Turn of the decade 6

I’m back with another 5 brilliant tracks that have been released this year, and as it’s been a while since I did one of these posts, there are some belters in here. I’ve tried to make it as broad as possible so each song is different than the next and providing you listen to them, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Today, the horror of a human being, Rishi Sunak, has suggested that musicians, actors, presenters, authors and other members of the arts industry should start training in another profession and essentially find another job, as he can’t be sure that people will have the same job as they did before the pandemic hit.

To put it into context, the arts industry generates £100bn a year, and he’s stood there today and told anyone within that sector to find a new job with no alternative. This is people’s livelihoods at stake and his way of dealing with it is to encourage them to give up with what they love doing.

For me, during the last 6 anxiety-fuelled months, music, TV and the radio have been imperative in terms of escapism and getting away from the every-day, doom and gloom life that is the UK and Boris Johnson on our TV (when he’s not on holiday).

I can’t begin to imagine a world without live music but this abhorrent government don’t seem one little bit bothered.

I could, and probably will at some point in the not-so-distant future, write a full post about why the arts industry is so important to everyone in this country, even if you think it mightn’t affect you that much.

Anyway, the new tunes.

1. NewDad - Blue

This track begins with a dreamy guitar riff accompanied by a vibrant bassline and is instantly listenable. The song is atmospheric and melancholic throughout and the tender vocals ensure the song gives you a sense of warmth.

There is so much going on in terms of the instrumental side of the song, that it almost feels complex, despite not sounding like the most sophisticated song. The groovy bass line, the clean guitar riffs and the steady drums all keep it ticking along nicely, and when you listen to the instruments, you can hear the layers building one by one.

I had no idea who this band were last week, which is another reason why going deep into Spotify and listening to obscure radio stations can be so beneficial. Without them, bands like this wouldn’t have a chance of getting themselves on to a platform and now they’re featuring on my blog (albeit not a popular blog by any means).

2. Bonobo, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs - Heartbreak

This pair have been good mates since 2015 and have finally collaborated and came up with this tribute to disco.

It pays homage to the dance scene of the ’70s and ’80s in New York, where disco took centre stage. It samples disco classic, “Weekend” by “Class Action” which was released in 1983 and is a perfect indicator of what the music scene was like in New York in that era.

It came a little bit out of the blue to me as he has been relatively quiet for the past few years when he bought out his album, “Migration”, so I was made up to hear this song feature on Radio 1 last week. This is a welcome return for Bonobo and many of his fans. Surely a new album can’t be far away.

3. Sunken - Visions of You

Much like the first track, the alluring vocals are kept company by shimmering guitar riffs, and a punchy bassline, but what’s different from NewDad’s “Blue” is that the lyrics are at the forefront of the song throughout and it does well in creating more emotion to the listener.

“Visions of You” was written about reflecting on a past relationship and how it did more harm than good and, how when looking back in hindsight, noticing that this person’s actions and words can be seen in a new light and with different perspectives.

I found this track when flicking through my Instagram stories. We all know how annoying it is going through stories and you get an advert after every 2 people. Probably the only good to come out of Instagram adverts, as the next one in the list was found in the same way.

4. Koalra - Dear Daylight

Another one found thanks to the social media platform, Instagram, Chicago band Koalra have released this 90’s rock-inspired single, building up to the release of their new EP “Surprise Lights”.

The song is a quick pace and as the lyrics are quite hard to make out, you could suggest that the instrumental takes priority. The hazy guitar riff that lasts the duration of the track is simple yet very effective and makes “Dear Daylight” very addictive and gives you that urge to keep coming back to it, especially to try and make out what the vocalist’s lyrics are.

It bleeds with positivity and gives you flashbacks to a summer’s day where the only worry you had was whether or not it was shorts weather.

5. The Avalanches, Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry, CLYPSO - Wherever You Go

A cosmic collaboration.

You already know that anything Jamie xx took part in producing is going to be successful, and this is no exception. It features vocals from Neneh Cherry and CLYPSO and Mick Jones of The Clash takes up the piano responsibilities. Bit of an eclectic mix, but it works very well.

It samples “The Voyager Golden Record”, which was launched into space in 1977, and contains sounds and images that were chosen to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth, and at the beginning of the track, is spoken recitation over synth drones.

The unexpected, yet welcome Jamie xx influenced bassline drops around 2 minutes in along with Jamaican style singing/raving which completely juxtaposes the beginning of the track.

It needs a few listens, so you can get your head around it, but the unforeseen bass drops at various points of the song, produce a nice surprise.

I hope you’ve found something you like here, because, as I’ve said, I’ve been as broad and eclectic as possible to ensure that there is a something in here for everyone.

Keep supporting your favourite artists, sign petitions and if someone starts rioting outside Parliament, then join them.

Take it easy, and don’t forget your mask.