Last week Stormzy returned with the stellar âMel Made Me Do Itâ, his first solo single since 2019 opus âHeavy Is The Headâ. The surprise seven-minute track was accompanied by a staggering, cameo-filled music video, with everyone from sporting legends JosĂ© Mourinho and Usain Bolt, to musical talents like Little Simz, Headie One and Dave, and even Louis Theroux making an appearance.
âMel Made Me Do Itâ leads the additions to the NME Radio playlist this week, alongside the latest preview of Arctic Monkeysâ seventh record, the second single off Kid Cudiâs upcoming Netflix feature, and fresh cuts from Beck, Alvvays, Courting, and more.
Check out the latest additions to NME Radio 1 and 2 below:
On the A List:
Stormzy
âMel Made Me Do Itâ
âI been the G.O.A.T. for so long, I guess itâs not exciting when I win / Boo-hoo, someone grab the violins,â so begins Stormzyâs latest track, perfectly encapsulating the effortless charisma and confidence the artist possesses. On the stunning tune, Knox Brownâs exquisite production serves as the perfect backdrop for Stormzyâs regal return: 808 booms impart the beat with necessary power, while echoing strings support the artistâs impressive lyricism. It’s a triumphant return.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Arctic Monkeys
âBody Paintâ
Arctic Monkeys return with the confrontational âBody Paintâ, the second preview of their upcoming seventh record, âThe Carâ. The track assumes a quiet rage, the band tapping once again into their recent fondness for balladry against noticeably pointed lyricism. âFor a master of deception and subterfuge / Youâve made yourself quite the bed to lie in,â Alex Turner sings against downtrodden piano chords.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Kid Cudi
âWilling To Trust (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)â
Kid Cudi has returned with âWilling To Trustâ, the second preview of his upcoming album and Netflix special, âEntergalacticâ. The cut sees Cudi express unadulterated devotion to a partner against a trippy mix of downtempo electronic drums, glacial synthesisers and reversed electric guitar wails, and it’s brilliant.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Beck
âOld Manâ
Indie hero Beck returns with a cover of Neil Youngâs 1972 classic, âOld Manâ. Without any pretence, Beck mellows down with only an acoustic guitar in hand, making sure to nail the signature traits of Youngâs music, from the cadence of his guitar playing to the stacked, sun-drenched harmonies of Laurel Canyonâs glory days. The Los Angeles native demonstrates the everlasting relevance of Youngâs lyricism, as he echoes the songâs search for genuine connection: âOld man, take a look at my life, Iâm a lot like you / I need someone to love me the whole day throughâ.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the B List:
Alvvays
âBelinda Saysâ
Jangle pop heroes Alvvays find contentment in the mundane with âBelinda Saysâ, the latest preview of their first album in over four years, âBlue Revâ. The track bursts into focus with distorted, undulating guitars, as Molly Rankin sings about the folly of living for cheap thrills (âNew dress could turn your head / But how long til we reel it in? / Paradise and I find myself paralyzedâ). In a moment of quiet, she tenderly fantasises about a quiet life, (âMoving to the country / Gonna have that baby / Wait tables in townâ) before leveraging on Belinda Carlisleâs 1987 smash âHeaven Is A Place On Earthâ to drive the message home.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Courting
âFamousâ
Liverpool alternative rockers Courting have returned with âFamousâ, a raucous cut from their debut album, âGuitar Musicâ. The quartetâs distinctive sonics are heard almost instantaneously, the track kicking off with a glitchy loop before a restless post-punk rhythm kicks into gear. Frontman Murphy-OâNeillâs spoken word vocals read as equally absurd and aloof (âI hope David Byrne is proud of me / I hope David Beckham is, uh, proud of meâ), and serves as the perfect commentary for the trackâs wild musical ride.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Channel Tres
âNo Limitâ
Alt-rap star Channel Tres returns with his bouncy new single âNo Limitâ off his upcoming debut LP, âReal Cultural Shitâ. The track wears the rapperâs west coast origins proudly on its sleeve, adopting a slinky tempo, deep bass and a synth that would sound undeniably comfortable on a Snoop Dogg record, in an exciting glimpse of whatâs to come on the anticipated record.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Willow Kayne
âMotorbikeâ
Alt-pop artist Willow Kayne has returned with her latest single, âMr Universeâ, featuring legendary DJ General Levy. The hyperactive track sees the Bristol native contrasting her breezy vocals with breakneck jungle beats, with General Levy fusing Willowâs leisurely verses with rapid-fire bars that match the trackâs impossibly rapid pace. Towards its breathless end, Willow showcases her anarchic approach to production by dropping in an unexpected trumpet solo, which she punctuates with intermittent, tongue-in-cheek ad-libs.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
On the C List:
The War On Drugs
âOceans of Darknessâ
The War On Drugs have returned with âOceans of Darknessâ, an âI Donât Live Here Anymoreâ outtake off its recently-released deluxe edition. Previously premiered in a stripped-back form on The Tonight Show, the track finally sees the light of day in its pristine, fully produced form, boasting a perky mix of jangly acoustic guitars, sun-kissed organs and a stomping rhythm.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
FLO
âNot My Jobâ
Breakout trio FLO have returned with their latest single, âNot My Jobâ, off the re-release of their debut EP âThe Leadâ. The cut finds the trio bemoaning an emotionally distant partner with endless attitude and charm: âItâs not my job / If you ainât feeling vulnerable / That says it all for meâ. Their chemistry is palpable throughout the track, with Stella, Jorja and RenĂ©e being quick to offer harmonised ad-libs and vocal stacks whenever one steps forward with a solo verse.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
Alice Longyu Gao
âMAKE U 3 ME’
Rounding off this weekâs picks is multi-hyphenate Alice Longyu Gaoâs latest single, âMAKE U 3 MEâ. The delightfully chaotic track resists easy categorisation, smashing disparate moods and genres together in a manner that would make 100 Gecs proud. While most of the track offers an exaggerated, sugary-sweet take on 2010s synthpop, its main sections are sandwiched between noisy metal breakdowns, featuring pummelling drums and Gaoâs ear-grating screams, making her promises to âmake you love meâ sound more sinister than seductive.
Listen: Spotify | Apple Music
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The post NME Radio Roundup 3 October 2022: Stormzy, Arctic Monkeys & Kid Cudi appeared first on NME.
