Track of the Week: Brooks Hudgins – 405 South
Merely his third single to date, ‘405 South’ is a staple of what to expect from this new artist. The track flirts with electric guitar, trills of piano and light drums, dancing with a build-up before taking it straight back. His voice is smooth but not without bite, it’s like the entire song is served with a dram of whisky.
A Day Without Love – WTF, Pt. 2
It’s a bit unconventional to cover an EP in our singles roundup, but the entire thing is about the length of any other individual song on this list, so fuck it. The four one-minute songs on this EP tackle the ever-present political and sociological divide from the perspective of a black, multi-genre artist. It’s urgent, blunt and obviously topical. Check it out – it’ll take you but the length of four weird Tik Tok videos.
Against the Current – that won’t save us
Full-blown noughties-punk-rock vibes here. Vocals from Chrissy Constanza are as strong as the raging guitars, but the sudden drop into something altogether more gentle is at once surprising and effective at two minutes in. Makes me want to dye my hair blue and tell my mum it’s not a phase.
Biig Piig – Oh No / Liahr
A fantastic new sound from Ireland’s Biig Piig, ‘Oh No’ pulls on Jessica’s vocals more than before, opting for softly sung verses instead of spoken bars. ‘Liahr’ hits a sweet spot sonically, drums prominent and beats infectious. Shows range and undeniable talent: two thumbs up.
Black Honey – I Like The Way You Die
Fiery with a pumping bass. The chorus sounds like about seven instruments are being thrashed, a mesh of punchy and energetic sounds. A loud feminine stab into male egotism – pure rebellion.
Dua Lipa, Angèle – Fever
God this is good. Two phenomenal pop icons from the UK and France team up to deliver this absolute corker. Sultry electropop serves as a backdrop to both English and French verses, and the whole thing makes you want to bop gracelessly in front of the mirror to see if you look as sexy as you feel – magnifique.
Easy Life – Daydreams
This is exactly what we’ve grown to expect from Easy Life: great lyrics, laid-back and groovy as heck. These guys will always sound like a hazy afternoon spent in the sun, something we could definitely use right about now.
Empress Of – You’ve Got To Feel
A tinkering pop flick with a rousing call to arms for all those heading to the polling booths in the U.S. next week.
Palace – Someday, Somewhere
Three gently strum tracks, each more beautiful than the last as Palace restore peace to our troubled autumn souls. The sound is magnificent and all-consuming; ethereal.
Check out our latest print magazine featuring Declan McKenna, Shame, L.A.Witch, Whitney and more HERE.
