PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – Boy’s a liar Pt. 2
Bronx rapper Ice Spice might be everyones cup of tea (or iced tea or whatever it is New Yorkers drink). But combined with wholesome songstress PinkPantheress, over a typically relaxed, glitch-pop beat, and it works a treat, paring back the rapper’s more irksome qualities. The phrase “the duo you didn’t know you needed” springs to mind.
RAYE – Oscar Winning Tears.
RAYE’s impressive debut – made all the more impressive by the fact she released it independently, after departing from label Polydor – might be just what the pop industry needs right now, as our review puts it. And whilst the Academy Awards takes yet another long, hard look at itself over the Andrea Riseborough debacle, RAYE’s out here singing with Adele-like gusto, calling out her ex for their Oscar winning tears.
Young Fathers – Shoot Me Down
This Independent Venue Week, it’s good to be reminded of the raw brilliance that can emerge from our grassroots scene in this country. After meeting at Edinburgh’s Bongo-club over a decade ago, Alloysious Massaquoi, Kayus Bankole and Graham ‘G’ Hastings have formed a consistently challenging, daring outfit in Young Fathers. Their latest record Heavy Heavy, out today, preserves such a quality – a fact that’s no small feat considering it’s their fourth.
Caroline Polachek – Blood And Butter
Another precursory single ahead of Polachek’s forthcoming album Desire, I Want To Turn Into You, set for release on Valentine’s Day, comes ‘Blood and Butter’. Co-produced by the avant-pop’s frequent collaborator Danny L Harle, it’s a tightly packed track which also includes bagpipe work from Scotland’s Brìghde Chaimbeul.
Yves Tumor – Echolalia
Yves Tumor always hits the spot, and their latest tune is no different. ‘Echolalia’, defined as the meaningless repetition of words (often occurring as a symptom of a mental condition), is a fitting title for a track that prowls with numerous “Mm-mm-mhm-mhm-mhms” and “Uh-uh-uhs”. And with such indistinguishable phrases in mind, it would be pointless to analyse the tune much further – just give it a listen, trust me.
Hamish Hawk – Bill
Another Edinburgh native on this week’s list. Hamish Hawk’s 2021 album Heavy Elevator proved something of a turning point for the singer, with critical acclaim and BBC Radio 6 support. It also spun the singer into a greater intensity than ever over his lyric-writing; so much so that he was visited by Bill Callahan in a dream, who gave him some songwriting advice. ‘Bill’ is the consequence of that. And you can read our full interview with Hamish here.
Honey Moon – Closing Time
A dreamy closure to Honey Moon’s debut album, which came out this week, ‘Closing Time’ has a sorrowful origin, written as a means for the band – comprised of Jack, Zach, and Joey – to process their grief after hearing of the tragic car collision that killed the band Her’s. Honey Moon not only sound akin to the late Liverpool outfit, but were also called up to support them on tour in 2018. As such, it’s a touching parting gift to round-off an impressive debut LP.
Mhaol – Period Sex
Dublin-formed punk feminist band Mhaol – named after 16th century Irish pirate Gráinne Mhaol, a queen of the seas – released their debut album this week, Attachment Styles. Safe to say, after popping down to their album launch in the basement of a pub in Dalston, where they played tunes from the record until the clock struck midnight, it’s pretty bloody good. What’s more the music video for their track ‘Period Sex’ – an ode to “still having a good time even whilst on your period”, lead vocalist Róisín Nic Ghearailt said – actually led to them being shadowbanned on a number of social media platforms.
Alfa Mist – 4th Feb (Stay Awake)
Confusingly not released on 4th February, Alfa Mist’s new tune comes ahead of his new album Variables, due 21st April. “I’ve been focused on who I am in my music, but now I’m exploring where I am,” Alfa Mist has said ahead of the record. “I’m asking: how did I get here?” It’s this kind of lo-fi, contemplative pacing that comes through on ‘4th Feb (Stay Awake)’, which true to its name is exactly the kind of late night track to listen to tonight as the clock swings into the early hours of tomorrow morning.
Brooke Combe – Black Is The New Gold
Edinburgh’s clearly the winner for this week’s releases. The city’s 23-year-old Brooke Combe has announced her debut mixtape, also set for a 21 April release, and has dropped its title track today. With shades of Celeste, and evident inspiration from new wave soul artists like Gabriels and Sault, the track takes on the singer’s own understandings of race and identity. It also bodes beautifully well for the forthcoming project.
