Last week, The xx‘s Romy dropped her euphoric new single âStrongâ, her first solo single since 2020 debut âLifetimeâ. The energetic dance anthem sees her collaborate with in-demand producer Fred Again.., and speaking about the team-up, Romy said: “our friendship helps me feel safe to be honest and vulnerable lyrically and we definitely connect over our love of songwriting and emotions in dance music”.
This second solo single is an exciting glimpse of what we could expect from further Romy material, and leads the charge in this weekâs NME Radio additions, alongside other fresh drops including Stormzyâs latest preview of his upcoming third album, The Blessed Madonnaâs new club banger, and more.
Check out the newest additions to NME Radio 1 and 2 below:
On the A List:
Romy & Fred Again..
âStrongâ
On âStrongâ, Romy and Fred Again.. toe the line between euphoria and pathos for a stellar dance anthem. Fred Again.. turns up the heat with a boomy kick drum and arpeggiated synthesisers, setting the foundations for a trance banger guaranteed to receive heavy rotation in the club circuit. But with a minor chord introduced midway through accompanied by Romyâs direct, compassionate lyrics (âYou donât have to be so strong / Iâm right hereâ), the track transcends to become an anthem of solidarity and empathy. – Eli Ordonez
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List:
Stormzy
âFirebabeâ
On âFirebabeâ, Stormzy offers a sincere tribute to an old flame. Over a subtle accompaniment, the icon offers honest lyrics, singing: ââCause I, I just canât explain / Even in the way, you love me with your flame / My firebabe.â A song that Stormzy explained to i-D is about: âthat first spark when you meet your partnerâ, it musically echos this, with the slow burner fully evoking the way time stands still in those early moments of a relationship. â EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
The Blessed Madonna
âSerotonin Moonbeamsâ
The Blessed Madonna offers listeners the ultimate pick-me-up on her bouncy new track, âSerotonin Moonbeamsâ. Employing a shuffling beat, a throwback piano loop and syrupy ambience, the elastic house cut gives listeners the serotonin surge they need by transporting them back to âthe Vicks Vapo-rub, candy soaked raves of the â90sâ, as she expressed in a statement. Uffieâs playful vocals quiver along through the track, perfectly setting the scene: âYou had one too many coffees / And your slippers are Versace in my daydreamsâ. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Rudimental
âBreak My Heartâ
Hackney drum ânâ bass revivalists Rudimental are ready for reconnection with their melancholic new single, âBreak My Heartâ. Combining classic jungle speed with subdued atmospheric elements, the track taps into complex themes of unwavering devotion in the face of heartbreak. Singer L Devine lays down emotional lyricism atop the trackâs hook, to heart-wrenching effect: âProvided you break my heart / I still want you anyway, dollâ. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Tkay Maidza
âNights In Decemberâ
Tkay Maidza heralds the holiday season with her festive new jam, âNights In Decemberâ. Tapping in on a fantasy of meeting someone new during âwintertime in New Yorkâ, Maidza whips up a groovy number against the sonic backdrop of crunchy beats and icy synthesisers. Her crystalline vocals adorn the track, as she sings: âFlowers on the wall, feeling magical / This is what I want, itâs youâ. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Liv.e
âWild Animalsâ
Neo-soul singer-songwriter Liv.e puts her well-being first on âWild Animalsâ, the sultry new preview of her upcoming album âGirl In The Half Pearlâ. Over a jazzy foundation of head-bobbing beats, brushed drums and trilling pianos, Liv.e sings about self-care to assuring effect: âCause they always wanna bite with they see me⊠And I hope that girl make the choice to leave âemâ – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List:
Shame
âFingers Of Steelâ
South London post-punks Shame explore dissatisfaction on âFingers Of Steelâ, the soaring first preview of their upcoming LP, âFood For Wormsâ. Employing their signature propulsive guitar licks and time signature changes, the quintet deliver an anthemic number sure to prompt sing-a-longs during the groupâs lengthy European tour next year. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Flume
âSlugger 1.4 [2014 Export.WAV]â
Australian super-producer Flume celebrates the 10th anniversary of his breakout 2012 debut LP with the glitchy archival track, âSlugger 1.4 [2014 Export.WAV]â. Though created two years after the album was released, the track carries over much of what made his early work groundbreaking: textured synthesisers, stuttering drops and fleeting moments of emptiness for stark contrast. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Mahalia
âBag Of Youâ
R&B hero Mahalia returns with the smooth new single, âBag Of Youâ. Supported by a dreamy guitar loop, a punchy beat and swooning strings, Mahalia brings her stunning vocals centre stage to sing confessionally about her unwavering devotion to a love interest: âI always miss me when you’re gone / I don’t wanna slip up and get lost without youâ – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Dead Tooth
âSporty Boyâ
Brooklyn quintet Death Tooth get jittery on their new post-punk workout, âSporty Boyâ. Hammering away at breakneck speed, the track features bludgeoning drums, gritty guitars, and frontman Zach Jamesâ agitated vocals which send the number into hyperdrive with an uncanny ease, as he sings: âOh baby, Iâm crazy / Just a little bit of âflick of the wristââ. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
The Black Angels
âA Walk On The Outsideâ
Austin psych-rock veterans The Black Angels take a trip on âA Walk On The Outsideâ, a kaleidoscopic cut off their recent record, âWilderness of Mirrorsâ. Taking cues from psychedelia icons of the â60s, the group combine Beatlesque basslines, fuzzy guitars and hypnotic, reversed tape loops, constructing a day-glo reverie for listeners to inhabit. – EO
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
The post NME Radio Roundup 21 November 2022: Romy, Fred Again.., Stormzy and more appeared first on NME.
