It’s essay writing season and what better way to get into the zone than by immersing yourself in some of the latest releases. Here at In The Middle, we’ve got your back. This week, we bestow unto you a 10 track playlist to help you combat the monstrosity that is reading week. As ever, this selection features an eclectic mix of artists, from Grouper to Drake to Slipknot you’re bound to find something that inspires you.
1.
Drake – 6 God (Prod. By Boi-1da & Syk Sense)
One of 3 songs Drake recently dropped on his Soundcloud a little earlier than planned due to the discovery of a hacking attempt. Much darker than his previous work, ‘6 God’ seems to signal a new direction for Drake’s upcoming material.
https://soundcloud.com/octobersveryown/drake-6-god
2.
Hookworms – Off Screen
Hookworms are set to release their second album, The Hum, on November 11th. In stark contrast to their fast-paced and rapturous signature sound, ‘Off Screen’ is an isolated track that demonstrates the ability of this Leeds noise collective to wind down and string you out – listening to it is like watching a waterfall in slow motion.
3.
Run The Jewels – Blockbuster Night Pt.1
One of the releases that we are most excited for this winter is the latest album from Run The Jewels. Relentless from start to finish, RTJ2 is an absolute must for hip-hop fans and the not-so-casual music listener. As if the album couldn’t get better, Meow The Jewels – a recreation of the album using only cat sounds – has been given the go-ahead.
4.
Grouper – Holding
Ethereal yet instantly arresting, the haunting piano and understated vocals in ‘Holding’ are poignantly beautiful.
5.
Panda Bear – Mr Noah
Intentionally out of focus, glitchy and unnerving, the video for ‘Mr Noah’ recalls the haziness of festivals and a sense of drug-fuelled frenzy. Panda Bear is back.
6.
Les Sins – Talk About
The opening track to Michael, ‘Talk About’ is a flawlessly produced track that effortlessly combines dance and hip-hop. A hugely promising track.
7.
Slipknot – The Negative One
Taken from the album .5: The Gray Chapter, ‘The Negative One’ is a reversion to a sound that more closely resembles an early-era Slipknot, (‘The Negative One’ is reminiscent of ‘666’) deviating from their recent nu metal vein.
https://soundcloud.com/nicolasdelrio/the-negative-one-slipknot
8.
How To Dress Well – Face Again
An anxiety ridden track that unsettles and offsets, ‘Face Again’ is the perfect example of the uneasy and experimental material that can be found on Tom Krell’s stunning release ‘What Is This Heart?’.
9.
Sivu – Better Man Than He
About to be signed to work on an album with Alt-J producer Charlie Andrew, expect a similar level of detail and experimentation with an interesting array of unusual instruments.
10.
Onra – A New Dynasty
Whilst Onra is an established artist in his own right, this track is a bit of a throwback to his initial venture into the world of DJing. Think Asian samples meets hip-hop and prepare to be incredibly impressed.
https://soundcloud.com/onra/a-new-dynasty
Check out the full playlists for even more gorgeous sounds:
Emily Watts
photo: fashionsoundtrack.com