DDW’s compilation of some of the best new music out this July.
It’s shaping up to be yet another busy week of new music with even more stacked releases– featuring more familiar faces, collaborative dance projects and indie pioneers making an appearance in DDW’s highlight list this week.
Interpol-The Other Side of Make-Believe
It’s been exactly two decades since the native New Yorkers released their era-genre-defining debut, Turn On The Bright Lights. A record that seemed to effortlessly capture the melancholic desperation of post 9-11 America.
Interpol’s TOTBL was lightning in a bottle, the New Yorkers created a sound that ultimately paved the way for The Strokes, The Killers and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Often referred to as modern-day Joy Division, Interpol’s themes of escapism are theatrically bombast with their cutting guitar riffs, 70’s funk-inspired bass lines, and level of production that creates a solid and comforting listening experience.
Twenty years later, the band is back with new music, The Other Side of Make-Believe. Their seventh studio album. Produced by the Flood Production team and Alan Moulder, who has previously worked with the likes of Depeche Mode, Arctic Monkeys, Foals, The Killers, La Roux, and Soulwax.
The album’s production process differs greatly from the previous six releases with the band writing most of the tracks remotely via zoom calls due to the pandemic. After months of zoom meetings and pitches, the three-piece eventually met in London to record the album.
The Other Side of Make-Believe combines all of Interpol’s familiar and experimental motifs, their discography excellently combined into one creating a mid-tempo torch with a rich sound that carries the same old blend of melancholia with a sprinkle of euphoria. With the cutting guitar riffs, staccato drumming and poeticism from Paul Banks, The Other Side of Make-Believe is Interpol’s seventh chance to make a first impression.
The Other Side of Make-Believe will be released this Friday.
Listen to ‘Toni’ from The Other Side of Make-Believe below:
Gwenno – Tresor
Gwenno Mererid Saunders, who was raised by a Welsh active mother and Cornish poet father, has become a Celtic icon through her synth-pop sound that is both playful and edgy.
Her latest new music release, Tresor, follows a similar vein to her previous two albums Y Dydd Olaf and Le Kov ( both titled in the Welsh language).
Gwenno’s ethereal and angelic vocals appear again with a blend of synth-pop and folk creating a soundscape that is not only ambitious but also introspectively impressionistic.
Tackling many themes of lost identity and struggling to find a purpose, Tresor is a tour-de-force with its multi-instrumental production and confrontational approach, Gwenno’s passion for the craft remains prominent from the opening track to the closer.
Tresor is complemented by an 8mm film from a unique Welsh artist — the audio-visual components celebrating the heritage of Wales and what it means to remain connected to a nationality whose identity always remains under threat.
Listen to Tresor below:
Blackbear – The Idea
2022 has undoubtedly been a massive year for blackbear, personally and professionally. The trap/alternative artist has celebrated various milestones — previous record, Everything Means Nothing, receiving gold certification, and also confirmed the announcement of his second child and an engagement. Things are starting to look positive.
In addition, Blackbear is going through the motions of self-reflection, gearing up with a new record release titled ‘in loving memory’ — the trap star is returning to his pop-punk roots with Travis Barker assisting on the record’s production.
The latest single, ‘The Idea’ is a modern alt-rock track with a heavy sense of nostalgia. A throwback track with modern production, it’s light and easy but also lyrically deep and dense. Carrying the signature Barker production feel, ‘The Idea’ is another love letter to late 90’s and early 2000’s progressive pop-rock, sonically and lyrically.
Listen to ‘The Idea’ Below:
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Dean Lewis & Kygo- Lost Without You
Global superstar, producer and DJ Kygo are back again with some fresh new music. This time, teaming up with the Australian singer/songwriter Dean Lewis with what appears to be one out of a two-track bundle.
‘Lost Without You’ is a new heartfelt emotive single touching on themes of teenage love and growth, ultimately culminating in heartbreak. Being a huge emotive anthem, ‘Lost Without You’ is guaranteed to be on everyone’s summer playlist with its catchy vibes and positive beats, Dean Lewis’ vocals are the cherry on top of Kygo’s unbelievable production skills.
Listen to ‘Lost Without You’ below: