Congratulations to Tuk Smith, whose Reckless Hearts swept everyone away in winning last week’s Tracks Of The Week competition.
New song Ballad of a wasted youth also the title track of the band’s forthcoming debut album – beat strong competition from Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown’s Ain’t None Watered Down (opens in new tab) and the Bourbon house Resonate (opens in new tab) to take home one of rock’s most dazzling prizes.
This week it’s up to you again. Eight contenders. One vote. Only one winner. Let us do this.
The Pinx – You’re not the one
You may not be familiar with Atlanta, Georgia rockers The Pinx, but you might want to check out more after this crazy little monster. you are not the one Taken from their self-titled, just-released fourth album (described by their producer as “a rock ‘n’ roll muscle car you don’t want to stop driving”), it does a lot right in bringing gnarly Southern edgy garage riffs with a touch of grungy dirt and dreamy psychedelia. Kind.
Billy Idol – cage
A tight, driving punk rocker with a warm heart Cage thinks Billy Idol and guitarist/partner-in-crime Steve Stevens are on excellent form – seemingly channeling two years of pent-up energy (spurred on by last year’s stellar performance). roadside EP) into the sort of infectious feel-good catchy tune you’d really hope to see in a setlist. And hopefully we will when Idol comes to the UK for arena shows this October. Meanwhile his new EP The cage will be released on September 23rd.
The Struts – Fallin’ With Me
Prelude with drums and a ‘uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh‘ chorus you’ll probably love or hate (and definitely remember), the first taste of The Struts’ new record is the kind of vampy stomper Muse might have dreamed up in a new wave club. Glamorous, guitar-driven rock with a few plot twists. “It’s obviously still going to be a guitar album,” says Baton Roll boss Luke Spiller of this month’s album Classic skirt“It’ll still be The Struts, but kind of lo-fi and quirky, like Talking Heads on steroids.”
Baz Francis – World Beyond His Feet
In the 90s (and briefly again in 2019, with TOTW beginners panda eyes) he was frontman of The Mansion Harlots. Now Midlander Baz Francis is back with this beautifully plaintive, bittersweet new single. If you’re a fan of the overlooked, masterful pop-rock songwriters like Pugwash and Chris Catalyst (and also had a soft spot for Jellyfish and Crowded House), this is for you. Quiet heartbreak, beautifully executed. Do you like what you hear? Listen to Baz’s new EP, Awaken to sorrowwhich is out now.
Coupling – Slaughter Beach
Dick with bluesy swagger and eccentric bearded beef, battle beach is no sunny bucket and spade affair. “The lyrics for battle beach were inspired by a late-night stroll along the southern Delaware Bay,” explains voice actor/lyricist Neil Fallon. “Weird things happen there.” Let’s just say the video takes that inspiration and runs with it — hard and far. Will the rest of the new album follow suit? Such titles as Skeletons on Mars, Bone Mountain and Nosferatu Madre suggest that it will be so.
Lissie – Sorry
If Stevie Nicks had raised a child with Amanda Shires, it might have been Lissie – a Midwesterner with her heart in Nashville and an ear for delicate indie/americana tones, as reflected in the emotional, soaring Sad. “Sad is being in the midst of anger that someone has hurt you,” she says. “Wanting them to feel remorse for what they’ve done, along with a certain confidence that while forgiveness is on the horizon, they must feel the repercussions of their actions.” She is coming to the UK for Instores in September and October.
Big Big Train – Last Eleven
The first new song from Big Big Train since the tragic death of singer David Longden and the introduction of Albert Bravin. Last Eleven proves – not least – that Big Big Train still sound like Big Big Train. The impressive intro has a slight touch of Genesis Dance on a volcano about it, as if to reassure worried fans that the new man won’t be ushering in an unlikely new direction. Instead, a familiar base is established, everything is business as usual, and business is clearly solid. Bravin’s voice exudes a confident warmth and it’s a real joy to have the band back. The trip goes on.
The Hu – Black Thunder Part 2
Mongolian sensations tread familiar territory on a song so epic it had to be split in two Black Thunder (Part 2), throw the innocent bystander straight into the fray. Horses race, swords fly, blood fountains arch the sky and the band plays their instruments as chaos unfolds around them. All of this wouldn’t mean anything if the music weren’t cutting edge, but it’s as dramatic as the visuals, and if there isn’t a sales spike in horsehead fiddles during this album cycle, we’ll happily eat our yurt.
