If you were looking for an album to soundtrack your summer of socially distanced tinnies in the park and virtual pub nights, then look no further than Hindsâ latest album, âThe Prettiest Curseâ.
On it they’ve ditched the raucous garage rock which they’d perfected on their first two albums, and instead embraced pop melodies, lush instrumentation and glossy production, on an album thatâs the musical equivalent of the sun peaking out from behind the clouds after a thunderstorm. Weâve chosen âBoyâ for the NME Radio playlists this week, a euphoric cut that blends the bands growling riffs with shoegaze and enraptured dream-pop.
Also new on NME Radio this week: Gorillaz have teamed up with Octavian for the fourth episode of their Song Machine series, The Aces try out R&B beats for the latest taste of their upcoming album ‘Under My Influence’ and IAMDDB celebrates “embracing love” on the sultry ‘Quarantine’.
Here are all this weekâs additions to the NME 1 & 2 playlists:
On the A List
Hinds
âBoyâ
On the A List this week weâve got âBoyâ, taken from Hindsâ stellar new album âThe Prettiest Curseâ. With its cantering rhythm section, twinkling guitar licks and exhilarating group vocals, itâs a dreamy summer anthem.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever
âCameoâ
âThis is a love song. Itâs about reaching through time portals,” Rolling Blackouts’ Fran Keaney has explained of ‘Cameo’. Writing the lyrics over the course of a year, and gradually piecing them together, itâs a gloriously love-struck slice of the bandâs post-punk tinted indie.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Gorillaz
âFriday 13th (feat. Octavian)â
For the latest instalment of Gorillazâs Song Machine series (where the virtual band “spit out brand new episodes fresh from the studio, as and when they happen”) they’ve teamed up with Octavian. Combining woozy synths and clattering production with Octavianâs lilting vocals, the wistful song is a total treat.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Fontaines D.C.
âI Don’t Belongâ
The latest glimpse weâve had of Fontaines D.C. upcoming album âA Heroâs Deathâ is a grumbling slab of the Irish bandâs snarling post-punk.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Michael Stipe & Big Red Machine
âNo Time For Love Like Nowâ
In March, Michael Stipe performed his collaboration with The National’s Aaron Dessner (under his Big Red Machine moniker), âNo Time For Love Like Nowâ, live from lockdown. Finally, we’ve been gifted the studio version of the song. A sprawling, otherworldly amalgam of glam rock, jangling folk and ethereal guitar licks (courtesy of Big Red Machineâs other founder, Justin Vernon), itâs eerily beautiful.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List
The Aces
âKellyâ
With its strutting bassline, bobbing hi-hat beats and dangerously catchy chorus, the new one from The Aces is a stone-cold smasher.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
IAMDDB
âQuarantine (Prod.by Adrian)â
IAMDDB’s new one is about giving in to love. âFor all the hearts filled with love. Fear only rules your heart if you allow it and right now is a time to embrace love instead of running from it,” she explains of it. Filled with squelchy trap beats and sultry vocals, itâs brilliant.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Roosevelt
âSignâ
German producer Roosevelt has returned with his first new single since second album ‘Young Romance’ in 2018, and it’s a belter. Combining buoyant house beats with throbbing synths and soaring vocals, itâs pure dance-floor joy. The only problem? We wonât be hearing it slipped into DJ sets at festivals this summer.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Tricky
âFall Please (feat. Marta)â
âWith most of my stuff thereâs nothing else like it around; but with âFall Pleaseâ Iâve managed to do something Iâve never been able to before which is that everyone can feel it – even people who donât know my music,â Tricky has explained of his new tune, âFall. Pleaseâ. âItâs my version of pop music the closest Iâve got to making popâ he adds. Combining ominous melodies with elements of Go-go and electronica, Trickyâs version of pop music sounds pretty good to us.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Lucia & The Best Boys
âLet Goâ
Lastly on the playlist this week weâve got this slow-burning beauty from Lucia & The Best Boys. All sprawling piano lines and velvety vocals, itâs a poignant treat from the band.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
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