This week has seen the conception, announcement, backlash and subsequent cancellation of a new European Super League, in which the notion of competition would have been all but eradicated from the world’s biggest sport. Seems crazy that anyone objected, frankly.
It is almost commendable that football’s governing bodies have been speaking so much nonsense this week, that we hadn’t even noticed the annual tide of stoned 4/20 warriors coming and going.
Sports Team // Happy (God’s Own Country)
Alex Rice & co make their return following a Mercury Prize nomination and a stake in the most surprising chart battle of 2020. ‘Happy (God’s Own Country)’ is the sound of lockdown lifting across the land and festivals burgeoning upon the horizon.
Bachelor // Sick of Spiralling
Jay Som’s Melina Duterte & Palehound’s Ellen Kempner have announced their debut album as Bachelor, with Doomin’ Sun arriving at the end of May. With Big Thief‘s Buck Meek and James Krivchenia contributing, as well as Annie Truscott of Chastity Belt, this LP is set to be a bonanza of chill indie tunes.
deep tan // hollow scene
deep tan are putting their brand of cold, twisted post-punk on an EP for the first time. ‘hollow scene’ is the trio’s final single before creeping speedwells makes its appearance early in in June.
Spang Sisters // Thank You, Will Shortz
On its surface, ‘Thank You, Will Shortz’ is an ode to the New York Times crossword editor, Will Shortz. Dig a little deeper, however, and it’s a track about isolation, and finding comfort in the mundane.. sound familiar?
Little Simz // Introvert
Two years since the release of GREY Area, Little Simz has returned with ‘Introvert’. An elaborate portrait of inner turmoil, the six-minute track is accompanied by a cinematic fanfare as she comes to grips with revelations of her identity. Upcoming album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is out in September.
The Nagging Doubts // Through A Glass Darkly Pt.I
Aussie band The Nagging Doubts have dropped their new Autocalm EP this week, a comprehensive road trip through the avenues of anxiety and adulthood. ‘Through A Glass Darkly’ jangles with a touch of the Rolling Blackouts C.F.
BSí // Vesturbæjar Beach
A Charming DIY pop from the Icelandic duo. Imagine the youthful spirit of The Drums cross-pollinated with the aloof vocals of Alvvays.
Richard Jahn // Private Members Club
Recorded in a West London shipping container, ‘Private Members Club’ sees Richard Jahn’s eccentric songwriting take aim at the British class divide.
Mandrake Handshake // Monolith
What better soundtrack for the 2021 summer of love than this wavy number from Oxford psych troupe Mandrake Handshake? Big Brian Jonestown Massacre energy on this track, and we are here for it.
