We’ve listened to the new releases for this week so you don’t need to and our pick of the week’s releases is now on the Reverb Jukebox.
Track 1 – Calvin Harris with Sam Smith – Promises
Anyone who is a fan of Calvin Harris’ consistent output will be sure to love this collaboration with Sam Smith. A summer modern classic, perfect as the soundtrack for a summer road trip with friends or your special someone.
Calvin Harris (left) and Sam Smith (right) collaborate for the first time.
Track 2 – The 1975 – TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME
A Daft Punk-esque vocoder effect adds to what is otherwise a familiar sound from The 1975.
Manchester’s The 1975
Track 3 – Marshmello with Bastille – Happier
Classic Bastille fodder here with a contemporary, urban inspired beat provided by American producer, Marshmello.
Producer and DJ Marshmello (left) and Dan Smith from Bastille (right)
Track 4 – Sam Fender – Dead Boys
A BBC Sound of 2018 alumni, Sam Fender is a singer-songwriter from Newcastle who sits perfectly in amongst the current crop of talented, young British artists and bands making up a vibrant contemporary music scene.
BBC Sound of 2018 nominee, Sam Fender
Track 5 – YONAKA – Teach Me To Fight
Tilt friendly anthem here from Brighton’s exuberant YONAKA. Known to be an experience live, YONAKA are worth looking up when next in town, but tickets are predicted to be increasingly difficult to come by.
YONAKA from Brighton are said to be a must-see live band
Track 6 – SG Lewis with AlunaGeorge – Hurting
Duo AlunaGeorge made their name with their 2013 Disclosure collaboration “White Noise” and fans of this track are sure to love this latest effort, this time partnered with the exceptionally talented SG Lewis. Both back catalogues are recommended.
Two of Britain’s brightest stars SG Lewis (left) and AlunaGeorge (right) collaborate on “Hurting”
Track 7 – James Hersey – Real For You
James Hersey may or may not appreciate vocal comparisons with former X Factor winner James Arthur, but this is intended as a compliment as his slightly lazy lyric-delivery style is supported by a powerful and subtly soulful voice.
Austrian-American, James Hersey
Track 8 – Paul McCartney – Fuh You
A real surprise from one of the world’s most famous artists here, “Fuh You” is a truly contemporary offering, echoing Bastille, Imagine Dragons and One Republic, the latter being no surprise as McCartney called in the help of Ryan Tedder to pen this tune.
“Fuh You” is a writing collaboration with Ryan Tedder of One Republic
Track 9 – Slaves – Magnolia
Those of you who long for the days of the 1970’s punk explosion look no further than Slaves, who defy their quaint Royal Tunbridge Wells origins with angular, angst-ridden post-punk, with a smattering of Hives and Strokes influence.
Post-Punk duo, Slaves
Track 10 – Death Cab For Cutie – Northern Lights
Most famous for their seminal “I Will Follow You Into The Dark”, this is the new offering from Bellingham, Washington’s Death Cab For Cutie. The familiar gentle pop-rock style is perfectly showcased here with a Coldplay-esq combination of guitar, piano and synth.
Death Cab For Cutie
Track 11 – LUCIA – Summertime
As we cling to the last days of British Summer 2018, which, let’s face it, has been better than the average by some distance, Glasgow’s LUCIA talks of summer flings and fun with your pals.
LUCIA from Glasgow
Track 12 – Ladytron – The Island
In their 19th year, Liverpool’s Ladytron echo both the past and the present of electronica in their newest offering “The Island”.
Ladytron
Track 13 – Pale Waves – Black
Possibly lesser known than some of their contemporaries, Pale Waves are simply one of the best proponents of Indie Pop around today. Their debut album “My Mind Makes Noises” is due to land next month. It deserves to propel them to the top table of young, contemporary British bands.
Pale Waves
Track 14 – Superorganism – Everybody Wants To Be Famous (Cedric Gervais Remix)
Best known for his Grammy award winning remix of Lana Del Ray’s “Summertime Sadness”, Cedric Gervais’ latest reimagining provides a familiarly upbeat tone. A perfect addition to any summer party playlist.
French DJ/Producer, Cedric Gervais
Track 15 – Bay Rays – The Chamber
The noise around Kent’s Bay Rays is certainly growing in 2018 following a headline slot on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury last year. The Chamber perfectly demonstrates the band’s buoyant indie-pop sound.
The Bay Rays from Kent
Track 16 – Honey Lung – Sophomore
Distinctly off-beat 90’s grunge inspired, “Sophomore” evokes Silverchair and Smashing Pumpkins in the best way. Honey Lung will not be for everyone, but their sound is sure to inspire a devoted army of cult followers.
Alt-Grunge sounds from Honey Lung