Recent and Decent #116
Feat. HOPP, Oslo Twins, E L U C I D...
I might be putting on a festival soon. That’s the big news. Other than that, I’ve just made a nice carrot cake. With regards to music, I’m sort of all over the shop this weekend. Hopefully you’ll find something you like.
Recent and Decent Playlist (click on pic for Tidal playlist)
Every week, I take it turns with my mate and fellow new-music discoverer, Chris, to share and write about 7 songs. All songs under 1 year old, all decent. This week’s playlist is curated by me and includes some bedroom pop, psych-rock-jazz and country-noir.
Black Eyes - TomTom (10/25)
I didn’t know these guys the first time round, back in 2003, but apparently they were around then, stopped playing for about 20 years and have come back. It sounds as if they spent 20 years listening to all the music. This is psychedelic, funky and bold. There’s a propulsive bass that pushes through intermittent saxophone, two drumkits and some scratchy guitar halfway through, and it’s a joy to be there for journey.
Plantoid - Dozer (01/26)
I’m gutted that I didn’t catch this lot when they came to Norwich a few days back. I’ve been feeling pretty rubbish this week and this band deserved my full attention. Their new album is brilliant (as I mentioned last week) but this song is one of my favourites. Just listen to that guitar. And the drums. And then the guitars again. But then definitely circle back to the drums. And the vocals. It’s all so good.
HOPP - Calculated Risk (03/26)
I meant to share HOPP’s ‘Back It’, but never got round to it. No worries, he’s released another great track. With a soulful intro soon comes a punchy, swaggering bit of West-Coast hiphop. He occasionally snarls like Kendrick but still has the smooth rapping flows of Marlowe. A captivating blend of styles.
Waterbaby, ttoh - Beck n Call (11/25)
Gorgeous, inviting sound from Stockholm. Staccato piano blends into violins and it’s a captivating bit of electronic-neo-pop-jazz.
Oslo Twins - All In Your Mind (08/25)
Bassy, dreamy electronica that sounds like it can only come from Norway but in fact comes from Bristol/London.
Richard Neuberg - Crow Needs the Pine (01/26)
A dark and haunting acoustic guitar with some beautiful string arrangements filling it up. This voice is so very Richard Hawley that I’m sure Neuberg could just be an experimental pen name.
E L U C I D, Sebb Bash, Billy Woods - The Lorax
Time for some gritty East Coast rap now from this excellent album. He has drawn parallels with Billy Woods in the past and here they are together. It’s powerful and compelling.
Recent and Decent Album Journal
Every week, I update you with my new favourite albums. I’ll probably return to my little videos next week but I haven’t got the time this weekend so I’ll write something with words like the olden days.
The New Cut (EP) - Sleepers, Mourners (03/26)
These are the next big thing. There. I said it. Their sound is so tight and catchy. Like a modern Futureheads, but more political and bassier. The playfulness and accuracy with the lyrics and rhyming completely reels me in:
“Watering down my milk
To make it cheaper cus I oughta
The trick is to find the line between
Watery milk and milky water.”
E L U C I D - I Guess U Had To Be There (13/03)
Musically, it’s like a void that invites you in. Confident minimalism. That’s not to say it’s not important though. On the contrary, the cyclical jazzy elements and persistent bass pull you through the powerful storytelling. Masterful rap delivered with intention.
Editrix - The Big E (07/25)
Yes! Everyone is having fun on this record - flourishes of bass, guitar and drums splatter all over the place with enchanting, free female vocals cutting through it all. This could have been a favourite album of 2025 if I heard it back in 2025.
Sign off
Not much on the agenda, Brenda, for the coming week. I’ll do my best to do something productive in the evenings but no promises. Anyone else got music plans? Or new album recommendations?! Let the world know!!