Monthly Feature by Tim Gruar, Bridget Herlihy & Doug Peters.
Welcome back to the second edition of the Ambient Singles Club. Our inbox has been pretty full this month as a many artists emerge out from under their lockdown rocks and brave the sunlight of the new normal. But as they appear they bring to our ever-waiting ears the products of many hours tinkering around with in their secret hideouts, secluded far away from bright flashing lights, dry ice and adoring fans. So, without further ado here is a taste of what’s dropped this month for your listening pleasure!
Beach House – ‘Once Twice Melody: Chapter Four’
Their latest album ‘Once Twice Melody’ has everyone gushing. AllMusic called it “unapologetically lush even by Beach House’s standards, the duo uses space creatively to express the beauty in sadness.” Mojo called it the band’s “grandest vision yet”. A comment on YouTube summed it up best: “…one of the best dream pop releases of all time. It’s a gorgeous ode to life, love, and hope in a time when things have been so dark.”
Produced entirely by the Baltimore duo, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, the 18-track album was recorded at various locations – Minnesota, California, and Maryland – during recent lockdowns.
Everybody agrees that our current times are frustrating, challenging and heart breaking. ‘Chapter Four’ is the final instalment from a remarkable album that delivers a delicious, digestible slice of escapism.
Connor Mac – Like I Used To Be
New Zealand born, but currently residing in Switzerland, singer-songwriter Connor Mac has just dropped his new single ‘Like I Used To Be’, a polished track pop track infused with elements of neo-soul.
‘Like I Used To Be’ combines relatively mellow melodic pop with layered synths and laid back guitars that provide an ideal accompaniment to lyrics that tell the story of the demise of a relationship.
With an eye to returning to Aotearoa in the not too distance future to record an album, Connor Mac is one to keep an ear out for.
Methyl Ethel – ‘Proof’
After massive success overseas, Methyl Ethel main man Jake Webb returned to Perth, where he recorded his first EP, Guts (2013), after learning about the unexpected death of Freemantle Studio founder, High School mate, DJ, bassist and collaborator Brian Mitra, who passed away in 2018 at just Thirty years old from hereditary coronary artery disease.
Alongside the death of a friend are other phantoms including the evil spectre of online misinformation and rabbit hole conspiracy theories, which appear on this month’s new single ‘Proof’. Former Methyl Ethel bandmate Stella Donnelly adds her vocal weight to the tune, but it’s the anger and manic in the striking black and white video that gives the song its power. Based on keyboard loops the instrument features as a crude piece of art then is literally whitewashed over and over, like the intentional confusion caused by Real vs Fake News arguments.
Lukas Graham – ‘All Of It All’
Lukas Graham hail from Denmark. Led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lukas Forchhammer, bassist Magnus Larsson, and drummer Mark Falgren splashed on to their local scene back in 2012 with their self-titled album and peaked at number one on the Danish charts, later making noise on the US charts when it was re-released in 2016.
In December of that year the band was nominated for three Grammys – Record of the Year and Song of the Year for their sophomore effort ‘7 Years’ and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. ‘7 Years’ also got nominated for Song of the Year at the 2016 BBC Music Awards.
This single ‘All of It All’ has now dropped via Warner Records. Co-written with Jake Torrey (John Legend, BTS, Lauv), plus Brandon O’Bryant Beal and Nolan Sibe, the song taps into the band’s melodic pop sensibilities and is a real ear worm schmoozer. It will sit perfectly next to Drax Project and Ed Sheeran on your playlist.
Jarrod Ross – ‘Hail’
Formerly of Valedictions, Auckland-based Jarrod Ross has ventured out on his own to compose new solo material. His first single, the dystopian ‘Hail’, opens with layered guitars and catchy riffs with a heavy edge.
His vocal stylings are reminiscent of Jane’s Addiction era Perry Farrell, with the lyrics at times painting a somewhat dark picture of a loss of self, illness and paranoia. ‘Hail’ will undoubtedly pique the interest of many rock fans.
Jodie Harsh – ‘Good Time’
If you are thinking ‘where do I know that name?’ – let’s remind you. London-based DJ music producer and promoter James Allen Clarke (aka Jodie Harsh) is best known as “Britain’s Best-Known Drag Queen”. She’s appeared in films such as ‘Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie’ and on RuPaul’s ‘Drag Race’. She’s the beloved figure head of the queer scene across the clubs worldwide.
So, it’s no surprise that she’d opt for a full on disco tinged raver like ‘Good Time’ as her next single after remixes of Kylie Minogue and Years & Year’s dance hit ‘A Second To Midnight’ and Sonny Fodera’s ‘Last Thought’. Gloriously described in her press as a “pure pleasure-seeking delight that bursts with ecstasy” this number does indeed revel in late night hedonism. It’s the ultimate party banger. She says that it was made during the UK lockdown last year – “whilst we were stuck at home for My House, we’re truly back on the dance floor for Good Time!”. Break out your platforms and flares for this one, baby!
Future Islands – ‘King of Sweden’
Baltimore synth pop outfit Future Islands are return with ‘King Of Sweden’, their first release since their 2020 long player ‘As Long As You Are’. It mixes up the 80’s new wave vibes of Franz Ferdinand with the sophistication of Arcade Fire and Grisley Bear. It’s catchy and danceable.
