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Track of the day // Billy Nomates - The Test
From the album Metalhorse, out May 16th on Invada Records.
How do I find tumblr friends? 🥺
june 24, 2023 - song a day
billy nomates - no (2020)
tor is an amazing artist. the comments she received after her glasto appearance was fucking uncalled for. saw her in workmans in 2021 and hope she makes it over to ireland again.
Billy Nomates, "blue bones (deathwish)"
New Year, New Music – Welcome to 2023!
I’m not going to lie, 2022 may have been one of my favourite years for music since I started my blog back in 2013. Every week last year, there seemed to be great album after great album dropping, with lots of my favourite artists of recent years releasing career best efforts, or at the very least solid additions to their expanding discography. More than anything else though, there were some great new artists to discover.
Whether it was artists like Gang of Youths or Kevin Morby who may have been around for years but I was only newly introduced to in 2022, or breakout acts like Bob Vylan, The Haunted Youth and Opus Kink, it was a year that showed the future of music is shining bright. In the end though, it was two veteran artists at the top of their game that were jointly awarded my Album of the Year title, with rap stars Kendrick Lamar and Little Simz sitting atop the throne by the end of December (have a flick through my blog archives if you want to read more!).
So with 2022 being such a strong year and a lot of my favourite artists dropping albums, I had in my mind that 2023 might be a bit of a quieter year by comparison. However, if January is anything to go by, it seems this next 12 months could easily match up to 2022 if this current pace continues. 2023 may not even be a month old yet, but it has already delivered a mountain of great new music to feast upon – here’s the songs and albums I’ve enjoyed the most across the first few weeks of the year.
Album & EP Recommendations
Prize by Rozi Plain
There is no album I have enjoyed more in January then this gorgeous fifth album from Winchester-based, alt-folk musician, Rozi Plain. Having not been familiar with Rozi’s previous work, the album landed on my “to-listen” pile through seeing numerous positive reviews for this latest opus. It would remain there for a few weeks, before Twitter pal Joe (@jackabouting) gave me the nudge to finally dive in – and I’m so glad I did.
The first stretch of the record will pull you in right away, with the magical instrumental flourishes of Alabaster Deplume collaboration, Agreeing For Two, majestically gliding across your headphones. Before long, the whirring organs of Help and sparkling acoustic splendour of Prove Your Good then wash through to put you completely under this record’s spell. That said, it is the second half where my favourite moments occur, with the synth-driven pulse of tracks like Painted the Room and Standing Up beautifully complimenting Rozi’s soft whispery vocals. If I was to pick just one standout though it would be Sore, with it’s hymnal-like vocal harmonies and utterly entrancing orchestral sways – without a doubt, one of the best songs I heard all January.
This is a simply stunning album from start to finish, one that will grab hold of you tightly and fill your ears with beautifully woven, intricately crafted arrangements.
Listen here
Gigi’s Recovery by The Murder Capital
The Dublin music scene has been set alight by post-punk in recent years, with Fontaines D.C. of course leading the charge. However following closely behind is The Murder Capital, who have successfully built on their roaring debut with their more mature and accessible sophomore outing, Gigi’s Recovery.
Whilst the similarities and comparisons to Fontaines are inevitable, Gigi’s Recovery feels like The Murder Capital breaking away and starting to forge their own voice. After short ominous opener Existence, the album kicks off properly with the spiralling vortex of Crying, which actually has more in common with Primary Colours-era The Horrors than their Irish compatriots. The whirlwind indie rock of Return My Head and the menacing jangle of The Stars Will Leave Their Stage impress early on, before the album hits a peak bang in the middle.
The Lie Becomes The Self is undoubtedly my favourite here, a moody, vulnerable piece which sees James McGovern’s passionate vocals take centre stage, surrounded by stripped-back, atmospheric guitars. At one point towards the end there is a nod back to Crying with the same riff flickering in the background. It really highlights the band’s maturing songwriting capabilities, with A Thousand Lives then continuing the album’s strong purple patch with its hard-hitting snares, spacey vocals, glistening guitars and invigorating outro. The near six-minute title track then sees the band continue to boast their rhythmic chops, before acoustic closer Exist brings the album wonderfully full circle.
As someone who really struggled with The Murder Capital’s debut I’ve taken to Gigi’s Recovery straight away, with arguably more parallels to the likes of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Radiohead here than their contemporaries from the post-punk scene. An album I’ve already returned to several times over, this one is a big step up in class for the Irish band and another of my favourite records of the last couple of weeks.
Listen here
Derealised by Jadu Heart
Back in 2019 (which was another exceptionally strong year for music) dream pop duo Jadu Heart made a lifelong fan out of me with their incredible debut Melt Away, a record that would go on to finish 11th in my final Album of the Year list. However as is always the case with having such a strong, captivating debut, matching that record’s magic was always going to be a tough ask and although I still enjoyed parts of follow-up Hyper Romance, I never quite took to it the same way.
Now back with their third album Derealised, this one has already kept me returning more than their previous effort. With Cocoon and Blame setting things alight early doors, the swirling, distorted guitars on tracks like Freedom, I Shimmer and Derealisation bring welcome shades to the hazy sounds of 90s alt-rock.
So whilst it has still not captured me quite like their debut, it’s great to see Jadu Heart continue to evolve. Although this record feels like it could do with tightening down slightly, maybe being a couple of tracks shorter, there’s also plenty of enjoyable moments here to keep you coming back. It’s also made me want to revisit their second album to see if I hear anything I missed three years ago - always a positive sign.
Listen here
Cautionary Tales of Youth by Låpsley
As a big fan of the ambient electronica of Låpsley’s second album Through Water, I was keen to hear if her third record would have the same impact. I’m pleased to say it does, as Cautionary Tales of Youth sees the English singer-songwriter share feelings of romance and domestic unease, along with describing her lockdown adventures across the album’s blissful twelve tracks. If you are looking for a chilled-out record to stick on in the background or get lost in on your headphones then this is the one for you, with tracks like the Msaki featuring Close to Heaven, Pandora’s Box and Lifeline all standing out.
Listen here
Cacti by Billy Nomates
“Now with the previous record for reference, the growth on Cacti is immediately ear-catching. Thanks to Maries’ middle-class upbringing and her experiences of trying to fit into an office setting while yearning for a more creative outlet, she is poised to explode onto the scene with a rooted base that’s often lacking in an industry built upon backroom handshakes of connected parents who have come before.
Not only have Maries lyrics matured, but so has the music. Cacti still revolves around the slinky bass and drum machines of her debut, but now the keyboard synths and guitar textures are given more room to breathe. Maries once again recorded most of the album at home, but teaming up with co-producer James Trevascus, who has worked with fellow badass women like PJ Harvey, pays off with a more expansive, warmer scope this time around.”
Read Kiley Larsen’s full review here
Listen here
Turn The Car Around by Gaz Coombes
“Turn The Car Around finds Coombes on a new level though, leaving behind the rollicking snot-nosed days of being “Caught By the Fuzz” in favor of effervescent fully-fledged observations by someone who has lived a few lifetimes since the height of Brit Pop fever.
Whether it’s the title track or the Bowie-esque grooving “This Love,” much of the record deals with a marriage’s transition from early excitement to navigating everyday domesticity, and Coombes is determined to sing his way out of the stagnation - it’s easy to find yourself rooting for him with this lovely record. Turn The Car Around and the record’s January release fits the mood perfectly, as it’s the kind of thoughtful singer-songwriter record that demands full attention while pushing through the itchy sweater months. Oh, and don’t forget your good headphones, thanks to co-producer Ian Davenport’s warm and inviting mix.”
Read Kiley Larsen’s full review here
Listen here
Lobes by We Are Scientists
“We Are Scientists' eighth studio album Lobes has been presented as a sister album to 2021’s Huffy and is best described as a late-night synth-heavy record designed for post-midnight city driving. Speaking to Psychedelic Baby Magazine, Keith Murray recognises their new direction, describing it as being “more electronic, dancier, ambitious in their production and arrangements, but still easy as hell to down like a spectacular, fruity cocktail on a light-up dance floor.” It’s hard to disagree, Lobes has so many earworms in its arsenal. The late-night aspired sound sees We Are Scientists explore unfamiliar funky territory. They may be removed from their garage rock origins, but the record just sounds so refreshing, the band able to escape the one-dimensional criticisms which often followed them in the past.
We Are Scientists new late-night vision finds the perfect balance in its retro disco feel and futuristic synth-pop style. Despite the change in approach, the charisma and punchiness still remain. All in all, it slaps...pretty hard for the most part. The underappreciated heroes of the indie sleaze era are here to bring a little mood and light to your evening.”
Read Matt McLister’s full review here
Listen here
Also worth checking out: Every Loser by Iggy Pop, Atomic Mango Drive (DJ Mix) by Hot Chip, Higher Lonely Power by Fireworks, Geodesic by Weak Moves, Frightful Places EP by Frightful Places
Tracks of the Week
Emily I’m Sorry by boygenius
Rumours began swirling when their name appeared on this year’s Coachella line up, but it has now been confirmed that the trio of Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus will deliver their much-anticipated debut album this March. Five years on from their much-loved EP and several star-making solo albums later, everyone’s favourite indie rock supergroup finally returned with three brand new tracks to serve as the first sampling of The Record.
There is the raw, grunge thrusts of $20 and the emotional soar of True Blue, but it’s Emily I’m Sorry that is my personal pick of the bunch so far. Led by Phoebe and backed by a light sprinkling of strings, when the trio’s harmonies come together for the chorus swells the goosebumps on your arms and neck are sure to stand on end.
Listen here
Tropic Morning News by The National
Another huge return, indie darlings The National also announced their ninth studio album will land this April, intriguingly titled The First Two Pages of Frankenstein. Even more intriguing, we already know it will feature collaborations with heavyweight stars like Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift.
Tropic Morning News is the first taste of the record and while it very much sticks to the usual National playbook, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Co-written with Matt Berninger’s wife Carin, it’s a depression fuelled belter that comes alive midway through thanks to a vintage Dessner guitar solo.
Listen here
UK Grim by Sleaford Mods
The UK’s most productive band announced their twelfth studio album will be arriving this March, with aggressive, electro-driven opener and title track the first taste. With Jason Williamson taking no prisoners as he unleashes his sardonic fury on the current state of Tory Britain, it’s best experienced with the accompanying Cold War Steve animated music video.
Watch the video here
Love From The Other Side by Fall Out Boy
Finally this week, pop punk royalty Fall Out Boy also announced their first new album in five years this month. Titled So Much (For) Stardust, it also arrives this March and we have already had two teaser singles to give our first taste of their new material. My pick of the two is Love From The Other Side, which will serve as the album’s opening track and raises the curtain with a flurry of classical strings and piano. It doesn’t take long for the full-throttle guitar riffs to crash in, forging a dramatic and ultra-catchy returning anthem for the veteran outfit.
Listen here
Also out, also great: Fold by Bonobo & Jacques Greene, (pls) set me on fire by Enter Shikari, Modernise by The Slow Readers Club, Get Out of My House by Miya Folick
Billy Nomates - Spite, from the new album “CACTI”
Sleaford Mods - Mork n Mindy feat Billy Nomates (Glastonbury 2022)
Billy Nomates
