Tracks Of The Week, 16.09.16

It’s very rare that we become aware of the length of songs: only when listening to tracks like Sneaks’ ‘Red’ – which at barely over a minute long feels like it’s over in heartbeat – does the length of other tracks come to light.

Sneaks doesn’t need added length for the sake of it though. ‘Red’ is minimalistic post-punk at its finest; repetitive bass paired with Eva Moolchan’s basically spoken (but unquestionably captivating) vocals makes for a track that oozes cool. Add in the brutally honest lyricism – “you’re kind of lame” – and Sneaks proves that if you try hard enough, you can get your point across (and bless the world with some brilliant music) in just a minute.

Sneaks’ debut album Gymnastics – reissued by Merge Records – is out 9 September (Digitally) / 11 November (Physically).

Providing mesmerising vocals of a different breed is Flock Of Dimes (AKA Jenn Wasner), with her electro-acoustic pop.

Though unmistakably electronic in its use of synths and experimental craftsmanship, there’s a folksiness to Wasner’s songwriting. In ‘Everything Is Happening Today’ – taken from If You See Me, Say Yes – both the ethereality of her vocals, and the sweetness of her melodies, are reminiscent of the likes of Bon Iver, while her impeccable synths give it her unique aesthetic.

Though it may be her debut venture as a solo artist, ‘Everything Is Happening Today’ is a taste of just how exquisitely crafted Wasner’s talent is, and just how good the album will be.

If You See Me, Say Yes, the new album from Flock Of Dimes, is out 23 September on Partisan.

I’m frequently amazed – perhaps simply because I’ve never been forced to do so myself – at people’s ability to pick up another language. What’s even more amazing is when they then manage to write songs in that language; while I’m just about forming a sentence in my mother tongue, people are penning beautiful lyrics in what might not even be their second language.

Case in point: Brodka. Poland’s answer to Kate Bush, who recently released her first fully English language album. Taken from Clashes, which was released earlier this year, ‘Santa Muerte’ perfectly embodies Brodka’s style – a combination of dark surrealism and the dreaminess of her voice that makes for surprisingly easy listening. Though the feel of her songs, particularly those paired with her unsettling videos, is rather sinister, there’s something endearing, and overtly enticing about Brodka.

Though she hasn’t been able to break the UK music scene until now – how often do you hear Polish on the radio? – we’re certainly becoming aware what we’re missing.

Clashes is out now.

We’ve had a track that clocks in at just over a minute, while at the other end of the spectrum Finland’s Teksti-TV 666 are making tracks that last an almost unheard of 12 minutes.

But Teksti-TV 666 aren’t ones for conventionality. With five (sometimes six) electric guitars in their seven-headed shoegaze/kraut-punk invention, Teksti-TV 666 break rules, and in doing so, break away from the crowd.

At 12 minutes, ‘Kuustoista vuotta sitten’ surely has umpteen opportunities to get boring. But it doesn’t, and this is coming from that awful person who always changes the song before the end. While it maybe picks up a little after the five minute mark, there’s certainly enough to keep you gripped until then, and with the intricate melodies and colourful dynamics of the countless guitars, it just keeps on giving.

Their upcoming release 1,2,3 is a collection of their three sold out EPs, and will be released on 2 LPs and CD formats by SVART on 4 November.

Melissa Svensen
@MelYeaahh

Melissa Svensen

Melissa Svensen

Melissa, 22. Editor. Student, music journalist, probably talking about Blur or Bowie