New Boots editor Phil Moore takes you through the best new tracks this week.
Jordan Mackampa ‘Peace By Piece’
Hot on the heels of the sensational ‘Over & Out’ is this similarly vibing folk-soul tune. “Every scar is a lesson won” is an example lyric of a song championing personal growth, battle by battle. The nice spoken poem sections marks this out from the competition too. University of Northampton graduate Mackampa continues to knock out gem after gem; check out his Foreigner album if you don’t know it.
Cody Feechan ‘Kingdom Caller’
New Scottish singer-songwriter Feechan has recorded a great alt-rock-meets-Americana winner here. A voice as rich as Yellow Bourbon coffee, the band play beautifully, and the whole thing oozes energy and passion, which is all you can ask for in music really. Keep an eye on her in 2021.
Pale Blue Eyes ‘Motionless’
The debut single by the Devon trio fits in nicely with the Working Men’s Club / Scalping / PVA new indie-dance shapes currently being thrown. The beat of ‘Motionless’ is euphorically kosmiche, and the whole thing is a lovely little reminder of Tame Impala before they went shit. This is the opposite of shit. And I can’t wait to lose my shit to this live!
Phantom Isle ‘Whip’ [lunarsuburbia mix]
Ooh, bonus track bonanza! Northampton electronic whizzkid Tim Robinson [[sane]] remixes the recent PI single , and turns it into an old-skool house/club banger. Stretching it, dissecting it, turning it inside out, it highlights the superb under-carriage rhythms of the original version gloriously too. There’s a second remix by the band’s own Josh too. Result.
Dreadz ‘The Sauce’
Fifth and final single of 2020 from the Northampton new father, who has had a busy few months featuring on other tracks as well [Zefar, Great Adamz, etc]. Dancehall dynamite once again – what can you say, the man got the sauce! Worth a mention: nice woodwind riddims keeping the whole thing spinning [which producer Hargo expertly does overall].
Sharmaine ‘Merry Merry Christmas’
New for 2020 is this Northampton-based singer-songwriter, who gets in the festive mood with this sweet, original, piano-led winter warmer. Carrying a voice that would warm even the darkest heart, snuggle up to this one as a defence against the shitty year we’ve all had. I’m excited for more in 2021 from Miss Webster.
508 ‘Limo Tints’
Teaming up with fellow NNer Luc Aus, this is a bass-heavy grime crawler. Production is intricate, vocals drenched in vocoder, it’s got style and then some. From upcoming mixtape in 2021.
Tu-Kay & Ryan ‘Socks & Satsumas’
Positive messages are a Tu-Kay & Ryan specialty, and this homely ditty is definitely something to play as you decorate your house and down that eighth glass of mulled wine. Christmas in a pandemic is far from ideal, so fill your ears with joyous stuff like this and imagine good times ahead.
Mr. Milise ‘Christmas Is Nearly Here’
A heart-warming poem about Christmas memories, filled with sentiment as warm as a roaring fire. Tinkling piano courtesy of Billy Lockett, this one came out last year on YouTube, but has only just debuted on Spotify. Anyway, festive spirit doesn’t ever age, does it.
The Bighead ‘Shopping For Guns’
Mark Da Costa and band, from Northampton/Milton Keynes/Bedford, have livened up December with a low-key four-track EP entitled ‘Supernatural’. With vocals reminiscent of Bob Marley and an authentic roots arrangement, this is for the true believers and pop fans alike. I like to think this song is about post-covid times. Keep an eye-out for a 7″ of this at some point.
