Muso's Guide - Columns

Singles That Mingle 20230328

28 March, 2023
Written by Captain Stavros
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Singles That Mingle

His Lordship

‘All Cranked Up’

Out now via Psychonaught Records

Does what it says on the tin, two-piece rock outfit touring this April.

IST IST

‘Nothing More Nothing Less’

Protagonists out March 31

Can you imagine if bands could give birth to baby bands? IST IST would be an early ‘00s child of Interpol in that case.

Angelica Rockne

‘White Cadillac’

The Rose Society out May 5 via Loose Records

Angelica’s music sounds like warm coffee in a conservative on a slow morning.

Fazerdaze

‘Flood Into’

Break! out now via Section 1 Records

Another slowburn masterpiece

SQÜRL

‘Berlin 87’

Silver Haze out May 5 via Sacred Bones Records

I’m somehow hooked to this track that sounds like it’s lost the will to live.

Blondshell

‘Disappointment’

Blondshell out April 7 via Partisan Records

Full disclosure, didn’t take at first. Got distracted and opened up another tab for a few minutes while it played in the background, it stuck.

Barrie

‘Empty’

5K out March 31 via Winspear Records

Never fails to hit the mark.

London Brew

‘Raven Flies Low’

Brew out March 31 via Concord Jazz Records

Great textures and flow.

Kate Davis

‘Long Long Long’

Fish Bowl out March 21 Via Anti

A really inviting tune.

Alice Low

‘Fruitcake’

Transatlantic Sugar out April 21

A great tune for the Headwig II OST with Bowie undertones.

The Reds, Pinks & Purples

‘The Town That Cursed Your Name’

Tough Love out March 21

Inoffensive tunes for when your parents are over.

Westerman

‘Take’

An Inbuilt Fault out May 5 via Partisan Records

New to our ears but hummingly appealing.

The Murlocs

‘Initiative’

Calm Ya Farm out May 19 via ATO Records

Best song you could ask for to wake up to.

Bully

‘Days Move Slow’

Lucky For You out June 2 via Sub Pop Records

It’s got that sound that Hole sorta had, ‘90s vibes.

Geese

‘3D Country’

3D Country out June 23 via Partisan Records

This smooth track by Geese is migrating your way.

Lea Sen

‘Luv Him (About U)’

You of Now PT 2 out April 21 Via Partisan Records

Honestly, I was distracted while previewing but it demanded my attention and got it.

Aluna & Tsha

‘Killing Me’

Not usually our format but you can’t knock a banger, killing me? More like killing it.

Autobahn

‘Silver’

Ecstasy of Ruin out April 28 via Tough Love Records

This track, like the band's namesake, is limitless.

Egyptian Blue

‘Geisha’

This is our first introduction to Egyptian Blue, and a favourable one at that. Check ‘em out at the Oslo next week if you’re about.

Moor Mother

‘We Got The Jazz’

Jazz Codes Deluxe out May 19 via Anti- Records

A mashup of styles and lyrics that hold their own.

Fidlar

‘On Drugs’

That’s Life out now via Wichita Recordings

Great hook.

Singles That Mingle 20230313

13 March, 2023
Written by Captain Stavros
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Singles That Mingle

Captain Stavros picks exceedingly good tunes!

Sir Chloe

‘Hooves’

I Am The Dog out May 19 Via Atlantic Records

No idea who this high-octane-thriller was until today, someone up there must know though cause she’s currently touring with Beck and Phoenix!

Murray A. Lightburn

‘Once Upon A Time In Montreal’

Once Upon a Time In Montreal out March 31 Via Dangerbird Records

Since our last instalment of STM, MAL’s put out another put together track from his upcoming LP.

David Kitt

‘Till The End’

Idiot Check out March 31 via RE:Warm

A solid piece of deep musical magic. This track strikes a perfect balance between dark and light.

The Paper Kites

‘The Sweet Sound Of You’

Following a sold-out tour and a cold-snap here in the UK why not warm up with these Sweet Sound? 3.7k Thumbs up on YouTube and zero thumbs down, easy to hear why.

Bria

‘When You Know Why you’re Happy’

Cuntry Covers Vol 2 out now via Sub-Pop

Another solid cuntry cover with sax appeal.

