This is a low. Mondays. On Friday we were all holding on for tomorrow. Now the weekends over, Monday has arrived like a bad head in the morning. I think it’s a universal feeling. But don’t feel too blue, there’s always Tracks of the Week. As you hit the daily grind, have an office chair boogy, a Tesco Disco. There’s some crackers in here. Wooo hooo!!!
Los Blancos – Christina (Libertino)
Why we love it: because we do like an unashamed feminist ally proudly supporting the sisterhood, especially via this fast and furious and glorious a method. Guitarist Osian Owen takes lead vocals on this, the first single to be taken from Los Blancos‘ second album. Less slacker, more punk n roll perhaps than previous releases, he rages in defence of medieval heroine Christine de Markyate, the message buoyed and backed up in the chorus by gang vocals.
Refusing to be married off as was the convention in the 12th Century, de Markyate escaped dressed as a man and became a prioress in a convent, ‘after locking her first ‘suitor’ in her own room and hiding from the other behind a tapestry.’ Osain wrote the song during lockdown after listening to a lot of Black Flag and Trash Talk. ‘Which shows in the fast/raw guitars. The lyrics came from reading one of Terry Jones’ history books where he talked about Christine, and I admired how strong and determined she was.‘ (Cath Holland)
KIM HON – Mr English (Recordiau Côsh Records)
Why we love it: we’re so pleased to see this song – a firm live favourite – released officially. Do not be fooled by the segments of Kim Hon‘s mocking delivery and seemingly organised chaos, wig-out and cow bell pan banging in Mr English. It joins HMS Morris‘ ‘House’ and Rogue Jones‘ ‘Triongl Dyfed’ (The Dyfed Triangle) this year in offering perspective to the issue of those outside Wales buying up properties in rural communities for holiday home or Air BnB usage, robbing young people of the opportunity to buy, rent, live in their own communities.
Kim Hon’s insertion of such a social message within a quality dancefloor filler is highly engaging and relatable to an issue predating the current first home and house buying woes both inside Wales and out of it. The band release their debut album later this year. (Cath Holland)
Enjoyable Listens – Summer Hit
Why we love it: because this is the only song you need this summer. Listen to others, sure, but this is the only one you NEED.
He’s the 21st Century Rick Astley we never realised we needed until he started doing The Smiths covers and everyone lost their minds. He’s Jarvis Cocker thirty years ago, in wit, personality and spread legs stance, without the NHS glasses. He’s Luke Duffett with a moustache like a trimmed privet hedge. He’s a god amongst mortals. Find some Glasto footage for proof.
We’ve had ‘Dead Frozen‘ in winter, we had ‘That’s Where The Blood Is”‘ in spring, we’ve now got ‘Summer Hit’ in, well, summer, obviously. It’s liquid summer, pour it out of a jug full of mint and fruit and ice into a tumbler and drink it in. Yummy.
Luke describes it thusly: “The original “Summer Hit” demo was the first thing I ever self-recorded. I wrote it during lockdown, and its name comes from a to-do list I had on the 9th April 2020 which read: Re-learn how to kick-flip. Make focaccia Write summer hit. Complete Ratchet and Clank 3” (Jim Auton)
Pink Eye Club – You Seemed Like A Nice Guy
Why we love it: South Londoner Pink Eye Club described his latest single ‘You Seemed Like A Nice Guy’ as: “A song about people you meet and initially they seem nice but then you go on their social media, and it turns out they have far right views.”
Pink Eye Club is the moniker of self-confessed nerd Haydn Davies. He began crafting high-energy electronic music on a laptop taking inspiration from club and dance culture, Pet Shop Boys, disco, and all things pop. However it’s his witty tales of everyday British life that catch the ears. Davies’ story-telling is reminiscent of The Streets, and on this track it’s a tale about two people not destined to be mates, however, dig a little deeper and it’s about the divisive nature and hateful rhetoric of our current times, where our true selves are lived in an ever propaganda-filled virtual reality. This track combines smooth electronica with a post-punk vibed vocal, creating a very different soundscape
‘You Seemed Like A Nice Guy’ features Mencare (aka Josh Baxter from Ninja Tune’s PVA and Adam Cartwright formerly of Speedy Wunderland’s Tiña). The video, shot at The George Tavern is directed by fellow South Londoner Lou Smith, the filmmaker who is known for capturing the vibrant underground South London music scene that birthed, amongst others, Fat White Family, Warmduscher, Goat Girl, and Shame.
Lou shares the following: “I happened to catch Pink Eye Club at his debut London show at the Five Bells, five years ago. II have watched his act and following grow along the way, his unique perspective has helped him tackle some of the challenging aspects of his own self-confessed neurodivergence, and in a real way, has positively affected the lives of others.”
