This Friday is a special one for the world of music. Not only does it bring new releases from artists who are at the top of their game, but it's the first Friday in what looks to be one of the best months in recent music history. With new albums by Gorillaz, Father John Misty, Jay Rock, Jorja Smith, Kanye West and countless other artists all releasing this month. West himself is also taking the backseat, producing albums for Nas and Teyana Taylor and Kids See Ghost, his collaboration album with Kid Cudi. All of that in the space of thirty days is nothing short of mind-blowing. So, to quote Yeezy, "let's get on with it".
Gorillaz - "Humility", from The Now Now (releasing 29/06/18)
2017 saw the hotly hyped return of Damon Albarn's virtual band, Gorillaz. Presented as a party album for the apocalypse, Humanz featured a whole host of guests, from Grace Jones to Danny Brown. However, while fans welcomed the new sound and the guests involved, the album received a lot of criticism for a lack of vocals from 2D, the band's singer, after the band's seven year hiatus. While Damon responded by quickly making and releasing "Sleeping Powder", a post-Humanz track featuring only his vocals, he didn't stop there. Much like their 2010 album, The Fall, Gorillaz's new album The Now Now was recorded during the band's most recent tour and, conventionally, revolves around 2D. The first single from this album, "Humility" delivers not only for those disappointed with Humanz, but for Gorillaz fans (like me) it takes the right step backward.
While we know Gorillaz as the band that bends, blends and breaks the idea of genre, it's refreshing to hear the band's laid back, dub-like sound make a return. It's a sound that's much needed after an album as heavy sounding as Humanz. However, the track manages to again push beyond the limits of genre with the track's secret weapon, and one of three features on The Now Now, George Benson. The legendary guitarist's plucking all over the track gives it that summery, funky Californian groove. The groove that makes tracks like Michael Jackson's "Baby Be Mine" and Ice Cube's "It Was A Good Day" essential summer tracks. Lastly, as promised by Damon, we finally get to hear 2D on track, falsetto and all, without anyone getting in the way. This, more than anything, makes it feel like one of the most Gorillaz-y tracks the band has produced; instantly recognisable and forward thinking - with just a dash of nostalgia.
The Internet "Come Over" from Hive Mind (releasing 20/7/18)
OFWGKTA fans were sent into hysteria when Tyler rapped "GOLF be the set / no more OF" in "OKRA", however the past few years has been incredible for the solo careers of ex Odd Future members. With albums like Frank Ocean's Blonde, Tyler, The Creator's Flower Boy and Earl Sweatshirt's I Don't Like Sh*t, I Don't Go Outside speaking for themselves. Now Syd, Matt Martians and their group The Internet are hopping back on the hype train with their fourth album Hive Mind. The second single from that album is "Come Over".
What I like the most about the track is how real it's instrumentation sounds. It's refreshing to hear a track that leaves synths to the backgrounds, letting Patrick Page II's lush bassline and Steve Lacy's funky, memorable guitar work take centre stage. When listening on headphones, you're able to hear and focus on every nuance of the track distinctly, almost as if it was being preformed in front of you. After her absence on their last single, Syd's vocals make a much-anticipated return. Singing about a relaxed relationship, the lyrics and her style in performing them are reminiscent of Ronald Isley's in The Isley Brothers. Syd's vocals not only add depth to the track, but really direct its tone, pushing a new sound while simultaneously paying homage to its origins.
YOTA (Youth Of The Apocalypse) "Drop The Bomb" (featuring MF DOOM)
To have your debut track featured on Annie Mac's Radio 1 show is one thing, to have that track feature lyrics from the legendary supervillain-come-rapper MF Doom is another. YOTA, aka Youth Of The Apocalypse, is a band made up of members from the Gorillaz's live band (Jeff Wooton, Seye Adelekan) and The Klaxons lead bassist and vocalist Jamie Reynolds amongst others. The tone and general scope of "Drop The Bomb" is something pretty ambitious. Particulary its happy, upbeat chorus coupled with lyrics themed around that unique apocalyptic paranoia like "Drop the bomb / there's tears in our eyes / and we don't know where to hide". While this juxtaposition may feel familiar to albums like Humanz, YOTA are able to incorporate a unique kind of energy that draws from Reynolds' rock/indie background, giving the group a unique sound that steps beyond their past work and forward into something new. While he's not the kind of feature you'd expect on a track like this, MF Doom fits surprisingly well. His persona as a 'villain' and urgency in his vocals make him feel like a spokesperson for the apocalypse, fuelling the atmosphere the track successfully creates.