Songs on Repeat: August 2024

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

John:

Garbage - When I Grow Up (1998)

This song takes me back to when I was struck down with a then-unknown illness, and I spent more time indoors listening to the radio than I did doing anything else.

Hole - Celebrity Skin (1998)

Taken from the album of the same name, this anthem has to be one of the greatest rock anthems ever made by a female-fronted band.

Republica - Drop Dead Gorgeous (1996)

This song takes me back to Friday nights at the Island in Ilford. While Republica only had a couple of big hits, this is one of their best songs from their self-titled album.

Supergrass - Alright (1995)

This has to be one of my favourite feel-good indie tracks ever made. Ever since I first heard it, I found it to lift the darkest of moods. Sure, the lyrics are simple and cheesy, but the song just works.

Kiss - Crazy Crazy Nights (1987)

Back in the early ’90s, this track was one of my go-to songs to listen to on my Walkman on the way to work. It’s one of those songs I can listen to time and again.

Rainbow - Since You Been Gone (1979)

I remember first hearing this song on a compilation album in the early ’90s. While I wasn’t familiar with Rainbow at that time, it wasn’t long before I started listening to more of their songs. This has to be one of my favourites.

Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me (1987)

I’ve recently been listening to my Def Leppard vinyls, and while they have released so many good tracks, this is one of my favourites from the album Hysteria.

Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go (1996)

Taken from the album of the same name, this song, along with “A Design for Life”, are among my favourite tracks from the Manics.

Scott:

Jack White - No Name (2024)

I took a punt buying this when it was released on a limited edition vinyl variant. I usually like to hear at least a few tracks before committing to purchasing an LP, but I knew this was super limited and would sell out if I waited! I’m glad I took the risk; it’s some of Jack’s best work to date.

Amy:

It’s gotten hard to write standard On Repeats these days as my listening has become all about full albums, in order. Listening to random tracks suddenly feels like cheating. Of course, every now and then a track pops up amidst an album that I feel the sudden need to hear, but overall, I'm really enjoying music exactly as the artist intended.

My album picks this month are:

Four Year Strong - analysis paralysis (2024)
This album is a fantastic pop-punk offering packed with anthemic singalongs, attitude, vulnerability, killer hooks, addictive melodies, soaring choruses, and resonant lyrics. It’s the perfect album to get you hyped during a gym session. My album of the year so far!

The Smith Street Band - Life After Football (2022)
I fell in love with this album from the first listen. Wil Wagner's unique, distinctive voice stands out with is charming Aussie twang, and the blend of punk and indie effectively juxtaposes brashness with introspection. The lyrics are real and relatable, and heartfelt emotion runs throughout. It’s an absolutely perfect record. These guys NEED to come tour the UK!

Tyler:

Pachinko - D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L (2000)
We're kicking off August with a very niche pick. Getting their fame when an old, worn demo was found in a Nottingham record store, Pachinko offers a unique alternative sound that’s worth checking out. ‘D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L’ is a light and atmospheric ballad that sails smoothly into something hip-hop inspired as it goes on. It’s rough in a way that provides sincerity to its story and that has helped this track worm its way quickly into my evening rotation.

Pinegrove - Angelina (2015)

You might have heard this one on a couple of TikToks if you’re privy to doom-scrolling, but Pinegrove is worth more than just a few seconds of your attention. The indie-alt-folk-country-rock-whatever icons have quickly racked up a collection of cult hits, with Angelina sticking out as a favourite example of mine. Another chill ballad for this month, this one takes a punchy, acoustic country sound and gives it a splash of emo rock influence that you can't help but nod along to.

Childish Gambino - Real Love (2024)

Childish Gambino is dead, long live Donald Glover. Bando Stone And The New World has quickly taken over my playlist, and Real Love is my pick for this month. Glover combines indie, rap, and pop influences into a fun and catchy track that captures a fresh sincerity to the Childish Gambino sound. This album, and this song by extension, serves as a great send-off to Glover’s decade-long musical persona/experiment that is worth your attention.

Nujabes - reflection eternal (2005)

Depending on your musical proclivities, Nujabes may be a well-known factor in your world. The revolutionary Japanese producer has an ever-growing cult engrossed by his unique blend of house, classic, and hip-hop influences. This is a mostly instrumental track that stands out as one of the artist’s most beautiful in my eyes. A snappy beat and looping piano melody leave space for incredible experimentation that is best heard, rather than experienced second-hand.

Vegyn - Big Fun Never Ending Nightmare (2022)

Jumping back over to the British Isles, we’ve got another iconic producer (perhaps best known for his work on Frank Ocean’s seminal Blonde album) known as Vegyn. This one hooked me right away with its chorus-drenched guitar sample and cemented itself firmly in my rotation this month with an incredible yet minimalistic beat. This song really dictated the tone a lot of my listening followed this month; give it a listen and see where it takes you.