Song Of The Week: Chaise Longue – Wet Leg

This week’s track is an indie banger from one of the freshest all-female bands in the scene right now. Wet Leg brings some comedic, off-the-cuff lyrics and a nice structure on ‘Chaise Longue’, with the instruments all dropping out for the verses creating a really nice contrast for the riff that really picks the track up by the scruff of its neck. Alongside a very blasé, spoken word vocal delivery and some well timed ad-libs, the effect focuses on the core part of each section. Whilst the lyrics in the chorus could have been more developed, the intention is to focus on the music which by all accounts is the most ear-catching aspect of the track.

Check out the track below and remember to add to the Community Playlist to see your favourite track reviewed here!

Song Of The Week: Just My Imagination – The Temptations

After a short hiatus, July’s winner of the Song Of The Week is a gentle Motown track, “Just My Imagination” by the Temptations. With such tasteful instrumentation and pitch perfect harmonies, this track is a love song with a bittersweet chorus. As with every Temptations song the vocal performance is so exquisite, but on this track so much care has been taken over the decorations that accompany the vocals that they deserve to be appreciated in their own right. From the marimbas during the intro to the sultry strings and horns that help dictate the flow of the track, the arrangement of this track elevates it above the rest of their incredible discography.

Check out the track below and make sure to add to the Community Playlist this month to see more of what the other readers are listening to!

Song Of The Week: If You Love Me, Really Love Me – Esther Phillips

Spring has well and truly sprung. The trees have regained their leaves, flowers are blooming and hayfever casts it’s ominous shadow over it all. But as we move into May and exam season for many, take a relaxing break and enjoy the sunshine with this week’s Song Of The Week and my favourite from the Community Playlist.

“If You Love Me, Really Love Me” by Esther Phillips is a foreboding but sweet love song from the perspective of a completely smitten lover. The first thing that struck me with this track is Esther’s ability to capture so much emotion in three and a half minutes. With such a simple but beautiful message, the short verses combined with the powerful vocals, acoustic guitar and smooth jazz backing  tug on the heartstrings in such a visceral way that reflects the profound, inexplicable nature of love.

Make sure to check out this wonderful track below. Many thanks to all who contributed some stellar tracks to this month’s playlist, tell your friends and keep them coming for next month’s edition!

Song Of The Week: Wollan – Skillibeng, Unknown T

Skillibeng is the freshest artist out of Jamaica to make a splash on the UK scene and this collaboration with Unknown T is a match of two of the most intimidating lyricists out right now. With Skillibeng’s flow pushing the pace on this track it brings out the best of both artists. The delivery, wordplay and instrumental are all in a class of their own on this track with booming kicks, well-timed ad-libs and a plucked violin and piano providing a menacing harmonic backdrop for some genuinely chilling lyrics.

Check out the track below and remember to add track to the Community Playlist. Have a look at what other fans are listening to and have a chance for me to review your track!

Song Of The Week: Funkier Than A Mosquito’s Tweeter – Nina Simone

As always the start of the month means revealing my pick of the tracks from the Community Playlist, and this month we have a fantastic throwback track by Nina Simone. “Funkier Than A Mosquito’s Tweeter” was originally written and performed by Ike and Tina Turner in the early 70’s, but Nina’s live version recorded a few years later features some incredible percussion and an outrageous drum solo around the halfway mark, and that’s before mentioning Nina’s iconic vocals and whimsical lyrics. The congas and marimbas are especially powerful in elevating the funk and bringing a new energy to the track.

Check the track out below and make a submission to see if your track gets chosen for next month’s review!