Best New Songs Of The Week: September 11th, 2022
While this wasn't the biggest week I've ever covered it also wasn't necessarily slow and highlighted by a few very high profile announcement singles, there was quite a bit to talk about this week.
5. Gary Ashby - Dry Cleaning
I was worried a bit about Dry Cleaning's short turnaround from album one to album two when I started to hear singles that sounded VERY familiar. Turns out they could circumvent the problem by just reusing ideas that I didn't mind hearing again. This new song which evokes pretty strong Scratchcard Lanyard comparisons is a solid reimagining of that track's fundamentals in a shorter and slightly less pessimistic fashion.
4. We Let It In - Brian Eno
Continuing Eno's ongoing return into the world of vocals he brings along his daughter for a very gentle and expansive duet. The song didn't really connect with me at first but the more I observed it's gentle tones and the remarkable sonic restraint shown throughout, I was ultimately not surprised to really enjoy it. It's Bring Eno after all.
3. Tonight - Phoenix (Feat. Ezra Koenig)
Say what you will about Phoenix, but they aren't one to overdo it. It's been five years since their last album and their modest brand of radio-ready synth-pop hasn't wavered a bit. If anything they did a great job of roping a pretty significant selection of their fanbase back in by bringing on Ezra alone. Not only does this track explode with the late 2000s indie pop bliss that originally made the band but it strangely feels like it's calling back to Julian Casablancas' exploration of similar sounds on his own solo album.
2. TECHNICOLOUR - The Comet Is Coming
What a BANGER. While the first Comet Is Coming single a few weeks ago was pretty good this is a whole new level of exciting. The squelching brass section erupting in the foreground while an insane mix of percussion rattles away and off into the distance is such a rush. Even though the song runs a full 3 and a half minutes I feel like the momentum it builds up could last for twice that long.
1. Atopos - Bjork
Trying to predict what Bjork is going to do next is a losing game. So for many, myself included the much more lucrative option is to anticipate being excited and that's exactly what she delivered with this new single. A gabber song backed by those methodically stopping and starting drums, sure, why not. Surprise aside the track itself sounds great, both alien and larger than life in a way it feels like only Bjork can really achieve.
