FROM Zuzu to Another Sky, New Music Radar 090 features a strong contingent of future Tenement Trail stars who have all unveiled new material this week ahead of their appearance at the festival in a few weeks’ time. Check out their new tracks below alongside new offerings from VanIves, DIIV, Beabadoobee and more.
VanIves ‘Friends’
To say that VanIves have been anything but prolific this year would be an understatement. The talented duo have been drip-feeding us new material throughout 2019 with each and every single revealing new depths to their sublime, multi-faceted sound. Their latest gift is ‘Friends’; a rich and exquisitely produced number that takes their unique sound into intriguing and rewarding new territory. Inspired by those around them trying to pursue a career in music and those struggling with mental illness while traversing such uncertain grounds, the deeply moving track offers a stirring a mix of anguish and ecstasy; Roan Ballantine’s production reflective of a tumultuous state of mind as it carefully oscillates between quiet, introspective lulls and explosive, relentlessly upbeat moments of catharsis. Led by Stuart Ramage’s evocative delivery, it’s a reach out to those who need it; a message of hope in the darkness.
Zuzu ‘Money Back’
Ahead of her appearance at Tenement Trail 2019, Zuzu has added another indie-pop gem to her increasingly impressive collection.‘Money Back’ is already a staple of her live set and will be a relatable one for fans who are paying back their student loans or working hard to achieve a goal. With a bold and hopeful message that is reflective of Zuzu’s own ambitiousness, it arrives after a stream of indie-pop bangers from the Liverpool singer-songwriter, with a chorus that’s made to be sung along to.
Aaron Smith ‘Loveless’
Having already created quite the stir with his first two singles, hotly tipped singer-songwriter Aaron Smith has dropped his debut EP ‘Loveless’. Featuring two stunning new songs called ‘Better Man’ and ‘In My Way’, the four-track compilation is a beautifully crafted document of love and trauma. Sitting front and centre is that stunning vocal, so bold and singular as he retreads some of the most personal moments of his life in deeply moving and evocative fashion. Recalling the likes of Bon Iver and Ry X it its thoughtful delivery aswell as the open, honest songwriting of Coldplay’s Chris Martin, it’s an approach that is sure to resonate with a wide audience all over the UK and beyond.
Another Sky ‘Capable of Love’
Another Sky have spent the last couple of years carefully crafting a sound that is both expansive and cinematic, rooted in hard-hitting lyrics, strong social commentary and their highly unique, enthralling musicality. 2019 has seen the group catapulted into the public consciousness thanks to an appearance on the famed Later… with Jools Holland, Radio 1 airplay and a relentless touring schedule. Set to bring their incomparable sound to Tenement Trail next month, the four-piece have unveiled a brand new track called ‘Capable of Love’ that’s inspired by the band’s discovery of The Blaze in Dublin’s Science Gallery and written from the perspective of a father speaking to his son. Another fine example of the band’s careful manipulation of atmosphere and texture, a flurry of strings flicker around a steady beat while Catrin Vincent’s distinctively haunting vocals deliver the hard-hitting lyrics. It’s a hypnotic return which has us eagerly anticipated their return to Glasgow on 12th October.
kitti ‘Chasing the Crowd’
As a prominent member of Glasgow’s flourishing jazz scene, it’s not unusual to see kitti (Katie Doyle) join forces with other exciting new acts for collaborative outings. However today the singer has unveiled her first solo offering under her new guise and it stands her apart as one of the city’s most naturally gifted vocalists. Harking back to the soulful introspection of Amy Winehouse and the genre’s forebears, Kitti channels all her influences to create an enticingly vintage sound that will appeal to lovers of jazz, soul, pop and more. Much like the title suggests, it’s a track framed around the idea of ‘chasing the crowd’, about trying to break free from the expectations of those around you in order to go your own way. Catch Kitti at this year’s Tenement Trail as we move to the East End of Glasgow for the first time.
Willie J Healey ‘Songs for Joanna’
Under the stewardship of YALA! Records, Willie J Healey has unveiled a new coming of age bop called ‘Songs for Joanna’. An infectious blend of Americana, rough around the edges garage rock and catchy pop, it’s a universally relatable track about the trials and tribulations of coming of age and the love triangles, confused sexual identity and unrequited passions that come with it. Full of teenage angst and innocence, it’s a deeply personal yet wholly uplifting return.
DIIV ‘Blankenship’
Alongside a run of massive UK tour dates which will see them play Glasgow’s SWG3 later this year, cult NYC shoegazers DIIV have unveiled a surging new track called ‘Blankenship’. With their new album ‘Deceiver’ not too far away, it’s a pulsating insight into what’s to come, driven by motorik rhythms and revved up guitars. Undoubtedly their most exciting release in some time, it’s clear that DIIV are a band in evolution as they take on a more rounded, band-centric approach. It’s a relentless and cathartic return from the outfit which takes their heavenly, shoegazy sound into breathless new territory.
Beabadoobee ‘I Wish I Was Stephen Malkmus’
Rising UK artist and recent Dirty Hit signee Beabadoobee has shared a scrappy, grungy ode to the frontman of legendary indie outfit Pavement. The singer has not been short in forthcoming about her love for the band and the track is a fittingly fuzzy and laconic tribute to the titular frontman Stephen Malkmus. Full of heavy guitars and soft, melodic vocals, the track is imbued with a charming sense of nostalgia and sees her rich vein of form continue ahead of the release of her second EP ‘Space Cadet’.
