This is something a bit new for the blog but I thought it might be interesting.
I’ve made a playlist of songs that I’m currently listening to, some of which are new and others which are older. They aren’t particularly North East based but there are a few groups from the local area.
They’re not obscure songs which you will have never heard of, but I just wanted to explain why I picked them so here it is. If you like this let me know and I’ll keep it updated every month or so.
Frail State of Mind – The 1975
I guarantee a number of people will just switch off here. I know they’re not a popular band with most people and I can understand that to an extent. I’ve had an up and down relationship with the band over the years.
But once you cut through all the bullshit of rapid fans and on the face of it an arrogant singer (not that it bothers me), they’re undoubtedly one of the best and most interesting bands about at the minute.
It’s not for everyone I get that and this track is not going to sway around the haters, a song which sounds a lot like 2018’s ‘TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME’, one of the poppier moments (if that’s considered a bad thing – personally doesn’t bother me but each to their own) of the band which I know a lot of people dislike.
However, it is still another good song and very catchy, although I’ve got to concede that it’s nowhere near as good as the punky ‘People’ but it’s still mint give it a try.
Psycho – Slowthai featuring Denzel Curry
Rap is not my natural environment to be honest. But I love slowthai, he’s one of the best lyricist I’ve heard in a while and I personally think he was robbed of the Mercury Prize back in September.
I love this song because it’s absolutely full of energy with screeching violins really adding a threatening vibe to the track. I like it a lot even if it’s not the best lyrically.
Something Has to Change – The Japanese House
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t really like The Japanese House before this song, her debut album was average at best and didn’t really prick up my ears (though ‘Saw You in a Dream’ is a tune).
However, this song is incredible it keeps the dream pop elements but really goes to town with the pop element of the track.
The song has been stuck in my head since it was released at the end of September and really can’t wait to see what the full EP has to bring to the table when it is released.
FEET – Chalet 47
I saw FEET on Wednesday night for the third time they were incredible as always (I leave a link to the review because I’m sure you’ll all be dying to read what me someone whose never played a gig thinks) . They have such an incredible collection of fucking mental songs which I can really get on board with.
Their debut came out last month and it’s actually one of the most underrated albums of the year if you haven’t heard it. They definitely should be in bigger venues than Think Tank, with the amazing collection of songs they’ve amassed.
This song is just one of many absolute crease pop anthems which they have in their repertoire and the full album is definitely worth checking out.
Sorry – Right Around The Clock
I really love Sorry, they’re another band which should be bigger than they are. This one is a really clever concept for a song, which is based loosely off of Tears for Fears’ ‘Mad World’ with band building upon the melody to that song and running with it.
I love ‘Mad World’ so naturally I love this one as well. The song is more than just a copy or cover though experimenting with the world’s most catchy saxophones and just having a really cool groove to it.
The song is great and so is their entire back catalogue make sure to catch them at the Northumbria Institute 2 later this month.
RUNT – Hannah
The debut single from a really good local band who I’ve seen twice supporting the equally amazing Primary Colours. The song is great and has a really nice riff which goes through the entire song knitting it together well.
The band have a really good vibe to their songs, which I love so make sure to catch them live if you can.
The Cure – The Exploding Boy – Studio Demo
I’ve chosen pretty recent songs for my first six picks so I thought I’d go back to the eighties with this track from one of my favourite bands of all time.
You might ask why I’ve picked the studio demo over the actual song which appears on the 2004 compilation album ‘Join The Dots‘ and the simple answer to that is I like it more because of it’s grittier, rougher tone.
It’s quite a euphoric song, which is strange for a band who have made their living off the more depressing side of the music spectrum but it’s really good, showing off their range and why they are a legendary group.
oh baby – LCD Soundsystem
I think I found this song when I came in from a night out about a year ago and it’s really grew on me so much. It’s hardly a deep cut from him but it is so good.
The sound of the song is amazing with various synths and keyboards combining into a symphony of brilliance as well as the lyrics being just as good as the rest of the song so that’s why it’s here.
Maps – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
A proper indie classic from the New York based band’s 2003 album ‘Fever to Tell’. It’s another break up song of sorts with the song written for Liars frontman Angus Andrew, who was in a relationship at the time with singer Karen O.
Another interesting fact is that ‘Maps’ stands for ‘My Angus Please Stay’ which I suppose is a nice little detail to bring the mood down.
My auntie introduced me to this one because that’s just how rock and roll I am but I do really love it to be fair. It’s another one which has been stuck in my head for weeks so I’m now passing it on for you to all get it imprinted on your brains as well.
Slaves – One More Day Won’t Hurt
Slaves’ most recent single and probably their most heaviest to date. I love the energy and the lyrics, I think I’m gonna keep this one short like the song because I’m currently two hours deep into this.
Ask Me Anything – The Strokes
This is probably one of the least Strokey songs from the band’s large repertoire. I really love the organ on it which gives the track a really retro vibe. It’s almost certainly one of their most underrated songs.
I don’t really have any story behind why it’s on here other than I love The Strokes so deal with it. (I found this really weird 8 bit version of it on YouTube when embedding the links to the songs which I’m not too sure on to be honest but still have a listen).
Humbug North East 