My weekly collection of randomly chosen tracks – some new, some less so – is about all I’ve managed for the past fortnight. Apologies for the relative quietness; all should be livelier as of now. Here’s this Monday’s quintet:
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Weird Tapes – The Walking Dead
A old song from when Dayve Hawke – a man who is to SOIWT’s ear what SOIWT’s girlfriend is to SOIWT’s… heart – called himself Weird Tapes rather than Memory Tapes. As Weird Tapes, Hawke was a little more techno-based: this number has diluted lyrics, distant peels and sorrowful loops. The main and most memorable sound is a startling simple do-do-dododo refrain that chills and thrills in equal, pulsating measure. You never want it to end, making the purposefully abrupt ending especially unjust.
Morningbell – Stay In The Garden
Rich in smokey jazz tones and Deep South-style woodwind, this song sees Morningbell depart their usual rock territory for a land altogether more exotic and mysterious. Instruments positively flirt with each other here, as Travis purrs biblical lyrics into the mike, strings are pregnantly plucked and time drifts by with all the urgency of a hot summer’s evening. One of the sexiest songs you’ll hear all year.
U.S. Girls – Turnaround Time
Mondays, eh? So pfftttt. SOIWT’s thoughts on this dreadful day typically go a little like this: “ummmm, so that seemed like a fun weekend. But how did I get from Manor House to Bow? Who was that guy in the police helmet? And where did I leave my scarf?” Megan Remy, Philly’s U.S. Girls, can’t help answer those questions, but she can provide an apt soundtrack to your distorted, already-halcyon memories via this slice of dank and choppy lo-fi pop, full of beeps and confusion. Think The Big Pink but female and ten times slurrier.
Four Tet – Angel Echoes
Here are five incredibly soft things: 1. Lamb’s Ear (that really strokable plant with grey hair). 2. Grizzly bears – not that SOIWT! has ever touched one, but, like, d’oh. 3. New towels. 4. Diane Kruger’sKruger’s skin in that L’Oreal advert on telly at the mo*. 5. Four Tet‘s new song, Angel Echoes. Hypnotic and haunting, this latest tune from Londoner Kieran Hebden’s current album is the sonic equivalent of a empty, musty church in early morning sunlight and shadows. It lasts four minutes but feels like 94, such is the snoozy goodness on offer.
*L’Oreal has not paid this blog for the dream-like endorsement above, although a few free samples would no doubt be appreciated by Mrs SOIWT if L’Oreal felt obliged to repay this good turn.
Erland & The Carnival – Trouble In Mind
Mellowness has dominated today’s round-up, but here’s a chirpy (despite the regretful lyrics) pearl from the excellent Erland & The Carnival to finish. What’s particularly great about Trouble In Mind is not its pacy beat, nor Erland’s maudlin voice, nor the occasional fuzzy interludes, nor even the tender strings - but rather the way it all sounds so easy, so fabulously simple and effortless. A fiver says you’ll be humming along all week.
Downloads via song titles.