THE final week of May and first tentative steps into June have most definitely heralded the arrival of a lot of new releases. Whether it’s internationally revered bands slowly but surely making their way back into the public consciousness or burgeoning prospects delivering the goods, it’s safe to say that it’s been no easy task to whittle down the many contenders and provide this edition of New Music Radar. With that in mind, here’s the finest tracks that have captivated, beguiled and dazzled us over the course of this immensely productive week.
Arcade Fire- Everything Now
Is there any band that has an acute understanding of how to whip their fans into a frenzy like the alt-rock behemoths known as Arcade Fire? Following a series of cryptic Facebook posts and a surprise vinyl release for those lucky enough to be in Barcelona for Primavera Sound, ‘Everything Now’ has arrived in all its splendour and has left us riveted with every listen. Possessing the sheer grandeur and pomposity of 70’s disco-pop whilst leaving the schmaltzy lyrics and insincerity on the sideline, the title track of their much anticipated new album is at once lighthearted yet incredibly thought-provoking once you begin to chip away towards its epicenter. Summing up the uncertain times in which we are stranded in a manner that only they could aspire to, it’s quite simply a track worth marveling at and it has catapulted their record into an unprecedented realm of hype.
Kitty- Old Ones
Officially available via streaming services now after its stylish video garnered considerable attention within Scotland’s music community, Kitty’s ‘Old Ones’ is a bewitching number that will cast its spell on you with alluring ease.. A vocalist in the tradition of Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin, ‘Old Ones’ is a sultry mix of soul and blues that sounds as though it could’ve been laid down at Stax Studio or Motown’s Hit Factory as opposed to right here in Glasgow. Simply put, this demands your immediate attention and you’ll quickly be won over by its undeniable charm.
The Cribs- In Your Palace
The world’s self-professed ‘premier mid-fi band’ are back from their triumphant jaunt down memory lane and are sounding as vital as ever. Produced by none other than the incomparable Steve Albini, The Cribs’ newest offering is a scuzzy and manic journey into the unhinged heart of their sound and succeeds in reasserting themselves after the well received Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Whatever tenth anniversary tour.
The War On Drugs- Holding On
There’s been a palpable sense of excitement that has engulfed any mention of The War On Drugs ever since they returned to us with the phenomenal ‘Thinking Of A Place’ on Record Store Day and now it will soon be heard in the wider context of a full new album. Their first since 2014’s instant classic Lost In A Dream, the Adam Granduciel-fronted outfit have now continued to coerce fans towards into their magnificently hazy brand of rock ‘n’ roll with new track ‘Holding On.’ An Americana-laden track that seems destined to translate into a cathartic moment in a live setting, the album cannot come soon enough if the excerpts that we’ve received thus far are anything to go by.
Liam Gallagher- Wall Of Glass
He promised rock ‘n’ roll that stripped away the pretension and got back to the roots and that’s exactly what he’s delivered. After what feels like years of gestation, the debut solo single from the former Oasis frontman is here and it’s as braggadocio filled as you’d probably expect. Practically swaggering into life from the very first second, it epitomises everything his fanbase has came to long for from the boisterous vocalist and defiance pours out of every single note of ‘Wall Of Glass’. It might not be reinventing the wheel or enlightening anyone but more of the same would do just nicely.
Tijuana Bibles- Pariah
Finally unveiled to the public a mere two weeks before they’re set to invade the legendary King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut for a weekend residency, Tijuana Bibles’ new single ‘Pariah’ is one that is sure to stop you in your tracks.
Eschewing the bluesy tendencies of days gone by in favour of an imposing, post punk-infused sound that juts toward you with almost predatory intensity,the band are all too happy to subvert from what had perhaps been seen as their preordained musical direction in order to deliver material that reflects the seething rage that lies beneath the surface. A warped hymn for a disenchanted generation, this sermon on a social outcast’s journey through a treacherous landscape is delivered emphatically by frontman Tony Costello whilst the band continue to contort their sound into uncharted new shapes.
BROCKHAMPTON- STAR
Akin to the cultlike devotion that hip-hop crews such as Odd Future, Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies inspired on their rise to prominence, there is a tangible weight of expectation that rests on the shoulders of LA’s BROCKHAMPTON. Led by the enigmatic Kevin Abstract, the tracks that have emerged in the run-up to their forthcoming mixtape have been remarkably varied and demonstrated the scope of their influences. The latest to emerge, ‘Star’ is a gritty and unfettered example of how effective they can be when firing on all cylinders and is likely one of the last things they’ll release before the zeitgeist becomes aware of their unique style.
