Dee-Lite. Picture: Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images.

 

BEAUTIFUL THINGS PLAYLIST 

WEEK 26th - 30th SEPTEMBER 

SKYMNING - 'EXIT' 

Tūrangi-based electronic shapeshifter Skymning returns with a new single this week. 'Exit' is like some sort of dark, distorted vaporwave, with a hypnotic, crunchy guitar riffing over blunt drum patterns that drive behind a sheen of glorious ambience. Their vocals are hushed - you really have to lean in to hear their discreet whispers, which sometimes bleed into the song like a fleeting curiosity, however a welcome texture in their ever-bending sound. 

You can listen to and purchase ‘Exit’ via their Bandcamp page here. 

SOAKED OATS - ‘SOMETHING’

Ōtepoti psych-rock quartet, Soaked Oats, have shared a new song with the world - 'Something', the second single from their upcoming album Working Title which is out November 18th via Dot Dash. Compared to their previous single 'The Way It Works', 'Something' takes it down a gear, settling into a gentle, dusky space. Each instrument shines, the bassline and guitars dancing around the lazy back-beat, with strings and synths making the whole song really sing. And of course, you can't miss Oscar Mein's vocals, cheekily close to the mic and effortlessly cool.

You can pre-order their upcoming album Working Title via the Flying Nun Record Shop here.

GIRL FRIDAY - 'IT NEEDS YOU' 

Girl Friday is back with a brand new track, and we love it! If you didn't know, this is the L.A-based project of our very own favourite Vera Ellen. From the first sound of the drum beat, the song feels deeply rooted - it moves along heavily, like walking through thick soil. The song is accompanied by a lyric video, which shares the group's very intimate grapples with the troubles of unbalanced relationships. There is a weight that comes with knowing that something isn't working, until the tension is broken when you let go - perfectly encapsulated in the final chorus with Vera's final exclaim "you dont have to stay with me!"

You can find ‘It Needs You’ by Girl Friday via their Bandcamp here. 

WOMB - 'OCEANS'

Flying Nun Records and Womb are thrilled to announce the trio’s upcoming album, Dreaming of the Future Again. Their music is a composite of the three and builds on the shoegaze and dream pop sounds they are inspired by. Along with the news is the arrival of the first single from the album, ‘Oceans’, accompanied by a video (below) directed by none other than Martin Sagadin. The first spark of an idea for making this video came from wanting to build a rain machine. The band wanted to pay homage to the ever-iconic kissing-in-the-rain scene à la ‘All The Things She Said’ by t.A.T.u., and bring the line in their song, "I just want to bring you oceans", to life.

You can pre-order their album Dreaming Of The Future Again via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

DEE-LITE - 'BUILD THE BRIDGE'

Dee-Lite absolutely dominated the charts in the 90's - I'm sure you might have heard their classic 'Groove Is In The Heart'. World Clique is a dance music staple, merging classic pop sensibilities with house beats and organic instrumentation. 'Build The Bridge' is just....so much fun. Each instrumental layer addition informs the next, perfectly cheeky and groovy, building a song that was way ahead of its time and will continue to be a monumental moment in dance music history forever. 

You can find the album World Clique by Dee-Lite via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

FKA TWIGS - 'META ANGEL'

FKA twigs has been on the scene for almost a decade and has become a household name in the alternative hip hop and pop scenes. Her music experimentations have led her down numerous niches and she seems to be constantly evolving, however her latest mixtape CAPRISONGS cements her explorations in a beautifully-crafted, well-oiled machine. 'meta angel' features her heavenly soprano woven through subtle strings and synths against more distorted production elements which demand your attention.

You can find the album CAPRISONGS by FKA twigs via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

U. SRINIVAS - ‘KALIYUGAVARADANA’

Sometimes called the 'Mozart of the classical Indian music world', Uppalapu Srinivas' mandolin virtuoso is a beautiful sound world to explore. 'Kaliyugavaradana' is a deeply introspective, yet wildly vibrant piece, full of traditional carnatic music instruments and elements, despite the absence of vocals, which are usually heavily emphasised.    

You can find the album Rama Sreerama by U. Srinivas via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

MICHAEL HURLEY - ‘LITTLE BLUE RIVER'

Who doesn't love a lil cosy song on a grey, rainy day. Michael Hurley's 2021 album, The Time Of The Foxgloves was a charming return from the veteran singer-songwriter singer, full off little ditties that pull from the traditions of American blues and folk. Hearing 'Little Blue River', I can't help but smile. Simple, and deeply intimate, as if we are in the room they recorded it in, and lush enough to grant you a deep listening experience. 

You can find the album The Time Of The Foxgloves by Michael Hurley via the Flying Nun Record Shop here. 

 

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