UK
Jessie Ware - Nightlight
Jessie Ware keeping it classy on every front.
Foals - My number
Foals always was a good band, and this poppy track might propel them to a higher level. They definitely are worthy of a main stage spot on a big summer festival.
Jake Bugg - Lightning bolt
It becomes clearer why the UK press dubbed him 'the new Bob Dylan' when you hear this second single.
Alt-J - Matilda
The voice is an acquired taste, but this single won me over.
Villagers - Nothing arrived
For fans of: Bright Eyes
Gabriella Aplin - Please don't say you love me
What to say about this?
Sound of 2013
Laura Mvula - Green garden
The look reminds me of Janelle Monae a little. Impossible to hate.
Haim - Don't save me/Falling
Forever by Haim was my favourite radio single of last year, and the two follow-ups ain't half bad either. Especially "Don't save me" uses all the same elements that made 'Forever' such a winner. Own, distinctive sound or one-hit-wonder? Time will tell. If cutoffs make a big comeback in 2013, then these sisters are likely to blame for that.
Churches - The mother we share/Recover
Forget La Roux (in case you hadn't already), here's Churches from Glasgow. Instantly likeable elektro-pop with a Scottish Natalie Portman-lookalike on vocals, what's not to like?
Palma Violets - Best of friends
The least you can say about this single, is that it gets you going. In my case, some pogoing and loud singalongs are involved.
Tom Odell - Another love
Hey, don't look at me, it's a good single.
Urban/dance
Frank Ocean - Lost
Smoother than smooth.
Katy B & Geeneus & Jessie Ware - Aaliyah
I can't really explain why, but even though this track has a pretty repetitive melody, I haven't got bored of it yet. Not dissing Katy B, but Jessie Ware's guest vocals are the definite highlight of this track.
DJ Fresh - Golddust
Not going to lie, head boppin' to this song on the work radio has helped me get through some boring mornings and afternoons. Everything just clicks.
A$ap Rocky - Fucking problems
A$ap rocking some kind of cyberpunk Busta Rhymes vibe, gathered some of the happening hiphop artists of the moment on this banger.
Disclosure ft. AluneGeorge - White noise
Another pairing of coolcats, the hippest producer of the moment collaborating with the London elektronic music duo.
Icona Pop - I love it
Leave it to the Swedes to fabricate a genuine party banger about crashing a car into a bridge.
.be
Coely - Nothing on me
Typing this on International Women's day, this track by female Belgian MC Coely is a good fit thematically.
The Van Jets - Broken bones
Singles by The Van Jets rarely disappoint and this one's no exception. Love the spacy synths and the start-stop rhythm in the verse.
Balthazar - Do not claim them anymore
Second single from the sophomore album 'Rats'.
The Happy - 218
Really like the blossoming chorus. Band features the guitar player from Das Pop and Isolde Lasoen on drums.
Bent Van Looy - Shadow of a man
Making a solo album, it's every frontman's dream. Many try, few succeed. But Bent's stab at a debut single isn't half bad.
SX - Graffiti
Has a slight "Last Christmas"-vibe, but maybe that's just me. The song structure 'verse-verse-chorus-chorus' is a remarkable choice. Sometimes you don't need more than one line to make a great chorus, especially if you have a vocalist like Stefanie Callebaut in your ranks.
Kenji Minogue - Nom nom
Kenji Minogue on top of their game. Toe, ètdadup, wanwundreetndanie, enmorgnèdaslicht.
Other
Local Natives - Heavy feet
Not too big on Local Natives, but I can dig this.
Imagine Dragons - It's time
Too bad for Belgian band Willow, this band from Las Vegas has a singer that sounds a lot like theirs.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
used in a humoristic travel show on television.
Bat For Lashes - Lilies
That "The haunted man" isn't Bat For Lashes strongest effort, that we already established a few posts ago. Natascha Khan seems a bit desperate herself, showing some skin in the video for 'Lilies'.
She & Him - Never Wanted Your Love
Instant fan of this new single by She & Him.
My Bloody Valentine - She found now
Opening track from the new album, the first since the 1991 Loveless.
