TRACKS

WORDS: JAMIE TAYLOR

40

Are you down to your last tin of beans? Is toilet roll nothing but a distant memory? Fear not dear reader because, just like the Tesco delivery driver, this month’s Tracks page is here to stock up your metaphorical cupboards with all sorts of goodies. Let’s dive into those shopping bags and see what we’ve got... First up are BType with Love Beds; a rather silly serenade to all things mattress related. This little Super Mario 8-bit chip hopper sees the lads rap lyrical about the bright side of being depressed. It’s this month’s most charming track by a mile. Out of the bag next is Megan Dhalai’s Blue Bird. The country feel of this beautiful stick-or-twist love story made me come over a little weepy. Thank God I ordered that extra box of tissues. We all deserve a non-essential item now and then and here’s mine in the shape of NOPRISM’s Pieces. This mouth-watering track reminded me of Jungle with its modern soul vibes, arpeggiated keys and fuzzy bass lines. This is definitely one to savour. Subject to buying restrictions, up next we have Tired of Fighting with Night Dwellers. One of this month’s highlights, I’m all over this emo-tinged crowd pleaser. Singer Nic Woods delivers his poetic lyrics with a grace and aplomb that really got me. Rarer than a bottle of hand sanitizer, it’s Hassle’s new track, Life Is For Living. An actual bona fide number one, this song recently topped the UK reggae charts and is well worth seeking out for that fact alone. Next we have a store cupboard essential in the shape of The Inklings’ Secret. There’s nothing flashy here, just a good old indie punk number that goes great on toast. Now, where’s my tin opener?

Looks like we have an item replacement here. I’m sure I ordered Spanish chorizo but I seem to have gotten some of Simon Taylor’s Geordie tapas instead. Bolero Loco is an odd mix of Latin guitar and Taylor’s broad, lisping vocals. Strangely, a bit like peanut butter and Marmite, it just kind of works. If the whispery vocals on Women of Western Liberty are anything to go by, it sounds like Soever has found the coffee and cigarettes I ordered. This is a nice enough indie track that reminded me a little of Lou Reed. Not my cup of tea (or coffee), but worth a listen if you’re into that kind of thing. Talking of tea, Paul Tyson is absolutely my mug of the brown stuff. His new techno house banger, Give It Up, is brimming with interesting ideas. The vocal hook is a stone cold killer that adds elegance to this dark and menacing number. Thank God these guys are still in stock: it’s Cultivo with Dark Blue. The dusty lead vocals and horns on this neo-soul number had me in bits from the get go. Wonderful stuff. Here’s something I’m sure I didn’t order: Kites and their latest track Soulblind. I checked the back of the packet and it looks like this song contains up to 120% of my recommended daily allowance of 90’s Britpop. That’s a little bit much for me, so I think this one’s going to the back of my cupboard for now. Last out of the bag we have Fossway with Grey Clouds. There’s more than a whiff of Alice In Chains about this one, which I must say I really liked. Definitely one I’d put on my shopping list again. T-B, L-R: Hassle , Paul Tyson, Megan Dhalai