“I’m so tired of love songs, tired of love songs, tired of love songs, tired of love…” opens the chorus of pop dreamboats Lauv and Troye Sivan’s “i’m so tired…” (same!) A timely pre-Valentine’s Day release, we’re pinning “i’m so tired…” as the song that’ll soundtrack your inevitable exasperation at every supermarket aisle overrun with chocolate hearts and giant teddy bears next month. Thanks boys.
The pair cruise in a convertible under an electric pink sky throughout the duration of the video, singing and dancing with the wind in their hair, probably driving nowhere and having a moment we’d very much like to join.
J. Cole – “Middle Child”
J. Cole is back. Having spent the second half of 2018 jumping on tracks by the likes of 6LACK, Anderson .Paak and 21 Savage (somewhat of a rarity for Mr. Platinum With No Features), new single “Middle Child” – produced by T-Minus, who he shouts out on the intro – is the first teaser for his sixth studio album, which Cole’s record label Dreamville confirmed to be in the works yesterday.
“This how I’m coming all year. This how @dreamville coming all 2019”, Cole confirmed on Insta yesterday. Stay tuned.
Nilüfer Yanya – “In Your Head”
This week London-raised singer Nilüfer Yanya dropped another neo-soul, guitar-rock banger “In Your Head”: a twisted and unfiltered exploration of paranoia that sounds like desperation, rushing anger and a fuck-it “whatever” all at once.
The track’s dreamy video features the singer chilling in an all-American diner in a hot pink mini dress, vintage shopping, dancing through the desert, sulking on the pavement and lying down in a corridor full of money (in other words, you’re ideal summer), and it’s screenshot-every-frame kind of aesthetically perfect.
Look out for Yanya’s debut album Miss Universe, expected on the 22nd March.
Another Sky – “Apple tree”
Another Sky’s airy, high-energy new track “Apple Tree” celebrates doing what makes you happy regardless of opinion, as well as exploring men’s relationship with femininity. The song’s poignant lyrics were inspired by a boy the band’s vocalist Catrin Vincent knew growing up who was picked on for talking to Daffodils, a story brought to life by its Dann Parry animated video. The clay-cast protagonist navigates a grey, bleak world (a real mood today, thank u next January), decorated with colourful flowers. In other words: if it brings colour to your life, you do you.
Catch Another Sky on their UK tour this February to feel all the feels live.
Kehlani (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – “Nights Like This”
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years – almost exactly to the day – since Kehlani released her debut studio album SweetSexySavage, an ode to heartbreak, love and unconditional self- acceptance that cemented her place as one of R&B’s most distinctive female voices.
This week she returned with “Nights Like This”, a characteristically sultry slow jam about trying not to text someone you definitely shouldn’t (too real, 2019.) Welcome back, babes.
FEET – “English Weather”
2018 was a pretty huge year for five-piece band FEET: whilst all completing their final years at Coventry Uni they put out singles “Petty Thieving” and “Backseat Driver”, before spending a summer of dreams touring UK festivals from Field Day to Tramlines and Truck.
“English Weather” was written during this time, whilst the band were living in a barn on a working farm in Bedfordshire. Removed from the rest of the world they cultivated and honed their own unique sound, and of course, could make as much noise as they wanted. The track’s an ode to that lazy heatwave, when sweating was all we could talk about, everything felt hazy and all could be solved with an ice cream. For all those looking to re-live it, look out for their upcoming headline tour, which kicks off at the end of Feb.
Vampire Weekend – “Harmony Hall”
It’s been five and a half years since New York-bred American-rock / indie-pop band graced us with their third album, 2013’s Modern Vampires Of The City. But sometimes good things take time, and their return with two new tracks “Harmony Hall” and “2021” was well worth the wait.
Opening with a light acoustic guitar and airy vocals, “Harmony Hall” builds with percussion into an upbeat, bubbling melody that feels nothing but warm, wholesome and exciting. And if you’re not already beaming uncontrollably, there’s more: the band have confirmed they’ll be releasing their fourth record, titled Father of the Bride, later this year. Oh, and it’s an 18-track double album…
Blaenavon – “Catatonic Skinbag”
This week our fave Indie babes Blaenavon dropped “Catatonic Skinbag”, the first taster from their forthcoming second album Everything That Makes You Happy.
It’s all about cancelling plans to self-medicate with life a classic cocktail of Netflix, a bottle of red, sulking and self-delusion, but also finding relief in friendships, relationships and art. Stay tuned for more from the band (including a headline tour planned for May, scream), and in the meantime try not to be a catatonic skinbag.
Gerard Way – “Hazy Shade of Winter”
If, like us, you’ve exhausted Netflix this January, get hyped for The Umbrella Academy , a new series based on Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s Eisner iconic, award-winning graphic stories and comics of the same name.
Until then, ex-lead singer of My Chemical Romance and full-time legend Gerard Way has released “Hazy Shade of Winter”, a cinematic rock song from the series, featuring none other than MCR’s lead guitarist Ray Toro.
The Umbrella Academy drops on Netflix on 15th February.
Alekxandr – “Tell Jackson”
Following his debut release, “s a l t c r y s t a l s”, London-based singer Alekxandr dropped “Tell Jackson” this week, a gentle, bittersweet ballad wishing an ex-lover well with a new love.
With heartwrenching lyrics like “I wish him all I ever wanted – Tell Jackson I love him for loving you the way I wanted to”, Alekxandr’s angelic voice makes you feel every word he sings. And if you’re in need of a real cry, check out his live-recorded acoustic rendition of the song here.