Songs On Repeat: February 2023
Here's a round up of the songs old and new we've been enjoying at Click Roll Boom HQ this month.
Lil Yachty - pRETTy (2023)
We're starting things off with the most recent release on the list, Lil Yachty's 2023 track "pRETTy" from his newest album "Let's Start Here". Lil Yachty's well-publicised and shocking divergence into the psychedelic rock genre after a successful rap career has really landed for me. The 2016 XXL freshman may have more complex and interesting tracks on the album, such as the opener "the BLACK seminole" (seriously- that drop near the end!?); yet "pRETTy" has an irresistible groove, catchy vocals and an impressive feature performance from Foushee that has me revisiting this one more than any other track. The shorter runtime compared to others on the release definitely helps too. Check it out.
Ana Frango Eléctrico - Se no Cinema (2019)
Now, I don't want to seem too down with the kids and their hips ways after that first entry, so here's a catchy little Brazilian jazz funk record. Released in 2019, Ana Frango Eléctrico's Se no Cinema features an infectious earworm of a vocal performance throughout that pairs perfectly with brass that echoes through the studio. You'll be "pom-per-o"-ing your way down the street to this track for days on end. Give it a listen today.
Joji - Glimpse of Us (2022)
Prepare for whiplash, because this song will bring a tear to anyone's eye. There's a good chance you've heard Joji's 2022 track 'Glimpse of Us' - even if it's just the ten second tiktok snippets that gave Joji this breakout hit. Once an internet comedy superstar under a different moniker (including a comedy rap album), Joji's dramatic shift into the indie pop world has finally become more than an underground success. "Glimpse of Us" is a beautifully stripped back piano ballad that removes the synth and raw punch of prior Joji tracks in lieu of hauntingly gorgeous lyrics. George/Joji/Frank's vocal performance is truly something special here - especially compared to his earliest work. The lyrics are delivered throughout with sincerity that sells what could be an overtly soppy track. Anyway, I've ranted far too long, listen to this one now!
Ski Mask The Slump God - Did You Really (2017)
"Slaps From My Drop-Top Mini-Van" is a three track 2017 EP from the famous East Coast rapper Ski Mask. Overshadowed in retrospect by his breakout EP "You Will Regret" also released in 2017, Did You Really is an overlooked track that's never left my playlist. The chaotic energy of the Ed, Ed & Eddy sample blends perfectly with Ski Mask's unique flow. It's an acquired taste, but worth a listen.
Trashcan Sinatras - Obscurity Knocks (1990)
If there's any theme for this month's list, it's earworms you're going to hate me for leaving on your proverbial doorstep. With it's jangly, Smiths-esque guitars, this 1990 release from Scottish indie rock band Trashcan Sinatras ticked all my boxes in the first few seconds. Add on top a catchy chorus and an energetic beat and you've got an ideal serotonin supplement in song form. I recommend listening to this one on a Monday afternoon, or quietly in the corner of a funeral.
Amy:
Declan Welsh and the Decadent West - Absurd (2019)
I found this band today and fell in love within one song, booking tickets to go and see them some 155 miles almost instantly. 'Absurd' is a glittering, post punk anthem with sparkling chords, 80's inspired electronica and pensive moments. There's attitude by the lorry load and hard hitting lyrics about the struggles of life, learning from mistakes and being able to look yourself in the eye and know you've tried.
BSC - Like I Roll (2011)
Getting in the mood for Black Stone Cherry at Wembley, 'Like I Roll' is definitely their finest moment and even better live.
China Drum - Can't Stop These Things (1996)
One of the most criminally underrated bands of the nineties. 'Can't Stop These Things' has killer riffs, infectious vocals and an exhilarating vibe!
Declan Welsh and the Decadent West - People Let You Down (2019)
I told you I’m obsessed with this band! The lyrics to this one really struck me. The older I get the more disheartened I find myself with people and how wrapped up in themselves they are. Questioning is anyone truly is who they claim to be. With these words “People, people go away. There ain't no, no way to make 'em stay. Whether death, love or money, they ain't sticking around honey” cutting particularly deep.
