Sunday 17 December 2017

New Music Friday 15/12

Unless you're Beyoncé with a surprise release, you're gunning for Christmas number one, or you're Ed Sheeran featuring on literally everybody's new album, nobody releases much of worth this close to Christmas. Here's a handful of the week's new music...


Anne-Marie - Then

 Anne-Marie - Then

This isn't a proper single from Anne-Marie, but it proves that next year's album will be full of hits. It's a contrast to the fiery Ciao Adios and Alarm, with emotive lyrics and downbeat production driven by handclap snaps and gentle syncopations. She's still waiting for that big breakthrough moment, but she's not far behind 2017's biggest success Dua Lipa...



Lily Allen feat. Giggs - Trigger Bang

 Lily Allen feat. Giggs - Trigger Bang

'Sheezus' didn't quite get the love it deserved, but Lily Allen is back with a new album and Trigger Bang is the first single. With a rapped verse from Giggs, Allen is - as ever - going for an urban sound as she turns her gaze to toxic people in her past, but it's hard to tell whose poorly rhymed lyrics are worse.



Pale Waves - My Obsession

 Pale Waves - My Obsession

Listening to this new track from the Manchester four-piece, it's easy to see why they were chosen to support The 1975 on their North American tour in the summer. The stadium, jangling guitars and pop hooks don't stray far from the template that Matt Healy and co. developed, although there's also something of Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry in the vocals of front woman Heather Baron-Gracie. Yet even with such obvious influences, it's all slickly produced, euphoric as hell and proves the band are worthy of their recent BBC Sound Of 2018 nomination.



joan - tokyo

joan - tokyo

Here's another group working that synth-pop-rock vibe. Here the Arkansas duo are heading off to Tokyo in a rush of crazy love, riding a wave of 80s funk guitars and weird, vibrant electronica. "Don't know what the future holds, I just wanna feel this moment," goes the fizzing chorus - probably their best yet.



Michael Brun - Easy On My Love

 Michael Brun - Easy On My Love

Although best known for his remixes, Haitian DJ and producer Michael Brun has released a string of original tracks this year that blend progressive house with his Haitian roots. Easy On My Love leans more on the former, though the Kompa rhythms prevail. Janelle Kroll provides soulful vocals over the breezy production that's very easy to like.



MGMT - When You Die

 MGMT - When You Die

Moody acoustic guitars, oriental synth flourishes, simple melodies, weird dissonances. This 70s inspired track, the second release from their forthcoming fourth album, is kind of a mess. Yet its psychedelia and brutal lyrics ("Don't call me nice, I'm gonna eat your heart out") are strangely alluring, as is the magical video.



Robinson - Crave You

 Robinson - Crave You

The latest release from New Zealand's Robinson is a sultry, hypnotic track of yearning melodies as she mourns the end of a relationship. It's not a particularly original song, but its evocative, polished and a sign of good things to come.