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:

LISTEN: Rainer - Hope [Woman's Hour Remix]

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

A pairing between some of our favourite new acts this year, Rainer’s 'Hope' is given the eerie once-over by Kendal/Manchester electronic pop lot, Woman’s Hour. 

Where the original picks up its dancing feet, Woman’s Hour’s remix draws out every inch of the stems with yearning synths, drugged-out beats and sparse, choral hums. There’s no room for dancing here, just a beautiful cacophony of sounds.

The fact that the remix is instantly recognisable as the four piece’s own is a great sign of the band starting to make their mark.

'Hope [Woman's Hour Remix]' is our Song of the Day. Listen now below.

LISTEN: Woman's Hour - Darkest Place [Oceaán remix]

*Originally published for The Line of Best Fit (7/10/13)

Oceaán caught our attention earlier this year with the smooth and silky ‘Need U’. Now the Manchester producer delivers a delicate remix of ‘Darkest Place’ by electronic minimalists, Woman’s Hour.

There is a real sense of partnership in Oceaán’s reworking of ‘Darkest Place’; Fiona Burgess’ naked vocals swim fluidly between “Oliver Cean”'s soulful hums. Finger snaps build to scurrying rhythms and harmonies glint in the background.

What is so attractive about the remix is that the original is instantly recognisable –  just kissed with a new warmth – likely found basking in clubbers’ afterglow or accompanying late-night drives.