Songs On Repeat: April 2024

Here's a round up of the songs old and new we've been enjoying at Click Roll Boom HQ this month.

John

The Killers - Read My Mind (2006)

This song takes me back to when I was travelling through Sydney with friends, for the first time. We stopped off at a bar and this was playing.

The Offspring - Gotta Get Away (1994)

This song takes me back to when I went to the Island in Ilford on a Friday night.  I loved the song so much that I went out and purchased the album Smash, which celebrated its 30th anniversary on the 8th April.

Velvet Revolver - Slither (2004)

Another song that takes me back to the days when I was able to mosh, without hearing bones crack.  But it is also a song that doesn’t age for me.

Terrorvision - Alice What’s the Matter? (1994)

This is one of the first songs I heard from Terrorvision, it’s taken from the brilliant “How to make friends and influence people” album, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

Blur - Parklife (1994)

This song takes me back to the days when Britpop was at an all time high, especially with its 2 main rivals, Blur & Oasis.  While I was originally more of an Oasis fan, a friend of mine had tickets for both Blur & Oasis gigs, that were in the same week.  My friend decided he couldn’t do both, and sold me the Blur ticket.  That Blur concert was the first concert that I ever went to, and got me into live music.

Catatonia - Mulder & Scully (1998)

This song takes me back to when I saw Catatonia live at Madstock 98.  What an amazing day, and I will never forget when Finley Quaye had water bottles thrown at him on stage, for insulting British people.

Kempsey

Hozier - Too Sweet (2024)
This song is way too catchy for its own good. It’s all over my For-You-Page on all social media platforms as well as the next “random” track after my albums finish up on Spotify. Every Youtube Ad. My work Friends sing it all the time. And I’ve been singing it in my sleep. I just can't get away from it.

The Last Dinner Party - Burn Alive (2024)
There’s something very nostalgic about this band I can't put my finger on. Very catchy melodies combined with almost a fiery drama almost theatrical in nature. I love the feminine rage. It’s a song to be empowered by, I love it so much.

Fletcher  - Eras of Us (2024)
Came across Fletcher during a conversation I had exchanging LGBTQ+ music artists, This one really stood out it’s very emotive melodies snappy rhythms and pulsating beats and is still on the climb to be the most popular track.

Zolita  - Somebody I F***** Once (2021)
Another artist that I found from the same conversation as above. This one I particularly liked for the explicit lyrics that hold bite, it’s very catchy and fun despite its slight bitterness. It’s airy and isn't too serious.

The Story So far - Empty Space (2013)
Another recommendation from a good friend, This bright pop-punk band is poetic and addictive and relatable. I love their solidified sound scaling from rambunctious to gentle and intimate. This Song dives in from the second you hit play. Weaving guitars are 10/10.

Dead On A Sunday - Dammit (After Dark) (2022)
After months of trying to search for this I finally found it and I’m addicted to it. I was also shocked to realise that it’s a total overhaul cover of Dammit by Blink 182. It sounds so different from the original. I'm In love with the gothic parallel universe this song has created.

Amy

So far 2024 has definitely been the year of consuming albums in full, in the right order. As much as playlists are great when you’re not quite sure what you’re in the mood for, there's something magical about listening to an album in the exact way the artist intended. My 2 album picks for this month couldn't be more different but both are incredible new records, my albums of the year so far and I highly recommend checking both out!

Marc Valentine - Basement Sparks (2024)

Last Great Dancers frontman and fellow Norfolkite Marc Valentine shared his sophomore solo album last month and it's an absolute cracker! A great tapestry of genres ranging from 80’s glam to danceable rock n roll to rugged alt rock with Oasis undertones to waves of 60s psychedelia every song is a rare gem, its catchy and infectious, emotive and relevant. There’s not a bad song on the album so kick back, turn up the volume and enjoy! Also, check out his debut album “Future Obscure” and Last Great Dancers, then come back and thank me!

Bob Vylan - Humble and the Sun (2024)

Also fellow East Anglian’s Ipswich’s Bob Vylan unleashed their 3rd album this week and it’s a fire driven rampage of anarchic rage! Anti governmental blasts, powerful homages to working class struggles, fury infused rants at the Crown. The record merges pure punk ferocity with ska, the filth of grime, EDM beats, hip hop and rap rock. It’s a full power protest album, a record filled with ideas of taking back the power, giving a voice to the voiceless. Not for the faint of heart, if you get it….you’ll love it! The Manics once asked “can anyone make a difference anymore, can anyone write a protest song” and Bob Vylan really fucking can!

Scott

Zuzu - How It Feels (2020)

Zuzu - All Good (2018)

Heart - Barracuda (1977)

Biffy Clyro - Bubbles (2010)

Big Country - I Walk the Hill (1986)

Wet Wet Wet - Wishing I Was Lucky (1987)

Tyler

Gorillaz - Rhinestone Eyes (2010)

We start April off with a classic from one of my favourite albums, ‘Plastic Beach’. With a slowly building synthetic beat and Damien Albarn’s monotone delivery of dystopian lyrics. This Gorillaz track definitely leans more into EDM and pop as an influence than other tracks from the virtual band’s discography, but that unique sound makes it an unforgettable track that has remained a mainstay in my playlists for years. 

Talking Heads - Slippery People (1983)

I doubt Slippery People is the most frequently replayed song from Talking Head’s iconic 1983 album ‘Speaking In Tongues’, but to me it represents the best of the spontaneity and groove that album provides. With its plodding beat and call-and-response structure in the chorus, this song quickly establishes a solid baseline for Dacid Byrne and his talented band to expand on. My favourite has got to be the bass, that manages to keep a locked-in rhythm fresh throughout the entire song. If you’re a David Byrne fan who’s listened to the big hits a few too many times, start working this one into your rotation.

Marvin Gaye - Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (1971)

Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues found its way into my monthly playlist whilst testing some new headphones. With it’s quiet bongo intro that’s followed by a light and airy bassline alongside Marvin Gaye’s impressive falsetto, it’s a song that really benefits from overspending on a listening device you’ll predominantly use for videogames and Zoom calls. Tangent aside, this is an R&B classic that creates a subtly textured groove you can’t help but nod along to. I’d recommend it for the beautiful piano piece that appears towards the end alone.

Dusty Springfield - I Only Want To Be With You (1964)

Moving back over to our side of the pond, my next pick is Dusty Springfield’s excellent take on ‘I want to be with you’. With a booming, feel-good energy and a full band, this is a classic that takes me back to a time I have absolutely zero way of remembering, so in all honesty it’s more just taking me back to a weird mix of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and “Casablanca”. Nonetheless, it’s a simple and fun song that’s wormed its way into my brain this month - hopefully it will yours too.

Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar - Like That (2024)

For our last song, we have Kendrick Lamar’s out-of-nowhere diss towards Cole and Drake. After years of what many way more “with it” than me called a ‘rap cold war’, Kendrick comes out swinging on this hard-hitting Future & Metro Beat that is undeservedly overshadowed by his verse. Though his verse does hit, going personal in a way not seen since the 90s whilst still retaining K-dot’s quick wit and wordplay. Don’t bother with Cole’s reply, it was pretty meh. Hopefully Drake can do better.