News Tracks: AlunaGeorge, Bat For Lashes, Halls & More

It’s Friday, so - as you’ve hopefully some to expect by now - DIY scribes and radio presenters have put together their picks of the tracks out this week. Not singles, mind - that would be too easy. These are songs they’ve scoured to internet to find, using Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube and (probably) DIY’s own news section (cough cough, plug plug).

AlunaGeorge - Your Drums, Your Love (Lil Silva Remix)
There are few more exciting acts in pop right now than AlunaGeorge. The London duo’s forthcoming single ‘Your Drums, Your Love’ is perhaps their best distillation of future R&B and progressive pop. This remix by South London producer Lil Silva eschews the originals mellifluous synths though in favour of enormous beats and a joyous euphoria to no less thrilling effect. Expect to hear this popping up on dance floors everywhere throughout the autumn. (Martyn Young)



Bat For Lashes - Marilyn
Every song of Natasha Khan’s comes off as a grand, ambitious statement: Spend the rest of your life listening to ‘Laura’ or ‘Marilyn’ and nothing but, and you might end up learning a whole lot more about life’s toughest lessons than you would from immersing yourself in an eclectic mix of genres. The bubbling squeaks swimming below ‘Marilyn’’s pulse are the only thing deciphering this song as a modern triumph, rather than a timeless classic. For all its immediacy and simplicity, it’s also a classic example of a grower. And it might be Bat For Lashes’ finest moment yet. (Jamie Milton)



Halls - Roses For The Dead
London proder Halls has been somewhat the master at producing brooding, atmospheric electronica, and the recent addition of vocals has taken his sound to a whole new level - and new cut ‘Roses For The Dead’ is further proof of that. Going by this and the previously-unveiled and incredibly impressive ‘White Chalk’, ‘Ark’ - set for release on 15th October through No Pain In Pop - will be a truly stunning record. (Jake May)



NZCA/LINES - Airloc
An eponymous debut album of this year hinted at great things for NZCA/LINES. Though little reached the heights of ‘Okinawa Channels’ and ‘Compass Points’, crystal pop sensitivity was on the agenda for Michael Lovett and nobody could - and nobody can - perfect the art as well as him. ‘Airlock’ furthers the cause; all tightly-wound synth and percussive perfection. Lovett’s produced a beat capable of turning hip-hop veterans red with envy, but instead he places a “baby you’re so cold” mantra on top of it, like the oddball pop craftsman that he is. (Jamie Milton)



Crash And The ‘Coots - Emily (Hehe)
Crash and the ‘Coots is not a good band name, I think it’s fair to say, and the Swindow band’s previous guise of Crash and the Bandicoots was really no better. Thankfully though the music makes everything okay again. ‘Emily (Hehe)’ - set to appear on an EP through Heart Throb Records, run in-part by DIY’s own Jamie Milton - hears Metronomy-style experimental pop combined with a lo-fi aesthetic pulled off masterfully. Proof, if you needed, it that you should never judge a book by its cover. (Jake May)



Jethro Fox - Lonely Sound
Jethro has had my attention since I first heard his single ‘Echo’. It was presented to me on a plain CD with a folded bit of printed promo and I was told he was a new singer songwriter from ‘up north’. Hmm, ok. I hit play, and I’ve been waiting with eager ears ever since. The beautiful rendition of his track ‘Before’ in a church is incredible. Check it out on YouTube. Think Miles Kane swagger with Ed Sheeran abilities. We’re looking forward to the debut album on Alive And Amplified (every Thursday from 10pm on DIY Radio). And so should you. (Elise Cobain)