Coming out to headline this year’s Groovin The Moo, They Might Be Giants have released the first track,‘You’re On Fire’ off their 16th studio album, so what better way for everyone to hear it as the feature in our mixtape? Next up, the incredible Bonobo featuring Erykah Badu, staying on the soul vibe we have a new track from Charles Bradley and Mama Kin, followed by Bill Bragg, Farrow, Dirty Projectors and a really great cover of John Denver’s ‘Leaving On A Jetplane’ by My Morning Jacket.
They Might Be Giants – You’re On Fire
How generous for TMBG’s ‘Two Johns’ (that’s Flansburgh & Linnell) to release their 16th studio album ahead of their Australian visit for Groovin’ The Moo’s regional jaunt. The opening track from Nanobots is a reliably stonking number from the prolific duo. Containing a typically rich arrangement with their characteristically off-kilter lyrics, warning about the dangers of a combustible head (and yes, that is the catchy female hook lyric too); ‘You’re On Fire’ is a great sign of the 24 other tracks on Nanobots yet to come. They only ‘Might’ be giants but they’re definitely great songwriters.
Bonobo – Heaven For Sinner (feat. Erykah Badu)
Simon Green, the British producer behind the Bonobo moniker, is gearing up for the release of his fifth studio album, The North Borders, out in April. This shimmering and offbeat tune is a light, if not mystical mixture of textures. Erykah Badu provides her vocal talent, with her brilliance contributing to ‘Heaven For Sinner’s incomparable soundscapes. If this first single is anything to go by, then listeners are in for a treat when Bonobo’s latest release lands.
Charles Bradley – Strictly Reserved For You
Groover Charles Bradley has given us a delicious taste of his forthcoming album Victim Of Love, out April 12. Combining the best of 1970s funk and a bit of let’s-get-down-to-it-soul, Bradley’s new single oozes with yearning RnB rhythms, complimented perfectly by the cheeky brass in the background. Screaming a modern day Barry White, any fans of Bradley won’t be able to resist wrapping their hands around a copy of this grooving album come April. Oh baby.
Mama Kin – Rescue Me
The new song from Fremantle singer Mama Kin, ‘Rescue Me’, is extremely soulful and catchy. The music has a wonderful steady beat, and the lyrics are tortured and beautiful. It’s a love song for the disillusioned, expressing the hope and disappointment that can often come through in relationships. Mama Kin’s voice is slow, smooth and crooning. This song is the second single from the new album The Magician’s Daughter, and the film clip is also great (if not a little creepy).
Billy Bragg – No One Knows Nothing Enumerate
The 55 year old singer-songwriter is back with his first studio album in five years. Entitled Tooth & Nail, the album is said to be a personal rather than political reflection of Bragg’s thoughts. ‘No One Knows Nothing Anymore’ is a mellow country ballad with plenty of twang included for good measure. But as you would expect it’s the storytelling on this single that steals the show. Bragg asks some of life’s bigger questions singing,“but what if there’s nothing? / no big answer to find? / What if we’re just passing through time?”. Clearly the singer is looking past politics and into something deeper on his latest album, which is set to be released in March.
Farrow – Give Me Something
After only having jammed together for just over six months, local indie outfit Farrow have released their track ‘Give Me Something.’ A synth laden intro and upbeat drumming meets a duet of sincere and desperate vocals. A quintessential indie rock guitar hooked bridge brings in the chorus where a line of brass instruments surprisingly bursts out to push on behind the vocals. Despite the song feeling a little confused at times, moving almost too quickly from an acappella male solo to a unexpected psych guitar shred out, the song is an interesting experiment and a welcome change fro typically similar sounding indie pop tunes.
Dirty Projectors – There’s A Fire
‘There’s A Fire’ is a B-side track that was featured on the limited edition ‘Offspring Are Blank’ white label 7″ the band pressed for their January 2013 Carnegie Hall show. It’s easy to hear why it’s a B-side, as it sounds more like a demo than a finished album track, but somehow it seems like that’s the whole vibe of the song anyway. ‘There’s A Fire’ still captures the essence of Dirty Projectors, with David Longstreth’s luscious vocals backed by his team of lovely ladies.
My Morning Jacket – Leaving On A Jetplane (John Denver cover)
From The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver, due for release in April on ATO records, the label have given us a little taste of the album with a stunning cover of ‘Leaving On A Jetplane’ covered by My Morning Jacket. Jim James and the rest of the band capture John Denver’s mood perfectly with a beautiful vocal delivery, stripped back acoustic guitar, and subtle backing vocals throughout the chorus. John Denver fans should approve of this version.
