Sometimes things are worth waiting for and an impromptu week off for Tracks of the Week means we’ve got a bumper pack of choice choons. They’re totes on point. Sick!!
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs – Detroit
Why we love it: because yet again Pigs x 7 have detonated a huge sound. With a bloodcurdling riff and Matt Baty once more howling into the void, the Toon’s multiple pigs’ unit explode into earshot with ’Detroit.’ The new single is their first new music since 2023’s Land of Sleeper and just like the city that gives the song its title, ‘Detroit’ is dark and heavy.
Talking about the track, Baty says, “’Detroit’ reflects on the worst manifestations of male jealousy and resentment, and the ways in which a lack of accountability can lead to deflecting responsibility in exchange for blaming external forces like fate or God for perceived injustice.”
And with this in mind Pigs x 7 have confirmed that all proceeds from ‘Detroit’ in 2024 will be donated to domestic abuse charities. Following a couple of live dates in Europe next month, the band will be out on tour in the UK come next April. Prepare yourselves for obliteration. (Simon Godley)
Sunny War (feat. Steve Ignorant) – Walking Contradiction
Why we love it: because in the post-Presidential election tumult of Sunny War’s home country, the incoming administration’s controversial cabinet choices, and an uncertain future both for America and the wider world, ‘Walking Contradiction’ becomes even more relevant. It is the first single to be taken from the Los Angeles-based folk-punk musician’s upcoming album, Armageddon in a Summer Dress which will be out on February 21, 2025, via New West Records.
‘Walking Contradiction’ sees Sunny War duetting with Steve Ignorant of the legendary UK anarchy-punk band Crass. She has been singing along with Steve Ignorant for some time now and says, “He’s my hero for life. When I started listening to Crass, it changed everything about how I thought about everything.”
For his part, Steve Ignorant says, “It’s always an honour to collaborate with someone you respect, and Sunny War is no exception. She is the younger voice, taking up the torch of hope in this dark world. The minute I heard the song I knew it would work and recording it was an incredibly emotional experience. The lyrics are now in my head for good – which is not a bad thing, and who knows – maybe one day we’ll get the chance to perform it together live.”
Full of dark foreboding, Walking Contradiction’ is a song for our turbulent times. (Simon Godley)
Moses Yoofee Trio – GREEN LIGHT ft. ENNY
Why we love it: because ‘GREEN LIGHT’ signals go for the Moses Yoofee Trio and ENNY. The Berlin-based electric-acoustic trio and the south London rapper join their considerable forces on ‘GREEN LIGHT’ and the results are joyous.
‘GREEN LIGHT’ is the latest single to be taken from the Moses Yoofee Trio debut full-length album, MYT, set to be released by the revered German musician, composer, and record producer Nils Frahm’s LEITER label on 7th February next year.
The new single breathes warmth and intimacy as ENNY’s words glide effortlessly over the song’s sophisticated arrangement. (Simon Godley)
Sonia Ahmed – Wicked Side
Why we love it: Sonia Ahmed transfixes with her awesome new single ‘Wicked Side‘ shaking skittering beats and spitting vocals that gradually explode with catharsis, and dashes them juddering synth lines, it’s a restless mix, that reminds one of the trip-hop of Tricky mixed gyrating with elements of hip-hop-and ragga that wouldn’t sound of out place on a M.I.A.. It’s a vibrant declaration of exploding your darker and less inhibited sides. It also vividly depicts a promising artist with an innovative sonic palette and fiercely independent new Welsh voice.
Sonia Ahmed describes herself as a genre-hopping artist who transcends boundaries and celebrates her South Adian cultural roots. After the success of her debut single ‘Freedom’ in 2023, she’s back with her latest release ‘Wicked Side’. (Bill Cummings)
Plastic Estate – Meet You There
Why we love it: Cardiff-based duo Plastic Estate ‘s recent single ‘Meet You There’ is wonderous, underpinned by slap bass and shimmering synths and is scattered with a wistful romance, with catchy motifs and melodies it manages to spiral into a heady besotted chorus that’s lifted aloft with feminine backings. ‘Meet You There’ expertly crafts a widescreen sound, that intersects elements of 80s-influenced synth-pop, shiny yacht rock and swirling melodies of sophisti-pop produced by the likes of Roxy Music and Blue Nile, and crafts a hooky pop song brimming with personality.
