52 GFN Radio
Top of The Drop By Daniel J. Springer Each month, Daniel Springer of the Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN) picks his favorite newly released tunes that you may not have heard yet, along with some upcoming albums and EPs that you might want to keep on your radar. — Ed.
CULTURE & ARTS
Lady Wray – “Joy & Pain”
This is the most recent single prior to the publishing of Lady Wray’s longawaited (some would say far overdue) LP Piece of Me, which dropped on January 28 via Big Crown Records of Brooklyn. A veteran vocalist who experienced great success with her debut album in 1998, Lady Wray took a bit of a hiatus following that initial madness so early in her career. Since the release of 2016’s Queen Alone LP, her debut on Big Crown, there have been a slew of high quality singles from the Virginia native, but nothing larger. Well, the wait is over with this one.
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
February 2022
Jazzanova (feat. Sean Haefeli) – “Creative Musicians”
Last year DJ Amir released Strata Records’ The Sounds of Detroit, Volume 1 to great acclaim, and the only way this could possibly be followed up properly is by signing up the veteran Berlin-based outfit Jazzanova to splash it with new and vibrant colors. The dance music veterans have announced their own reimagining of that mix, with The Sounds of Detroit Reimagined by Jazzanova slated for release on April 22, this being the new single to accompany the record, released in mid-January.
Parekh and Singh – “Je Suis La Pomme Rouge”
Some of the dream pop coming out of India’s scene the last few years has been amongst the best in the world, and the Calcutta-based duo of Parekh and Singh have been at the forefront of that movement. Released in mid-January with their signature ethereal blend of lush instrumentation and soft-to-the-touch vocal harmonies, this standalone (meaning “I am a red apple” in French) is the first tune released from an album to come out later this year, although further details are nonexistent beyond just that.
2022�02��.indd 52
Oliver Tree – “Cowboys Don’t Cry”
With his 2020 debut album Ugly Is Beautiful, and the smashing success of “Hurt,” the Southern Californiabased star has announced a new album with this single called Cowboy Tears, to be released on February 18. Will he be able to live up to the success of his world-breaking debut? Time will tell, surely. However, if the quality of this lead single is anything to judge the future by, it’s looking very bright.
Chai – “Whole”
One of the most absolutely fun and at the same time powerful groups in the world right now is this Nagoya-based female group. Last year, they released their third studio album Wink, their first on the US-based Sub Pop imprint. The buzzy success of that LP and the recognition it garnered internationally has the band announcing a new remix EP Wink Together, which is produced by budding indie star Scoobert Doobert out of San Diego.
Serpentwithfeet – Bless the Telephone
Experimental musician Josiah Wise has been creating some incredible heart-rending songs, most notably with last year’s Deacon LP, which many had at the very top of the list for album of the year. This tune is a cover of a Labi Siffre original released in the run-up to the holiday season in 2021, a reminder to everyone to keep in touch with loved ones no matter what time of year.
Khruangbin (feat. Leon Bridges) – “B-side” (Texas Moon version)
Back in 2020, the psyche trio that say they’re from Houston but are actually from somewhere much further
2022-01-24 �� 1:25:41
