It’s Friday which means Spotify will have playlisted a bunch of tracks that are new and new-ish from bands and artists that I follow. Let’s run through a few of them and see if they’re worth the trouble.
Blossoms, “The Kardashians”
That funky bassline, meow. Instantly I was lulled into believing this was a distillation from David Bowie’s “Fame”. Sadly, it didn’t turn out to be an attack on that one of many American families that just won’t f*ck off. Lyrics-wise, it’s just another pop song, with the title coming from the line ‘So hungover caught you crying at The Kardashians’. Between this and Tame Impala’s tastes in Family Guy, I’m getting a bit tired of artists talking about what’s on the telly. If we get Sam Fender singing about The Traitors…
“The Kardashians” is not bad. Musically, fantastically boppy. Lyrically, shrugworthy. Ho hum.
Placebo, “Helen Keller”
‘ello, Placebo, what are you up to now?
Oh, you’re taking an old instrumental from your first album, polishing it off and bringing it kicking and screaming into the 2020s with some lyrics over the top? OK then.
I want to use the word harmless to describe this, but that feels like one of the last words that should be uttered when talking about a Placebo song. This is one of the more dangerous bands of the late 90s British scene after all. Yet there seems like a reluctance to push this one further. No volume, no abrasiveness, barely able to resemble the album it’s meant to promote. Brian even sounds like he’s nodding off at the microphone.
It’s fine, don’t get me wrong, you can listen to it wherever and whenever. But it just feels like an unnecessary exercise. Something quick and easy designed to say ‘Coo-ee, we’re going on tour soon, hope to see you there!’.
kaeto, “propane”
I completely forgot about kaeto. Not my normal cup of tea but I added her song “DISTANCE” to my playlist after playing it on the radio one time. Not sure this one will be following suit. I like the atmosphere though, it’s well produced.
Tame Impala, “Loser (Fcukers Remix)”
Oh Christ almighty.
I…no, I’m not bothering with this. Ten seconds is all I need to make my mind up here. If I keep listening, I’ll just end up swearing repeatedly.
Shed Seven, “The Centre of My Everything”
Rick and friends believe they have spawned one of the best songs of their career with this one. Certainly sounds like it’s trying to be with those opening strings, harkening back to prime Britpop tracks like “Whatever” and “History”.
And you know what? They just about achieve it. Here we have an anthem that can finally stand side-by-side with “Chasing Rainbows”. Rick’s vocals are a pleasure to listen to, matching the grandiosity with a mature performance. It all just knits together so well.
I’ll be playing it tomorrow at midday.
(Tune in on 107FM if you’re in Sunderland, or on sparksunderland.com)
That’ll do for now. I might revisit this before it refreshes next Friday. Until then…
