The Neu Bulletin The Neu Bulletin (Yard Act, Tate McRae, Aiko Tomi and more!)

Halle-fucking-lujah. Even if 2021 carries on down its current miserable course, then the year could still be somewhat saved by the sheer excitement coming from this particular corner of Leeds. Selling out its vinyl run within moments, Yard Act’s fourth single ‘Dark Days’ arrives buoyed by hype and delivers with room to spare. From the down dirty bass line that slopes along like a dodgy gold-toothed miscreant, to singer James Smith’s wryly evocative character studies (a playful, picture-painting cross between John Cooper Clarke and Mark E Smith) to the vague aura of ‘Rock The Casbah’ mk II, there’s little here that could be improved. Consider the year’s new band bar firmly set. (Lisa Wright)

While Tate McRae’s ‘you broke me first’ undoubtedly dominated many an eardrum last year, with its throbbing drops and fuck-you chorus, her first new offering of 2021 is comparably more unassuming. Built around the simple but effective idea of snapping the titular rubberband (“on her wrist, on her wrist”) in the aftermath of her recent heartache, it’s another slick but pulsating effort which again shows off her astute talent for creating modern heartbreak anthems. (Sarah Jamieson)

We can never say not to a new hybrid-pop bop, and Aiko Tomi is here to deliver the goods this week. Unveiling shapeshifting new track ‘Can’t Touch Me’, it’s part pop, part rap, part hip-hop, part dance, and all parts fab. Described by Aiko as “an unconventional banger for creatives-at-heart”, this ever-changing ear worm will be going round and round in your head all day. (Elly Watson)

Setting his crafty day job as drummer for hyperactive Montreal upstarts Pottery temporarily aside, debut solo offering ‘Half Rich Loner’ finds Paul Jacobs treading far more laid-back waters than his propulsive peers. All shuffling rhythms and distorted vocals, there’s - unsurprisingly - an emphasis on scattershot, ear-pricking drums here. But, rather than twiddly flourishes played at the front rather than the back of the stage, the intricacies work to cleverly sharpen a song otherwise imbued with the aura of stoner experimentation. (Lisa Wright)

Following on from the release of her debut single ‘You’re The Worst’, London-based R&B newbie SHIKA is sharing new track ‘Pisces Girl’. Fusing lo-fi and alt hip-hop beats, SHIKA channels effortlessness a la Kali Uchis or Lana Del Rey with her sleek vocals over the breezy backing, and creates an undisputed vibe. (Elly Watson)

Offering up a luscious slice of synth-pop, La Poré (aka Nick Sampson) has channeled the feelings of trying to find normality in the midst of chaos in brand new bop ‘All We Have Is Us’. A euphoric new track, driven by Nick’s sky-high vocals, ‘All We Have Is Us’ oozes with fun and good vibes as Nick blends funk and disco elements into the pop new’un. (Elly Watson)

Tags: Aiko Tomi, La Poré, Paul Jacobs, SHIKA, Tate McRae, Yard Act, Listen, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin