This week on The Mic Recommends we're pulling in music from across the board. Offering up a fresh new take, we have The Rolling Stones, along with Man/Woman/Chainsaw who bring their brash, unadulterated approach to the post-punk scene, and even more from Noah Kahan and Digga D...
Sweet Sounds of Heaven – The Rolling Stones, (ft. Lady Gaga & Stevie
Wonder)
Listening to The Rolling Stones’ new single Sweet Sounds of Heaven, which features both
Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder, is like the musical mixture I never knew I needed.
Following the death of Charlie Watts in 2021, I’ve felt apprehensive towards new music
from The Rolling Stones, but in true Stones fashion they have not disappointed. The song
has a soulful tone which is complimented by bluesy guitar licks and Wonder’s signature
stylish piano play. The building of sound is alluring and captivating, and upon my first listen I
found myself tapping my foot and wishing I knew the lyrics to sing along.
I found listening through headphones meant that each layer of the music was delivered in
such a way where I focused solely on specific instruments or vocals. Personally this is
always the mark of a brilliantly crafted song. This was specifically demonstrated by Lady
Gaga’s inclusion during the chorus which helped to up the ante into a climactic finish, reminiscent of a Tina Turner power ballad.
As the second single for their new record Hackney Diamonds, which is set for release on the 20th
October, the Stones are thoroughly teasing fans who’ve waited since 2005 for a new studio
album (barring their blues covers album released in 2016). Fans of The Rolling Stones ought
to be excited. This new offering will include other guest stars such as Paul McCartney, Elton
John, and Bill Wyman, alongside those already listed on this track.
Nathan Collett
What Lucy Found There – Man/Woman/Chainsaw
With their new punk-infused art-rock single What Lucy Found There, experimental London-based
band Man/Woman/Chainsaw once again show off their unique and eclectic song-writing. It’s in many
ways a far cry from the chaotic, energetic cynicism of Back/Burden, as well as the bleak, atmospheric
stream of consciousness that is Any Given Sunday: here we have instead a somewhat more melodic,
restrained piece that gradually builds in intensity. The band’s idiosyncrasies do however remain
present: the varied tempos and interesting song structures, the alternation between Ward’s
distinctive speech-like vocals and Leppanen’s powerful and expressive singing—all held together by
that familiar crunchy guitar tone and Waterworth’s tight drumming. Moreover, this is the first
recorded track that allows the band to display their full six-piece lineup; immediately we are
introduced to Emmie Avery’s piano work, and later to Clio Harwood’s violin, both of which have
been instrumental (no pun intended) to the intricate and layered sound that makes
Man/Woman/Chainsaw’s live performances so immensely enjoyable. With the confidence and
quality of a band that has been releasing work for decades, they are certainly among the most
exciting upcoming artists on the British rock scene.
Sami de Jong
She Calls Me Back- Noah Kahan (ft. Kacey Musgraves)
American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan has brought us a reimagined version of the fan
favourite She Calls Me Back with Kacey Musgraves, from his 2022 album Stick Season.
Kahan keeps his first verse, where he delves into the mind of someone holding onto a
relationship that is seemingly over. The mixture of desperation and bitterness within the lyrics,
“Do you lie awake restless? Why am I so obsessive?”, create an emotional pathos throughout
Kahan’s verse. However, we are presented with a change of perspective when Musgraves
enters the song. Her contrasting lyrics reveal the women’s side of this relationship. She has
passed the point of hurt and is now moving on somewhere new, “maybe it’s the air out here or
maybe something’s changing me”. She then shifts the point of view in Kahan’s original bridge
and states that “you still dial 822-993-167”. This reiterates Kahan’s refusal to let her go and
hints at guilt from Musgraves at not returning the same feelings. The refreshing take on the
song fits perfectly into Noah Kahan’s growing discography. I think we can all agree with Kahan
when he posted that ‘Kacey Musgraves is the coolest person ever’, with Noah Kahan following
close behind.
Rosalind Bull
TLC- Digga D
Following the drop of Digga D’s fourth mixtape, Back to Square One, the drill pioneer takes a
step back from his musical origins and invites his listeners to a raw, matured and
introspective Digga. The positive reception and success of his work is highlighted in his
latest single TLC which reflects Digga enjoying the fruits of his labour. The lyrics also
highlight his conflicting battle between the joys and curses of fame and being a rapper. While
he reminds his fans of his gratitude, a sense of fatigue is clear as he concludes that "I think I
deserve it after all of the work I put in for years". Produced by PYouGotThat, the
instrumentals involve a laidback drill beat combined with the prominent guitar strings which
sample Dr. Dre’s classic Xxplosive. While the single points towards Digga’s deserved break
from music, the uplifting beat gives his fans hope that a refreshed and motivated artist will
return.
Jule Riemenschneider
Edited by Alice Beard
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