ListenUp
From Sky Ferreira to Jungle and Neneh Cherry, a diverse array of new music this week
Jungle: Cherry
London-based duo Jungle (Tom McFarland and Josh Lloyd-Watson) says their second studio record For Ever is intended to sound like a “post-apocalyptic radio station playing break-up songs.” From the album comes “Cherry,” which is combines neo-soul, a funky bass line, falsetto vocals and the glorious mantra “You’re never gonna change me / I was already changing.” The result is infectious, and the music video only complements this. Jungle is touring extensively for the rest of the year through March 2019, performing in cities across the US and Europe.
Neneh Cherry: Kong
Singer/songwriter/rapper/DJ Neneh Cherry has teamed up with Four Tet and Massive Attacks 3D for her first new track in three years, “Kong.” A protest song that’s concurrently an atmospheric, dub-inflected soundscape, the track is a response to the refugee crisis in Europe. The soft sound is contrasted with Cherry’s biting lyrics, “Goddamn guns and guts and bitter love still put a hole in me,” she sings. The accompanying Jenn Nkiru-directed video is tense, but beautifuljust like the song itself.
Carl Broemel: Starting From Scratch
Somehow Carl Broemel (of My Morning Jacket) makes the concept of “Starting From Scratch” quite warm and welcoming in the debut track off his forthcoming third solo album, Wished Out. Inspired by a moment where Broemel felt like he was inside the sky while driving in the mountains above Malibu, the song moves forward with sweet, soulful vocalization cresting over a weave of guitar and bass.
Robyn: Missing U
After eight (long) years, Robyn has finally released her first new solo songand it’s perfectly Robyn. “Missing U” sees the Swedish singer reunited with her frequent collaborator/co-writer Klas hlund as well as Metronomy’s Joseph Mountwhose touches are quite evident. The infectious, glittery song confirms (yet again) that Robyn is an important pop starand one who consistently proves just how glorious pop music can be.
Animal Collective + Coral Morphologic: Tangerine Reef
Ahead of their upcoming full-length audio visual album Tangerine Reef, Animal Collective (Avey Tare, Deakin and Geologist) and Coral Morphologic have released this mesmerizing video, “A Short Trip Through Tangerine Reef.” Created for the the 2018 International Year of the Reef, this “visual tone poem” feels alien, otherworldly and experimental, yet entirely serene. Officially released 17 August, the album will also be available on green vinyl.
Sky Ferreira: Voices Carry
After several live performances of the track earlier this year, Sky Ferreira has now released a recording of “Voices Carry,” the 1985 single by ‘Til Tuesday. The demo version, posted to Soundcloud, comes with a message from the artistthat there’s more to come, including her next album. It’s a beautiful renditionand one she spearheaded herself.
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.
