KANO: This Is England
Kano’s view of England stems from the outer neighbourhoods of East London, where survival means obeying unscrupulous gangsters like the Kray twins and digging yourself into a hole of delinquency. But Kano’s “a Tupac in a town full of Suges,” and he’s not alone. As this mini rap-opera becomes more imposing, the MC gives a nod to grime co-leaders Lethal Bizzle and Wiley, the song itself a testament to their sub-cultural defiance.
ESPERANZA SPALDING: One
On One, Esperanza Spalding isn’t afraid to hope for more. While appreciative of the romance she’s known, Spalding has faith that the greatest high is yet to come. This hopeful sentiment can also be applied to macrocosmic issues such as global understanding and artistic progression. To enhance her claim, Spalding leads a space-jazz arrangement, echoing Joni Mitchell’s vocal phrasing and the dimension traversing of Prince.
KING GIZZARD & THE LIZARD WIZARD: Gamma Knife
Here’s King Gizz at their loudest and nerdiest. Recalling the boogie-kraut of their Mind Fuzz LP, Gamma Knife is a straight-ahead rock stomper. Why nerdy, then? It feels more like rock lord role-play than a serious deposit of inspiration. Gizzard have yet to capture the frivolity of their live shows on record. And while Gamma Knife is a lot of fun, the struggle continues.
JULIANNA BARWICK: Nebula
Julianna Barwick slows down the world, making space to relearn the practice of daydreaming. Nebula floats on an ethereal synth riff, misty voices hovering overhead. The persistence of the central riff hypnotises, equal parts calming and commanding. Nebula won’t make your problems go away, but it’s incentive to breathe in and seek out an ulterior point of view.
BOMBINO: Timtar (Memories)
Timtar’s afro-bluesy guitar licks and choral vocal arrangements depict the joyous freedom that comes from travel, and the cherished moments of self-growth it allows. However, the lyrical translation reveals a more complicated identity – that of a ruptured romance and debased memories. In his native Tamasheq, Bombino wonders where to go next, and the song’s malleability suggests the answer will morph as one’s desires evolve.
SINGLE OF THE WEEK
CATE LE BON: Wonderful
Sounding like a lost Elephant 6 recording, Wonderful is a gloriously playful piece of art pop. Le Bon sees the world as if brand new, rolling out a stream of seemingly disconnected images, communicating the essential wonder of sensory perception. The song bundles forward like a bicycle speeding downhill with no breaks, stereo-panned guitars converse with glockenspiel, while Le Bon’s vocals stay blissfully amused by the absurdity of language.
