Jun 27: Week 26 of the year. Following on Loyle Carner and HAIM drops, the last week of June sees some real Summer bops acquired from the likes of Lorde, BC Camplight and Durand Jones. The week also sees new exciting work from Franz Ferdinand/Johnny Marr, Midnight Rodeo, Just Kids and Bleach Lab.
Virgin
Lorde
With a momentous surprise Glastonbury slot in tow, Lorde rekindles the fleeting flame of relevance with Virgin – the New Zealand icon returns with her fourth fray of pop revel. A striking throbbing to the ode of late-20s and the angst that comes with it, her X-ray latest examines a new debate in where Ella sits in terms of legacy as one of the most successful singer-songwriters.
While her previous was shutting off from the world, Virgin is very much the opposite: to the synth-pop lead anthem of What Was That marking a rebirthing from a rather sticky breakup to gender-expansive set of Man of the Year, it is a refreshing hearty pop tale of an artist finding herself again amongst a noisy climate of tête-à-tête culture.
Despite the second half not measuring to the first half grandeur, it is still a well-rounded record from a popstar who has still got it.
A Sober Conversation
BC Camplight
Another singer-songwriter release sees virtuoso songwriter BC Camplight bring his sobriety to the fold with most recent rock-operatic chapter, A Sober Conversation. A vivid whirly-gig of intricate melody and dazzling arrangements, Brian Christinzio’s new hot take is still very much in its own lane, the driver firmly holding the reins to a destination of musical admiration.
A remarkably real sentiment – with all the BC groove you could ever want – A Sober Conversation, follows on from his album in 2023, The Last Rotation Of Earth – one of Camplight’s most highly lauded record to date. Time will tell if this one will receive the same plaudits – first impressions are encouraging!
New and Fresh: Your Hidden Gems this week
- Duo from London, Just Kids (Rachel Still and Maxie Cheer) begin their chapter this year with paris, los angeles; a soothing indie pill ahead of their EP titled, ‘Saccharine’ set to drop on the 10th of July.
- Formed out of the ever-expanding melting pot of Nottingham’s indie world, Midnight Rodeo announce an emphatic year with an album release – and a tour to follow. Expected to be released next month, ‘Chaos Era’ brings in a joyous adventure from the six-piece. Both weightless offerings of Dixon and Daisy are singles ripped right off of it.
manvmusic.com 
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