Music - Singles of the week - Friday, February 12, 2016
IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week’s singles
SINGLE OF THE WEEK 1: THE 1975 – UGH!: From the breezy electronics, slick beats and borderline euphoric chorus, you’d be forgiven for thinking that The 1975 had something to celebrate. But in truth, Ugh is about cocaine addiction and, more directly, the come down from a high. It boasts provocative [and sweary] lyrics such as “it’s just a simple diarrhetic that prevents the empathetic” (as if to underline the band’s ability to marry intelligence with indie-pop), and a confessional approach that is destined to get people talking. There’s even a hint of an ’80s sound in there, too, with Go West’s The King of Wishful Thinking somehow reminiscent of some of the melodies. Nevertheless, it’s a cool, bold, slick and hip offering from a band that aren’t afraid to challenge perceptions, while remaining cool with it.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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SINGLE OF THE WEEK 2: THE LUMINEERS – OPHELIA: The Lumineers’ announce their comeback with the release of the spell-binding new single Ophelia, the first fruits of forthcoming new album, Cleopatra (their sophomore release). Its sing-along vocals and rolling piano hooks instantly conjure up the classic Lumineers sound that took the country by storm back in 2012 when the band released their debut album. The piano arrangements are particularly admirable, while the love-lorn vocals and moody delivery accompany them well in a bittersweet kind of way. The chorus, with its ‘o-ophelia’ refrain, is tailor-made for singing along with, while the layered beats and hand-claps ensure that the song builds to a suitably sweeping, crowd-pleasing finish. It’s terrific stuff. The beautifully shot new music video from director Isaac Ravishankara features the band’s frontman, Wesley Schultz, dancing in the streets in mesmerizing scenes that pay homage to the classic Gene Kelly film Singin’ In the Rain. Wes commented: “For the music video Ophelia, our good friend Issac Ravishankara, who directed the Stubbon Love music video from our first record, brought us a treatment that involved me dancing in the streets while it was raining so I had to learn choreography for the first time in my life. I learned how to dance for this music video.”
Rating: 4 out of 5
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SINGLE OF THE WEEK 3: UNDERWORLD – I EXHALE: I Exhale marks Underworld’s first new music since their contributions to the soundtrack to the Olympic Opening Ceremony in 2012 – and their first single in six years. The opening track from the band’s forthcoming seventh studio LP (Barbara Barbara, we face a shining future), this is a thunderous return that builds around a relentless and irresistible rhythm, a colossal two-note bass riff and a wild, wide-eyed monologue. It’s also a notable progression from the head-banging sound of Born Slippy, with its electronic arrangements even sounding more cinematic than ever before. The vocals add a powerhouse accompaniment that work incredibly well in tandem with the instrumentals. It’s a rousing, dance-floor filling, inspiring return from one of the UK’s great dance acts. The video is a collaboration with art and design collective Tomato.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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THE STONE FOXES – DYING STAR: San Francisco rock and rollers The Stone Foxes drop an upbeat indie brawler in the form of Dying Star. Driven by rapid-fire, post-punk-ish guitar riffs, some wildfire organ and some rabble-rousing vocals, this is a lively romp of a record that just unfolds in entertainingly madcap fashion. The accompanying video is just as fun, taking the form of an animated alien adventure featuring heroic astronauts, cosmic cars and a psychedelic octopus. Vocalist Shannon Koehler comments: “If we’ve learned anything from losing some of our favorite artists lately, it’s that you never know when it’s gonna be over. Since we’re lucky enough to be backstage every night drinking beers and considering it as part of our “job,” then I’m gonna make damn sure not to take it for granted. That’s what the song is all about, enjoying the party while it lasts. So when I heard we’d be playing in space suits with two animated/partying astronauts, and my head would blow up at the end, I figured the video was going in the right direction.”
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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AVICII – BROKEN ARROWS: Avicii has hit upon a winning formula and, thus far, refuses to tweak it. His latest single, Broken Arrows, follows the same format of past hits Hey Brother and Wake Me Up, in combining sung vocals and country/folk elements with pulsating dance rhythms. On this occasion, he employs Zac Brown, of Zac Brown Band, to lend his vocals to another sweeping anthem. The country element is nicely restrained, with the dance/electronic elements adding those frequent surges guaranteed to make it another big hit on the dance scene. And yet, as ever, the crossover potential is massive. Avicii has the unanny knack of being able to combine elements without allowing one genre to dwarf the other. His mixing is often seamless and this is another blockbuster of a record.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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IS TROPICAL – FOLLOW THE SUN: Follow the Sun, the new single from Is Tropical, is designed as an homage to the importance of the Sun in Asian culture. “The song was written from seeing this precious imagery everywhere and using it as a metaphor for trying to be a better person. We wanted a song that could take people out of that negative mind set and show something altogether more positive,” say the band. “We’ve always focused on escapism, often that would revolve around writing about physical places we wanted to be, but this time it was about escaping mentally to a much better place.” The ensuing track combines rousing beat arrangements with dreamy/ethereal vocals and some swirling synth arrangements. It also mixes tempos to take-notice effect, driving from placid and chilled out one minute, to more pumped up and invigorating the next. It’s a great listen. And it bodes well for the forthcoming album, Black Anything.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Listen here
HABITATS – JUNGLES EP: Habitats are a self-proclaimed tropical indie/alternative quartet from Hampshire, England. From recording early demos in a friend’s bedroom, to expanding their sound via the Tin Rooms in Shoreditch where they recorded the previous Diamond Days EP, they are gradually amassing a loyal following. Armed with tropical beats and a slender groove, their sound (and stage presence) is flirtatious and comic, which has an endearing charm to it. Lead single – and fan favourite – Boogie Waltzer, is a lively offering, shot full of cute guitar hooks, woo-hoo harmonies and energetic choruses. It’s a great introdction to them if you’re a newcomer that embodies both a contemporary edge and a vaguely Charlatans-meets-Rolling Stones (circa ’70s vibe). The tropical sound is more evident in the sunshine riffs and beats of Should Know Better, another EP highlight, while title track Jungles, is just a funky sounding jam that underlines how tight musically this band is. Although a radio edit of that track, which rounds off the EP, sounds more beefed up, plugged in and rock-based, and comes backed with some suitably edgy vocals. It’s another strong showcase of the quality of their sound.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Listen to Boogie Waltzer:
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