Track of the Week:
Molly Payton – Honey
Molly Payton harnesses the swagger of Sharon van Etten on new number, ‘Honey’. Her subtle lyrics tell a vivid story, and the gentle strumming of an acoustic is simple but effective. The artwork also sees Molly wearing a t shirt featuring the greatest WWE wrestler of all-time, so full marks for that.
Also new this week…
Brite Spears – Futurist
This is a big ol’ bombastic bomb from Brite Spears. A dynamic song full of purpose, keep an eye on these newcomers.
English Teacher – Wallace
‘Stuck between a rock and a fight we cannot win’, English Teacher sum up the feeling of everyone in the music industry this week. A commanding song that creates an eerie atmosphere, English Teacher are firmly in control of the impact their music has.
Fuzzy Sun – Fake It
It’s a bit of a rollercoaster this one. The friendly synth-pop is long gone as Fuzzy Sun sound like a completely new band. ‘Fake It’ is louder and punchier than any of their past releases.
Jade Bird – Now Is The Time
Jade is back with a head bobbing bop. Her trademark super-speedy-singing style also reappears. This track has the windows down and the wind blowing through its hair. Insert a cliche about this being a great song for a road trip.
nijuu – Come To Me
There’s a real sincerity to this one from nijuu – it has an aura about it. Hypnotic, in a way. Proper good music.
swim school – Anyway
When grunge-esque guitar lines clash with dreamy vocals you’re usually onto a winner. Juxtaposition is a beautiful thing, as is this new release from swim school. Big Avril Lavigne vibes.
Briston Maroney feat. Manchester Orchestra – Bottle Rocket
This is basically just an alternate version of a song from Maroney’s release earlier this year, this time with Andy Hull’s production. It’s just great songwriting – no way around it. And it made me check out his full record – that’s great too. Highly recommended.
KWILLEO – Trust
OM (aka KWILLEO) has one of the best voices you’ve likely never heard. They float through melodies so effortlessly, it’s like it’s second nature. This song is gorgeous, and it gives you all the feels – it’s not on Spotify (yet) so I highly recommend you go seek it out on Bandcamp.
Half Waif – Horse Racing
The production on this song is nuts. The vocal arrangements, the sporadic electronic elements – it’s all very “Imogen Heap in a wizard’s hat”. Beyond that, the song itself is just okay. I’ve not yet felt compelled to revisit it, until I want to study a master class in producing.
Slow Joe – Voka Gentle
This inexplicably feels like a Bleachers song if he ditched the 80’s in favour of experimental psychedelica. It’s full of amazing atmospheric sounds, with hard hitting lyrics and a beat drop that appears exactly when you need it. Above all else, it’s a completely fascinating listen. It doesn’t even feel like five minutes have passed at the end of it.
