A quieter week for The Mic Recommends... series as we near the end of March, but with a couple of inspired songs suited for Spring, quantity really doesn't matter.
Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean blvd - Lana Del Rey
When Lana’s ninth studio album was announced and the singles were released there lived a slight possibility that we might be receiving a welcome return to a 2013/2014 Lana. A Lana dripped in debauchery and synths and gloomy self-righteousness. The Lana who made herself an icon. This aesthetic, though more present than Del Ray’s previous two outings, is not there and I for one am extremely pleased. Over the years I have grown fond of her stripped-down ballads. Finding a particular solace in her last album Blue Bannisters (which, by the way, is an underrated masterpiece) and the track, Did you know there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd is no exception. The features (I melted
slightly at the hands of Jack Antonoff’s vocals on Margaret) are used well, the vocals are as beautifully haunting as we have come to expect from the seasoned songstress and her lyrics play with the self-referential wit and reflection that make her one of the most intriguing writers in the industry today. Is it her Magnum Opus? I would say not (that claim remains in the hands of Norman Fucking Rockwell) but it’s a worthy addition to her discography. If you find the time, and I urge you to make time for your own sake, listen to Paris, Texas, Peppers and A&W. Harry Mangham
Up Song - Black Country, New Road
Black Country, New Road have regrouped, after the loss of their frontman Isaac Wood with Up Song -Live at Bush Hall. The latest incarnation of Black Country, New Road wastes no time in bringing joy. Their live shows kick off with the aptly named Up Song, a tribute to the band itself that showcases the saxophone talents of Lewis Evans, whose melody is reminiscent of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds played at a school recital. The rest of the band joins in with an exuberant burst of piano and old-time rock 'n' roll that builds to an ecstatic chorus of "Look at what we did together! / BC, NR friends forever!" Though the refrain may seem cheeky, it's also a serious affirmation of the group's unbreakable bond. Up Song serves as more than just an opening act to their newest pursuit; it's proof that the band can lose a crucial member, rearrange their musical roles, and even write an entirely new setlist in a matter of months, all while maintaining their signature energy and camaraderie. This latest iteration of Black Country, New Road is invigorating and reassuring for fans that BCNR have not lost their signature essence. Olivia Hannant
Edited by Roxann Yus
Cover image courtesy of Holly Whitaker on Black Country, New Road's Facebook page.
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