The way the geeky, oft-kilter synth lead opens the track is quintessentially Future Islands, rolling into the stomping drumbeat, pulsing away in the background before a new wash of synths comes crashing in. It sets up the drama for Samuel T. Herring to bring in his vocals. His performance is exhilarating, with all the power exhibited during the band’s earlier hit ‘Seasons (waiting on you)’ – possibly even more spectacular! This one will lock you into a trance state and take you out of yourself, if only for a moment. Best not to walk around while listening, it’s a real distraction for the positive.
Phodiso – ‘Look’
This is the third drop from Botswana-born, Tāmaki Makaurau-based rapper Phodiso’s 2021 EP Act III and features a very lo-fi clip made in a shopping mall carpark directed by Phodiso himself, and shot and edited by Will Slingsby (Off The Ground Productions).
The video holds as much kudos as the super funky grooves on this one. It was created as an alternative to the original concept, necessitated by the dreaded Lockdown. Phodiso’s press quotes him: “The basic narrative is around my journey trying to get noticed by certain people. It’s a bit crazed, as navigating the industry with barely any knowledge and experience has been…. To ‘the suits’ I appear almost out of nowhere, they see me almost everywhere they go but don’t seem to have a second for me. I keep applying the pressure. Towards the end they start to vibe a little. Shake a bit. Dance more. And that’s it. Nothing more.”
Khruangbin and Leon Bridges – ‘B-Side’
Houston trio Khruangbin and soul singer Leon Bridges have teamed up for their second e.p, ‘Texas Moon’, which is the companion to 2020’s ‘Texas Sun’. Much like the former, ‘Texas Moon’ draws inspiration from the band and Bridge’s shared home state. “Without joy”, goes the press release, “there can be no real perspective on sorrow”. Yet this funky single, ‘B-Side’, from the new e.p, directed by Philip Andelman and shot in the J. Lorraine Ghost Town, Austin, seems to challenge that sentiment. It’s certainly a contrast between music and imagery.
Midwave Breaks – ‘The Other’s Side’
Midwave Breaks is the new band from Paul Russell (ex-Supergroove and STOMP performer) and Bruce Conlon (Eight). The duo made waves in 2021 with the curiously titled ‘Lemonade Hand Grenade’ that received considerable airplay.
With an album due later in the year, ‘The Other’s Side’ is their latest single, fusing together a number of musical influences from their adolescence, including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Chris Cornell (and a few moments reminiscent of The Police).
The track also features the horn section from The Black Seeds and Chip Matthews on bass. The result is an upbeat rock/roots influenced track that fits right in with the sounds of the Kiwi summer.
Princess Chelsea – ‘Everything is Going to Be Alright’
While the world is going to hell in the proverbial handbasket, Tāmaki Makaurau based singer/songwriter Princess Chelsea (aka Chelsea Nikkel) is here to assure us it’s not all that bad. ‘Everything Is Going To Be Alright’ is the title track and first single from her upcoming album.
Nikkel took a hiatus from the live scene in 2018 for health reasons, and took up residence on Waiheke Island. The quiet life seems to have done the trick, and she began writing and recording a year later, when this single started out. Says Nikkel, in her publicity, “You can hear the tension – someone trying to convince themselves that everything is OK even if it’s not.” It revives her trademark cinematic sounds and 60’s girl group influenced pop.
Angélique Kidjo – ‘Do Yourself’ ft. Burna Boy
WOMAD star Angélique Kidjo has a way of making every new album special. She’s collaborated with symphony orchestras, reimagined a Talking Heads classic and prayed tributes to Celia Cruz. On her latest release, ‘Mother Nature’ she teams up a new generation of African singers and rappers, albeit via the internet, as all of these collaborators were in their own various lockdowns.
Fellow countryman Burna Boy who adds some infectious rhymes and singing on this track ‘Do Yourself’. Kidjo generously gives her collaborator plenty of space to shine but still her own ebullient presence comes through and in the end but there can be no doubt whose name is on this record.
Die! Die! Die! – ‘Losing Sight, Keep on Kicking!’
We finish with a bit of old fashioned mayhem from our very own post-punk wrecking crew Die! Die! Die! Their clip of their new single ‘Losing Sight, Keep on Kicking’ has to be seen to be believed. It’s a hilarious pisstake of those ‘Total Body Workout’ videos we all watched and joined in with during the 2020 lockdown, thanks to a well known gym chain.
But in this story there’s more than sweat flying about. One definitely could lose their head in this lounge mosh stomper. Strap on yer Docs and lets go crack a few knuckles (and undoubtedly pull a hamstring in the bargain). Oh, and be sure to check out their new album ‘This Is Not An Island Any More’ while you’re at it.
So, whanau, there we have it. The second Singles Club for the year. We’ve tried to add a bit of everything. But, as is the way, we always miss something, so we’d be keen to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Have you heard a new track this month that needs to be bought to our attention? Tell us all about it in the comments below, and we’ll see you all with another instalment next month!
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