The 25 best songs of October
11.
Mind Enterprises – Idol
The creator of one of my under-rated albums of 2016 returns with an Italo twisted pop song. There’s also a Prins Thomas Diskomix, always a good sign.
12.
Floating Points – Ratio
Anything Sam Shepherd does is worthy of a listen and as this 3-minute section from the full 18 minute version of this live favourite is a succinct reminder of his prowess.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT5wjeAaaN0
13.
Boy Harsher – Westerners
Massachusetts duo Boy Harsher impressed me with the dark and swirling ‘Motion’ and here’s another from their debut EP, a pulsating electro track with atmospheric care-free abandon and an old-school beat.
14.
Kelela – Enough
A highlight from the intimately-pitched debut album from Kelela, Take Me Apart features a beat from Arca.
15.
Burial – Rodent
I’d become less interested in recent Burial releases due to familiarity or apathy. That’s on me perhaps but the latest track from the enigmatic producer finds him in his most direct clubbing state in quite a while. From the the relentless bassline to the hypnotic vocal line to the snatches of sax, ‘Rodent’ is a fresh sound from a producer who already has a trailblazing tag.
16.
Professor Rhythm – Leave Me Alone
The always-reliable Awesome Tapes from Africa digs up a 1995 kwaito dance gem from South Africa’s Professor Rhythm. The label has had some great stuff in 2017 including Umoja’s 707′ and Om Alec Khaoli ‘Say You Love Me’ and this is no different. Joy. Brian and his Awesome Tapes From Africa are in the Sugar Club in Dublin on November 11th with Super Silly, Farah Elle courtesy of Woweembeem.
17.
Wolf Alice – After the Zero Hour
A surprisingly lilting acoustic highlight from Wolf Alice’s rather-good second album Visions Of A Life.
18.
Ye Vagabonds – Go Where You Will
Carlow brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn have spent the last few years growing their audience via support slots with Glen Hansard, Villagers, Roy Harper and Lisa Hannigan. Their debut self-titled album was released last Friday and features this gorgeous resonant lilt.
19.
Blue Hawaii – No One Like You
You can catch Blue Hawaii in Dublin at the Workman’s Club next month on November 18th and Tenderness is a fine album by Raphaelle Standell (Braids singer) and Alexander Kerby who got their project back together after a four year hiatus in 2016. The album draws on relationships forged through online apps, disco rarities and ’90s dance music. ‘No One Like You’ interpolates the hook of Kenix feat. Bobby Youngblood’s ‘There’s Never Been (No One Like You)’, an absolute jam it must be said.
The Go! Team are back and for their first song since 2015’s The Scene Between. The Brighton band arrive with ‘Semicircle Song’ with a marching band, The Detroit Youth Choir. The band’s mastermind Ian Parton took inspiration from Northern soul, Japanese indie-pop and old-school hip hop and went to Detroit to record with a marching band and choir.
