Track of the Week: Nana Adjoa – National Song
It’s brooding, it’s visceral, it’s meditative – it’s Nana Adjoa. The Dutch-Ghanaian singer-songwriter has released the last single in the run up to her hotly anticipated debut, Big Dreaming Ants. It’s a song with a rich and complex basis of inspiration, namely neo-nationalism, identity crises and the difficult interplay of countries with progressive futures and imperialistic pasts. She’s speaking with an accrued wisdom, potentially unique to her and her alone, owing to her mixed heritage. One thing we can say for certain is, this track is undeniably stunning.
Aria Wunderland – I.J.W.Y.L.
Kali Ulchis called and asked where her dreamy vocals have gone? The answer is in Wunderland’s brand new single. I.J.W.Y.L is a wispy blend of dreamy-pop and hopeless romance, giving you a rose-tinted outlook on your day after a listen or two. I cannot wait for more Aria to come!
Better Person – Close To You
Synth pop to warm your cockles. Sounds a bit like George Micheal pre the Snappy Snaps car crash moment. Very nice.
Dark Tropics – Moroccan Sun
Irish duo Dark Tropics’ second single shows drops the piano of debut track ‘Badlands’ and switches on the speakers, unleashing a radiant splash of sunshine. Bright, bubbly and bursting with life, it’s perfect for this strange September summertime – even if the lyrics are a little sad.
Deanna Devore ft. Dzhari – Love Again
Made up of somewhat angelic harmonic vocals and funky sounding instruments that I probably couldn’t identify, this is pretty much a joy from start to finish. There’s an exciting bit where the beat kicks in and the range of different sounds keeps it fresh. It just feels like a nice, chill song to listen to in sunny weather.
ford. ft. VERZACHE – In My Eyes
Whilst this isn’t quite upbeat enough to be a club banger, it’s funky enough to nod your head a bit. It’s filled with fun electronic sounds and the vocals sound slightly like a groovier twenty one pilots. Although, it feels like quite a long song to say it’s only three minutes.
Hauskey – Somewhere
“I wrote ‘Somewhere’ during week three of lockdown in Sydney,” says the Australian musician Hauskey. “It’s as much about physically wanting to get away, as needing to get out of my own head and stop thinking about every single negative thing that 2020 has thrown at us.” He’s pulled off that idea, with ‘Somewhere’ being a fun, sweet song that is able to take your mind off things. It’s upbeat, warmly melodic and shows the talent of this upcoming artist. It’s the sort of song that says ‘Take a load off, let’s just bop for a minute.’
Heavy Salad – Inner Versions
According to the very reputable source that is Urban Dictionary, a heavy salad means something demanding, or hard work. In a sense, that can be applied to Heavy Salad’s ‘Inner Visions’ – the increasing intensity and unrelenting guitar lines are quite demanding to listen to, but in the best way possible. It’s a commanding one.
Kevin Morby – Don’t Underestimate Midwest American Sun
What this track has taught us, is don’t underestimate Kevin Morby. Acoustic guitars have never sounded so relaxing, echoing a simplistic beat that keeps your heart rate low and your head to roam free. Morby said, “It was my goal to capture the vast openness of the middle American landscape sonically,” and through gentle percussion and warm tones, he has taken you there.
Molly Payton – How To Have Fun
In it’s slack-eyed view on coolness, you can hear Malkmus vibes in Payton’s wry commentary taking you back to the days of 90s indie rock. It’s a storming single, and no matter how many times you listen, you won’t believe Payton’s only 19.
Nicolas Michaux – Enemies
‘Enemies’, a slow-paced, shoulder-swaying single from newcomer Nicolas Michaux, sits nicely like an evening walk. Native French speaker by day but lovely English singer by night, Nicolas suits the “6 Music” category and could probably be played amongst mates and parents with equal success rate.
PEEL – Catch & Release
PEEL have delivered a hauntingly hazy delight. At times it plays hypnotic, with looped synths almost crystallizing alongside the vocals. Gosh, I have goosebumps.
Premium Leisure – Remedies
Another day of hard work, another meeting taking over your lunch break. After a day like that, listening to a song that begins with the words ‘take care of yourself’ feels like a supreme act of self care. However, Premium Leisure might have more effective ideas in ‘Remedies’. While the track’s also aware of the millennial obsession with self help, you can’t help but sing along and agree that sometimes you just have to ‘do whatever makes you feel good’.
Seraphina Simone – Hollywood $$$
Powerful synths and twinkly percussion create an arena-filling feel to this track. Reverbing vocals and punchy drums that would sound fantastic live – hopefully we’ll get to see it soon.
Soda Blonde – Love Me World
A dark, dreamy pop number that hints towards a feeling of isolation. This track is a joy to behold.
Sophie Jamieson – Release
Written in what Sophie Jamieson regards as “one of the loneliest periods in my life”, ‘Release’ is a moment of absolute still. It’s arresting and soothing; her voice is like absolute silk. In what has likely been a lonely year for many of us, there’s something comforting in ‘Release’ that I think we could all do with.
Terry Venomous – Cadgers
Ahh, put your feet up, lie back, and let the smoooth groove from Mr. Venomous take you away. It’s like a state of tipsiness y’know, with moody crooning and guitar riffs injecting a warm daze right into your bloodstream. And in that case, bottoms up boys and let the mellow music sweep you up.
The Dawdler – Crocodile
Crocodile brings you to the forefront of a Sufjan Stevens landscape; a cinematic overflow of emotion and instrumental. The marching drums count the song into action, slowly burning away at the keys and Dawdler’s soft vocals begin to turn fierce. End scene.
The Deeper End – Palace Winter feat. Jason Lytle
It’s Dylan meets Arcade Fire meets Kraftwerk. As trippy as the acid trip the song is about, the song sounds like a classic country drive-through-the-desert-in-a-convertible. Serious feel of dissonance and detachment.
Tim Burgess – Yours. To Be
Tim takes a folky trip.
Walboom – Vultures
Punchy, psych-rock, pretty fuckin good, if that alliteration doesn’t sell it I don’t know what will. Walboom have released a kicking social anthem, looping frenzied hi-hats and glistening guitars to create a rainbow after the rain.
