BEST AND WORST NEW TRACKS OF THE FORTNIGHT 28/02/2025: J Cole, Sleigh Bells, Yung Lean and more…

This week features rap verses about the danger of AI and bubblegum metal tributes to dead dogs. Artists featured this week include J Cole, Sleigh Bells, Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke, Tombstones In Their Eyes, Yung Lean and Fontaines DC.

THE BEST:

‘cLOUDS’ – J Cole

J Cole is on top form here. He’s floating across this twinkly beat as effortlessly as a cloud in the night sky. Over the two verses, he entertainingly compares himself to ‘C4’, ‘Mario’ and ‘the bullet that missed Trump’, while also speaking out against the dangers of music streaming and AI. And the hook is pretty good too!

‘Bunky Pop’ – Sleigh Bells

At first, I wasn’t sure if I loved or hated this new Sleigh Bells single. It plays out like the garish theme to some unhinged kid’s TV show – chirpy bubblegum vocals and sugary synths are contrasted with blaring metal guitars and some double bass drumming that almost feels inappropriate. However, the melodies are infectious and finding out that it’s a tribute to Alexis Krauss’s late pet dog makes it quite endearing.

‘Back In The Game’ – Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke

Electronic producer Mark Pritchard has teamed up with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, and the result is a very unsettling synthpop song. That queasy bass riff is so horrible and yet so addictive. It really fits the visuals – which consists of a nightmarish procession of CGI characters in creepy parade heads. Does anyone else remember those disturbing Cool 3D World videos? That's what it reminds me of.

‘Mirror’ – Tombstones In Their Eyes

‘Mirror’ is the latest single from LA band Tombstones In Their Eyes and comes off of their new album Asylum Harbour. The fuzzy guitar riffs were what hooked me initially, but I’ve been coming back for the vocals. They’ve got a nice shoegazey feel to them and they hit all the right notes. It gets particularly good once the backing vocal harmony comes in. Some listeners have dubbed their unique sound ‘psych-gaze’.  

THE WORST:

‘Forever Yung’ – Yung Lean

Youth is the running lyrical theme in this week’s worst tracks selection. And who better to make a song about being forever young than Yung Lean? He’s only 28 years old, despite making music for what feels like three decades. Anyhow, the racing beat is fun, but Yung Lean can’t sing for shit.

‘It’s Amazing To Be Young’ – Fontaines D.C.

Grian Chatten’s inflection is really annoying me in this track. I tried relistening to it just now and it’s even more irritating than it was the first time around. It’s a shame because the track gets quite euphoric at the end once he starts belting out ‘to be you-u-u-ugn!’