Half Man Half Biscuit - 24 Hour Garage People
I love Half Man Half Biscuit’s satirical band of music. ‘24 Hour Garage People’ is the humorous tale of a late night trip to the petrol station and the disdain you receive from the worker when they realise you don’t want fuel but instead something that involves them getting off their “fat arse” to get it.
Back to the Planet - Teenage Turtles (1993)
Their blend of anarchy-punk combines with dub, ska and electronic to create a sound truly unique to them. The lyrics are a jibe at the way people mindlessly follow without the ability to think for themselves always looking to lay blame on something. Captured perfectly in these words; "Don't you ever wonder, don't you ever thing. Don't you even care is your brain on the blink" or " I, I, I blame the turtles an influence bad, all the little children, brain dead it's sad"
The Darkness - I Believe in a Thing Called Love (2003)
Black Stone Cherry - White Trash Millionaire (2011)
AC/DC - Thunderstruck (1990)
Black Stone Cherry - Me And Mary Jane (2014)
Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee) (Gabry Ponte Ice Pop Radio) (1999)
The Darkness and BSC due to knowing I was shooting them, the others, just kinda random but ended up with repeat listens.
Tegan & Sara - Walking With a Ghost (2004 )
Originally, this track had been on my halloween playlist but with dome shifting around it become one of my favourites and I love to play and sing along with this track, so it has gradually become my most repeated song.
Daughter - Be on Your way (2023)
This is a newly released track, Daughter has been my favourite band since discovering them on Life Is Strange and this is such a very melancholic and heart breaking song that I can’t seem to pull away from it. I can’t wait for more releases.
Kings of Leon - Supersoaker (2013)
I’ve been really sinking my teeth into KoL recently and Supersoaker is the most friendliest and easiest to listen to. It easily puts me in a good mood, it gives off “main character in a movie” vibes. I love the jangly guitar opening and I can’t help but scream the lyrics with a few friends in a car ride.
Sleep Token - Aqua Regia (2023)
Sleep Token was introduced to me a few years back at university by my favourite tutor. The release of their recent EP has lead me to obsess over them again. Aqua Regia is living in my head rent free and sometimes I wake up singing the choruses to myself. I don’t know how to explain Sleep Token to people as they infuse a lot of genres so flawlessly so I advise people to experience them for themselves.
Dinosaur Pile Up - Back Foot (2019)
This track has such a bad-ass groove and the chorus just hits hard. Probably the best thing I have been shown through friends recommendation and it’s quite addictive and with a name like Dinosaur Pile Up, you really can’t go wrong with it.
Ceiling Granny - Mogwai (2021)
As I move closer to seeing this band live soon, I am listening to them more. Ceiling Granny is much more of an easy listen, it has a pop-punk feel to it. It takes a certain patience and understanding to get into this band in particular. so this one is always my go to when I’m in the mood for something easy.
Tom:
Groundhog's Day - Primus (1990)
Primus are a band I've been into for a few years now but recently I've been thoroughly delving into them. This whole top 5 could really just be Primus tracks but I decided to give you a mix of bands of course!
This track off their debut album hooked me from first listen but in a very unique way. When I was first listening to it I was really tired from a long car journey and during the steady sounding verses I was actually falling asleep, it's just so oddly relaxing even though it's quite out there. The chorus isn't the loudest thing ever, however it is heavier than the verse and thoroughly stopped me from falling asleep. Eventually it then hit the second half of the song and BANG! It hits you right in the face, those berzerk guitar riffs on top of some of the greatest slap bass ever, it makes you feel like you've had a heart attack it's so powerful!
It's for this reason I chose this song out of all the Primus songs I've had on repeat, because the dynamic shift in the track on top of how uniquely odd it is it had to be my choice. Some extra shout-outs to Tommy The Cat, The Heckler and Golden Boy - all fantastic tracks I often have on repeat from this band.
Heart And Soul - Joy Division (1980)
Mostly known for their debut album Unknown Pleasures (which is a 10/10 album of course) Joy Division are one of the most renowned and brilliant bands of that Post-Punk era. They created beautiful, atmospheric and experimental sounding songs with incredible poetry from the late great Ian Curtis.
This song is from their second (and unfortunately final) album, Closer. I love this song so much, there isn't a lot to say about it though as it is quite repetitive and simple, mostly about building an atmosphere. I love the drum sound Martin Hannett created, and Stephen Morris is definitely a 'human drum machine' playing dead accurately throughout this entire almost 6 minute track. Peter Hook, legend that he is, provides some fat and hypnotic bass; it isn't his usual style of playing but it works incredibly well for this track. All the while Bernard Sumner plays some of the most beautiful guitar parts you will ever hear, and bless Ian for this track as it seems the lyrics are about the conflict between what you want to do compared to what's right in life. Overall a powerful and gorgeous track in every way!
Chant - Public Image Limited (1978)
Public Image Limited (PiL), like Joy Division, are also one of the bigger names of the late 70s Post-Punk Britain era. However, unlike Joy Division who seem to be loved by most, PiL are far more divisive due to their avant-garde and almost Krautrock tendencies. This track comes from one of my favourite records of all time Metal Box, give that whole thing a listen as it is unlike anything else you will ever hear.
I went with the Live on John Peel version of this track as I believe the intensity and production to be captured miles better than the dry album version. Jah Wobble provides the most repetitively strong bass ever, it puts you in a trance whilst you listen to Keith Levene's sporadic and shrill guitar playing. John Lydon's lyrics tell of London riots in Thatcher's Britain whilst Atkins provides a powerful beat. You will never hear a song like this, I just think it's incredibly unique and Levene's playing and guitar tone were just blinding here; he achieved them through playing aluminium neck guitars and a flanger Pedal! It's just absolutely crazy noisy Post-Punk and music doesn't get much better than this track for me personally!
Rest In Peace Keith Levene - 1957-2022
Passing Complexion - Big Black (1986)
Steve Albini. Do I need to say anymore? He's a music icon providing production for many talented and huge artists (most notably Nirvana, The Jesus Lizard and Pixies) but outside of his engineer and producer work he has also been in numerous bands, all of which I love to death. Like Primus, I have been listening to all of Albini's bands lately as I have been planning on ranking each album worst to best, so I could have genuinely picked any track.
I decided to go with this one though because this was the track that got me hooked on the band, give it a listen and you'll hear why. There is absolutely nothing like this at all, when you first listen I imagine you'll think "Are those Buzz Saws and Drills?" Nope! What you're hearing is the noisy yet melodic guitar work of Santiago Durango and Steve Albini, it completely does represent smashed glass though so I understand why you'd be confused. Big Black are one of the few bands I listen to that use a drum machine too, which gives them a very industrial sound even though they rarely get cited as helping the progression of industrial music which I do not understand (listen to Kitty Empire, that is full on industrial in my eyes). This track (like most Big Black tracks) brings up a serious issue, this one being confusion of racism so it can be quite a difficult listen but a clever song and one I always return to.
(This ones not on Spotify so here's the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/HCeipaA8KCg)
Heart Of The Sunrise - Yes (1971)
Closing this top 5 most listened I thought I'd give you a more beautiful one, as most of these have been fairly intense (sorry)!
So Yes are just perfection, their run of albums in the 1970s all are 10/10 in my opinion; making them, for me, probably the band with the most 10s in my collection. This track is the closing track to their most iconic record Fragile (made iconic due to the song Roundabout) and I think it is one of their best. It features some of the fastest most incredible parts whilst progressing to also some beautiful melodies. Jon Anderson's voice has brought me to tears with this track, as has Steve Howe's blistering guitar riffs, I just get so excited and hype listening to Heart Of The Sunrise I sometimes can't help it. Definitely give this whole Fragile record a listen as you will get to hear the band work together for 4 brilliant tracks and then all the other tracks are solo songs from each musician so it's a great introductory record to Yes. Move on, onto the heart of the sunrise…
