Track of the Week: Holly Macve – Daddy’s Gone
Holly’s bringing a noir-effect to classic country sounds. Her drool is dark, her songwriting pensive and thoughtful. ‘Daddy’s Gone’ sounds like a hymn, sung by an onlooking crowd as you approach the Gallows.
Alfie Templeman – Everybody’s Gonna Love Somebody
A more understated bop from the indie star, Mr. Templeman’s new single will warm your heart. Perhaps it’ll even melt it, just like that Easter egg in your cupboard you bought prematurely because it was ‘on offer’.
Biig Piig – Cuento Lo
Very cool new addition to Biig Piig’s recent releases. Ambient and fluid, the majority of the lyrics roll off in Spanish to compliment what’s already a gorgeous sounding track. Very nice indeed.
Dry Cleaning – Strong Feelings
This songs brings to mind a particular genre of ‘small gig’ – the kind where the guitar has been going strong for an extra 15 minutes, the place is thick with the product of a smoke machine, and despite it all you can’t take your eyes off the lead vocalist. Enchanting, hypnotic and utterly great: that’s ‘Strong Feelings’.
Eloise – Hungover
Between the gentle beats, subtle hip-hop harmonies and and very, very relatable running narrative, Eloise has hit the nail on the head with this, her first single in two years. I well and truly hope there’s more where this came from.
Esther Rose – Good Time
February means lighter evenings: winter sunshine; less rain, less darkness. It’s hardly a great time, but it is a good time. Esther Rose’s new release, the latest from her forthcoming record, blends featherweight country with Joni Mitchell melodies. It’s not just a ‘Good Time’, it’s a great time. I’m sorry. Truly.
Fever – International Dream
A softer offering from the Hull outfit shows a tender side to Fever’s songwriting. It’s a proper swayer, this one. Yeah, you’ll have to sway whilst sat on your bed for now but imagine how good it’ll feel to sway to it once they can play live. Goosebumps.
ISLAND – Octopus
I’m reading a book about octopuses (octopi? Why are there two options?) at the minute, so this felt like fate. As it happens, it’s not half bad. A nice rhythm rolling throughout, with vocals building and crashing to great effect, it sits pretty at just shy of two and a half minutes – it works.
John Myrtle – Get Her Off My Mind
Things you can ‘catch’ are still a bit of a hot topic, but this ditty from John Myrtle is infectious. John Myrtle has provided all your other-worldly needs in his beachy, 1960’s-inspired ‘Get Her Off My Mind’. It’s a classic love song, sprinkled with panic and joy, holding just the right amount of romance and longing to teleport you off to a still beach somewhere – don’t forget the sunscreen.
Lord Huron – Not Dead Yet
Time and time again, Lord Huron have returned with a sound that challenges what a listener might expect, while still ringing true to their distinctive and loveable sound. ‘Not Dead Yet’ is an exciting amuse-bouche of what’s to come, and with the add of some Elvis-esque ‘uh–huh-huhs’, I can only imagine we’re in for a delicious entrée.
