The January 2019 edition of our monthly new music playlist is available to listen to and watch via YouTube.
If you enjoy any of the songs featured here, we encourage you to support the artists by purchasing their music from your local record shop, or through online retailers.
Stream the playlist below and read a bit about each individual track by clicking on each song title. This edition features essential new music from TOY, Sleeper, Steve Mason, These New Puritans, Teeth Of the Sea, The Chemical Brothers, KOKOKO!, Max Cooper, Josh Wink, UNKLE, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Fat White Family, The Specials, FUR, White Lies, Animat, Drenge, Yak, Foals, Estrons, Babybird, Underworld, Squid, Gum Takes Tooth, Slowthai, and the Fun Lovin' Criminals.
TOY - Mechanism
A highlight from TOY's elevating new album Happy In The Hollow, which was released last week on January 25. It's the London band's fourth album, and their first for new label Tough Love Records. 'Mechanism' bounds along with 'Common People' keys, and dives into a melting, vapour trailed rush of a chorus, sitting nicely on an LP that presents a reinvigorated unit who have finally come into their own.The new album was recorded at the band's own home tape studios, and entirely produced and mixed by the members of TOY. Wider in scope, with stronger melodies and characterised by hugely efficient arrangements, TOY's sound is now sprawling outwards from their psychedelic ground to cover more territory. Firmly in their groove and sounding more confident, the band are now mastering their craft and have scored a winner with 'Happy In The Hollow'. Read the full album review HERE, and watch some exclusive live videos of tracks from the record HERE.
Sleeper - Look At You Now
I never thought I'd hear from this lot again, but surely enough here we are in 2019 with a brand new Sleeper album on the way.'Look At You Now' is their first single in 21 years. It's very much the sound of a band returning after two decades of major changes in Britain to find themselves in a familiar yet very different place. Musically it shows too: the track proves that after all these years, the riffs and static cool vocals of Louise Wener are still a strength they possess, while an 80's pop influence is also present.
The London-based band formed in 1993, and became a part of the Britpop scene during the mid 90s. After three albums and a string of hit singles, the group split in 1998. Afterwards, singer Wener became a successful novelist while the other band members moved onto their own individual pursuits. But with lots of groups from the era realising that their music is still loved, Sleeper eventually reformed in 2017 to play the Star Shaped Festival alongside other Britpop acts including Space, Dodgy and The Bluetones. Encouraged by the warm reception they received, they went on to play their own UK last year. Then came the unexpected news that they had been recording new material with producer Stephen Street.
New album 'The Modern Age' will be released on March 22nd, and 'Look At You Now' is available as a free download when you pre-order a copy of the new album.
These New Puritans - Into The Fire
Sounding like some sort of strange, menacing hybrid of Talk Talk and The Fall (with occasional shades of Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode and Tears For Fears) the new track from These New Puritans is a treat for the ears. 'Into The Fire' is their first new material since 2013’s Field of Reeds album. There is a new album due son, described by the band's George Barnett as “Both brutal and beautiful, a record of extremes.... I’ve already put a bet on us winning the Turner Prize.”
Gum Takes Tooth - Borrowed Lies (Lay Llamas Afrofuzz Rework)
The wild new single by heavily percussive duo Gum Takes Tooth has been given a startling remix treatment by Italian wizards Lay Llamas, who incorporate the song's rhythms into a contagious brew of African flavours and hypnotic musical colours. The original version of 'Borrowed Lies' is taken from the album Arrow, out now.
“It concerns the small change victories and comforts our culture portions out to us to placate us and prevent action towards change - the lie of self-empowerment and paranoia is the ‘weapon offered as a gift’” says vocalist Jussi Brightmore. “It ends with a call to arms to look inward to find the weapon to overcome this”.
“It concerns the small change victories and comforts our culture portions out to us to placate us and prevent action towards change - the lie of self-empowerment and paranoia is the ‘weapon offered as a gift’” says vocalist Jussi Brightmore. “It ends with a call to arms to look inward to find the weapon to overcome this”.
Steve Mason - Walking Away From Love
Former Beta Band man Steve Mason is very much free to do as he wishes musically. This time round, his latest track is a vibrant, lively offering topped with catchy verses and a generous dose of soul and blues. 'Walking Away From Love' is lifted from his fourth solo album 'About The Light', released a few weeks ago on January 18th.
“I decided with this album that I wanted to get my live band involved at every stage because I wanted to capture the energy that we produce when we play live shows, so this time the band and myself worked on a collection of songs over the course of last year,” he explains. “When I listen to this album it feels and sounds like the first ‘legitimate’ record that I have ever made. It’s hard to explain but it sounds like a ‘real’ album. I think that is partly the production, the playing and the work that I did with the band for all those months in our rehearsal room on the South Coast,” says Steve. “It’s a beautiful, confident, positive, angry, loving and gentle album which once again moves what I do forward,” he adds. “David Bowie said that you should always be slightly out of your comfort zone if you want to achieve greatness, and for the first time perhaps ever, I deliberately pushed myself into that place. Who doesn’t want greatness?"
“I decided with this album that I wanted to get my live band involved at every stage because I wanted to capture the energy that we produce when we play live shows, so this time the band and myself worked on a collection of songs over the course of last year,” he explains. “When I listen to this album it feels and sounds like the first ‘legitimate’ record that I have ever made. It’s hard to explain but it sounds like a ‘real’ album. I think that is partly the production, the playing and the work that I did with the band for all those months in our rehearsal room on the South Coast,” says Steve. “It’s a beautiful, confident, positive, angry, loving and gentle album which once again moves what I do forward,” he adds. “David Bowie said that you should always be slightly out of your comfort zone if you want to achieve greatness, and for the first time perhaps ever, I deliberately pushed myself into that place. Who doesn’t want greatness?"
The Chemical Brothers - MAH
An intense, unsettling and utterly thumping new offering from The Chemical Brothers, taken from their upcoming ninth album 'No Geography'. Evolving through spells of disturbing laughter, acidy synths, hard hitting beats and delicious analogue keys, the high energy 'MAH' bodes well for the pioneering duo's upcoming LP.The frustratingly short single edit comes with a music video shot during a concert at London’s Alexandra Palace. It’s directed by Marcus Lyall and features visuals by Adam Smith.
KOKOKO! - Azo Toke
Wildly rhythmic Congolese sounds and banging dance beats. Now signed to Transgressive Records, KOKOKO! are a collective born in Kinshasa, consisting of musical instrument inventors from the Ngwaka area, electronic producer débruit, vocalist Makara Bianko (aka the Lingwala devil) and his dancers from the Lingwala neighbourhood. The members of the band create instruments from upcycled materials including engine parts, typewriters and plastic bottles.
According to the band, the brilliantly mental 'Azo Toke' features “the sounds from the contact of a thumb on an audio wire, a radio between two stations used as a snare, rolling claps, and an electric Likembe”.
The track comes from the recent 'Liboso' EP, which follows on from 2018's Tokoliana and Tongos’a EPs. The group’s debut album is due for release in summer 2019.
A wondrous, shimmering, cinematic musical offering from London-based electronica and techno producer Max Cooper. 'Phi' is taken from his third studio album 'One Hundred Billion Sparks', released last year in 2018. According to the band, the brilliantly mental 'Azo Toke' features “the sounds from the contact of a thumb on an audio wire, a radio between two stations used as a snare, rolling claps, and an electric Likembe”.
The track comes from the recent 'Liboso' EP, which follows on from 2018's Tokoliana and Tongos’a EPs. The group’s debut album is due for release in summer 2019.
Max Cooper - Phi
The LP was conceived after a break in Wales. Cooper said the record "is my attempt to express what was there after I had removed my everyday life. No phone calls, no emails, no messages, no human contact for a month, that was the idea. What I found were the fables we live inside, our constructs, the mechanisms which create them, and the experience of parsing them."
Josh Wink - Aries In Mars
A banging new acid-fuelled offering from pioneering DJ Josh Wink. His label Ovum Recordings is celebrating its 25th birthday in 2019. 'Aries In Mars' provides the label with its 300th release.
Wink explained that after playing the track to his partner for the first time, she remarked that it felt like it was based on his astrological sign. "She told me how strongly she felt about the track and commented about how it seemed like it was based on my astrological sign [and] of my ruling planet Mars being in Aries The track had this strong, powerful, fiery and fierce fast paced animalistic passion. So I went into the studio the next day and added the vocal, switching the two as it had a better rhythmic flow.”
Wink explained that after playing the track to his partner for the first time, she remarked that it felt like it was based on his astrological sign. "She told me how strongly she felt about the track and commented about how it seemed like it was based on my astrological sign [and] of my ruling planet Mars being in Aries The track had this strong, powerful, fiery and fierce fast paced animalistic passion. So I went into the studio the next day and added the vocal, switching the two as it had a better rhythmic flow.”
UNKLE - Ar.Mour (feat. Miink and Elliot Power)
Tantalising trip hop sounds from the new UNKLE album. Mo Wax records founder James Lavelle and a variety of guests feature on 'The Road: Part 2/Lost Highway', which is out 29 March. As well as this superb offering, the LP will also feature last year's single 'The Other Side' which features vocals from Editors’ Tom Smith.Lavelle says the record is the second part of a trilogy: "I started doing a show on Soho Radio in 2018, which made me think about playing records in a different way. It wasn’t about trying to make people dance in a nightclub. It was a breath of fresh air, and about playing a more eclectic mix. The Road: Part II was made in the same way – it’s a mixtape and a journey. You’re in your car, starting in the day and driving into the night. The language of it was to be the ultimate road trip. It’s the mid-part of a trilogy. The first record is like you’re leaving home; you’re naive and on a journey of discovery. There are elements of my early days in there, as well as a bit of everything since. There’s an optimism and excitement to the record, as there was with me having to direct this project alone for the first time.
This record is the journey. You’re on the road, out there in the world. There are let downs, highs, lows, love, loss and experiences. The third record to come is basically about coming home; wherever that may be."
The track samples Al Green's 'Here I Am (Come and Take Me)' as well as elements from The Funkees's 'Break Through'.
Teeth Of The Sea - Hiraeth
The incredible Teeth Of The Sea return with their fifth album 'Wraith' next month in February. It promises to be a fascinating listen if the heavily cinematic 'Hiraeth' is anything to go by. Like some sort of looming, unsettling western-meets-sci-fi soundtrack, its Morricone-like trumpets add melody to its sombre moods before harsh industrial beats enter the scene, locking the listener in to its frightening atmosphere.Released on February 22 via Rocket Recordings, 'Wraith' features guest collaborators such as Erol Alkan, Valentina Magaletti, Chlöe Herington, and Katharine Gifford. It follows on from a number of highly recommended releases, including 2013's amazing 'MASTER', described by RW/FF as " a puzzle of cosmic terror". Read the review HERE. The band will be playing a series of UK shows in March and April.
Charlotte Gainsbourg - Such A Remarkable Day
Shadowy, seductive disco sounds provide the punch on this shimmering new track from the excellent Charlotte Gainsbourg. The track comes from her 'Take 2' EP, released late last year in December 2018.
Speaking about the soothing 'You Make Me Forget Myself', the band said: “It has a feeling of estrangement about it. The sound of someone you love who’s going away and it doesn’t matter. It’s the first song Maxim has sung lead on and Dominic plays slide reminiscent of Ry Cooder on the Paris, Texas soundtrack.”
Below is also a live version, recorded at Rough Trade, Bristol.
FUR are William Murray (guitar, vocals), Harry Saunders (guitar), William Tavener (bass) and Flynn Whelan (drums)
TOY - You Make Me Forget Myself
Probably
the most beautiful thing the band have ever produced; a swooning
melancholic daydream sung wonderfully by bassist Panda Barron, who also
penned the song's lyrics.Speaking about the soothing 'You Make Me Forget Myself', the band said: “It has a feeling of estrangement about it. The sound of someone you love who’s going away and it doesn’t matter. It’s the first song Maxim has sung lead on and Dominic plays slide reminiscent of Ry Cooder on the Paris, Texas soundtrack.”
Below is also a live version, recorded at Rough Trade, Bristol.
