This week, I take a look at the new Billie Eilish Bond theme, Thundercat's new ode to durags and Ozzy's second collaboration with Post Malone, among other tracks...
THE BEST:
‘Dragonball Durag’ – Thundercat
Eccentric bassist/singer Thundercat is back with this new deliciously
funky single ‘Dragonball Durag’. Some of you may dismiss this as just a silly
song about a durag, but I think it’s actually a profound psychoanalysis on our need to seek approval in a relationship. Honestly, WHY WON’T SHE JUST TELL HIM
HOW HE LOOKS IN HIS GODDAMN DURAG??? Thundercat has a new album out in April
titled It Is What It Is and I’m hoping for more ridiculous songs like this.
‘Bee Bee’ – JZ Replacement ft. Tim Lefebvre
I’ve heard all kinds of genres being Frankensteined together
while running this blog, but jazz, breakbeat and European folk is a new one on
me. Off the London duo’s upcoming album Disrespectful, this new single ‘Bee
Bee’ is a masterclass in rhythmical precision. The squirming sax and frenetic
drumming play out like a synchronised epileptic fit, while guest bassist Tim
Lefebvre offers some punchy grooves that occasionally veer off into
jungle-esque territory. It’s unlike any other jazz track I’ve heard.
‘Mind Games’ –
Fonkynson ft. Desiire
This is my first introduction to Montreal producer Fonkynson
and I’m sold. Any EDM track featuring bubbly basslines, twinkling synths arpeggios
or Gypsy-Woman-style organ stabs is a hit with me – and this contains all three.
The chorus courtesy of Toronto singer Desiire is also very catchy.
‘No Time To Die’ – Billie Eilish
While she may not possess the roaring vocals of Shirley
Bassey, Billie Eilish’s delicate whisper-singing is just as commanding in this
new Bond Theme. Who would have thought she’d sound so good over orchestral
instrumentation (I’m glad they didn’t go down the loopy Bad Guy electronica route)?
Combined with her five Grammy wins, the 18 year old isn’t doing too bad for
herself.
THE WORST:
‘Give No Fxk’ – Migos,
Young Thug & Travis Scott
This song couldn’t be more generic if it tried, but hey, these
three clearly give no fxk.
‘It’s A Raid’ – Ozzy Osbourne ft. Post Malone
Ozzy and Post Malone’s last collaborative single was surprisingly
decent, so I had no reason to fear that this would be any different. But, oh
boy, this is a mess. Ozzy’s vocals sound horribly processed and the pair sound
like they’re having a Tourette’s attack at the end. I just hope they had fun
making it.