- Words Notion Staff
In Notion Now: Week 30, we've got new tunes from Remi Wolf, IDLES with slowthai, Lorde, Larkins, Samm Henshaw, Lucy Tun, Jetta, KAMILLE and more.
"Liquor Store" by Remi Wolf
A slam dunk sound from American singer Remi Wolf, this single comes in ahead of her debut album. The song was made amidst the artist's recovery from addiction; on the song, she told her Twitter followers “feels like I am shedding a skin”. Wolf has collaborated with the likes of Hot Chip, Dominic Fike and Beck - the twangy, cheerleader-fierce anthem shows she is well on the way up.
"Model Village" by IDLES, ft. Slowthai
Opening with a Tarzan-like cry to rip the way for heavy guitars and angry voices, this revamped version of the punk-rock hit has recruited slowthai to put his spin on it. As shoutingly satirical as before, the new track is worth a listen.
"Stone at the Nail Salon" by Lorde
Lorde continues in her takeover of 2021, with her second release of the year. With acoustics to bask in and the pop star's masterfully delivered vocals, the singer explained: “This song is sort of a rumination on getting older, settling into domesticity, and questioning if you’ve made the right decisions.”
"if + when" by Larkins
Manchester four-piece Larkins' latest pierces straight to the heart with a candid reflection on failing as a friend. Staying true to their noughties rock feel, it's their most heartrending track yet - a slap of emotion. "if + when" will take pride of place on their upcoming album JCOY.
"Grow" by Samm Henshaw
A bit funky, a bit groovy, slightly gospel and soul, the message behind this track from the South London singer-songwriter is most wholesome of the wholesome: “'Grow' is just a song about understanding that the hard parts of a relationship (any relationship) are necessary for growth and strength and that we shouldn’t give up at the first sign of trouble”. Samm Henshaw has previously been picked to support James Bay and Chance the Rapper on their tours.
"Monarchy" by Lucy Tun
Where bubble-gum pop meets trap, "Monarchy" marks the Burmese-British artist's return to her own name after releasing music under LCYTN. Her sonic scape pops with glitchy sounds and anime bursts, underset by a murkier hip hop beat.
"He Usually Likes Boys" by Jetta
Rippling synths and grumbling instrumentals build suspensefully in this poignant single from Liverpudlian self-made artist Jetta. She's had one hell of a career so far, topped off with an RIAA Gold Disc.
"Sad Party" by KAMILLE, ft. Haile & Ivorian Doll
Featuring drill artist Ivorian Doll and WSTRN's Haile, this is a weekend club anthem with emotional depths. KAMILLE explains: "'Sad Party' is all about trying to get over the one you miss the most, and how difficult it can be to move on. Everyone around you seems so happy, and you feel like the only one heartbroken."
"Me and My Friends" by Avelino, ft. Wretch 32
Off-rhythm and a touch psychedelic, North London natives Avelino and Wretch 32 reunite on "Me and My Friends". The pair have long both been key players in each other's careers, with Wretch 32 championing Avelino early on and the duo collaborating on mixtape 'Young Fire, Old Flame' in 2015.
"Spirit_X" by Alewya
Pushing drum and bass into the future at full-force, Alewya's punching vocals are at the fore in this track tribute to rave culture. The artist has just announced she will be joining Little Simz on her December UK tour.
"forever&more" by ROLE MODEL
From what kicks off as a swaggering new single - ROLE MODEL's first of 2021 - we plummet into surprisingly emotional depths. Tucker Pillsbury, a.k.a ROLE MODEL, wins on both fronts, bringing music that is both danceable and vulnerable.
"System" by Dave, ft. WizKid
Dave is rolling out a string of bombshell releases, with his hot off the press Stormzy collab. This week, he's with WizKid, who gives his tune cracking apart the institutionalised system a reggae-inflected feel.
"New Normal" by Khalid
"New normal" is a phrase we've had a gazillion times in the past year, off the tongues of politicians or media outlets when talking about our adjustment to the pandemic. For Khalid, "New Normal" means a little more than that - his clear ocean smooth single is accompanied by visuals showing a tech-utopian future. We're sold on the single, but maybe not the drone deliveries.
"Steam" by Leon Bridges
Tenderly soulful, blending R&B and funk, "Steam" took the world by storm on The Tonight Show this week, with the singer keeping rustling up tunes to fall headfirst for.
"These Things Will Come To Be" by DJ Seinfeld
Despite its slightly ominous title, the latest track from DJ Seinfeld turns tranquillity into transcendence. Armand Jakobsson has three aliases to his name and started out making music in Edinburgh before moving back home to Malmo. He is now based in Barcelona.
"Back Of My Hand" by KAWALA
From their debut mixtape 'Paradise Heights' which today ushers in post-lockdown joy, "Back Of My Hand" is the slowest of the bundle of six tracks. It laments the ever-encroaching gentrification of Kentish Town, their former home.
"BABY" by Delilah Montagu
Delilah Montagu's gutsy, fiery retro sound is one of a singer on the rise. After her collab with David Guetta and Black Coffee, the 22-year-old has been moving from strength to strength. "BABY" is the title track of her latest album.
"Ur Best Friend" by Kiana Ledé and Kehlani
LA-based Kiana Ledé and former Poplyfe member Kehlani play relay on this track on this sultry single in which the singer muses on cheating with her boyfriend's best friend.
"Remember" by Joel Culpepper
Soulful South London singer Joel Culpepper turns to sparkling electro-pop in "Remember", staying true to his 70s-inspired sound. The single is tucked into a wham of a debut album 'Sgt Culpepper'.
