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Pluizen. De Breek
We beginnen in het Nederlands. De nieuwe single van De Breek is er een van een prachtige, breekbare schoonheid. Het thema van dwarrelende, vallende pluizen is prachtig vervat in de muziek. De gitaren en de trompet dwarrelen langs de zangpartijen als de pluizen door de zomerlucht op zijn hoogtepunt. Het eindresultaat is een ruime vijf minuten muziek als in een droom. Het begin van het nummer is opgebouwd uit een, enigzins stemmige stem en piano. Als de tweede stem er bij komt, neemt het nummer een andere wending. Pluizen wordt breekbaarder en steeds mooier. De Breek gaat met Pluizen de verdieping aan en voegt een prachtig nummer toe aan zijn nu vijf nummers tellend oeuvre. De drie heren zijn samen duidelijk iets op het spoor. Ik hoop op meer in de komende maanden.
Hate Somebody. Cut Off Your Hands
Looking at Spotify Cut Off Your Hands had not released a song since 2011. It returns in 2020 with the single Hate Somebody. An anti-thesis to the musically much more fashionable "love somebody". The music has the rigidity of 80s songs, yet the melodic percussive sounds gives Hate Somebody a fun factor as does the harmony vocal all over the song. This brings the song somewhat in line with Field Music and a little bit, early, Kaiser Chiefs. These factors make Hate Somebody a great track to listen. It won't be in my top 10 of all time, but is certainly welcome.
Only very recently Squirrel Flower debuted on this blog with her debut album I Was Born Swimming' and already her single released in May can be found here as well. Take It Or Leave It is a different song from those found on her album. Not only is the acoustic guitar the lead instrument, the spaciousness of the studio that was added and is a huge part of the album sound and the extra instruments are missing. This is Elli O'Connor Williams all by herself. B-side So Hot You're Hurting My Feelings sounds more like an outtake, as this is band effort with that spacious sound in place. The latter song is a cover of Caroline Polachek's song. It clearly is a much more poppy song (and cheery) than her own work. This is Squirrel Flower's take on the song but also a bit different from her own oeuvre. What really sets it apart, is that it is allowed to explode. The combination really works though. Together the two songs make a great single.
Big Baby? What kind of a band name is that?, I mused. Not one that I would have chosen to be honest. The band releases songs since 2017 I found, but I am not familiar with them. I may have some listening sessions cut out for me as the new single Shine On is a fine song. It has a lightness that is quite welcome after the heavy-handed singles that have passed through this single series over the past weeks. Big Baby manages to present a serious song in a light way. Listening to the intro I notice that work went into crafting it. Just like the little details in the verses and the harmonies in the chorus. The band always looked out for the extra's that can make a song stand out. "Hold on, My love, Shine On" the harmonies in the chorus are excellent. The "gig in the sky" background vocal is as surprising as it is good. If the band has more songs like this, heap them on me, please.
The Bats featured on this blog before with its previous album, 'The Deep Set'. Now 38 years into its career the band, still in the same line up, returns with the first single to its upcoming album, 'Foothills'. The voice of the singer, Robert Scott, obviously has lost its youthful bounce. That is not the case for the music. That has that bounce that makes a song fun to listen to. Obviously this music has the 1980s all over it, but, again, I notice how light the guitars sound. This has nothing to do with doom not gloom. Everything about this song appears to be celebrating life itself. From the bright sounding hi-hat and cymbal to the guitars and the harmony vocals, 'Warwick' is a translation of 'I'm Waiting For My Man' to the second decade of the 21st century and successful at that too. A nice announcement for 'Foothills' that I hope to review later in the year.
Another name that is totally new to me. Daniel Trakell has released a mini album in 2017 and a string of singles since then, especially this year, suggesting a new album to be on the way. His highish voice has a dreamlike quality to it. His music does everything to underscore this. Come To has a richness in its arrangement. A combination of country, pop and quality is on display. With the final word, I point to the lushness of the song and the host of instruments used. A warm organ, a pedal steel guitar and an intermezzo of horns reminding me of The Decemberists. For Daniel Trakell a song is not finished until all the details fit. It all starts with the principal melody. This is not outstanding in the sense of unique or exciting, no, it is warm and inviting. The kind of song millions of people may want to listen to and feel better because of.
Gregory Page is an artist I love to see play live. His records are often just too "authentic" for me. Live his endearing presence in combination with this charming presentation entertains me for as long as he prefers to play. Now a single has been announced with that modern epithet "featuring", meaning in this case, a classic duet. Page and Mraz sing a country song together, not unlike David Sickman of The Hackensaw Boys tends to write. It's plain and simple: I like this song. It's sympathetic, flows beautifully and makes me feel better instantly. "Let the good time roll. Right now, not tomorrow". A message everyone in the world could do with were it not for Covid-19. My inner me is having a good time none the same. I'm rolling with it, baby!
Wo.
Listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:
https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g
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