Pink Eye Club has been showcasing his one-man-disco-machine live sets at the packed-out regular club nights he runs, ‘Pink Eye’s Sunday Roast’ at Windmill, Brixton and ‘Pink Eye’s Paradise’ at The George Tavern, Stepney Green. Now signed to Blang Records, Pink Eye Club will be releasing his debut album Disco Reality on 14 July. (Julia Mason)
Teenage Fanclub – Tired Of Being Alone
Why we love it: Because this is Teenage Fanclub and they’ve been doing this sort of thing – effortlessly blending charming three-part harmonies with gloriously timeless melodies – ever so successfully for more than 30 years now. Not to be confused with the 1970’s Al Green chart hit of the same name, ‘Tired Of Being Alone’ is the second track on the band’s forthcoming album Nothing Lasts Forever and the second single to be taken from it. The song not only affirms that Bellshill’s finest have survived the loss of Gerard Love – one of the band’s three principal songwriters – some five years ago, but now have moved on beyond it. Here is another top tune dripping in gorgeous 1960’s nostalgia, written by Raymond McGinley and featuring a lovely, understated fuzz-guitar solo from him. Their forthcoming tour of the EU and the UK later this year cannot come soon enough. (Simon Godley)
Courting – Flex
Why we love it: Liverpool four-piece Courting share the first release since their debut album Guitar Music which was released September 2022. ‘Flex’ sees that band further explore their thirst for creativity. Leaning more into pop it is still very distinctly Courting. The vocals of Sean Murphy-O’Neill are at the forefront and the horn section introduces a new layer of sound for the band, its whimsical tone contributing to the themes of ‘Flex’. Here the influence of social media and online relationships is explored, with the dangerous precedent of it creating behaviour and actions simply in order to feel wanted and seen.
Frontman Sean Murphy-O’Neill expands on the idea behind the track: “‘Flex’ is designed to be a theatrical performance, a short play. Our protagonist is wealthy, successful, and famous… but at what cost? Our protagonist misses their ex (after seeing their glow-up), wears Ricks, chainsmokes, sends thought-out emails about their wellbeing to people they should’ve replied to sooner, and has increased their screen time by 25%”.
“In the thrilling conclusion, our protagonist does donuts in a closed car-park, in a 1967 mustang, with all of their friends. The event is livestreamed on twitch to be rewatched until the end of time.
‘Flex’ is as sincere as we can be. Sometimes the lines between real life and fiction get blurred here, but we’re nothing if not committed.”
Courting came together earlier this year for The Wedding, a hometown wedding-themed show which saw the band unveil new material for the first time. NME reviewed the gig, describing them as “one of the most innovative and elevated acts of the moment.” With new single ‘Flex’ they have confirmed NMEs observation. (Julia Mason)
Lack of Afro – Loving Arms
Why we love it: Lack of Afro follows-up ‘All Night’ with new single release ‘Loving Arms’. Here he teams up with Greg Blackman, and the track opens with piano before bursting into life with glorious soul and funk. The vocals are simply thrilling, and the horns and organs add that massive dollop of funk. It’s a stirring track full of passion and its hard to listen without smiling. The soul element creates a feeling of community somehow, is that possible in a song? Nonetheless it’s a joyful expression of the power of music to life the spirits and warm the soul.
Lack of Afro shared the following on ‘Loving Arms’: “It’s just pure joy, pure emotion. You know a track is decent when it moves you to tears when you’re mixing it! I wanted it to sound like a celebration – of life, of love and of companionship. Greg has such a gorgeous voice and he absolutely nails the vocal here.”
Lack of Afro returns with his eighth studio album Square One, set for release on 8 September via his own Bastion Music Group label. Finding inspiration from his recent trip to the US to produce at the legendary FAME Studios at Muscle Shoals, this is an album full of hope, optimism and, of course, good times. (Julia Mason)
pMad – Fury
Why we love it: pMad has released his new single ‘Fury’. The post-punk, gothic, indie rock solo music project created by Paul Dillon from Portumna, Co. Galway, Ireland continues to rattle.
The new track is influenced by those times we get so furious we think we can never shake it off. The frustrations of life are infuriating at times and we need to be able to release that internal fury that has been generated. The soundscape here is all distorted vocals, rock riff guitar and techno beats.
Previous songs explore the themes of self-survival and personal growth. The driving rhythm and electronica perhaps reflect the chaotic emotions we can feel as we face the challenges of the human condition. However ‘Fury’ also presents an opportunity to use the music to release the valve of frustrations and let it all go to enjoy life to the fullest. And of course the most important thing of all, to dance. (Julia Mason)
