Monday, 23 March 2020

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 23/03/2020: Thundercat, Code Orange, Control Top and more...




It’s that time of the week where I share the latest INFECTIOUS tunes. The latest VIRAL hits.

Seriously though, I wish the best for everyone's physical, mental and financial health during these crazy times. 

THE BEST:

‘Fair Chance’ – Thundercat ft. Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B


Thundercat’s silky vocals and soulful bass playing never disappoint. This time he’s partnered up with urban crooner Ty Dolla $ign and rap weirdo Lil B for a touching tribute to Mac Miller (who was a close friend of Thundercat). I kinda expected Lil B to deliver some goofy bars but I’m glad he keeps things tasteful. In fact, all three of them put in a fantastic performance.

‘You Said It’ – KOYO


The opening bass riff sounds a lot like the breakdown from Slipknot’s ‘Duality’. But as the song progresses, it becomes clear that KOYO are nothing like Slipknot. The Leeds rock group slowly and suspensfully build up the song into a satisfying explosion of stabbing guitars and catchy belted vocals. It’s an explosive prog-indie sound that I haven't heard from any other band.

 ‘Swallowing The Rabbit Whole’ - Code Orange


I’d always dismissed Code Orange as just another hardcore/metalcore band, but they’re clearly more complex than that. The riffs in this song are intricate and deliciously chaotic (whatever the fuck happened at 2:46 almost gave me a heart attack). This track comes off the band’s new album Underneath.

‘Play Dead Together’ – The Great Dictators


A song about dying together seems apt right now. It’s actually a love song – albeit a morbid one – and it’s backed by some fascinating guitar and bass playing that seems to ride on the edge of dissonance. The vocals meanwhile incorporate some creative chamber pop harmonies. It’s left me eager to hear more from this Copenhagen trio.

‘One Good Day’ – Control Top


You’re not the only one with problems’. This is something that all the panic buyers need to hear. Melding angry riffs and Siouxsie-Sioux style wailed vocals, this Philly post-punk trio are a lot of fun. There are also some chopped-up vocals towards the end that add to the frantic feel of the track while also giving it an experimental edge.

THE WORST:

‘Imagine’ – Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Amy Adams, James Marsden and more…


Okay, this isn’t a single per se, but it’s all over my Twitter feed. Basically, a bunch of celebrities in isolation have got together to sing a self-indulgent cover of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’. It's basically a bunch of rich people pretending to understand the general public's struggles, with one of them even sincerely singing 'imagine no possessions'. It's sickening. In fact, I think this song has given me coronavirus.