Features Tracks: Chvrches, Icona Pop, Joey Bada$$ And More

At last, the sun (at least in London) has got his hat on. Hip hip hip hooray!

In Tracks we always seem to end up talking about the weather, but is it any wonder when summer just won’t get its arse in gear? Whether it’s down to the blue skies or sheer cabin fever from the previous arctic temperatures, a few of our writers this week have gone proper loco for pop music. Chvrches, Disclosure, and Icona Pop have all had the same idea, and luckily they’re on hand with the music to match. There’s all sorts of other things here to keep you amused, too. Read all about it below.

Chvrches - Gun

Chvrches have been teasing us for a while now with single after single of pure pop brilliance. Right from the start, ‘The Mother We Share’ captivated the attention of many and proved that the Scottish trio could be headed for much bigger things. Whilst an album is definitely on the cards, we may still be waiting a while but in the meantime to tide us over is their new single ‘Gun’. And it does not disappoint. Lauren’s voice soars above the wobbling synth line in the bridge, building up to the climatic chorus as she bursts out “I will be a gun and it’s you I’ll come for”. It’s ridiculously catchy and replayable – just what you’d expect from Chvrches but on a bigger scope. There are indeed big things anticipated for Lauren Mayberry and co., perhaps bigger than we had initially thought. (Aurora Mitchell)

Icona Pop - Girlfriend

Having recently bagged a place on the Radio 1 playlist, it looks like the lovely Icona Pop are making the big-time, and they’re back on glitzy pop form with ‘Girlfriend’. It’s got all the hallmarks. There’s a nod to ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, Beyonce and Jay-Z’s 2003 track. There’s plenty of euphoric na-na-nana-ing for good measure and a pulsing club beat - a relentless pace keeping the party thriving. It’s pretty much made to soundtrack a behind the scenes video where Caroline and Aino run round an open-air white-washed nightclub packed with revelers, before popping open bottles of Armand de Brignac and diving fully-clothed into the swimming pool. This is unabashed pop gold at its most addictive. (El Hunt)

Outfit - I Want What’s Best

It’s difficult to place Outfit up against any other band, not least their former selves. The demos they once graced sound tinny, light and faulty when compared to the sheen that defines their new ‘I Want What’s Best’ track. It’s not glossy to the point of being cold and disinterested, though. Goodness knows how many layers are piled on top of one another. Guitars practically cry out in the background, as clipped piano lines and mechanic percussion befits direct, inquisitive vocals. It comes off like a cast of thousands all scurrying to get your attention, it’s so busy, but the hurried feel somehow contributes to a sparse, open-aired recording. With bolshy production and a keener ear for direct, affecting songwriting, Outfit have raised their game. (Jamie Milton)

Joey Bada$$ - Word Is Bond

Ask Shylock from the Bard’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ if word is bond, and he’ll be after a pound of flesh before you can say William Shakespeare. Ask rising rap prodigy Joey Bada$$ and he tells you yes, too; “word is fucking bond”. Then he launches into one of the smoothest deliveries of the year so far, complete with delicious production from Statik Selektah that is absolutely classic, textbook, traditional, old school hip-hop at its finest. Whether you’re into the technicality of flow, or you’re just here for the ‘Vib3z’, there’s no denying breath control and witty lyrical wordplay are the main attractions. If Bada$$ keeps up this form, forthcoming ‘Summer Knights’ will rival Chance’s terrific ‘Acid Rap’ for mixtape of the year. (El Hunt)

Disclosure - When A Fire Starts To Burn

It’s an undeniable fact, Disclosure are spreading like wildfire and have quickly made the transition from underground house to a more garage inflected sound on latest single ‘You & Me’ Some people might have started to get worried about Disclosure’s forthcoming record, Eliza Doolittle? New garage? But not to fear, ‘When A Fire Starts To Burn’ takes Disclosure right back to the origins of their sound and instead of the sensuous atmosphere that occupied their earlier material, there’s a kick and an ambition as the gravelly vocal sample repeats the title of the track over the pounding 4/4 beat. Disclosure have already formed their own signature sound in such a short time but they’re showing us that they can experiment with the tried and tested formula. The fire is already fully ignited in Disclosure and they show no signs of letting it peter out. (Aurora Mitchell)

FF Korova - Dali’s Dream

From the ashes of the much-loved Black Shark comes FF Korova featuring Izzy Izenstain and Richie Franklin. This duo like to lock themselves up in their home-made studio in Birmingham and craft songs inspired in equal parts by psychedelic rock and Depeche Mode. ‘Dali’s Dream’ is the first taste of the fruits of their labour and shows off how the duo have taught themselves to record and produce their own songs. It’s a dark trip that is full of mysterious twists and turns. It also features guest appearances from Tommy and Jake from Wide Eyed. Just when you think you know where it’s going, it flits in another direction. Here’s hoping they continue to experiment further. (Jack Parker)

Among Brothers - Jollica

It is often suggested that true creativity lies in the murky waters between well defined genres. It is somewhere deep in this vast expanse that you will find Among Brothers, hopefully in a boat - if we are sticking to the water analogy. These guys aren’t afraid to take influence from all sorts of places and it shows on their records with their unique and well thought out instrumentation. ‘Jollica’ opens with a brilliantly addictive brass riff; as you find the groove, your head begins to nod, and by the time the rest of the band have joined, you have already succumbed to the music. The track itself has been impeccably recorded and mixed – the space created around the drums allows everything to sit wonderfully. The strings are a really nice touch, too. ‘Jollica’ is out now as a split single with Shady Lane on the ever reliable Kissability label. (Joe Dickinson - @DickinsonSound)

Among Brothers - Jollica by Among Brothers