Rustie, Raptor
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Scottish beatmaker Rustie returns with new album Green Language, due to be released August 26, and in the meantime he’s left us with teaser track Raptor. The track itself shows a large amount of continuity with Rustie’s 2011 debut full-length Glass Swords, showing a preference for syrupy electronics which envelop the listener in a bubble of almost claustrophobic ecstasy. In a press release, Rustie spoke about how the new music is meant to be “non-dualistic”, intended to speak “directly to your emotions without the mind interfering with the message”. This is certainly evidenced in Raptor, a track that manages to be obtusely ethereal while simultaneously assaulting the listener with synths. [FT]
Dorian Concept, Draft Culture
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After four years since putting out a full-length effort, Austrian artist Dorian Concept is returning with an LP on Ninja Tune in September, and has released new tune Draft Culture to preview the effort. Draft Culture is a skittering piece of upbeat, jazzy house, with a thick, clomping bassline, recalling Flying Lotus during his most danceable moments on Cosmogramma. The album is available for pre-order now and the kaleidoscopic video for the single, perfectly suited to the hypnotic track, can be watched below. [FT]
Pool, Can’t Help Myself (Hold On)
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Pool are a German three-piece, hailing from Hamburg. Despite looking a bit like rejects from the set of This Is England in the video for their newest single, Can’t Help Myself (Hold On), the music they produce is a delicious mix of indie and funk. Their sound is reminiscent of more recent bands such as Metronomy or Friendly Fires, but possibly the clearest point of comparison lies in the music of punk-funk pioneers Gang of Four. Lyrically, the song revolves mostly around a refrain of the title but the tune itself is bouncy and energetic and perfect for long summer evenings. The single can currently be downloaded for free from their Soundcloud page. [FT]
Jamie T – Don’t You Find
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The name Jamie T is one that conjures up the cheeky-chappy minstrel behind the likes of the glorious, jangling sounds of previous singles, Sheila and Stick & Stones. Which is why this new track — his first solo release since 2010 — is something of a surprise. With a perfectly languid, almost reggae-style daydream beat, and beautifully, uncharacteristically gentle vocals singing the simple, melancholy refrain of “Don’t you find, some of the time / there is always someone on your mind / that shouldn’t be there at all”, it’s kind of brilliant. It all feels somewhat restrained compared to the brash nature of his previous releases, but it’s in a way that really works; as though, in holding back, Jamie T is able to get a bit more introspective in his observations. Put short: this is gorgeous. [TJ]
Released 21 July.
Jeremih & Shlohmo ft. Chance The Rapper – The End
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Last year, with the release of Bo Peep (Do U Right), smooth as caramel Chicago R&B singer Jeremih and exquisite LA producer Shlohmo proved that their sounds married were a match made in heaven. Fast forward to 2014 and, after some scheduling difficulties with their record labels, a few days ago the pair decided to put out their long-awaited collaboration, the No More EP, for free (in celebration of Jeremih’s birthday). The EP overall is arguably not as sublime as it had the potential to be, but it’s certainly enjoyable, with this track featuring hip-hop’s rising star Chance perhaps being the stand-out. With the kind of understated, urban beats that the fantastic Shlomho serves up best, and some enticingly sultry, melodic rapping from Jeremih, The End gets tastier and more intriguing with every listen. It gets increasingly gritty too, with Chance’s somewhat in-your-face verse tailing in at the finish, but it makes for a fairly satisfying coda. The song is good and fresh, just – with the talents involved – it’s not as mind-blowing as you might have hoped. Free download available here. [TJ]