The Drums - "Plastic Envelope" / "Protect Him Always"

I haven't been into The Drums previously, but I was struck by the poignant beauty of 'Plastic Envelope' (a song about having your trust violated and feeling you might never trust anyone again) and the sheer devastating power of 'Protect Him Always' (about Jonny Pierce's desire to protect his younger self). They are simple songs, but incredibly vulnerable in nature, and extremely powerful as a result. 

Grace Savage | Lively Eyes | Official Music Video

Sometimes you hear a song on the radio and try to track it down online, only to discover that you can't hear it yet because it's not released for another eight weeks.

So it was with Grace Savage's beguiling slice of electro minimalism,  'Lively Eyes', which I randomly encountered back in March, but which wasn't released until early May.

I had heard Savage's work before, but I hadn't really felt compelled to explore her work until hearing the hauntingly sad, soaringly beautiful 'Lively Eyes'. But I definitely will be doing now.

The Last Dinner Party - Nothing Matters

The hype created around The Last Dinner Party earlier this year was as interesting as the actual sonic output has turned out to be: I completely take my hat off to both the band and Universal for managing to whip up such a level of expectation in the ultra connected world of 2023.

In a world where a song or an artist is only ever a few clicks away, it was refreshingly nostalgic to be hearing incredibly exciting things about The Last Dinner Party but not to be able to find a damn thing about them online. Including music. All there was to go on was a media buzz seemingly created by a handful of gigs, and some press photos. 

Yes. The photos.

Looking at them, it was possible to discern a certain gothic Victoriana sensibility, which always chimes well with me. My hunch as to their overall sound and aesthetic was confirmed when they were booked to support Florence + The Machine at the Musgrove Park gig this month.

Then, the single came out. And it was exactly what I had been expecting all along.

Imagine, if you will, a classical soprano with a penchant for Sarah Brightman esque drama, who doesn't continue with her classical studies but who instead falls into a sort of gothic netherworld where she is mentored by Katherine Blake (Miranda Sex Garden, Medievael Baebes) and Melora Creager (Rasputina). That's pretty much what 'Nothing Matters' sounds like.

It'll be interesting to see if both the live show and future singles can keep the momentum going but, judging from the high profile of some of their gig bookings (they are playing both Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight Festival this month, as well as the Florence gig in Cork), and from this single, it's looking good so far.

SBTRKT - NO INTENTION (feat. Leilah) [Official Lyric Video]

SBTRKT's new album, The Rat Road, features multiple collaborations with a range of artists, including George Riley and Sampha, Toro y Moi and Anna of The North. It also includes this silky, low key collaboration with Leilah, whose assured performance makes it sound waaay too easy.

A masterclass in highly atmospheric, soul flecked electronica, this has all the hallmarks of a classic piece. 

PASHA - CROSS THE EARTH

Following on from yesterday's slice of summer, it felt only right to continue the theme, albeit with a more thoughtful, less frenetic, less hedonistic piece.

Pasha is based in New Orleans and emerged from the ashes of the band Joy. 'Cross The Earth' is taken from the album Beacon of Excess, which you can buy on Bandcamp.

Confidence Man - Holiday (Official Video)

This solid summer anthem was released last summer. It's hard not to just bask in the sheer energy of the song, which has a real sense of clubland past and present about it, not to mention evoking holiday euphoria and a real sense of frenetic hot summers that never end. Tremendous.

Indigo De Souza - Smog [Official Music Video]

The second single from De Souza's new album, All of This Will End, 'Smog' is a scuffed indie electro bop that is adorably catchy. Although the self depreciating lyrics invoke terrible insecurity, the melody and excitable beats suggest dance floor and while this can be disconcerting (a duality reflected strongly in the video) it's also highly enjoyable. First single 'Younger And Dumber' garnered a healthy amount of praise and attention (rightly so) but 'Smog' has its own charms and deserves a listen.