I am so unbelievably behind it’ll be Halloween soon and I’ll still be at Easter… I’m still working month’s behind in singles round ups, and about 6 months behind in album and EP reviews. I’m putting that down to shit like life getting in the way, but I’ll also use the excuse that there is so much fantastic new music out there by bands old and new that I can’t keep up with the sheer volume of music to listen to, which to be fair, ain’t that far from the truth.
My May (yeah I know, May, that was like months ago, literally…) round up follows, as does a playlist of all the songs on Tidal. Usual story – listen and enjoy, then buy tickets for the gigs, buy their music, buy their merchandise… hard sell over. Here are the tunes…
Top 5
I pretty much couldn’t pick a single of the month, as these five songs pretty much continue to provide a soundtrack to my days, all five of them firmly lodged in my head and causing me to randomly burst into song…
Sister Madds – Can’t Read Your Lips
May had Sister Madds continue on their surging ascendency with the release of their Can’t Read Your Lips single, coinciding with their 4 date mini Scottish tour, and ahead of a forthcoming slot at Butefest before their well deserved headline gig in King Tuts as part of this year’s Summer Sessions. You’d be Madds to miss out…
Night Caller – Number One Wee Guy
I was utterly addicted to this full throttle rockabilly infused tune the instant I first heard it, and proceeded to listen to it again…. and again….Solid gold guaranteed addition to “Best Singles of 2024” end of year round up.
Casual Drag – Can You Hear Me Now?
Sister Madds can’t read your lips, and Casual Drag are wondering if you can hear them…
There is absolutely no doubt about that. The repetition of the phrase in the chorus has them just making sure… Their thunderously pounding garage rock with a raw underlying sense of threat and menace certainly makes an impact, with a sound that takes its lead from the likes IDLES but with pure Glasgow running through its veins.
Casual Drag
Walt Disco – Come Undone
I’m so far behind in my singles round ups that The Warping has already been released and I’ve reviewed this most remarkable of albums here, an album which includes the uplifting electro pop beats of this single, Come Undone.
Amyl & the Sniffers – U Should Not Be Doing That/Facts
Already excited about their next live outing in Glasgow in November, as the band pave the way with the single U Should Not be Doing That, a huge two fingered salute to their detractors far and wide.
The Next 10
Lloyds House – Ah
Another cracking single from Lloyd’s House, it’s mellifluous opening quickly taking on a frantic energy – “Don’t want a silver medal” yells Lloyd as the single builds to its charismatically chaotic peaks.
Corrine – Murder
Scotland continues to punch above it’s weight with the sheer volume and quality of new bands, frenzied drumming announces the arrival of this frenetic aural attack from Corrine, the furiously berserk playing juxtaposed with a calm reassuring vocal.
Arab Strap – You’re Not There
To my ears this is perhaps the best song, undoubtedly the most affecting song from recent album, the lyrics telling a truth behind the typically Arab Strap titled I’m totally fine with it, don’t give a fuck anymore. Is it weird that the wee keyboard line takes me back to Jan Hammer’s music for Miami Vice, maybe with a hint of Prince?
The Cords – Bo’s New Haircut
If you’re a music fan of a certain age, and a fan of a certain type of jangle pop made famous back in the day by a wheen of Glasgow bands, you can’t help but fall head over heels for the music of The Cords, bringing the whole sound and aesthetic to a new generation. What’s not to love?
Mdou Moctar – Oh France
Another of May’s singles that I couldn’t get enough of, Mdou Moctar’s bewitching rhythms and melodies on Oh France paired with the astonishing guitar lines and riffs mean that their upcoming date in St Lukes will be worth the admission money alone just to hear this track.
Day Sleeper – All That is True
Leo Bargery’s latest musical project continue to impress with this enchanting collaboration with Magpie Blue, the initially beguiling interplay of their vocals leading into a gloriously beautiful shoegaze-y crescendo.
Herald – Lights
The excellent follow up to Soul Ronnie from Herald (aka Lawrence Worthington from Yummy Fur) is Lights, which comes from the June released album Linear B.
The Tenementals – A Passion Flower’s Lament
What isn’t to love about The Tenementals? This unique group of academics release yet another single which commemorates historical figures standing up against the far right. This time from the perspective of Ibárruri Gómez, who is credited with coining the anti-fascist phrase “No pasarán!” (They Shall Not Pass) and whose statue stands on the Clyde as a memorial to all those who fought in the Spanish Civil War for the International Brigades
Broken Chanter – Gloom Bop
Despite it’s title, Gloom Bop is another glorious cut from Broken Chanter’s latest album, Chorus of Doubt.
Lacuna – Sinking Woman
There can’t be many more fragilely beautiful or emotionally affecting singles released in May than Lacuna’s Sinking Woman, a soulfully charming song.
The Rest of the Best
It’s not that I don’t love these songs, it’s just that I need to get round to June and July, all of these songs deserve a write up, some excellent new bands amongst them, some old favourites (Rancid’s first EP streaming for the first time) and the welcome return of some familiar voices (Nick Kelly of The Fat Lady Sings on the Dogs single)….
Vanderlye – This Plastic Ego
St Dukes – Coastin
Danswell and the Symptoms – Terf Me, I’m Worthless
Shock and Awe – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift – Fortnight
David Delinquent and the IOUs – Time of My Life
The Cathode Ray – Travelling in Style
Saint Sappho – Too Far Gone
Sister Envy – Tide
Girls in Synthesis – Picking Things Out of the Air
Starless – Suffocate
The Greeting – Need
Eels – If I’m Gonna Go Anywhere
Lives – Come Together #2
Bored at My Grandma’s House – I Like What You Bring Out in Me
Fin – Histamine
Automatics – Sunny Skies Forever
Automatics
cumgirl8 – quite like love
Jenny Don’t and the Spurs – You’re What I Need
Sohodolls – Queen of Spades
Gates of Light – When I Look at You
Maximo Park – Your Own Worst Enemy
Rancid – I’m Not the Only One
The Interrupters – Alien
Hard Fi – Don’t Go Making Plans
The Cides – Breakdown
Freya Beer – Tatianna
Broken By Rock – Popstars
The Fades – Looking for Keanu
The Petal Falls – A Little Piece of Heaven
Monica Queen – Too Much Time
A bit of a cheeky iadd-in this round up, but seeing as 5 songs from the Stop That Girl album appeared back online as an EP in May, I couldn’t resist the inclusion…