Tag Archives: Thom Yorke

Playlist: Máni Orrason

Máni Orrason

Self-confessed emo kid Máni Orrason shares his latest ruminatory offering that captures his vulnerabilities through a frivolous lens in which he recounts the fascination of molding a new identity and the idea of erasing yourself to create something better: an untouchable Romeo wrapped in leather or a ghostly fabrication of effervescent cool.

We asked Máni to put together a playlist, which you can listen to below:

Francis and The Lights – You Still Take Me To The Light

A couple days ago I read this NYT interview with him from 2020. It’s a really moving article that gave me a new window into his music. I’ve been listening a lot to him the last few days. I love this song with Kanye, Bon Iver, Chance The Rapper and him.

Nicholas Britell – Agape

I always say that it’s really difficult to be anxious floating in the ocean. That’s kind of how I feel about listening this song. It forces me to breathe. It’s like dawn in spring. I listen to this all the time

Björk – I Remember You

I don’t need to fall in love as long as this song exists. Björk transcended the physical realm with this one. I get goosebumps every time. I feel one step closer to god when Björk belts like that.

Madlib – Slim’s Return

This song is on the “Shades Of Blue: Madlib Invades Blue Note” album. I found it randomly a couple weeks ago. Madlib was given access to the whole Blue Note discography and he made this album. It’s really brilliant. I just want to play chess and drink cognac by a fireplace when I hear it.

Yeat – Sorry Bout That

My 16 year old brother has been trying to get me into Yeat for a while. I kind of just got into him but it’s so good. Stylistically so on point. Insane heat.

Black Country, New Road – Good Will Hunting

An amazing song from an amazing album. This song feels like if Funeral and Arcade Fire made an album in 2022. Also feels like Cap’ n Jazz and those emo bands a bit.

Moondog – Pastoral II

I think most of the music I’ve been listening to has just been to get me through the winter. This song is so soothing. Harp music. Listen to this and tell me you don’t feel a bit better.

Clairo – Bambi

I think first of all this album sounds so incredible. These songs, the arrangements, the production is just so inspiring to me. I really love it.

Samaris – Góða Tungl

Samaris is an amazing Icelandic band. I bought the EP this song is on when it came out almost 10 years ago. I was recently going through my records at my parents house a few days ago and put this on. It’s so interesting listening to something you haven’t heard for 10 years and how differently you respond to it. It such a good song.

A$AP NAST, D33J – Designer Boi

I listen to this song on loop all the time. It’s perfect.

Overmono – Bby

I was in a trance with this song for a few days. I didn’t listen to anything else.

FKA twigs – meta angel

This new FKA twigs album fills the void of PC music Charli XCX. It feels like Pop 2 in some ways. This song is great.

George Jones – I’ve Aged Twenty Years In Five

I recently finished listening to season 2 of Cocaine and Rhinestones. It’s a podcast about country music and the new season focuses on George Jones. I really recommend it wether you like country or not. When you hear George Jones sing “I’ve seen the dark side of life”, he means it. It’s really heartbreaking music.

The Smile – The Smoke

I love that the most subversive thing Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke could do right now is start a rock band. I also love this song cause it fills the void of the Sault album not being on streaming platforms anymore.

Död Mark – Paranoid schizofren

I love Yung Lean. His project as jonatan leandoer96 is really inspiring to me. I really like this album too from his punk band.

Elliot Smith – Ballad Of Big Nothing

I was always scared of Elliot Smith, when I was young I heard how he died and it made me really scared of his music. Like there was a darkness to it I couldn’t handle. But I don’t think there’s an album I’ve listened to more the last year than Either/Or.

The Weeknd feat. Tyler, The Creator – Here We Go… Again

I get really emotional every time I hear the weekend sing “my new girl, she a movie star”. Don’t know why. Love this song.

Sounds like: Jesse, SUM41, The 1975, Neon Indian, Toro y Moi

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Drinker – Even If I Know

Drinker

Drinker is exploring existential themes like self-acknowledgement and emotional detachment in the new dark dance track, ‘Even If I Know’.

After a week-long writing trip and a subsequent change in direction, the duo has brought in their own individuality into the project.

With almost 6 minutes under its belt, ‘Even If I Know’ has the most beautiful build-up, born from the duo’s separate journies. Listen below.

Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Anaphase, Ry X, Zola Blood, Elderbrook, Rival Consoles, Paul Simon

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Cubicolor – Wake Me Up

Cubicolor

Cubicolour is a duo composed of Amsterdam-based producers Ariaan Olieroock and Peter Kriek, and British singer-songwriter Tim Digby-Bell.

The second single ‘Wake Me Up’ – taken from their second attempt of a sophomore album, ‘Hardly A Day, Hardly A Night’, via Anjunadeep – explores the transient sense of identity in an uncertain, yet alluring manner.

Despite a period of losses – friends, loves, health, an album and each other – Cubicolor battled through and the result is an album that is undeniably true to themselves as a band.

Pre-order the album here.

Sounds like: Floating Points, Bonobo, Four Tet, Moderat, Joe Goddard, Rüfus Dü Sol, Kölsch, Joris Voorn, Thom Yorke

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Apidae – Still Life

Apidae

UK-based producer and multi-instrumentalist, Apidae (aka Greg Hummell) releases his introspective single, ‘Still Life’.

Featuring lead vocals from Mazlyn (who also co-wrote the track), ‘Still Life’ is about feeling trapped and hopeless. The continuous musical switch between electronic and acoustic instrumentation represent this ongoing search for contentment.

Expect his ‘Everything Is Alright’ EP to be released in February 2020.

Live

Monday 9th December 2019 – Supporting Pick a Piper
Friday 7th February 2020 – Headline / EP launch at the Waiting Room

Sounds like: Daughter, Thom Yorke, Rhye

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Weekly Gems 72

Hunkpapa – Cappuccino

Hunkpapa

Northern Irish four-piece Hunkpapa have been kicking up a storm in their native country, as well as across Europe.

Their new single ‘Cappuccino’ is as addictive and energetic as a caffeine high and encapsulates the band’s personal journey from paths of conventional careers to where they find themselves now.

Expect them to play a town near you in the Autumn.

Sounds like: Biffy Clyro, Snow Patrol

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Julietta – Stripes + Squares (Penguin Prison Remix)

Julietta

Meet indie pop alchemist, Julietta.

Her latest single, ‘Stripes + Squares’ has received the remix treatment from producer veteran Penguin Prison (Chris Glover).

Further highlighting Julietta’s independent and spontaneous spirit, the percussive rework from the fellow NYC native injects body-shaking bass and warm tones from marimbas to turn the original rock-influenced bop into a truly anthemic tune.​​​​​​​

Sounds like: Sofi Tukker, Ralph, Mating Ritual, Morgan Saint, NVDES

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Sacred Animals – Maya Liminal

Sacred Animals

Reintroducing the music world to producer Darragh Nolan (aka Sacred Animals).

As the visuals for his new single, ‘Maya Liminal’ build into an electronic-fused, dream-like state, he draws the listener into an intense world, where one is asked to consider what it means to be a spirit living a human existence.

Expect the forthcoming LP, ‘Odin’s Wain’, out later in the year.

Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Son Lux, Ry X & Chromatics

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Felix Sandman – Middle Of Nowhere

Felix Sandman

Swedish 20 year old singer/songwriter/actor Felix Sandman shares his catchy new single ‘Middle Of Nowhere’.

The track is a delicious slice of pop that describes being stuck in the limbo of love.

It’s out now via TEN Music Group.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan, Charlie Puth, Khalid, Lauv, ALEXINA, Tove Lo

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Weekly Gems 62

FUSHIA – Dreams & Stardust

FUSHIA

Meet intriguing twin sister duo FUSHIA. Both feminists and musical artists in their own right, their music pulls otherworldly inspiration from various continents.

Their highly vulnerable new single ‘Dreams & Stardust,’ is full of empowering messages daring you to believe in yourself and turn your words into actions.

Sounds like: Bat For Lashes, Kae Astra, Kate Bush, Björk

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Augustine – A Scent of Lily

Augustine

Stockholm-based Augustine follows up his debut single with ‘A Scent of Lily’ – a cinematic and melancholic interpretation of Ariana Grande‘s ‘Into You’, and the powerlessness of losing yourself in a relationship.

Once again, Augustine takes us on a journey through a future-retro, bombastic-pop soundscape.

Sounds like: PNAU, Foster the People, James Blake, Maggie Rogers, Phoebe Bridgers, Tame Impala, Phoenix

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Drinker – Wave

Drinker

Drinker returns with their latest offering called ‘Wave’.

The partnership of bicoastal NY/LA duo of songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer Ariel Loh, Drinker provides a sonic realm of enlightened experimental-pop and ambient productions.

Listen to the addictive ‘Wave’ below, taken from their upcoming debut LP, ‘Fragments’, released on May 3rd via B3SCI Records.

Sounds like: Yoke Lore, Thom Yorke, James Blake, Trentemoller, The Acid, Fever Ray, Sevdaliza, Tame Impala

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Abby Wolf – Change Your Mind

Abby Wolfe

Sometimes the best pop songs are the most simplistic, allowing them to be catchy and emotive.

One of these contenders is ‘Change Your Mind’ by New Zealand-based Abby Wolf. An effervescent track which depicts the internal struggle faced when you’re unsure of the right path. Something we all can relate to.

Sounds like: Bri Clarke

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Sam Feldt & Yves V – “One Day” (feat. ROZES)

ROZES

Exciting EDM and pop vocalist ROZES features on Sam Feldt & Yves V‘s new tune, ‘One Day’.

Sam Feldt fell in love with the vocals of ROZES when he heard it on the track she made with The Chainsmokers. So he decided to work with her on a new track, together with Yves V.

Their studio session resulted in a track with the perfect balance between Yves V’s pop dance sound, the uplifting summer tunes of Sam Feldt and the airy vocals of ROZES.

Sounds like: The Chainsmokers

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2SH – Good Time.

2SH

Norweigan duo 2SH is on a quest to blend their analogue upbringing with forward thinking, digital music-making.

Slotting into the nu-funk realms, their music can win the hearts of dance floor enthusiasts, for fans of Calvin Harris. and the like.

Listen to ‘Good Time.’ below.

Sounds like: Jungle, Chic

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MIG50 & FRANK E MADDOX – Fearless (Gimme The Light)

MIG50 vs FRANK E MADDOX - “Fearless (Gimme The Light)

Finally, to finish the gems off, is the frenetic ‘Fearless (Gimme The Light)’ from a new collaborative project between MIG50 & FRANK E MADDOX.

Both Chicago natives, the track loops in Chicago house basslines with as if it was Sofi Tukker on speed, combined with the fiesty originality of Georgia.

It’s a perfect way of the duo expressing their own artistic style outside of their work with other artists including SIA, NVDES and Empires.

Sounds like: Georgia, Kanye West, NVDES, Sofi Tukker

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Weekly Gems 54

Malory – Blue Umbrella

Malory

Rising pop artist Malory shares the beautiful ‘Blue Umbrella’, which we have had on repeat all week.

Seeking inspiration from life actions, ‘Blue Umbrella’’ started life on a tube journey after Malory had observed a family and noticed the father had a sadness in his eyes and seemed strangely discontented.

The Londoner was later in the studio making an experimental instrumental with producer Danny George when they noticed there was a blue umbrella left in the studio, which Malory found represented the image of an unhappy corporate figure in the rain on his way home from work.

Expect her debut album ‘Cornucopia’ out on 1 March.

Sounds like: Zella Day, Aurora

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Noé – Pity Party

Noé

Raised between Hong Kong and Aix en Provence in France, Paris-born singer/songwriter Noé doesn’t want to fit inside a musical box any longer.

Not quite defining her sound, her low-tempo music gathers inspiration from a blend of Pop, R&B and alt-indie sounds, tied together through painfully honest lyrics.

Her new single, ‘Pity Party’ highlights Noé’s tendencies to overthink and sometimes feel sorry for herself.

Sounds like: VÉRITÉ

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Crow – Go

Crow

Exciting new Argentinian/American artist Crow shares the sultry single ‘Go’.

The song channels the idea of courage – following brutality at the hands of bullies during Crow’s school years – with hypnotic and melodic soundscapes and introspective reflection.

Sounds like: Gwen Stefani, CHLØË BLACK

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Gold Spectacles – Courtside

Gold Spectacles - Courtside

Forming in London, Gold Spectacles is the collaborative output of two British songwriter/producers who create “baroque-pop”.

Their new single ‘Courtside’ focuses on dependence in a long distance relationship, and uses flute, spanish guitar with analog synths to create a post-modern landscape.

Sounds like: Lykke Li, Bombay Bicycle Club, San Fermin, Fyfe, Astronauts, Carousel, Dan Croll, Nick Leng, Bibio, ROSTAM

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Drinker – Something I Want

Drinker - Something I Want

Brooklyn-based duo Drinker shares ‘Something I Want’ – a track slightly darker than your average musical tipple.

