Listen To The Five Best Songs This Week

11 April 2014, 15:30 | Written by Charlotte Krol

(Tracks)

(Douglas Dare) (Michael Clark)

Another week, another onslaught of fresh sounds. Here’s our pick of the best new songs from the last seven days.

Douglas Dare’s new offering, “Swim”, was the emotional stoke in the sleepy embers of mid-week ennui this week, and hinted at a new direction for the London musician. Where “Lungful” was pure emotional piano balladry and “Nile” an understated epic, “Swim” is something noticeably more glitchy and urgent. That same bedrock of stoical piano is present though this time poked at by menacing scales, loops and latter-day Radiohead beats. His debut LP, Whelm, is out on 12 May.

We may not know much about English singer-songwriter Michael Clark, but we do know that “Something To Be Won” is one of the best undiscovered gems of the past few months. Recalling the close-quartered musical stylings of Elliott Smith, with everything from guitar string slides to lingering vocal sighs, “Something To Be Won” is the perfect doomy bedroom creation completed by heart-tugging harmonies. A forlorn trumpet even makes an appearance at the close but, trust us, it works.

Euro clubbers of old and new: behold Doss’ latest experiment in electronica, “The Way I Feel”. Full-bodied bass grooves and high-hat chatters, coupled with Dross’ sugary sweet voice, make for a comforting listen. Mystery surrounding the artist would be an understatement; have a peep at her cryptic website here.

Stockholm’s Frida Sundemo can’t put a foot wrong when it comes to penning big, glowing Scandipop. “Drawn To You”, her new single (released via label Best Fit Recordings) is stuffed with 80s drum blasts, earworm synth wriggles and beautiful, honeyed vocals. Swedes, just keep ‘em coming.

Naturally, it’s not been too long since we last heard from Childhood, one of the most deservedly buzzy bands of 2012/2013. Indie anthems oft-smothered in a 90s sheen have made their music an escapist pleasure and a heady, immersive live set has dealt the London-based quartet a healthy legion of fans. New single, “Falls Away”, sounds like a band vying for bigger and better things; gone is the signature lo-fi and in comes brighter production and studio-fit vocals. A free-floating, anthemic-like chorus is the highlight, buoyed by colourful guitar multilayers and airborne echoes. Childhood’s debut album is out on 26 May.

Listen to our selection of the week’s best new music below: