These are our favourite 10 new tracks we’ve heard this week
Here are the best new songs we’ve heard in the past week, tried, tested and ready for your ears.
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1.
Marika Hackman
All Night
English artist Marika Hackman’s third full-length studio release is beautiful and subversive, even a bit brutalist at times. Take her assertion on ‘All Night’ that mouths are just ‘Eating’, ‘Kissing’ and ‘Fucking’. It’s an alternative indie sound, but that label does no justice to the gnarled guitars and melancholy lyrics throughout Any Human Friend. Get this in your ears.
– Luke Sharkey
2.
Cbakl
You cried
Portrush producer Cbakl is one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets. With a solid following doing him major numbers online, Cbakl’s laidback sample-heavy hip-hop productions make for an incredibly smooth proposition. His new album Wisdom Is Misery develops that sound further with some excellent sampling and an incredibly cohesive overall sound. ‘You Cried’ is an album highlight with pitched-up vocal samples winding between a tasty trip-hop instrumental.
– Kelly Doherty
3.
Strawberry Guy
Mrs Magic
Welsh native, Liverpool-based recording Strawberry Guy comes through with some gorgeous baroque indie on new single ‘Mrs Magic’. This downtempo number is treacle-like, gliding slowly through its verse and choruses. There’s plenty of yacht rock in here, so too the idiosyncrasies of an artist like Ariel Pink. A song for lovers.
– Luke Sharkey
4.
Rapsody, GZA and D’angelo
ibtihaj
‘Ibtihaj’ is a showcase of some of hip-hop’s most talented names. It’s always a treat to get a rare encounter with D’Angelo and Rapsody is at her best on this tribute to US Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American Muslim woman to wear a hijab whilst competing. Sampling GZA’s ‘Liquid Swords’, ‘Ibtihaj’ is buoyed by Rapsody’s irresistible flows and an overall timeless feel. Produced by another legend in 9th Wonder, ‘Ibtihaj’ is an essential hip-hop track and a promising sign of things to come from Rapsody’s upcoming EVE album.
– Kelly Doherty
5.
Bon Iver
Man (U Like)
One of the most heart-aching moments on Bon Iver’s i,i. Maybe it’s the gospel piano progression. It could be Vernon’s falsetto, ditto to Moses Sumney’s feature. For me, it’s a combination of all the above plus Vernon’s superb lyrics which really make this an album highlight.
For more on i,i, check out my review here.
– Luke Sharkey
6.
Automatic
Too Much Money
L.A. DIY three-piece Automatic’s second single ‘Too Much Money’ is a detailed articulation of a musical vision for a band still in their infancy. Two minutes and change of grainy synths, nu-wave basslines and tight drums. Nice.
– Luke Sharkey
7.
SiR
Hair Down (with Kendrick Lamar)
Inglewood R&B vocalist SiR comes through with a dark, bass-heavy nu-R&B gem with a guest feature from none other than Kendrick Lamar. Love the production on this one, with the bass line and drums being mixed so tight to one another.
– Luke Sharkey
8.
BFTT
I
![BFTT - I [GOBSTOPPER]](https://nialler9.com/wp-content/cache/flying-press/JJ0ggu859Qc-hqdefault.jpg)
BFTT’s Gobstopper Records debut Versioning is a bubbling glimpse of greatness from the up and coming Leeds producer. Blending metallic edges with bouncing melodies and complex rhythmic patterns, ‘I’ is a left-field club number that is equal parts fun and intriguing.
– Kelly Doherty
9.
JPEGMAFIA
Jesus Forgive Me, I Am A Thot
DAMN PEGGY.
– Luke Sharkey
10.
Marie Davidson
Chasing The Light
Marie Davidson, the Montreal producer who brought you our favourite motivational dance tune last year, returns with the industrial, take no prisoners techno of ‘Chasing The Light’. Your neighbours will love this one.
– Luke Sharkey
