Tracks Of The Week: 10.02.14

I have a feeling that this may be the third time that these Missouri rockers have featured in my TOTW…. and for good reason: they’re flippin’ fantastic. And I’m making no apologies for resembling a broken record.

Radkey is the name; creating extraordinary, exhilarating blasts of punk-rock the game. And, indeed, if it was a game these young Missouri boys were playing, they would most certainly be winning.

Following the release of two EPs last year, new single, ‘Feed My Brain’ retains all the pulsating beats, seething vocals, blistering riffs and enthused teenage vigour of previous tracks but with a slower, more reflective tempo and dark undertones. Skillfully amalgamating fist-clenching potency and climatic thrills with strong melodies and thoughtful musicality, ‘Feed My Brain’ is yet another, buzz-filled breath of fresh air to come from these inspired youths. They’ve done it again.

Apparently Radkey’s aim is to ‘start a wave of something… something f***ing huge’, and rightly so: I am in no doubt that they are capable of doing just that.

‘Feed My Brain’ is due for release 3rd March, to coincide with their next batch of UK dates – which, if you’re lucky enough to have tickets for, you’re in for a treat.

Toronto-based artist, Lowell, first hit our airwaves back in 2012 with a mini-album featuring appearances from members of Coldplay, A-ha and MEW. Now the self-styled singer, songwriter, producer and video artist is back, and going it alone (well, with that many talents, I’m sure she can manage!)

New single ‘Cloud 69’ is an energy-filled slice of sparky electro-pop. Filled with punchy, intrinsic beats, Lowell’s atmospheric vocals and traces of the likes of noise-pop duo Sleigh Bells, this track is an intensely uplifting wave of sparkling, synthy goodness. With cheery refrains and ethereal eeriness in perfect moderation, ‘Cloud 69’ is a soaring creation that will leave you torn as to whether to get your groove on or peacefully float away on the aforementioned ‘cloud’.  Lovely, Lowell, just lovely.

‘Cloud 69’ is available as a free download online now, and Lowell’s debut EP ‘I Killed Sara V’ will be released 24th February via Arts And Crafts.

“Man, I hate it when my favourite band goes on an indefinite hiatus…”

Just one of the many self references to fill ‘Better Off As Friends’, it would seem that producer Rocky O’Reilly and rapper Tribe One have hit the nail on the head with this one. This latest creation to come from Trans-Atlantic Indie-Rap duo, Malibu Shark Attack, sees satirical self-referential allusions a plenty, an appearance from The Dudley Corporation and Tribe One rapping about the dissolution of the band’s previous musical efforts. With multiple insinuations to O’Reilly’s previous project – ‘What happened to Oppenheimer? I liked their old stuff better…’., this track gives a whole new meaning to ‘post-new wave-prog-electronic-indiecore-synthpop’, and I like it. As Tribe One’s raps are strewn alongside anthemic, melodic indie interludes and O’Reilly’s trademark electro-pop production, MSA appear to have skilfully fused together a range of genres with style and humour.

Despite ‘Better Off As Friends’ apparently not being ‘real hip hop’ (as Tribe One informs us), I find myself compelled to listen to it over and over (as Steve LaMacq did too on his show last Friday…). The song’s cheery witticisms, uptempo beat, lyrical satire and general catchiness prove infectious, and reflect a pair who clearly aren’t taking themselves too seriously, and yet are capable of creating something pretty wonderful. And, although reassured that ‘if you give it a listen and hate it, that’s fine…’, hate couldn’t be further from how I feel about this song; in fact it was with sincere gratitude that I welcomed Mr LaMacq playing it twice in a row. I would even go as far to say, it was love at first (and second) listen.

‘Better Off As Friends’ is released on 17th March, followed by their self-titled debut album in May.

Hailing from the vast expanses of South Dakota, esteemed troubadour Rachel Ries was brought up by Mennonite missionaries listening to Congolese spirituals, traditional hymns and The Carpenters. Now, she has returned to the music scene after a four year hiatus, with the release of her third full album ‘Ghost Of A Gardener’.

The album’s opening track ‘Words’ is a charmingly reflective ditty with hints of Americana and folky melodies, that gently ruminates over the album’s consistent theme of the contrasts between rural simplicity and urban isolation. Filled with effective and affecting harmonies, blasts of brass, cascading piano melodies and Ries’ captivating, resounding vocals, these ‘Words’ cry out to be listened to. Reminiscent of the likes of ‘anti-folk’ heroine, Regina Spektor, Ries’ multi-layered musicianship gently beguiles and enchants, leaving one grateful that her hiatus has now come to an end.

‘Ghost Of A Gardener’ is out on March 24th, via Rachel’s own SoDak label.

Mari Lane

@marimindles

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.