Listen Tracks: The Magic Gang, Hayley Williams, Christine and the Queens and more

The biggest and best tracks of the past week, rounded up and reviewed.

Words: Jack Johnstone Orr, Jess Peace, Mia Hughes
7th February 2020

It’s finally the end of the week, and we have a brand spanking new edition of Tracks - our weekly round-up of the biggest and best new tracks around.

We’ve got a bold first taste of a new album from returning indie scamps The Magic Gang, more new Hayley Williams, after she dropped the first five tracks from forthcoming debut album ‘Petals For Armor’ on Thursday, plus there’s a brand new Christine and the Queens track, and much more.

For what we have to say on this fortnight’s biggest and most exciting tracks, scroll on! And if you’re itching to check out even more, subscribe to our Essential New Tracks playlist.

The Magic Gang - Think

The seasiders are back in town with a fresh flavour for their Neapolitan palette. While retaining all the charm of their previous efforts, this feels like an assured strut forward into new sonic territory for The Magic Gang. ‘Think’ is a tour de force of groove; all upbeat horns and dancing rhythms, a perfect accompaniment to carefree nights out and swinging discos. The accompanying video captures this vibe perfectly, featuring glamorous twenty-somethings strutting the night away at London’s iconic MOTH Club. We may not have their grace, but with floor fillers like this it seems The Magic Gang will be inspiring dodgy late night moves for many moons to come. (Jack Johnstone Orr)

Hayley Williams - Cinnamon

Though for 16 years she’s made herself at home among rousing choruses and boundless energy, thus far Hayley Williams’ solo project has seen her gracefully and assuredly explore a realm outside of that comfort zone. Like its two preceding singles, ‘Cinnamon’ is musically idiosyncratic, driven by jerky drums and spluttering synth before morphing into twisted funk-pop. Hayley describes the track as an ‘ode to [her] home’; she sings,”Home is where I’m feminine / Smells like citrus and cinnamon,” a love song to the comforts of normalcy.”I’m not lonely, baby, I am free,” she continues - and ‘Cinnamon’ sounds like freedom. (Mia Hughes)

Christine and the Queens - People, I’ve Been Sad

‘People, I’ve Been Sad’ feels like the sonic equivalent of wearing your heart on your sleeve, exactly the type of heartbreaking, synth-pop that we have come to know and love Christine and the Queens for. The song sees Chris reflecting on loneliness, missing out and feeling lost. “It’s just that me, myself and I, been missing out for way too long” she confesses, taking turns singing in both English and French. Her vulnerable lyrics are interwoven with pitched-down vocals, enveloped in hopeful, melodic bursts of synth, layered with warm waves of acoustic string. It’s honest, raw and beautiful, with just enough je ne sais quoi to make you want to dance, rather than sob. (Jess Peace)

Jockstrap - Acid

Despite its caustic title, ‘Acid’ Is a delicate and uplifting track that leaves the listener swooning from its intimate declarations of love and shuts them off from the outside world for four minutes, as the crooning voices tell you, “it’s me and you”. The instrumentation is a soaring sonic crescendo that sweeps the listener off their feet and takes them on a heady journey of emotions; from black and white to technicolour. It is wistful yet motivating, nostalgic without being soppy. If you’re ready for a bit of romance, Jockstrap’s new one is for you. (Jack Johnstone Orr)

Tags: Christine and The Queens, Jockstrap, The Magic Gang, Listen, Features, Tracks