Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
James Blake - βComing Backβ (Feat. SZA)
English singer-songwriter James Blake has returned with his fifth studio album, Friends That Break Your Heart, and a certain warmth and reflexivity that diffuses throughout the record, especially on βComing Backβ. The track features a flawless appearance from SZA who accompanies Blake on a poignant song that straddles vibrant piano chords and an emotional narrative that depicts a person struggling to come to grips with a past relationship. The song employs Blakeβs signature haunting falsetto against a dialled in beat that perfectly contrasts the emotionality of the trackβs overall tone. βComing Backβ is the 3rd of a 12-track album that include features from JID and Monica Martin. βThis record is very sure of itself,β states Blake when detailing what to expect from the LP for Apple Music, and his assuredness has produced a record that is a fascinating addition to Blakeβs now-lengthening catalogue. βComing Backβ is a moody mediation on heartache and regret and definitely a standout on Friends That Break Your Heart.
PinkPantheress - βI must apologiseβ
Viral alt-pop star PinkPantheress is back with a new single, βI must apologiseβ. One of TikTokβs most exciting exports, the 20-year-old singer/ songwriter and producer continuously creates mixes that feel both familiar and original; her latest track follows this same addictive formula. PinkPantheress is known for her short songs and ability to reinvent elements of 90s pop, which she masters on βI must apologiseβ- capturing a unique βnew nostalgiaβ sound. The singer confesses to relationship sabotage through compulsive lying over a backdrop of uptempo and fast-paced drum and bass, intertwined with the synths of βGypsy Womanβ by Crystal Waters. βI must apologiseβ is a precursor to her highly-anticipated debut mixtape To hell with it out on October 15.
SEB - βgod of the sunsetsβ
LA-based artist and producer SEB has shared his latest track, βgod of the sunsetsβ. Musing on anxiety, art and family, the singer uses the analogy of sunsets to explore the sadness that can often exist in beauty. Discussing the track, SEB describes how βfor a short moment at the end of every day, the sky is lit up with brilliance while counting down to darkness at the same time. I try to capture that feeling whenever I write music.β Rooted in bittersweetness, the song captures SEBβs DIY and funky pop sound. The accompanying music video offers a fuzzy analogue feel, full of multiple exposures of SEB and clips of vivid beach sunsets. βgod of the sunsetsβ is the first track in the sequel project to his debut EP.
Brandy Zdan - βPROTECTORβ
Brandy Zdanβs slow moving yet exciting track, βProtector,β is out now and the feeling it brings on our day is one to hold on to. βProtectorβ touches on reflecting on childhood wounds. Through her sweet vocals and guitar notes that resemble heartbeats, βProtectorβ is the best way to get a feel of Zdanβs music. Her upcoming album, Falcon, captures the obstacles women are put in and how Zdan has grown and learned from those obstacles. βProtectorβ is a listen you have to jump into, she captures multiple genre elements and a unique flow that will leave you excited for the Falcon release.
