Another week, another playlist. We source the latest music to warm you from the inside out.
1.
Ghostpoet – Off Peak Dreams
With synths bleeding in and over a gorgeous combination of trip-hop, stripped down keys and slick spoken word, ‘Off Peak Dreams’ marks a new chapter in Ghostpoet’s career. It’s clear that his decision to record with a live band set-up has opened up a myriad of new textures and combinations – the Shedding Skin LP (due 2 March) cannot come soon enough.
2.
Young Fathers – Rain or Shine
Just four months after claiming the Mercury Prize, Edinburgh’s Young Fathers have announced their latest album White Men Are Black Men Too. Teaser track ‘Rain or Shine’ is addictive, with tentative chord progressions that conjure Metronomy’s The English Riviera, climaxing in a frenzy of shuddering guitarwork and vocal interplay. Fuelled by the success of their 2014 album Dead, Young Fathers seem unstoppable.
https://soundcloud.com/youngfathers/rain-or-shine-2?in=inthemiddleleeds/sets/w-2nd-february-2015
3.
Oceaan – Candour (Photay Remix)
As if Oceaan’s original track wasn’t dreamy enough, Photay has melted ‘Candour’ down to its very essence and refashioned it into a web of intricate harmonies and pulsating rhythms. But this re-imaging of Manchester DJ’s masterpiece is by no means predictable – the protracted silences speak as loudly as the vibrant melodies in this remix.
4.
Harriet Brown & Astronauts, etc. – Fiction
A collaboration between LA-based ‘romantic funk’ artist Harriet Brown and Anthony Ferraro (Astronauts, etc.), produced by Chaz Bundick (Toro y Moi), ‘Fiction’ is every bit as silky smooth and heartfelt as you’d expect. The harmonies are absolutely sublime, the kind of record you could have on repeat for days.
5.
ELHAE – Drive Me Crazy
Premiered on Noisey on Tuesday (3 February), up-and-coming Atlanta R&B/experimental artist ELHAE has just dropped Aura, his new EP. He writes, creates and produces all his own work – and it shows. For fans of Wale and Drake.
https://soundcloud.com/elhaemusic/drive-me-crazy?in=inthemiddleleeds/sets/w-2nd-february-2015
As ever, our soundcloud playlist is replete with more musical offerings:
Emily Watts
photo: redbull.com