Also new releases from Darkside and Molly Burch
Friday is here, which means it’s release day for a bunch of artists at home and around the world. With so many hot releases out there to tuck into, we’ve compiled some of the best to present to you for the weekend.
Leon Bridges returns to the fold with Gold-Diggers Sound, Nicolás Jaar and Dave Harrington combine for their second Darkside record, Molly Burch turns from guitar to synths on Romantic Images and Emma-Jean Thackray sounds uplifting as ever on Yellow.
This week’s top picks:
- Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound
- Darkside – Spiral
- Molly Burch – Romantic Images
- Emma-Jean Thackray – Yellow
Read all the latest music news here.
Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound
Focusing on a more modern take on R&B, Gold-Diggers Sound is Leon Bridges at his most accessible. This is not a bad word in this instance, it’s just a different exploration of sounds which differers drastically from 2020’s Texas Sun with Khurangbin.
The record oscillates between modern and past with ease. Hell, this record even explores modern trap beats on ‘Magnolias’ which Bridges floats over effortlessly. ‘Born Again’ features Robert Glasper, which is a more modern jazz track with a crunchy drum sound over gorgeous keys from Glasper.
‘Motorbike’ is an elegant R&B track, which shows Leon’s intimate side which you can listen to below.
Darkside – Spiral
Eight years after their first record, Nicolás Jaar and Dave Harrington return with this stunning prog rock/experimental/krautrock-esc LP. Both parties are seasoned musicians in their own right and this record serves as a continuation of the unique sound they carved out on Psychic.
A touch trippy and a touch funky, the eight and a half minute long ‘Inside Is Out There’ is likely the strongest piece on the record. From its explorative bass line to the interesting sound pallete, this track could soundtrack your walk through the woods or a casual hang out with friends.
Other standouts include singles ‘The Limit’ and ‘Liberty Bell’ which both have catchy but mellowed out hooks and could be low key dance tracks.
Molly Burch – Romantic Images
Austin based singer-songwriter Molly Burch pushes her sound forward on third record, Romantic Images. Moving past the guitar centric releases of her past, Burch sings over more common pop instrumentation with disco and new wave influences.
Listing Blondie as an influence for this record, Burch displays her vocal chops on ‘Took a Minute’, a funky pop track with stacks of catchy melodies. The lead single ‘Emotion’ is a quintessential pop disco track, with plenty of space letting the instrumentation speak with Burch’s vocals as an instrument not a lead.
‘Romantic Images’ is another standout, which displays her vocal range and is reminiscent of Lana Del Rey’s first couple records, albeit a little more upbeat and modern.
Check out the grooving ‘Heart of Gold’ below.
Emma-Jean Thackray – Yellow
Yellow is the new modern Jazz record with spacey synths from British based Emma-Jean Thackray. The semi-lofi production grounds the record and adds a comforting feeling, with the mix fairly narrow and mid heavy for modern standards. This also compliments the raw feeling on the record, in which Thackray seems to be singing directly to you.
The stuttering hi hats and beats stand out across the whole record which emanate most on ‘Sun’, which feels like a perfect accompaniment to the euphoric dance floor. ‘Say Something’ is on the same tip, with it’s live energy and positive energy and has a lush music video you can check out below.
