Iraina Mancini - Deep End

A salute to the heroine's of 1960s yé yé, this exuberant slice of pop from British singer/songwriter Iraina Mancini stands out as a highlight of what we might now refer to as "the lockdown three period" of 2021. We might not have been able to dance on dance floors, but we could definitely give the kitchen lino a good work out. 

The Anchoress - Unravel

The second single from the critically acclaimed The Art of Losing album, which was released earlier this year, 'Unravel' showcases the intricacy and sophistication of craft displayed by Catherine Anne Davies. There is so much going on in this song and it fits seamlessly into an album that really feels as though it was crafted and constructed to be listened to as an album, rather than a series of unconnected songs. It feels more like a symphony than an album, with bridging tracks between songs and a forbidding, brooding atmosphere that showcases the dark beauty forged from grief. Expect to see it featured prominently in the 2021 end of year lists. 

Das Beat - "Ariadne" (Official Video)

Featuring what is possibly a strong lyrical nod to the crucial role played by Ariadne in the story of Theseus, 'Ariadne' has a wistful, yearning quality that suits the maligned Minoan heroine. Das Beat are comprised of Agor from Blue Hawaii and theatre actress Eddie Rabenberger, they were born during Berlin's 2020 lockdown and have released an EP and a number of other tracks since. While nodding heavily to electro pop,  and Rabenberger's vocals oft compared to Nico, they have proved surprisingly versatile so far. It will be interesting to see what they do next. 

Sabiyha - Lullaby (Lyric Video)

A salute to Sabiyha's grandmother, and her role in bringing up Sabiyha, her siblings and cousins, this is a moving take on family tributes and female solidarity. The most recent track from an artist who has been making continuous strides over the past year, and who definitely bears watching. 

Lauran Hibberd - How Am I Still Alive? (with Lydia Night)

There's an air of lockdown cabin fever in the overall vibe of this collaboration between Lauran Hibberd and The Regrette's Lydia Night. It provides an element of humour to what could be read as quite a bleak song considering how upbeat it sounds, sonically. In this dissection of annoying/toxic relationships the line 'How am I still alive?' feels oddly chilling at times. 

Molly Burman - Fool Me With Flattery (Official Video)

Molly Burman is a comparatively new artist but her songwriting is so assured that it feels like she's been around for years. This might, in part, be down to her having grown up in a musical family (mum has worked with Shane McGowan, amongst others, dad was in a supergroup with former members of Bow Wow Wow and the Sex Pistols), but I'd guess that her sanguine world weariness is all her own. 'Fool Me With Flattery' was her debut calling card, but there have been two more singles since and an album is eagerly anticipated. 

Ibeyi - Away Away (Official Video)

The Diaz sisters at their harmonic best, 'Away Away' features on Ibeyi's 2017 album, Ash. I really love the way that this video captures the energy of their live peformances.