either, “Wrong or Right” has the potential to reach a much wider audience. SOHN’s impossibly crisp production nicely heats up Kwabs’ vocals, allowing them to soar above the track’s huge digital flames.

This week also saw the return of Watford songstress Kyla La Grange and arguably her most assured track to date. “Cut Your Teeth” hears dubby bass throbs and cold harmonies cut through ghostly wah-oohs and synths, suggesting a new direction for the artist who’s set to release her second album this spring.

Whilst Kwabs and La Grange made their sweet returns, London newcomer Molly Beanland dropped her stunning debut track. We were lucky enough to premiere the 80s dream-pop-indebted, “Night Dreams” – three minutes of sparkle synths, echoing guitars and Ms Beanland’s sumptuous vocal. Fan of Cocteau Twins? Tune in.

Liverpool artist Lapsley’s minimalist, pitch-dropped track “Station” was one of the most powerfully understated tracks we’d heard in months. Contemplative, beautiful and very original. Amazing to think she’s just 17, too.

Last up, Dublin quintet Girl Band unveiled their incredible ode to noise, “Lawman”. An “anti-single” bursting at the seams with industrial beats, nasty guitars and other noises we dare not decipher, “Lawman” is brave, ballsy and utterly brilliant.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best tracks below:
 

FEATURE: 14 for 14: The Records We’re Most Excited About in 2014

Warpaint - Warpaint (20 January, Rough Trade)

It was 2010 when we first heard the free-flowing structures and dark ambience of Warpaint’s debut album, The Fool. Very few records at the time felt as organic, as unbounded – you merely the fly on the wall of their improvisational sounds. The LA quartet quickly became everyone’s favourite new band and that loyalty has puffed its chest for the last three years.

In October, the band released a video album teaser featuring clips of new single 'Love Is To Die', directed by visionary photographer/filmmaker Chris Cunningham following two-years documenting the band’s every creative move. It was everything we wanted to hear and more; those familiar phaser-licked guitars and playful bass lines, superseded by abrupt key changes and deranged rhythms.

The self-titled follow up strikes a healthy balance between the expected and the unexpected, this time weighed with more electronics. It will no doubt get repeated spins during 2014.


Grimes - TBC (Expected 2014)

Let’s get this out of the way: Visions was nigh on the best album of 2012. Boundary-pushing, intoxicating and good fun. Claire Boucher of Grimes invited you into her new age world of glitchy bleeps, ambient washes and sugared vocals, constantly treading the line between leftfield territory and upfront pop.

Though her self-produced third album was well-received, she was criticised about the quality of the production and bit back any offers of guidance (“I’m tired of men who aren’t professional or even accomplished musicians continually offering to ‘help me out [...]‘ as if the fact that I’m a woman makes me incapable of using technology”).

In April, she announced that her new, more “experimental” album was underway – “two fifths” done in fact – but has since gone quiet. Please don’t keep it away from us for too long.


I Break Horses - Chiaroscuro (20 January, Bella Union)

Sweden’s I Break Horses have the pleasure of reaching many tastemakers’ ears whilst retaining a devoted, almost cult-like following. 2011′s Hearts - though shrouded in cloudy electrogaze - shone bright amongst the year’s memorably mediocre releases. It became a life-affirming soundtrack for long train journeys and late night strolls.

So, what to do next? Aside from write one of the best songs of the year, the band’s latest work points towards more immediate electropop sound on singles like 'Denial'. Chiaroscuro may well garner them the attention they deserve.

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (2/1/13)

FEATURE: Laura Welsh - Ones to Watch 2014

*Originally published for The Tipping Point (11/12/13)

Seemingly arriving from nowhere with the Dev Hynes-produced ‘Unravel’ in March, London-based singer Laura Welsh was in fact giving her musical career another push. 

Previously heading up acts Laura And The Tears in 2010 and Hey Laura, the songstress had taken a hiatus to reset her ideas and “write songs for myself”. She later moved on to work with the likes of Rhye and Emile Haynie (Kanye West, Lana Del Rey). “It felt like a sort of period in time where I had a lot of freedom to just build on what I wanted to do”, she said.

That freedom is duly encapsulated in her music, particularly the candid lyricism of ‘Unravel’ – “I’ll give you all my love/ just take what I don’t need”. All the components are exposed to the elements, from bare piano notes to breathy vocal hums and hushes, allowing Ms Welsh to stand with the take-me-as-I am spirit of neo soul peers Jessie Ware and Laura Mvula.

In October, Radio 1 added her latest single ‘Undiscovered’ to the In New Music We Trust playlist and a flurry of famous producers have since jumped to remix her work.

Now putting the final touches to her debut LP due early 2014, it seems Laura has set herself up well for what we think will be her busiest year to date. A holiday does wonders for the soul.

FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 6/12/13

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (6/12/13)

December – where did that come from? This week’s new music certainly doesn’t sound like it’s the end of the year.

Laura Bettinson was formerly the brains behind afrobeat group Dimbleby & Capper, currently heads up Ultraísta and has now has a new guise as FEMME. October’s 'Fever Boy' was instantly recognisable as one of her own with its clap-happy beats, cutting vocals and undulating grooves. The track’s now been washed with Canadian rapper Cadence Weapon’s heaving chants and dirty drops, and squares up well to the original cut.

