ListenUp
RAC teams up with Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, previously unreleased Beach House, new Wovoka Gentle and more
Soundgarden: Black Hole Sun
After playing a show in Detroit this week, Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell sadly passed away at just 52 years old. Cornell—who was also the lead vocalist and songwriter for Audioslave—founded Soundgarden in 1984 with Kim Thayil and Hiro Yamamoto. In 1999, when Soundgarden announced its break-up, Cornell went on to release solo music, though they reunited in 2010. Last night was their final show together. The band’s 1994 album (their fourth) Superunknown spawned the single, “Black Hole Sun”—a song Cornell apparently wrote in 15 minutes and wasn’t confident the rest of the band would like. It’s become their best-known and has been covered by countless artists across various genres, reflecting Cornell’s immense talent and legacy.
RAC feat. Rivers Cuomo: I Still Wanna Know
From RAC’s fifth LP EGO, “I Still Wanna Know” is a delightful slice of bubbly, indie-electric, summertime dance. RAC (aka André Allen Anjos) has joined forces with Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo for the track, and his immediately recognizable tenor lends itself perfectly to the adventure- and curiosity-themed lyrics. The song was co-written by Anjos, Cuomo and Classixx, and with the release of the groove, Anjos says, “I was the kid at summer camp that would sit in a corner with a walkman trying to figure out how to play Weezer guitar riffs. Never in a million years did I think that I would end up writing a song with Rivers himself.” RAC is embarking on a US tour this September.
Wovoka Gentle: They Mostly Come at Night Mostly
With a beautiful, experimental edge and an eerie, colorful video to match, “They Mostly Come at Night Mostly” by London trio Wovoka Gentle pairs disembodied hands with meticulous harmonies. It’s both a visual and sonic treat, as band members William J. Stokes and twins Imogen and Ellie Mason become a paint canvas while performing. There’s an element of the avant-garde to the track and imagery (though easily digestible) thanks to its unified prettiness.
Beach House: Chariot
From the upcoming album B-Sides And Rarities, dream-pop duo Beach House’s “Chariot” is one of the previously unreleased songs from the “Depression Cherry/Thank Your Lucky Stars” sessions. The Baltimore-based band, which is currently on tour, crafted a lush, slightly dark song that slinks along serenely, and offers listeners something quite transportive.
A$AP Rocky feat. Frank Ocean, Lil Uzi Vert + Quavo: RAF
Thanks to Frank Ocean’s Apple Music Beats 1 show, blonded Radio, we’ve all been granted access to a slew of one off tracks over the last few months that feature the beloved vocalist. The latest, a fashion-themed lyrical whirlwind known as “RAF” and led by A$AP Rocky, finds Ocean rapping—a less common occurrence that demonstrates a beautiful variation of his vocal mastery. In the song, Rocky and guests Ocean, Lil Uzi Vert, and Quavo (of Migos) all name-check some of fashion’s best but, as the title suggests, Raf Simons gets the most attention.
Shanti Celeste: Melbourne Deepcast Mix
MoMA PS1’s annual Warm Up series has always guaranteed a steamy summer Saturday dance affair in Long Island City, and they’ve pulled all the stops for their 20th anniversary on international names you need to know. Set the mood with longtime NTS fixture and renowned party-starter Shanti Celeste’s hour-long mix for Melbourne Deepcast—she’ll be performing at the kick-off, on 1 July—and check out the full line-up online. We’re particularly stoked for Daphni (aka Caribou), Smerz, Laurel Halo, Yves Tumor and Actress.
ListenUp is a Cool Hunting series published every Sunday that rounds up the music we tweeted throughout the week, also found in Listen.
