Grae – ‘Room In the Desert’
Toronto artist, Grae, has drawn inspiration from Cocteau Twins’ ‘Cherry-coloured Funk’ on new single, ‘Room In The Desert’. The enigmatic title, which actually had no meaning to Grae at the time of writing, is designed to evoke unique and varied imagery in each listener. At its core, it’s a hazy, wistful pop song that hints at exciting things to come from Grae’s debut album, ‘Whiplash’ out in April.
Nilufer Yanya – ‘Midnight Sun’
The first track from Nilufer Yanya’s upcoming second album has an air of Radiohead about it – in a very good way. “It’s a song about recognising what it feels like to be pushed down but wanting to resist. I really like the imagery of ‘midnight sun’ as a lyric as it insinuates a light guiding you through darkness. The wings carry their own symbolism – freedom, lightness, flight, fantasy…” Nilufer explains of her angelic garb in the accompanying video. “If I could pick what people saw and heard it would be: seeing the beauty of confrontation and the necessity of rebellion.”
Sofia Kourtesis – ‘Estación Esperanza’
If you’re not familiar with Sofia Kourtesis, here are some things you should know. 1) She is a very exciting Peruvian electronic producer, based out of Berlin, whose music featured on a host of best-of lists for 2021. Her new single ‘Estación Esperanza’, (Hope Station in English), features a very rare guest spot from Manu Chao and she’s got some upcoming headline shows in London, as well as heading out on European tour with Caribou (which should give you more of a sense of her sound). ‘Estación Esperanza’ is as hopeful as the name suggests. Opening with sampled chanting from a Peruvian protest against homophobia, the track pulses with the radiant and defiant sense of life that her music is becoming known for. With family also always permeating her work, this track is dedicated to Sofia’s mother with her face front and centre on the track’s artwork. We all need a party right now and preferably, it’ll sound just like this.
Lime Garden – ‘Marbles’
“I think I have lost my marbles/ I can feel them fall right out the bag”, sings frontwoman Chloe Howard on Lime Garden’s new track, ‘Marbles’. After a couple of years where we’ve all been collectively hanging on to our marbles for dear life, this dancey number from the buzzy Brighton four-piece feels particularly apt. Definitely one to hum to yourself on those long, maddening working-from-home days.
Griff X Sigrid – ‘Head On Fire’
Big collaboration klaxon! Griff and Sigrid both make really good pop songs, and now they’ve made one together. ‘Head On Fire’ is about all-consuming young love, the type that uses up every inch of brainpower and makes you feel a bit head-splodey. Fans are hoping for more future collaborations from the pair who formed a firm friendship after meeting at a Reuben Selby fashion show last year. Judging by the video, being in #Grigrid’s gang is a whole lot of fun.
Listen to these and more new tracks on our BRAND NEW 22 playlist