CHECK out our top new tracks of the week below with new offerings from MoonRunners, Zoe Graham, Neon Waltz, Cage the Elephant, The Lazy Eyes and more. Meanwhile, follow our Spotify playlist which will be updated with all the best new music on a weekly basis.
MoonRunners ‘Dano’
MoonRunners release their second single next week on 29th January; a track we were delighted to premiere and give a first exclusive play of earlier today on TENEMENT TV. With a nod and a wink to their influences, doo-wop melodies and Beach Boy vibes play off surging guitar parts and a gritty, distorted lead vocal to create a sound that feels fresh and vigorous, avoiding any notion of becoming pastiche. A track that’s immediate in its impact, it’s surprising to know that it arrives after a period of writer’s block for the duo. They say: “‘Dano’ was written as a laugh because Cal had been suffering from writers block. We thought why not write a song about being unable to write songs so the lyrics directly reference that from not being able to get words onto paper to begging your mates to continue coming to shows even though they’ve seen you play a million and one times.”
Neon Waltz ‘Thanks for Everything’
After finishing 2019 with a massive run of dates in December which took them on a 4,000km round trip from home and culminated with a sold-out hometown show at Wick’s Assembly Rooms, Neon Waltz are carrying their momentum through to 2020 with the announcement of a new EP titled ‘Huna’ and a 10-date UK wide tour. With four tracks set to appear on the upcoming EP, including last year’s stunning ‘All in Good Time’ recording from Freswick Castle, the new collection is the result of the band’s recent recording sessions in the Scottish Highlands and is led by a new single called ‘Thanks for Everything’.
Opening in rather unexpected fashion with skittering electronics, a sudden pound of bright keys and guitars then lead us down more recognisable territory, building to a brilliantly anthemic chorus. A triumphant return from the Caithness outfit, it finds Jordan Shearer urging everyone around to confront “inconvenient truths”.
Zoe Graham ‘Sleep Talking’
Zoe Graham’s reinvention continues with the release of her new single ‘Sleep Talking’. Built on a foundation of glistening electronics and moving piano melodies, the singer-songwriter’s knack for carefully crafted minimalism and heartfelt lyrics come to the fore once again as she reflects on our inability to be honest with those closest to us – and to ourselves.
The Snuts ‘Fatboy Slim’
Following the announcement of their biggest Scottish show to date this May at Edinburgh’s Corn Exchange, The Snuts also revealed details of a brand new EP this week titled ‘Mixtape’. The four-track compilation will be released on 13th March via Parlophone Records and will feature ‘All Your Friends’ and brand new tune ‘Fatboy Slim’. Bearing all the hallmarks of a huge festival anthem, the band’s latest outing brings the dynamics of electronic music to their anthemic indie-rock – creating a rollicking ode to the famous DJ and 90s live scene. They said: “The song is a nod to the nostalgic subculture of live music across the UK in the 90s and similar decades. Toying with the idea of sampled drum loops and an electronic music styled structure the track is intended to pay homage to Fatboy Slims notorious set at Brighton beach almost 15 years ago”
Wuh Oh ‘How Do You Do It?’
Get your weekend started off in the right way with this incredible new track from Wuh Oh. Already described as a ‘game changer’ by industry insiders, it’s the type of track that makes you want to get to the nearest dancefloor and lose all inhibitions. Opening with a dream-like sequence, it soon explodes with a dramatic influx of noise – thunderous electronics, siren-like sounds and compelling vocal parts more pummel the senses with echoes of TNGHT, Chemical Brothers and more thrown in the mix, every bit as colourful and fluorescent as its cover art. Bringing unexpected and fragmented moments together and synthesising them into two to four minute pieces brimming with effervescence and vitality is where Wuh Oh excels and ‘How Do You Do It?’ is another massive triumph. Operating entirely in his own lane, there’s not an artist like him in Scotland right now and while it’s impossible to predict what he’s going to pull out of the bag next, we have a feeling it will be massive.
Sorry ‘More’
London outfit have finally revealed the details about their debut album ‘925’ which will arrive in late March on Domino. Set to feature some of last year’s singles like ‘Rock N Roll Star’, ‘Right Round the Clock’ and ‘Jealous Guy’, new single ‘More’ will also be among the tracklisting with the album shaping up to be every bit as adventurous and intriguing as their first releases. Perhaps one of their most direct offerings to date though, pop melodies linger under the band’s fuzzed out guitars and skewed arrangements on ‘More.’ “I want more and more and more” Lorenz declares in typical deadpan style.
Cage the Elephant ‘Broken Boy’ ft Iggy Pop
Cage the Elephant have recruited punk icon Iggy Pop for a new version of their track ‘Broken Boy’. Taken from the band’s Grammy nominated album Social Cues, the re-released track sees Pop come in for a verse and add backing vocals to the raucous track. The band said of the collaboration “He’s such a pioneer in so many fields: lyrically, culturally, poetically, visually, musically, and stylistically,” Cage the Elephant singer Matt Shultz added of Pop’s contribution. “Only a couple times in your life do you have the opportunity to share a moment with a visionary and beautiful human as he is. I’m grateful and blown away to have experienced and witnessed, not just his creativity, but also his kindness, humility, and humanness first hand.
Stanley Odd ‘Where They Lie’
Scottish hip-hop collective Stanley Odd have made a welcome return this week with the release of ‘Where They Lie’. Pulsating synths and dark, foreboding rhythms form the backdrop to David Hook’s vicseral and politically potent lyrics. A track that squares right up to you, it’s a stark and fiercely striking return from a vital outfit.
Tom Grennan ‘This is the Place’
After receiving its debut on Annie Mac’s show as ‘Hottest Record in the World’, Tom Grennan has made an epic return with ‘This is the Place’. A song “about finding a place of complete calm and escaping utter chaos and carnage”, it is brought to life by a gargantuan chorus that is sure to hit mainstream radio in a big way.
The Lazy Eyes ‘Cheesy Love Song’
Hailing from Sydney, The Lazy Eyes are a band who deal in sprawling, jam-filled, constantly morphing psychedelia. This week the band unveiled ‘Cheesy Love’, the first of a handful of releases set to arrive throughout 2020. Built around languid piano melodies, echoing guitars and timeless vocals, it’s the perfect introduction from a band who have been building a cult-like following around their hometown and are now ready to soar. Evoking the sounds of The Flaming Lips, Brian Wilson and 60s pop chord progressions, get acquainted with The Lazy Eyes below.
KLEOPATRA ‘Ukiyo’
With a performance at last year’s Tenement Trail already under her belt as well as appearances at Resonate Live, Hug & Pint’s First Footing and numerous support slots around Glasgow, KLEOPATRA has emerged from the underground with a new dark and dystopian single called ‘Ukiyo’. Inspired by the Japanese concept which refers to a world defined by beauty and pleasure, the singer-songwriter uses her new single to take aim at the beauty standards of modern society, and the ideals and products we are succumbed to. Known to be equally captivating in the live arena, her message is delivered through a dark, atmospheric slice of electronic pop, full of icy beats and equally enigmatic vocals.
Matilda Mann ‘The Fucking Best’
Matilda Mann was confirmed last week to play The Road to The Great Escape series, which will take over King Tut’s this May. Having recently graduated from the BRIT School, the London-based artist has been honing in on her craft of late with debut EP ‘It All Makes Sense’ out shortly. Latest single ‘The Fucking Best’ points to a very talented songwriter indeed with its sharp lyrics and beautiful, breezy musicality. Mann says: “The Fucking Best’ is the most petty song ever,” Matilda says. “It’s about people who Just seem to have it all together and are still nice people – they’re just the fucking best and everyone loves them. LOL. And it’s kind of wishing you were like that”
