THIS week we’ve seen the massive return of Sam Fender, Courtney Barnett, Vince Staples, Amyl & the Sniffers and more. Check out the week’s highlights below.
Sam Fender ‘Seventeen Going Under’
The return of Sam Fender has certainly been a highlight of the week. His new track ‘Seventeen Going Under’ previews a new album of the same name, slated for release on 8th October. Described by Sam as “a coming of age story,” he explains: “It’s about growing up. It’s a celebration of life after hardship, and it’s a celebration of surviving”. The new single is trademark Sam Fender – it’s soaring, anthemic and emotionally invigorating.
Damon Albarn ‘Polaris’
Music chameleon Damon Albarn has shared the lead single from his upcoming solo album ‘The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows’, out on November 12th. After originally starting out as an orchestral piece inspired by Iceland’s landscapes, Albarn began to develop the album into a more pop-shaped narrative during lockdown and you can hear that hybrid sound in this gorgeous lead single. Packed full of atmosphere, ‘Polaris’ is a deeply engrossing affair that highlights Albarn’s relentlessly creative style of songwriting. It’s a nice appetiser of the new expansive sound explored on the record.
Courtney Barnett ‘Rae Street’
This week also saw the return of Courtney Barnett, who shared details of a new album called ‘Things Take Time, Take Time’ out on 12th November alongside a new track called ‘Rae Street’. Back to doing what she does best, the song is full of the same witty, delightfully perceptive observations we’ve come to know and love as she details the mundane events that plague an unextraordinary town over a jangly, folk ballad.
Vince Staples ‘ARE YOU WITH THAT?’
Vince Staples drops his self-titled album today and it features this second single ‘ARE YOU WITH THAT?’. Produced by Kenny Beats and Reske, it’s a short song that finds Staples singing more than rapping as he reflects on his past experiences and what it’s like to live in fear. Quite sombre and downbeat, it’s indicative of the more personal approach he’s taken on this album.
Kitti ‘Pretty Girls’
Singer songwriter Kitti has shared a stripped-back single called ‘Pretty Girls’ – an emotional ode to self-love as one seeks to recover from the trauma of an abusive relationship. Unlike most of her other tracks, Kitti uses just a voice and piano in ‘Pretty Girls’, lending the track an intensity and intimacy that speaks to its core message. Kitti said “I illustrated my thoughts through questions, to convey how emotional I was during the time in my relationship. Having co-written the lyrics with Matt Hickman (Brownbear), we were able to highlight both our experiences through lyrics and make the song as relatable as possible to the listener.”
Bemz ’26’
This track, which was initially recorded as part of our TTV Collective initiative, gets its official release today – and we couldn’t be more delighted that it’s now available to hear on all main streaming platforms. ’26’ is a striking meeting of minds between rapper Bemz and producer Rory James. It’s an assured piece of work that finds the rapper reflecting on specific periods of his life with honesty and authenticity, grateful for what he has and looking to the future – his flow delivered over a gleaming piano-led production. It’s a hugely impressive collab that could signal the beginning of big things for both artists.
Demob Happy ‘Sympathy Boy’
Newcastle three piece Demob Happy dropped “Sympathy Boy” this week, the first single of their soon to be released third studio album. The band’s third LP has been sitting ready for the duration of the pandemic, but as they prepare to go back on tour next month, they feel the time has come to finally release new music. “Sympathy Boy” is a bold and hypnotic lead single for the album. Many of the band’s signature features marry well into this slightly more experiment style and form with “Sympathy Boy” and will leave fans itching to hear more.
Amyl and the Sniffers ‘Guided by Angels’
Aussie outfit Amyl and the Sniffers are another band back with the announcement of a new album – ‘Comfort To Me’ comes out on 10th September. New single ‘Guided by Angels’ is a relentless slice of garage-rock that never quite lets up the pace. It suggests that the band are back to their exhilarating best.
Retro Video Club ‘Disaster’
Retro Video Club shift things up a gear with the release of their new single ‘Disaster’. Marking a significant shift in sound and pace for the Edinburgh outfit, the track opens in menacing fashion before exploding to life with electrifying guitar lines, pummelling rhythms and rock & roll vocals. Described by the band themselves as their Arctic Monkeys ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’ meets Billie Eilish moment, you can imagine this one kicking off live.