There were so many fantastic new singles this week, we almost needed two round-ups to cover them. Editor said no, though. That’s ridiculous. So feel free to sound off on all the lovely things we missed once you’ve listened to everything we’ve got for you below. Onward.
TRACK OF THE WEEK: The Joy Hotel – Jeremiah
The Joy Hotel have absolutely everything. Bringing classic ’70s rock sounds into the modern era, their debut single ‘Jeremiah’ makes the end of the world seem rather inviting. Their songwriting is ingenious, the musicality and production is nothing short of extraordinary. This is special. [JR]
Also new this week…
Dylan – Every Heart But Mine
Pop’s most exciting rockstar is back with a surprise new single, and it definitely lives up to her M.O. The vocal hook is powerful, emphatic, and just what the doctor ordered for this week. Don’t sleep on this one. [TF]
Fidlar – Centipede
It’s ironic, FIDLAR are the kind of calculated and corporate punks Machine Gun Kelly (falsely) jokes he is. ‘Centipede”s flavour of power chordage is pure Pinkerton, there’s an unempathetic narrator, some droll pessimism and an airy, melodic pre-chorus. There’s too many layers of irony for me to understand why I like this and that’s an achievement, I guess. Congratulations boys. [SL]
Saytr Play – Crowded Room
Contrasting lyrics and music is a classic of both indie rock and ’80s music, and Saytr Play is invoking both on this latest single. Behind lyrics about regret and longing is a synth dance track with a pulsing drum beating and glittery guitar lines, giving that sweet sweet meloncholic vibe. [HP]
Softcult – Love Song
It looks like Softcult are going to be showing off their range in their upcoming EP, from the hard-hitting rage of ‘Dress’ to their soft, anxious feel of their newest ‘Love Song’. The new track is gorgeous, going back to some of the dreamier, Cocteau-Twins-esque sounds of Year of The Rat. [VG]
Hippo Campus – Kick in the Teeth
Another dreamy indie pop song about crushing hard from the lovely Hippo Campus this week. A blend of 90s cheesy-cute lyrics (ahem, ‘I’m a sucker when you do that thing with your hair…’) and some breezy guitar, it’s the perfect mix to make you smile. [RG]
The Used – People are Vomit
This song may not have the “yee-haw” aspect we’re known for around here, but it rocks so damn hard, it was easy to turn the other cheek. If you were a fan of The Used back in the early days and lost track of them somewhere along the way, now’s your chance to catch back up. Just crank it way tf up while you do so. [TF]
Do Nothing – Happy Feet
Do Nothing have this ability to take things that sound familiar but play them in a way that still feels totally fresh at the same time, and their first new track in over a year shows off that skill completely. The first half of the song is the type of earwormy post-punk I’ve come to expect from the band, but the melancholic coda keeps me wanting for more. [HP]
Sorry Girls – Prettier Things
I’m a sucker for a well-done, stop-motion music video. Sorry Girls nailed it with their video for new single ‘Prettier Things’. The song’s nice too, got a slight kind of disco vibe goin’ on I can get behind. Mmm, throwback. [TF]
Prima Queen – Back Row
When indie pop bands feature violins and cellos, we call it chamber pop, but I can’t think of a name for doing that same thing with horns the way Prima Queen does here. Those horn hits make the already catchy chorus irresistible, and the hints of rock that the guitar brings in moments make this song a genre chameleon. [HP]
Body Type – Miss the World
COVID really has and might continue to do real damage to the world, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t damaging each other just as much still. In this fiery new song from Body Type, they tackle both issues in a call for us (all of us!) to be better, and when the song is this exciting it is hard to say no. [HP]
cruush – Stick in the Mud
cruush are bringing back shoegaze in an exciting way, and their new single ‘Stick In The Mud’ nails those dreamy, fuzzy vibes that transport you somewhere magical. It’s the kind of song you want to sway along to in a tiny venue where the floors are always a bit sticky, and where you always feel like the main character. [VG]
Fruit Bats – It All Comes Back
The Fruit Bats are giving us that groovy, laid-back 70s sound with a slight twang and it’s everything we could’ve asked for. Close your eyes and drift away to this well-crafted tune, but don’t forget to admire some great vocals the song also features. Eric Johnson really nails it with his performance, keeping things subdued while beautiful and, dare we say, a bit celestial. [RG]
The National – New Order T-Shirt
The second track from the band’s forthcoming LP is musically gorgeous. Aaron Dessner has definitely taken some cues from working with TSwift. Unfortunately, vocally it’s hard to latch onto. But like most National songs – and wines – this should only get better with age. [TF]
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – Death Wish
It takes a whole lot of medicine to feel like a little kid’ is already up there for lyric of the year. You’ve probably already listened to this to be honest, but in case you haven’t, spoiler alert: Jason Isbell once again strikes gold with ‘Death Wish’. [TF]
Public Body – No Constraint
Anxieties about friends not wanting to be friends is something I feel very deeply and I love seeing it explored art recently. Unlike The Banshees of Inisherin, PUBLIC BODY tackle the issue head on with a blistering pace and an insturmental almsot as stress inducing in its ferocity as the subject itself. [HP]
Wednesday – Bath County
‘Bath County’ is a fresh, raw track from the North Carolina natives. It’s a satisfying mix of shoegaze verses and grunge choruses filled with heavy guitar fuzz. You can certainly feel the influence of artists like PJ Harvey – not only in the music, but also in the single’s video where they’ve elegantly referenced the rockstar’s 1993 classic ‘Man-Size’. [LW]
Contributor Key:
[TF] TJ Foster, [JR] Johnny Rogerson, [RG] Rory Graham, [VG] Vicky Greer, [LW] Lydia Webb, [SL] Sam Lasley, [HP] Holden Predmore
