Author: The Predatory Wasp

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Music

ttypes – For Robert Downey Jr. Pt 1

ttypes is the solo project of Michigan-based songwriter Tim Krauss whose music ranges from ambient instrumental, to piano pop, rock, electronic pop and various other styles. His latest – as the title suggests – is an ode to Hollywood icon, (former) cocaine enthusiast and everyone’s favourite irreverent cyborg, Robert Downey Jr.. Not that you’d necessarily be able to tell from the record itself which is a frantic rush of syrupy bleeps and washed out vocals, but check out the video for one of the purest hits of RDJ you’re likely to find outside of a Marvel set.

https://ttttypes.bandcamp.com

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Music

Small Black – Duplex

Keeping this brief today cos reasons but this is some really amazing synthpop from Small Black’s forthcoming LP. So stop wasting my/your time and go and listen to it.

https://www.100percentelectronica.com

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Music

MUNNYCAT – The Bygone Goodbye (you got it)

The new single from LA noise-pop duo MUNNCAT is, according to the band, “about the growing frustration of trying to meet people in the middle who have no intention of compromising”. Now, generally speaking I am terrible at paying attention to messages in songs, but I can hear no discernible frustration in The Bygone Goodbye at all: only pure, unadulterated fun and positivity. I haven’t been this wrongfooted by a track for a while, as it’s not what I generally consider the music I gravitate towards (see: moody, nostalgic, synthy, maybe a little depressing), but I absolutely love it. So much energy, kinda reminds me a little of The Phenomenal Handclap Band, but with a lot more edge.

https://www.munnycat.com/

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Music

Lost Girls – Menneskekollektivet

Lost Girls is a collaboration between Jenny Hval and Håvard Volden. Despite having worked together for close to a decade, they announced their debut album Menneskekollektivet (which roughly translates to “human collective’) only last week, along with this 12 minute epic which starts life as a contemplative, spoken-word piece before progressing through lumbering rhythms and increasingly weird, chattering synth lines. I’ve loved pretty much everything Hval has released previously, especially 2019’s incredible The Practise of Love, and everything about Menneskekollektivet suggests that trend will continue.

https://lostgirls1000.bandcamp.com/album/menneskekollektivet

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Music

JUNKHEART – Queen of the Nile

A welcome to return to JUNKHEART whose new single Queen of the Nile landed today. He cites Tears for Fears, Blood Orange and The Japanese House as key influences – all of whom I love, obviously – and while inviting comparisons to other artists can be a risky business, Queen of the Nile is just so good he completely gets away with it. Without doubt one of the most vital, exciting new artists of the year so far.

https://soundcloud.com/thejunkheart

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Music

Grøte – Prognosis I

Sometimes all your want to do is sit back in a comfy chair and be made to feel increasingly anxious for 12 or so minutes. And while, sure, you could just drink several strong coffees and watch the news, there are better ways of achieving this sometimes weirdly pleasurable state of disquiet, so here come Grøte – a drone collective based in Croatia – with Prognosis 1 – which slowly overwhelms you to the point that all you can think about is the vastness of everything and the futility of your own existence in comparison. But, you know, in quite an enjoyable way.

https://grote.bandcamp.com

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Interviews Music

One Track Mind: Anna B Savage

The singer-songwriter discusses her abiding love for a Nat King Cole staple

The premise of One Track Mind is pretty simple: I ask artists to pick one track that means a lot to them – either something they’ve discovered recently, something that’s been with them for years, or one that reminds them of a specific time in their life or career – and tell me what makes it so special to them. I get to talk to the artists I love, and they get to talk about the artists they love. Love all round!

Released last month, Anna B Savage’s debut album A Common Turn was three years in the making and the result is remarkable, sounding at once defiant and deeply vulnerable and exploring themes both lightweight and profound. Throughout, her voice is never short of extraordinary, with tracks frequently starting life as exposed, skeletal frames before building to triumphant, roaring crescendos.

For her track, Anna has selected an artist and record that will doubtless be familiar to most, and speaks about it with such passion that we should probably all take a moment to truly appreciate its magnificence.

Continue reading “One Track Mind: Anna B Savage”
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Music

Shura – obsession

Shura released a new song today, obsession, which comes accompanied by a beautiful video and includes a verse from Rosie Lowe, and everything about this is making me really happy. It’s got a real 80s slow-jam vibe about it, with super-crisp production and both Shu and Lowe on incredible sultry form. Happy fucking Wednesday!

https://www.weareshura.com

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Music

Cam Be – Summer In September

Aside from being an accomplished musician, Cam Be is also an Emmy award-winning produced for TV, director, artist and photographer, and Summer In September taken from his 2020 album of the same name. Now accompanied by a dream-like video from director Briana Clearly, there’s more than a hint of Frank Ocean in its tender, drifting melodies and hazy vocals: a pure, innocent snapshot of a burgeoning love frozen in time, looping for eternity.

https://3arts.org/artist/cam-be

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Music

Lasse Tapio Junnila – Recall

Finnish artist Lasse Tapio Junnila released his debut album Childhood Amnesia last week, and Recall comes from that collection. The album tenderly and poignantly explores memory and nostalgia: specifically those half-forgotten early experiences of childhood that can lie dormant for years before coming back in a rush, triggering strong – if not entirely fully understood – emotions. Recall is gleaming, surging ambient electronica, and is just lovely.

https://lassetapiojunnila.bandcamp.com