THE month of May is approaching with haste and we’re absolutely elated that the stream of fantastic new music that’s been brought our way over the course of the year shows no signs of grinding to a halt. At this rate, our year end lists will be near impossible to compile and competition for spaces will be fiercer than ever. A smorgasbord of music that originated from faraway lands alongside material bred right here in Scotland, here’s the essential tracks that you need in your life this week.
The War On Drugs- Thinking Of A Place
Given that we’ve been waiting almost three full years for new material from The War On Drugs, it seems only fitting that their return to the fray is an 11 minute opus that is sure to be a great relief to fans everywhere. Fronted by Adam Granduciel, the purveyors of splendorous psych-tinged rock that delivered the goods on 2014’s Lost In The Dream sound as pivotal as ever on the Record Store Day exclusive ‘Thinking Of A Place.’ An ambient number that appeals to both the spirit and the mind, Granduciel’s Dylan-esque drawl and lyrical eloquence is perfectly accompanied by its dense, classic-rock inspired instrumentation and guitar interplay that would make many virtuosos beam with jealousy.
Medicine Men- Into The Light
A band that have consistently delivered since emerging in 2014, we are on the cusp of Medicine Men’s debut album arriving in earnest and it’s safe to say that we’re excited to see what auditory gems await. Set to be released via Last Night From Glasgow, the record is the product of years of hard work and an emphasis on constantly evolving their sound to produce the finest incarnation of the band that they can be. After leaving audiences floored with the thunderous one-two combination that was ‘In The Breeze’ and ‘Sleeping With The Light On’, they have continued to deliver the goods on the frenetic ‘Into The Light.’ Continuing to gaze at music with an all-encompassing lens and never shying away from trying something new, this latest taste of what’s to come from their new album basks in the waters of modern psychedelia that are inhabited by The Horrors and Unknown Mortal Orchestra whilst infusing influences from the likes of experimental pioneers Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream.
Ride
Whilst they have been more concerned with the ethereal and intangible, modern times have lit a fire under shoegaze legends Ride that cannot be suppressed. The latest offering from Weather Diaries; their first album in 20 years, the sound of ‘All I Want’ is one that is steeped in righteous anger at the state of the world. Taking aim at Prime Minister Theresa May in the wake of another draconian policy in relation to foreign workers, Andy Bell has clarified comments that their new album will be a more socially conscious affair by stating that “It’s not like Ride are ‘going political’ it’s more that the current state of the UK is so terrible that we could not avoid writing about it when we were writing lyrics for the album.
Bad Mannequins
A duo that emerged as a hot prospect during shows with the likes of Mickey 9’s and Crash Club, the elusive Bad Mannequins are now willing to make themselves known to the world at large and have done just that with the chaotic ‘Buzz Killer Skinny Gene.’ A seering jolt of energy that ensures anyone who’s exposed to it will surely take notice of their arrival, there’s always room to find your own niche in the realm of garage rock and the band have done just that with their playful, flamboyant vocal delivery and rigorous onslaught of guitar and drums.
Listen here via Soundcloud.
The Shimmer Band- What Is Mine?
Aligning massive stadium conquering hooks with a sound that is uncompromising and resolutely of their own devising, The Shimmer Band have sought to build on the momentum of their recent UK tour with new single ‘What Is Mine?’
A track that is billowing with self-belief and exudes that rock ‘n’ roll swagger that many strive for but few ever attain, their latest offering is a heady mix of intergalactic synths and guitar-based bravado that is sure to strike a chord with those seeking something which uproots from mundane, half-baked offerings and heads into another realm.
