New Boots editor Phil Moore takes you through the best new tracks this week.
Tom Grennan ‘Never be A Right Time’
The Bedford bard of doomed romance is back with sophomore album Evering Road; named after the Hackney road he’s lived on recently and wrote most of the album. As his relationship crumbles he pleads, in his idiosyncratic gospel-pop way, “I need to grow into my own skin, that’s all I’m asking for”. Superb, stirring work, a highlight from an album that is every bit as good as his debut work Lighting Matches.
Izzie Gibbs ‘Stand’
A rare display of vulnerability from the bullet-proof stepper from Northampton. Accompanied by a nice’n’moody black and white video shot in the NN countryside, this K1 production appears on his newly-released EP, Alchemy. “I can’t speak/I’m being strangled by this grief” suggestive of painful times that he seeks to overcome.
Corinna Jane ‘I’m Not Ready Now’
A touching, very personal ballad from the increasingly-popular Northants singer about grief and coming to terms with loss. Recorded in Rome with producer Francesco Arpino, it will bring you close to tears when you least expect it. Check out the winter-shot NN countryside video too, it’s a beauty.
Kai Rodriguez ‘Str8’
Another deep house cut from the Northampton producer with the world at his feet. That “let me just put the record straight” refrain will whirl around your head for days after just one listen. Clubland watch out; you have a new king to walk amongst you.
Naked Next Door ‘Moment’
MK’s indie-pop hookists de jour, ‘Moment’ is another example of the talent that pours from their collective pen. Everything sits perfectly in place, anthemic feels from second one to second 192. Radio summer hits are on the way, and this leads the pack.
Nxrth ‘Right Now’
Hot on the heels of the ‘Go’ banger, is this moody vocoder’ed R&B-pop rising out of the east of ShoeCounty. “I’ve been seeing visions” sings our man. Me too – Nxrth on the front foot for all of 2021.
Ali MacQueen ‘Loretto’
His debut single, straight outta south Bedfordshire, MacQueen croons like Beck fronting 90s-era Radiohead; all whilst strumming one of Neil Young’s old guitars. Such laid-back aphorisms all make up to a very smart, moving song, as he channels experience and pop nous into his 65″ widescreen songs of love and loss.
Joe Corkram ‘I’ll Be Fine’
The NN singer-songwriter makes music for the ages. Irrespective of fashionable trends he’s picking up strands from folk, classic rock, indie, and pop to weave a song to stick in your head, and meander down to your heart if you’ll let it in.
Vince Law ‘Goat’
‘Warzone’ was one helluva debut single, so glad to have him back so soon with it’s follow-up. Solid grime beats and vocal samples backdrop Law’s unhinged rants. “All guns blazing” indeed, andbang it’s over in 80 seconds. The future is slowly appearing on the horizon, and it’s here in the heart of NN.
Keiron Farrow ‘Somewhere Ago’
The Northants singer-songwriter made a grand entrance with 2018’s Roundabout Queen Eleanor EP. Almost three years later and here is it’s follow-up. A bluesier and jazzier affair than that debut, on ‘At Postern Gate’ Farrow takes Northampton’s heritage and uses it as a backdrop to his stories. The titular Postern Gate is the only part of Northampton Castle that still stands; an allegory for finding beauty in the dirt perhaps. The track chosen for this playlist is surely the result of a few late night Baby Lung listening sessions.
