Here are 10 of the best new songs we’ve heard in the past week, tried, tested and true for you.
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1.
Maggie Rogers
Light On
‘Light On‘ is the latest of a string of singles from Maryland hailing Maggie Rogers. Rogers said that the track is a “a letter to my fans about the last two years of my life” since a video of her with Pharell Williams went viral on the internet catapulting her into the spotlight. The song is well crafted and sees Rogers battle with her own demons and insecurities as she struggles to grasp her new found fame, “everybody’s saying ‘you should be so happy now…'”. The track came with news of her debut album Heard It In A Past Life, set to be released date next January 18th.
2.
Run The Jewels
Let’s Go
Taken from Marvel’s new Venom movie, Run The Jewels‘ new single Let’s Go is a slice of pure RTJ hip-hop goodness. The song doesn’t compromise itself by being in a major motion picture soundtrack (which is often the worry ), coming complete with a larger than life intro section and gritty verses. Let’s Go was written originally for the Blade Runner 2049 trailer earlier this year but was rejected – we’re glad that Marvel decided to give it a new lease of life.
3.
MAXIM
White Bass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Gud5Z6aLo
MAXIM is a new hip-hop artist hailing from the suburbs of Paris and ‘White Bass’ is our favourite track from his gorgeous debut EP Sunny Sunday Morning which saw release last week. The song marries classic hip-hop beats with nu-soul and jazzy chords, recalling sounds like those heard in Siren Song by Flying Lotus (but with more French swag). The song is brimming with character, we can’t wait to hear more from this Parisian.
4.
Desire
Tears From Heaven
Desire are back with a bang with their first release in 9 years and it’s actually a reworked version of their song from After Dark 2. Johnny Jewel seems to enjoy revisiting old tunes. We hope the man hasn’t run out of ideas (where IS that Chromatics album) Opening with one of the grittiest sawtooth synths you’ll hear this year, ‘Tears From Heaven‘ is synth-pop at its finest with dizzying chord progressions, textured drum beats and intricate synth-melodies proving that the band have still got it.
5.
Nao
Curiosity
‘Curiosity‘ is one of the most flirtatious songs you’ll hear today. Nao’s new single sees the singer embrace submission amidst spiralling synths, trapped high hats and her signature textured vocal. The track, co-produced with modern London beat-makers GRADES and Loxe, is the latest cut from the songstress’ upcoming album Saturn due out on October 28th.
6.
John Grant
Tempest
‘Tempest‘ is full of John Grant‘s signature idiosyncrasies both in the lyrics, “come play Tempest with me – or maybe Centipede, we can hang out in the mall!” and also in the music in the often dissonant analogue synths. The track sees Grant long for a video-game escapism to avoid judgement from the outside world, a narrative that is embodied in video game-esque sound effects towards the end of the track (pew-pew). The song is taken from his anticipated new album Love Is Magic (and he just announced some Irish tour dates here). More on his album out this week.
7.
Little Dragon
Lover Chanting
Little Dragon have proven to be one of the most consistent and persistent bands in the music industry since their inception 22 years ago. When we talked to the Erik Boden of band in the summer, he hinted that new material would be dancier with electronic influences becoming more prevalent in their writing sessions. This is indeed the case with their new single ‘Lover Chanting’, taken from their upcoming EP due for release in September. The track is simultaneously dance-floor friendly and intimate – listen to this on your commute home from work.
8.
Hubbabubbaklubb
Et annet sted
Hubbabubbaklub released their debut album last week DRØMMEN DRØMMERNE DRØMMER (The Dream That Dreamers Dream) and while all of the songs are worthy of this list, ‘Et annet stad’ is a stand-out slice of pure dance finery. Sampled brass lines juxtapose bright chimes and airy synths over groovy hip-hop beats, all contributing to an over all feel-good vibe. More on their album out this week.
9.
Marissa Nadler
Said Goodbye To That Car
Marissa Nadler is one of the most prolific songwriters in the music industry and this is no more apparent than in her latest album For My Crimes. The closing track on the album ‘Said Goodbye To That Car‘ sees a reflective Nadler think back on events associated with her old car in the past. It’s delicate and poignant.
10.
Kurt Vile
Come Again
Kurt Vile was formerly the guitarist for War On Drugs and this part of his resumé is very apparent in his guitar-driven new solo record, his eighth in total, Bottle It In. ‘Come Again‘ is a lo-fi, leisurely listening track that belongs on the radio while driving down an open road into the sunset; the music is hypnotic with layers of guitars making up most of the instrumentation while Vile’s croons smoothly over the top. More on Vile’s album out this week.
11.
Auntie Flo
Cape Town Jam
‘Cape Town Jam’ does exactly what it says on the tin; it’s syncopated beats and twangy guitar tones render it the kind of track that belongs in narrow, winding streets in South Africa. Sampled drums and cymbals bring the song into modern electronic territory, forming a strange electro-tribal hybrid. We like a lot. More on his album out this week.
