We’re not really about lists. We like longform interviews and in-depth analysis; wordy think-pieces and lengthy reports. But that’s partly because we’re music-loving writers and there’s nothing we love more than the sound of a keyboard clacking satisfyingly with the sound of our own thoughts. Hey, at least we’re honest. We also know that not everyone that reads the site is up for 1200 meaty words on an artist’s development; some of you are here to get a quick bite of musical brilliance, so we’ve decided to institute a new weekly feature: Now Hear This. Harking back to TV’s Top of the Pops, we’re pulling together a list of tracks that we think are worthy of your time, or have received a terrifying amount of airplay on our office stereo. Old hits, fresh tracks, must-see-videos and obscure classics: Now Hear This is where we offer up our tunes of the week. We hope you enjoy it…
[Words: Alex Cull (AC), James Embiricos (JE), 'Pablo' Moya Kettell (PMK), Alim Kheraj (AK) and Seb Law (SL).]
Wilkinson - ‘Too Close‘
Making the kind of cross-over DnB to get people excited about the genre was never going to be the easiest task in 2014. Wilkinson, however, seems to be making a steady assualt on our ever-capricious eardrums, and this team-up with Detour City is no different. We gave the London producer a quick call to see what it’s like seeing his album in his hometown record store: “I always wanted to see my records in there and now I’m proud to say I can. The sales counter is covered in photos of every DJ/Band that has had releases stocked in there and that has popped in. My favourite record I’ve bought has to be ‘Virus – The Remixes Volume 2′ with the Pendulum remix of Bacteria and the gas mask remix. The production on that record has always inspired me and it still stands up to any mix down today.”-JE
FKA x inc. – ‘Untitled’
Look beyond FKA x inc.’s obvious Hypem criteria and you’ll find a track of gentle, wilting beauty. Perfectly melding the former’s dexterous, ingenious production – and sweetly disarming vocal play – with the latter’s woozy, after-hours balladry, it’s a stunning screen grab of two artists at their top of their game.-AC
Big Boi x Phantogram - ‘Objectum Shalamar’
Applying a #hashtag to any sort of release series has become the industry protocol of late, and continuing with the social media integration comes Big Boi’s #MashupMondays. Drenched in funk, ‘Objectum Shalamar’ represents that Dirty South influence with a feel-good reworking of Phantogram’s ‘Objectum Sexuality’.-JE
Laura Welsh – ‘Betrayal’ (Jakwob Mix)
“I want to learn to love this feeling, now that I’ve wasted all this time,” Laura Welsh sings as my heart breaks ever so slightly. Unsurprisingly, the rest of the track is an emoshe affair. The melodic piano intro evolves into an almost breakbeat rhythm section, as epic strings and haunting backing vocals give this Jakwob-produced track a Sia ballad-like quality. Welsh’s vocals perfectly compliment the sober lyrics, providing a shiver-inducing, intense aural experience.-AK
Bok Bok ft. Kelela – ‘Melba’s Call’
As a seasoned necromancer of the dancefloor and South London’s answer to Apollo, Bok Bok summons the spirit of ‘Jam & Lewis’ to breathe life into a stalling surge of Prince-like funk that will have regular listeners of his Rinse.fm show performing witchcraft in their bedrooms and Janet Jackson most likely pinching her own skin.-PMK
FTSE ft. Femme – ‘Nite Lite’
As someone that used to work in the city, the idea of picking FTSE as your band name was puzzling, to say the least. The FTSE is not cool. This track on the other hand, is a swaggering slice of electronica chopped up with Femme’s beautiful vocals; an indefinably strange mix of fuzz-tronica, tribal percussion and hanging notes.-SL
iamamiwhoami – ‘Hunting for Pearls’
Ice cold Pet Shop Boys-esque synths are the vibe of the Kate Bush of Scandi-pop, iamamiwhoami’s new single ‘Hunting for Pearls’. The atmospheric track, and its accompanying video, is suitably weird, while the melody provides enough energy to be catchy without obvious hooks – brb just off to frolic in the Alps.-AK
DNKL – ‘Battles’
Following on from last year’s moving, mesmerising ‘Hunt’, ‘Battles’ serves as another lesson in nocturnal, downtrodden pop done right by Swedish trio DNKL. With each soaring synth and purring bass, you can feel the first ripples of sunlight hitting the Baltic. -AC
Kill J – ‘Bullet’
A friend was recently telling me how he has become completely biased towards any music that comes out of Scandinavia, but it’s hard to feel anything less when it’s consistently sounding as good as this. At first listen, ‘Bullet’ conjures images of Die Antwoord’s angelic sibling; it’s dark, provoking and oozes just the right amount of fragility. I’m moving to Denmark.-JE
Vancouver Sleep Clinic – ‘Flaws’
With ‘Flaws’ – the first new material to arrive from him since 2013′s intoxicating ‘Collapse’ – prodigal Antipodean producer Vancouver Sleep Clinic, aka Tim Bettinson, serves up another tantalising teaser for his forthcoming debut EP, Winter (due March 10). Sounding remarkably similar to Justin Vernon vocally here, it’s the track’s celestial production that’s truly gripping; ringing with the angelic ambiance of your favourite Cocteau Twins or late ’70s Eno moments.-AC
Ben Pearce & Black Orange Juice – ‘Predictable’
With breathy vocals, acid house breakdowns and a jumpy, sparse beat, this has all the hallmarks of a ‘90s club smash. And like any good ’90s club smash, it’s a collaboration between two artists. Oh it’s great – total earworm material. Expect to hear it playing all summer…-SL
Alpines – ‘Oasis’
Some chic afterhours pop here, as Alpines prep us for that Ibiza lounge bar with ‘Oasis’. The UK-based duo has bongos, liquid synths and production blips ready, as they paint an exotic mirage to distract from the drudgery of spring weather that’s sure to get even the most resilient among us reaching for their sun lotion and mixing a mojito.-AK
