Hello!!! You know what time it is?!?! Its Tracks. Of. The. Week. Time!!! Dig in and heal your soul and weekend excess battered bodies. Soak in its bath of warm, fuzzy, brutal, sad, and powerful suds. Mmmmm, soapy.
Nerina Pallot – Alice At The Beach
Why we love it: Nerina Pallot’s seventh studio album I Don’t Know What I’m Doing will be released on June 17th through Idaho Records / INGROOVES. The first song written for the new album ‘Alice At The Beach’ is the second single to be taken from the forthcoming album following on the heels of ‘Cold Places’. It is equally excellent.
Explaining the background to, and inspiration for ‘Alice At The Beach’ Nerina Pallot says: “The song idea popped into my head one day when I stumbled upon a link to a story about a woman called Alice Blaise who, in 1965, was at the beach in Salem, Massachusetts. Alice rescued a four year old boy called Roger Lausier from the water, got him safely back to his parents and went off back to her life. Lucky she was there, right? Only almost ten years later, Roger is a teenager, and hanging out at the same beach one day when he hears a cry for help and goes to the rescue of a man in trouble in the water. The man’s surname is Blaise – and he is Alice’s husband.”
Here the Ivor Novello and Brit Award nominated songwriter and musician takes all of the strange, incredible coincidence that lies at the very heart of the song’s narrative and wraps it in such a joyful, life-affirming melody you cannot help but believe in karma. (Simon Godley)
Ian Daniel Kehoe – Sweet & Sour
Why we love it: The Toronto-based producer, song-writer, multi-instrumentalist, poet and visual artist, Ian Daniel Kehoe is releasing his latest album, Yes Very So on 8th July via Tin Angel Records.
In eager anticipation of the new record, Ian Daniel Kehoe has shared the first single to be taken from it. ‘Sweet & Sour’ lopes along on a seemingly untroubled synthetic groove, it’s journey gently punctuated by the sound of muted, faraway horns, as Kehoe poses existential questions about personal development and human desire. Such uncertainty contrasts with the warmth of the song’s melody, perfectly reflecting the dichotomy inherent in the song’s title. (Simon Godley)
VEPS – Ballerina (Norah)
Why we love it: VEPS return after a break through 2021 with their ace new single ‘Ballerina (Norah)’. The track comes with a lo-fi, self-directed video and is out now on Kanine Records.
Recorded at Skogen Studios, Bergen and produced by Matias Tellez (Girl In Red), ‘Ballerina (Norah)’ is a impossibly catchy hook laden track from the Norwegian teenage four piece who craft a brand of effortlessly bittersweet jangle-pop. Swelling with gorgeous harmonies to a wonderful chorus that teeters on that balance beam of affection and insecurity(“You fall on your face yet you blow me away/I could watch you dance all day”).
“We all know somebody who at times speaks loudly about stuff they really don’t know well enough, but that we really love nonetheless,” the girls said of the track.
‘Ballerina (Norah)’ is a song about being blown away by the flaws of the people you hold close, and also about breaking through the armor we keep around ourselves.” (Bill Cummings)
Benji Wild – Max Damage
Why We Love It: Bouncing on a space hopper beat, ‘Max Damage Freestyle‘ is the lead track from Splot MC Benji Wild‘s new West Grime EP. Portraying his impish self confidence, detailing rough times growing up what he learnt from experiences in the industry. Strutting with his quickfire and detailed flow that’s boustrous and brimming with confidence and artistic bravery. Infectious and cracking, this is another step up from the former Astroid Boys member. He sounds just about ready to take everyone on. (Bill Cummings)
Julia Jacklin – Lydia Wears A Cross
Why We Love It: because Julia has a way with melancholy and humour that softens the blow but also makes it more relatable and understandable. She has a voice that sounds like it has been classically trained but has always leaned towards the pop and soul that documents heartbreak and healing better than your hymn to an invisible sky wizard is ever going to.
This has the same feeling as “Body” the opening track from her previous LP Crushing. There is a similar minimalist approach that is all about what isn’t there as what is, without venturing down the path of lack of substance that too many that go for “atmosphere” over writing a tune do.
This is as beautiful and touching as anything she has done before and appears to be a venture back to her childhood at school and assemblies with religious overtones that she couldn’t connect with.
She has pointed out that the video has a nod to classic Australian childrens TV show ‘Round the Twist’ that was on the BBC in the 80’s and 90’s. It is suitably crazy. Worth checking out. (Jim Auton)
Hana Lili – Burden
Why we love it: Hana Lili recently returns with her infectious new single ‘Burden‘. Her first since her debut EP Flowers Die In The Summer last year.
Co-produced alongside Frank Colucci (JGrrey, Rose Gray), the atmospheric production, nagging strums and intimate vocals of ‘Burden’ are intensely personal, in mental health week Lili opens up on carrying a weight around with you and worrying about adding it onto your loved ones load. It flowers somewhere between the bittersweet introspective lyricism of Phoebe Bridgers and the infectious refrains of Soccer Mommy. It’s a superlatively wistful earworm.
Lili Says: “This song is about walking around with a big dark cloud looming over your head. It’s about being afraid that if you talk about how you truly feel it might have a negative effect on the other person. Being honest, and opening up about your feelings is so important, but there is always a feeling of guilt, and an idea that you might be a burden on someone else.” (Bill Cummings)
Tom Emlyn – Empire
Why we love it: Tom Emlyn’s song ‘Serenade’ was released on Record Store Day last year courtesy of R*E*P*E*A*T. and has proved to be a delicious appetiser for his offerings here in 2022.
At the end of May Emlyn releases his debut solo album ‘News From Nowhere’, a tribute to his previous band and the classic William Morris novel. We enjoyed a sneak peek of his songwriting skills at the 6 Music Festival fringe in Cardiff in April. We ’re running an in depth interview with the Swansea-born singer songwriter next week but for now we’re bringing your attentions to melancholic ballad ‘Empire’ from the album, which is an absolute stunner.
Produced by Tom Rees (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard) at Rat Trap Studios, Cardiff, and mastered by Charlie Francis (REM, Robyn Hitchcock), the simplicity of the arrangements on Empire, vocals and gentle acoustic guitar, carries a bittersweet pang. Love and longing and regret. Simply beautiful. (Cath Holland)