Inspired by a mututal love of James Blake, songwriter Aaron Mendelsohn and producer Ariel Loh “wanted to create a visually diverse and bold message with the video for “Something I Want” and enlisted the help of NY based LGBTQ focused film maker Tyler Byrnes. With the implementation of stop motion animation and found footage, we aimed for a stark and surreal aesthetic to paint America’s multi-generational story of consumerism.“

Sounds like: Thom Yorke, James Blake, Trentemoller, The Acid, Fever Ray, Sevdaliza, Tame Impala

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2CRE8 – Naughty Boy

2CRE8

Dutch DJ/producer duo 2CRE8 has today released their debut single ‘Naughty Boy’.

Having spent their time growing up together at high school, it was until a gig in December 2014 that everything fell into place and they decided to form a duo.

Check out ‘Naughty Boy’ with its bold dance-led lyrics and a catchy flute drop, which definitely hints at their playful side.

Sounds like: Harlee, Just Kiddin, Blonde, The Magician, Calvin Harris, Rihanna

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Ariela Jacobs – Missing You

Ariela Jacobs

Externalising her thoughts, Ariela Jacobs considers the concept of missing her old self in new song ‘Missing You’.

New York born and Melbourne bred, indie-pop singer-songwriter Ariela Jacobs was raised on a diet of literature and art. Her songwriting sends the listener on a journey both intimate and other-worldly; with melodies with clear folk-based lines, underscored by lush chords and pulsing rhythms.

Sounds like: Evvy, Linney, Goldroom, Le Youth

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Playlist: Brika

Brika

Brika is the alternative pop project of Cuban-American, Briana Martinez, who has been a musician since the tender age of three.

Whilst her music maybe lyrically mature, it has a profound pop swagger, which envelopes you immediately upon first listen until you reach the end and don’t quite remember how you got there, much like a taxi ride (which incidentally ties in nicely with her current release, ‘Taxi Man’).

Brika has kindly put together a playlist for Indietronica. Check it out below.

Steve Lacy – Some

Music is a very visual art form that constantly draws pictures from moments of your past. I generally believe that one of the many elements that determine if a song is good, is its ability to make you instantly daydream. The first time I heard this song, it was very early in the morning as I was driving, and it instantly provoked exactly that. Since I’ve been hooked.

Beach House – Space Song

I love this song because there is something very bittersweet about it. It reminds me of the general music I would listen to a lot in high school.

A$AP Rocky, Frank Ocean – Purity

One of my recent late-night “what is life” songs for me. I think the structure of this song is very unique and refreshing. Frank Ocean’s voice makes me instantly nostalgic.

Thom Yorke – The Eraser

This… I mean, Thom Yorke is everything. Although this song isn’t in one of my more recent plays, it is definitely a song I always go back to. The production is timeless and Yorke is anexcellent lyricist I have spent several nights just analyzing his ability to make one song perfectly summarize so many emotions.

Demo – Sunshine Girl

The song you blast in your apartment with a bottle of wine as you’re cooking a delicious meal. I am a sucker for excessive harmonies that feel effortless, old-school elements, and wavy sounding tracks.

TOPS – Easier Said

Tops is a very underrated artist.

ROSALÍA – Catalina

Rosalía embodies what the future of music is. She mixes Spanish Flamenco with modern Pop and Hip-Hop beat elements. The music she releases is extremely innovative and her lyrics are also very tasteful. Even in her attempt to do a more commercial sounding track with J Balvin in Brillo, her unique palate of influences thrive.

Feist – A Man Is Not His Song

A Man Is Not His Song is special to me. I love how she uses ‘song’ as a kind of metaphor for saying, just because an artist sings or a person portrays a certain image, doesn’t necessarily mean that is their reality. Her message can be interpreted further to say, that no one can live up to first impressions forever, in the same way, that writers of beautiful songs often create things beyond them. I think this song analyzes and embodies perfectly, what is found often in the music industry, when an artist plays the role of something they are not. Every track in album Pleasure by Feist, had a lot of interesting insights in the lyrics, and inspired me in the creation of my new EP.

Rhye – Song For You

This is a great song to drive to. I saw them live, and was extremely shocked to find the singer was actually a male and sounded exactly as the record!

Lykke Li – I Never Learn

Although this album has been around for a very long time, these are one of the songs I’ve only more recently discovered.

Moses Sumney – Plastic

I think Moses Sumney is incredible and very underrated. Everything that this artist puts out is real music. I love the soft Jazz guitar, the distant reverbed harmonies, and subtle use of strings at the end. He never disappoints in creating beautiful arrangements that are topped by tasteful lyrics.

