Quite a lot has happened in the world of music in the last week. Nirvana have been sued by the Nevermind baby. Kanye (or should I call him Ye) has finally dropped his new album Donda. There have also been so many new singles. This week’s roundup contains new tracks from James Blake, Lone, Disclosure, Indigo De Souza and In-Sides. It’s three days later than usual, because I’m a disorganised mess.
THE BEST:
‘Life Is Not The Same’ – James Blake
James Blake’s last album was a little too upbeat for my
liking. I’m glad he’s now returned to
his former lugubrious self (at the same time, I do hope that these sad songs
aren’t reflection of his mental state). Previous single ‘Say What You Will’ was
beautifully bleak, and so is this new single ‘Life Is Not The Same’. The vocals
sound absolutely haunting and the production (co-produced by Joji) is
absolutely gorgeous.
‘Mouth of God’ – Lone
‘Mouth of God’ is the
typically divine music I’ve come to know and love from Lone. It opens with some
rapid-fire techno bass and echoey 808 cowbell over hectic breakbeat percussion.
You just know its all building up to some signature heavenly synths, and the
track doesn’t disappoint – 0.55 is like watching a beam of sunlight crack
through an overcast cloudy sky. The tremolo effect gives it a real shimmer. The
track then dives back into moody frantic breakbeat with those shimmering synths
continuing to break through occasionally. Another fantastic taster from his new
album Always Inside Your Head.
‘Another Level’ – Disclosure
This bubbly banger comes off of Disclosure’s surprise new EP
Never Enough. With its punchy percussion and glossy synth stabs, it
reminds me of some of the Lawrence brothers’ early pre-Settle work. I
wouldn’t say that they’ve taken things to ‘another level’, but its definitely a
satisfying return to their roots.
‘Real Pain’ – Indigo De Souza
This track is a release of pure emotional agony. North Carolina
singer-songwriter Indigo De Souza whimpers out each line with a sense of
longing. Just when you think it couldn’t get any more anguished, it then
transitions into harrowing section of tortured screams. It’s not an easy listen,
but pretty compelling as an artistic statement. The track comes off of her new
album The Shape You Take.
‘Losing Game’ – In-Sides
Bay area band In-Sides deliver this new track ‘Losing Game’,
which manages to be both soothing and unnerving. While the soft vocals have a comforting
tone to them, the lyrics seem to be about constantly failing to learn the same
lessons. The psychedelic guitar melodies meanwhile alternate between being
fairly conventional and eerily off-kilter – you’re never quite sure if the
track is going to venture off into complete dissonance.
THE WORST:
‘Red Dress’ – Sarah Brand
‘She’s got the voice of an angel, if the angel was
biblically accurate’. That YouTube comment absolutely killed me. This track
has been going viral for a while, and I thought I ought to finally check it
out. I’m pretty impressed by just how off-key it is. I can't even tell what the vocal melody is supposed to be. Perhaps its avant-garde?