FROM Glasgow to Toronto, this week’s New Music Radar covers a wide variety of artists and genres across eight incredible new tracks. There’s new offerings from Walt Disco, Wuh Oh, Kiwi Jr, Just Mustard and more to get excited about so check them out below.
Walt Disco ‘Dancing Shoes’
With each release, Walt Disco have taken us one step further into the glamorous, glittering and often unpredictable world they inhabit. Their latest instalment arrives in the shape of ‘Dancing Shoes’ – a surging, guitar-fuelled triumph. James Potter is as compelling as ever, his theatrical vocal full of anguish as he ruminates over a backdrop of storming, abrasive post-punk. Driven by angular new wave guitars and stomping rhythms, it’s a gripping exercise in catharsis for the frontman as he reveals the darkness that lays beyond the shimmering, theatrical production.
“[‘Dancing Shoes’ was written] during a time in my life where I was really struggling to deal with noticing pain and depression within my immediate family. I found it difficult to talk about, so I used the writing of this song as therapy”.
Honeyblood ‘Bubble Gun’
Following the release of their third album ‘In Plain Sight’ earlier this year, a record steered by chief songwriter and frontwoman Stina Tweeddale, Honeyblood are already back with a brand new single called ‘Bubble Gun’. Set to embark on a UK tour next month with Debbie Knox-Hewsom (ex Charli XCX) on drums and Anna Donnigan (ex PINS) on bass, the track is the result of the band’s most recent writing sessions and featuring razor sharp riffs and pounding drums. There’s more of an alt-pop bite this time around with gang-like chanting and an earworm of a chorus. Accompanied by a 60s-inspired sci fi visual spectacular directed by Gareth Goodlad, Tweeddale said: ““I really wanted to write a track that would encapsulate the feeling of a dystopian punk driven sorority chant with a flick of violent fun. It’s a song about the frustrations of wanting something you can’t have.”
Foals ‘Into the Surf’
Foals have released the latest single to be taken from their upcoming album ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – Part 2’. After Part 1 which was released earlier this year, the band have been pitching the record, which lands on 18th October, as its grittier, heavier follow-up with incendiary singles like ‘Black Bull’ and ‘The Runner’ blowing fans away in the build-up. ‘Into the Surf’ re-introduces us to the band’s more melancholic side though – it’s a soft and pensive offering that sees Yannis deliver his evocative vocal over a shimmering, expansive surface.
Just Mustard ‘Seven’
Irish experimental rockers Just Mustard are back with an eerie thumper called ‘Seven’. The band have already won lots of plaudits for their simultaneously unnerving and progressive sound and their fine run of form continues with their most exhilarating release to date. Calling on the same ephemeral principles of shoegaze icons C86, the atmospheric essence of their music is all well and correct but the band have somehow sharpened their meticulous approach even more so on ‘Seven’ What we are left with is an ominous, all-encompassing track that feels like it’s almost constantly teetering on the brink of cataclysm, as if we’re being pulled between the dichotomies of light and dark. Katie Ball’s transcendental vocal lures you in against the gnarling quagmire of sounds behind you – the rumbling bass and grinding guitars rooted in some deep underworld. The eeriness gnaws away at you until it all comes to a head in the closing moments as the thunderous motorik landscape is brought to the forefront with a thrash of pulsating drums and chainsaw guitars.
MOY ‘Aeon Island’
Set to make his Tenement Trail debut next month at Saint Luke’s, MOY has unveiled his second single ‘Aeon Island’. The New Zealander, who is now based in Glasgow, initially seized attention with his expressive debut single ‘Start Me Up’ which displayed an eclectic array of influences from Ratatat to Dot Hacker to The xx. His latest track showcases a more introspective side to the singer-songwriter, depicting a moving journey of self-acceptance that will undoubtedly prove relatable to those also in the midst of self-doubt. Delivered against a soft and understated backdrop, it’s a subtly uplifting offering from an artist who already showing heaps of potential.
Kiwi Jr ‘Salary Man’
This week’s New Music Radar spreads far and wide beyond the confines of the UK with the introduction of Kiwi Jr from Toronto. Featuring Alvvays’ Brian Murphy on guitar, the band have today announced the worldwide release of their debut album ‘Football Money’ via Persona Non Grata Records and have unveiled their charming, jangly new single ‘Salary Man’ to go with it. It’s a big exuberant slice of raggedy power pop that’s instantly addictive and reminiscent of influences like REM, 80s college rock, the swooning charm of The Kinks and more.
Arlo Parks ‘Second Guessing’
Back with news of her second EP ‘Sophie’, Arlo Parks has unveiled a powerful new single called ‘Second Guessing’. A song about moving forward against the odds, Parks’ wide-ranging talent is once again brought into sharp focus as fuses her love for words and innate appreciation for melody. It’s a simple and understated yet evocative return from the singer. She says of the track: “it’s an exploration of the existential misery that comes from a desire to be successful in a way that pleases everyone. However it’s also a song about strength and the possibility of self fulfilment”.
Wuh Oh ‘Pretty Boy’
After a lengthy period of radio silence, Wuh Oh is back with his sublime new single ‘Pretty Boy’. Coming in at just over two minutes in length, the producer once again shows what he can accomplish in such a short space of time – a circling synth chord builds and builds as if something’s about to take off, but it never quite comes to pass while submerged vocals offer moments of sweet ecstasy. It’s deeply anxious and unsettling yet enticingly gripping at the same time.
When we step into the weird and wonderful world of Wuh Oh, it’s clear that he is an artist who is in touch with the feel of music aswell as the physical technicality of it, something that is proving deeply effecting for the producer and the listener alike.
