Ethel Cain continues to defy any sense of normal musical practice and Wunderhorse put out a new single!!

Single of the Week: Ethel Cain – Nettles

What a year for Ethel Cain. In January she followed up her highly successful debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, with one of the most challenging albums put out by a mainstream artist in many a year. Heavy going, but utterly fascinating, ‘Perverts’ seemed designed to shed fans, to push people away. Now it merely seems a different side of a multifaceted artist. A UK tour was announced, including a bold five nights at the Eventim Apollo, though three of them sold out rapidly – backing up the strategy. Now we get a new single ahead of a SECOND ALBUM for 2025 to be released in August, ‘Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You’ that looks to be more in keeping with her debut, continuing the world building and mythology of that album. Whilst infinitely more tuneful than anything on ‘Perverts,’ Cain continues to defy expectations with an eight minute single that has a majestic slowness to it, her wonderful voice is given free reign rather than being buried, hidden and distorted as it was on Perverts. A bold, essential artist for our times.

Wunderhorse – The Rope

As soon as I heard Wunderhorse had a new release I had them pencilled in for single of the week, they are that kind of band. This is JUST, a little bit too similar to a couple of tracks on ‘Midas’ for it to warrant that prize. That aside, it still sounds great and when they do eventually record that third album, I expect them to fully become a world striding colossus.

Shame – Cutthroat

A vital force in English post-punk, Shame will be putting out their fourth album later in the year. This is a very strong offering.

Gwenno – Y Gath

Mostly singing in either Welsh or Cornish (yes, Cornish) Gwenno has been putting out music in various forms since 2002. The suggestion is much of new album ‘Utopia’ will be her first releases in English; however this delightful track is most definitely sung in Welsh.

Pluto The Rich – Tea Leaves

Don’t be fooled by the slow start, this is a band that knows how to rock, and how to rock hard. I caught the second half of their set at The Purple Turtle earlier this year supporting Alffa and it was immense. Based out of Southampton and well worth seeking out.

President – Fearless

The mystery of President started when the band were added to Download without a single release. Clearly, they have a big name involved. In both the first, and this second release, they are masked. There is a reveal at the end of this second single, but the general assumption is that it is a fake-out. A lot of people are throwing Charlie Simpon’s name around, from Busted and Fightstar. You can see why. If it is or isn’t, either way their marketing men win the internet right now. Mystery aside, this is a great slice of metal. The Download performance ought to be very interesting.

Loads more good tracks on the playlist including Little Simz, Bush and Panic Shack.