Fat White Family - Feet
The astonishing new track from the Fat White Family is a wondrous chunk of dystopian disco with lashings of post-punk. 'Feet' can be found on their upcoming album 'Serf's Up!'. Released on April 19th, it’s their third album, and their first for new label Domino Records.
The band describe the LP as “a lush and masterful work, lascivious and personal. Tropical, sympathetic and monumental, it invites the listener in rather than repel them through wilful abrasion. Fat White Family have broken previous default patterns of behaviour. As such, their third album heralds a new day dawning. Where once they soundtracked grubby Britain of vape shops, Fray Bentos dinners and blackened tinfoil, a crepuscular comedown realm stalked by Shipman,Goebbels and Mark E Smith, Fat White Family now inhabit another cosmos entirely.”
With a description like that, how could it not be worth checking out?
The band describe the LP as “a lush and masterful work, lascivious and personal. Tropical, sympathetic and monumental, it invites the listener in rather than repel them through wilful abrasion. Fat White Family have broken previous default patterns of behaviour. As such, their third album heralds a new day dawning. Where once they soundtracked grubby Britain of vape shops, Fray Bentos dinners and blackened tinfoil, a crepuscular comedown realm stalked by Shipman,Goebbels and Mark E Smith, Fat White Family now inhabit another cosmos entirely.”
With a description like that, how could it not be worth checking out?
The Specials - Vote For Me
Many people still refer to the era of the late 1970s and early 80s as an age where popular music truly reflected the times. Multiracial 2 Tone legends The Specials were a prime example, scoring hit singles with songs regarding racial and social tensions, class war, politics and human rights.
2019's heated political climate provides the perfect backdrop for the return of The Specials. 'Vote For Me' is the first "proper" new material from the band since their era-defining 1981 number 1 single 'Ghost Town'. In the current turbulent climate 38 years later, comeback LP 'Encore' picks up almost exactly, in style and in substance, where 'Ghost Town' left off, addressing serious issues head-on.
Sticking a boot into corrupt, self-serving politicians, the track was written and produced by founding members Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, Horace Panter together with long-time collaborator Torp Larsen.
After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, vocalists Terry Hall and Neville Staple, along with guitarist Golding, left to the group to form Fun Boy Three. The remainder of the group continued as "The Special AKA", releasing the 1984 album 'In The Studio', which included the hit single 'Free Nelson Mandela'. After this, Jerry Dammers dissolved the band and began a new career in political activism.
Since the break-up of the original line-up, various members of the band performed in other bands and in Specials-related projects. However, there has never been a complete reunion of the original line-up.
The first reunion under the Specials name occurred in 1993, when producer Roger Lomas decided to use the Specials as backing band for an album by ska legend Desmond Dekker. Only Golding, Panter, Roddy Radiation and Staple participated in this reunion of sorts. This led to this partial line up of the group releasing a new album under The Specials name, 1996's 'Today's Specials', a collection of cover versions. A couple of years later, this version of the group released 'Guilty Til Proven Innocent', an album of brand new tracks. It featured the excellent 'Fearful', which was recorded with American punks Rancid. Two more albums of covers followed: 'Skinhead Girl' from 2000, and 2001's 'Conquering Ruler' but Lynval Golding had now left the band, who fizzled out shortly afterwards.
In 2008, Terry Hall confirmed that The Specials would be reforming, minus the estranged Jerry Dammers. The group have toured around the world and played many festivals, thrilling fans old and new. Staple departed in 2012, Roddy Radiation left in 2014, and drummer John Bradbury sadly died in 2015. But the band remain strong with founding members Hall, Golding and Panter at the core. New additions to The Specials include Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller guitar legend Steve Cradock, and Libertines drummer Gary Powell. The new album marks the first time vocalist Hall has sang with the band since 1981.
'Encore' is released on February 1st.
2019's heated political climate provides the perfect backdrop for the return of The Specials. 'Vote For Me' is the first "proper" new material from the band since their era-defining 1981 number 1 single 'Ghost Town'. In the current turbulent climate 38 years later, comeback LP 'Encore' picks up almost exactly, in style and in substance, where 'Ghost Town' left off, addressing serious issues head-on.
