It's been a bit windy today. Here are the songs I've been listening to while taking shelter from flying bins and trampolines. Artists featured this week include Vince Staples, Fontaines D.C., Benee, Oberka, Morning Silk and Yeat.
THE BEST:
‘Magic’ – Vince Staples ft. Mustard
Vince is back in Banger Mode. The rapper’s intimate and
woozy self-titled 2021 album was a bit too subdued for me. This song is much
more infectious and energetic – Vince’s delivery is a lot livelier, and I love
the funky synth-bass-driven beat courtesy of Mustard (apparently, he’s not
calling himself ‘DJ Mustard’ anymore and hasn’t been since 2018. Why am I only
discovering this now???).
‘I Love You’ – Fontaines D.C.
‘I Love You’ makes up for it’s crappy generic title by being
one of the best rock tracks I’ve heard so far this year. The way those melancholy
guitars come in at the beginning is magical – it’s got a Stone Roses vibe to it.
Grian Chatten’s vocals meanwhile are utterly gripping, beginning as an intimate
sigh and evolving into passionately angry sprechgesang. The Irish post-punk band
are dropping a new album Skinty Fia in April.
‘Beach Boy’ – Benee
New Zealand pop singer Benee is still yet to create any song
as fun as ‘Snail’. However, this song is a close contender - the bouncy guitars
and fluttering vocal harmonies in the chorus are so damn feelgood. It’s also
interesting to hear ‘my bitch’ being used as a term of endearment for a
dude.
‘Saxamaphone’ – Oberka
This track from Taiwanese producer Oberka is thrilling stuff.
It’s a unique mix of arpeggiated synths, jazzy sax, diverse vocal samples and
kooky hip hop percussion. It comes straight off his new album BELTA.
‘Skin’ – Morning Silk (ft. Sur Back)
‘Skin’ is a synth-heavy indie pop song about trying to ‘chase
your dreams and pay your rent’. It’s got a catchy hook and lots of fun melodies
and textures (I love those synchronised vocals and guitar at 1.16). The guest
vocals from Sur Back also add an extra dimension to it. Morning Silk’s debut
album will be dropping later this year.
THE WORST:
‘Still Counting’ – Yeat
This dude sounds like a carbon copy of Playboi Carti and yet
he has the audacity to rap: ‘All of you rappers be sounding the same/ Bitch,
I couldn’t even tell you apart’.