Listen Up
Genre-bending new tunes by some of our favorites this week
Collard: Hell Song
From his debut album Unholy, “Hell Song” is a genre-bending jam by London-based Collard. With elements of rock, blues, funk and R&B, the track is hazy, sultry and full of Collard’s fiery falsetto. Produced by Zach Nahome, the song will appeal to Prince and D’Angelo fans—but Collard isn’t imitating either of them. Unholy is out 10 May and promises to be electrifying.
Jae Stephens: Got It Like That
Singer/songwriter/producer Jae Stephens’ “Got It Like That” is a catchy track about self-empowerment (and shrugging off unworthy, would-be suitors) from her forthcoming EP. The song is a dark, electronic-meets-R&B jam—accented with samples of bells, crowds chattering and ticking clocks—and Stephens’ honeyed vocals fit perfectly across its highs and lows.
Melodiesinfonie: Tropicololo
Incorporating various live instruments (flute, congas and more), Swiss producer Melodiesinfonie’s (aka Kevin Gabriel Wettstein) label debut, “Tropicololo,” is light and charismatic. There are obvious disco and world music influences, but he pulls from many other genres—from hip-hop to soul and electronic. Wettstein crafts infectious rhythms and impressive sets, which he’s toured and supplied to Soulection shows.
Kindness feat. Seinabo Sey: Lost Without
A trifecta of CH favorites, Kindness, Seinabo Sey and Kelela have teamed up for a warm house- and disco-influenced tune called “Lost Without.” Co-written by Kindess and Kelela, the song features Swedish singer/songwriter Sey on vocals and string arrangements by Rob Moose—overall creating a sound underpinned by an unfaltering, groovy bass line.
Freddie Joachim feat. Natalie Olivieri: Backyards
From his upcoming LP Beyond The Sea of Trees, Freddie Joachim’s new tune “Backyards” is a lush, jazzy tune. With plenty of horns, an unwavering beat and minimal vocals by Natalie Olivieri, the song is richly layered with a sharp but languid quality that’s only possible with skillful production. Beyond The Sea of Trees is out on Jakarta Records, 24 May.
Baby Rose: Sold Out
Baby Rose’s rich vocals rise with emotion from the complex but supportive arrangements in “Sold Out.” Vocals aside, the track is hazy—raw, emotional and soulful, bound by R&B and soul influences. There are moments of sunny bliss, even when the lyrics detail bitter heartbreak and moving on.
Banana Cream: Purple Array
LA-based Banana Cream’s (aka Will Gonzalez) “Purple Array” floats along like a daydream. With hypnotic riffs and spacey synths, the dreampop tune’s orbit is easy to slip into, but the crescendoing synths and echoing vocals of the song’s second half prove most serene. About “breaking patterns and learning to embrace change,” Gonzalez says, “Purple Array” is a lovely soundscape.
Listen Up is published every Sunday and rounds up the new music we found throughout the week. Hear the year so far on our Spotify channel.