Sticking a boot into corrupt, self-serving politicians, the track was written and produced by founding members Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, Horace Panter together with long-time collaborator Torp Larsen.
After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, vocalists Terry Hall and Neville Staple, along with guitarist Golding, left to the group to form Fun Boy Three. The remainder of the group continued as "The Special AKA", releasing the 1984 album 'In The Studio', which included the hit single 'Free Nelson Mandela'. After this, Jerry Dammers dissolved the band and began a new career in political activism.
Since the break-up of the original line-up, various members of the band performed in other bands and in Specials-related projects. However, there has never been a complete reunion of the original line-up.
The first reunion under the Specials name occurred in 1993, when producer Roger Lomas decided to use the Specials as backing band for an album by ska legend Desmond Dekker. Only Golding, Panter, Roddy Radiation and Staple participated in this reunion of sorts. This led to this partial line up of the group releasing a new album under The Specials name, 1996's 'Today's Specials', a collection of cover versions. A couple of years later, this version of the group released 'Guilty Til Proven Innocent', an album of brand new tracks. It featured the excellent 'Fearful', which was recorded with American punks Rancid. Two more albums of covers followed: 'Skinhead Girl' from 2000, and 2001's 'Conquering Ruler' but Lynval Golding had now left the band, who fizzled out shortly afterwards.
In 2008, Terry Hall confirmed that The Specials would be reforming, minus the estranged Jerry Dammers. The group have toured around the world and played many festivals, thrilling fans old and new. Staple departed in 2012, Roddy Radiation left in 2014, and drummer John Bradbury sadly died in 2015. But the band remain strong with founding members Hall, Golding and Panter at the core. New additions to The Specials include Ocean Colour Scene and Paul Weller guitar legend Steve Cradock, and Libertines drummer Gary Powell. The new album marks the first time vocalist Hall has sang with the band since 1981.
'Encore' is released on February 1st.
FUR - Angel Eyes
Charming, unashamedly romantic indie pop treasure from Brighton-based four piece FUR. The swooning track is the first to be taken off their self-titled debut EP due for release Feb 14 via Nice Swan Records.
White Lies - Tokyo
The new White Lies album 'Five' is released on 1st February. The London group have released this strengthy, catchy portion of synthy post-punk, which is the second song to be previewed from their upcoming fifth LP. The band said: “This is a milestone record for White Lies. It marks our decade as a band, which has pushed us to expand our sound and reach new territory artistically – it marks the start of a new and exciting chapter for us.”
Animat - Earplay (The Only Michael's Ambient Mix)
An enthralling, magnetic piece of tranquility, from the Animat album 'The Last Man'. Released on the Disco Gecko label, it features remixes of music adapted from their acclaimed live soundtrack to the Vincent Price film “The Last Man On Earth”.
Musicians, producers and DJs Mark Daly and Michael Harding have been working together as Animat since 2005, specialising in developing and performing new soundtracks to existing cult films.
The 1964 post-apocalyptic horror fantasy "The Last Man On Earth" was remade in 2007 as “I Am Legend”, starring Will Smith.
Musicians, producers and DJs Mark Daly and Michael Harding have been working together as Animat since 2005, specialising in developing and performing new soundtracks to existing cult films.
The 1964 post-apocalyptic horror fantasy "The Last Man On Earth" was remade in 2007 as “I Am Legend”, starring Will Smith.
Drenge - Never See The Signs
Ear catching post-punk from Drenge, taken from the band's upcoming album 'Strange Creatures'. It's their third LP, and will be released on February 22 via Infectious Records. The Derbyshire duo, comprised of brothers Eoin and Rory Loveless, released the ‘Autonomy’ EP last year in 2018.
“It comes after months of chiselling away, ripping themes and ideas apart, sewing them back together, stepping away and coming back with fresh ears,” said the band. ”Sometimes, a song appears fully formed and ready to go, and sometimes, a song just needs time to ferment. Fine tuning small details, nipping between songs, picking out small things and accentuating them until they take over or
become something else entirely."
The duo play UK dates in March and April.
“It comes after months of chiselling away, ripping themes and ideas apart, sewing them back together, stepping away and coming back with fresh ears,” said the band. ”Sometimes, a song appears fully formed and ready to go, and sometimes, a song just needs time to ferment. Fine tuning small details, nipping between songs, picking out small things and accentuating them until they take over or
become something else entirely."
