J Hus (feat. Drake) – Who Told You
J Hus announced his return a couple weeks ago with the triumphant tune ‘It’s Crazy’ – a track that made him sound as surprised as we were to hear it, following the artist’s three-year hiatus. This week, in much more measured terms and with the help of love-him-or-hate-him-but-he-always-delivers figure Drake and you have a tune that pronounces the start of the summer. ‘Who Told You’ is true tinnies in the park and late-night motives music.
Christine and the Queens – Marvin descending
The latest release from Christine and the Queens, PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE, is more musical opera than your classic album. A soaring three-part epic produced by the mighty Mike Dean, it’s standout track ‘Tears can be so soft’ was already out in the world prior to the record’s release, but the wonderfully melodramatic ‘Marvin descending’ gives you a sense of the record’s expansiveness.
Janelle Monáe – Phenomenal
Janelle Monaé’s new album lives up to its name: The Age of Pleasure. This is a near-scandalous, sensual soundscape of luscious RnB. Breezy and refreshing like the underwater dive pictured on its album cover, it’s the kind of album that mentally whisks you off to an exotic island where you can bask in the sun – and, indeed, hedonistic pleasures. Sounds ‘Phenomenal’.
King Krule – From The Swamp
King Krule’s new album, Space Heavy, treads that fine line of providing fans exactly what they’ve long loved about the indie darling whilst treading into new territory. As spacious and emotionally dense as its title suggests, the album sees Archy Marshall reckon with newfound fatherhood and that same existentialism that weighed on his mind when he himself was a young lad – here, he does so ‘From The Swamp’.
Dave, Central Cee – UK Rap
Whilst the majority of chat and streams resulting from the linkup between Dave and Central Cee has been aimed at their record-breaking ‘Sprinter’, the Split Decision EP it ended up featuring on has plenty of moments to celebrate. Given the collab between these two British heavy hitters is, after all, a celebration of ‘UK Rap’, the final track is worthy of a shoutout.
The Japanese House – One for sorrow, two for Joni Jones
The closing track and final single from In the End It Always Does – the upcoming second album from The Japanese House (real name Amber Bain) – ‘One for sorrow, two for Joni Jones’ is named after the singer’s sausage dog, who in turn is named after Joni Mitchell. That’s a rather sweet, beautiful gesture for a truly sweet, beautiful song.
Do Nothing – Nerve
The last instalment ahead of Do Nothing’s eagerly-anticipated debut album Snake Sideways (which I am in the privileged enough position to be able to say more than lives up to the hype), ‘Nerve’ follows prior terrific singles from the Nottingham outfit: ‘Happy Feet’, ‘Amoeba’ and ‘Moving Target’. Whilst ‘Nerve’ sounds like a classic indie-rock tune, it still bears some of the deeper, more interesting aspects to be found on the record as a whole, as lead singer Chris Bailey cries out, “What did you just call me? Where’d you get the nerve?”
Wallice – disappear
With a fuzzy intro that bears some resemblance to a subdued version of Radiohead’s ‘Weird Fishes/Arpeggi’, ‘disappear’ comes at a momentous time for L.A. singer-songwriter Wallice. Not only is the track the latest from her upcoming EP, Mr Big Shot, set for release on 23 June, but it follows the indie-pop darling’s recent tour dates with The 1975. The track might call for a vanishing, spelling out its title in a cyborg voice at the end, but that’s the last thing we want Wallice to do – and the last thing this ever-rising star is likely to.
Hak Baker – Collateral Cause
It’s hard not to love Hak Baker. As well as his salt-of-the-earth demeanour and cheeky-chappie smile, he also makes great tunes. His debut album, Worlds End FM, arrives today, and offers relatable ditties and wholesome bangers as the world crumbles around us, preceded of course by the ongoing cozzie livs.
Zoey Lily – not responsible
This laidback alt-pop tune from Anglo-French artist will almost certainly have you unwind before whatever weekend shenanigans are in-store. Taken from the artist’s new EP, Too Many Nights, it reflects on the point in a breakup where you realise you’re no longer obliged to worry about an ex, and wraps-up with a beautiful smattering of jazzy keys.