Sounds like: Frank Ocean, Beyonce, Macy Gray

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Playlist: Austel

Austel

London artist Austel creates highly emotive music, so we thought it would be worth asking her to put together a playlist for us of the same! The result is below, and includes her brand new single ‘Crows’.

Crows – Austel

Our debut single, which we’re very excited to be able to share with the world.

Love Me In Whatever Way – James Blake

I had this album on repeat for months after it came out. I love the recurring vocal riff and building tension in the first half of this track. The drop is immense – that saw bass synth riff… so good.

‘Tell me when I have to go / And then love me there’

The End – Daughter

This track embodies everything I love about Daughter – Elena’s cutting lyrics, their trademark washes of guitar and ever-evolving sections and poignant vocal chants.

‘Let’s spend the future talking about the past’

Dry and Dusty – Fever Ray

I’m a big fan of the self-titled Fever Ray record and Karin Dreijer’s androgynous vocal style. On ‘Dry and Dusty’, she combines her tribal voice with developing synth motifs and simple percussion, conjuring a surreal, dream-like mood.

‘I am a capsule of energy’

Sugar Pill – The Japanese House

This track opens with delicate, melancholic piano chords but soon evolves – introducing Amber Bain’s washes of vocoder-treated vocals, glitchy beats and expansive synths.

‘You can use my ribcage as a pillow’

Hazmat Suits – Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

I went through a stage of being a bit obsessed by the Stranger Things soundtrack – it’s so hypnotic. The bass synth glide on ‘Hazmat Suits’ is huge and hits me in the stomach every time.

Form By Firelight – Jon Hopkins

Jon Hopkins’ Immunity is a huge sonic influence on us; it has so much life amongst all the electronic sounds. It’s just brilliant.

This Mess We’re In – PJ Harvey

One of my favourite songs of all time, on one of my favourite albums of all time. The addition of Thom Yorke’s ghostly vocals are a dream collaboration.

‘I have seen the sunrise over the river, the freeway / Reminding of this mess we’re in’

Outlier – Bonobo

Bonobo’s music has a great driving, energetic feel to it. Adam and I were both obsessed with Migration when it came out. The track ‘Outlier’ builds really strongly adding layer after layer. Tracks like this really influenced the Austel production process.

Sleaze – Klangstof

One of my more recent discoveries – I love the expansive space Klangstof create with those pulsing synths and soaring hooks.

‘The tide needs a night to set up and collide’

Europe Is Lost – Kate Tempest

Kate Tempest is one of the most powerful performers of our time – the rising tension and cutting message of this track is profoundly resonant, and a haunting reflection of the days we’re living in.

‘We have learned nothing from history / The people are dead in their lifetimes’

Silhouettes (I, II & III) – Floating Points

Adam’s a big Floating Points fan. ‘Silhouettes (I, II & III)’ has this amazing string part in the middle section which is a wonderful merger of electronic and acoustic instrumentation.

The Eraser – Thom Yorke

This whole record is incredible, another one of my favourites. The opening title track is Thom Yorke at his best – trademark moody piano chords, glitchy rhythms and those beautiful, haunting vocals.

‘You know the answer so why do you ask?’

Teardrop – Massive Attack

‘Teardrop’ was my entry ticket into trip hop. Elizabeth Fraser is one of the greatest singers of all time and this track perfectly exhibits how much power you can create with moments of fragility and dynamic range.

‘Water is my eye / Most faithful mirror’

Sounds like: Kllo, IDER

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MISSIO – Twisted

MISSIO

MISSIO

Meet MISSIO.

Formed by Matthew Brue & David Butler, the duo are feeling a little ‘Twisted’ today, as they release their next single.

Operatic vocals, with dark electronic undertones, Brue from MISSIO opens up to us about the truth behind the track;

“The song is a precursor to the story of my life involving addiction to drugs and alcohol. ‘Twisted’ represents the personal realization that I view myself differently than the rest of the world views me. It describes the unintentional and intentional comments my family made growing up about the type of person they thought I should be. This ultimately leads to the pre-chorus where I confront these comments with the truth of my own reality. I’m uncontrollable, emotional, chaotically proportional, I’m visceral, reloadable, I’m crazy.”

Co-produced with Dwight A. Baker, ‘Twisted’ is out tomorrow via Taste And Tone, a really cool label who release one new track a month.

Sounds like: Aquilo, Jack Garratt, Thom Yorke, Boxed In, Nordic Giants

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