What a week: Lana came back with a bite, Taylor Swift got the Yonaka treatment, and some new faces stepped onto the scene. Of course, we’ve got all that for you here: welcome to The Weekly Round-Up.
Alex Cameron – Far From Born Again
Smooth croonin’, old schoolin’ and Roy is hella tootin’. Who knew a song about sex work could be so boppy. Nicely done, Alex, very nicely done.
Chartreuse – Three Days
Groovy, chilled out, but with a desperately sad undertone. Following the likes of Rex Orange County, this song presents the lazy-like drums and vocals that have become so popular, topped with a smattering of extensions into a wider vocal range.
Foy Vance – Wind Blows Chloe
It’s so folksy, oh God it’s so folksy. Sounds a bit like something I once heard on a Woody Guthrie CD, at first, and then it mellows into something really quite smooth. A nice lil quartet of tracks, but pretty much what you’d expect from Foy Vance.
Kate Teague – Low Life
A cheeky live recording of ‘Low Life’ popped up on the ole Youtube this week – stripped down to just a guitar and a mic, the track announced Kate’s debut EP due next month. Get in.
Lana Del Rey – Looking For America
A dreamlike yet heartbreaking track, which centres around the fearful search for desires and dreams in modern America. Showcasing her signature, nostalgic Americana mien, her capacity to transform such a dismal subject into a beautifully executed piece of art is clear. A characteristically Lana-esque, cinematic take on a subject so relevant today.
Mallrat – Charlie
Bit somber. Bit sad. Bit sexy? Yeah, a bit sexy. Mallrat is the same kind of angsty we were in first year, but makes it sound cooler with an untuned old piano. Knows her stuff, this kid.
Omni – Sincerely Yours
This has the late seventies stamped on it. Crisp clear guitar, dynamic bass lines and some killer vocals that Television would be proud of. Get some.
Tegan & Sara – I’ll Be Back Someday
By ‘I’ll Be Back Someday’, Tegan and Sara mean they’ll be back right now. This venture into a rushing pop and roll sound is working well. It’s a catchy number.
The Golden Dregs – Just Another Rock
Another solid single here from Dregsy. It’s got the characteristic touch of the late Leonard Cohen to it, driving bass riff, and a lovely bouncing keyboard thingy. It’s easy on the ears and goes down a dream. Yum yum.
The Murder Capital – More Is Less
Another example that this band are the next big thing. Ahead of their album release today, this tune is damn right unbelievable, from their characteristic echoey guitar to the tortured vocal delivery. More is not less, more is more and more.
Yonaka – You Need To Calm Down (cover)
Hot holy hell. T-Swizzle received a Yonaka makeover and it’s better than we could have imagined. You need to calm down? I do. I need to calm down.
