THE BEST:
‘Body Move’ – Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
I
first discovered Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs a month ago and assumed it
was a band. It’s actually the solo project of Orlando Higginbottom (I’m no sure
which I love more – his stage name or his real name). Whilst previous single ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ was a Tame Impala-esque slowburner, this new single ‘Body Move’
is a garish house banger. Long-time TEED fans claim it’s more similar to his
original work – I wouldn’t know considering I haven’t heard any of it. Personally,
I think it’s just as exciting as his slower material, offering a creative mix
of stomping percussion and hazy vocals.
‘Slide’ – George Clanton
Vaporwave producer George Clanton is back with
another album (which he’s described as a ‘vaporwave opera’). This lead single ‘Slide’
is pure 90s nostalgia, but through a distorted filter – the same warped filter that
helped make his album 100% Electronica
feel so unique. I particularly like the dreamy synth passage towards the back
end and the rave beat that follows.
‘FUTD’ – Dabbla
The quality
of music videos in UK hip hop is now enough to rival the quality found across
the pond. Just check out these new cinematic visuals from enigmatic rapper Dabbla
as an example, which sees the musician befriending a robot that has crash-landed
in the Nevada desert. The song itself it also well-produced, featuring a crazy
trap beat and some crisp kooky bars from Dabbla.
‘Clear Skies’ – Dream Phases
LA bedroom
artist Dream Phases delivers this psychedelic Beatles-esque track ‘Clear Skies’.
I’m not sure whether its calming or unsettling – whilst the reverb-soaked
vocals have a happy trippy vibe, the shrill and otherworldly guitars provide an
almost unsettling vibe.
‘Evil Empowered’ - Soulfly
Soulfly’s
breed of metal has always relied on being simple but effective. This latest
single is a speaker-busting assault of chugging riffs and fist-pumping chants.
Max’s vocals seem to be a little strained (it’s no surprise considering he’s
spent the last three decades screaming his lungs out) but I can still feel the
ferocity and conviction behind them. All in all, this track makes me want to punch
someone – which always a sign of a good metal song.
THE WORST:
‘When The Curtain Falls’ - Greta Van Fleet
Fans
are heralding these guys as the new Led Zeppelin. The problem is that they
sound EXACTLY like Led Zeppelin. It’s okay to be influenced by a band, but when
you model your sound entirely off of theirs, you may as well be a cover band.