C-c-c-check it it out, w-w-w-w-what’s it all about? Just our favourite tracks of the last week thanks, listen to them all below (no Beastie Boys sorry):
Swimming Girls – 2 Kids
Continuing their confident strides towards guitar-pop domination, Bristol’s Swimming Girls have dropped yet another killer single. ‘2 Kids’ is dark and shimmering, drenched in reverb, but still catchy as hell.
George Glew – Bury Me
We posted this late last week, so you may have heard it already, but it is definitely worth another listen. The debut track from Bristol’s George Glew showcases his emotive, deep voice over sparse, blues tinged guitar. It’s a track that finds its power in simplicity and raw emotion, and will be special to see when he plays his three-night residency at the Gallimaufry later this year.
Protomartyr – A Private Understanding
Unnerving and disjointed as ever, Protomartyr are back. The jarring, almost spoken word verses that open ‘A Private Understanding’ breakway for a cacophony of noise; gritty guitars and powerful vocals give you something to cling onto. The overwhelming refrain of “She’s just trying to reach you”, plus the gradually louder guitars block out everything. And then it breaks. And boy does it break.
Femme – Fire With Fire
If you thought London’s Femme was going to come backwith the same retro-indebted pop sound as on her debut album then you were very much mistaken. The ex-Bristol Live cover star’s first song since last year is a bouncing, garage-tinged dance-floor filler that yet again shows off Femme’s pop-writing prowess.
Crumbs – Weasels Can Wait
“You wanna take me out to party/ I want to break down and cry” goes Crumbs new single ‘Weasels Can Wait’, and to be honest, I can more than sympathise. Like a deep sigh, ‘Weseals can Wait’ portrays a of sadness, but also cathartic release, with chiming, lo-fi punk guitars helping to exorcise the demons of a broken heart.
Vic Mensa – Wings
Since his work with Kanye West, Chicago rapper Vic Mensa has been quiet. ‘Wings’ points towards an impeccable return to form. Featuring Pharrell and Saul Williams, the track starts with a Coldplay pun (seriously) but gets deeper as it progresses, finding Vic discussing his own career and the state of Chicago. Hard-hitting and immersive, it places Vic back on top.
Billy Lockett – Hands Tied
The first thing that hits you with Billy Locket’s second track from his debut album, is his tender, fragile falsetto. Combined with the atmospheric piano and layered vocals, and Billy’s lovelorn ballad finds him trending in similar sonic water as Bon Iver, albeit far more stripped back. Uplifting and touching, ‘Hands Tied’ is perfect to get lost in.
Frankie Rose – Red Museum
An atmospheric, 80’s indebted slow-burner from Brooklyn-based Frankie Rose. The lush vocal harmonies and cascading guitars are dreamy as heck, creating a river of interwoven melodies for you to float down.
The Surfing Magazines – New Day
A supergroup you say? Well here you go. Made up of some of The Wave Pictures, and Charles from Slow Club, The Surfing Magazine are a 60’s garage-rock band, equal parts charming and dirty. With twanging Kinks-esque solos and a meandering bassline, there is plenty of fun to be found in ‘New Day’.
Birdskulls – Over It
Back with their first material since 2015, and back on Art Is Hard, Birdskulls deliver a driving, full throttle punk-cruncher, full of melody and heart. The fuzzed guitars and yearning vocals serve as a perfect announcement for the band’s return.
Come back next week for more of our favourite tracks.
