Hope you’ve all recovered from your epic duvet day yesterday?! I bet you didn’t even bother having showers did you, you dirty scrotes. No, me neither. Did you watch a Netflix film about the end of the world with Julia Roberts, Ethan Hunt and the guy who sells EE phones on TV in too? So heartwarming.
If you did venture out into the monsoon, what is wrong with you? You could have drowned? Or been sucked off the pavement. Or flattened by a falling roof from a shop. It’s a shame it wasn’t too dangerous to leave the house this morning and I could have stayed in bed and not had to deal with all the 4×4 drivers doing 5 miles an hour through a puddle the size of a spilt glass of water. I could have been listening to these bad boys in a warm dry house. Booooo Storm Elthelred or whatever it’s called.
Anywho, here’s TOTW. They’ll make you moist. But in a good way
The Jesus Lizard – Westside
Why we love it: because we just can’t get enough of The Jesus Lizard. They powered into Tracks of the Week #287 with an earlier single ‘Moto(R),’ taken from Rack, their first album in 26 years. We then caught them in Leeds on their recent sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland. And now they are back in another Tracks of the Week.
This time round it is with the standalone single ‘Westside,’ which comes complete with a lovely homage to the legendary American filmmaker, David Lynch who sadly passed away earlier this month.
Speaking about the track, the Jesus Lizard’s guitarist Duane Denison says; ‘”Westside’ goes along with the previous single ‘Cost of Living’ — which was subconsciously influenced by Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” and hence the name. Really.”
Singer David Yow adds; “There is a part in Westside where the lyrics say, “…give him back his arm”. That was inspired by David Lynch’s Lost Highway, when Robert Blake’s character says, “Give me back my phone.”
Need we say more? (Simon Godley)
DoFlame – Drunk Talk
Why we love it: Last year Toronto hardcore up-and-comer, DoFlame, released his second album, BENT, on his new label Blue Grape Music (GEL, Code Orange, Spiritual Cramp). DoFlame mastermind Mateo Naranjo is now sharing new single ‘Drunk Talk’. On BENT Naranjo effectively blended the unbridled aggression of heavy music with the swagger of hip hop, and ‘Drunk Talk’ pushes further into his rap influences without sacrificing the edge. The song has twitchy electricity in the instrumentation alongside the heavy synth bassline. It adds a tinge of anxiety and tension, perhaps ackowledging the difficulties of young adulthood in these turbulent times. And then an unexpected but gloriously soulful sample from Gwen McCrae‘s ‘He Keeps Something Groovy Goin’ On’ which creates a sense of calm before ‘Drunk Talk’ continues, but with a lesser sense of anxiety, as if the soul music has done its job in quietening down the discomfort.
Naranjo shares the following on the new track:
“This song is about growing up in a certain neighbourhood in Toronto and some fond memories I have, as well as some hard ones. This track really captures a certain time, and an era that is very special to me as well as influential to my music.”
In addition to DoFlame, Naranjo also spearheaded the start of OFFLEASH, a collective of friends and collaborators doing everything from filming skate videos and music videos, to designing and manufacturing clothing, to hosting shows and even community bbqs around the city.
“I just wanted to make some kind of central hub for everyone to join in and identify with,” he says. “I wanted kids to see that you can do cool things, you can make cool things, you don’t just have to sit around or party. I want to document this scene we have and show the world through our eyes what’s happening with our friends and our city.” (Julia Mason)
Jeffrey Lewis – Sometimes Life Hits You
Why we love it: because you gotta love Jeffrey Lewis. The maverick anti-folk/rock songwriter and comic book artist just goes his own sweet way. And ‘Sometimes Life Hits You’ is, quite literally, yet more evidence of the native New Yorker’s freewheeling spirit. The latest offering from him is the lead single taken from his upcoming album The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis, which is due for release on 21st March on Blang Records (and Don Giovanni in the US).
The album cover is a clever pastiche of the one that famously adorns Bob Dylan’s 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. The respective photos were taken in Jones Street, just round the corner from where Jeffrey Lewis lives on 4th Street. In the case of The EVEN MORE Freewheelin’ Jeffrey Lewis, Lewis and his companion are photographed without any clothes on though a black strip covers their modesty.
With its rousing chorus of “Ow! Fuck. That hurt” the new single will also have to be suitably sanitised to receive more widespread radio airplay, though a clean radio edit has already received some pre-release national airplay on the BBC in England! And it deserves to be heard because it is great!
And in even more good news, Jeffrey Lewis & The Voltage will be starting a tour of the UK and Europe in April. Full details are HERE. (Simon Godley)
Motörhead – Louie Louie
Why we love it: because “we are Motörhead and we play rock’n’roll.” So Lemmy always used to remind us, but if are still in any doubt about this catch a butcher’s at this. It is the most famous line-up of the band with Lemmy, of course, plus Phil “Filthy Animal” Taylor on drums and “Fast” Eddie Clarke on guitar tearing it up on Top of the Pops on 25th October 1978 with what was their first ever TV performance. They set about the old 50’s R&B toe-tapper ‘Louie Louie’ – made most famous by The Kingsmen’s 1963 hit version of the song – with suitable filth and fury.
And if we really needed a reason to relish all things Motörhead, this time it is the fact that 2025 marks 50 years since they first formed. And in honour of this historic milestone, a series of releases and events will take place throughout the year.
Kicking off the celebrations will be special 50th anniversary, limited vinyl editions of Motörhead’s breakthrough albums; Overkill, Bomber, and Ace Of Spades. These are all cut as half speed masters, pressed as special colour configurations,5 and all include an exclusive poster. They are released on 28th February.
Let’s all rejoice. Motörhead live forever. (Simon Godley)
Les Big Byrd – Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Rain (Imarhan Rework)
Why we love it: because as creative collaborations go, this one is a wee bit special. Here we have Sweden’s psych rockers Les Big Byrd joining forces with the Algerian Tuareg desert-rock quintet Imarhan for a reworking of Les Big Byrd’s 2024 single ‘Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Rain.’
As Les Big Byrd frontman Jocke Åhlund explains: “I’ve been a fan of Imarhan for a few years now. It turned out we had some mutual acquaintances, and I couldn’t resist reaching out, and asking if they’d be interested in some form of collaboration. Not long after that, they sent through a recording of them doing an instrumental version of the title track of our latest record, and I was absolutely blown away. I added my vocal and that was pretty much it, voilá.”
‘Diamonds, Rhinestones and Hard Rain (Imarhan Rework)’ will be released on limited edition 7″ vinyl, available exclusively from the Chimp Limbs webstore, and direct from the band on their upcoming tour supporting the The Brian Jonestown Massacre. (Simon Godley)
Papa Jupe’s T.C. – Snake
Why we love it: ‘Snake’ is from the Cardiff six piece’s new EP Jupe In The Flesh, a song great fun and cheekily smutty and innuendo laden if you’ve got a mind that thinks in such a way. A short sharp shock of surf n rock n roll with a delicious wink at The Cramps, vocally reminds of R Dean Taylor’s Ghost In My House which is really quite a wonderful thing. Really like the harmonies on this too.
Papa Jupe’s T.C.’s songs deal with depravity, toxic masculinity and drinking culture, the EP includes ‘Course We’re Goin’ Out’, an ironic celebration a messy night out, ‘High Value Male’, an acerbic takedown of right-wing manosphere personalities like Andrew Tate – and hurrah for that, and ‘Join the Taurus’, a rousing call to arms offering hope and salvation. (Cath Holland)
Alessia Cara – Slow Motion
Why we love it: GRAMMY® Award-winning Alessia Cara has shared her superb new single ‘Slow Motion‘ showcasing her evolution as a powerhouse vocalist, empathetic songwriter, and force of nature. It’s a lustrous track. Slick, funky buoyant and stylish, the rich, heartfelt vocals dance over smooth polyphonic riffs and soaring soulful harmonies. It’s stunning, hook-laden, radio-ready and a sleek introspective reflection of the human condition
The Multi- platinum artist said, “One of the things I hear most often from fans is that my music has helped them feel seen in some way,” she says. “The whole reason I started making music was that I didn’t always feel seen in my own life, so it’s really touching to know that expressing myself might help someone else feel understood. That’s always the goal with my music: to create something very specific and personal to me but also open enough so that everyone can see themselves in my songs.” Luckily, we won’t have to wait long to hear more from Alessia as her upcoming fourth album ‘Love & Hyperbole’ is out on 14th February. You can pre-order and pre-save it here. (Carmel Walsh)
Midnight Ambulance – Just Kids / Beasts Count Knives
Why we love it: Midnight Ambulance have released their first new music of 2025, the double single ‘Just Kids’ and ‘Beasts Count Knives’.
‘Just Kids’ explores the beauty and hardship of growing older, and the complexities of relationships. The track is a contemplative exploration of change as life moves forward, people and memories sometimes being left behind. The instrumentation is emotive in the guitar riffs which seem to cast a spell. As with all Midnight Ambulance songs, the vocals of lead singer Amelia are crystal clear. The band share: “Though the past cannot be changed, nostalgia can be a heavy burden, calling you back to how things were.”
The track contrasts with ‘Beasts Count Knives’ with its rockier pace. Time passes and the realities of privilege and power dynamics start to rear their ugly heads. The theme here is one of awareness, of realizing your surroundings and situation and attempting to not slip into lazy ways of being stuck in a box of your own creation. As Midnight Ambulance state: “Before you know it, you’re trapped in a cage you didn’t know was there.” The energy in ‘Beasts Count Knives’ aims to wake the listener up from their slumber. Pay attention to your surroundings, and particularly the actions of the powers that be.
Midnight Ambulance formed after a chance encounter in Paris — Fraser (guitar, vocals), also a backline technician, was on tour in the city while Amelia (drums, lead vocals) was pursuing a career in PR. Briefly meeting at an open mic in Edinburgh ten years prior, they discovered an enchanting familiarity as they began to collaborate. Together they create “ominous, looming” cinematic soundscapes that are contrasted with delicate, folk-inspired melodies. These songs were recorded and produced by Paul Winton (The LaFontaines, Fatherson, American Clay) at North Road Studios. The recording uses vintage equipment combined with modern, experimental techniques, mirroring the lyrics’ tension in the present and the past.
Midnight Ambulance will play at MacArts Galashiels on 31 January as part of Independent Venue Week. (Julia Mason)
