All the songs we have on repeat this week.
“Now that I’m here, I’m going to show you who I am”, proclaim London electronic-pop duo Nimmo in their new single “Orange Skies”. A fitting line for the pair, who’s upcoming EP will be their first as an independent outlet since splitting from their record label Sony. Made in collaboration with DJ and producer Maya Jane Coles, the hazy dance track mixes heavy-hitting baselines with garage-influenced rhythms, switching from spoken verse to shrill, echoing vocals. The result? a dark, euphoric track for getting lost in music and the moment on the dancefloor.
On what will probably be the only warm weekend for a long time, the end of September calls for a chilled anthem to soundtrack the bittersweet, lazy last days of summer. Incoming: soulful indie dreamboat George Van Den Broek, aka Yellow Days. Opening with a soft, playful piano melody, his new tune “How Can I Love You?” builds with George’s rich vocals as the percussion kicks in. His is a gritty, husky voice that makes you feel every word; Yellow Days doesn’t do emotion by halves. So crack open a cold one, and cry if you need to.
Indie-rock band Stereo Honey is back today with another windows-down, foot on the pedal banger, featuring airy vocals and haunting guitar riffs. “Icarus” reimagines the infamous myth by the same name, whose protagonist falls to a fateful death after flying too close to the sun, despite warnings from his father. Touchingly honest, its lyrics explore frontman Pete’s relationship with his own father, as well as reflecting on constructs of masculinity. “I’m tired of being the strong and silent type. I can’t even breathe”, elaborated Pete: “It’s a standard that’s impossible to live up to, and it’s killing us.” Raise your glasses, please.
“You were lucky to be with somebody like me, baby I’m queen”, croons Mahalia on “One Night Only”, the first track on her long-awaited “Seasons” EP. A big f-you to that one night stand who doesn’t stay around, it’s a wholly unapologetic ode to the R&B babe’s self-worth. Featuring rapper, poet and spoken wordsmith Kojey Radical, the sultry slow jam is the pair’s second project together, following May’s reflective political tune “Water”. Sit back and stan the dream team.
It’s been nearly 2 months since Scandi pop princess Robyn broke the internet with “Missing You”, her first solo single in 8 years, and yes, we’re still crying too. It was a real #moment, and thankfully one that seems to be here to stay. This week she released “Honey”, a track that first caused a stir closing an episode of HBO’s “Girls” over a year ago, prompting #ReleaseHoneyDammit to go viral and the first rumours of a legend’s return. Packed with echoing synths, a pulsing beat and Robyn’s syrupy vocals, it’s the same sweet fizzy pop that stole our teenage hearts in 2005. Worth the wait? Always.