The duo play UK dates in March and April.
Yak - Fried
Rock n roll will never die. No matter what year it is, it will always be alive somewhere. Of course if you're a regular reader of this site, you will be aware of this fact, but for those who need some further proof, listen to this.
It's a blistering dose of raucous, rousing post-punk ecstasy taken from Yak's forthcoming second album 'Pursuit Of Momentary Happiness'. Recorded at RAK studios, the LP is out on February 8th, and also features previous Track Of The Day 'Bellyache'.
The Wolverhampton band are touring the UK in March and April.
It's a blistering dose of raucous, rousing post-punk ecstasy taken from Yak's forthcoming second album 'Pursuit Of Momentary Happiness'. Recorded at RAK studios, the LP is out on February 8th, and also features previous Track Of The Day 'Bellyache'.
The Wolverhampton band are touring the UK in March and April.
Foals - Exits
This terrific off-kilter synth-rock monster is the first new track from Foals in four years. The remarkable video for 'Exits' stars Isaac Hempstead Wright (Bran Stark from Game of Thrones) and French actress Christa Théret.The four piece are one of the biggest alternative acts of the last decade, and their return has been highly anticipated. Along with this powerful new cut, the group have also announced the release of not one, but two new albums. 'Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost' is due out on March 8th, with the second installment expected in the Autumn. "They’re two halves of the same locket," explains Yannis Philippakis, "they can be listened to and appreciated individually, but fundamentally, they are companion pieces."
Foals will be touring the UK in June.
Estrons - Strangers
The overwhelmingly brilliant Welsh outfit Estrons release a brand new video for latest single 'Strangers', a dazzling cut from the debut album of 2018. A fierce, captivating, and empowering record from a band whose vitalising energy is thrillingly infectious, 'You Say I'm Too Much I Say You're Not Enough' was placed at the number one spot in Rewind/Fast Forward's Albums Of The Year 2018 list HERE.There's startling confidence, and there's vulnerability too. Showing they can step into more delicate territory with complete ease, the beautiful sadness of 'Strangers' is a heartfelt moment that resonates with a wonderful sincerity.
Singer and lyricist Tali Källström says;
"Strangers is about self-acceptance and finding the strength to grow and be on your own. The song takes us on a journey of self-sabotage, redemption, failure and success and how all of these experiences meld together to make us who we are. This video represents the different facets, the flaws, the strengths and the disparities we feel about ourselves and others during our day to day lives. It was important for us that we kept the video as a genuine reflection of who we are and the real-life things that we do, breaking the fourth wall, allowing the audience to empathise with the genuine emotion and meaning of the song. We hope you like it."
Packed full of raw, passionate music that excites the mind and arouses the soul, you can read about the album HERE, and an account of their storming gig in Bristol last year HERE.
Babybird - Box For 2
Another unsettling beauty from the ever-prolific Babybird. As well as selling truckloads of records in the 90s, via his Bandcamp page Stephen Jones has released at least 11 Babybird albums since reviving the alias in 2015. And that's not including the many albums and EPs released under his various other aliases.The icy 'Box For Two' comes from the double album 'Happyface/Sadface', which was released digitally this week.
Babybird will be back out on tour this February, supporting Dodgy around the UK.
Find more at https://thestephenjones.bandcamp.com
Underworld - Appleshine
A beautiful, sizzling epic from the legends that are Underworld. The duo's latest track is the first installment of Episode 2 of their ongoing 'Drift' series, which fans are hoping and praying will spawn some form of physical release in the future.
Karl Hyde and Rick Smith describe 'Appleshine' as "a minimalist, hypnotic small hours glide; a techno pulse wound tightly around a daydream vocal that ultimately unfolds into an ambient coda
(reminiscent of Rez) that seems to make the whole track - and the listener - levitate. It is beautifully, uniquely, undoubtedly Underworld. "
The track is available to download exclusively via https://underworldlive.com/drift
This spacey, melodic helping of tech-house from Berlin-based producer, DJ and Neptune Records boss, Algorythm is taken from his recent 'Marrakech' EP.Karl Hyde and Rick Smith describe 'Appleshine' as "a minimalist, hypnotic small hours glide; a techno pulse wound tightly around a daydream vocal that ultimately unfolds into an ambient coda
(reminiscent of Rez) that seems to make the whole track - and the listener - levitate. It is beautifully, uniquely, undoubtedly Underworld. "
The track is available to download exclusively via https://underworldlive.com/drift
Algorhythm - Lima
The EP is out now on Planet X Recordings.
Algorhythm has rcently recorded a special mix for Him Self Her, which can be heard here: http://www.himselfher.com/2019/01/09/podcast-algorythm/
You can find Algorhythm on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/algorythmofficial
Squid - The Dial
One of THE bands to watch in 2019, with this addictive hit of jagged post-punk funk creating much anticipation and excitement for what is to come from this fascinating musical unit. Squid are a five piece who met at Brighton University. The Dial locks the listener into its tight groove as taut Television/Talking Heads-like guitar licks and intense, full-throated vocals click the other pieces of the puzzle in to place.According to the band "the song is about a dear loved one – suffering a horrible illness in
hospital. At the point the patient's blood is being taken by the nurse, we imagined them all turning into vampires and sucking the blood from the patients. All I could think about was the red ‘dial’ of the weighing scales on the floor as it was happening – which is where the main lyric came from."
The song has been in the band's live set for a while, and evolved after Speedy Wunderground label boss Dan Carey saw the band playing live. He took the band into the studio, deconstructing and rearranging the song to give it a contemporary, cutting-edge yet classic and timeless sound. "It was one of quickest and most fast-paced experiences we’ve had in the studio. Despite feeling nervous we didn’t feel over-rehearsed at all, and then suddenly Dan told us we had the take! There’s such a strong community built around Speedy Wunderground, with no pretension at all. It is something we all admire greatly and are grateful to be a part of it."
The song was released last year on limited edition 7" vinyl, which quickly sold out. The band's excellent, genre-defying debut 3 track EP 'Lino' was released in 2017, and two other singles 'Perfect Teeth' and 'Terrestrial Changeover Blues' are also available to download at their Bandcamp page HERE. Squid will be playing some gigs in London and Leeds over the coming months.
Gum Takes Tooth - Fights Physiology
Pounding, shredding, otherworldly machine music from the new Gum Takes Tooth album 'Arrow'. The extraordinary 'Fights Physiology' is the first all-electronic piece of the music that the duo have ever recorded, with "the drums and synths programmed and tweaked on the fly in real-time." This radio edit of the song is available to download now, along with a thundering remix of the track by Nene H.
'Arrow' is the heavily percussive duo's third album. It was released last Friday via the brilliant Rocket Recordings label.
'Arrow' is the heavily percussive duo's third album. It was released last Friday via the brilliant Rocket Recordings label.
Slowthai - Doorman
Making highly charged music that portrays the chaotic, toxic climate of Conservative Britain, the rabid British rapper Slowthai has produced a digital punk rock trailblazer in the form of the excellent 'Doorman'.Tyron Frampton was raised on a council estate in Northampton, and has now released two EPs and a number of non-album singles. 'Doorman' also features the skills of Mura Masa. It also inspired the most hilarious YouTube comment of the week: "This song makes me want to rob my own house".
Slowthai will play a series of UK shows in February.
Fun Lovin' Criminals - Sunset
It's been a while since we've heard anything new from New York trio the Fun Lovin' Criminals. It's been nearly nine years since 2010's 'Classic Fantastic' LP and a series of singles with rapper Roots Manuva.The tap has just been turned on again with the recent release of 'Another Mimosa', and album which serves as a follow-up to the 1999 compilation 'Mimosa'. It features covers, reworkings of FLC classics, as well as this brand new track. The upbeat 'Sunset' blends Mariachi vibes with a singalong chorus, and works nicely as the album's closing song.
The band have also been working on their 7th studio album of new original material, expected in 2020. Huey Morgan's NYC Block Party will be visiting parts of the UK over the coming months, including a date at The Cheese And Grain in Frome on Feb 16. More info HERE.
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