News Tracks: Sky Ferreira, HEALTH, & More

Sky Ferreira – You’re Not The One

The Dev Hynes-produced ‘Everything Is Embarrassing’ signalled a change in Sky Ferreira’s music career. Originally developed to be the next major pop star, the ‘Ghost’ EP from last year showed that that wasn’t what she wanted to become. Having finally secured a release date for her second album Night Time, My Time after several name changes and setbacks – lead single ‘You’re Not the One’ has appeared online. Singing about someone who wasn’t right for her, she channels her darker side in the accompanying video as she goes to stab a mystery stranger in the neck with a sharp implement. Where ‘Everything Is Embarrassing’ was fragile and delicate, ‘You’re Not the One’ is defiant and shows that Ferreira is just as adept at upbeat straight-forward pop hooks as she is at downtempo introspection.(Aurora Mitchell)

Clams Casino – Crystals

As an undeniable master of texture, Mike Volpe’s Clams Casino name caries a hefty weight. The ambient hiss and fuzzy otherworldly samples found in his dense production offers a thick atmosphere entirely his own - but, in his recent material he’s expanded on his signature sound in a variety of ways. Exploring both the frothing anxiety and the pained emotion so perfectly captured in his output, ‘Crystals’ is the result of closely examining the ominous blown-out flashes his production has so frequently hinted at in the past. Nobody else could’ve made the track quite the way it is - it’s new ground for Volpe, but he’s reaching this different destination with a similar approach. The gloomy murk of ‘Crystals’ implies that he’s capable of doing far more with his cloud-rap defining sound than initially thought, proving once again that Clams Casino is a name worth getting excited about. (Joe Price)

Sébastien Tellier– L’amour naissant

Sébastien Tellier’s musical output veers from understated, introspective beauty to overblown, sexy French Pop, and as of late he’s been mainly focusing on the latter. While it’s a treat to see Tellier lording it up in his tunic and medallion, and thrusting around to ‘Roche’ and ‘Sexual Sportswear’, part of me does miss the twinkling ‘La ritournelle’. A score for an imagined film, ‘L’amour naissant’ (that’s ‘The Budding Romance’ in English) dances along in stern, focused theatrical fashion, and as violins reach out with melodrama, you can almost picture a young, star-crossed couple angstily tangoing their way around a deserted ballroom in le-de-France. Sébastien has also made a very cinematic music video, where he wafts his arms around dramatically on the beach, whilst two lovers charge towards one another. A bit over the top, still, but it’s a surprising, welcome return to the quieter Tellier of ‘Politics’. (El Hunt)

Smith Westerns – 3am Spiritual (Basement Recording)

Smith Westerns have grown up. Their latest album ‘Soft Will’ dealt with this theme, with mature songs that had an added gleam to them. It feels like a long time ago that they sometimes went by the nickname ‘s dubz’ and rustled up bratty lo-fi garage rock, all whilst they were still in high school. But their latest B Side ‘3am Spiritual (Basement Recording)’ rolls back those years with a tinny sound quality that is full of charm and character. More than anything though, it shows that Cullen, Max and Cameron are the masters behind their own progression, as even with less glossy production it is the brilliant songcraft that shines through on this dusty basement recording. (Samuel Cornforth)

HEALTH – High Pressure Dave

Further distorting the singular sound that they established themselves with, L.A. noise desecrators HEALTH have delved deeper into the pulsing dance elements that they’ve continued to flirt with since their 2007 debut. Manipulating The Unit’s goofy new wave gem ‘High Pressure Days’ into something considerably more menacing, ‘High Pressure Dave’ feels as if it could fit into a DJ set just as easily as it could a My Bloody Valentine tribute album. With vocalist Jake Duzsik’s breathy voice gliding smoother than on any of HEALTH’s previous output, the Grand Theft Auto soundtrack contribution sounds every bit like the result of a Vice City binge, all without forgetting the elements that make HEALTH’s sound so defined. Flicking back and forth between their thunderous walls of noise and thrashing club contortionism, HEALTH haven’t exactly made it easy to keep up with their ever evolving sound, but they’ve always kept it interesting.(Joe Price)

Thumpers– Unkinder (A Tougher Love)

Contrary to the title, ‘Unkinder (A Tougher Love)’ has nothing particularly mean about it. Thumpers make blooping, sherbety pop with a massive hovercraft engine propelling them airily forward at breakneck speed. Those drums are as loud as possible, and there are all manner of stuttering enunciation and vocal tics creeping through the sheen. There is an edge that makes this more exciting than mere pop synth. Bangerz? Pish, it’s all about Thumperz.(El Hunt)

Connan Mockasin – I’m The Man, That Will Find You

Connan Mockasin is a little bit of a genius. On 2011’s ‘Forever Dolphin Love’ his vivid imagination flourished to create shimmering, unorthodox psych songs that were incredibly rewarding. And sure enough, there are no signs of the native New Zealanders’ creative streak dying out, on the evidence of ‘I’m The Man, That Will Find You’ from his second album. The vaguely conceptual release named ‘Caramel’ is based on Connan’s musical interpretation of the word, and true to his promise this is a sweet chunk of soul music that is very moreish, with R&B and funky grooves combining for a surprisingly sexy listen. Just like all of Mockasin’s work though, it is open for your mind to wander and make up its very own interpretation of this special song. (Samuel Cornforth)