In a week where some of the biggest names in British pop released new tracks, it’s another bumper Friday Fresh! From the country's biggest pop acts through to the freshest artists around, this week was another huge one for exciting new music.
Charli XCX - Baby
Turning up the heat all the way, the new single from Charli XCX has only one thing on its mind. A glorious disco-pop classic in the making, it marks the moment where she ascends to the top pop throne, complete with a TikTok-ready video to boot.
Dave - Starlight
BRIT Awards wins, multiple sold-out shows at The O2 Arena, critical acclaim. Dave has it all. But Starlight shows that he is not resting on his laurels and is still running at top speed. Built subtly on a Frank Sinatra sample, the track is simply huge and keeps the south London rapper ahead of everyone else in the game.
Wet Leg - Angelica
One final single before next month’s album release, Everyone’s Favourite New Band return with Angelica. A slice of trippy indie pop that takes its name from Rhian’s oldest friend, it mixes up social angst with absurd observations and comes with another iconic video shot on the Isle Of Wight.
Lynks - Hey Joe (Relax)
With Lynks you should know what you’re going to get and Hey Joe (Relax) delivers that effortlessly and then some. Irresistible beat, a proper earworm of a chorus that gets right down to business straight away, oodles of sarcasm in the lyrics and a wickedly fun video.
Self Esteem - You Forever (Pop Off Edit)
A brand new version of the track, popping off is the perfect description for what happens when Self Esteem drop this stone-cold banger of a track on their current sold-out tour. One of our very best artists and the peak of her powers, this edit is simply glorious.
Nilüfer Yanya - the dealer
The latest in a string of stunning singles to come from new record PAINLESS, the dealer is a gloriously upbeat and playfully zippy track where Nilüfer explores the ‘transient nature of life and cyclical nature of the seasons.’ PAINLESS is seeming more and more like it will be brimming with pleasures.
Ezra Collective - May The Funk Be With You
Exactly how you would imagine a song with this title from London jazz legends Ezra Collective to sound, this is infectious hip-tickling, foot-tapping modern jazz at its absolute finest. Exquisite throughout, there is more to discover on every listen.
Priya Ragu - Illuminous
Already living up to the hype and fresh from her placing in the BBC Sounds shortlist for 2022, Illuminous is a wonderful track. Weaving together R&B and electro with her own distinctive vocals, this is modern pop of the very highest order. 2022 is about to go off for Priya Ragu.
Puppy - Shame
A brooding and somber blast of introspection from the London trio here, one the band describes as their favourite track from their upcoming Pure Evil album. Showing a different side to the group, there is a slow-burning intensity to Shame that demands full attention.
Coach Party - Weird Me Out
The second track from an Isle of Wight band this week, another sign that the island scene is chucking out some gems. Weird Me Out is another deliciously fast-paced scuzzy indie grunge track that brings early Wolf Alice to mind, a comparison that the four-piece are showing all the signs of being able to easily hold up.
LIFE - Big Moon Lake
Released alongside the announcement of their new third album North East Coastal Town, Big Moon Lake is a classic LIFE-themed track with themes of missing out, drinking, smoking and eating badly and wanting more from life itself, but finding out that everything you need is on your doorstep. With the album promising to be a celebration of their Hull hometown, it seems it’s shaping up nicely.
Prima Queen - Invisible Hand
Fresh from their tour with fellow Friday Freshers, Wet Leg, Invisible Hand is a fab track and perfect entry point for anyone unfamiliar with Prima Queen. Produced by The Big Moon, this country-tinged slow burner is simply gorgeous.
Eades - Backseat Politic
Taken from their debut album Delusion Spree, Backseat Politic is a surging ready-made mosh-pit inducing indie classic from the Leeds band. Effortlessly cool, the track acts as another clue that the Leeds scene is one of the most exciting around right now.
Broadside Hacks - Barbry Allen
Offering a fresh take on a traditional folk ballad, Barbry Allen is the first piece of new music from the collective since last year’s highly acclaimed Songs Without Authors Volume 1 and comes ahead of the world premiere of their documentary The Broadside Hack, a film that promises to explore ‘radical interpretations, proto-feminist narratives and queer histories through the lens of British traditional folk song.’
Krush Puppies - Love Kills The Demons
Freshly signed to Holm Front, the record label run by Sports Team, Krush Puppies have announced their debut EP and this title track is a perfect entry point to the band. Based on how love conquered real-life night terrors, this merges DIY grunge with ‘60s psych-folk harmonies.
Heavy Salad - Joggers From Mossley To Malibu Beach
This is ridiculously catchy, blending Pavement-esque slacker riffs with ‘60s West Coast melodies. Produced by the legendary Stephen Street and based on the experiences of guitarist Rob Glennie spotting the joggers over lockdown, it is one of the catchiest singles you’ll hear all week.
Belle and Sebastian - Unnecessary Drama
Hard to believe that it’s been seven years since their last full-length album, but Belle and Sebastian have returned! A song about ‘a young person experimenting in being a human after a forced hiatus,’ it feels very much like an anthem for these post-lockdown times. The classic Belle and Sebastian sound is no less joyous for the absence.
Lewis McLaughlin - Go With The Flow
A super mellow track that seeks to find the shards of optimism that fall from the little things in life that keep the dark days at bay, taken from Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis McLaughlin’s forthcoming debut album.
Minimal Schlager - Before
Anyone who fell in love with the Drive soundtrack from a few years back will find plenty to love in this latest from Minimal Schlager. Icy synths and deliberately stately of pace, this Gothic pop from the London-based duo is sensational.
Robyn feat. Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance
Buffalo Stance, reworked and refreshed. Neneh Cherry, fresh from winning the NME Icon Award 2022. Robyn, one of the greatest pop geniuses of this, or any other generation. With added Dev Hynes on production duty and Mapei on the iconic rap. They just couldn’t go wrong here. Masterful.
