It’s the long weekend for most people, so we’ve tried to create a mini-playlist to help jump start the time off or one you could spin on a road trip. The Matinee April 14th has nine songs from, as always, around the world. There are some dazzling, low-key numbers and amusing, truly LOL tracks. Enjoy and happy long weekend!
Bad Bearth – “Bad Idea” (somewhere in New Jersey, USA)
RIYL: Glass Animals, Local Natives
Bad Bearth are from New Jersey and they just recently released their debut EP Elephant in the Womb. “Bad Idea” is one of the tracks from their brand new EP. We don’t have alot of background info on the band Bad Bearth, but we are totally digging this track.
“Bad Idea” has the eclecticism of Glass Animals and the harmonies of Local Natives but with an added touch of hip hop and funk. The parting lyrics are a reminder of personal responsibility by reminding us that “we all must live with what we do”.
You can check out their entire EP here. The other tracks have much more of a hip hop beat vibe along with rap lyrics like back when beats were amazing (Think Pharcyde, De La Soul, etc).
Hey Geronimo – “Mutant” (Brisbane, Australia)
RIYL: Dreamers, Lunatics on Pogo Sticks, Pluto Jonze
We all have embarrassing moments that we laugh at now but not at the time. It’s bad enough to share these times with friends and family who were there to witness everything unfold; it’s another to immortalize them in song. This is exactly what Hey Geromino have done with their new single, “Mutant”, and we’ll get to that in a moment.
The song is an entertaining riot full of whirling guitars, an infectious chorus, and a great excerpt from a movie (possibly Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). It’s the type of track that you won’t be able to get out of your head for days, “woo wooing” your way down the street or on the metro headed to work. But what is this song exactly about? We’ll leave it to co-writer Pete Kilroy to describe his nervousness and impending inebriation when meeting Courtney Barnett:
The two times I met Courtney, I was a babbling, indecipherable mess. It’s hilarious now, but for a long time after I was mortified that I couldn’t keep it together. Not once, but twice!
As you listen to the song and arrive at the 25 seconds where the words, “Oh my God! It’s happening again!”, are shouted, you know exactly what is meant and all you can do is laugh. Heck, the band is laughing at the end of the song.
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Jordan Kirk – “My Coffee” (Columbus, OH, USA)
RIYL: Big Thief, The Eastern Sea, Wye Oak
We shared a track from Jordan around this time last year and we are glad to see he is back with new tunes. “My Coffee” is a bit of a departure from his last offerings which were typically Mr. Kirk’s lovely vocals and a guitar.
On “My Coffee” we have choir like back up vocals, the addition of cello and organ. It’s a quite lovely track that chronicles the realities of waiting on someone else to rise to the occasion in a relationship. Kirk’s vocals float effortlessly over the stirring harmonies as he declares “What’s another smothered day”.
“My Coffee” is the latest single released from Jordan Kirk’s sophomore album release Ragamuffin Parade which will be out June 1st.
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JOSEPH OF MERCURY – “Find You Inside” (Toronto, Canada)
RIYL: David Bowie, SOFTCELL, Andrew Keoghan
We don’t say enough about the great music coming from Canada. Maybe it’s because we just take for granted that the world’s second-largest country continues to produce great artists (or maybe we still regret the arrival of others). This moment in time, however, is the golden era for the country’s music scene, particularly its male singer-songwriters. Jesse Marchant, Jesse Mac Cormack, Leif Vollebekk, Timber Timbre, Chad VanGaalan, and Calvin Love are just some of the names raising the high-water mark that Leonard Cohen established. Toronto native JOSEPH OF MERCURY, similarly, is making music that can only be described as unforgettable.
Last month, he shared the Roy Orbison-esque beauty, “Without Words”. This week, he channels another legend and delivers a second song that belongs in the “OMG” with “Find You Inside”. Between the sizzling synths and the sleek guitar that create an ’80s atmosphere and JOSEPH’s incomparable, buoyant vocals, this song is David Bowie during his post-Ziggy Stardust days. In other words, it is a stirring, groovy number that is an instant classic. JOSEPH’s songwriting is also exquisite, crafting a story that is one part want and lust and another part of self-exploration. Sounds like the challenging approach one of the world’s great artists once mastered.
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LAPP – “SUNNY” (London, England)
RIYL: My Morning Jacket gone really funky
Sometimes, you just have to let the artist speak for himself because there aren’t any other words that we could add to describe who he is. LAPP is a self-described “(w)hite man, DIY, R&B music infused with Folk, Soul, Rock, Jazz and whatever sound that seems appropriate at the time to tell tales of the human condition.” The London-based singer-songwriter, in other words, is the Pandora’s box of music, but when unlocking the chest a treasure trove of brilliance is revealed.
His latest song, for instance, reveals his dynamic mélange of sound and influences. “Sunny” is funky, groovy, and just awesome. LAPP’s vocals range are soulful, but at times it reaches the euphoric tremors of Jim James. The saxophone and piano add sultry elements to this song that is a modern-day take of Pretty Woman. Instead of us summarizing what the song is about, we’ll leave it to LAPP once again to do the duties.
