THE BEST:
‘Holding On’ - Disclosure
After hearing the Lawrence brothers’ last single ‘Bang That’,
I grew fearful that Disclosure were about to lose their charm and start writing
twerk anthems. However, this latest single ‘Holding on’ has rekindled my faith
in them, sporting the EDM duo’s signature sparkly synth swells and a killer
guest vocal performance from jazz singer, Gregory Porter. Disclosure have
announced this track as the first single from their upcoming album (which means
‘Bang That’ won’t make the cut – hell yeah!).
‘Cities of Gold’ – Lone
Made in 2004, this previously unreleased track from the
Nottingham electronic producer has only just seen the light of day. It isn’t
the nostalgic sugar rush we’ve come to expect from Lone. The opening hard and
schizophrenic percussion is anything but sweet. However, the last half does
show hints of what was to come, the industrial drumming gradually petering out
into a passage of dreamy ambient synths.
Lone has recently been dropping a lot of previously
unreleased old material, which fans can stream on his Soundcloud.
‘On a Wave’ – Drake ft. Tinashe
‘On a Wave’ – Drake ft. Tinashe
I’m sorry Drake and Tinashe. I know you didn’t want us to
hear this track and that some gluttonous hacker decided to leak it prematurely
on the internet. I could have chosen to not listen to it out of protest, but
alas I have no willpower and I gave in (and now I’m streaming it on repeat). Unlike
most leaks, this is actually a damn good track that I’m glad wasn’t shelved. The
instrumental is atmospherically moody and the two artist’s breathy vocal
performances complement it so well.
‘Hiatus’ – Chance the Rapper & the Social
Experiment
Will Chance ever release his new album? ‘Hiatus’ is the
latest track to surface from the Chicago emcee and his backing band, set to
appear on Surf. It’s a groovy little
number with some great internal rhyming. I was just getting into it around the
one minute mark – and then it abruptly ended without any warning whatsoever. I’m
guessing there’ll be a full version on the album, but honestly, Chance, I know
you’re just trying to tease us, BUT STOP FUCKING AROUND AND GIVE US YOUR ALBUM
ALREADY!
‘Jacaranda’ – Trails
and Ways
I just can’t get enough of these Oakland indie rockers.
Their music is just so feelgood and summery – particularly this brand new
glittery track. It makes me want to run naked through fields of dandelions. I
don’t care if I get done for indecent exposure. I don’t care if it doesn’t
agree with my hayfever. I’m doing it and you can’t stop me.
THE WORST:
‘Mercy’ – Muse
‘Dead Inside’ and ‘Psycho’
seemed ambitious, even if they weren’t perfect. By comparison, ‘Mercy’ just
feels like unaspiring radio rock. I’m hoping Drones doesn’t contain any more bores like this track