Weyes Blood. Original Photo Credit: Kathryn Vetter Miller

BEAUTIFUL THINGS PLAYLIST 

WEEK 5th - 9th SEPTEMBER 

WEYES BLOOD - 'EVERYDAY'

Staying true to the title, Weyes Blood has created a song I could listen to everyday. Sounding like something that would have been at the top of the charts in the 1970's, its bouncy, sing-song elements play a more twisted game with the lyrics, which describe the tortures of modern-life dating. Not to mention the music video, which is even more sinister. And that outro is simply epic, building as if it could go on forever, before melting away into a spooky synth breakdown. 

You can find the album Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

HANS PUCKET - 'NO DRAMA' 

Despite the title, the song has absolutely no shortage of spectacles with string and horn sections, a multitude of dynamics, operatic backing vocals and ripping guitar shreds. Singing about the dense, overwhelming nature of unhappiness in the online sphere must not be easy whilst still keeping a tune feeling playful and peppy, but Hans Pucket do so with ease (and a lot of flair).

You can pre-order No Drama by Hans Pucket via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

PRINCESS CHELSEA - 'FOREVER IS A CHARM'

Today, Princess Chelsea has dropped a brand new single from her upcoming album Everything Is Going To Be Alright. 'Forever Is A Charm' is a mystical incantation; a bewitching concoction of graceful synth work making delicate shapes with PC's floating melodies and, of course, her signature glockenspiel countermelodies. We've seen Chelsea exploring many avenues before, but this is a song that feels so Princess Chelsea, and one that is sure to be a PC classic for years to come. The song drips with opulence, and is paired with a music video that waves the same air of grandeur.

You can pre-order her album Everything Is Going To Be Alright via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE - 'CASIO (YAK NDA NDA)

Ibibio Sound Machine take vibrant afro-funk to new heights on their new album Electricity (produced by Hot Chip). The track 'Casio (Yak Nda Nda)' is a ferocious, electronic bass crusher, lighting West African melodies under a sizzling neon light. It compresses the lines between traditional and modern, whilst keeping the funk aspect well and truly out of the shadows. 

You can find the album Electricity by Ibibio Sound Machine on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

VANISHING TWIN - 'CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE' 

London psychadelic-pop quintet Vanishing Twin float somewhere between the sound spheres of Stereolab and Cortex, but they are not afraid to invent their own sounds. This track is a slinky, jazz leaning piece, with 8-bit sounding synths which are reminiscent of early game soundtracks, throwing the song into an imaginative daydream - one where you can really choose your own adventure (as they suggest we do). 

You can find the album Choose Your Own Adventure by Vanishing Twin on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

KRAFTWERK - 'TOUR DE FRANCE (ETAPE 3)'

In my opinion, this album is a front-to-back listen, and it's almost impossible to choose a favourite. However, there's something about those enchanting escalating synths that spiral into my ears and take over my whole mind and body. No, really - this album makes me feel like I could actually win the Tour De France. But, all jokes aside (because I can't even pedal up a gentle slope let alone The Alps), this album is well worth a listen if you haven't cracked into it yet. 

You can find the album Tour De France by Kraftwerk on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

HUDSON MOHAWKE - 'SOME BUZZ'

Hudson Mohawke has been trending recently, due to quite a hilarious Reddit post bringing to light one of his tracks from 2011. I'll let you google it - it's very entertaining but maybe not quite safe for work. Anyway. Did you know he also just released a new album - Cry Sugar? It is a glitchy kaleidoscope of left-field electronics, chopped amongst various well-crafted samples. 'Some Buzz' is one of the more mellow cuts from the record, tuning through several frequencies of synths and sounds before settling on a cacophony of cascading choral clusters.

You can find the album Cry Sugar by Hudson Mohawke on the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

LORDE - 'RIBS'

Lorde's debut blew the world away back in 2013, and 'Ribs' was the one that I would go back to time and time again. It perfectly captures the innocent rebellion and exciting naivety of youth; the escalating hook whipping past you in the same bittersweet kind of way that time seems to go faster the older you get. 

You can find Pure Heroine by Lorde via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

MARLON WILLIAMS - 'DON'T GO BACK'

'Don't Go Back' sees Marlon Williams whipping his party-boy tendencies around as he grooves blissfully over a disco-funk bop, full to the brim with backing vocal echoes, energetic strums, and analogue synth hoots inspired by the native ruru that he was surrounded by when recording the song. Which also evokes his croon "Tērā te tangi a te ruru” ("That’s the cry of the owl”) and the bestial movements he leans into in the accompanying music video whilst wearing a rabbit-like onesie. All whilst looking very cool as always. 

You can find My Boy by Marlon Williams (out today!) via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

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