Spring has sprung (allegedly), and new music is sprouting, left and right. In this week’s instalment of What’s Going On, we’ve got fresh cuts, weird detours, and maybe a few early contenders for song of the summer. Who knows? You do! As always, if you dig what you hear, be sure to stream and follow these artists.
Suki Waterhouse – Actress and indie-pop darling Suki Waterhouse is kicking off her new era with the release of “Back in Love,” her hot new single that’s equal parts ‘70s grandeur and ‘90s dream haze. Created with Natalie Findlay and Jules Apollinaire, the track is all about falling in love with yourself. A message that we could all use right now! The big, theatrical single sees Waterhouse poised to step back into the spotlight as one of the hottest acts in music today. We’re ready for it.
Listen to Suki Waterhouse’s new single “Back in Love” below.
CAVS – CAVS, perhaps best known as drummer Michael Cavanagh of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, steps out from behind the kit and into the solo spotlight on “First Light,” an emotional instrumental cut. Lifted from his forthcoming album Sojourn, due out April 24, it’s jazzy and virtuosic, inviting listeners to get lost in the instrumentation. Think a prog-rock take on Alice Coltrane. Sounds fun? I think so!
Listen to CAVS’ new single “First Light” below.
Yttling Jazz – It’s hard to find good value for your money with expanded editions of albums now, but Yttling Jazz is changing that with Illegal Hit (Out of Bounds). The sprawling, three-disc collection builds on last year’s album into something bigger and deeper. Helmed by Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John (we love them here!), the set is jam-packed with unreleased cuts, extended takes, and oddball reworks. We also get the wacky, Morricone-esque spaghetti western track “Strange” featuring Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream. It’s cinematic, collaborative, and firmly out of left field, but that’s what we like.
Listen to Yttling Jazz’s new single “Strange” featuring Bobby Gillespie below.
Tove Styrke – It’s a long-established fact that the hottest dance-pop comes out of Sweden, and now we’ve got Tove Styrke back in the mix. The Swedish export is out now with “Space,” a slow-burning dance track that gets cosmic and contemplative. Built on shimmery synths and the pulsating beats of a live band, it takes listeners on a space-age journey. Are you along for the ride?
Listen to Tove Styrke’s new single “Space” below.
Two-Man Giant Squid – A personal favourite of mine, Brooklyn-based dance-punkers Two-Man Giant Squid lean all the way into the absurd on “3 Hits,” a synth-laden B-side that skewers the music rat race with a smirk. Built on spastic groove, killer bass, and their trademark dry humour, it turns burnout into comedy while never compromising musicality. There’s also a funny story in there of them being asked to open for Wheatus on a boat. Seriously.
