Last month global pop hero Billie Eilish surprise-dropped a brand new two-song EP âGuitar Songsâ â the artistâs first release since her unapologetic headlining set at Glastonbury in June.
In a glowing four-star review of her Glasto show, we declared her appearance as proof that the âGen Z takeover of Glastonbury has begunâ. By now, if Billie demands the mic, we listen. Thatâs why â30â, the first track off âGuitar Songsâ, is a no-brainer addition to the NME Radio A List this week.
Also new to the NME Radio playlist are tunes from fresh faces and stalwarts alike, including Pip Millettâs new track, a cut from Jamie Tâs new record, and the latest tunes from Rina Sawayama, Doechii and more.
Check out the rest of the new tracks on NME 1 and 2 below:
On the A List:
Billie Eilish
âTVâ
On Billie Eilishâs downcast anthem âTVâ, the 20-year-old singer cuts to the chase in confronting recent events which gripped the hearts and minds of her own peers. âThe internetâs gone wild watching movie stars on trial / While theyâre overturning Roe v. Wade,â she sings over lulling acoustic guitars meant to soothe the most disillusioned of us. The song intensifies as she ropes in her fans to sing the trackâs devastating final refrain, âMaybe I / Maybe I / Maybe Iâm the problemâ.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Pip Millett
âSlowâ
London soul newcomer Pip Millett has released sultry new single, âSlowâ. This minimal, mid-tempo jam sees her drawing a lover closer atop a killer bassline, soulful guitars and playful vocal effects during the trackâs hooky chorus. This groovy earworm is a smash â one sure to be stuck in your head for days to come.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List:
Jamie T
âBetween The Rocksâ
The South London indie veteran is back with âBetween The Rocksâ, the fizzy third single off his new album âThe Theory of Whateverâ. As energised as ever, Jamie T spits rapid-fire bars about being caught between a rock and a hard place in the music industry, while jagged guitars and a driving beat take us along for the adrenaline rush.
In a four-star review of âThe Theory of Whateverâ, NMEâs Rhian Daly wrote, âregardless of why heâs the one to remain at the forefront of British alternative music, though, âThe Theory Of Whateverâ shows that â unless he chooses to hit the eject button for himself â Jamie T should be sticking around for a lot longer.â
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Rina Sawayama
âHold The Girlâ
Genre-splicing artist Rina Sawayama has released the title track off her anticipated second album âHold The Girlâ. The third single from the upcoming release finds Sawayama alternating between epic balladry and unadulterated garage bounce as she reaches out to reconcile with her inner child: âTeach me the words I used to know / Yeah, I forgot them long ago / I wanna remember / She is me and I am herâ This heartfelt yet infectious new track is an exciting glimpse of whatâs to come.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Paddy Mulcahy
âAngelâs Shareâ
Irish electronic composer Paddy Mulcahy has released his new single, âAngelâs Shareâ. The downtempo instrumental track features glimmering arpeggiated synthesisers pulsating against a solid backbeat and percussive flourishes, resulting in a moody soundtrack perfect for late-night drives.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Doechii feat. SZA
âPersuasiveâ
The peppy new remix of Doechiiâs âPersuasiveâ featuring SZA is destined to drive listeners straight to the dance floor. The breakout artistâs nonchalant delivery sounds effortless against the trackâs propulsive beat, a setup worthy of being graced by SZAâs ever-buoyant presence. On SZAâs feature, Doechii exclaimed, âShe really ATE! This collaboration is everything I always imagined it to be,” proving weâre not the only ones who think this pairing works perfectly.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Post Malone feat. Doja Cat
âI Like You (A Happier Song)â
âI Like You (A Happier Song)â, taken from Post Maloneâs new album âTwelve Carat Toothacheâ, is the sugar rush we never knew we needed. A sweet chord progression is juxtaposed against a trap beat while Doja Cat casually brags on her and her loverâs behalf: âI coulda copped a Birkin but I cop Celine / Why we got the same taste for the finer things?âÂ
In a four-star review, NMEâs Rhian Daly called âTwelve Carat Toothacheâ âthe most intimate and open look into his life yet, sharing perspective on some of his personal struggles without sacrificing good tunes.â
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List:
Rico Nasty
âWatch Your Man (feat. Marshmello)â
Rico Nasty has released the latest single from her stellar new album, âLas Ruinasâ. Aligning with vibe of earlier singles like the blistering âIntrusiveâ, âWatch Your Manâ shoots for top speed and never lets up. The Marshmello-produced single features drum nâ bass rhythms, heavy bass and Ricoâs distorted vocals that are guaranteed to have you headbanging on repeated listens.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Skullcrusher
âWhatever Fits Togetherâ
In the first single from Skullcrusherâs upcoming debut album âQuiet The Roomâ, Helen Ballentine gets introspective and reflects on her past. Steady, lightly strummed guitars and a gentle beat lead the way as she muses, âDo you ever look back? / Does it all fit together? / If weâre here, does it matter?â In a statement, Ballentine stated, âAs I looked back, I saw my life in pieces: some moments blacked out, some extremely vivid, some leading nowhere. Through the song I attempt to piece it together in some non-linear form and accept my disparate story.â
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Jessie Ware
âFree Yourselfâ
The English pop stalwart heralds her return with a groovy new self-empowerment anthem, âFree Yourselfâ. The upbeat dance number sees Ware fearlessly calling for her listeners to be their unashamed selves against a glamorous disco beat: âDonât you hide under covers, baby / Free yourself / Keep moving up that mountain topâ
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Alex G
âCross The Seaâ
Folk-rock shapeshifter Alex G has returned with âCross The Seaâ, the third single off his upcoming album, âGod Save The Animalsâ. Against muted acoustic guitars, Alex meditates on devotion through auto-tuned warble (âI cross the field for my baby / You can believe in me, yeahâ) before closing the track with an abrupt, dissonant outro.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
George FitzGerald (feat. SOAK)
âRainbows and Dreamsâ
The third single from English producer George FitzGeraldâs upcoming release âStellar Driftingâ has a title which aptly describes its soundscapes. The glistening track blends an upbeat rhythm with ethereal synthesisers and ghost-like vocals from Irish indie-folk singer SOAK, creating a tapestry of sound vast enough to get lost in.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
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The post NME Radio Roundup 1 August 2022: Billie Eilish, Rina Sawayama and Jamie T appeared first on NME.