Eugene Quell’s debut offering 'Weird Purr' was too hard to ignore with its soft grunge snarls and fuzzy layers. He’s no stranger to this sound though, having played in bands since the early 90s. The track makes a bed in your head with drowsy snare snaps and chatty vocals. It might be laid back, but it’s deceptively bright and confident, psyching us up for future releases.

Building on the game-changing RnB that’s dominated this year is the latest track from Ben Khan. 'Savage' is buoyant, energetic and a quick shot in the heart with its funk guitars, klaxon synths and rich singing. We think he might have chucked older hooks into the mix here, clogging up its thick layers with sprightly guitar lines. 

London duo Kaleida dropped the second track from their debut EP and our synthpop hearts exploded. Like 'Eden', 'Tropea'‘s synths glint inside dark chasms of ghostly vocals and gallant rhythms. It’s promising music: self-assured and wholly accessible.

As far as debuts go, few can stretch minds as well as Adult Jazz’ first effort. 'Springful'‘s art school, chop-pop textures recall much of Dirty Projectors’ back catalogue and yet sound completely new. The Leeds fourpiece are trying to push boundaries. They can do this as much as they like.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best tracks below:

FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 22/11/13

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (22/11/13)

Welcome to the latest round-up of the best new music from emerging artists. Consider your weekend listening sorted. 

A short time ago, we were lucky enough to premiere 'Alligator', the debut track by Ascot trio, Febueder. The band released yet another brash but beautiful pop song this week with “Sloppiness Tank”, awash with off-kilter structures, ghoulish wails and angular guitars. Just like “Alligator”, the track takes you on a journey of twisted paths and blind corners, ever testing your ability to guess what’s next.

Australian soloist Banoffee spoilt our sweet tooth with 'Reign Down', a gorgeous, supple RnB number. The weighty rhythms and deep vocoda vocals give the track the punch it needs with warm synths and Martha Brown’s voice cooing underneath.

Garage pop lovers beware: Boston’s Quilt have offered-up one coarse, upbeat and affecting affair. 'Tired & Buttered' hears jangling guitar hooks, fuzzy vocals and kitchen sink drums clamber on top on each other. But that’s not all. Somewhere in the mix lies 60s psych pop with whirring organ effects and clipped harmonies. Fans of Foxygen and Jagwar Ma will likely dig.

Perhaps the most inventive track to reach our ears this week was 'Hide', the debut release from Stockholm-based artist, China. Subtle textures and hollow beats float over bulky synths that are all wrapped up in Daniel Tjäder’s (The Radio Dept./Korallreven) crisp production. Around the 1:40 mark you’ll swear you can hear another song leaking into the track, but glassy synths and dissonant notes fit strangely well into the shape. “I’ve got my eye on you”, China Yggström sings. We better keep our eye on her.

Last but not least, we were a little short of stunned by the debut track from London newcomers, Groves. 'Papercut' could settle itself quite nicely as a Rumours off-cut, albeit brightened by modern electronics. As we noted previously, there’s an interesting mix of warm genres that poke their heads above the surface, from folk to disco, and you are truly rewarded with every listen.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best tracks below:

FEATURE: Tracks of the Week - 15/11/13

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (15/11/13)

It’s that time of the week when we look back at the most exciting new releases from emerging artists.

In line with the release of their debut EP, Medusa, Washington DC duo GEMS showed off yet more impressive songwriting with 'Ephemera'. Giant beats, 80s guitar, clear-cut vocals and spotless layers of synth congeal to make another pop hit-in-waiting. They’re one of our favourite new bands of 2013.

'Secrets' saw the striking pairing of the established and the new: big vocals from Canadian wonderboy The Weeknd and smooth electronics crafted by little-known producer, Jr. Hi. Starting as minimalist RnB with soulful vocals and restrained bleeps, the track soon progresses into heavier, more bulbous electronic territory. A great collaboration.

NYC model and filmmaker duo Cable unleashed debut single, 'Roxanne', and got us fixated on the song’s seductive protagonist. A definite nod to the 80s with chiming synths and tinny beats, the track details a figure "calling your name" over and over again. The cries continue long after listening.

One of the most creative pieces of new music we heard all week came in the form of 'Keepyourbusinesstoyourself' by Indian born, Australian-based artist Jitwam. A wonderful fushion of sounds from muddled hip-hop to electronic jazz, 'Keepyourbusinesstoyourself' will have everyone guessing Jitwam’s next move.

Finally, Disclosure affiliate Tourist offered-up his take on 'Lies' by CHVRCHES. Reminiscient of Jacques Green’s slow and sensitive rendition of Radiohead’s 'Lotus Flower', the London producer’s remix doesn’t take away from the original – it only adds. Lauren Mayberry’s vocals are left untouched (though sound strangely less Glaswegian without her bandmates’ barrage of muscular synths), whilst a nice house mid-section gets underway. The remix builds at a perfect pace, leaving a gentle piano naked at the close.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best tracks below: