WE have a fine array of tracks to share with you this week from some brand new artists and some old favourites. Our highlights of the week include Midnight Ambulance, Fabric Bear, Pizza Crunch, TAAHLIAH and more.
Midnight Ambulance ‘Black Gloves’
After reconnecting at the start of 2020, Fraser Fulton and Amelia Stokes began to use music as a creative and cathartic outlet to cope with the strain of isolation during lockdown, writing and recording songs together via video call from their respective homes in rural, seaside Scotland and Paris. From there, Midnight Ambulance was born and today we hear their first official release as a duo. ‘Black Gloves’ captures the intensity of the situation in which it was written; Amelia’s angelic vocals delivered against a dark, enveloping instrumental, one driven by throbbing guitars and unconventional rhythm patterns. Inspired by lockdown and its effect on their personal relationships, it’s a hypnotic listen and a mesmerising debut.
Fabric Bear ‘All I Want’
Marking their first release of 2021 and their first since last year’s ‘One Last Time’, Fabric Bear are back with the instantly addictive ‘All I Want’. Built around a slick bassline, the band continue to flesh out their catchy indie-pop sound on ‘All I Want’ with playful keys on the chorus and experimental flourishes throughout. Boasting the cinematic flare of a Last Shadow Puppets tune, it’s another winning anthem to add to their growing collection.
Skullcrusher ‘Song for Nick Drake’
Skullcrusher pays homage to Nick Drake on her new dreamy new single. It’s a soft, wispy number that captures that warm feeling of listening to and forming an emotional connection with your favourite artist.
Du Blonde ‘I’m Glad That We Broke Up (ft. Ezra Furman)
Described as a “60s girl group/glam rock explosion”, Du Blonde teams up with Ezra Furman on new single ‘I’m Glad That We Broke Up’. It’s a fun, singalong number to dance along to in your room, full of big dirty riffs and distorted gang vocals.
Pizza Crunch ‘Coma-Inducing Gibberish’
Ever been stuck in a conversation with someone and you just can’t get away? Pizza Crunch explore that exact feeling on their appropriately titled new single ‘Coma-Inducing Gibberish’. It’s another highly addictive offering from the Glasgow outfit; one which once again balances the witty with the introspective. Paying homage to a myriad of artists such as Joy Division and Arctic Monkeys with their deadpan vocals and sprightly guitar lines, Pizza Crunch continue to impress with each release.
The Snuts ‘Somebody Loves You’
With their debut album ‘W.L’ out next month, The Snuts have shared a feel-good indie anthem called ‘Somebody Loves You’. Delivering a positive message of togetherness, all proceeds from the track will go to the Scottish Refugee Council. The band have also shared an uplifting new video which features people directly affected by the charity.
Hamish Hawk ‘Caterpillar’
Premiered by Steve Lamacq on his BBC 6Music show yesterday, Edinburgh musician Hamish Hawk is utterly magnetic on new single ‘Caterpillar’. Driven by a propulsive rhythm section, the track is unrelenting in its intensity as the singer spouts a series of dark lyrical images. Brimming with paranoia, it all builds to a frenzied crescendo.
TAAHLIAH ‘Brave’
We’ve already heard what TAAHLIAH can do thanks to a recent remix of Walt Disco but today the Glasgow-based producer is unveiling her first official solo single. Pairing the elastic feel of hyper-pop with an emotional vocal display, ‘Brave’ comes armed with an uplifting message of hope and resilience that is sure to reach out to many at the moment. Climbing to several euphoric peaks throughout, it’ll have you yearning for nights on the dancefloor.
Listen to our New Music Radar playlist below which features more new tracks from Black Country, New Road, Foo Fighters, VC Pines, Tigercub, Julien Baker and more.
