News Tracks: Swim Deep, Phoenix, Future Bible Heroes And More

You’re busy, we know that. Busy busy people. And that means there’s every probability that you might have missed some of this week’s new music. But fear ye not, because our blinking lovely writers have picked out their favourite tracks of the week to help you fill your ears up with the best of the last seven days. Without any further ado, may we present: this week’s Tracks.

Swim Deep – She Changes the Weather

Along with the announcement of a debut album in July comes a new single from Birmingham boys Swim Deep. And ‘She Changes the Weather ‘is as much of a change of direction as a band can have, when they’ve only released a handful of tracks. Lyrically, the song is more candid and affectionate than their previous releases, most of which focus on beachy imagery and nostalgic escapism (The Sea, Beach Justice, Orange County… you get the idea). Opening with nearly 2 minutes of piano and softly swelling guitars, this is a lot more expansive and less contained than their previous efforts. If the single’s any kind of taster for their album, it sounds like the band’s time recording in Belgium and London was spent experimenting, and the final product will be very exciting indeed. (Rosie Lord)

Phoenix - Entertainment (Dinosaur Jr Remix)

Dinosaur Jr may not be the obvious first choice to remix a song by Phoenix. Fortunately, their version of the French band’s new single ‘Entertainment’ is less of a remix more a full blown cover that is unrecognisable from the original. In J Mascis and co’s hands it becomes a gorgeously languid and wistful Dinosaur lament.

Mascis’ world weary voice really brings out the introspection within the lyrics as he delivers the key line of, “I’d rather be alone.” The melancholy contemplation of Dinosaur’s take provides an intriguing contrast with the upbeat ebullience of the original. Despite it not being their song in typical Dinosaur fashion a customarily brilliant J Mascis solo provides a gorgeous outro. (Martyn Young)

The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Until The Sun Explodes

Having gone from their own interpretation of the jangly guitar-pop musings of the 1980s on their self-titled début, to the far punchier, scuzzy shoegaze stylings of 2011’s ‘Belong’, the question is where next for Kip Berman & Co.? The answer, seemingly, lies somewhere in the middle. Underpinned by glacial chiming keys and a return of fuzzy guitars, this latest offering’s a classic sub-three minute pop song which gives more than an acknowledging nod towards The Cure’s ‘Just Like Heaven’. Let’s take a minute to be honest on this one, there are FAR worse things to make a song sound like. (Gareth Ware)

Rae Morris – From Above

Singer-songwriters have to make tough decisions upon moving into the realm of recording. Whilst performing live, they may opt to play their repertoire as it is often written – with just their voice and chosen instrument. Stepping into a creative studio, however, presents the performer with a blank canvas upon which to work. Adding full colour to a sound that has lived, until this moment, in their head; filling in the outline of a drawing in whatever shades of colour are desired and in whatever quantity deemed necessary. Rae Morris ‘From Above’ is a perfect example of how to nurture a song from its early conception, and develop it into an incredible record. The delicate electric guitar and booming drums accent the lovely crescendo choruses, and her piano playing has a natural pace setting feel – giving the song its own personality. Rae’s music has a spark that captivates the listener from the first whisper or note; and that spark runs true through the performance on stage to studio releases and even a capella, as shown in a video earlier on this year. The ‘From Above’ EP is out 22nd April and we can’t wait to hear it… (Joe Dickinson - @DickinsonSound)

Haiku Salut – Glockelbar

At the risk of sounding like half of your Twitter/Facebook feed, this weather eh? Never fear though, because there’s at least one silver lining amongst this relentless barrage of clouds, that of it being perfect weather to listen to the new Haiku Salut track (and, as of Monday, the parent record ‘Tricolore’). ‘Glockenbar’ continues the Derbyshire trio’s seemingly effortless ability to create rolling, cinematic instrumental soundscapes to lose yourself in, with glitchy electronic percussion being joined in by reflective accordion and glockenspiel lines. If you’re on the hunt for a new exploring soundtrack for this particularly cold March, look no further. (Gareth Ware)

Disemboweled By Sharks - Beef Eater

One of the joys of working with BBC Introducing is that you can often find some awesome talent that would otherwise not make it through the playlists of my radio regulars like Zane Lowe or Daniel P Carter. This week Disemboweled By Sharks popped up on my feed; a five-piece from London making twisted pop. This track instantly reminded me of the quirkiness of Little Hell ‘Virus With Shoes’, but I’m hoping we hear more than one track that’s killer. Rising up out of the shadows is the next generation of music. And no it’s not hype. It’s actually good. (Elise Cobain)

Shlohmo & Jeremih - Bo Peep (Do You Right)

Jeremih is a singer who is at the vanguard of young US RnB singers and performers led by Frank Ocean and Miguel. These artists have provided something of a commercial renaissance for the genre. Jeremih’s sweet falsetto and mellifluous grooves were showcased to great effect on last year’s ‘Late Nights…’ mixtape, following two promising albums released on Def Jam recordings. And vocally, he’s a perfect fit for this beguiling collaboration with LA producer Shlohmo.

Shlohmo’s aesthetic is very much rooted in warped, distended and abstract hip-hop. On ‘Bo Peep (Do You Right) the lurching beats and percussion are very much present with Jeremih’s soulful voice providing an intriguing contrast with the darkly ominous beats. It’s a curious mix of light and shade from two artists who are becoming masters at their craft. (Martyn Young)

The Joy Formidable – Little Blimp

Everybody plays air guitar. We’ve all been caught playing a solo or two with a tennis racquet while listening to our favourite solo. But have you ever wondered what it is like being the guitar? Thrashing around on stage, completely at the mercy of your owner; melting faces one moment, breaking hearts the next? Well look no further than the new video for The Joy Formidable ‘Little Blimp’. With the help of a small camera on the headstock – we find out what it’s like being the musical weapon of choice for the bands ever charismatic lead singer & guitarist, Ritzy. The song itself is a punch-for-punch classic TJF track that is instantly recognisable, thanks to Rhydian’s fantastic growling bass at the beginning, and it truly is nothing short of an auditory treat to behold live. The video captures their stage show perfectly, and who knows – maybe next time we can trade places with the giant gong that sits behind drummer, Matt, on stage. (Joe Dickinson - @DickinsonSound)

Future Bible Heroes – Living, Loving, Partygoing

Ah Stephin Merritt, the ‘Mr Magnetic Fields’ that Neil Gaiman once famously described in a documentary as ‘making Lou Reed look like Little Orphan Annie’. But what nowhere near enough people know about is his slew of side projects, which have included The 6ths (Merritt-penned songs sung by an all star cast of guest vocalists) and a synth-pop outfit, Future Bible Heroes. Having not released anything since 2002’s ‘Eternal Youth’, their forthcoming June-scheduled new record ‘Partygoing’ has been preceded by teaser track ‘Living, Loving, Partygoing’, a subtle yet infectious classic Merrit pop song featuring fellow Magnetic Fields member and Future Bible Heroes lynchpin Claudia Gonson on lead vocals. Could the parent record be the best non-Magnetic Fields Merritt composition? On this evidence, it’s highly possible. (Gareth Ware)