WITH another week gone, we bring you a fresh batch of exciting new tunes from our favourite artists, old and new. This week’s New Music Radar features VLURE, Savage Mansion, Dev Green, Dominic Fike, Lucy Dacus and Jorja Smith.
VLURE ‘Shattered Faith’
‘Shattered Faith’ is immense in every sense of the word. Built on a foundation of hammering post-punk beats, big synths and 80s anthemics, it is electronic-soaked post-punk that will shake you to your core. Marking himself out as one of the most charismatic vocalists this country has produced in years, frontman Hamish Hutcheson bellows out idealistic self-perceptions against the towering instrumental. Like a man possessed, his performance increases with intensity as the track reaches its adrenaline-inducing climax.
Relentless from the get-go, ‘Shattered Faith’ is a dark, gritty but ultimately uplifting introduction to VLURE’s monochromatic world. In other words, it’s an absolute triumph. With as much style as they have substance, they’re a band who are raising the bar in the best way possible and we can’t wait to see what comes next.
Dev Green ‘Like That’
Dev Green, aka singer and producer Grant Irvine, is back with another inventive slice of alt-pop called ‘Like That’. An artist who is becoming increasingly impossible to predict, his new single is reminiscent of Glass Animals in its intricate yet effervescent style of production. Filling out his sound with big crushing beats, icy synth lines, it sounds massive.
Lucy Dacus ‘Thumbs’
Lucy Dacus has shared the most devastating single of the year in ‘Thumbs’. First debuted in 2018 and played live enough to become a fan favourite, the song shows Lucy poignantly offering to protect a friend from their estranged father. Over a spare, ambient backdrop, she paints a powerfully vivid picture of a strained family relationship, dropping her words with stark directness and precision. It’s an emotional one that hits right in the heart.
Jorja Smith ‘Addicted’
Jorja Smith has returned with her first single of 2021 in ‘Addicted’. It’s a dark, pensive number that builds from shadowy beginnings into propulsive choruses with Smith’s gorgeously smooth, subtly emotional vocals joined by live drums and striking guitar lines. Discussing the emotional roots of the songs, Smith says it’s about “focusing on wanting the full attention of someone who’s not giving enough (or any) when they should be.”
IDLES ‘Peace Signs’ (Sharon Van Etten cover)
IDLES have shared a thunderous take on Sharon van Etten’s ‘Peace Signs’. The Bristol band are contributing to a new double LP compilation entitled ‘epic Ten’ which is being released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sharon Van Etten’s iconic album. You’ll hear below that they bring a new intensity to the track with Joe Talbot tearing through each line with trademark ferocity.
Dominic Fike ‘The Kiss of Venus’ (Paul McCartney cover)
Continuing the trend for reimagined albums is Paul McCartney who yesterday revealed the full tracklisting for a re-worked take on ‘McCartney III’. The list of artists taking part is nothing short of mouth-watering with the likes of Phoebe Bridgers, Josh Homme, Damon Albarn, Blood Orange, Anderson .Paak, St Vincent and Beck all confirmed. The first cover arrives courtesy of Dominic Fike who transforms ‘The Kiss of Venus’, previously a tender ballad, into a retro-futuristic R&B showstopper.
Tamaraebi ‘Brown Angel’
Nigerian born and London-based musician Tamaraebi is the purveyor of a perpetually dreamy, soulful sound. Steeped in vintage R&B influences as well as the modern touch of artists such as The Weeknd, Miguel and Prince, the singer pairs sweet, sultry sounds with his immense talents as a wordsmith. ‘Brown Angel’ is our first preview of Tamaraebi’s upcoming EP ‘Spectrum’ and it showcases his unique sound perfectly, his effortless falsetto delivered over a sumptuous backdrop of R&B infused psychedelia.
Savage Mansion ‘Prizes’
Following the release of their acclaimed second album ‘Weird Country’, Savage Mansion are back with a new single called ‘Prizes’. Known for their eloquent and melodic approach to guitar-rock, the band’s hurtling new single features twanging guitar lines, skiffle drum beats and close harmonies from new band member Beth Chalmers. Bringing a nice country twang to their rich catalogue, the band’s frontman and chief songwriter describes it as “a bridge between Weird Country and what we’re doing going ahead”
Check out our New Music Radar playlist below which features other highlights from the week including Skullcrusher, Everything Everything and more.
