Best New Tracks Of The Week: 11/17/24
A massively hype week with some huge new releases this late in the year is a surprise, but I'll take it!
5. The Laugh Is In The Eyes - Julia Holter
Julia is back following a remarkable new album earlier this year and in this new single she finds herself playing with similarly indulgent palettes of space. The song has a dreamy sauntering demeanor with an imprecise poise but all of the instrumental sounds that do seep through are wonderful and wrapped around the core of Julia's beautiful vocals.
4. Luciferine - Ichiko Aoba
The charm and whimsy of folk music has officially returned with a new Ichiko Aoba album on the way next year. She's teeing the record off with this fittingly beautiful lead single which deploys gentle strings and ornate backing vocals. It all swells to life around Ichiko's girlish vocals and swaying poetry, to great results. She may not be rewriting the book, but it works for a good reason.
3. Crispy Skin - Squid
As Squid's sophomore album has been subject to quite a bit of online debate about its quality, their debut has morphed into a full-blown critical darling. They have the chance to build on that in a major way with a third record that's off to a great start with this lead single that's sonically brighter but thematically much darker. It's a more playful sound than fans may be anticipating but the way they use it to subtly mask the details works perfectly.
2. Like The End - James Blake
We may be in for a fruitful new era of dramatic songs about the state of the world, and if you've looked at the state of the world recently you know that it's warranted. Unfortunately, one of the best artists around right now may have just set the bar higher than most are capable of. With glistening synths flutters, steady drums, and soaring, arguably even harrowing vocal lines James Blake feels uniquely equipped to meet the moment and he absolutely delivered.
1. Drums Of Death - FKA Twigs
Consider Twigs 3 for 3 on new singles, as if it could ever be any other way. This new single combines the experimentation of "Eusexua" but absolutely refuses to take a gentle path. Instead, it absolutely thumps you over the head with a poundingly intense instrumental feature chopped-up vocal samples, and stiffly cut-off drums. That makes the moments when her vocals soar back into the song hit even harder, excellent track.
