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John Preston shares his favourite seven single releases of the week.
Purity Ring, ‘Soshy’
Typically named of course, Purity Ring continue with their obsession of squeamish sounds and bodily functions with ‘Soshy’, a familiar but solid return which stays within the boundaries of a sound that the duo have honed and perfected over several years. Icky but fun.
IDER, ‘BORED’
Seems that the London duo are a big fan of music that was made popular during the mid- to late-90s with their sophomore album, Shame, boldly playing with trip hop and the big-beat sound of that era. ‘BORED’ is messy and misanthropic and is the perfect soundtrack to these late summer weeks.
Tierra Whack, ‘Walk the Beat’
An oddly melancholic mood permeates what should be a fun and flamboyant commentary on, well, fashion and stuff. In anyone else’s hands this would be a predictable and frothy diversion but Tierra Whack enjoys bending genres slightly out of shape and ‘Walk the Best’ is all the better for it.
Aimee Mann, ‘Suicide Is Murder’
Aimee Mann finally returns, following on from her Grammy winning 2017 album Mental Illness with a record that reimagines music that she created for a musical version of Girl Interrupted. ‘Suicide Is Murder’ is in many ways classic Mann, plaintive piano with sublime melody and vivid storytelling.
Tinashe, ‘X’
The new Tinashe album 333, her fourth proper, positions big pop songs alongside her more experimental, mix-tape tracks and still manages to be cohesive and mesmerising. ‘X’ is a sharp and minimal R&B dancer and brings to mind the divine Aaliyah, a comparison which befits this talented and free thinking artist.
Liz Lawrence, ‘Drive’
Aswaggering and sublime slice of electro-pop, if ‘Drive’ is an indication of how Liz Laurence’s third album The Avalanche will sound then we can expect a variation of her previous, smart indie rock sound with drum machines and synths now entering the mix and with major attitude and menace.
Holly Humberstone, ‘Please Don’t Leave Just Yet’
Newly signed artist Holly Humberstone prepares for her first EP with a spacious and beautiful plea to remain and from the material heard so far, this is her most compelling. It also seems that Matt Healy is finding a niche for himself as the go-to producer of the moment.
