The 10 best songs of the week

Sarah Crean

Compliments Strike

Irish singer-songwriter Sarah Crean continues to push her music in larger directions, with ‘Compliment Strike’ displaying earworm pop melodies.

“’Compliment Strike’ is a song revolving around how at one point I felt like a ‘’product’’ and not a person. I was losing sleep over it and being eaten alive by this urge to be perfect for the enjoyment of those around me. The day I wrote it I was in LA and had a session pencilled in, but I got quite a vile and graphic hate comment about my physical appearance the morning of. It really threw me for a loop, mainly because of how much it sat with me and how I couldn’t shake it. I went to the session and the only way I could actually shake it was by writing about it and this song came to be. It’s about me taking the power back. The song was spurred on by a hate comment but it goes so much deeper than that. I had spent the year before that allowing people in my life to ridicule the way I carry myself, the way I dress, the choices I make.  And I think that day I just said enough is enough.”

It makes sense that Crean is supporting CMAT this week in London. 

Crean is one of two Irish acts who cancelled their appearance at The Great Escape this week in boycott of the sponsor Barclay’s.

Kawaii Hoe

Colours Everywhere

I wrote about Irish hyperpop artist Kawaii Hoe and their notable songs to date from a short six-track release Dream On.

‘Colours Everywhere’ is a catchy slice of ASMR electronic pop from the enigmatic new artist.

John Cale

Shark-Shark

The elder Welsh legend John Cale is back with some guitar fuzz on the energetic track ‘Shark-Shark’, a song from his forthcoming album POPtical Illusion, out June 14th on Domino.

“Sometimes you write a song purely for a mood. Shark-Shark’ has two versions – both a nod to finding humour in music. When you’re feeling too much of the real world, the best diversion is something that puts a grin on your face.”

Villagers

Keepsake

A highlight from the sixth Villagers album That Golden Time which was released last Friday. ‘Keepsake’ is track six of ten on the record, and is a lovely textured floaty gear shift on the album, and is a fresh sound for Conor O’Brien, over 15 years into his career.

Villagers for Trinity Summer Series in Dublin

Koreless

Seven

The return of Koreless with his first tune in two years is, this weird and wonky little tune on Young, a track that is sounds like eerie minimalism that could be used to maximal dancefloor effect.

Koreless has produced a lot of FKA Twigs forthcoming album, and she has called him the “guiding light” of what’s to come.

See Also

The New Irish Music Playlist: Orla Gartland, Yenkee, Qbanaa & more

Anna Prior

Up2U

Metronomy’s drummer and producer Anna Prior brings some ’90s electronic shade on a track from the forthcoming EP Almost Love, released on June 13th via House Anxiety.

“This song is about my own indecisions. I feel like it’s the phrase most often said to me by my friends and loved ones. It serves as a reminder that my life is mine and I can live it how I choose, it serves to stop me getting hung up on decisions and really take ownership of my life.”

‘Up2U’ was a collaboration with PPJ – trio Páula, Povoa and Jerge who have worked previously with the likes of Christine and the Queens and Myd – as well as James Greenwood (AKA Ghost Culture) whom the Metronomy drummer has worked with across the Almost Love EP (previous credits include Dan Avery, Kelly Lee Owens, HAAi and Alison Goldfrapp). Lisbon based producer Moullinex also contributed to the EP.

jena keating

G O T

The London-based R&B artist Jena Keating pops up with a fine moody R&B cut about detachment and a moodlit video to match.

Sofia D’Angelo

Jane Goodall

New York artist Sofia D’Angelo (also of six-piece band MICHELLE) drops a song titled after the noted chimpanzee expert, that channels the breezy indie pop of Maggie Rogers.

Charli XCX

360

A bop from the forthcoming album Brat in June. Fun video too.