Round-up This Week In New Music (9th August 2014)

Ryn Weaver, Mysteries and Obeyi are this week’s picks from the past seven days.

Words: Jamie Milton
9th August 2014

This week’s been defined by surprises. None more so than the return of LA-based Spielberg siblings Wardell who, bar the occasional celeb-spot of an Instagram post, looked to have either a) sunk into obscurity or b) simply called it quits. Instead they arrived with more intent than ever, just like Irish producer MMOTHS, who tided over wait for new material with a fierce electronic standalone track, ‘Santo’. The waiting game didn’t have to be played when it came to REID, another Ireland-based gadget head. DIY premiered his ‘Fractures’ EP this week, and he clearly looks to be a guy on the up. The same applies for the below, all emerging from different corners (pure pop, strange experimentalism, dark industrial songwriting), all with their eyes on the future.

Here’s the best of what happened this week in new music:

TRACK OF THE WEEK:
Ryn Weaver - Promises

A good deal’s been made about the people Ryn Weaver’s working with, and not the plain-sighted fact that she’s responsible for some of the biggest pop songs this year’s had the pleasure of witnessing. Yes, Michael Angelakos and Charli XCX have had a hand in the process (with ‘OctaHate’ also getting production from Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat), but new song ‘Promises’ goes one step further. It captures the giddy energy of someone on the up (hint: that’s Ryn) and it soars towards the skies with all the intent of a rocket that’s about to discover a brand new planet. This is striking, undeniable pop music - there’s zero breathing space, and that’s the best part.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
Ibeyi - River

French-Cuban twins Ibeyi can breathe underwater longer than the majority of individuals (longer than the ‘No Surprises’ Thom Yorke, even? Given his short-of-breath starring role involved speeding up a video at twice the speed). They also happen to pack expressive music that’s big on percussion, bigger on heart. Their name stems from a distant culture (Yoruba) that’s unfamiliar to most, and their music possesses a similar, alien quality. There’s a reason XL and head honcho Richard Russell are on board - this is soulful music stemming from a new leaf.

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK:
Mysteries

After debut track ‘Deckard’ premiered on DIY at the very beginning of the week, we’ve since picked up a slight (probably incorrect) inkling as to the individuals behind the project. LA-based, clearly with a fair bit of knowhow on the process of making booming, industrial dark pop, these aren’t mere strangers. In this first take from their debut LP ‘New Age Music is Here’, they dive into formidable, NIN-stamped, pitch-black corners. It’s brilliantly assured and unshakeable in its moody quality. Whoever started this project clearly had some inner demons to rinse out.

Tags: Ryn Weaver, Listen, Features, Neu