The song serves as the final single from their upcoming second album Code d’Amour, that came out in October through Avant! Records.
They say “Meet You There tunes into more intimate, quasi isolated vibes while driven forward by slap bass and lush synths that pay homage equally to West Coast yacht rock stars like Michael McDonald or Hall & Oates and 2010s chillwave pioneers such as Small Black and Alan Palomo of Neon Indian.” (Bill Cummings)
Siula – Lygaid
Why we love it: Siula (Iqra Malik and Llion Robertson), return with their latest single, ‘Llygaid’ (Eyes) out on Libertino records, and it’s one of their best yet an enveloping track that pairs pulsing synth textures with Malik’s evocative vocals, with cascading and hypnotic melodies that explore existential themes. Siula’s new release pulls listeners into a mysterious, emotive world that explores life’s most profound questions.
Drawing on the atmospheric textures and sharp electronic pulses reminiscent of The Knife and the haunting, experimental soundscapes akin to Broadcast, ‘Llygaid’ (Eyes in Welsh) meditates on introspection, and the struggle to find direction and meaning in life, a theme the duo expresses with emotional intensity and raw honesty.
The lyrics take listeners on a search for a purposeful existence, urging them to “follow their hearts” in pursuit of deeper connections and answers that may only come when we truly open our eyes to the light around us. Speaking on the song, Siula explain: “‘Llygaid’ reflects the feeling of being lost and yearning for clarity. It’s about dancing in the dark, in search of an answer, in search for the light.” (Bill Cummings)
Why we love it: Divorce’s sublime new single ‘Antarctica’ is a wash of quiet yearning that wrangles breezy guitar interplay and vivid lyricism to capture the sometimes fleeting and ephemeral nature of love, loss, and life. ‘Antarctica’ is lush, hazy, buoyant, poignant and pure soul balm with its dancing harmonies and gliding strings.
Co-vocalist and guitarist Felix Mackenzie-Barrow says:“I wrote ‘Antarctica’ at the end of a long and deeply important relationship as a way to self-soothe and make sense of the loss I was feeling whilst touring non-stop. Thinking of the silent indifference of that vast continent at the bottom of the world was and still is something of a meditation for me. Barry Lopez describes Antarctica as “utterly remote, even as you stand in it. The light itself is aloof.”
‘Antarctica‘ is the latest new music from their upcoming album Drive to Goldenhammer out on March 7th 2025. It has all the hallmarks of an instant classic and we can’t wait to hear more. Divorce are currently on BBC 6 Music’s A List with lead track ‘All My Freaks.’ (Carmel Walsh)
Ghost Arcadia- Cyclone
Why we love it: Ghost Arcadia‘s adrenaline-fuelled banger, ‘Cyclone.’ has a raw unbridled soundscape. It’s a cathartic, widescreen whirlwind of a track. Cyclone is a commentary on the rat race and being caught up in the mundanity of everyday life and the wish to escape. With a flurry of trap beats, crushing riffs, and tight drum grooves. The dichotomy between the verses and chorus echoes the calm before the storm. The band said,
“When you think of cyclones your mind conjures images of raging storms that sweep up cars and buildings into the sky,…We really wanted to capture that energy in the hook of the song and let it be found predominantly though the guitars on the track as well….You wake up. You eat. You work. You eat. You go to sleep. You repeat. We are slaves to the routine. And when we’re not at work? Most of us are vegetating while mindlessly doomscrolling on our screen of choice. We’ve all got so swept up in this digital age that sometimes we forget to look up and appreciate the world for what it is.”
‘Cyclone’ is the third single off Ghost Arcadia’s upcoming EP, What We Become, set for release on 6th December. (Carmel Walsh).
