Listen Tracks: Beabadoobee, Another Sky, Metz and more

Bea Kristi’s transformation from soft bedroom acoustic-plucker to full throttle ’90s nostalgist becomes complete with the arrival of latest cut ‘Care’ - a track so born for a righteous moment on the Clueless soundtrack its cover should be adorned in yellow plaid. “I don’t want your sympathy / Stop saying you give a shit, ‘cos you don’t really care,” sings Bea as guitars crash in for the cathartic chorus punch. And while her sweetened tones might mean she’s never going to sound quite as pained as some of her grunge heroes, there’s enough free-spirited defiance here to at least tip the table over even if she’s not trashing the whole hotel room. (Lisa Wright)

Throughout the early steps in their career, Another Sky have become increasingly known for their more stark and dramatic offerings. It’s with each new taste of their forthcoming debut, though, that they begin to expand upon that initial musical palette. Their newest cut, ‘All Ends’, begins simply enough; a fragile, mid-paced offering which puts Catrin Vincent’s gorgeous vocal front and centre, before swelling into a more choral crescendo. A track that trembles with emotion, it showcases how their strengths don’t just lie on the more intense end of the spectrum, but proves they can be just as bold during their more intimate moments too. (Sarah Jamieson)

Ask yourself what you’d hope to expect from the newest release from Toronto’s METZ and the answer will probably include some good ol’ fashioned noise. And luckily for, well, everyone, on their latest track ‘A Boat To Drown In’ they more than deliver. Propelled forward by the most satisfyingly scuzzy guitars, the near-eight minute track is a melding point of gnarliness, an immersion therapy of punk. “If we don’t leave now, we’re not getting out alive,” urgently calls the band’s Alex Edkins, his lyrics echoing the sense of necessary escape that shakes the walls of the track. Backed by a wall of squalling, white hot instrumentation, it’s at times a claustrophobic listen, sure, but a powerful one none the less. (Sarah Jamieson)

If the easing of lockdown’s got you in a post-quarantine crisis, then don’t bother with pricey self-help books, just whack The Magic Gang’s latest on a few times. A sort of motivational pep talk in musical form, ‘Make Time For Change’ is such a chirpy ball of positivity it borders on A Bit Much. Shiny brass sections parp their arrival as the chorus urges you to “make the promise to yourself to love the person that you are”; by the time the bridge kicks in with its “space where we all belong”, it’s unclear as to whether we’re listening to a future album cut or the theme tune for a Christian rock camp. It’s nice to be happy; it’s nice to be nice. And don’t get us wrong, The Magic Gang’s way with a peppy pop hook has always been one of their finest traits. But ‘Make Time For Change’ might just step a little too far into the wrong side of cheese. Soz lads. (Lisa Wright)

While ‘On My Own’, the first cut from Shamir’s forthcoming self-titled record, was a breezy slice of ‘90s-indebted indie, its follow-up has the now Philadelphia-based musician putting his considerable vocal chops on display. Musically minimal (think shoegazers ‘doing’ the Twin Peaks soundtrack), the lack of fuss allows the singer’s voice to soar through the track, building to a climax that couldn’t be more deserving of stage pyro if it tried. (Emma Swann)

Tags: Another Sky, beabadoobee, Metz, Shamir, The Magic Gang, Listen, Features, Tracks