Emili Sandé, Banji, NILÜFER YANYA: they all have nice single's. But there is one band that asthonished me: WHISPERING SONS with their new single called TILT. The song sounds different from what we are used to hear and it sounds really good. I'm happy to hear a more softer side too. And thus I call out this one as single of the week!
WHISPERING SONS - TILT
Tilt was written at the sessions that lead to the album Several Others, but didn’t fit in with the rest of the tracks. Singer Fenne Kuppens explains; "'Tilt' was really a group effort. We had all been working on the song for a long time, trying out different arrangements and different parts, before eventually settling on its final form. When we went to the studio to record our second album ‘Several Others’, the track quickly became the odd one out. It became a more intimate and stripped-down version of what we initially intended. We felt that it didn’t fit with the rest of the album, but that it still deserved a release on its own.” Tilt is a surprisingly subdued and tender affair, opting for restraint over ferocity, putting singer Fenne Kuppens tense vocal delivery front and center. It’s another compelling example of how this band is capable of so much more than a full force attack on the senses. Sure Whispering Sons can hammer and pummel our ears, but they also thrill and seduce and leave us totally bewildered.
new album 'Several Others' out now via [PIAS] Recordings
02/04 @ Cactus Club, Brugge
13/04 @ Het Depot, Leuven
15/04 @ Eden, Charleroi
22/04 @ Trix, Antwerpen
05/05 @ KulturA., Luik
25/06 @ TW Classic, Werchter
NAIMA JORIS - TRUE LOVE WILL FIND YOU IN THE END
First single to be released from Naima Joris Tribute to Daniel Johnston EP. “I discovered Daniel Johnston through the documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" sometime in 2009, when I rented a basement room for 150€ a month from Daan in Ixelles. I was singing with Isbells at the time, but got involved with that band when I had just started singing myself. Someone had told me to try writing songs even with the few resources I had and after that documentary I was convinced to do it because I saw how Daniel Johnston wrote songs: just very honest and pure”, Naima explains, “I didn't want to cover “True Love Will Find You in the End” because I couldn't find an original way of doing it. The morning of recording I suddenly got the idea to make it into a manic 80's song, inspired by Prince, Eurythmics and the soundtrack of Flashdance. I think that contrast is appropriate with the ups & downs of a bipolar disorder: not necessarily a state of being that is unknown to me...”
27/05 new EP 'Tribute To Daniel Johnston' via [PIAS] Recordings
EMELI SANDÉ - OXYGEN
Next single Oxygen follows the announcement of Emeli Sandé’s new album Let’s Say For Instance. Emeli says “‘Oxygen’ is about going beneath the superficial and having the courage to dive deep into love.” The album campaign has a 6-figure marketing spend with global press, TV & Radio. Features confirmed for BBC TV, Sky TV, BBC Radio 2, NDR, Nova, Variety, Rolling Stone, The Guardian & multiple outlets worldwide. Emeli will be on tour across UK & Europe in May-June in support of the record.
06/05 new Album ‘Let’s Say For Instance’ via Chrysalis Records
BANJI - CHATTERBOX
Chatterbox is the grittiest and snappiest release from the Utrecht quartet to date. Over two minutes and change vocalist Morris Brandt spits and snarls over front-foot indie-rock augmented with a digital crunch, taking aim at self-centred narcissists. The four-piece have already started turning heads with their brand of indie-pop, harnessing the power of technicolour fun against a greyscale world. An after show set for Vampire Weekend, support slot with Belgian icons Balthazar and successful Duth and UK tours are wins on the stage, and in the media trusted tastemakers in Billboard, DIY, Clash, DORK and more are lending their voices of support.
NILÜFER YANYA - ANOTHERLIFE
London artist Nilüfer Yanya shares a new song and video from her forthcoming album PAINLESS due out March 4th, 2022 via ATO Records. anotherlife is an ethereal, midtempo track with layered synths, guitar and weaving vocal melodies. Nilüfer shares about the meaning, "At the core of the song it’s just about being OK with things and accepting that this is where you are at. However, the 'I’ll do anything' line hints at a desperation of wanting to let that be known." Directed by Nilüfer's sister, Molly Daniel, visuals for anotherlife see Nilüfer on holiday in Sri Lanka wearing beautiful garments in a prismatic and lush location in the sun and moonlight.
30/03 @ Botanique, Brussel
EZRA FURMAN - POINT ME TOWARD THE REAL
Point Me Toward The Real kicks off the beginning of new music from Ezra Furman, following five solo albums plus the original soundtrack to hit Netflix show 'Sex Education'. Produced by John Congleton, with background vocals from Shannon Lay, it's a testament to Ezra's range as a songwriter, the track is a vibey, self-possessed, mantra-laden rocker, showcasing everything fans love about Ezra. This single comes alongside the announcement of Ezra’s North America and European tours, and ahead of a new album this summer.
JERRY PAPER - JUST SAY PLAY
Jerry Paper is the freaky weirdo musical persona of Lucas Nathan, and Just Say Play is the mission statement from their forthcoming synth-pop, weird-rock, bizarro-muzak album. Nathan says: "While 'Free Time' is definitely NOT a concept album, I did spend the whole period while making the record thinking about playfulness, curiosity, and their roles in the nature of creativity. 'Just Say Play' is basically the mission statement of the record! Coming out as nonbinary was part of a process of dismantling the compartmentalization in myself, and allowing myself to play freely with my gender queerness is one of many ways free play has become a central part of my worldview. I’m just trying to imbue my life with playfulness and freedom!" Just Say Play features Leland Whitty of BADBADNOTGOOD on the flute and background vocals from "LA’s sanest freak", Jonny Kosmo.
15/04 new album ‘Free Time’ via Stones Throw
13/01 @ Botanique, Brussel
GWENNO - AN STEVEL NOWYDH (RADIO EDIT)
An Stevel Nowydh is the first single from Tresor (Treasure), Gwenno Saunders’ third full length solo album, and the second almost entirely in Cornish (Kernewek). Written in St. Ives, Cornwall, just prior to the Covid lockdowns of 2020, and completed in Cardiff during the pandemic, along with her producer and musical collaborator, Rhys Edwards, Tresor reveals an introspective focus on home and self, a prescient work echoing the isolation and retreat that has been a central, global shared experience over the past two years.
01/07 new album'Tresor' via Heavenly Recordings
MIDLAKE - NOBLE
"The heavy nature of [Midlake drummer McKenzie's son] Noble’s condition and the new reality for my friend and bandmate McKenzie (and his wife and daughter) wasn’t something we took lightly. We were really excited to create this song for him and for Noble to not only acknowledge the struggle but to also celebrate this amazing and beautiful boy. We’ve been able to share a bit about their story each night when we play the song and it feels good to have a bigger purpose and cause within our show like never before." - Eric Pulido, Midlake
18/03 new album 'For The Sake Of Bethel Woods' via Bella Union
02/04 @ Trix, Antwerpen
