This week, legendary Frenchman Laurent Garnier told us that as a DJ, “it’s our job to search, and we have to search.” What an honour that is, to search and to serve. Here’s some top new music from this week.
beabadoobee – Sunny day
beabadoobee’s second album, Beatopia, floats into your ears like a cloud, whilst letting us in to her experiences of love and heartbreak. ‘Sunny day’ epitomises this better than most, but I suggest listening to the full album, which weaves together as one. Read our full review here.
Interpol – Renegade Hearts
beabadoobee is by no means the only big album drop today. New York post-punkers Interpol have dropped The Other Side of Make-Believe – another record we’ve had our say on. Dark and brooding, ‘Renegade Hearts’ captures the deep underbelly of this album and has certainly captured our (renegade) hearts, too.
Lizzo – I Love You Bitch
Sassy, sexy and sumptuously sung, Lizzo’s album Special offers the feel-good self-love we could all use. Reportedly inspired by a tweet from Cardi B, ‘I Love You Bitch’ isn’t just our selection from the album, it’s our message to you, Lizzo – if you’re reading.
WILDES – Far and Wide
The lead single from WILDES’ debut album, Other Words Fail Me, which drops early October, ‘Far and Wide’ is another track with a suitable headline. With muted guitar and swirling electronics, there’s an atmosphere of expanse – a sound that is both far and wide.
Panda Bear, Sonic Boom – Go On
Panda Bear (Noah Lennox) and Sonic Boom (Peter Kember) have been friends for a long time, ever since they ‘met’ on MySpace. Having worked on each other’s music before, this week they announced their first collaborative album, Reset, set for release in August. ‘Go On’ is the first taste of the record and there’s only one command I suggest for you to listen to it: go on.
Hohnen Ford – Infinity
Something much more tender now. It’s the end of the week after all. We could all do with a bit of quiet before the weekend pick-me-up. This one’s from London pianist, songwriter and flautist Hohnen Ford, who’s been working with Matt Maltese and Jacob Collier. An RA graduate, Hohnen has developed a strong online following (largely on Reddit, believe it or not). It’s not hard to hear why.
ABSOLUTE. – Stuck In Love
Admittedly we’re not being super niche here. ‘Stuck in Love’ from London-based DJ and producer ABSOLUTE. has already been named this week’s ‘Hottest Record in the World’ on BBC Radio 1. But who cares? It’s a clever tune that manages to be both a pop-bop and a Detroit techno tune. Primarily, it just makes you want to go out and dance. Thank god it’s Friday.
Maggie Rogers – Horses
Another tune released in the run-up to her forthcoming album, Surrender, ‘Horses’ was written and produced with Thomas Edward Percy Hull, aka Kid Harpoon. The Maryland singer told Apple Music that not only was ‘Horses’ one of three tracks to all be written in one day, it’s also a one take vocal. One take and she evidently nailed it.
STONE – Waste
Liverpool’s STONE have had a steady rise since their breakout track ‘Leave it Out’ in 2020. Even with a pandemic having taken hold a matter of weeks since that dropped, the four-piece have gone from strength to strength, forging a reputation for impressive, energetic live shows that’s already seen them support Yungblud, Inhaler and The Blinders. Having just signed to Polydor, watch this space – and watch the video for ‘Waste’.
Modern Woman – Ford
The first release from Modern Woman this year. Led by the dry poetics of Sophie Harris, Modern Woman have a punchiness to them that’s worth a listen. ‘Ford’ was produced & mixed by Oli Barton-Wood (Porridge Radio, Nilufer Yanya, Obongjayer) and mastered by Jason Mitchell (PJ Harvey, Dry Cleaning, Aldous Harding).
And on that musical note, have a cracking weekend. (Don’t forget the sun cream – yours sincerely, a man with sunburn).
