In each issue of Notion, we bring you a rundown of the tracks currently titillating our wizened – but certainly never cynical – ears. Here, Notion Magazine’s New Music Editor, Lauren Down, walks us through the tunes that are exciting her to no end.
Ryan Vail – ‘Fade’
The work of Derry natives Ryan Vail and Katie Cosgrove, the Champion Sound Music signed duo caught our attention with the title track from their EP, released on 29 April. An elegant, beautiful composed, ambient creation ‘Fade’ is brimming with the majesty of a digital aesthetic crafted through more classical, analogue means.
Anushka – ‘I Have Love 4 You’
Brownswood Recordings signed Brighton duo Max Wheeler and Victoria Port, aka Anushka, really prove their soul/electronica cross over salt with ‘Yes Guess’ EP cut ‘I Have Love 4 You.’ A track which finds looping vocal refrains carried on cyclic percussion claps and loose rhythms.
GEMS – ‘Never Age’
Nomadic US dream-pop duo Lindsay Pitts and Clifford Usher offer up the same warm haze and breathy vocals that can be found on Beach House’s ubiquitous opus but the b-side to their limited edition single ‘All I Ever‘ adds just the right about of swagger for a punchier, more sensual affair.
Fryars – ‘On Your Own’
Having released his debut LP in 2009, Fryars man Benjamin Garrett seems to have finally found his feet on new single ‘On Your Own’. Due out on 13 May via 679, its cyclic piano chords and perfectly languid, layered vocals laying the foundations for a straight-up, no fuss great pop tune.
SZA – ‘Ice.Moon’
New Jersey’s Solana Rowe’s project as SZA is rapidly gathering momentum and well, with tracks of this calibre, it’s really no surprise. Dirty drums beats, saccharine vocals and R&B flavoured hip pop sonics, this Felix Snow & Patrick Lukens produced number will soon get under your skin.
Lorde – ‘Bravado’
Nope, not Lordi, LordE – the moniker of 16-year-old New Zealander Ella Yelich-O’Connor whose charming, playful pop productions are slowly making their way around the globe. ‘Bravado’ taken from her nigh-on New Zealand chart topping EP The Love Club, is our current favourite; it’s hard percussion edges softened by O’Connor’s delicate yet powerful voice.
Empress of – ‘Hat Trick’
You need Lorely Rodriguez in your life. More specifically, you need the lead track from her Double Denim released debut EP Systems in your life. Why? Well because the slinky, minimal pop of ‘Hat Trick’ rests on a bed of eighties new waves beats and warped disco synths whilst riding high on sugary sweet vocals.
Chela – ‘Guts’
Rolling tropical rhythms, bouncing synths and irresistible, instantly anthemic pop refrains: Chela’s latest number ‘Guts’ has it all. Having already made a name for herself by working alongside the likes of Viceroy and Goldroom, it sounds increasingly like the Melbourne songstress is poised to take her place alongside pop’s new leading ladies.
Wolf Alice – ‘Bros’
“Shake your hair, have some fun” instructs Wolf Alice front woman Ellie Roswell in the song’s opening line – that perfect, sultry voice of hers making it impossible to not oblige. The follow up to forlorn acoustic number ‘Losing You’ and racing guitar jam ‘Fluffy’, ‘Bros’ finds the band experimenting with jangling pop and slower rhythms, while we in turn find ourselves falling in love with them all over again.
- Lauren Down
The latest ‘Now Hear This’ features in Notion 063, which you can pick up from our online store, here.