It's Friday and it's hot and sunny. This track from FKJ's new EP Take Off, out 21 July on Roche Musique, should fit nicely. Enjoy!
Stream: Grace - Zola Blood
Love this track from new Pond Life Songs signing Zola Blood. Pond Life are somewhat synonymous Talk Talk's 1991 album Laughing Stock and, more recently, Liverpool trio Ninetails. This new signing shows they still have their finer on the pulse for innovative pop however.
Dreamy futuristic R&B combined with ambience, Grace feels equal part SOHN and Brian Eno. Expect a debut EP soon.
Video: Giant In My Heart - Kiesza
Kiesza's breakthrough track Hideaway never did much for me but I'm digging this new cut, out on 11 August. Big 90s house vibes.
Stream: I Can't Figure You Out - Hugh
Quite probably the best track yet from Josh Idehen's Benin City side-project Hugh, following on from Look Back In Laughter at the beginning of the year. I Can't Figure You Out packs a big ambient take on R&B that sounds like it is echoing out of warm Mediterranean back-alleys - love that big atmospheric bridge too.
Stream: Take Shelter - Years & Years
More strong indie R&B from Years & Years, now signed to Polydor rather than Kitsuné Maison. Take Shelter is a softer, warmer track than previous breakthrough cuts Real and Traps, but Olly Alexander's incredible vocals are still the highlight even if the music isn't quite as open as previous tracks.
Take Shelter is released on 17 August.