And here we are. Well done. A whole week complete once more, without those weary, boozy bank holidays we had last week to revel in. And now, we can revel some more – only for your standard two-and-a-bit day weekend though. Still, at least there’s some quality new music out.
Pixey – Come Around (Sunny Day)
Upbeat. Cheerful. Would a song with the term ‘Sunny Day’ be anything else? This new number from Liverpool’s Pixey, following her support tour of your boy Alfie Templeman, is her first since 2021’s Sunshine State, which is – surprise, surprise – equally cheery.
Sinead O’Brien – Like Culture
Best album out this week. (No offence, George Ezra, who’s on this list and obviously reading this right now). A lot of exceptional noise has been coming from Irish acts in recent times – Fontaines D.C. and Just Mustard to name a few – but Sinead’s Sprechgesang (a combo of singing and speaking) offers a lightness of touch and danceability. The opening word of ‘Like Culture’ tells you all you need to know: “dance”.
Alamay – Overnight
Mmmmmm. Alamay’s soulful, R&B-inflect ‘Overnight’ is like leaning back into a duvet or watching the sun set on the seashore, warm sand beneath your feet – a sign of the excellent production from Omar Cassius. This is the Bristol-based pair’s first single from their forthcoming self-produced, self-released EP, which by the sound of things will be worth a listen.
Falz – Parampe
Falz is a Nigerian superstar – a term I think’s worth using by today’s standards, given his 8.8 million followers on Instagram. But let’s not be superficial. Falz’ latest full-length project is smooth, sexy and full of swagger. You can only pick one track from each album for this playlist – ‘Parampe’ seemed a strong representative of the whole. But give the whole thing a whizz.
Bastille – Remind Me
Bastille are doing some interesting things in the space of VR and forward-thinking technologies right now. And whilst that’s laudable, none of it would really be worthwhile if their music wasn’t respected. Thankfully it is. More than just respected, it’s loved. And ‘Remind Me’ is yet another reminder (pun intended) of their class.
Phoebe Green – Sweat
Another tantalising taste of what’s to come from Phoebe Green’s long-awaited debut album, Lucky Me (due in August). The Mancunian has described the track ‘Sweat’ as being about her tendency to self-sabotage, a defence mechanism against being hurt. This kind of wise-beyond-her-years talk will no doubt continue to garner her support.
TIBASKO – Traces
The big electronic album of the day is Chase & Status’ What Came Before. (Which you can read more about here). For best new music, though, I’ve gone for ‘Traces’ from another British duo, TIBASKO, which has been pinched from their forthcoming self-titled debut EP due this September. It’s rather unique and has that-thing-I’ve-always-wanted-in-electronic-music-but-never-quite-realised: Bulgarian Folk Choir samples.
George Ezra – Don’t Give Up
Couldn’t miss out old Georgie boy. He was on the billing for last weekend’s Platinum Jubilee, after all, and therefore must be eternally enshrined and promoted on every occasion – like a product that has a Royal Warrant stamp of approval from the Queen. I kid (sort of), but it’s another big hitter of the day. Whilst I hope to shine on newcomers, this one couldn’t be overlooked and the titular track is a giddy bop.
Billy Lockett – Hard Act To Follow (with Goldlink)
Having supported the likes of Lana Del Ray, Lewis Capaldi, Birdy and KT Tunstall, and appearing on The Late Late Show With James Corden, Billy Lockett has rubbed shoulders with the stars, all whilst remaining the same humble piano man who grew up in Northampton. This song is a reworked version of his 2019 track, but – we’re not cheating, swear – this time it’s with two-time GRAMMY-nominated American rapper GoldLink.
Chase & Status – Headtop
I didn’t necessarily regard Chase & Status’ new album as particularly special in its entirety. But it has some bangers, for sure. ‘Headtop’ is my favourite; not because it’s a gurn-face-inducing, bassline-wobbling tuuuuune, but because it has a blend of intensity and subtlety.
And on that note, have a banging weekend, one and all. Love. Peace. And merriment to you all.
