Busdriver + Olive Oil – “Skipping On The Sea”:
On September 27, American alternative Hip Hop MC Busdriver and Japanese producer Olive Oil released their new, experimental track “Skipping On The Sea”, via the Tokyo/Kyoto label Twin Capital. According to the label’s Bandcamp page, the collaboration is apparently part 1 of a series of hook ups between LA and Asia.
“Skipping On The Sea” delivers some very chill vibes through Olive Oil’s gliding lounge key samples, as well as providing an ear pounding by way of Busdriver’s trademark spitting style. I think it is safe to say that this track will leave many hungry for the forthcoming installments of Twin Capital’s series. Listen to the track below and buy the record, which includes a remixed version of the track, from Twin Capital’s Bandcamp page here.
Years & Years – “Eyes Shut”:
Olly Alexander is the calm amidst the chaos in Years & Years‘ new dystopian music video for “Eyes Shut”. Although Alexander is the focus, the viewer can’t help but take notice of the people who walk aimlessly by, lost souls in an unforgiving world. Most objects, and a few peoples’ sanity, have been destroyed and each (including our hero) must find their own way.
Of “Eyes Shut”, Alexander noted that “[t]he song is about self preservation and wanting to hide from disaster. For the video we created a dystopian world and let ourselves loose in it”. The British trio released their debut album – Communion – last July and “Eyes Shut” is the sixth single. Watch the music video for “Eyes Shut” below.
Lady Gaga + Nile Rodgers – “I Want Your Love”:
Lady Gaga and Nile Rodgers have recorded a new version of Chic’s 1978 smash “I Want Your Love”, sporting Gaga on lead vocals. The song and accompanying video were recorded to push forward Tom Ford’s new fashion line. Tom Ford, and the video’s director, Nick Knight, have released a statement explaining the sentiment behind the release: “Instead of having a traditional show this season, I wanted to think about how to present a collection in a cinematic way that was designed from its inception to be presented online“.
He continued saying, “I have always loved Soul Train which used to be on TV in the Seventies; as it was as much about the clothes as the music, I asked Nile Rodgers to collaborate on a new version of one of his great hits from that time, ‘I Want Your Love,’ and worked with Gaga to record the vocals. I then staged a full show in Los Angeles and filmed it with Gaga on the runway”. You can check out the track and accompanying video right here:
Panic! At The Disco – “Victorious”:
Panic! At The Disco have been teasing fans prior to the release of new single “Victorious”. From general updates to Brendon Urie pouring champagne over himself, fans knew what was coming. The single was released on September 29 and the core message is one of unfiltered fun with permission to go wild.
On their homepage, Urie said that he wasn’t great at sports but, what he lacked in sporting ability he “made up for in passion and intensity. The guy who was known for turning up the crazy. The guy who said ‘f**k it I’ll do it’. That’s truly victorious. Giving it your all when it’s all you have“.
You can download the song here and listen to it immediately below. There is no release date for the next Panic! album but according to Urie, it’s already finished.
Real Lies – “Blackmarket Blues”:
It’s all coming together for London based electronic-pop band Real Lies, after the exciting announcement that they will be touring with Foals this November. Working alongside these indie rock legends, this will give them an opportunity to perform their upcoming album Real Life, due for release on the 16th of October. This urban trio have gained a reputation preaching their unique voice and thoughts of what it is to be young in a gritty yet melodic fashion. In their most recent single “Blackmarket Blues”, they do precisely that, with stern emotive lyrics which really leave a haunting impact on the listener. The video for “Blackmarket Blues” is directed by BISON and produced by Morgan Clement and can be seen below.
Hozier – “Jackie And Wilson”:
Who was prepared for this then? A very smiley Hozier meeting and greeting fans and friends makes his way onto Youtube with the release of the “Jackie And Wilson” music video. The content of this video comprises raw clips of his globally successful 2015 journey from music venue to venue of which he is still touring on. On his Twitter account, Hozier posts with the link of the video: “Some wonderful memories and fun times over the last year brought together in one place”. The third track of his debut album, is clearly a play on R&B legend Jackie Wilson’s name, who Hozier pays tribute to.
In an email to NPR, Hozier expresses his admiration for Wilson by stating: “He’s a big influence for me, he’s fantastic. I think Elvis was the white Jackie Wilson, rather than any other way ’round. I suppose the song is about being lost. There’s sometimes a recurring theme of looking from the outside in and idealising some idea of somebody or something as a cure for oneself. It’s also me trying to enjoy writing something more fun, playing something more fun”.
Leo Kalyan – “Get Your Love”:
Leo Kalyan’s laid back cut “Get Your Love” has just had a visual element, shared to accompany its dreamy house-style ode to summer romance. This new single follows Leo’s last effort, the Silver Linings EP, which dropped back in July of this year. The video, which was shot in Biarritz in the South of France, features direction from James Barber who has previously worked with names such as Fekky, Skepta, Sam Smith and A$AP Rocky.
The visuals link up with the tracks summer vibes and picture Leo soaking up the beautiful landscapes, sunsets and aquatic life that the South of France has to offer. The video seems loosely styled on a roadtrip, which along with the standard of the photography and the vintage look of the some of the shots, will have you yearning for it to be the beginning of Summer again. Check out Leo’s silky vocals and the video for his newest track below. “Get Your Love” is set for release on the 23rd of October via Believe Recordings. You can buy it here.
Aquilo – “Good Girl”:
Aquilo, who are usually more well known for their compelling and soft electro-indie material have adapted their style with the release of “Good Girl” a few weeks ago. The spirit of chilled pop has broken through, bringing with it a quickened pace and strong beat to stomp your feet and bob your head to. Some might go as far as saying it’s a tune to dance to, which can certainly not be said about their earlier more sombre tracks such as “You There” on their first EP.
This does not mean however that change is bad. It means quite the opposite as Aquilo are maturing and opening new doors as they experiment into the wonderful versatile world of ‘Indie’. Their official video for “Good Girl” was released on the 29th of October and can be viewed below.
Words by Nick Bimson, Shanade McConney, Sam Jourdan, Finn Brownbill,
