THE BEST:
‘Respect Commander’ & ‘Corporation’ – Jack White
Bluesy singer/guitarist Jack White
has been doing some pretty audacious stuff recently, including banning phones from his live shows. He’s also released two experimental, largely instrumental new
singles that seem to be pushing rock in new directions. ‘Respect Commander’ opens
with sped up drums, orchestra hits and electronica before transforming into a muddy
blues rock anthem. ‘Corporation’ meanwhile centres around a groovy riff that
sounds like something between Deep Purple and Steely Dan, closing with some
eerie shrieking and rambling about corporations. It’s not stuff for your average
rock fan - it's weird and straight up my alley.
‘Window’ – Christian Besa Wright
With it’s lazy guitars and layers
of sunny vocal harmonies, this track from LA singer-songwriter Christian Besa
Wright is as soothing as a summer’s day. It’s what’s needed to cheer up these miserable
winter months.
‘QYURRYUS' - The Voidz
The Voidz, fronted by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, have been releasing increasingly more bizarre songs. Their latest song sounds like a synthwave war chant topped with squealing guitars and even some autotuned warbling towards the end. When it comes to weird moments of the week, it's up there with Oprah Winfrey's third hand and that Sting/Shaggy collaboration (which wasn't good or bad enough to feature in this week's selection).
The Voidz, fronted by Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, have been releasing increasingly more bizarre songs. Their latest song sounds like a synthwave war chant topped with squealing guitars and even some autotuned warbling towards the end. When it comes to weird moments of the week, it's up there with Oprah Winfrey's third hand and that Sting/Shaggy collaboration (which wasn't good or bad enough to feature in this week's selection).
THE WORST:
‘☆☆☆☆☆ 5IVE $TAR$’ – A$AP Rocky
This
is distinctly average music from the flamboyant rapper. Three stars would have
been generous. Where is Rocky’s energy? He sounds like he’s just had a rough
night’s sleep in a one star hotel.
‘Say Something’ – Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton
Timberlake seems to be going for
a more mature country/gospel sound here and, well, it’s bland. Chris Stapleton’s
vocals are the most interesting thing about this song and that’s saying
something.