Heather Woods Broderick

‘Admiration’

Labrynth out April 7 Via Western Vinyl

A slowburner that demands patience but rewards with satisfaction.

Nuha Ruby Ra

‘6 In The Morning’

Machine EP out March 17 via Brace Yourself Records

Wow, fuck-yes, real ‘Warriors’ theme to it.

Skinny Pelembe

‘Don’t Be Another’

Hardly The Same Snake out April 28 via Partisan Records

Another quality cut proving the last one was just luck.

Mandy Indiana

‘Pinking Shears’

I’ve Seen A Way out May 19 via Fire Talk Records

Doesn’t really strike a chord with me but I can see the appeal of weirdness, and French.

Le Couleur

‘Sentiments’

A set it and forget it inoffensive track.

Olivia Jean

‘Trouble’

Raving Ghost out May 5 via Third Man Records

Wow, this one, straight out the fucking gate.

Teenage Dads

‘Goodbye, Goodbye Again’

Midnight Driving out now via Chugg Music

A softer tune to keep you company on your midnight driving.

Singles That Mingle 20230227

25 February, 2023
Written by Captain Stavros
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Singles That Mingle

Top new tunes curated by our sommelier of singles, Captain Stavros

Sam Burton

‘Maria’

What’s great about this song is that it’s got infinite juxtaposition appeal.

Autobahn

‘Post History’

Ecstasy of Ruin out February 28 via Tough Love Records

Wow, from the ruins of civilisation, please enjoy with our compliments.

Softee

‘Come Home’

Natural out May 12 via City Slang

Wow, wee, NSFW (or your mind).

Death Valley Girls

‘Island in the Sky’

Island in the Sky out February 24 via Suicide Squeeze Records

Signature sway coming your way.

Cindy

‘A Trumpet On The Hillside’

Why Not Now? out April 14 via Tough Love Records

A morosely jaunty tune, what’s even happening here matey? Unnervingly interesting.

Frankie Rose

‘Come Back’

Love As A Projector out April 10 via Night School Records

Feels like a song I’d Shazam.

Teenage Dads

‘Midnight Driving’

Midnight Driving out March 3 via Chugg Music

Full disclosure I didn’t get 10 seconds into the song before recommending it because of Halloween intro with Pinfinger Krugarage. Click at your own peril muhah ah ah aaaaaaaaaah.

Sorry Girls

‘Prettier Things’

Bravo! out June 2 via Arbutus Records

I’m listening to this and thinking, ‘would recommend’, and have done so already. Sorry, you’re getting in late and we’re all out of the good crisps.

Soup

‘Topic’

Soup’s on! Till the break-of-dawn.

Snow Ghosts

‘Prophecies’

The Fell out now via Houndstooth Records

If the XX were re-incarnated I suppose.

Sam Akpro

‘Trace’

Arrival out April 12 via Fair Youth Records

It’s got chops I’ll tell ya what.

Bully

‘Lose You’ (Feat Soccer Mommy)

Out Now via Sub-Pop Records

The buddy up you never knew you’d always want to see happen!

Lunar Vacation

‘Only You’

Inside Every Fig is a Dead Wasp out now via Keeled Scales Records

Smooth as silk.

Dream Wife

‘Hot (Don’t Date a Musician)’

Social Lubrication out June 9 via Lucky Numbers Music

Strum left.

Django Django

‘Complete Me’ (Feat Self Esteem)

Off Planet out June 16 via Because Music

Wow, what a pivot for DD.

Index For Working Musik

‘1871’

Dragging The Needlework For The Kids At Uphole out now via Tough Love Records

It reminds me of a broken watch a time traveller would wear. I have no idea where my mind’s gone. Sorry. It’s a good track though!

Lunge

‘The Idle Motion’

EP1 out April 7

Weird AND wonderful.

Kate Davis

‘Call Home’

Fish Bowl out March 24 via ANTI

Can you imagine calling home and being put on hold to this? A future I’m totally ready for.

Barrie

‘Races’

5K out March 31 via Winspear

Barrie consistently hits the mark from different directions.

