It’s not the World Cup results that were most disappointing, it’s the fact no one used Baxter Dury’s ‘Miami ’as part of their content. All those wasted opportunities to bring to life characters like the urban goose, the sausage man, the shadow licker or the glassy dude, all crying out for a cone to be placed on their head. It’s almost as if football fans don’t take their music seriously. But we do – let’s crack on.
Forget what Lana Del Rey tells you, summertime is not for sadness (again, forget the World Cup results). The summer is for sunshine, fun and bangers. People want to dance, and what better way to do so than with a shuffling monster that sparks memories of the Todd Terry rework of ‘Missing’. Ideal for those who want everything, and the girl. Majesty Palm are a favourite of ours, and on ‘Sick Of Saying Your Name’, they match the temperature of the times. The act carries an effortless cool, but does so with an infectious charm. Okay, if you delve into the lyrics, it’s probably darker and deeply personal, but when you’re shimmying the evening into night, that’s someone else’s problem, not yours!
Now, don’t take the previous review and imply any criticism of LDR. And if you’re a fan of her, you really should be into Kohla. This isn’t new news, but as the artist builds to her second album, Fantasy, later this year, ‘Bound To You’ tentatively steps through challenging times, harp and cello underplaying the delicate yet resolute vocals from an artist that has been through the wars.
Things are also simmering nicely for Alex Amor, whose Heavenly Bodies album drops in August. ‘Avalanche’ is the latest teaser for the record, there’s a country swing wrapped in a light electro-pop number. The clean guitar lines flicker to life while Amor’s reserved delivery carries emotional weight and complete control.
Arab Strap continue to get us excited for their next record, Half-Told Tales as Fighting For You bristles with anger at modern-day bullshit, while admitting there have always been things in life that are shit. There are few finer things in Scottish music than when Aiden Moffat goes off on one, while Malcolm Middleton is his ideal foil. Sure, modern life is rubbish, but grab hold of the good that is coming, and don’t let go.
DM Arthur has a vocal style that wraps itself around you, ‘Better Man’. The lyrics are reflective, the things we all ask ourselves, but the woozy feel, and late lift, makes this a hugely enjoyable track. By all means question what you’re up to in life, but do so with a soft and supportive musical backing.
For those who prefer reflection with a sparser accompaniment, fire up Katie Gregson-MacLeod. It almost feels unsettling to listen to ‘I Don’t Think Of Kissing You’, it’s too raw, too personal and then shit, you realise, that’s why it works. It’s a timeless track, it won’t be for everyday, but on its day, it’ll feel as though it has part of your DNA running through it.
As we’re digital only this month, we’ve a bit more leeway in what we can bring to you. This means we can mention albums, with ‘Towards The Sky’ by Long Earth out now. The Scottish prog rockers are on their fourth album, and it’s an ideal representation of the genre. The keyboards whizz and flourish, songs have plenty of room to explore and meander. Also good to hear the vocals of Maaike Siegerist, bringing her ethereal style to the mix, making for a solid collection of space-race tunes.
Before we wrap up, a quick appeal. If James Blake is reading this, get in touch and let me know who these labels are that are paying journalists for reviews – it’d be good to chat.
Anyways, that’s us for this month, Commonwealth Games are looming, Edinburgh festival, new football season and tonnes of new music. Enjoy yourself, see you soon!
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source snackmag.co.uk ’
