Maybe it’s a direct reaction to the shaky socio-political climate of today, or maybe it’s just the shit-hot weather: either way, July 2017 totally bossed it for new releases. Let’s take a look at some of the best.
Dizzee Rascal – ‘Space’
The Grime Lord is back. Dizzee Rascal returned this month with sixth LP, Raskit. Taking a step away from the mainstream pop-pleasers he’s become known for in recent years, Dizzee’s latest is a return to the back-to-basics grime sound that made his name. Standout track Space is a looming swirl of menacingly lolloping production sheared with rapid-fire machine-gun wordplay.
Liam Gallagher – ‘Chinatown’
Another glorious return to the land of the living, Our Kid is back with a vengeance, monkey-walking his way around Europe’s festival circuit in support of his debut solo record, As You Were. This second release from the album is a considerably more laid back affair than LG fans will be used to, but there’s much to be pleased about – including the obligatory Beatles reference less than thirty seconds in: “Happiness is still a warm gun”, he snarls. Happiness is also a returning Gallagher.
Lana Del Rey feat. Stevie Nicks – ‘Beautiful People Beautiful Problems’
Let’s face it, anything featuring Lana del Rey and Stevie Nicks on the same record is going to be totally ace, isn’t it?
Tyler, The Creator, ‘Ain’t got time’
The master hip-hop mischievous imp pops out a playful rumble through provocation and confession, flitting from potential headline-grabbing disclosures (“been kissing white boys since 2004″) to polar opposite machismo-flecked braggadicio (“I’m getting neck from a broad“) to forays into shoe deals… as delightfully, frustratingly schizophrenic as you’d hope and expect. Plus it seems to sample Deee-Lite‘s classic Groove Is In The Heart, for extra points.
Superfood – ‘Unstoppable’
A gloriously bouncy dub-indie-ska whippet of a tune, this banger is summer cocktail of Specials, Hard-Fi and Kooks and surely a contender for most-spun-track-at-BBQs-in-2017.
