Yannis Philippakis for War Child

Song of the Day

I have some early thoughts, and tumblr is as good a place as any to get them down in bite-sized pieces…. so here we go:

Previously released tracks: opening night was an almost instant “love this song” from me, as have most people, at least as far as I’ve seen… and it’s still great. No notes. The harmonies, the vocal pacing and delivery 💋 that guitar. Ugh.

flags is finally growing on me… I was slightly concerned that all the elements wouldn’t sit together comfortably, but it’s starting to coalesce in my brain with these latest listens. I usually try to hold off on reading lyrics for at least a few rounds, so today was the day I read along. I like the subtle but clear conversation that seems to emerge between the three lead vocals, which are at first given quite a lot of time & space between, but then start to combine as a message or theme through mirroring or reflecting word choices, and aurally through increased layering as the song continues.

i saw begging for change played live by the band themselves (pulp) on Tuesday night, and I enjoyed it then, and it’s a good song as recorded. Though, as a song it has not quite hit for me, but maybe that will come. However, the lyrics are brilliant. And there is a lot to like (for me anyway) about the punk elements… just, give it time, eh? (Note: one more listen since I wrote this- the outro has hooked me just a little bit more this last time - I sense it might continue to dig in - tbc)

New tracks + early highlights:

Strangers by black country new road - a sweet little song with just the right moments of odd melodic and left-turn tonal choices. Did anyone else get a Lucy in the sky with diamonds vibe, maybe just every now and then? It builds energy nicely, ebs and flows. I’m excited to see what comes as I let it settle with subsequent listens.

Sunday Morning done by Beth Gibbons is a great, pure cover of a great song. The tentative voicing that comes through at times is exquisite.

And another cover: Lilac Wine performed by Arooj Aftab - a gorgeous vibe for this song, starting very similar to the Jeff Buckley version I grew up hearing, though Arooj’s rendition continues throughout in a little more restrained manner, almost feels like a crooner-style take on it. Maybe I’m crazy. Either way, the vocals are sumptuous.

dépêche mode - universal soldier - what a melody, what a beat. Simple and bittersweet, it sorta pulls at my heart, like I’m a puppet on a string. A nice amount of edge, anger (?). Again, I’m not focusing on lyrics, but the feel of this song matches the purpose of the record best of all.

relive, redie (big thief) is probably the best of the new songs for me… maybe the best full stop. I don’t know what to say apart from… wow. I need so much more time with this song. It feels ephemeral, somehow. Like trying to catch a piece of paper in breeze. Maybe it’s a tremolo or - I don’t know what it’s called, like bounces in volume of some instrumentation… can anyone else hear that? It feels like it’s dancing around you. So cool.

It’s great to hear the full band (Fontaines dc) doing Sinnead O’Connor’s black boys on mopeds. I’d been under the mistaken impression that this would be a Grian + acoustic cover (because that version was going around a few weeks ago, I guess…and a gorgeous performance it was)… but the recorded track with strings to boot, it’s just wonderful and moving and sad and angry. Something like resignation sorts floats in it, but it’s not calm or accepting.

Cameron Winter - warning- of course it’s great. Just Cameron’s jarring vocal style with staccato / discordant / wrenching/ screeching / accelerating strings…it should be very unpleasant to endure… but I’ve been thinking that his talent is something about how he finds combinations of these sounds that feel like something (emotions, ideas, physical sensations??) that you are familiar with, but side-swiping you rather than hitting you in the way you’re used to… … don’t you think? The young fathers song has an interesting combo of a kind of shuffley pacey beat, with a such a banquet of vocal modes - Bubblegum melodies and almost cheer-leader chants (is this why I’ve been humming “we care a lot” (Faith no more) for the last few hours?

Some more good songs I’m gonna skip…because I’m not supposed to be having thoughts on the whole bloody thing!

the next highlight is Bat for lashes: Another favorite from the record. And same for Anna Calvi/ Niloufar Yanya / Dove Ellis (that crescendo!). 🙏

overall- James Ford you legend. I am so grateful for his vision and drive. I hope he’s doing well these days x