Another week, another dose of new music. I would blabber on, but let’s get to the good stuff.
Rina Sawayama – To Be Alive
The closer for Rina Sawayama’s brand-new album, Hold the Girl, ‘To Be Alive’ is an arena-ready anthem with a kick befitting of its life-affirming title. This track feels like an opening of the heavens as it rounds-off the end of the Japanese-British artist’s sometimes turbulent album.
Marcus Mumford – Prior Warning
There’s been a lot of discussion in the run-up to Marcus Mumford’s debut solo album, (self-titled) – and not without good reason, after he opened up about sexual abuse he experienced as a child. In our review, Sam Moore describes the album as “a genuinely poignant examination of trauma”. ‘Prior Warning’, meanwhile, explores the singer’s battle with alcohol.
Victoria Canal – driving your car
Victoria Canal knows all about travel. Born in Germany to an American mother and Spanish father, she’s lived in virtually every corner of the world despite still being just the tender age of 24. It makes sense, therefore, for her new EP, Elegy, out today to consist of a mode of transport, ‘driving your car’ off into the emotive sunset. Read our full interview with Victoria, something of a protégé of Chris Martin, here.
Check out whynow’s
in depth interview with Victoria Canal
Lowertown – Antibiotics
Taken from Atlanta-based duo’s forthcoming debut album, I Love To Die, ‘Antibiotics’ has quite a personal tale behind it. When singer Olivia Osby – who forms Lowertown with Avsha Weinberg – was in a toxic relationship that kept dragging her back in, she developed an illness similar to pneumonia as a result of the mould in the house she was staying in. When she finally broke things off, she went on to make a full recovery. This track uses the image of antibiotics as a symbol of cutting off negativity and healing yourself.
Glows – Better (Westway)
Glows’ mixtape, LA, 1620, which dropped yesterday might be their debut. But in truth the pairing of GG Skips (aka Marco Pini of Sorry) and art director Felix BH have played an important role in London’s burgeoning underground scene. The pair are also founders of the label and creative collective Slow Dance, which has been one step ahead in capturing some of the most innovative new music going. LA, 1620 is testament to their own artistic strengths, with ‘Better (Westway)’ showcasing just that.
Whitney – NEVER CROSSED MY MIND
Another album drop today; this time from Chicago duo Whitney. SPARK is an intricate, melodious affair, offering a cheery pick-me-up in many instances, and comes ahead of a full UK tour from the pair in November. ‘NEVER CROSSED MY MIND’ captures this to a tee.
ELIZA – A Tear for the Dreadful
With a sound reminiscent of Tirzah, ELIZA’s brand-new album, A Sky Without Stars, was named as such because its creator feels that’s one of our greatest issues: we’re unable to see the constellations amid our polluted cities. And apt for the message of the full record, there’s a real twinkle behind this intricate production, which switches things up three-quarters of the way through.
DanDlion – Knock Knock
The first release of 2022 from London’s DanDlion, this disco-infused track captures some of the upbeat aura of sunny L.A., where it was recorded before being produced by Dan in his Hackney studio. As the rising multidisciplinary artist as said himself of the track, it embodies the freedom of “the first time you meet someone and lose all your cool. It’s about someone who makes you feel like you can drop your guard.”
Fred Again.. – Danielle (smile on your face)
An even more vibrant dance track, this one from man-of-the-moment Fred Again.., which comes ahead of the third instalment of the superproducer’s
Actual Life album series. The albums take voice notes from his friend’s and turn them into what can only be described as absolute bangers.
Actual Life 3 is out on 28 October.
Country Dons – I Know
And finally, from Country Dons’ 14-track mixtape, Welcome To The Country, ‘I Know’ is a prime example of the unorthodox rap collective’s respectable flow over a typically ethereal beat. Stick it on. Get in your motor. And – as our lawyers have advised us to say – put your foot down whilst respecting the UK speed limit.
That’s it. New music. It’s Friday. Au revoir.
