This week on The Mic Recommends, new music from Hozier, Leith Ross, Opus Kink and more...
Francesca - Hozier
Irish singer-songwriter Hozier’s latest single Francesca (a taster from his upcoming album Unreal Unearth) well and truly embodies the powerful emotion he is known and loved for. The song takes on melancholic pathos with its rising beat and passionate chorus. Exploring love in parallel with the beautiful yet dark depiction of death, Hozier strikes yet again with an ardently gut-wrenching song, proclaiming that he would take on his hardships again “if I could hold you again”. According to sources, “The track is inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy…according to the artist the track is taken out from the second circle: that of Lust.” This analysis makes perfect sense in coordination with the lyrics, which implies that love is a massive feeling, bigger than life itself. If the Godly feeling is what he aimed for, then it was certainly achieved. The song is a perfect appetizer for what I’m sure will be yet another fantastic album by Hozier.
Hayley Lawson
To Me - Leith Ross
Within the much anticipated sophomore album ‘To Learn’ from Leith Ross, you’ll find emotional resonance, gorgeously delicate breathy vocals and the serenity of a warm, still summer evening. Much like many of the tracks on the album, ‘To Me’ had been teased to fans before the album’s release, but getting to hear it in full for the first time confirms the magic of this incredible singer-songwriter. This acoustic track perfectly communicates those small feelings and fragility that Ross details in the lyrics. The song is about feeling like you would do anything for someone, and where that power imbalance can lead to being manipulated. The simplicity of the light plucking of strings and her enchanting voice perfectly capture that powerlessness. Leith Ross never fails to stir up those emotions with their earnest feelings, honesty, and vulnerability.
Izzy Morris
Opus Kink- Piping Angels
Emerging as the final single from Opus Kinks' recent My Eyes, Brother! EP, Piping Angels is the sounding of a death knell. Its swarming soundscape is as sinister as to be expected from the six-piece. As usual, Angus Rogers’ poetic charms invite us to immerse ourselves in nightmares and mischief. A scowling brass section interrupted by scatters of synth lines leaves the song oozing with seductive darkness. Filled to the brim with fierce vigor throughout, the track only builds and builds until finally bursting at the seams in a final desperate gasp. This proves to be a powerful last breath before battle for the Renegades. Onwards and upwards from here.
Alice Beard
Rebuke – KAYTRAMINÉ, Aminé, KAYTRANADA
Dynamic new duo KAYTRAMINÉ release their new single, Rebuke, this week, and it is the perfect accompaniment to the sunshine. Formed by American artist Aminé and Canadian producer KAYTRANADA, KAYTRAMINÉ is an exciting new project, with the pair blending smooth beats punctuated by effortless vocals. Rebuke is certainly more mellow than the duo's debut, 4EVA, relying less on heavy rhythms to draw attention to Aminé’s ambient singing, which almost feels like it channels Frank Ocean's legacy in places. This project seems like it came out of nowhere, with there being just over a month between the group's lead single and the release of their self-titled album, yet it has a really unique style that could definitely be the sound of your summer. KAYTRAMINÉ are here to stay, with their debut album featuring some impressive collaborations with artists such as Pharrell, Snoop Dogg and Freddie Gibbs. Released on May 19th, the excitement surrounding the album is to be believed in, so sit out in the sun and enjoy it.
Tabitha Smith
We Love You - Avenged Sevenfold
Daring and radical changes might have been expected of Avenged Sevenfold after a 7-year gap between studio albums, but the new single We Love You is more ‘out-there’ than anyone could have predicted. While Nobody already showed off the band’s new sound palate— such as the inclusion of orchestral brass and experimental synth-pads— its successor throws in metalcore screams, country-style acoustics and a whole plethora of new influences and ideas. While these choices are interesting on paper, the finished work feels jarring and disorganised, which is disappointing to see from such revered artists. With non-existent transitions between disparate, unconnected ideas and remarkably weak performances from M Shadows and Synyster Gates, it’s more than reasonable to question whether the ‘artistry’ and ‘experimentation’ of the song really justifies such sonic and emotional whiplash. The group has acknowledged in interviews that their new sound will be controversial to existing fans— a bold move that is usually quite admirable— but in the end, the new single has marred some of the anticipation for the album’s release and, to a significant extent, fails to live up to many of the band’s classic tracks.
Jay Kirby
Edited by Olivia Hannant
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