Sun is shining, the weather is sweet… Crack the windows open, and have a little listen to this, curated by Team Gigslutz.
Prince – ‘Stare’
We couldn’t have a playlist for the last month without a Prince track in. In typical Prince style he didn’t stream much of his music, in fact ‘Stare’ is the only one on Spotify! It’s a good ‘un though – a funky string of party-friendly, double-entendre come-ons and callbacks to his past. RIP Prince Rogers Nelson (Steve Aston)
Empress Of – ‘Woman Is A Word’
One of the many wonderful acts set to play at this year’s Field Day festival, Empress Of oozes soulful vocals and upbeat, synth-pop vibes. Interrogating the whole notion of gender, this track is an utterly infectious must listen. (Mari Lane)
James Blake – ‘I Need A Forest Fire (feat. Bon Iver)’
Layers of loops and stacks of echoed vocals combine for this lush little number, five years after the pair first collaborated – fingers crossed for Bon joining James on stage at Glastonbury. (Dan Bull)
Red Hot Chili Peppers – ‘Snow (Hey Oh)’
This month marks not only the return of Red Hot Chili Peppers with a new track, but also 10 years since the release of their ninth album, Stadium Arcadium. How better to celebrate it than revisiting one of the finest singles taken from it? (Melissa Svensen)
No Hot Ashes – ‘Cool Cat’
Though technically released in April, Not Hot Ashes are seemingly set to be at the height of conversation for the whole of 2016. ‘Cool Cat’ is just further proof of quite how cool these guys are. (MS)
The Van T’s – ‘Laguna Babe’
Made up of Scottish twin sisters Hannah and Chloe Van Thompson, The Van T’s new album Coming Of Age is out 10 June. I was lucky enough to see them supporting Hawk at The Victoria last month, and their energy-fuelled, scuzzy surf-rock blew me away. (ML)
Mystery Jets – ‘Bubblegum’
Released as a single at the end of March, ‘Bubblegum’ is one of those that sounds better played outside when it’s a scorcher, and will no doubt be a highlight of their festival sets when they hit Field Day, Truck, BST, Tramlines and more over the summer. (DB)
FREAK – ‘What Happened?’
FREAK are a three-piece indie band from Chelmsford, Essex, and recently played their first gig together at local venue, Bassment. NME branded them a ‘Ratboy/Slaves’ hybrid, so if that sounds good to you (and why wouldn’t it?), give ‘What Happened?’ a whirl. (Kate Crudgington)
Sex Pistols – Submission (Live)’
Punk is apparently 40 this year, and it’s 20 years since Sex Pistols’ Filthy Lucre tour – join in the celebrations/commiserations with this recording from the Finsbury Park date of the tour. (DB)
Yuck – ‘Stranger Things’
Yuck are heading out on tour this month with their latest album (out February), Stranger Things. Though the album itself sees Yuck explore a new, heavier sound, the title track seems to hark back to their earlier stuff: soft, shoe-gazey and bittersweet. (MS)
Travis – ‘3 Miles High’
Their eighth album doesn’t take Fran Healy and co into a new territory, but there’s something sweet about the gliding, 3-minute number, featuring and co-written by Aurora. (DB)
Baby In Vain – ‘Martha’s View’
I’ve been fangirling like mad over this tune since I reviewed Baby In Vain’s debut EP, For The Kids, last week. They hail from Copenhagen, and recently supported The Kills on their UK tour dates, as well as headlining a free show at Dalston venue, Birthdays. (KC)
Manic Street Preachers – ‘A Design For Life’
Speaking of anniversaries, Manic Street Preachers’ Everything Must Go turns 20 this month! The band are celebrating with a tour (playing the album in full) and a reissue of the album. (MS)
Milk Teeth – ‘Brickwork’
If you’re a sucker for grunge and noise-rock, it’s worth investing in Vile Child, Milk Teeth’s debut album. They’re playing Camden’s Barfly on the 12th of May, and putting in an appearance at Brighton’s Great Escape Festival later in the month. I’ll be at the Barfly gig, wishing I was cool enough to be in the band. (KC)
Ider – ‘Sorry’
North London duo, Megan Markwick and Lily Somervile – aka Ider – create impassioned offerings filled with hazy electronica and delicate harmonies. They describe this track as being about “Falling out of love with someone… Unlike most love songs, it’s about finding your own love for yourself… It’s unapologetic, it’s honest.” (ML)
Dan Bull
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