It’s time for Your First Listen, where we show you songs you need to discover this week!
This Indie88 feature is presented with Bay Bloor Radio.
Each week we feature five remarkable songs that you need to hear on Your First Listen on air. In case you miss them on air, you can catch up on the weekly tracks right here. Your First Listen airs every day in Indie88 beginning at 10 a.m.
Online, we expand the list with a couple more tunes. This week, we’ve gotten some amazing fresh cuts from Gorillaz and Thundercat, Tame Impala, Kacey Musgraves, and more.
Check out 15 songs you need to discover this week below.
Gorillaz, Thundercat – “Cracker Island”
Beloved virtual band Gorillaz have collaborated with Thundercat on a new single called “Cracker Island.” The track marks Gorillaz’s first new music since the release of last year’s Meanwhile EP. “Cracker Island” sees Thundercat delivering killer bass lines, making for a funky anthem. The track was co-produced by Greg Kurstin and Remi Kabaka Jr. “It’s nice to be back, I’m well into our new tune, it brings back weird and scary memories of stuff that hasn’t happened yet,” singer 2-D explains.
Kacey Musgraves – “Can’t Help Falling In Love (Elvis Presley cover)”
Kacey Musgraves has shared a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” The track comes from the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming biopic Elvis. In addition to Musgraves’ cover, the collection is set to feature Elvis samples and reworkings from Doja Cat, Diplo and Swae Lee, and Eminem and CeeLo Green. Unlike the other tunes, this cover of “Can’t Help Falling In Love” is a classy, soft, piano-driven ballad. Musgraves rendition is pretty stripped back, with melancholic keys, reverb-heavy vocals, and atmospheric melodies. This take on the intimate classic feels like a devastating breakup tune, unlike the heartfelt original.
Elvis Presley – “Edge of Reality (Tame Impala Remix)”
Tame Impala have released a new remix of Elvis Presley’s “Edge Of Reality.” The rendition of the 1968 tune also comes from the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s new biopic. Tame Impala’s remix sees Kevin Parker adding his distinctive psychedelic tinge to the tune. Throughout the track, Parker blends his vocals with Elvis’, making for a pretty modern twist on the tune. Opening with pulsing keys and a driven acoustic guitar riff, the track eventually explodes into a swirling, trippy anthem. The psychedelic melodies offer a new meaning to the lyrics, as Parker and Elvis deliver lines like, “Here’s where life’s dream lies disillusioned/ The edge of reality.”
Alex G – “Runner”
Alex G has shared a video for his new single, “Runner.” The track comes in celebration of the announcement of his new album, God Save The Animals, out September 23rd via Domino. It’s a pretty dreamy, bright new tune compared to his brooding most recent single, “Blessing.” With bright, airy guitars and soft alt vocals, this track is sure to get you swaying along. Directed by Aldo Fisk, the accompanying video stars Alex G alongside his bandmates Sam Acchione, Molly Germer, John Heywood, and Tom Kelly. Together, they perform along to the tune in bright sets beneath a hazy fog machine.
Sylvan Esso – “Your Reality”
Sylvan Esso have shared a new single called “Your Reality.” The surreal track sees Sylvan Esso opening a door to their new chapter. While their first three albums were a trilogy that’s now complete, “Your Reality” is their entry into a new era. With strings from Gabriel Kahane and drums from TJ Maiani, the track revolves around layers and layers of complex instrumentals. Lyrically, band member Amelia Meath asks, “Were there rules originally, or are we learning how to be?” before backing vocals respond, “No rules.”
Kiwi Jr – “Unspeakable Things”
Kiwi Jr. have shared a video for their new single, “Unspeakable Things.” The track comes from their forthcoming album, Chopper, out August 12th. “Unspeakable Things” is a fun, blistering indie punk anthem. Directed by Morgan Waters, the accompanying video sees Kiwi Jr. wearing some Friday the 13th-style masks. The clip also features camoes from TSN’s Jay Onrait, Fucked Up’s Jonah, Tom Henry, and Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll. “People are always trying to sign into my email,” Jeremy Gaudet explains. “What do they think they’re gonna find? The public appetite for dirty laundry is wild. Having moved the world online has not helped. Dan Boeckner had the idea to use the Moog sound for the hook, which was originally on guitar, and that sound brings the song into a sort of new-wave territory that was fun and different for us.”
Wolf Alice – “Feeling Myself (Lullaby Version)”
Wolf Alice have shared a “Lullaby Version” of “Feeling Myself” from their forthcoming EP, Blue Lullaby, out this Friday, June 24th via Dirty Hit/RCA. Blue Lullaby is made up of new stripped down editions of four tracks from 2021’s Blue Weekend. “Feeling Myself (Lullaby Version) is a soft, stripped back edition of album standout. This new edition of the track boasts ethereal instrumentals, dreamy strings and stunning, soft vocal lines.
Tim Baker – “Some Day”
Former Hey Rosetta! frontman Tim Baker has shared a video for a new single, “Some Day.” The summery new song revolves around some bright piano, dreamy horns, and stunning harmonies. It’s definitely a more upbeat, sunnier tune than most of Baker’s recent releases, as he delivers lines like, “Some day/ I’ll get/ Out of my own way baby/ Out under the morning breaking.” “As a living human being, I’ve always enjoyed upbeat pop shuffles full of heartfelt lyrics and playful countermelodies,” Baker explains. “The ‘song’ just sort of fell out – one of those easy writes that rushes out and requires only light editing. As soon as I played it with my friends Ben Whiteley and Phil Melanson, and we sunk into that shuffle, and they wailed those falsetto backups there in Ben’s garage, I couldn’t wait to record this and get it out into the world.”
Lowell – “Hamptons City Cowboy”
Lowell is back with another new single, “Hamptons City Cowboy.” The new track sees Lowell trading in her 60s-influenced sound for a more upbeat anthem with pop sensibilities. Revolving around bright, shimmering keys and wailing guitar lines, Lowell’s throaty vocals take on a mysterious tinge. Lyrically, “Hamptons City Cowboy” is all about what it’s like to discover someone in the early stages of a relationship. “I wrote this song about a light love, the early stages of a relationship when everything is still all a mystery,” Lowell explains. “Unlike some of my other more introspective songs this is really just a fun and flirty Friday night out.”
Ronboy – “Always”
Julia Laws has shared a new single as Ronboy called “Always.” Co-produced with Samuel Stewart, the haunting tune boasts pulsing percussion, atmospheric instrumentals, and a groove-driven beat. With vocals that rival the likes of Charlotte Day Wilson, this new Ronboy track is sure to move you. On “Always,” the melodies grow and twist until it reaches an explosive, textured instrumental with layers and layers of captivating instrumentals. Lyrically, Ronboy delivers lines like, “Had a long day/ You’ll only tell me in your way/ Then I’ll clean up after you/ You may not cry in private/ But you’ll cry in public/ And I’m always cleaning up after you.”
The War On Drugs – “Change”
The War on Drugs’ six-minute single “Change” was the final preview of their recent album I Don’t Live Here Anymore. The track is all about how difficult it can be to move forward and make changes. Throughout the track, frontman Adam Granduciel sings lines like, “There are so many ways/ Our love could make it through/ But it’s so damn hard to make the change.”
Beabadoobee – “Talk”
UK artist beabadoobee has shared a video for her new single “Talk.” The track comes from beabadoobee’s freshly announced album, Beatopia, out July 15th via Dirty Hit. “Talk” is a gritty, early aughts anthem. With distorted guitars and catchy, bubbly vocals, “Talk” is about doing things that you know are bad for you. Directed by Alexandra Leese and Luke Casey, the accompanying video sees beabadoobee performing for a crowd in an all-white room. “I wrote ‘Talk’ just after my first album,” beabadoobee explains. “I was obsessed with Tuesday because I thought it was the best night to go out, not too much chaos but just enough to have a good time. Generally, it’s about doing things that aren’t necessarily healthy or great for you, but you can’t help indulging. It’s like that unavoidable feeling that you get. You can’t get rid of it, and you know it’s bad, but you love it really, and it’s whatever, so you do it anyways.”
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – “I’m On Your Side”
Nathaniel Rateliff’s “I’m On Your Side” is a standout tune from his most recent album, The Future. The Future was recorded in frontman Nathaniel Rateliff’s Colorado studio where they wanted to shed light on diverse observations and reflect on the current times. In a press statement Rateliff revealed:
“I look at the album overall as a big question. When I was writing the record we were in the middle of a pandemic and our future looked pretty bleak. I just continue to try to write from a place of hope. Then my own neurosis, and maybe being a libra gets in the way, and I can’t make up my mind. There is this constant back and forth battle in me personally and I am sure that comes out in my writing.”
Matt Maeson – “Blood Runs Red”
Matt Maeson has returned with a new song called “Blood Runs Red.” “‘Blood Runs Red’ is a song about being a successful artist and the narcissistic tendencies that come along with it,” Maeson explains. “I toured for three years straight and received copious amounts of validation but when that ends and you go home, you’re left with yourself and who you’ve bceom while everyone else around you has remained the same.”
Housewife – “Patrick Bateman”
Toronto duo Housewife (f.k.a. Moscow Apartment) are back with the first single under their new name, “Patrick Batemen.” The new pop-rock tune is all about romanticizing evil. Lyrically, the anthemic tune is all about anti-capitalism. “The ultra-capitalist business imagery fell into place once we started writing the song,” Housewife explain. “We wanted to tell a story of someone who is a ‘bad actor’ and hides parts of themselves to appeal to others, but their true intentions are slowly revealed.”
Listen to our Best New Indie playlist below!
