It’s Blue Monday apparently. Which is slightly ironic when it’s a lovely bright and chilly winters day. Yes, the sky is blue but not in a melancholic way. Go for a walk, have lunch in the park. Freeze your digits off. Have a cuppa in the garden.
These aren’t at all blue. Well maybe a bit. The last one is actually. They’re all great though. That’s the main thing. That’s the takeaway from this. That these are great songs. Listen to them. You might feel better. What have you got to lose? TOTW! Do it.
Japanese Breakfast – Orlando in Love
Why we love it: because ‘Orlando in Love’ confirms you don’t have to travel to Tokyo for some Japanese Breakfast. You can, instead, just pop the song on repeat in the confines of your own home and find yourself transported to some faraway land. It is an exotic, alluring slice of dreampop, beautifully laminated in electronica and strings.
‘Orlando in Love’ is the lead single from Japanese Breakfast’s highly anticipated fourth album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), which is due on 21 March on Dead Oceans. And it comes here accompanied by a stunning video directed by Michelle Zauner – the Korean-American musician, singer, songwriter, and author who is Japanese Breakfast – with cinematography by Peter Ash Lee.
Speaking about the song and video, Michelle Zauner says: “‘Orlando in Love’ is made up of a hodgepodge of odd references. The title comes from an epic poem by Matteo Maria Boiardo called Orlando Innamorato, which ends abruptly at 68.5 cantos because Italy was invaded by French troops, and that’s as far as he got before he had to flee. I fell in love with the title and envisioned a sort of whimsical, foolish male protagonist who lives by the sea in a Winnebago RV and is seduced by a siren. After writing it, it felt like the perfect thesis statement for an album that is largely about people, often men, who find themselves seduced by temptation and are duly punished for it.
“Somewhere along the way I came across Eduard von Grützner’s painting ‘The Connoisseur’ and I started to picture Orlando as a daydreaming friar who can’t help but tipple of the Abbey’s brews. He dreams of his siren and despite the dream’s foreboding imagery, decides he must run and find her. The siren is played by my dear friend Jungle, whom I spent most of my time with in Korea this year. The friars are played by Missy Dabice from Mannequin Pussy, making her return to the Jbrekkie Cinecanon, and Molly Germer. We filmed half of the video in Korea with Peter Ash Lee, who shot the cover of Jubilee, and half of it at my alma mater, Bryn Mawr College, with my longtime collaborator and DP, Adam Kolodny.” (Simon Godley)
Horsegirl – Switch Over
Why we love it: because here we catch Horsegirl before they ride off into the future. Their second album, Phonetics On and On is due on Valentine’s Day. And just the way that young lovers do the New York-via-Chicago trio of best friends Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece open their minds to a world of possibilities by releasing the third single from that upcoming album. It is called ‘Switch On’ and the band have switched right on to a winning formula which melds some lo-fi 90’s indie-pop and more than a passing acquaintance with the music of Joy Division. Mark it down as a sure fire winner.
And they ain’t hanging around. No sooner is the record released, and they are off out on tour, first in their home country before crossing the Atlantic in early June for some dates in Europe and the UK. (Simon Godley)
Dawn Brothers – I Cry Alone
Why we love it: because after just one listen to ‘I Cry Alone’ it will come as no surprise to know that the Dawn Brothers have previously played Nashville’s AMERICANAFEST, the annual roots-music gathering in Music City. The new single from the Rotterdam four-piece draws upon a range of musical styles, principally country, Americana, and a touch of good old-fashioned funk for very good measure.
As the band explain: “‘I Cry Alone’ is a fun, witty song about hiding your tears. Too afraid to cry in front of friends, you let it out in the shower or the car. We had a blast recording it, making it funky and upbeat with a thick bassline, while keeping it easy on the ears with plenty of harmony vocals.”
‘I Cry Alone’ is (almost) the title track from Dawn Brothers’ forthcoming album, Cry Alone which will be out 28th March on Excelsior Recordings. It is the record’s lead single and with its infernally catchy country-infused groove it surely would not be even remotely out of place in some Nashville honky tonk. And what is more, they are coming our way here in the UK in May. The UK tour dates are HERE. (Simon Godley)
Cosmic Crooner – Swimming Pool
Why we love it: Cosmic Crooner aka Amsterdam-based Joep Meyer lets us dream big with this, his cinematic new single. Elegant, nostalgic strings with laid back glamour, much like his other works ‘Swimming Pool’ is inspired by European film. In this case, it’s the classic 1969 film of hormones and homicide La Piscine starring Alain Delon and Jane Birkin.
