TRACK OF THE WEEK
Young Fathers ft Leith Congregational Choir
Only God Knows
According to Irvine Welsh, Young Fathers’ contributions to the T2 Trainspotting soundtrack provide the “heartbeat” for the film, and going by Only God Knows’ big, thumping chants, it’s not hard to see why. This is punk-gospel music like you’ve never heard it before.
SZA
Drew Barrymore
Inspired by the now-retro teen movies of its namesake, SZA’s new song is a millennial hipster’s wet dream. A nasal but perfectly pitched alternative R&B singer, SZA is always trying to do something fresh, and with Drew Barrymore she’s outed herself as a strong representative for needy, nostalgic nerds everywhere.
Sampha
(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano
Serenading an inanimate object would usually be quite funny (like those people who marry rocks) but this song is actually a metaphor for Sampha’s love for his late mother, so don’t giggle, you bastard. It’s a stripped-back arrangement, with the only acquiescence to current trends being a synthy violin and layered harmonies. So emotional that you’ll want to play it loudly on repeat when you’ve split up with your boyfriend and are sobbing those throaty-gaspy tears you don’t want your housemates to hear.
Dounia
East Coast Hiding
A social media star from NYC, 19-year-old Dounia represents the women of colour the media still struggle to showcase – those of us with thick thighs, brown skin and big opinions. East Coast Hiding is her first single, a Lana Del Rey–esque slow beat that allows her sensual vocals and clipped intonation to roam freely. It might not be original to sing about how much you love your home town, but this beat is definitely catchy.
Kehlani
Do U Dirty
When Kehlani was on America’s Got Talent she told Piers Morgan that, despite his advice, she wasn’t going to progress in the competition without her band. Poplyfe then made it to the final, so screw you Piers. Anyway, Kehlani is now a solo singer, and while I’m not a fan of Do U Dirty – the melody is a bit too whiney – her voice, and the song-speech on either side of the chorus, still shines.
