This week has felt like a long old drag, so here to revitalise the energy are displays of blues-rock, rap, indie-folk and more.
Credit: Alexa Viscius
Bnny – Sure
Taken from their upcoming debut album, “Everything” (out August 20th on Fire Talk), Chicago group Bnny toe the line between country and blues on their latest track ‘Sure’. With a calming wave of blues-inspired guitars meeting up with the hushed tones of vocalist Jess Viscius, Bnny’s latest circulates around the multi-meaning of ‘Sure’ depending on the tone. Is it a positive affirmation, reassurance or exasperated exhaustion? Utilising the steadfast nature of blues-rock, Bnny manages to create something that perfect captures the mood, whether it’s a good or bad one. “‘Sure’ is about love and it’s loss,” says Jess. “‘Sure’ is about apathy and denial. It’s about disillusionment in the wake of death. It’s about finding strength and meaning in the steadfastness of nature.”
Taphari – Cost You
The Brooklyn based artist returns with his latest single ‘Cost You’, from his upcoming debut album “Blind Obedience” (out next Friday). An underdog anthem about the power and energy that manifests itself when you focus on self-acceptance and self-mastery, Taphari’s maturity and humour remain at the forefront of his latest track. Throwing together nu-house and trap beats with Taphair’s unshakable queer expression, ‘Cost You’ is unapologetic from the jump, demanding respect or running the risk of Taphari’s wrath.
Emily Isherwood – See You Go
Bristol-based singer-songwriter Emily Isherwood shared her charming new single yesterday, titled ‘See You Go’. Having been a part of the Bristol music scene for some years now, Isherwood’s latest finds her adapting her format and embracing the art of letting go. On ‘See You Go’ there’s an unshakable familiarity to Wolf Alice, sounding like a lost track from their “Creature Songs” EP. A hazy and heavy rumination on loss, Isherwood’s mercurial display on her latest is utterly fascinating to listen to, demanding your full attention as well as multiple repeats. Speaking about the track, Emily states:
The idea of the song came about when I began to realise my ongoing fear of losing those around me. I find that when I’m writing, the lyrics usually come true in some way, and I later realise the meaning of the song. But, with ‘See You Go’, I wanted to make a joke with myself, that if I consciously describe what my fears are, that maybe I would have power over them, and that they might not actually come true this time. It’s also a surrender to the feeling of loss, and it reminds me that I am equipped to deal with all kinds of loss now.
Kios – I Need You
Next up is Nashville duo Kios, with their delightfully melancholic track ‘I Need You’. While the jangly dream-pop rhythms of Kios’ latest might not conjure up melancholy as your first thought; the juxtaposing parts of ‘I Need You’ make the track a complete knockout. Using summery pop music to mystify the emotional longing within their lyrics, Kios has crafted a charming pop track that feels like the musical representation of reverse seasonal affective disorder.
POLO & PAN — Tunnel, ft. Channel Tres
Lastly comes POLO & PAN’s latest track ‘Tunnel’, working together with Californian rapper Channel Tres. Sounding like Orbital meets Soulwax, the French duo’s latest is filled with trippy electronica and pulsating fusions of house music and EDM, casting glitchy, metallic sounds against the backdrop of Channel Tres’ impeccable flow. Speaking about the surreal video directors Zite & Léo created for the track, the pair say; “We took a ride through space and time with Polo & Pan and Channel Tres, sitting at the back of our futuristic cab, gliding in a cosmic tunnel blending musical and visual worlds together. This is our vision of a parallel universe, taking the shape of a musical comic book where all species across galaxies bounce to the same rhythm.”
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