Just under two weeks ago, Taylor Swift announced her surprise new album âFolkloreâ. Written during lockdown, her eighth record eschewed her usual, meticulously planned promotional campaign, and instead it dropped less than 24 hours after it was announced. And itâs not just its prompt release thatâs different, for âFolkloreâ Swift found a new sound. Teaming up with Bon Iver and The Nationalâs Aaron Dessner, alongside long-time collaborator Jack Antonoff, âFolkloreâ is an astonishing collection of indie-folk songs, that couple Swiftâs distinctive song writing and lyricism with soaring melodies and lush instrumentation. Weâve chosen the lead single, âCardiganâ, for this weekâs NME Radio A List.
Also new to NME Radio this week: a bevvy of big name collaborations, including Octavian and Future, and Mahalia and Pink Sweat$, as well as the huge new single from NME 100 alumni Phoebe Green.
Here are all this weekâs additions to the NME 1 & 2 playlists:
On the A List
Taylor Swift
âCardiganâ
This slow-burning ballad, filled with hurt and yearning, is folk-rock beauty from Taylor Swift. Heart-wrenching lyrics are complemented by melancholy strings and earnest vocals, in a song thatâll dramatically soundtrack you burning that box you’ve got of your awful ex’s stuff.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Joesef
âI Wonder Why (feat. Loyle Carner)â
âSometimes I donât know how I feel till I write it down and this seemed to be one of those time,” Joesef explained of his gorgeous new tune, “I think I was avoiding addressing that I was a bit fucked up at the start of the year because of a situation, so this tune sort of put a line under it.” A sun-drenched cut of soulful R&B, âI Wonder Whyâ beautifully conveys the pain of losing someone.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List
Phoebe Green
‘Reinvent’
Phoebe Green’s killer new single is painfully relatable. Accompanied by â80s flecked instrumentation and foot stomping drums, she pithily conveys the unsettling awkwardness of feeling like you don’t belong and changing yourself to fit in, and itâs pure brilliance.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Octavian
âRari (feat. Future)â
The first track from Octavian’s anticipated debut album â which is set to be executively produced by Skepta â sees the rapper team up with Future. Fusing intriguing, experimental production (courtesy of Jim-E Stack) with slick vocals, it’s an exciting glimpse of what’s to come.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List
The Avalanches
âWherever You Go (feat. Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry & CLYPSO)â
The Avalanchesâ have formed a bit of a supergroup for their latest single âWherever You Goâ. With co-production by Jamie XX, and vocals from CLYPSO and the legendary Neneh Cherry, itâs a poignant anthem that celebrates the power that music and love can have.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Mahalia
âBRB (feat. Pink Sweat$)â
For this reworking of Mahaliaâs âBRBâ sheâs teamed up with Pink Sweat$, for a vocal match made in heaven.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Yumi Zouma
âSage’
All strutting Balearic beats and glitchy vocals, âSageâ is an electronic beauty from Yumi Zouma.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
070 Shake
âGuilty Conscience (Tame Impala Remix)’
Last up on the playlist this week Tame Impala remixes 070 Shake. This new version of âGuilty Conscienceâ infuses it with a healthy dose of psychedelia, swapping the icy skittering production of the original with woozy synths and stomping drums, and itâs absolutely excellent.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
The post NME Radio Roundup 3 August 2020: Taylor Swift, Octavian, Mahalia and more appeared first on NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM.
