Track of the Week: Elan Tamara – My Eyes
Elan Tamara’s latest release, ‘My Eyes’ is a beautifully multifaceted track, brought together by cavorting keys, expert percussion supplied by upcoming singer-songwriter Georgia and Kwes (Loyle Carner, Solange, Damon Albarn) on bass. It’s a complete blossoming, starting with a choral, slightly fragile introduction – and then the drums hit. The song becomes frenetic, groovy, jazzy in its instrumentals. Tamara is inspired by “Afro Cuban music, Steve Reich, Brian Wilson and Balinese gamelan.” You can visualise these influences in each bar.
Art Feynman – Not My Guy
Art mumbles his lyrics like a machine gun firing pure rhythm: bap bap bap bap. His tongues so quick, I thought I was listening to a foreign language. His rhythms so good I couldn’t stop my hips from moving. This song’s so smooth I thought I was outside enjoying the sunshine, even though it’s been raining all. Fucking. Day…
Barley Passable – All I Have
This is a very classy song. Very classy indeed. Even replied to the publicist who sent it to me telling him how I thought it was ‘classy’. “They’re obsessed with French electronica and 70s disco,” he told me. “Yes they are. They most definitely are,” I replied.
Boca 45s Feat. Swaby – It’s All There
With Nile Rodgers-esque guitar lines, Swaby’s funk vocals and some silky stuff from Geoff Barrow and Billy Fuller of BEAK>, ‘It’s All There’ is smoother than ice cream. It’d probably fit nicely as backing to a ’70s car chase or a scene from Baby Driver. It also comes in a lovely lemon yellow seven-inch – mmm.
Brad Stank – She Was A Tease
This song is a bit like meditating so here goes…. Sunset. You’re on holiday, sipping a sangria by the beach. Roller skaters glide by, arms swaying. Shop shutters come down. Another day done. Time for a swim in the ocean. Relax and breath.
Glassio – Make No Mistake
Make no mistake… this is a tune. Glassio has created an iced-tea, slap-your-shades-on, summer-synth anthem. What better way to spend your time in the sun than with juicy beats and chilled vocals? Except it’s raining now.
La Mode – Fake News
Ooooof. Damn. La Mode are hitting us smack in the face with ‘Fake News’ – exactly the kind of wake-up juice we need in the malaise of physical (and political) isolation. Driving guitars and bassline are scored by relentless percussion, producing a heavily intoxicating suckerpunch of punky danger. It’s the kind of music we need right now. Plus, it’s a debut single – meaning we’re literally at the tip of the iceberg with everything La Mode have to offer.
LA Priest – Rubber Sky
‘Rubber Sky’ starts off fairly dull and unremarkable, before the synth riff kicks in about half way through. That shit really makes the track for me. Pleasant listening.
LibraLibra – Juicy Lucy
Produced by SPACE – who have also produced for IDLES and Black Futures – “Juicy Lucy” is yet another high-energy hit. It’s proper head-banging music that would surely start a mosh pit. Man, I miss gigs.
Mali-Koa – Some Things
An emotive, tugging-on-your-heartstrings ballad. It’s as simple as it is sad; a heady mix of melancholy lyrics with a splotch of hope. It centres around something we can all relate to: the bittersweet feeling that accompanies the end of a relationship. You long for love, but you fumble for a fresh start. Très tender, très melancholy.
Mojo JNR – Miles Away
The soothing tones of the bedroom popper Mojo JNR perfectly flow alongside the cooling weather outside our doors. A song to get lost in, as you catch yourself miles away humming its breezy bassline and its rolling instrumental. It’s a solo project you just want more from (please Mojo JNR give us more)
Oumou Sangaré – Djoukourou (Acoustic)
Afropop really fucking slaps. This is a more traditional acoustic version of Sangaré’s latest track, ‘Djoukourou’ that’s built on a rhythmic call-and-response between the lead singer, the backing singers and the instrumentation. Try it.
POZI – The Nightmare
An atmospheric number à la Gang Of Four and The Sex Pistols. Really like the creepy backing singing on this. Sits perfectly between creeping me the fuck out and being catchy. Noice.
Phoebe Coco – Brick Wall
Love a flute. Love a video in a church. Love a vocal like this, tbh. Phoebe Coco’s new on the block but she’s already proving to be one to watch. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
We may have sold out of Volume 8, but we’ve still got some limited edition Hinds postcards left! If you’re looking for some lovely print material to read, then check out our store for copies of Volume 7 and 6 HERE.
