On Repeat: the place where we round up the most exciting new music releases. Five tracks, all recently released, featuring artists we can’t get enough of right now – so, almost certainly, you’ll find at least one song in this bunch to add to your playlists.
ROO PANES – “COMMENTATOR”
Tranquility and patience are traits often forgotten in popular music, but rather earmarked for meditation playlists or yoga classes. Yet, the truth is, that when those elements are captured well, the results can be more intense than even the loudest forms of expression. Take Roo Panes’ new track, ‘Commentator’: a peaceful, gossamer ballad that manifests a sense of hushed grandeur through utilising very little volume or instrumentation. It’s a majesty of grace and compositional expertise, two vital components which are never in short supply, or mistreated, in the hands of Roo Panes. ‘Commentator’ is the first taste of new music that will feature on the deluxe edition of a forthcoming repackage of 2018’s stunning long-player, ‘Quiet Man.’ Roo Panes has also confirmed more tour dates across March into May, for the UK, the US and Europe.
HARMONY BYRNE – “LOVING YOU IS LONELY”
Australian artist Harmony Byrne makes a resounding impression with new single, ‘Loving You is Lonely.’ A slow-winding sprawl of alt-folk, roots and modern indie. Think Fleetwood Mac with a more updated, contemporary feel which references artists like Fenne Lily and Soccer Mommy. The conversation Byrne leads via the song’s lyrics is pretty simple but still packs a punch, her vocals play an important role in this. The storytelling is poetic and precise, preferring potency over passivity, ensuring that the message never gets buried or overlooked. And yes, there is also a rather blushing (and very brilliant) sax solo. Just wait. Byrne is set to release her debut album, Heavy Doors later this year so there’s still plenty to look forward to.
KING CHARLES – “FREAK”
London-based singer, songwriter and musician King Charles rekindles his enigmatic side with a new project, proposing six new tracks over the course of the next six months. His first offering, ‘Freak’ tantalises a new spirit and direction, stripping back the layers of flamboyant decadence in place of a slow-burning, darker sound. Looking introspectively the lyrics speak of non-conformity and tap into a daring fearlessness, in a way than isn’t typically expressed, taking an edgier stance than King Charles has ever embodied. The meaning, however, is much lighter than one might gleam from surface value, “[‘Freak’] is about craving the feeling of feeling ALIVE,” says the artist. A tour is confirmed for the Spring, it will kick off on the 12th of May in Leeds.
WOOZE – “I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING”
Part of a three-track EP entitled ‘what’s on your mind?,’ WOOZE’s new single is another stellar guitar bop. Retaining the vibrancy of past releases as well as utilising the striking power of Theo Spark and Jamie She’s duel vocals, and lyrically poised by the band’s subtle observations of a global society, ‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’ is a trippy, animated nugget of modern art-pop. As the band reveals, the song is specifically inspired by the notion of “the grass being greener on the other side from the perspective of someone standing on a circle. We’re both really fascinated by different societal expectations and cultural standards of success and how something that’s actually so intimate and subjective, ie. one’s own success and self worth, is dictated by the masses.” The band is set to play Live at Leeds and The Great Escape later in the year.
LAZY DAY – “MUMMA”
Ahead of UK and European tour dates later this month which follow into April and May, London’s Lazy Day drop another new cut from their forthcoming EP, Letters. ‘Mumma’ is dedicated to and written about singer Tilly Scantlebury’s relationship with her mum. A beautifully hazy counterpart to last month’s stratospheric ‘Double j’ which catapulted the band’s sound to sensational territory. The new track is no less thrilling, balancing intimately personal lyrics with a boldness of melodic instrumentation and bursts of jagged dissonance. It’s the perfect introduction to an EP which promises to be one of the highlights of 2019 so far.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest additions to our On Repeat playlist by following the Complete Collection on Spotify:
Photo Credit [Lazy Day]: Eleanor Crewes
