Track of the Day: 'Rain or Shine' by Young Fathers

Although it's not long since Young Fathers won the Mercury Music Prize for 'Dead', and the SAY Award for 'Tape Two' before that, news has just broken that their next album will be with us at the start of April. The title - 'White Men Are Black Men Too' - is sure to provoke some discussion (you can read their thoughts on it here) - and hopefully the music will too.

The first track to appear is 'Rain or Shine' and it's a typical melting pot of styles and sounds. Starting with sixties-style keyboard riff, more layers soon appear - droning bass, crackly drums, sung vocals, spoken vocals and a chorus that repeats and repeats to drill into your brain. After a few listens I reckon it's one of the best things they've ever done.

Have a listen below and then head over to their website here where they'll give you a free download in exchange for your email address.

Track of the Day: 'Mr. Martyr' by Young Fathers

The hotly-tipped Scottish (via Libya and Nigeria) trio are about to follow up their first release 'Tape One' with the less-than-imaginatively titled 'Tape Two'. From it comes this great slice of angst-ridden indie-rap, with a sung chorus that's more than a bit reminiscent of Kele Okereke from Bloc Party.



The album comes out in a couple of weeks on Anticon - you can pre-order it here on CD, vinyl or cassette. Read more about the band here.

Track of the Day: 'Matches To Paper Dolls' by Dessa

If you've not heard Dessa before then you're in for a treat. A member of the Minneapolis-based Doomtree crew, who I first caught at the Gayngs showcase at SXSW a couple of years ago, she's not your average entertainer. With rapping talents that match her soulful singing and insightful lyrics, she could really be a force to be reckoned with when her new album comes out later this year.

In the meantime you can grab this track for free, which was recorded at the sessions for her last album 'Castor, The Twin' and which lays down a good marker for the quality of her forthcoming work. If you're a fan of THEESatisfaction or just quality, independent-minded hip-hop then you should give this a listen.