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newmusickarl · 2 years

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Album & EP Recommendations

Life Is Yours by Foals

“I also think that every band has a bullet with their name on it, headed for them – and that half of the thing is how long you can dodge it. It’s like a dance where you’re just dodging the bullet from the moment you sign a record deal basically, and it just depends on where the bullet hits you. Just try and take risks because I think if you just stand there, that bullet is going to hit you quicker and it’s a boring way to go out.”

- Yannis Philippakis during the Making of Holy Fire Documentary, Nothing Left Unsaid

Having followed Foals’ career over the last 15+ years, that quote from Yannis a few years back has for some reason really stuck with me. I think to understand Foals as a band and how they operate, that kind of sums it up perfectly – they just never stand still.

From their early origins as math-rock enthusiasts, to releasing a seven-minute-long lead sophomore single, to then branching out into full-on arena-ready rock on Holy Fire and What Went Down, their evolution over the years has been quite incredible. I also think they are one of those rare bands where there isn’t a unanimous favourite album or era – depending on which side of their sound you prefer will dictate which one you favour. The beauty is, whichever answer you give they are all acceptable, as across their now seven albums, they have never put a foot wrong.

Releasing two self-produced albums in a single year, one more electronic and one more heavy rock, could’ve easily been a career-ending mistake. Yet, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost saw Foals overindulge in all the great elements of their music and come out sparkling on the other side, having produced some of their best work in the process. In fact, those two albums were crowned my joint Album of the Year in 2019. Clearly engineered to be played live, the plan was to tour those records throughout 2020 - but COVID happened and sent the band straight back to the studio instead.

During lockdown writing sessions, they seemingly took a similar approach to Charli XCX when she was crafting her highly acclaimed, Mercury Prize-nominated album How I’m Feeling Now. Rather than lean into the misery and anxiety brought on by the pandemic, they imagined more joyous times and sounds, using that as their fundamental muse instead. The result is their incredible summer-ready new album, Life Is Yours, with this catalogue of songs transporting listeners to the buzzing Brighton music scene of the early 00s, those painful feelings of after-party isolation and to this very moment where we are seeing the full return of live music post-pandemic. As Glastonbury kicks off this weekend for the first time in three years, it feels like an album that really was tailor-made for right now. As a result, it hits as instantly and as hard as any as their previous work to date.

Despite the recent departure of long-time keyboard and synth player Edwin Congreaves, it is also their most electronic record to date. Additionally, if you’ve been longing for their sound to return to that of their early work, then you’ll be pleased to know this album is the closest they’ve come to tapping into that same energy. Sonically, Life Is Yours is a mix of the pulsating synths found on Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1, but with some throwbacks to their more rhythmic early beginnings on Antidotes and Total Life Forever too. Produced by the likes of John Hill and Dan Carey (whose having an incredible 2022 having also produced standout records from Kae Tempest, Wet Leg and Fontaines D.C.), it is also a more polished and cohesive effort compared to their sprawling and eclectic previous works.

The first half of this record is one of the best you’ll find all year too, with Foals frontloading this one with some of their biggest singles to date. Having ended Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 2 with the story of Icarus, the title track begins the record with similar imagery, as Yannis sings “Driverless cars all end up in the ocean, even when they think they know the way.” It’s a lovely bit of continuity between the two eras and the song delivers further with a wonderfully catchy chorus over a stuttering synth-driven melody. Anthemic lead single Wake Me Up then kicks things firmly up a notch, with its singalong howls and bouncy, upbeat guitar grooves.

Single 2am is a firm favourite by this point, serving up a trancey beat, mesmeric riffs and plenty of good vibes, which both contrast and compliment Yannis’ lyrics detailing his feelings of late-night loneliness. 2001 is another belter, with its instant chorus of “OH. MY. GOD. BRIGHTON ROCK” and Chic-style disco guitars. It then ends with extended outro (summer sky) that will surely go down a storm when this one is played live going forward.

With such a stacked first half, this one could’ve easily dropped off a cliff, but thankfully there’s no filler to be found. Flutter is the record’s most funky number, held up by its two central guitar lines - one filthy and heavy whilst the other is a gentle, flickering note that runs through the track, aligning with Yannis’ lyrical reminders of the fleetingness of life. Looking High was then my least favourite of the album’s preview singles but it has quickly grown on me, with its earworm-like nature and Yannis’ pitch-perfect falsetto vocals. Under The Radar was then recently described by the band as one of the simplest songs they have written to date but that makes it no less hypnotic.

If you have followed their career to this point, you’ll know that Foals are masters when it comes to painting ocean-drenched imagery and pairing this with complimentary watery-like guitar textures. Crest of the Wave is the latest song where they execute this to spellbinding effect, creating the album’s undisputed highlight for me. Things are then rounded off with energetic, indie-rave thumper The Sound before closing track Wild Green presents a suitably euphoric climax to proceedings.

With Life Is Yours, the trio have delivered a triumphant, celebratory, and life-affirming summer record. This latest effort is another dazzling evolution that you’ll have on repeat for the next few months, further solidifying them as one of the planet’s best and most versatile bands. At this point, Foals have reached Neo-levels of bullet dodging ability - and it’s going to take a mighty glitch in the Matrix to stop them now.