Our man has fallen for a lady of the night named Sunny, and he thinks he can take care of her, save her from men who puzzle her existence and all the rest of that Roxanne bullshit. However as the song goes on, our boy’s initial confidence and certitude begins to wane, and he can’t save himself from the very crime he wants to save her from. His care turns into lust, his lust turns into naivety, and his naivety is used in question against her on whether she actually wants to be saved. Questions of love, questions of time; he then looks at his own place in the world. This is Sunny.
We always say we’re sticklers for great storytelling, and we may have found another one to add to our list. It sure helps to make music that is fresh, inventive, and exceptional.
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Peaking Lights – “Everytime I See The Light” (Los Angeles, USA)
RIYL: Maribou State, Panda Bear, Young Galaxy
It’s Friday, which means the lights will be a little brighter and the energy in the air reaching combustible levels. For many people, tonight is the time to let go and enjoy themselves. The soundtrack for this occasion should start and end with Peaking Lights‘ new single, which is a barn burner… club igniter.
“Everytime I See The Light” echoes the tropical house music that Maribou State and now North Downs have been creating. The production work is fantastic, as the dashing beats create a mystical soundscape. However, what makes the song are Aaron Coyes’ searing but radiant guitar and Indra Dunis’ dashing vocals. The former gives the song a gritty, hypnotic vibe while the latter adds a hypnotic dreaminess that is impossible to escape. Sure this song will be endlessly played in clubs across the globe, but it is also a number that anyone can enjoy anywhere at anytime. To us, that is what makes a song absolutely fantastic and memorable.
The song is from Peaking Lights’ forthcoming, new album, The Fifth State Of Consciousness. It arrives June 16th via Two Flower Records.
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Royal Blood – “Lights Out” (Brighton, England)
RIYL: Highly Suspect, Red Blood Shoes, Crocodiles
We have been early followers of Royal Blood every since they came out with their early debut singles. Then after seeing them obliterate the stage with their live sets, we were hooked. It’s been a while since we’ve heard new tracks from the impressive duo. We are excited to share “Lights Out”.
Their newest track does not disappoint. We not only have Mr. Kerr’s killer signature bass riffs but an in your face blues infected “Yeahhh!!” chorus you won’t soon forget. About 3/4 through the track we hear new elements, more of a traditional bass approach and a funky psych vibe yet it still kicks you know what. We are looking forward to the new release this summer by the explosive duo that is Royal Blood.
Royal Blood’s sophomore album, How Did We Get So Dark?, will be released June 16th on Warner Bros. Records. The band is comprised of Michael Kerr (bass/vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums).
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ULTRAS – “You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn” (Glasgow, Scotland)
RIYL: Underworld, Kasabian, Miaoux Miaoux
When Trainspotting was released in 1996, it was accompanied by a sensational soundtrack. People will remember Iggy Pop’s “Lust for Life” and Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” on it. For college students of the day, however, the song that stands out the most is Underworld’s “Born Slippy”. It was the perfect marriage of electronica, deep house, and even alternative forms of music. Fast forward more than two decades later, and the sequel to Trainspotting has been made with a similarly awesome soundtrack. If the movie was only made a year later, director Danny Boyle could have found the modern-day equivalent to “Born Slippy” with ULTRAS‘ new single.
“You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn” isn’t as dark as Underworld’s classic, but it has the same heart-racing, frenetic energy and mesmerizing approach. But instead of running through the streets of Glasgow, the driving synth will have your mind, if not yourself, spinning in circles. This song is pure delirium, and we love it!
“You’ve A Foul Mouth John Barleycorn” is from ULTRAS’ self-titled debut album, which is out April 28th via Hello Thor Records and Instinctive Racoon. ULTRAS is the project of Gav Prentice with a supporting band of helpful musicians and producers, usually Matt Clark and Roy Mohan Shearer.
Wy – “Bathrooms” (Malmö, Sweden)
RIYL: Cigarettes After Sex, Mazzy Star, Slowdive
Why, oh why has it taken us so long to discover dream-pop duo Wy? The project of two long-time lovers, Wy have developed a cult following in Central Europe, extending across Scandinavia and into Germany, Austria, and beyond. After coming across their music, we can safely say that it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world discovers them.
With an EP already under their belt, they are in the midst of finalizing their debut full-length, which will be released by super-Swedish indie label Hybris. The first single is “Bathrooms”, which is one of the most dazzling and beautiful songs of the year.
It has the stirring intimacy and beauty of Cigarettes After Sex’s soaring ballads and the breathtaking moments of Mazzy Star. Ebba’s vocals are incredibly gorgeous that one begins to melt as the song reaches its conclusion. Her songwriting is intimate and introspective, as she shares with us her pain of losing someone and herself. Michel’s emotive guitar echoes the dreamy shoegaze of Slowdive, bringing the song to a cinematic level to match Ebba’s story. “Bathrooms” is everything we desire in a song, and all that is left to say is we absolutely love it.
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