Merely two weeks into 2021 and already my inbox is inundated with e-mails – new singles, forthcoming albums, demo’s. Certainly enough to focus my attention on the music and not the ongoing shit-show that 2021 has already shown itself to be.
It is nigh on impossible to listen to everything, but there have been certain songs that captured my attention more than others for one reason or another. Here is a selection of my favourites of the singles I’ve received so far (and I make absolutely no apology for sharing the first three again).
Mark W Georgsson
Theoretically this is a 2020 single given that it was released on Hogmanay, but I’m counting it as one of the first great singles of 2021. Forever in My Heart is a sentimental, without being too derivative or cheesy, folk country song about finding your home and a sense of belonging and safety, a knowing of always having somewhere to return to, even if not physically.
Mark W Georgsson – Facebook
Dumb Poets
There is a good reason to share this Paint and Feathers again as it just got its official release last week. Dumb Poets last album All the Ghosts was an impressively lush and beautiful set of tunes, if Paint and Feathers (Wonder That You Are) is anything to go by, the follow up is going to be just as impressive.
The Dumb Poets – Facebook
Cathal Coughlan
This remarkable artist has released an extraordinary number of startlingly memorable songs from throughout his career under several guises. I have been fortunate to experience the passion and fervour close up and personal and live on a number of occasions. Experiences never to be forgotten. This latest single gets better with every listen. Cathal’s memorably warm tenor worms its way into your psyche, and lyrically he hits the mark once again, where seemingly absurd couplets mix with direct hits against those who hold the power . If the rest of the forthcoming album matches the quality of this appetite quencher, I feel it will be on constant rotation at the quiff towers.
Cathal Coughlan – Facebook
Marianne Dissard
I spent two of the most intriguing and eye-opening weeks of my life aged 14 in Tarbes nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Southern France, the birth place of chanteuse Marianne Dissard. This newly released tune is equally intriguing, almost Lynchian, and is an addictively sultry version of Richie Valens 1968 hit. Blissful.
Marianne Dissard – Facebook
Def Robot
One of the most prolific bands of recent years, Def Robot, have their eleventh album due to be released soon. Pre-empting the album is this crunching powerhouse of a single Loaded Up. It is indeed “Loaded Up” on eye watering riffs and Scarface references. All power to Def Robot and their ongoing journey towards world domination…
Def Robot – Facebook
Kerosene
Paul Taylor and David Hancox of Def Robot initially recorded together in the 1990s as part of indie rock troupe, Kerosene. During lockdown, Kerosene, who regrouped and released two albums in the last few years, Broken and Circadian, have recorded a lockdown version of the song Broken, releasing this to the world at the beginning of January. Where Loaded Up is a powerhouse of riffs, this one is powerful in its emotional reflection. Sure there are riffs here too, but the real power here is in the feeling the song evokes with its lyrics and tone.
Rilke
Rilke release their debut EP this Friday, if the lead track Whisper is anything to go by, this is one to look forward to. The song starts with a touch of melancholy, shimmering laid back instrumentation and a dreamy ethereal vocal carrying you along to its pinnacle, a crescendo of crashing drums and crunching guitars with the soaring melody continuing atop the melee. Whisper to a scream.
Taster:
Rilke on Facebook
Permo
The first of two singles from Disobedient Records is a two minute full throttle rage from Falkirk’s Permo. Heroin is their follow up to previous single Ultraviolence, the new song is public health warning against addictive one sided relationships. IDLES is an obvious reference to the bands sound, mix that with a bit of The Blinders and you get the picture. Fierce.
Permo on Facebook
Pizza Crunch
Permo labelmates named after the most disgusting of Glasgow artery furring “delicacies” Pizza Crunch follow up their previous offering Twelve Month Seasonal Depression with the equally wordily titled Coma Inducing Gibberish. I will admit the name put me off a bit whne I first came across this band but get past that and this is a joyfully addictive romp that pools its various influences, 80’s post punk to 90’s indie rock and blends them together in their own magnificent sound akin to bands like Trampolene. Unlike the outpourings from the subject of their song, I could listen to this over and over again. I shall be sampling Pizza Crunch again.
Sneak Preview (single released on 5th February):
Pizza Crunch on facebook
The Third Cut
Bad Idea? It may be the song title, but it would a a good idea for you to have a listen to this sumptuous song from The Third Cut. A taster for a forthcoming new EP, this understated song blends sensitive jangly guitar with elegantly restrained trumpet to create a perfectly beautiful tune.
The Third Cut on Facebook, Bandcamp
Karma Surround
If you like jangly guitar pop, then you should check out Karma Surround, a singer/songwriter based in Fife. Darren plans to release his debut album later this year. Two of my favourite albums of last year, The Muldoons and Close Lobsters, were proponents of this indie jangle pop sound, so I very much look forward to the debut from Karma Surround
Mogwai
In advance of a new album Mogwai have just released their new single the remarkable Ritchie Sacramento. It is everything you could have wanted from a new Mogwai song, and more. Complex layered and dramatically atmospheric instrumentation that deserves to be played at maximum volume, top that with an breathy heart-rending vocal and hey presto there is another signal of a cracking album to come in 2021.
Mogwai – Facebook
2021 – things can only get better?
As if those aren’t enough to get your teeth into, already there are several releases that are filling me with anticipation. Obviously there are albums by the artists mentioned above following up these singles, but in addition to those, there are several new albums I’m excited about. None more so than the return of the inimitable Arab Strap. Kiwi Jr follow up their debut album from last year with a cracking new album on Sub Pop. The Countess of Fife is set to crack on with their album following a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Duncan Reid and the Big Heads guitarist Nick Hughes is set to reveal the debut album from (one of) his other band(s) The Middlenight Men. There is a welcome return for Teenage Fanclub and Glasvegas with new albums and Hull’s The Gold Needles with album number three. And of course the hotly anticipated and much delayed album from the wonderful Lola in Slacks. Trashcan Sinatras magnum opus I’ve Seen Everything also gets a welcome vinyl re-release on Past Night From Glasgow. And that is just the tip of the iceberg…
Tips & Hopes for 2021
There are several new (or not so new) bands that I have high hopes and expectations of for 2021.
Hadda Be (formerly known as Foundlings) will be releasing their debut album, while I hope for great things from labelmates on LNFG and its offshoots, Deer Leader after two phenomenal singles last year. Talking of great singles, I hope to hear much more from Dead Pony who have a string of quality singles behind them already.
Back to LNFG related bands and the wonderful Nicol & Elliott who have an EP released imminently. Lemon Drink have their new EP due very shortly too.
Finally, I was heartened to read that Tulsaqueen (Wiggy from the excellent Curdle) is close to completing her debut album tracklist. And of course, I’m excited to hear what Run Into the Night have planned for 2021 after their line up change.
Things can get better…