ListenUp
A mishmash from Superorganism, new music by Kele Okereke, a disco jam by Amadou + Mariam and more in our musical round-up
Kele Okereke: Yemaya
Just after announcing his first solo acoustic tour, Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke has released a gorgeous new song, “Yemaya.” The gentle, minimal track is a departure from Okereke’s previous solo endeavors which were electronic-leaning. The multi-talented singer/songwriter/musician says, “In the west African Yoruba religion, Yemaya is the mother goddess of the ocean, she is kinda the patron saint of pregnant women and fertility. According to myth, when her waters broke, it caused a great flood creating rivers and streams and the first mortal humans were created from her womb. When I knew we were having a baby she started to be appear in my thoughts and dreams a fair bit.”
Superorganism: It’s All Good
Muffled spoken word, glitchy samples, sweet vocals, and synths make up the second single “It’s All Good” from the slightly mysterious group Superorganism. A few months ago they released “something for your M.I.N.D.” but that has since been removed from the internet (perhaps because of some not-so-legal samples). This new track—which begins with rain sounds—is oddball, wobbly and jumbled in the best way possible. The track may conjure up comparisons to Gorillaz and The Avalanches, but it’s certainly stands out on its own.
DNKL: Draft
An electro-pop punch, “Draft” is the second new single from Sweden’s DNKL. The highly textured tune propels forward, casting out an uptempo atmosphere. There’s an underlying emotional edginess but on the surface this is a dance track that’s quite fun.
Amadou + Mariam: Bofou Safou
Returning with their first track since 2012, Mali-based duo Amadou + Mariam’s “Bofou Safou” is a bouncy, bright, house/disco/Afrobeat hybrid that can fill dance floors. The pair (aka Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia) are no strangers to blending styles and bending genres, and this tune does just that—and infectiously. This synth-laden song is expected to feature on their upcoming LP La Confusion.
RichGains feat. Freddie Gibbs, ZZ Ward + Nico Segal: 7 Digits
From LA/Chicago-based producer RichGains’ debut album, appropriately titled Gains, comes “7 Digits,” a rap track bursting with soul. For the song, Gains partners with Freddie Gibbs and ZZ Ward—and incorporates riotous trumpet work from Nico Segal. From the booming bass to Gibbs and Ward’s on-point flow, “7 Digits” digs deeper than the subject matter implied by the title.
LCD Soundsystem: Call the Police
In a one-two punch, LCD Soundsystem dropped two brand new tracks in the wee hours last night. They’re the first releases since the band announced their reunion more than a year ago and will appear on a forthcoming (nearly complete) LP. Our favorite of the two, “Call the Police,” keeps an electric charge throughout its entire seven-minute runtime. And despite the gravity of the lyrics, frontman James Murphy delivers danceable optimism.
ListenUp is a Cool Hunting series published every Sunday that rounds up the music we tweeted throughout the week, also found in Listen. Hear the year so far via Cool Hunting Spotify.
