So lend an ear and tuck into our pick of some of this week’s most prominent music releases. You never know, your new favourite record may be in there!
David Holmes Feat. Raven Violet, Necessary Genius
Northern Irish DJ/composer/musician/remixer/all round cool dude David Holmes is back with his first new [non-soundtrack] music in 15 years in the form of “Necessary Genius”; lead single from upcoming album ‘Blind On A Galloping Horse’, and a song which pays homage to those he describes as the “dreamers, misfits, radicals and outcasts” no longer with us. Collaborator Raven Violet serves up a confident, stripped-down vocal which perfectly delivers a powerful list of those necessary geniuses who left an indelible mark on the world. Musically, Holmes is on familiar ground, with a driving beat covered in synths and a bassline very much in line with the workings of Peter Hook. And let’s just say it now, if the album is as good as this track we’re in for yet another classic from Mr Holmes. Available now from Heavenly Records. We’ll be back with an album review when it drops in November.
Troye Sivan, Got Me Started
South African-born actor/singer/songwriter Troye Sivan returns with “Got Me Started”, the infectious lead single from his upcoming album ‘Something To Give Each Other’. Featuring a very garage-esque production - somewhat reminiscent of The Artful Dodger and Craig David - this track will only add to the considerable number of streams and views Troye has amassed in a such a short time. With an assured vocal, laid-back production from Ian Kirkpatrick (songwriting stalwart of Dua Lipa) and a tight 3-minute running time, this vibrant tune gives off some great ‘end of summer/autumn is here’ vibes. Essential. Out now on UMG.
A Certain Ratio, 2023 EP
With their beginnings as the first band released on Factory Records way back in 1979, it would be naive to suggest Manchester post-punksters A Certain Ratio would ever have carved a normal route through the music business. With infectious grooves and funk licks aplenty, they rightfully earned a support slot with Talking Heads, eventually switched up to a major label [A&M] - before being unceremoniously dumped - and then, aside from some smaller indie label releases, pretty much vanished off the face of the Earth. Bouncing back after a 10-year hiatus, they proved they could still cut it by dropping a new album before promptly vanishing again for another decade. Despite all this they’ve stayed true to what makes them both unique and entertaining, and this new cut from their ‘2023 EP’ is as infectious as their best works. Featuring a smooth vocal take from guest singer Ellen Beth Abdi, atop an addictive afrobeat groove, lead track “Day by Day” shows that A Certain Ratio are still as relevant and funky as ever. The ‘2023 EP’ is out now on Mute Records.
Kylie Minogue, Tension
The antipodean Queen of Pop has had quite the resurgence of late with worldwide smash “Padam Padam” dominating the airwaves from Arizona to Adelaide, and that formula for success is very much present throughout the other 10 tracks contained on her 16th (!) studio album ‘Tension’. With elements of 90’s House music, electro pop, and Eurodance woven throughout, this is an album full of energy and fun. And although the assortment of vocal treatments effectively mask the Kylie of yesteryear, they fit perfectly with the production touches and overall vibe of the album. She certainly didn’t need this album to secure her legacy but the worldwide success of “Padam Padam” will undoubtedly ensure that this album will only add more fans to her already considerable fanbase. ‘Tension’ is out now on BMG. Check out the title track below.
Hidden Orchestra, To Dream Is To Forget
Hidden Orchestra - aka Joe Acheson - returns with his first new studio work since 2017 in the form of new album ‘To Dream Is To Forget’. And in comparison to his last long player ‘Dawn Chorus’, he’s definitely upped the energy levels here. His work is always full of beautifully crafted instrumentation, rhythm and percussion; which typically leans heavily into electronica and jazz. Here, though, there’s definitely more vibrancy from the get-go. Don’t get me wrong, all that influence from his Scottish roots is still very much in there: rain, grey days, nature and more than a little bit of the wilderness. It just hits with more weight this time around, and if you enjoy textured electronic landscapes, punctuated with effervescent jazz drumming and imaginative instrumentation then this is your bag. Definitely one to add to the soundtrack of your day. ‘To Dream Is To Forget’ is out now via Symphonic. You can get a sample of the album below with the 3rd single, entitled “Scatter”. And you can also check out RTL Play where our man Steps caught up with Joe before his gig at Abbaye Neimenster last year.
Sextile - Push
L.A. electro-synth-punk 3-piece Sextile have been around a few years now but sadly were forced into taking a break from the industry after their guitarist Eddie Wuebben passed away in 2019. But now they’ve regrouped (no pun intended) and are back with ‘Push’, an album on which they deliver some of their most consummate work yet. From the playful, Josh Wink-esque banger “New York” to the hip-hop/shoegaze stylings of recent single “Crash”, Sextile deliver a set of edgy, engaging and occasionally in-yer-face tunes that fans will definitely love and newcomers will either be enticed or confused by. We’re definitely in the former camp and have to say that it’s nice to have them back on the scene. ‘Push’ is distributed by Sacred Bones Records and is available now. Sextile will play Rotondes on December 10th. Ticket info here.
If you’ve found some new tunes recently, have any recommendations for what we should be checking out, or simply have an earworm that you just can’t shift, then why not drop us the details via WhatsApp (+352 621 525 000) and, as our esteemed colleague Stephen ‘Steps’ Lowe always says, if we have it -
we’ll play it!
