We're now into December. I can't decide whether this year has gone incredibly fast or whether it's been the slowest year ever,
THE BEST:
‘Snow Day’ – Shame
‘It’s the most beautiful thing you’ll ever see, and yet
you walk right past it all the time on your way to work!’ yells frontman
Charlie Steen over tumultuous drums and fiercely tremolo-picked guitars. My
God, this track is spectacular. It’s a densely-packed post-punk roller-coaster
ride. The track constantly shifts gears, building up to manic climaxes and
falling away to make room for the next exciting progression. I’m so glad this
London rock band are now on my radar – they’ve got a new album coming out in January
titled Drunk Tank Pink, which I’ll definitely be checking out!
‘Shadow Reality’ – Weston Smith
Earlier this year, I featured Weston Smith’s psychedelic and
eerie ‘Ellanor’. This new single ‘Shadow Reality’ is yet another psychedelic
and eerie track from the Phoenix synthpop producer, except with even creepier
artwork and even gloomier vocals. I particularly love the Mortal-Kombat-like snarled
delivery of ‘EXISTING. FEELING SO COLD. FROZEN TO THE CORE. NO MORE QUESTIONS!’.
‘Copy That’ – Bronx Slang
Accompanied by an absolutely monstrous boom bap beat, New York
rappers Beeks and Miggs (AKA Bronx Slang) deliver some fiery bars that take aim
at the injustices of America in 2020. Despite its old-skool sound, the lyrics
and energy make it feel fresh and urgent. Bronx Slang will dropping a new album in 2021.
‘Football Game’ – Silver Sphere
If hyperpop goes mainstream and these are the types of bops
we regularly get on the radio, then bring it on! UNLEASH THE HYPERPOP! Silver
Sphere’s vocals are insanely catchy to the point that I don’t even mind the auto-tune
or the high school romance lyrics. Dylan Brady of 100 Gecs meanwhile produces
the track – his signature bright and gaudy electronics work so well in a pop
setting (see Charli XCX’s ‘Claws’) when he’s not going out of his way to be
obnoxious.
THE WORST:
‘Flex Up’ – Lil Yachty, Future, Playboi Carti
I’ve never been a fan of Yachty, Future or Carti, so my
expectations going into this track were doomed from the start. As expected, the
whole thing sounds like it was written, recorded and produced in an hour. Even the
distorted bass is doing nothing for me.
‘I Believe In Santa’ – Meghan Trainor
The opening vocal harmonies and Inception-style BRAAAAM
horns are oddly menacing. Why is a song about Santa so menacing?