Singles That Mingle 20230203

06 February, 2023
Written by Captain Stavros
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Singles That Mingle

YOVA

‘Hurt Like No Hurt’

Out now via Yova Music

Maybe steer clear of this vid if it’s a full moon out.

JW Francis

‘Going Home To A Party’

Dream House Out now via Sunday Best Recordings

A bit weird and wonderful, easy on the ole noodle.

Frankie Rose

‘Love As Projection' & ‘Sixteen Ways’

Love as a Projection out March 10 via Night School Records

One to look out for, combining the best elements of ‘80s New Wave

Debby Friday

‘So Hard To Tell’

Good Luck out March 24 via Sub Pop

Somewhere between a dream and a nightmare.

Ist Ist

‘Something Has To Give’

Protagonists out March 31, via Kind Violence Records

Keeping it consistent with another banger.

Kate Davis

‘Monster Mash'

Fish Bowl out March 24 on Anti Records

When you want more than being left for dead, Monster Mash

BNNY

'Breaking Up'

Debut album, everything, out now on Fire Talk

Hop on over to gnaw on this new track which as usual hits the mark consistently.

Hotel Lux

'Points Of View'

Hands across the creek out Jan 27 via The State51 Conspiracy

Dunno, feels like it’s honest. Near breathlessly sung.

Lonnie Holley

‘Oh Me Oh My’

Out March 10 via Jagjaguwar. Also announced as part of the ‘Souls Grown Deep…’ exhibition at The Royal Academy, London, opening March 17

A slowburner, worth the wait.

Death Valley Girls

‘Sunday’

Islands in the Sky Out Feb 24 via Suicide Squeeze Records

At the rate these lot are putting out music they’ll be giving Ty Segall/King Gizzard a run for their money.

Shame

‘Six-Pack'

Food for Worms out Feb 24 via Dead Oceans

This track went wha wha wha all the way home.

Laveda

‘Clean’

Out now via Papercup Music

Sometimes you just need a few bars to get hooked, this is one of those times.

Murray A. Lightburn

‘Dumpster Gold’

Via Dangerbird Records

A deeply personal and warming farewell tribute to a patriarch.

London Brew

A new album inspired by Miles Davis' Bitches Brew

Out march 31 via Concord Jazz

If you’re not drinking the Kool-Aid you might as well gulp down the Bitches Brew.

Deerhoof

‘Miracle-level'

Out March 31 via Joyful Noise

Feel like practising your Japanese whilst simultaneously losing your mind and having a nervous breakdown to a beat? Gotcha covered!

Braids

‘Evolution’

‘Euphoric Recall’ out April 28 via Secret City Records

Great tune to give you brain a tickle with, fun visuals too.

Mary Elizabeth Remington

‘Dresser Hill’

‘In Embudo’ out February 10, via Loose Music

This just dropped on our radar, wish we had a rocking chair and a southern patio to really lap in the experience. The gentle hiss on the track’ll have to do, for now.

McKinley Dixon

'Tyler, Forever'

Out now via City Slang Records

Great horns on this track.

Skinny Pelembe

‘Oh, Silly George’

No time to explain, just listen to this! Touring the UK @ The Social on the 25th.

Hibou

‘Already Forgotten’

New EP out now

Finding a sublime equilibrium between the malevolent and the majestic

Index For Working Musik

‘Chains’

Dragging The Needlework For The Kids At Uphole Out February 17 via Tough Love

Wavy surfy sullen track, and 2 upcoming tour dates in London. You’re welcome!

Cable Ties

‘Perfect Client’

Out now via Merge Records

Great getaway music.

Alex Lahey

‘Good Time’

The Answer is Always Yes Out May 19 via Liberation Records

I want a good time not a long time, okay we’re hooked.

Michael J Benjamin

‘The Deal Has Long Gone Down’

This dudes voice, un-real, ride off into the sunset with it.

Grandma's House

‘Desire’

Who Am I? Out March 3 via Brace Yourself Records

Over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house we go

Foo Fighters: 12 Great Non-album Tracks

31 January, 2023
Written by David J. Lownds
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Foo Fighters: 12 Great Non-album Tracks

There are many strong Foo Fighters songs that are not on the main tracklists of the band's full-length releases. Those songs are at times better than some of the material from the albums.

