Radiohead : Spectre
Sam Smith’s Spectre theme was trash, and the marketability of his name was more than likely undermined by lacklustre schmaltz. Radiohead’s rejected theme, put out into the world by Thom “St Nick” Yorke on Chrissy day, broods with exquisite approach, while swelling strings intoxicate much like several of Jimmy Bond’s trademark Espresso Martinis (premixed, not stirred). Would have been a far stronger choice, but still not in the top echelon of Bond themes.
LCD Soundsystem : Christmas Will Break Your Heart
Way to herald your big festival circuit-milking comeback with a song that’s seasonally irrelevant the day after you release it, fuckers.
Kanye West : Facts
On first listen, FACTS sounds bad. The more you parse, the worse it gets. Exactly one year on from the poignant Only One, Kanye releases an id-purging throwaway boasting not about his newborn son, but instead firing shots at Nike with a reinterpretation of Drake & Future’s Jumpman. The opening sample acts as a tacked on misdirection, a perfunctory prefix to Metro Boomin’s listless production. The entire track is a boast about fashion, rather than music, which is why the line “I’ve been trending years / Y’all a couple days” doesn’t sit right with no direct target – is he still aiming at Nike here? The world’s number one sneaker company, who consistently sell out lines of reissues from their decades-long legacy? Here I am, sounding like I give a shit about sneakers. I do not give a shit about sneakers. What does this mean for Swish/So Help Me God/Whatever The Album Ends Up Being Called? Things were looking good with Only One, FourFiveSeconds, All Day and Wolves (if that ever sees the official light of day). Hopefully FACTS is a purge, rather than an indicator.
Single Of The Week
Coco Solid feat. Disasteradio : Slow Torture
With an upbeat mechanical cool, Slow Torture exhibits Coco Solid as a deadpan ruler, exerting power in detachment. Fellow legend of the modern Kiwi underground Disasteradio joins in as vocal counterpoint, his projected desperation crafting an enticing dynamic. The production is on point, with shades of New Order. Rewarding on repeat listens, never overbearing in hook nor trend. Nice.