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Want more Foals? Check out my picks for their 11 Most Underrated Tracks via Gigwise here

Afterglow EP by Oscar & The Wolf

And if you are looking for more hazy summer vibes, then Belgian indie-pop sensation Max Colombie, AKA Oscar & The Wolf, has you covered. I’ve always been a big champion of Max’s output on this blog, with last year’s The Shimmer one of my Top 3 Most Played Albums of 2021, also finishing 12th in my final overall list. An artist that delivers multi-layered instrumentation, magical vocals, a versatile sound and heartfelt songwriting, Max’s music really does have it all and in absolute spades too.

This latest EP is also the perfect introduction, serving up a dazzling sun-soaked companion piece to 2021’s The Shimmer. Opener Donnie’s Dream is a spellbinding start, with a laidback central guitar groove and a glistening synth melody as Max sings “You’re an ocean and I’m just that sea of rain.” Dancing Machine is then a blissful pop track, centred around an instantly catchy chorus of “Everybody just wants to dance with you.” It’ll no doubt fly under the radar in the UK like most of his previous work, but it really should be a huge summer hit over here.

Call Me When You Leave is then already one of my favourite Oscar and the Wolf tracks – with an incredibly heartfelt and moving vocal performance from Max, it’s a glorious chilled-out heartbreak anthem that will hit you hard in all the feels. Something In the Air follows, an upbeat acoustic-driven number, before What a Time To Be Alive rounds things out with another dreamy, sunlit melody.

Although the last two tracks don’t quite match up to the first three, this is still a very worthwhile EP for those warm summer nights. Once you’ve had this taster, check out The Shimmer along with Max’s other albums and early EPs – I promise you will be blown away.

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‘Til the Stream Runs Dry EP by Opus Kink

“Having already generated a lot of buzz off their excellent early singles, Opus Kink have now arrived with their debut EP ‘Til The Stream Runs Dry – and it is something quite special. Taking elements from punk, art-rock and experimental jazz, their sound is oddly familiar yet also completely fresh and exciting at the same time. Across the seven tracks here, they craft the perfect introduction to their unique sonic meanderings, which are full of raw energy, unconventional genre fusions and a noticeable flair for the dramatic. It’s angry, it’s fun and it’s just immensely impressive.”

Read my full review for Gigwise here

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Also out, also great: In Amber by Hercules & Love Affair, Supernova by Nova Twins

Tracks of the Week

Break My Soul by Beyoncé

The inimitable Queen B is back and she’s brought a monster summer hit with her. The first single to be taken from her forthcoming album Renaissance, this is a mightily infectious house-inspired track that channels the spirit of Robin S’ classic, Show Me Love. With a huge chorus, a hypnotic groove and a typically mesmerising vocal performance from Bey, this one will have you letting go of your inhibitions and dancing around in no time.

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St. George Wharf Tower by Jamie T

The second single to be taken from his upcoming album The Theory of Whatever, this one is a stripped-back and bluesy heartbreak lament, marking a noticeable contrast to first single The Old Style Raiders. It does also make Jamie two-for-two, meaning my excitement for the album to drop at the end of July is only growing with each new teaser.

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If I Die Tomorrow by Jack White

Music’s mad scientist Jack White has already dropped one of the finest records of the year with his experimental rock release Fear of the Dawn, but he’s not quite finished yet. If I Die Tomorrow is the third single to be taken from his forthcoming second album of 2022 titled Entering Heaven Alive, due to drop late July. This album continues to increasingly suggest this will be the acoustic portion of his 2022 output, with this single a wonderfully cinematic slice of modern Americana.

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Company by Nimmo

Just in time for summer, the best dance act in the country has returned. With this new track marking their first release since their excellent 2020 single Come Back, it shows the duo haven’t lost their touch over lockdown. Company is a good old fashioned house banger, led as ever by Sarah Nimmo and Reva Gauntlett’s souful voices. Play with caution though, as it will leave you euphorically and uncontrollably bouncing around.

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So Good by Halsey

Having delivered one of my Top 10 Albums of 2021 in the form of her masterful fourth album If I Can’t Have Love I Want Power, alt-pop superstar Halsey has finally been able to release her new single. I say finally, as it was stated that her label was withholding it until they could force a viral TikTok moment. It seems the controversy and chatter surrounding that statement was enough to trigger the release, and it has now arrived as a stirring pop track anchored by Halsey’s powerful vocal performance.

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Killer by FKA Twigs

Having been a huge fan of Twigs’ 2019 masterpiece Magdalene, her Caprisongs mixtape from earlier this year left me feeling quite underwhelmed. The shift in sound was too radical from what I enjoyed about her music before and the songs just didn’t hit me like those on her incredible sophomore outing. I think what I was searching for was something more like this latest single Killer, where Twigs manages to retain the vulnerability of those Magdalene tracks but sonically bring it out in a more confident and upbeat pop form.

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Number 10 by Tom Walker

The new punk movement is in full swing and even chart-topping singer-songwriter Tom Walker is getting political. His latest single Number 10 damningly tears into Boris Johnson and the current Tory government, as he aggressively takes shots at their horrific track record of lies, lawbreaking and ineffective policies. Expect more tracks like this going forward as conditions continue to worsen in Britain under their watch.

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Glastonbury Fayre by The Waterboys

And finally, a spiritual sequel to their 1993 track Glastonbury Song, Mike Scott and The Waterboys have now released this bluesy new single just in time for this weekend’s 50th anniversary edition. Due to headline the Acoustic Stage on the Saturday evening, this new song will surely get an outing as it details their adventures at the world’s greatest festival over the years.

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Getting ready to watch Glasto highlights at home? Read my stage-by-stage guide for Gigwise here

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