It’s getting cold out there, so we recommend a weekly dose of fresh music to keep you warm. Snuggle up, buttercup.
Caribou – Home
Peppered with soul, ‘Home’ walks the delicate line between old and new, and it works magnificently. An exciting comeback for Caribou.
Harry Styles – Lights Up
Styles returns with a song that isn’t all that it seems: twists in melody; bridges beyond belief. Tis a bop.
Jungle – Come Back a Different Day (Back to Mine Exclusive)
This track is littered with the beats and reverbs that had us swooning over Jungle in the first place, but to an ever greater extend. It’s groovy, but maybe slightly overworked? Who cares. Jungle are back.
Louis Berry – Molly Malone
Abandoning all mentions of ‘cowboys’ and jazzing it up with a bright, happy hook, Louis Berry’s latest single marks a change in direction for the young singer-songwriter – and certainly not an unwelcome one.
Matt Maltese – Rom-Com Gone Wrong
Ahhh, those ivory twinkles, how I’ve missed ye. As ever, Matt delivers a poignant account of matters of the heart, though this one sounds oddly cheerful in comparison – I picture him skipping through a field in slow-motion, officially out of his mind.
Michael Kiwanuka – Hero
He had my curiosity, now he has my attention. Michael Kiwanuka soothes with another gentle balled that wouldn’t be out of place playing during the end credits of Django Unchained. I like the way you sing, boy.
Organised Scum – Green Man
‘Green Deal’ sounds a little more lacklustre than Organised Scum’s previous material, and shows characteristics of a band attempting to carve out their own niche sound. The kind of song you’d hum on the way back from the pub when you’re battered and pissed off. Well made, well-performed, it goes down like the chips and curry sauce you would have scranned by then.
Plested – The Least That I Could Do
In this world of doom and gloom, this dose of guitar goodness is enough to help you forget about it all. It’s the song you belt out with your lover in mind, ripping your heart from your sleeve and right into your off-key singing. If you’re looking for some wholesome pop vibes, you’ve come to the right place.Â
The Pale White – Swim For Your Life
This is standard indie rock. Crescendoing guitar and vocals blast into every chorus while the same lyrics are fed to you over and over. It’s not bad but it’s not amazing. Very safe – dare I say, bland?
Two Tribes – Videodrone
The words “Balearic psych with krautrock tinged post-punk” are just what I needed to get over my post-migraine slump. At seven minutes it’s a biggun, but beautiful nonetheless. Think John Carpenter, with a spike-stud leather jacket on.
The Smiths – El Matador
(no not those Smiths) Sounding a little like a track you’d hear in a dimly lit restaurant, ‘El Matador’ is as easily forgotten about as that tap water you asked the waitress for. Decent lead and backing vocals don’t make for an interesting song, especially when it feels like it’s been done a thousand times before.
