This week is all about vibing. Whether you’re craving an upbeat vibe, chilled cut or a more sobering moment, what’s good this week is taking time out to immerse yourself in spectacular new music.
House of EL – Better
London artist House of EL follows up his “Lazarus” EP with laidback new cut ‘Better’. Having produced and worked as a songwriter for some of the UK’s biggest names over the past 10 years (Chase and Status, Paloma Faith and Plan B), it really isn’t a surprise that ‘Better’ flows with incredible ease. House of EL utilises his past experience to fill ‘Better’ with style and charm, running to upbeat rhythms of afrobeat and trip-hop, helping to carry out the message behind ‘Better’, to just “Vibe out to this tune and cut yourself and those around you some slack, we are all trying to do better”.
Psymon Spine – Channels
Next up are New York-based indie, psych-pop group Psymon Spine, sharing their ecstatic new single ‘Channels’. Taken from their upcoming LP “Charismatic Megafauna” which is out next Friday (February 19th), the New Yorkers go balls to the wall with clashing psych with indie, math rock and nods to punk, all in a glorious display of rapturous genre-bending. Vocalist Noah Prebish delivers an equally insane performance, keeping up with an array of manic guitars and rapid-fire synths and drums throughout.
La Loye – I Only Hear You In My Song
The indie-folk project of Lieke Heusinkveld, aka La Loye, shares their intimate new single ‘I Only Hear You In My Song’. “The song isn’t necessarily a break-up song, shares La Loye, but, is far more descriptive of the ominous period before the big blow-out”. Capturing the penultimate moment towards the end of a relationship, ‘I Only Hear You In My Song’ portrays the darker moment of building up to the eventual breakup filled with fear and trepidation, choosing a moment of calm and comfort before emotions run wild.
Bull – Eugene
York outfit Bull shared another taste of their upcoming LP a couple weeks back with ‘Eugene’, a shifting slice of prime indie rock. One of the group’s earlier singles before life with EMI, it’s a delight to see the return of this crescendo building masterclass, even with its short running time of 2:38. From a sleepy introduction, then to a charming ’70s style sing-along before erupting into an explosion of raucous rock n roll in less than 90 seconds, it’s a rollercoaster ride that you’ll want another ride of every time.
‘Discovered Effortless Living’ arrives on May 26th via EMI.
XVOTO – Brainfreeze
Comprised of HMLTD’s Duc Peterman (now Saigon Fury) and Jazz Alonso, London duo XVOTO get chaotic on their second single ‘Brainfreeze’. Following their debut track, ‘Mommy Can’t Sleep’, XVOTO take their trap-hop-infused glitchy electro to even more cult-like levels, bringing Alice Glass meets Tierra Whack to the table. A sobering moment towards ‘Brainfreeze’s middle bringing a few seconds of calm before the acid tab hits and XVOTO bring you back to their world of manic trap-electro, ready to leave you starry-eyed with your mouth wide open.
velvetindependent.com 