SPANNING a variety of genres and styles, our top tracks of the week include St Vincent, Japanese Breakfast, Girl In Red, CLAMM and more.
Girl In Red ‘Serotonin’
Girl In Red has shared another taster of her upcoming debut album with new single ‘Serotonin’, co-produced by Billie Eilish collaborator Finneas. On the surface, it’s a big, propulsive pop anthem but the lyrics soon reveal a darker side as she paints a vivid picture of the unwanted images that haunted her during adolescence. Taking her lo-fi songwriting origins down a more vibrant and ambitious route, the track never loses the intimate emotional insight of her previous work. Her debut album ‘If I Could Make It Go Quiet’ arrives on 30th April.
St Vincent ‘Pay Your Way In Pain’
The release of ‘Pay Your Way In Pain’ yesterday marked the beginning of a new St Vincent era; one she has described as “grittier, more nihilistic” and “glamour that hasn’t slept for three days.” The swaggering track dives right into the 70s atmosphere the singer has spoken about with stabbing synths, shredding vocals and slinky, sweaty funk. Easily one of the most anticipated albums of the year, ‘Daddy’s Home’ is out on 14th May.
Japanese Breakfast ‘Be Sweet’
Japanese Breakfast, aka Michelle Zauner, has announced the release of her third album ‘Jubilee’, out 4th June. Moving away from the darker themes explored on her first two albums, Zauner describes the new record as more “bombastic” and new single ‘Be Sweet’ definitely lives up to that. It’s a buoyant, colourful number that finds her goading a lover to be more affectionate, backed by danceable 80s synth pop and bright harmonies.
Arab Strap ‘Here Comes Comus!’
Arab Strap are back and in tremendous form with the release of their seventh studio album ‘As Days Get Dark’. Malcolm Middleton and Aidan Moffat conjure their dark and debauched world with more depth than ever before on their first album in 16 years, setting their unflinching lyrics against fresh soundscapes that have been deftly infused with pulsating electronics and jazzy flourishes. A compelling mix of acerbic wit, romanticism and stark honesty, it’s up there with their finest work to date. Check out album highlight ‘Here Comes Comus!’ below.
Pretty Preachers Club ‘Just Tell People How You Feel’
A couple of months after unveiling their debut EP ‘Going Nowhere Fast’, Pretty Preachers Club continue to develop their bedroom indie pop sound on their new single. Shedding the wistful melancholy of that EP in favour of misty-eyed romance, it’s all about those soft, tender vocals and heart-on-sleeve lyrics.
The Vanities ‘I’d Rather Die (Than Have A Job With A Tie)’
The Vanities continue their assault on the mainstream with their fiery new single ‘I’d Rather Die (Than Have A Job With A Tie)’. As the title suggests, the band pull absolutely no punches across three and a half minutes of fun, scrappy and unrelenting puck rock.The song is out now on 7 West Music.
CLAMM ‘Liar’
After treating us to the searing ‘Keystone Pols’, Melbourne trio are back with the furious and frenetic ‘Liar’. A blistering commentary on mental health and the irrational thoughts many of us encounter on a daily basis, the intensity of the track never lets off for a moment as Jack Summer repeats self-effacing statements over a barrage of scorching riffs and pummelling drums.
Check out our New Music Radar playlist below.
