This week’s been a drag. Just like your life – a drag. Just
like your dad – a drag queen. Just like that doctor that got dragged off that United aircraft. What the fuck was all that about? Anyway, enough personal insults and
dragging talk. It’s time to talk music and liven this week up.
THE BEST:
‘U Betta’ – Machinedrum
THIS NEW RUSTIE TRACK’S PRETTY GOOD, AIN’T IT? Alright, so
Machinedrum may be sounding a little less like himself on this new EDM banger
and a little more like a certain other electronic producer, but that doesn’t
change the fact that this is good stuff. Those squealing synth chords and
stupendous drops are like chewing on a mouthful of popping candy.
‘Go Down Dancing’ –
Soliterre
There’s a reason disco has persisted so long. Every time I think the genre’s run its course, a new artist like Soliterre comes along with a tune like ‘Go Down Dancing’ and shows that there’s still life in the old dog yet and that funky grooves will always have a time and place. In a brave move, the Vancouver producer even manages to throw in a trumpet solo, piano solo and guitar solo all whilst somehow remaining tasteful.
‘Biking’ – Frank
Ocean ft. Tyler the Creator and Jay Z
Frank has teamed up with Odd Future buddy Tyler and rap
tycoon Jay Z to sing about … bikes? It turns out to be mostly allegorical, as
each member cycles through bicycle
metaphors whilst putting their own symbolic spin
on it (puns intended). Frank’s hybrid sung-rapped vocal style and the morphing soulful
beat give the track a dynamics that propels it along, even if the lyrics stay centred
on bicycles. Hova seems to be largely coasting if I’m honest, but Tyler’s verse
makes up for it.
‘Million Enemies’ – Wavves
I wasn’t sure where this track was going at first until the big
fat hook hit: ‘I got enemies/ a million
enemies’. It’s the garage rockers’ most singalong anthem to date,
accompanied by satisfyingly scuzzy guitars, powerfully punchy drums and a glam
rock themed video harking back to the days when guitarists could get away with
wearing capes.
‘Still Young’ – Sunspots
From the 10CC-esque washes of synth vocals in the verse to
the psychedelic splashes of guitar in the triumphant chorus, everything about
this song feels absolutely euphoric. The message is basically YOLO but with a
bit of soul behind it. Live whilst you’re young, not whilst you’re old. Kill
yourself when you reach 60 (okay, maybe I’m interpreting it wrong). Whatever
the case, these Leeds rockers have a uniquely mesmerising sound as invigorating
as climbing a mountain.
THE WORST:
‘Wake and Bake’ – Hennessy Fyah
- A weed anthem in 2017. Aren’t there enough already?
- She’s white – why is she singing like that?
- ‘Turd eye’? Probably another good reason to drop the accent…
- She sounds neither awake nor baked. If anything, she sounds dead.