Friday Threeway 23/2/24

 I had no idea what order to put these three tracks in - genre-wise they're all pretty diverse. Maybe just put the whole playlist on shuffle afterwards to get an idea of what it's like inside my musical head,

• Little Simz - Mood Swings. I love the whole of this EP / mini album - the production by Jakwob is so crisp and really adds to Simz' style.
• A. Savage - Black Holes, the Stars and You. Made for a smoky late night cabaret bar, and reminiscent of Jonathan Richman, this is a killer track from the recent album by the Parquet Courts frontman
• Maruja - The Invisible Man. First new track of the 2024 from the incomparable Maruja, this is a raw and uncompromising song about mental health which still manages to contain some killer sax and a vocal live audiences can join in with. The most exciting live band you'll see this year, get tickets while you can.

Friday Threeway 16/2/24

 This week brings the return of three great acts:

• Mount Kimbie - Fishbrain. Mount Kimbie are back with a 'proper' album i.e. one that they've made together. This track reminds me of some of the songs on Mura Masa's 'Raw Youth Collage' record.
• Brittany Howard - Power To Undo. A great track from her forthcoming solo album - great guitar and an initially sparse backing that soon comes over all Prince.
• Beth Gibbons - Floating On A Moment. Everything you want from a Gibbons track - eerie, ethereal vocals and an overall feels that swings between Serge Gainsbourg, Mark Lanegan and Portishead.

Friday Threeway 9/2/24

 It's Friday again, and this week there's a complete mix of styles for you to enjoy. Plus, because it's so short, I've snuck an extra track onto the playlist this week. Have a great weekend!

• Rainy Miller & Space Afrika - Maybe It's Time to Lay Down the Arms (feat. Mica Levi). An atmospheric, trippy collaboration from these UK artists/producers, best listened to in a melancholoy mood on a wet afternoon when you can sink into its depths and ponder the increasing relevance of its message
• Yard Act - When The Laughter Stops (feat. Katy J Pearson). Each track from the soon to be released second album from Yard Act has brought its own delicious surprises. This one has two - a brilliant vocal from the wonderful Ms. Pearson, and a cameo from David Thewlis reading from Macbeth. A pair of treats!
• Yot Club - Pixel. I'm pretty sure I saw him perform this live at his solo show at End of the Road festival last year - it's a really bouncy song with processed vocals and guitars that has a kind of early 80s, Split Enz kind of vibe. There may well be a new album on the horizon too...
• Kiran Leonard - Treat Me A Stranger. A bonus 45 second track from the barefooted and brilliant balladeer

Friday Threeway 2/2/24

 There's a distinct change of pace from last week's disco bangers, so take a moment to relax a bit and listen to these three mellow moments:

• Tapir! - Gymnopedie. Taken from their excellent debut album on Heavenly Records, which is full of warm and comforting alt-folk tracks that become instantly familiar
• Skydaddy - Everything. A gorgeously haunting and at times Beatles-esque track from Skydaddy's new EP 'Pilot', which also features his muse, partner and member of Black Country, New Road, Tyler Cryde
• English Teacher - Albert Road. One of my two favourite new bands at the moment (the other will be revealed later this month), I pretty much love everything about English Teacher - the lyrics, the attitude, the tunes and brilliant front-person Lily Fontaine

Friday Threeway 26/1/24

 Better put your dancing shoes on this week as there are some solid grooves here:

• Sinkane - How Sweet Is Your Love. The announcement of a new Sinkane album was accompanied by this full on disco bop of a track - it's sweet, it's soulful, and it's like 1975 all over again.
• Justice - One Night / All Night (feat. Tame Impala). Justice are back with this dark slice of disco, featuring vocals from Kevin Parker and their trademark atmospheric synths
• Nia Archives - Crowded Roomz. Co-written and produced by the very talented Ethan P. Flynn, the new track from the undisputed queen of jungle see her bringing summer hit vibes to our cold winter shores

Friday Threeway 19/01/24

 As 2024 takes hold there seems to be a significant rise in the number of new releases. There were loads to choose from this week but here are the three that I've added to the playlist:

• Yard Act - We Make Hits. Happily, it appears that Yard Act are continuing to evolve and a far from the one-trick pony many people feared, although James still retains an acerbic wit and a wry outlook on life. Their new album drops next month and is shaping up to be even better than the debut.
• Lol Tolhurst x Budgie x Jacknife Lee - Los Angeles (feat. James Murphy) - Working Men's Club Remix. Talking of making hits, this lot have got a fair few under their belt from their long and varied careers. Already a 'supergroup', the addition of James Murphy, topped off by a remix from Syd WMC turns this into a dancefloor ready smorgasbord of talent,
• Master Peace - Start You Up. One of my favourite acts from last year's End of the Road Festival, the effervescent Mr. Peace mixes up a unique blend of U.K. rap and 00s indie to create songs to make you dance and smile.

Friday Threeway

Here it is - a new regular feature (I hope)!

Each week I'll add 3 new(ish) tracks to this playlist, with a bit of blah about each one. As I missed out on posting this last week, the first one is a bumper double edition, featuring the following tracks:

• Liam Gallagher & John Squire - Just Another Rainbow. Anything that gives us a chance to hear the majestic Squire letting rip on a guitar again is alright by me, especially if it ends up sounding like The Beatles meeting The Stone Roses, and then accidentally bumping into Led Zeppelin
• The Smile - Friend of a Friend. A track that sounds more like Radiohead than a lot of Radiohead's later output, it makes you wonder how the other three must feel about it
• Fat Dog - All The Same. Newly signed to Heavenly Records, who rarely put a foot wrong. From reviews of the band live this wasn't what I was expecting, but it's a riot
• Biig Piig - Watch Me. Breathy vocals over hard-edged beats? Sign me up.
• Antony Szmierek - Dance Better (Ell Murphy Remix) - remixed from his 2023, this track from the former teacher turned Streets-esque poet/rapper is a really upbeat tune you can't help but sing along with
• Sprints - Heavy. If you're looking for a track to rock your socks off, this song does exactly what it says on the tin