It’s been a typically busy week for new releases. Not sure what to listen to? Here are our picks for the week’s ten best new songs.
“Songs are what I listen to, almost to the exclusion of everything else,” wrote Nick Hornby in his 2002 essay collection, 31 Songs. “And mostly all I have to say about these songs is that I love them, and want to sing along to them, and force other people to listen to them, and get cross when these other people don’t like them as much as I do.”
A comparable feeling of infatuation has given rise to this list. But these days, by virtue of streaming technologies and a no-red-tape release mechanism, we’re drowning in new music. It can easily become overwhelming as you couldn’t possible listen to everything. So here are ten new songs to sing along to, to move with, and that’ll perhaps even cause you to fall in love.
Gorillaz – How Far? (feat. Tony Allen and Skepta)
‘How Far?’ is the fourth single from Gorillaz’ ongoing Song Machine project. The song’s release was brought forward in the wake of Tony Allen’s death. Afrobeat pioneer and drummer Allen is best known for his work with Fela Kuti, but he’s also had a close association with Gorillaz’ Damon Albarn, playing in Albarn’s The Good, the Bad and the Queen project.
Arca – Nonbinary
Venezuelan innovator Arca returns with the first single from her upcoming album KiCk i. KiCk i will follow Arca’s critically acclaimed self-titled LP from 2017. Arca says the new single is about “asking for recognition that we have multiple selves without denying that there’s a singular unit.”
Paul Kelly – Every Day My Mother’s Voice – Live (feat. Jess Hitchcock)
This version of ‘Every Day My Mother’s Voice’ was recorded live at The Domain in Sydney in December 2019. The original featured Dan Sultan, but the new recording sees Kelly duetting with Indigenous opera singer Jess Hitchcock, who regularly tours as Kate Miller Heidke’s backing vocalist.
Big Thief – Love in Mine
Big Thief are one of contemporary music’s most prolific bands. The indie folk rockers released two full length albums in 2019, UFOF and Two Hands. In mid-April they uploaded Demos Vol. 1 – Topanga Canyon, CA – Feb 2018 to their Bandcamp page, with proceeds going to support the band’s road crew. And now they’ve dropped ‘Love In Mine’, which originally appeared as a B-side of a 7” mailed to fans in the lead up to Two Hands.
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Rackett – ILY Alley
The third single from the re-imagined RACKETT is a love song dedicated to the project’s former bass player Alley Gaven. Produced by Dave Hammer, ‘ILY Alley’ is a more tender offering than previous singles ‘Machinations’ and ‘Oxytoxic’. Here Rebecca Callander is accompanied by layers of shimmering piano.
Pet Courgette – Simple Man
UK duo Pet Courgette continue a busy 2020 with their latest release ‘Simple Man’. The two band members swap lead vocal duties throughout the hazy rock song. The guitar-driven sound is reminiscent of a trimmed down Crime and the City Solution, while the groove carries a touch of Madchester.
Thom Yorke – Plasticine Figures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgyHOfV-i1k
Thom Yorke premiered ‘Plasticine Figures’ via video link on Wednesday night’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. It’s a solemn, melancholic song with Yorke accompanying himself on piano. The lyrics willing obedience to some malign order: “Happy to serve, happy to linger, while you make up your face.”
Oasis – Don’t Stop… (Demo)
“As fate would have it I have stumbled upon an old demo which I thought had been lost forever,” wrote Noel Gallagher on Twitter, announcing the release of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Stop…’ “I know some of you love this tune, so we thought we’d put it ‘out there’ for you to enjoy/argue over.” Noel takes lead vocals on the laidback acoustic strummer.
Sia – Saved My Life
Sia premiered ‘Saved My Life’ as part of the Covid is No Joke virtual festival, which raised funds for health charity Americares. Sia’s regular sparring partner Greg Kurstin produced the track, which was co-written by Dua Lipa. The emphatic love song is Sia’s second new release for 2020, following her contribution to the Dolittle soundtrack, ‘Original’.
Megan Thee Stallion – Savage Remix (feat. Beyoncé)
‘Savage’ is the second track on Megan Thee Stallion’s Suga EP, which dropped in March. It’s been revamped with guest vocals from Beyoncé. Both artists are Houston-born and raised and proceeds from the remix will benefit Bread of Life Houston’s COVID-19 relief efforts.
