News Tracks: Jessie Ware, Ducktails, Solange And More

It’s that time of the week again, when our writers and radio presenters sit down and duel over which of the week’s new releases deserve their place on our weekly playlist. They’ve battled it out just for you, so pop the kettle on, sit back and relax, whilst we metaphorically massage your eardrums with this week’s selection.

Jessie Ware – Night Light (Wild Beasts Remix)
The combination of sultry soul singer Jessie Ware and idiosyncratic indie group Wild Beasts may at first glance be an odd one but the Kendal band have transformed Ware’s new single ‘Night Light’ into the kind of beguiling dark ballad that would fit perfectly on last years ‘Smother’ LP. Ware’s vocals flit in and out of a remix that reconfigures stately piano as the main instrument. The tremulous vocals of the bands Tom Fleming form something of a strange and bewitching duet between himself and Ware. This is the perfect example of a unique collaboration that bucks the trend for formulaic dance remixes. (Martyn Young)

Night Light- Wild Beasts Remix by JessieWare

Solange – Losing You
It’s tough enough having a talented sibling- being so closely related to Beyonce Knowles must make you feel at least a little ostracized. It would be very easy for Solange to remain unseen beneath the formidable shadow cast by her sister’s renowned derriere and reputation, but teaming up with Blood Orange, Solange’s buzz credentials are soaring by the second. This smooth, sassy Rn’B jam is laced in a humid mist of tropical synths and 80’s heartache, and we’ve played it approximately 400 times already this week. Indie darling Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear is putting out ‘Losing You’ on his label, and with an Of Montreal collaboration about to drop, Solange is forging her own path. ‘Alt Knowles Sister’™ anyone? (El Hunt)



Halls – Reverie
It’s less than a week until Halls releases his debut album ‘Ark’ through No Pain In Pop (15 October), and as one final teaser for it the South London producer has shared track ‘Reverie’. The most organic of the three songs (the other two being ‘White Chalk’ and ‘Roses For The Dead’) to come from it so far, it hears 21-year-old Howard’s echoing, haunting vocals backed by atmospheric, brooding beats and gentle guitar to stunning effect. For fans of Thom Yorke, the XX and Good Music. (Jake May)



SBTRKT – Terminal
SBTRKT is the catalyst responsible for some of the most embarrassing dance moves of my entire summer; and I’m sure that in this I am not alone. Listening to ‘Terminal’ within the confines of a chair, heavy with the expectations of socially acceptable behaviour, is tough – in such situations this song will turn you into a nodding dog. Thrashing around brandishing wine-drinks is the preferred listening accompaniment. This is so bloopily infectious that it should be played everywhere; Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, you name it. Our only gripe is the vocals, or rather lack of. Never fear though, because if ‘Terminal’ is anything to go by, Bright Young Things everywhere will be queuing round the block to work with SBTRKT. (El Hunt)



Ducktails - The Flower Lane
After contributing to the sumptuous second Real Estate album ‘Days’ guitarist Matt Mondanile returns to his Ducktails alias with ‘The Flower Lane’ the gorgeously languid title track from the forthcoming fourth Ducktails album, the first for new label Domino Records. What is immediately striking is it seems to be a far more hi fidelity recording than Ducktails previously resolutely lo-fi oeuvre. There is a sharpness and strength of melody that was previously sometimes hidden or deliberately obscured. The guitar lines gently glide and snake around Mondanile’s ultra blissed out vocal and the whole song has a wonderfully gentle charm. (Martyn Young)

Ducktails - The Flower Lane by Domino Record Co

Angel Haze & Jamie xx - 83rd Mashup
You’d think that after casually popping out the second The xx record to a frenzy of critical acclaim, Jamie xx would need a break from being cool. You’d expect that like the rest of us mere mortals, he’d need to slump down in front of Made In Chelsea for at least a day or two, and feast on pot noodle. Not so. Handing over creative reins to The 83rd in an inspired remix choice, ‘NY is Killing Me’ is given new life. Injected with the urgently skittering jazz-vibes of Angel Hazes’ ‘New York’, this is a smoothie packed full of lip-smackingly compatible ingredients. Gil Scott Heron’s tangy splash of dub, some fruity vocals and a lashings of hype make for a winning recipe. (El Hunt)



Icona Pop - We Got The World
You know how everyone goes on about something being pop, when it blinking well isn’t? This, THIS is proper pop. Banging beats, sparkling production, and upbeat lyrics about living fast and dying young, all combine to make utterly shameless fun. It’s like someone gave the Swedish duo a Katy Perry album and a couple of One Direction tracks, and bet them 50p that they couldn’t do better. Bet they’re now 50p richer, too. (Simone Scott Warren)



