It’s March, it’s the start of spring (sort of), and we’re into a fantastic month for records that includes List of 2018 stars The Magic Gang releasing their debut album and 2014 darling George Ezra following up his fantastic Wanted On Voyage with the much anticipated Staying at Tamara’s. This week, however, it’s the turn of sensationally strange Edge-favourites Superorganism to drop their quizzical debut LP, alongside many more music releases. So wrap up warm, ignore the snow, and take a listen to a little bit of music for your morning.
Superorganism – Superorganism
Consisting of eight members heralding from places as far-flung as Australia, South Korea, and even Burnley, this mercurial band have been on everyone’s minds since releasing the aptly-titled ‘Something For Your M.I.N.D.’ last year. Following that up with a slew of successful singles, from the poptastic ‘Everybody Wants To Be Famous’ to the more chilled and low-key ‘Reflections On The Screen’, it’s now time for them to give the world a full-length LP. Unfortunately, despite those highs, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. ‘It’s All Good’, ‘Nobody Cares’ and ‘Night Time’ are confusing, entertaining and engaging efforts that hold your attention; ‘Nai’s March’, ‘The Prawn Song’ and ‘Relax’ are somewhat more bizarre. Regardless, Superorganism’s Superorganism is enjoyable enough to keep us dreaming of warmer days once this snow finally thaws.
Meghan Trainor – ‘No Excuses’
I’m not going to pretend that I’m a big fan of Meghan Trainor but her sheer stature in the pop charts has made me resort to this. Maybe I’m being a bit harsh; ‘No Excuses’ isn’t a bad song, it’s just not something I would necessarily think to listen to. The boppy track is enough to brighten anyone’s day, and even if it’s not your preferred genre of choice, I think Meghan Trainor is one of those artists who releases tracks which have enough to be enjoyed by anyone. I might be being a little optimistic but it’s safe to say I was surprised by Trainor’s latest release.
CHVRCHES ft. Matt Berninger – ‘My Enemy’
After CHVRCHES‘ very weird comeback single ‘Get Out‘, I wasn’t expecting much from its follow up. Destined to fall into my category of “bands I liked when I was sixteen who have now lost it”, the Scottish trio needed to step up their game to stay off it. Thankfully, ‘My Enemy’ finally delivers the darker version of the band’s trademark sound we’ve been promised and is all the better for it. Teaming up with the National‘s Matt Berninger, the track sees the frontman and Lauren Mayberry bounce off one another whilst talking about all things heartbreak. The electro-pop single also came with news of CHVRCHES’ next studio album, Love Is Dead, due for release on May 25th. Before the release of ‘My Enemy’, I really wasn’t excited about new material from the trio, but it’s release certainly has enough in it to make anyone intrigued as to where they go from here.
Everything Everything – A Deeper Sea EP
Off the back of their 2017 album A Fever Dream, Everything Everything are showing no signs of slowing down and are back with a surprise new EP. A Deeper Sea features a electro cover of Neil Young’s ‘Don’t Let It Bring You Down’ live at Maida Vale, a Tom Vek remix of ‘Ivory Tower’ (taken from A Fever Dream), as well as two new bonus tracks for us to get stuck into. With an aim at tackling the topical issue of male mental health and masculinity, the EP’s opener ‘The Mariana’ finds a way to discuss this through use of metaphor (“the devil took me underwater”) whilst ‘Breadwinner’ – with it’s telling title – goes head on with masculinity with hardhitting drums and aggressive synths. A Deeper Sea is released just in time for the start of Everything Everything’s UK tour, and the tracks will definitely fit snugly into their setlist. I forgot how much I needed the weirdness of this duo in my life and I’m now so happy I got my fix.
Logic & Marshmello – ‘Everyday’
One of the most exciting names in contemporary rap teams up with one of the most bankable current EDM artists. The result is sheer musical delight; Logic‘s impressive flows are given suitably inspiring backing by Marshmello‘s production to give us one of his most addictive tracks to date. Logic is a sheer force in rap himself, but with Marshmello’s aid here, he’s near-unstoppable.
George Ezra – ‘Pretty Shining People’
It’s been four long years since George Ezra‘s sensational Wanted On Voyage. In this third taste from his upcoming follow-up effort Staying at Tamara’s, due out on March 23rd, we’re given more upbeat singer/songwriter-come-rockness from one of our favourite summertime artists. ‘Pretty Shining People’ is very Tom Odell-ish, but features enough of Ezra’s typical charm to make it stand out from anything that either of these artists has produced; this is certainly one to blast out at full volume when driving down summer roads with the windows wide open. (Or at the very least, one to listen to while dreaming of doing so while this snow is keeping the winter here!)
Jack White – ‘Over and Over and Over’
Speaking of albums due out in three weeks’ time, rock legend Jack White – of former White Stripes’ fame – has released the best track yet off his upcoming third solo LP Boarding House Reach. Admittedly, that’s not saying much – the first single from the hotly anticipated album only earned two stars from us – but it finds White back in his comfort zone after some forays into blues and synth-rock with his other singles: right back into the irresistible guitar riffs and pounding drums of peak White Stripes days. There may not be a whole much to the track, but it’s still a fantastic one to rock out to while you’re stuck snowed in your room.
Tom Misch ft. De La Soul – ‘It Runs Through Me’
Another four minutes of sumptuous Tom Misch delight, assisted by one of the greatest names in classic hip-hop? Yes to the please. April 6th and Misch’s debut Geography just cannot come soon enough.
Selected Releases
Albums
ALMA – Heavy Rules Mixtape
Erasure – Love Is A Basic Need
Moby – Everything Was Beautiful, And Nothing Hurt
Tracey Thorn – Record
Peggy Gou – Once EP
Singles
ALLIGATOR – ‘Trickle Down’
Amber Mark – ‘Love Me Right’
Banfi – ‘Mercy Street’
Blossoms – ‘I Can’t Stand It’
Calum Scott – ‘What I Miss Most’
Cheat Codes ft. Kiiara – ‘Put Me Back Together’
Dave – ‘Hangman’
Diplo ft. Lil Yachty & Santigold – ‘Worry No More’
Fickle Friends – ‘Wake Me Up’
Flight Facilities ft. NIKA – ‘Need You’
George Ezra – ‘Pretty Shining People’
George Fitzgerald ft. Bonobo – ‘Outgrown’
Jack White – ‘Over and Over and Over’
Little Comets – ‘M62’
Little Dragon – ‘Best Friends’
Little Hours – ‘Heavy on You’
Logic & Marshmello – ‘Everyday’
MNEK – ‘Tongue’
Moss Kena – ‘You Don’t Know’
SG Lewis – ‘Coming Up’
Soccer Mommy – ‘Last Girl’
The Hunna – ‘Y.D.W.I.W.M.’
The Vaccines – ‘Put It On a T-Shirt’
Tom Misch ft. De La Soul – ‘It Runs Through Me’
Tory Lanez – ‘Hypnotised’
This Week In Records: Playlist Edition
Follow our shiny Spotify playlist and all this musical newness will be right there in time for breakfast every Friday morning.
