NO WORST TRACKS THIS WEEK. There were far too many good tracks to choose from that I didn't have any space for bad tracks. Here are some of my favourites from the last week.
‘Fearmonger’ – Saba
This is the funkiest and most feelgood song we’ve heard from
Chicago rapper Saba. The beat gives me TPAB vibes (as soon as that bassline
came in, I was sold) and the chorus has an upbeat Outkast flavour to it. Despite
the clear musical influences, Saba’s delivery during the verses still feels
unique and totally his. There are also some great bars here – the lyrical theme
seems to be fear, which is at odds with the feelgood sound at the track, but
somehow works. All in all, it’s a phenomenal track.
‘New Shapes’ – Charlie XCX (ft. Christine and the Queens
and Caroline Polachek)
Having already dabbled in 90s nostalgia in ‘1999’, Charli
XCX has now decided to give the 80s a go. Considering almost every pop
artist has been trying to revive the 80s since, well, the 80s, another 80s-inspired
pop song might not sound like much to get excited about. But this new Charli
track is a blast – the Van Halen synths and Fine Young Cannibals snare sound so
authentic. It makes me want to perm my hair and wear neon
hotpants. Christine and the Queens and Caroline Polachek feature as guests alongside Charli and together they all give the track a sense of freshness.
‘This Side of The Sun’ – Shame
UK post-punk band Shame are already back with new music
after dropping a killer album Drunk Tank Pink at the start of 2021. ‘This Side
of The Sun’ sees the band continue to deliver their signature twisted and
chaotic guitar harmonies. Steen’s vocals alternate from a forceful bellow to a
Julian-Casablancas-esque croon. It’s another super track from Shame. The video
makes my lungs hurt.
‘Rain of Gold’ – Savri ft. Anna Eline
This jazzy epic is the work of Swiss-born UK-based multi-instrumentalist
SAVRI and features vocals from Anna Eline. It starts fairly subdued with some
warm keys and gentle percussion, but gradually builds layers of horns, strings
and guitar, eventually reaching a wild crescendo (when that long wobbly synth
comes in, the track completely takes off). The track comes off of Savri’s new
EP Not About Me.
‘Always About Me’ – Indigo
Upcoming pop artist Indigo brings a mix of sass and
sugariness on this ridiculously catchy single ‘Always About Me’. It’s a song
about no longer wanting to play the victim and learning to practice self-love,
delivered through a series of addictive hooks over some bright synths. This
single is set to appear on an upcoming EP. Definitely an artist to watch!
‘Drip’ – Rolo Tomassi
It’s been years since I listened to this band. I used to be
obsessed with them – why did I forget they existed??? The Sheffield
experimental rockers have dropped a new track called ‘Drip’ and it’s absolutely
brutal. It suspensefully builds around polyrhythmic drums and then explodes
into a blitzkrieg of screaming and insanely heavy guitars. It then turns soft
and melodic for a couple minutes before bringing back the heaviness. It’s the
same thrilling band I remember.