A contentious pick for single of the week but I am standing by it. Alongside reflections on the direction of Sleep Token’s new album and the start of the farewell for Another Sky.
Single of the Week: Sam Fender – Tyrant
I say contentious pick because it isn’t really a single. This is the digital release of a track that appeared on a special Record Store Day vinyl EP entitled ‘Me And The Dog.’ Otherwise, this is a quality track that has been a firm feature on Fender’s recent live sets.
Myles Smith – My First Heartbreak
What a year Smith has had. Stargazing came out on the 10th of May 2024 and has spent 31 weeks in the UK Top 40 since then, peaking at number 4. This is another well-crafted tune and it seems there are no limits on what he can achieve.
The Ting Tings – Dreaming
This slab of 70s yacht rock is so out of tune with everything else in the charts right now it can surely only kindle a whole new scene dedicated to guitar solos and pale coloured suits. The Ting Tings have committed to their cause, it is still to be seen how the world responds.
Sleep Token – Damocles
This one has sent my head spinning because I really want to know what the plan is now. Take Me Back To Eden was my album of 2023, a truly incredible piece of work. Three tracks of Even in Arcadia have now been revealed, and I don’t know what to make of it. The heaviness has definitely been dialled down and the mainstream, dare I say it, pop has been dialled up. Sleep Token have always traversed genre boundaries but this is surprising. Have they taken the three mellowest tracks from the album and released them to break a wider audience? Will the rest of the album be reassuringly heavier? Or is this the style of the whole album? So many questions. I don’t mind this track, but I don’t love it in the way I did the Take Me Back To Eden singles.
YUNGBLUD – Lovesick Lullaby
Yungblud follows up the epic ‘Hello Heaven, Hello’ with this far snappier offering. Something of an up-tempo Britpop vibe.
Another Sky – Running
I saw Another Sky at The Bullingdon in Oxford before Covid and always thought they had a huge amount of potential. It has never quite happened for them despite flirtations with Radio One and other opportunities. They have very recently announced they are splitting up and this effort, preceding a last EP, represents a clearing out of the cupboard.
Cheetah & Nia Archives – Get Loose
I am a huge fan of Nia Archives brand of jungle and drum and bass, this is an excellent collaboration with Cheetah.
Bradley Simpson ft. Nieve Ella – Favourite Band
Bradley reworks his recent track for the better with Nieve Ella sharing the vocal duties.
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