The Hot Five - September #3
- Published in Columns
The Hot Five – My favourite new tracks of the week, usually rounded off with a classic, obscure or alternate track from my music collection.
Track of the Week: Andreya Triana – ‘Everything You Never Had Pt. II’
I’ve found a gem to start us off this week: This is the kind of song that you really don’t need to know much about. The soulful, immense character of Andreya Triana’s vocal performance over subtle background swells makes for a truly magical three and a half minutes, and anything else I can tell you about this song will pale into insignificance in comparison. The lyrical content of ‘Everything You Never Had Pt. II’ is honest and true, which only adds to the likable identity of the South London singer/songwriter. Triana has previously collaborated with Bonobo (providing vocals for his 2010 album Black Sands) and Flying Lotus (on the track 'Tea Leaf Dancers'), and is due to release her own debut album in 2015.
Trwbador – ‘Side By Side’
Welsh alternative duo Trwbador have followed up the release of their single ‘Breakthrough’, featuring the talent of UK hip hop artist ESSA, with the fantastic ‘Side By Side’. Having been endorsed by famous names including Huw Stephens and James Dean Bradfield, Trwbador are continuing to show why they are one of the most exciting new bands in the UK right now. Their brand of electronica features heavy folk and acoustic influences to give Trwbador a unique, stimulating and refreshing sound. Several Wolves, the second album from the duo, is available now.
FKA twigs – ‘Lights On’
It’s been a big month for dancer turned singer Tahliah Barnett, aka FKA twigs. Her debut album, LP1, was released in August by Young Turks (an imprint of XL Recordings that also boasts the XX and SBTRKT) and was placed on the shortlist for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize this week. Facing stiff competition from the likes of Damon Albarn, Royal Blood and Anna Calvi (who has recently covered ‘Papi Pacify’ on her Strange Weather EP, the freshness and originality of FKA twigs is holding it’s own in such esteemed company. In the words of the Prize panel: ‘Lights On’ really is “artful, restless and seductive”. FKA twigs has got to be a real contender for the Mercury Music Prize, which will be awarded on Wednesday October 29.
Daughtry – ‘Utopia’
I’m not going to lie to you, Chris Daughtry is a rather large guilty pleasure of mine. Having been a popular contestant on the fifth season of American Idol, Daughtry have gone on to sell over 23 million records worldwide. ‘Utopia’ was written and recorded by Daughtry and subsequently used as the theme song of the US television reality series of the same name. Sure ‘Utopia’ might sound very commercial, but there’s no denying Chris Daughtry’s vocal ability, and as time goes on the band seem to be getting better and better at producing this kind of pop-rock anthem.
Hidden track of the week: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – ‘Stagger Lee’
I featured the new track ‘Give Us A Kiss’ by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in last week’s Hot Five, a song released in the build up to Nick Cave’s latest project, the film 20,000 Days On Earth. This week I managed to swipe myself a vinyl copy of Cave’s classic 1996 album Murder Ballads whilst browsing through the markets in Camden town. The album features collaborations with Kylie Minogue, PJ Harvey and Shane MacGowan, and this particular track is a version of the traditional American folk standard that had been previously performed by Bob Dylan, Mississippi Fred Hurt, and Woodie Guthrie among many others.
20,000 Days On Earth will be released on September 19.
You can follow Tom on twitter @tom_fake
