Singles week 43

This week we make another selection from all the recently released singles, maxi singles and EPs. Including some very surprising ones.

Three. Death Star Discotheque

Early July 2020 Death Star Discotheque made its debut on this blog, back to back with what most likely was the most exciting song released in 2020, the totally under-named 'I'm Not Getting Excited' by The Beths. Death Star Discotheque returns with a maxi single called Three. Exciting is the right word to use here, as the alternative rock with a hint or two of grunge mixed into the music, is of the kind that easily moves through walls and doors. The North-Brabant four piece band does not hide its intentions for a second. The guitars and bass are all over the place, where the drummer is one of the grandchildren of 'The Muppets' drummer 'Animal' and most likely has as much fun as the best known puppet drummer always used to had. Three songs, three times fun, three winners.

جن. Mulla

Since about a year I'm sent information on and music from the loudest musical scene: all sorts of metal. The people following this blog will know that's not my scene, most of the time, but I have to admit that, at times, I certainly am surprised by what comes by. Sometimes by the music and sometimes by the origins of the bands. Ukraine, India, and now "raw atmospheric black metal" from Iraq. The titles are in Arabic, the band is called Mulla and plays, at first, instrumental metal, excluding a scream of a deepest agony. For minutes this remains the case, until a grunting bursts loose as if a wildman released from a cage. I would think that playing this music may be life-threatening in a deeply religious country. جن is here. Mulla has obviously listened to what happened before in the rest of the world. The guitar is distorted in such a way that it almost becomes gravelly. The drummer must be totally wrecked after playing in this tempo for 10 minutes. And my throat and vocal chords bleed by proxy. Can I listen to جن for long? Of course not, but I got to review an Iraqi dark metal band and that stands for something.

Pickin' In The Graveyard. The Royal Hounds

Now for some contrast, here's a traditional souped-up country band called The Royal Hounds. Tradition is everywhere in this song but because of the fiery tempo the song becomes more and more fun to listen to. In fact a little bass and drums solo only heighten the fun. This is what The Hackensaw Boys would sound like had they opted for a drummer and an electric guitar instead of traditional bluegrass instruments. Because of the tempo, the idea of that strange hybrid punk country does come to mind. The song starts so surprising, in hindsight. The intro does not give anything away of what is to come. This could be a Chris Isaak song, until the drum kicks in and off The Royal Hounds goes iton that graveyard "where old songwriters go to decompose". A word that all of a sudden gets two meanings because of the combination of words used in the sentence. The band has a truckload of Jimmy Stelling speed playing on all the instruments. Yes, some good old fun will be had by all listening to this single.

Wet Dream. Wet Leg

Another, second, single by new duo Wet Leg on WoNoBlog. This fun, up-tempo short song does everything the other way around. A girl sings about a boy having a wet dream about the girl, while touching himself. They sing it with total abandon, although some blushing is involved as well. There remains some chastity. After 'Chaise Longue' Wet Leg lay it out to the world. Don't expect complex music, the duo is about having fun with its music and shows the level of musicality within it with ease. Making the most of a limited amount of instruments, while undoubtedly making people dance in the meantime. Leaving things out is an integral part of Wet Dream. Bass and drums under the voice is often enough before two guitars come in. Nothing is made more complex while reaching for and gaining a mximum effect. Most artist chaise after this chalice for ever. Wet Leg has found it twice in only two released songs. A promise for 2022? Yes, madam.

7000 Hours. The Chelsea Curve

A single a month is the regime The Chelsea Curve has set itself on and several of them have come by on the blog. The reason why is easy to explain. The band produces songs that contain great pop elements and rock out as bands used to to do around 1980. Bands like The Pretenders, Blondie before 'Heart Of Glass'. female fronted rock bands from the U.K. and U.S. able to mix the best of both worlds. Just listen to 7000 Hours and you know why that sort of music may simply never go out of my fashion. The Boston trio does a lot of things right here. Great singing by Linda Pardee who is great at harmonising with herself. The trio plays tight and sticks to the elementary pop-rock idiom. A modest solo played by guitarist Tim Gillis is the only embelishment The Chelsea Curve affords itself. Apart from Pardee's singing that is. In the winter of 2022 there will be an album. Something to look forward to alright.

Wout de Natris