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