Many fans of Grohl, Hawkins and company may not have heard most of this music, which encompasses many different attributes, styles and moods. This list ranges from aggressive to angelic, and from punk to Pink Floyd.

THE NEVERENDING SIGH

Described by Spin as "prickly" and "towering", 'The Neverending Sigh' showcases what could be one of the Foo Fighters' best riffs. That's not an easy achievement given their huge collection of excellent guitar lines.

Competing with 'St. Cecilia' for the title of best track on their 2015 free EP, it might just win.

HAVE A CIGAR

Just one of several excellent covers by Foo Fighters, this is a rocking take on a classic.

In a reversal of their usual roles in this band, Dave Grohl is on drums with Taylor Hawkins on vocals. There's also an appearance from Queen's guitarist, Brian May.

Far Out Magazine says that Grohl describes the song as "the most punk rock thing Pink Floyd ever did".

DEAR LOVER

This gorgeous B-side deserves a place on their wonderful 1997 full-length release, The Colour and the Shape.

'Dear Lover' features some of bassist Nate Mendel's more melodic approach that characterises songs such as 'Next Year'.

Also, there's gentle vulnerability here to the music and lyrics of Dave Grohl that permeates much of the band's other relaxed material.

WORLD – DEMO

On this demo, a dreamlike riff gives way to crunching chords while Grohl sings of life, death, "the universe" and "heaven". It's one of the deepest Foo Fighters songs yet.

It may not really fit on the In Your Honor double abum, but it's a great song nonetheless.

NORMAL

Although much of the Foo Fighters' music from 2002 is uneasy, angular or very hard-edged, songs like this offers moments of respite.

Grohl's image as an ordinary outsider with a knack for poetry shines through here, and another set of anthemic choruses is cooked up. 'Normal' is strong enough to be a single.

IF EVER

'If Ever' comes from a time when Foo Fighters sought to combine heavy and mellow sounds, often doing so within the same song.

Despite that mixture of dynamics, this track showcases in general a simplicity like few other works by the band. That doesn't stop Taylor Hawkins from adding flair on the drums, though.

REQUIEM – LIVE

This cover of a Killing Joke song retains much of the appeal of the original version's guitar line while having quieter vocals.

In this way, the performance combines the hard, riff-driven sound of 'My Hero' and the peaceful pleasure of 'Walking After You'.

WALKING A LINE

Dave Grohl sometimes plays drums for Queens of the Stone Age. Arguably, that desert rock group never influenced Grohl's guitar-playing as clearly as they do on 'Walking a Line'. The guitars here are shot through with a dark energy.

The intense song also has shifting dynamics. That's something seen in the work of Nirvana - another band featuring Grohl - and other alternative acts such as Pixies.

I'M IN LOVE WITH A GERMAN FILM STAR

'I'm in Love…', which may one day soundtrack a romantic scene, is a cover of The Passions' track.

On this rather trippy offering, Foo Fighters are so laid-back, they're horizontal (to borrow a popular phrase).

There's enough going on - the strange drum sound, and a simple yet effective riff - to make things interesting despite the sleepy vibe.

THE SIGN

Bristling with an energy that helped make earlier hits like 'Monkey Wrench' so successful, 'The Sign' appears on some forms of In Your Honor as a bonus track.

Delving into love, "religion" and "superstition", and served on a bed of infectious hard rock, it revels in power and passion.

SISTER EUROPE

A bonus track from One by One (Expanded Edition), 'Sister Europe' is probably the band's weirdest cover.

The hypnotic, psychedelic music during the verses uses notes that are dissonant; they don't usually go together well.

It may be one of the Foo Fighters' first to feature what sounds like a piano or keyboard. (On the version by the Psychedelic Furs, that part is apparently played on saxophone.)

WINNEBAGO

According to an article by Dave Grohl's biographer Paul Brannigan, 'Winnebago' was "co-written with former Gray Matter frontman Geoff Turner" as well as Grohl, but was "revamped" in 1994.

The best part of the song is the riff that first starts around 1 minutes and 20 seconds in. It has similar vibes to part of a later track called 'Bridge Burning'.