THE BEST MUSIC: NEW & OLD
What’s the best Christmas song you ask? Well there’s only one correct answer, and that’s Fairytale of New York*. In a genre ridden with turkeys, this one is a king. That’s right, you heard me, a king amongst turkeys.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VTNVsTTu05dmTsVFrmGpK?si=31ea101cf5e44846
RIP Shane MacGowan. Here is a link to an obit. It’s worth a read because he was, by all accounts, an utter mentalist.
*Feel free to put your incorrect answers in the comments box.
One from the vaults. It’s Akala’s Shakespeare from his debut album It’s Not A Rumour from 2006. The album (and it’s 2007 follow-up Freedom Lasso) span hip-hop, electro and rock and I have to say they opened 14-year-old-me’s eyes. Akala is a great lyricist, combining humour and meaning with crazy delivery. He has grown to become an important figure in society with his activism. This track goes back to the start of his journey – enjoy.
Bonus track: I was reminded of Shakespeare whilst watching Emerald Fennel’s new dark comedy, Saltburn – well worth a watch if you haven’t seen it already. There’s a great party scene which features Tomcraft’s Loneliness. Shakespeare‘s backing track is lifted directly from it. Two very different tracks with two very different energies, but both hit in their own way.
A couple of week’s ago I had the absolute pleasure of being at the opening night of Madonna’s Celebration Tour. Production levels were off the charts. If you get the chance to go to one of the remaining legs, I can’t stress enough that you should make it happen. The show made the most of her insanely rich back-catalogue with hit after hit. She’s an amazing performer, and it was an amazing show.
For today’s track we are rewinding to 2003, and a grinding, nasty remix of Hollywood by Jacques le Cont (aka Les Rythmes Digitales, real name Stuart Price). The speed is lifted and the drones are amplified, giving the track a new, dark energy. Interestingly, this was the version of the track that Madonna performed during the MTV Video Awards. After this remix, Price went onto work as a producer on Confessions of a Dancefloor amongst other collaborations with Madonna.
Bonus track: it wasn’t easy to pick, but this was my highlight from the show.
Long-time readers will know I’m a big fan of Tame Impala. I stumbled across this live cover, a pop re-imagining of The Less I Know the Better and I don’t really know what to say about it except that it bangs. Enjoy.
Spotify link here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2B1sGRCpWdCowQ2dlWr5vT?si=b288d0e146b74642
“This is a prime example of a pure temptation. Oh boy, your touch is heaven. This is the kind of feeling I could ride forever. Let’s push, together.”
It’s Gabe Gurnsey’s Push, released Erol Alkan’s Phantasy Sound label. The vocals are from Gabe’s collaborator and girlfriend Tilly Morris.
Uncomplicated electro house with an infectious energy. Rip in.
I learnt something new today. Turns out there is a “thriving electronic underground scene” in Vienna. Who knew? Jon Gravy (real name Felix B. Nowak) is a product of that very scene, and we are lucky to have him.
Let’s Gruv was released back in 2020. The stand out track from the release is Golden Hour. A nice deep, pulsating groove picks you up, but what really makes it pop is a complete killer of a piano hook. This is all supplemented by drifting, swirling disco vocals that give the track colour and depth, without ever feeling too busy. It’s a beauty.
I was just going to post about Golden Hour, but then Maintain came on and I was digging that as well. He’s good this fella. Enjoy.
Something a bit different today: a video feature on the re-emergence of Jai Paul on the excellent Resident Advisor youtube. They put it out in the run-up to his first ever live show, at Coachella. Apparently his performance didn’t quite live up to the hype, but you best believe he has more to offer the world.
More Jai? You can find his remix of Jungle Drum here and Do You Love Her Now / He here.
DJ Koze and Roisin Murphy are icons in their own right, but together are capable of a kind of alchemy that I can’t get enough of. Here is their latest, You Knew. It drips with hurt, longing and desire. And what’s even more delicious is that DJ Koze has produced a whole album with Roisin, Hit Parade, out September 8th on Ninja Tune. Yum.
I can’t help but visualise the sun setting over the ocean when I listen to Tourist. It always feels like Summer, with the temperature just a tad over 25. A Little Bit Further is another one of those to add to the collection.
I also feel like the track leaves a little bit left on the table for a second drop. I have a sneaking suspicion someone is going to remix the shit out of it and I’ll be here for it when it they do.
Islander came up in my shuffle the other day just when I needed it.
I was feeling a little overwrought, a little stressed. Islander was the antidote I needed. An aural sound-bath at just the right temperature. If you are feeling the same way I was, just put it on the headphones, close your eyes and sit still for 321 seconds. I did it twice.
