New Boots editor Phil Moore takes you through the best new tracks this week.
Porridge Radio ‘7 Seconds’
Their breakthrough album Every Bad only arrived six months ago, but the Brighton quartet have clearly already moved on. The second new track is this uplifting Cure-does-pop synth-sparkling thing. If you squint your ears it could almost be The Killers in the chorus. But in truth Porridge Radio are way too interesting for that comparison.
Tina ‘People’
This hotly-tipped south London act is not for everyone. Those Syd-esque uber-fey vocals of Josh Leftin are going to turn off a fair few, for sure. For everyone else: marvel at the delicate beauty of this soul-searching slightlydelic indie-pop, taken from forthcoming debut album Positive Mental Health Music [out Nov 6th].
The Feens ‘Sunset’
Old-school indie rock from Scarborough, this has some serious swoonsome guitar action to add to the rocking beats and a short-but-snappy chorus. Simple fun in complicated times. Also: rather excellent live.
Kinships ‘Shapeshifter’
The title track of the debut EP which is now fully out from the London/Northampton trio, it is another tour de force of contemporary electronica. Bubbling synths, ethereal layered vocals to sooth the soul, and some nifty beats keeping the ship on course. Magical.
Har-Q ‘Mrs Jones’
Great version of the 1972 Billy Paul Philly soul classic ‘Me & Mrs. Jones‘, your NNer mixes the rhythm flavour up completely, giving it an edge the original does not possess – and writing his own verse lyrics. It’s still about adultery though, haha! Still so prolific, you have to wonder if Jason Williams ever sleeps…
Charlie Brigden ‘Stoned Samaritan’
Two years into his unconventional take on hip-hop and the Kettering man is taking things to the next level. 150 seconds of off-kilter sounds abound here; dirty drums, squelching synths, even a theremin-sounding riff too to send it into outer space.
Dreadz ‘My Love’
‘This Wave’ kicked off 2020 in great style, and though the year hasn’t exactly been a good one this follow-up is a very welcome distraction. This is more R&B-pop than dancehall, with some crisp ’80s-style production touches on point – as yer man smoothly sings his woman’s praises. Lovely stuff.
Frettlyst ‘Break’
Debut single proper following the release last year of a few demos, the Kettering indie-rock five-piece let rip a turbo-charged chorus on this. If 90s/00s-style fuzzy bangers are your thing then you might have found some new heroes here.
Jesse Wong ‘Upside Down’
London singer-songwriter does the heavy pop thing on this one, his deep blues voice raising it above the pack. Modern production touches everywhere makes for a rewarding repeat listen – plus the lovely Adam Gammage is on drums too.
Tu-Kay & Ryan ‘Paradise Spun’
The follow-up to the anthemic rock single ‘Tipping Point’ is this one from the Stoke Bruene “folk” duo who, having gotten a great studio set-up sorted, spread their wings musically. This is a sort of trip-hop remix of 2018 song ‘Paradise Spun’. Rebecca Ryan’s powerful voice is front and centre, and throwing in the dub and electronica to their sound works so very well here.