ERAAS - At Heart
As the Autumnal cold begins to take grip, it only serves to amplify the kind of brooding sound that New York based ERAAS have made with their debut album. The stand-out track ‘At Heart’ has a yearning sound with its vocals set somewhere out in the middle distance. It’s a subtle and elegant piece of electronic music that’s arrived at just the right time. (Ian Paterson)



Bat For Lashes - We Found Love
It’s a terrible old cliché that is seldom ever applied correctly but that oft used X-Factor reference to someone ‘making the song your own’ can legitimately be described to Bat For Lashes excellent version of Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ recorded during a session for Zane Lowe‘s BBC Radio 1 show. In Natasha Khan’s hands, Rihanna’s atypical club banger is utterly transformed into a genuinely spooky and haunting gothic lament. The arrangement is sparse with only an eerie church organ and light percussion to accompany Khan’s smokey voice on a rendition rich in portent and melodrama. “A hopeless place” indeed. (Martyn Young)



Bomb The Music Industry! - Campaign For A Better Next Weekend
This is the first track taken from Bomb The Music Industry!’s album Vacation, which was released on Really Records in 2011. The whole album is for free/donation download on Quote Unquote Records website. The song is very soft as a piano softly plays and Jeff’s voice comes in very calm. It does not really sound like any other BTMI! song, which is not a bad thing. The song gradually gets louder and louder as the rest of the band start supporting with backing vocals, it gets you ready and pumped for the rest of the album. (Cilléin McEvoy)



Purity Ring - Belispeak II (feat. Danny Brown)
‘Purity Ring are selling out!’ came the cries when this dropped via the band’s Twitter. But the original ‘Belispeak’ - whilst possibly the catchiest song ever written about vomiting - wasn’t exactly GG Allin in the first place, with its pop sheen of programmed drums and glittering fairy light synths. Adding Brown (y’know, the one with the hair) on this remix simply makes it all the the more shiny - especially his auto-tuned final verse - and less po-faced, as he raps about being hungry when his ‘belly speaks.’ Like an Instagrammed dinner, only a lot less awful. (Tom Baker)



Red City Radio - We Are the Sons and Daughters of Woodie Guthrie
Taken from their 2009 EP ‘To The Sons and Daughters of Woodie Guthrie’, this song is a perfect song to get you in the mood for a good day. Powerful chorus and catchy riffs makes this song a must have in a party playlist. The band have since released their first LP ‘The Dangers of Standing Still’ which is a great album, well worth checking out, especially if you enjoy the track here. (Cilléin McEvoy)



How To Destroy Angels - Keep It Together
We’ve had husband-wife combos before. Will and Regine from Arcade Fire, (excellent!), Tina and Ike Turner (for some…) and then there’s Trent and Mariqueen from How To Destroy Angels. And not just any old Trent; Trent Reznor to be precise. And his little known from Atticus Ross. Following on from their debut release back in 2010 HTDA were quiet. Trent wrote ‘The Girl With Dragon Tattoo’ soundtrack too which was an artform in itself. Think Thom Yorke solo stuff meets Mark Lanegan. You will not be dissapointed. This is utter class. (Elise Cobain – Alive and Amplified)



The Riot Before - Backstage Rooms
Taken from the 2010 album Rebellion, which was released on Paper & Plastick Records. Sadly, the band called it quits last year. This song is driven by Brett’s powerful gruff voice, with some lovely guitar playing, with some simple but effective drumming. While the song can feel full of anger, it does break down to some great soft parts. (Cilléin McEvoy)



One Man Army - I.T.I.A.L.S.
Taken from ‘She’s An Alarm’ the latest release from One Man Army. Put out on Adeline Records, it gives four fantastic tracks that should be listened to by anyone who enjoys good independent rock/punk music. The singer is the original Dead to Me singer Jack Dalrymple. This was his band before Dead to Me, and it is a great thing they got back together. The song in question is just great start to finish - Jack Dalrymple’s voice is absolutely brilliant, and the music behind him is killer. The track can really make you feel stoked on life. (Cilléin McEvoy)



Among Brothers - I Am Certain
Among Brothers are difficult to pin down. The Cardiff five-some combine delicate melodies and precise instrumentation with big, harmonised vocals and loud choruses. It’s kind of pop meets post-rock meets folk, underpinned with an urge for experimentation and an ear for a tune - it’s bold and it’s beautiful. ‘I Am Certain’ is taken from a forthcoming double A-side single out through the Too Pure Singles Club and follows on from their debut ‘Homes’ EP, with the band also set to perform at Swn Festival next week. (Jake May)