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!
Brittany Howard, What Now
It’s safe to say that when she’s not Alabama Shakin’ or telling it straight with Thunderbitch, singer/songwriter/guitarist Brittany Howard keeps herself busy. And the fruits of that labour are laid out wonderfully in the title track from her upcoming 2nd solo album. “What Now” is reminiscent of peak TV On The Radio and unsurprisingly features some wonderfully edgy vocals, ripping guitar licks and a beautifully crisp rhythm section. No date yet for when the album drops but “What Now” is right now. Available via Island Records.
Master Peace Feat. Georgia, I Might Be Fake
Following up the success of chant-along anthem “LOO SONG”, Master Peace returns with a veritable sandwich of synths and turn-of-the-millenium beats in the form of his latest single “I Might Be Fake”. Featuring a chorus built around the vocals of collaborator Georgia, “I Might Be Fake” is an ode to imposter syndrome and the desire for reinvention. Featuring a more developed sound than previous releases - here, drawing from the dance grooves of the mid to late-00’s - “I Might Be Fake” may just be Master Peace getting round to doing his real thing. Out now on Secretly Distibution. Check out Stephen Steps Lowe’s interview with Master Peace here and Peace’s Song 2 Podcast episode here.
Allie X, Black Eye
Built on a drum machine kick straight from the New Order handbook, Allie X’s latest single “Black Eye” unabashedly combines 80’s alternative, new wave and electro-pop into 4-plus minutes of entertaining time capsule nostalgia. Featuring rhythmic bytes of Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Eurythmics and the Pet Shop Boys, combined with a suitably dominant vocal take, this one will have you reaching for the eyeliner and jumpsuits as soon as you hit play. “Black Eye” is out now via KOMI.
Holly Humberstone, Paint My Bedroom Black
The format isn’t new and the stories are familiar but what Holly Humberstone does different on her debut album ‘Paint My Bedroom Black’ is what she builds her songwriting around: quality production - turning what could have been a run-of-the-mill release into an endearing, expansive and dynamic set of songs. With great instrumentation and sonic originality, the English singer/songwriter has laid the foundations for a solid future. Dig in to the dynamics of “Flatlining” for a taster of that production play at work. Available now from Geffen.
Creeper, Sanguivore
The south of England has birthed a few goth/glam rock bands over the years but Southampton’s Creeper are one of the few to remain unburied by their chosen genre, and lead single “Black Heaven” certainly shows why. Having previously swung between the goth rock of Sisters of Mercy and the dramatic rock romanticism of Jim Steinman, Creeper’s return to the scene leans heavily into synth/dark wave territory whilst channeling Cult-sized anthems. Playful and never entirely serious, ‘Sanguivore’ is bloody good fun. Bite into some “Black Heaven” for a mouthful of a Creeper. Out now on via Spinefarm Records.
TOBi, Panic
Nigerian-born Canadian, Oluwatobi Feyisara Ajibolade - aka TOBi - returns with his first new album in 3 years. And ‘Panic’ may turn out to be one of those albums that, with hindsight, dropped at just the right time. From opener “Someone I Knew” with it’s gospel-infused introspection, to the sinister “Flatline” - built on a tense piano riff lifted straight from late-70’s cop thrillers - through the stripped down blues soul of “Keep From Falling”, and back to closer “How Much Longer?” - a literal bookend to the opening track - ‘Panic’ is a surprisingly smooth ride worth taking and can be found via RCA. Not convinced? Try a “Time Out”.
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!
