Wednesday 8 October 2014

BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE WEEK 08/10/2014: Azealia Banks, Mr. Oizo, Clipping and more


As the weeks go by I find myself discovering less and less crap and more and more good stuff. For this reason, there are five tracks in 'The Best' category this week, and only one track in 'The Worst'. 

THE BEST


'Chasing Time' - Azealia Banks




After dropping two uninspired club anthems ‘ATM Jam’ and ‘Heavy Metal and Reflective’ I was beginning to worry Azealia had lost her mojo, but now she’s brought back the soulful singing and nostalgia-soaked synths of her 1991 EP along with a killer catchy chorus, resulting in a track that’s pure gold from start to finish. 

'Sunlight' - The Magician ft. Years and Years


The early noughties vibe to this track is undeniably feelgood. It’s a pity this fantastic summer anthem is only gaining momentum now as we enter October. Watch the video to see a fat guy in speedos dancing on a beach (the thumbnail is deceptive).

'Seasonal Thaws' - Mayfair Kytes




Melbourne indie rock band, Mayfair Kytes, pull out some graceful folksy vocal harmonies on this track reminiscent of Grizzly Bear. There’s no such thing as an Autumn anthem but this is about as close as you’ll get.

'Something They Don't Know' - Clipping ft. SB the Moor, Nocando and Open Mike Eagle



One of the most experimental hip hop groups around, Clipping, serve up this new track featuring an everchanging instrumental sporting splooges of dissonant piano, trippy harps, a snake-charmer's flute and all manner of other creepy and dusty samples. Daveed Diggs, SB the Moor, Nocando and Open Mike Eagle all lay verses over the top. There's so much happening here its hard to know what to tune in on.

'Machyne' - Mr. Oizo


In the usual Mr. Oizo fashion, the French house producer creates a track that’s both addictive and yet incredibly annoying, consisting this time round of what sounds like the shrill ring of an office telephone. I was pretty sure I didn’t like this track on the first listen, but I keep finding myself returning to it.

THE WORST

'Turn up the Speakers' - Afrojack and Martin Garrix


This is house music at its most formulaic and generic. Turn down the speakers. You’re better off without this in your life.