‘Swimming Pool’ was recorded live, with the string arrangement by Trey Pollard (Faye Webster, Foxygen) added later. ‘I love the orchestration on Harry Nilsson’s album A Little Touch Of Schmilsson In The Night,’ explains Joep. ‘I wanted the sound of a big orchestra, and Trey was amazing at bringing my dream arrangements to life.’
The video for ‘Swimming Pool’ was shot on 16mm film and directed by the Crooner himself. In this video he finally reaches ‘Crooners Bay’, the mythical home for all crooners, and is so happy to be at his spiritual home he sucks on a peach, has lots of sleeps and dreams and even indulges in some skinny-dipping. It’s a crooner’s life.
Cosmic Crooner’s follow up to 2023’s debut album The Perks of Being A Hypocrite is out later this year. (Cath Holland)
The Pill – Money Mullet
Why We Love it: After smashing their set at Rockaway Beach Festival, Isle Of Wight duo The Pill are back with their fourth single, ‘Money Mullet‘ which premiered on Steve Lamacq‘s show on BBC 6 Music The track takes aim at that divisive haircut that refuses to go away. The Pill said,
“Please be sure to show your hairdresser (your girlfriend) this song before embarking on another mullet,” says Lily, half of the duo. “Our 4th single, ‘Money Mullet,’ is a hate song. Sorry, we just really don’t like them.”
This infectious high-energy track serves satire and wit with propulsive indie hooks blending scuzzy riffs with punk- laced bubble gum vocals. They cleverly hide smart social commentaries beneath the breakneck guitars singing, “Never trust a man who parties at the back who only values you for your scissors and your rack” going on to ask “How do you earn your mullet?” They are fierce, stylish and skilled musicians, and yet light vocally like Shonen Knife with a British sense of humour, even echoing 90s band Bis in ‘Kandy Pop’ with the infectious staccato bounce of this track. The song captures the band’s trademark chaotic energy, combining cutting humour and frenetic guitars. It’s a bold, funny, and unapologetic track that sits next to their previous singles ‘Bale Of Hay’, ‘Scaffolding Man’ and ‘Woman Driver’,’ taking aim at social conventions and gender roles. With freewheeling, hook-laden songs, and witty punk-laced talent they have the potential to be huge. Check them out here (Carmel Walsh)
Miki Berenyi Trio – 8th Deadly Sin
Why we love it: because where there used to be seven major vices, now there is one more. But listening to ‘8th Deadly Sin’, the new single from the Miki Berenyi Trio need not be a guilty pleasure. Turn up the volume, play it loud, and listen to it without fear, shame, or prejudice.
Commenting on ‘8th Deadly Sin’ Miki Berenyi says: “Simon Raymonde instantly picked this out as a single and it immediately went down a storm when we played it live. I can’t pretend that I am in a position to lecture others over their green credentials but there’s a broader philosophy in the song that I can relate to – humanity hurtling toward its own destruction, which (to me) applies as much to wars and social intolerance as it does environmental issues.”
Taken from the Miki Berenyi Trio’s debut album Tripla which will be out 4th April via Bella Union, ‘8th Deadly Sin’ heralds “a new chapter, a new-line-up, a newly minted sound; (the album) is a landmark record for its three creators: Miki Berenyi, KJ ‘Moose’ McKillop and Oliver Cherer.
It sounds fresh, it sounds alive and promises much for a series of upcoming live dates both at home and abroad. (Simon Godley)
Porridge Radio – Don’t Want to Dance
Why we love it: because it’s a beautifully poignant parting gift from Porridge Radio as they announce they are calling it a day after their European and U.S tour.
There’s been no specific reason for the end of the band but there are the obvious trials and tribulations of trying to keep going with the current state of the music industry.
There will be one final E.P and this is first acoustic driven single. It feels like it harks back to the Every Bad era, but with a finality to everything.
No need to talk about it/No need to cry about it/Like dust/ it all just blows away
Dana Margolin has always dealt with the more troubling and anxiety ridden issues in life with themes including social paralysis, panic attacks and the old heartache and break up leaving you broken, hollow and grieving.
One last trip around the block. (Jim Auton)
