News Tracks: Arctic Monkeys, M.I.A & More

We’re approaching the end of festival season, meaning: Tracks will be arriving left, right and centre from here on in. Not that DIY scribes have been starved or anything. It’s been a busy week, throwing up a fair few giants to meddle with. If it’s been a busy one and you’ve been left totally out of the loop, take a seat and let DIY take you through big highlights from the past week.

M.I.A – Come Walk With Me

‘Matangi”s been constantly delayed with M.I.A’s label saying that the new album is “too positive”. But from the first song to be released from it, ‘Bring The Noize’, with its quick-fire rhythm and skittering vocal samples, it all sounded like classic M.I.A. Having now finally secured a release date for the album in November, she’s shared new track ‘Come Walk With Me’. Knowing Maya’s tech obsession, it’s no surprise MacBook sounds are integrated into this track. Taking some lyrical pop clichés and turning them around in a self-aware way, she sings “You ain’t gotta throw your hands in the air/ Cause tonight we ain’t acting like we don’t care”. It’s a subtle bash at the current trend of ‘not caring and partying’, with Miley Cyrus’ saying “hands in the air like we don’t care” in ‘We Can’t Stop’ receiving a sly dig. What would normally be another immediate track lost in the ether is established as being bonafide M.I.A - clever, bright and downright rude. (Aurora Mitchell)

Arctic Monkeys – I Want It All

Is there anything Arctic Monkeys can’t do? During their five album career they’ve received the undisputed title of the biggest rock ‘n roll band in Britain, quenching fans\ thirst with straight up tracks, each slowly evolved a conventional indie sound into a completely different beast. Quite rightly, they aren’t lacking any confidence. Latest song ‘I Want It All’ is a self-assured glam rock strut, with Jamie’s Cook riffs sounding like they’ve come straight out of Marc Bolan’s amp, while Turner manages to reference The Rolling Stone’s song ‘2000 Light Years From Home’. The best bit, though, is the “Shoo-wop, shoo-wop” backing vocals that fit perfectly in the mix, just like Turner’s trusted comb slots comfortably into the back pocket of his favourite jeans. Yes, they can do everything. (Sam Cornforth)

Oneohtrix Point Never - Zebra

There’s a weirdly endearing sentimentality holding together Daniel Lopatin’s work as Oneohtrix Point Never. Regardless of the sound he’s going for, the dreamlike qualities manage to overwhelm in the best possible sense. Continuing with his trend of removing elements from their original contexts, ‘Zebra’ from the upcoming ‘R Plus Seven’, manipulates sounds resembling Windows start up music into something else entirely. Starting with a micro house-esque opening not too dissimilar to something you’d expect from Gold Panda before ending with the stoic subterranean misery of its second half, ‘Zebra’ never lets you know where it’s going until it gets there. It’s got all the elements of his previous material, despite moving in such a different direction. His penchant for micro moments of beauty is just as strong as it’s ever been, building to a conclusion reminiscent of past memories, even if they’re only synthetic ones. (Joe Price)

Shit Father – Only A Shadow

Do dreams come true? Does Christmas come early? Do miracles exist? Yes. Yes. And yes. Well, for fans of Captured Tracks all of the above became reality on Sunday during the label’s fifth anniversary celebrations when a certain supergroup took to the stage. Shit Father - comprising of Mac De Marco, Cole (DIIV), Dustin (Beach Fossils) and Jack (Wild Nothing) played a set of covers - with the highlight being Cleaners From Venus’ ‘Only A Shadow’ (The Brooklyn label recently re-released a CFV boxset). Despite not differentiating all that much from the original, the cover still sounds absolutely great considering it was probably rustled up in a jiffy. Just like the idea of a child’s favourite cartoon characters combing would overjoy them with excitement, this jangle pop excellence is enough to send us to indie rock heaven. (Sam Cornforth)

Ryan Hemsworth - Against A Wall (ft. Lofty305)

As one of the most prolific and consistently brilliant producers currently working today, it’s impressive that Ryan Hemsworth has struck such an singular sound that manages to remain so fresh regardless of what he’s making. Whether it’s eclectic hip-hop productions for numerous cloud rappers or his bouncy backstreet boys sampling remixes, there’s a certain expectation regarding his sound. Inspired by the videogames on which he grew up and the gaudy pop R&B of the 90s, there’s nothing else quite like it. Hemsworth’s latest solo cut is certainly no slouch either. It features Metro Zu member and Raider Klan associate Lofty305, who provides a flutteringly imperfect vocal contribution. The warmth of ‘Against A Wall’ manages to lean on nostalgia without entirely depending on it, with it all culminating in Hemsworth’s most exciting track yet. (Joe Price)