New Boots editor Phil Moore takes you through the best new tracks this week.
Doves ‘Prisoners’
Back with The Universal Want in September, their first album in eleven years. The Chester indie veterans keep it close to their usual widescreen yearning; this is a song about hoping for a better tomorrow.
The Lathums ‘All My Life’
The Wigan band have come from nowhere to dominate the conversation of who will break through next. A mix of The La’s and Arctic Monkeys, their devotion to romantic indie-rock melodic classicism [as shown here] means winning fans over won’t be hard.
Voices From The Fuselage ‘Domus [Orchestral Arrangement]’
Originally on the Northants band’s second album, 2018’s Odyssey: The Founder of Dreams, this new version raises money for Campaign Zero and Stop Hate UK. Arranged and mixed by drummer Scott Lockhart during lockdown, it is introverted, symphonic prog at its best.
Michael Robert Murphy ‘Out Of Sight’
The former Wicked Whispers frontman takes the plunge under his own name. The “cosmic scouse” psychedelic moves of yesteryear are toned down a touch here, in favour of softly-strummed, Noel Gallagher-esque dream-pop. It’s still deliciously Mersey delta music though, sitting nicely alongside The Coral, Julian Cope, and Echo & The Bunnymen.
Killatrix ‘Cooked Brains’
The Essex quartet throw everything into the mix with their songs, everything from metal to electronica finds a space within those four minutes. But unlike Enter Shakiri, the vocals of Jenni Vodden are firmly in the pop world, taking this nugget into crossover territory. Any which way, it’s a banger!
Baby Lung ‘Sober Minds’
Northampton’s grade-A songwriters keep it nice and loose on their follow-up to last December’s ‘ShoeTown Blues’ EP. The raw production and subtle Hammond keys give it a soulful edge, plus there’s Elle Delaney cooing in the background, which is the delightful cherry on top. Matt Willett does a stonking solo in the middle as well, and life seems a little sweeter for this being in your ears.
Mundays ‘Travel Sleeping’
They might have moved to Leeds, but this former NN group still reek of the grungey goodness you expect from those within dipping distance of the Nene. Thick, greasy, stoner rock vibes to write essays home about. Debut album Can You Blame Him can’t come soon enough.
Hamzysho ‘Casualty’
New Boots shared debut EP ‘State Of Mind’ back in January, and this latest one is a much harder in vibe. It’s a short blast of righteous anger, “The last time a man tried to test me/He ended up as a casualty”. Dark beats and slippery synths underneath brings another side out of the young rapper.
Martyna Wren ‘Love Is.’
Produced by Greg Coulson and Adam Gammage in their new studio above the Albion Brewery Bar in Northampton. This is a polished, polite, spiritual, slightly-epic love song that bursts into life in the second half with some sumptuous orchestration. MK resident Wren’s breathy vocal harmonises with itself, with glorious results.
Project X ‘Breathe’
Formed during lockdown the Northampton/Leicester/London trio of Sylvie Studente, Terri De Marco and Dave Forster shared ideas remotely and had the results mixed at Fitdog Studios. ‘Breathe is a strong alt-rock blast, with Nirvana-esque guitar squalls and a marvellous lead vocal that has you ensnared from the off. An EP is promised, so keep any eye out.
