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!
Jungle, Us Against The World
U.K. electro outfit Jungle return as they continue to mine more gems from their recent album ‘Volcano’. With their latest single “Us Against The World” they serve up 3 and 1/2 minutes of joyous electro gospel, and a tune full of the sort of rhythm and drive that will get you on your feet and itching to cut some old skool dance moves. With the raspy proclamations of singer Lydia Kitto floating over the groove, this one only gets better on repeat spins. Out now on Caiola Records, you can practice those dance moves right now by checking out the video below.
The Rolling Stones Feat. Lady Gaga & Stevie Wonder, Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
After kicking the door down and announcing their return with the blistering “Angry”, The Rolling Stones prove they’re still here to show how it’s done with “Sweet Sounds Of Heaven”, a soulful, yearning ballad featuring a blistering, full-bodied take from Lady Gaga on supporting vocals. Throw in some Jimmy Miller-style horn production and what you have is 100% classic Stones. But the true highlight is the coda, where an appearance from Stevie Wonder on Hammond organ provides the backing to a wonderful vocal to-and-fro between Gaga and Jagger. Sweet, indeed. Check it out before their album ‘Hackney Diamonds’ drops on Polydor later this month.
Two Door Cinema Club, Sure Enough
The Bangor boys are back and go big on new single “Sure Enough”, delivering all you could want in a 3 minute single. There’s some serious 80s vibes rooted in the synths and melody at play but the contrast between the stripped back intro and the pedal-to-the-metal chorus drives this tune beyond nostalgia and swiftly into the ‘Is it safe to drive to this?’ category. Sadly, no news of a new album yet but as soon as we know - you’ll know. Warning: You may listen to this several times in a row. It’s a banger! “Sure Enough” is out now via PIAS.
NEIKED Feat. Ayra Starr, You’re Hired
On this standalone release Swedish collective NEIKED team up with Benin-born singer Ayra Starr to drop a smooth and infectious groove-fest that may keep the feeling of the summer months in your bones for at least another 2 minutes and 59 seconds longer. And that all stems from the superb vocals provided by Starr, where she effortlessly shifts from breathless to defiantly confident within the turn of a phrase. “You’re Hired” is out now on WMG and is well worth investigating.
Gunship, Unicorn
Darlings of the Darkwave scene Gunship are back with an album positively stuffed with guest appearances, retro 8-bit synth rifts, keyboard bass, drum machines and computer game landscapes. Highlights include John Carpenter returning to unleash a sequel to their 2015 post-nuclear synth-pop smash “Tech Noir”; the NIN-inspired “Weaponised Love”; and the stripped down and sinister “Ghost”, featuring Australian duo Power Glove (wonderfully named after one of the late 80’s finest gaming accessories) but it’s “Empress of the Damned” featuring Canadian singer/songwriter Lights which best encapsulates where Gunship reside now. Sequels to 80’s classics almost always suffer in comparison to their original source. Here, Gunship may have just bucked that trend. This retro-tastic long player is like audible neon dripping from an Atari console. Go on, plug in and play. Available now directly from Gunship.
Jorja Smith, Falling or Flying
To make this album, Jorja Smith first had to escape the shackles of London and the ever-reductive popular music scene. She then teamed up with her friends DAMEDAME* (and others) to write, build and produce an album that simply wouldn’t have been possible within the rigid confines of big city industry expectation. Percussive, playful and bursting with energy and soul, ‘Falling or Flying’ is a wonderful showcase for Smith’s considerable talents. With 16 tracks coming in at under 44 minutes, the vibes never stagnate and make repeated listening more than worthwhile. Check out the jazz-infused track “Little Things” for the perfect introduction to Jorja Smith. ‘Falling or Flying’ is out now on FAMM.
Say She She, Silver
Brooklyn-based outfit Say She She return with their sophomore release ‘Silver’ and on it they deliver 16 new tracks of immaculately realised soul funk concoctions. And although this collection of new tunes contains more grooves than a 1970’s disco record pressing plant, it’s the effortlessly realised harmonies which elevate Say She She above the chasing pack. Recalling elements of classic 70s soul, the dynamism of 80s R&B and the seminal ‘Nuyorican Soul’ output of the late 90s, wrapped up in melodies worthy of Grover Washington Junior, and lyrical stylings fit for even the likes of Minnie Ripperton, ‘Silver’ delivers on many levels. With so much quality on show you’ll be hard pressed to pick a favourite but it may be the Timmy Thomas flavoured “Echo In The Chamber” which best sums up this delightful album. Available now via Secretly Distribution.
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!
