Nandi Bushell – ‘The Shadows’
From challenging Dave Grohl to a drum-off, to playing drums for Foo Fighters at the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, 12-year-old Nandi Bushell is a force of nature. Phenomenally talented, she has already been inspiring children (and adults) everywhere to pick up their instruments and today she releases her first original song. ‘The Shadows’ is a track written for her dad, the man who encouraged her to play music – although by her own admission her talents surpassed his at around age 9. The track is a heartfelt rock song about a time when her father became depressed, Nandi, showing an understanding beyond her years, promising to always be there for him. The song sees Nandi play every instrument – piano, drums, guitar and vocals, starting off softly and quickly descending into a Muse-like cacophony of sound. It’s hard to pinpoint why exactly seeing this young girl succeed so beautifully at her art is so emotive: perhaps because she is a beacon of hope that the future of rock won’t be so white-male dominated, maybe just because she’s incredibly badass, but ‘The Shadows’ is further proof that Nandi can do anything she puts her mind to. Rock gods, she’s coming for your crown.
Paramore – ‘This Is Why’
It’s been five years but Paramore are back. We’re pleased to hear that ‘This Is Why’ subscribes to the same hooky synth-pop of ‘After Laughter’, the band’s incredibly good 2017 album. It’s a track about avoiding the world outside, Hayley Williams, in a couple of select interviews, explaining that the band’s downtime was essential for their mental health. With a jumbo tour and a new album on the way, it’s a promising sign of things to come.
Shygirl – ‘Shlut’
Shygirl‘s debut album ‘Nymph’ has further cemented her as one of the UK’s most daring artists. On ‘Shlut’ we see a new vulnerability to Shy, the track revealing another side to her sex-positive facade; a person who despite her confidence, has insecurities of her own. “I can’t deal with the thought of you leaving/ me left staring at the ceiling solo“, she coos over yet more exquisite production. Definitely an album highlight.
The Big Moon – ‘This Love’
The Big Moon have been through an enormous period of change throughout the making of upcoming album, ‘Here Is Everything’, released October 14. Frontwoman Jules Jackson grew a new human: something that had the potential to disrupt the band but in fact, has made them even closer than before. Jules’ storytelling reaches new highs on ‘This Love’, a rare love song written before her pregnancy. Beautiful work.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Wolf’
“I’m hungry like a wolf“, sings Karen O on the opening line of ‘Wolf’, a synth-pop banger taken from new album, ‘Cool It Down’, their first full-length since 2013’s ‘Mosquito’, almost a decade ago. The band have matured, but still ooze as much indie-sleaze, shake your ‘do ferocity as they did in the heady ‘It’s Blitz’ era.
Listen to these and more new tracks on our BRAND NEW playlist, updated every week:
