New Music Guide The Neu Bulletin (Yawners, Jafaris, Sans Parents & more)

Yawners sound like they’d be right at home making music in a garage in an American suburb somewhere around the turn of the century, but the duo - made up of Elena Nieto and Martin Muñoz - actually hail from Madrid. Judging from their first official track from their debut album ‘Just Calm Down’, their sound is full of retro-rock leanings and sing-along choruses. Having been around in Spain for a little while, this year the band are setting their sights on international stages, set to play in the US for the first time at SXSW. Take a listen for a dose of pop-punk-eqsue guitar pop. (Rachel Finn)

Jafaris hails from Dublin, but his new track and video ‘Time’ look far more to the sun-kissed LA streets the video was shot on than the moody Irish streets it was written on. There’s hints of Chance The Rapper’s ‘Acid Rap’ days in its sunny-side-up, bouncy flow, and the rapper, who releases his ‘Stride’ LP next month, is equally adept as penning a sunny, sung chorus as he is barging his way through intricate rapped verses.“Sometimes I think you just need some time for yourself,” he sings in its superbly catchy chorus. “Get up, get out, go find your peace.” It’s forceful enough to let you close your eyes and trade the rain and gloom for somewhere altogether sunnier. (Will Richards)

Last month, we shared ‘Consolation Prize’, the debut single from London-based Sans Parents, a shape-shifting dream-pop gem. The track is taken from debut EP ‘Drive Safe, Someone Loves You’, which is out now. The other three tracks on the collection forge the same genre-bending path, never sitting still and emerging all the more interestingly because of it. ‘Strangelove’ is a twisting, spacious cut, while the closing title track strays closer to post-rock in its menacing slow burn. (Will Richards)

Winchester-born musician Rozi Plain first arrived on our radar a few years ago with her ‘Friend Of A Friend’ collection of tracks and she makes a strong return with new song ‘Conditions’. Taken from her upcoming album ‘What A Boosts’, ‘Conditions’ melds together full-bodied, textured instrumentals to create a dreamy atmosphere that almost seems to make time stand still. (Rachel Finn)

Of all the weird song inspirations we’ve heard in 2019 so far, the new one from producer/songwriter Stoner might just take the biscuit. ‘The Anteroom’, the follow-up to last year’s debut single ‘Ultra Lite Midlife Paradise’ is written about…well, it’s a view on Brexit through the lens of an episode of Peppa Pig. Far less absurd than this sounds, the track is a swirling cut full of grandeur and pomp. With vocals reminiscent of Wild Beasts’ Hayden Thorpe, it glides through its four-and-a-half minutes with consummate ease. (Will Richards)

Described by the band’s Tilly Scantlebury as a “fierce celebration of friendship”, Lazy Day’s new track ‘Double j’ is a testament to how far the band have come from their more dreamy bedroom pop beginnings. ‘Double j’ is upbeat and celebratory, chronicling how our platonic relationships are some of most important we have. With their new EP ‘Letters’ due out on their own label Weird Cool next month, we hope there’s more where this came from. (Rachel Finn)

To keep updated on all our new additions to Neu, follow our playlist on Spotify below:

Tags: Jafaris, Lazy Day, Rozi Plain, Sans Parents, Stoner, Yawners, Listen, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin