CMU Selects – the last week’s standout releases
The Drums and Genesis Owusu’s new single ‘Blackstar’
New and shiny, and a world away from the jangly melancholy of the 2010 Drums. Light on its feet, a Thundercat-esque intro and Jonathan Pierce’s vocals met with Genesis Owusu’s commanding presence over the top. Two artists clearly uncomfortable staying still, now sharing the same track.
bed’s new single ‘ズーキッド｜Zookid’
A Tokyo four-piece who run their own venue and sound like it. Sexy and broody, hardcore rawness fused with the dark, pulsing energy of underground club music. Perfect for Halloween looming.
Shygirl’s new single ‘Mantra’
Clams Casino production and a cinematic video to match. You could call it a girly pop version of ‘Born Slippy’ by Underworld, with swirling electronics acting as a balm for worried minds; dancefloor reverie!
Fontaines D.C.’s new album Dopamine Chamber
Synth-pop, trip-hop, cyberpunk, gothic textures – Depeche Mode, Nick Cave, The Cure and Massive Attack all somewhere in the room. ‘Tongue’ is a dizzying groove that breaks into a swampy Bad Seeds section; ‘Demolition’ is the peak; ‘Where Is Gone?’ with Rosalía plays like Morricone-meets-Bond. A doom-ridden escape and an extraordinary one. Out today.
Snoh Aalegra’s new single ‘Karma’
Warmly lit in the lineage of ‘Ugh, Those Feels Again’, this is a gorgeous piece of alt-R&B infused with a jazzy neo-soul energy.
