2022 has been a spectacular year for music. From confessional hip-hop, to stellar experimental pop, dance floor burners, and gorgeous, â70s-inflected balladry, the year brought us a glorious range of sounds and styles. And looking forward, it seems the music world wonât be slowing down any time soon: last week, alt-rock titans Paramore brought us âThe Newsâ, the second preview of their highly anticipated seventh album arriving in February 2023.
The agitated rager follows comeback single, âThis Is Whyâ, which was named NMEâs second-favourite song of the year. Writing about the singleâs placement among 2022âs 50 best songs, Erica Campbell wrote: âWith its slow crawling synth and cymbals eventually erupting into a full funk fest, âThis Is Whyâ gave us just what we wanted: an innovative pop-punk moment from a band already responsible for so many.â
âThe Newsâ this week’s additions to NME Radio, joined by a choice cut from Bree Runwayâs surprise EP, the latest single from FLO, and more.
Check out the newest additions to NME Radio 1 and 2 below:
On the A List:
Paramore
âThe Newsâ
Paramore are worn out by a bombardment of headlines in âThe Newsâ, the second single of their upcoming record âThis Is Whyâ. Behind angular guitars and an unsettling chord progression, Hayley Williams searingly assesses the state of todayâs world: âA war, a war on the far side / On the other side of the planetâ. As if sonically replicating the impact of a never-ending news cycle, the band careens along, Zac Farroâs pummelling drums leading the way while Williams barks her imperative refrain: âTurn on, turn off the newsâ. – Eli Ordonez
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Bree Runway
âPick Your Poison ft. Stormzyâ
NME 100 alumi Bree Runway teams up with Stormzy for a tender ode to an old flame with âPick Your Poisonâ, taken off the formerâs surprise EP âWhoa, What A Blur!â. Stormzy kicks off the track delivering its sentimental hook, deftly using alcohol as a metaphor for the intoxication of love and devastation of heartbreak: âTequila shots donât get you wasted no more / So when you pick your poison, I just hope itâs meâ. Meanwhile Runway effortlessly sings emotive bars atop a laidback dancehall beat, proving she can move your heart as much as your body. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Emotional Oranges
âPettyâ
Los Angeles R&B group Emotional Oranges want you to cool down on âPettyâ, the latest single from their fourth full-length release âThe Juice: Vol. IIIâ. The enigmatic duo concoct a groovy soundscape by juxtaposing bouncy rhythms and slinky bass against reverb-drenched keyboards. On the cut, âAâ takes the lead with vocals, riffing on a Drake-esque hook calling for a lover to calm down (âDonât get petty with meâ), before âVâ steps in for a brief sequence of chilled-out bars, and it’s excellent. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
FLO
âLosing Youâ
London R&B trio FLO have moved on from their exes on the triumphant new single âLosing Youâ. Continuing to tap into the â90s R&B sensibilities they brilliantly demonstrated on September EP âThe Leadâ, the group concoct a glorious, TLC-esque torch song, replete with snappy drums, electric pianos and gospel-tinged harmonies. As expected, the group take advantage of every line to showcase their exceptional vocal abilities, with Stella, Jorja and RenĂ©e backing each other up with jaw-dropping ad-libs. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List:
SZA
âGhost In The Machine ft. Phoebe Bridgersâ
SZA wants to be a real human being on âGhost In The Machineâ, a poignant cut off her excellent comeback LP âSOSâ. The R&B powerhouse once again flexes her penchant for mixing up the genreâs formula, this time combining her signature, undulating melodies with emo and electronic influences. Phoebe Bridgers joins her later on, delivering an appropriately morose verse atop the trackâs icy instrumental. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Little Simz
âGorillaâ
A standout track from Little Simz new, surprise-dropped album âNO THANK YOUâ, against Infloâs jazzy beat, Simz delivers both playful bars (âBig time driller, monkey to gorillaâ) and poignant lines (“Rest in peace to Mac Millerâ). Another outstanding cut from the Mercury Prize winning artist, itâs clear Simz has only one goal: to âshake the whole shit upâ. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Wizkid
â2 Sugar ft. Ayra Starrâ
Nigerian sensation Wizkid is all about that good energy with â2 Sugarâ, a stellar cut from his latest record, âMore Love, Less Egoâ. The afrobeat stalwart exudes effortless nonchalance against yet another irresistible rhythm, with P2Jâs production striking a balance between punchy beats and delicate ambience. Both Wizkid and Arya Starr deliver complementary, catchy verses about leaving out the bad vibes for a good time. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Teezee and Cruel Santino
âManhattanâ
Nigerian altĂ© up-and-comers Teezee and Cruel Santino fall in love in the Big Apple on their latest collaboration, âManhattanâ. The latter delivers the trackâs subdued hook, as he pines for a distant lover from the trackâs titular city. Later on, Teezee steals the show over the trackâs stuttering beat, his husky, auto-tuned voice gleaming under the spotlight. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List:
Biig Piig
âPicking Up ft. Deb Neverâ
Alt-pop rulebreakers Biig Piig and Deb Never bring us a rollicking new transatlantic collaboration âPicking Upâ. The restless track jumps between moods, time signatures and sonic textures in chaotic fashion, building towards a manic jungle breakdown. The two take turns delivering verses with a appropriately detached demeanour: âCrashing âtill Iâm numb / Oh my Godâ – EO
Listen: Spotify
Blondshell
âVeronica Marsâ
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Blondshell takes us back to the mid-aughts on her latest single, âVeronica Marsâ. Named after the Kristen Bell-starring teen mystery series, the track captures a slice of life lived in the 2000s, referencing minute details including an empty New York apartment, a friend on the loo, and a dickhead stranger â in under two minutes. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
R. Ring
âDef Supâ
R. Ring freak out on âDef Supâ, the chaotic second second single from their upcoming album âWar Poems, We Restedâ. Featuring members of The Breeders and Ampline, the track showcases the duoâs expertise on texturally-focused indie rock, decking it out with stabs of guitar fuzz, angular guitar solos, synth noise and a lulling, hypnotic bassline. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
B.Miles
âOne Trick Ponyâ
New York-based singer-songwriter B.Miles ponders the transient nature of success on her latest single âOne Trick Ponyâ. Against a muted backdrop of dreamy guitar chords and a steady backbeat, Brenna Miles sighs with resignation to an industry built on fickle trends (âTip over / Pour me out / Puppet girl, tired from your soundâ) before acknowledging that her ego gets the best of her too (âTired, âcause my ego owns meâ) – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
The post NME Radio Roundup 19 December 2022: Paramore, Bree Runway, FLO and more appeared first on NME.
