Listen Tracks: The 1975, Declan McKenna and more

“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! It’s Monday morning!” screams Matty Healy in the blood rush of an introduction to ‘People’, ushering in The 1975’s latest era. Following on from the sombre but incredibly poignant and powerful version of their eponymous track that will open ‘Notes On A Conditional Form’ - as narrated by Greta Thunberg - their newest offering is, well, more akin to the intense screamo of Underoath than the band who once released ‘Chocolate’.

After the all-round victory of their 2018 album ‘A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships’, it’d be easy to assume the band had finally hit their peak, hitting the jackpot of both critical acclaim and commercial success. It takes all of about ten seconds for ‘People’ to smash through it once more. A melding pot of Death From Above, Refused and even a touch of Primal Scream, their new track is, admittedly, a deliciously divisive affair; all dirty and deranged, propelled along by breakneck drums and gnarly guitars. But if ‘The 1975’ was a rousing rally call for change and rebellion, then this is its answer: there’s no going quietly now.

On his return with ‘British Bombs’, Declan McKenna subverts expectations with a scathing stream of social consciousness, aimed at foreign policy disasters past and present. The same indie pop bounce of his debut is on show, but the track benefits by also taking the odd cue from Pulp. Political without being preachy, and with hooks that won’t leave your head, this is Declan’s most mature effort yet and a sign he continues to blossom. (Dominic Penna)

After a year mostly spent producing tunes for the likes of Octavian, Mura Masa has teamed up with fast-rising singer Clairo for his latest release. The pair create an addictive piece of electropop in which dreamy verses give way to a pulsating bassline, ready-made for festival dance tents and radio rotation. It’s a step in a more pop direction, without losing any of his depth or polish. (Dominic Penna)

Former Sonic Youth axe-wielder Kim Gordon is no stranger to making a racket. But new single ‘Sketch Artist’ might be one of the most overtly industrial tracks she has put her name to. With a white-noise-beat underpinning her ghostly vocals, the track switches between screeches of fierce distortion and moments of floating ambience. It’s a beast of an introduction to what will be her debut solo record. (James Bentley)

Driven by a rattling drum and bass beat and sparkling synth melodies, the debut single from Pumarosa’s second album ‘Devastation’ sounds like pure, unadulterated chaos from the offset. Isabel Munoz-Newsome’s hypnotic vocals providing a mysterious focal point that has more than a touch of darkness to it, and this is reflected in the new video. It features candlelit rituals, night vision spooks and lots and lots of running. Best keep your wits about you. (James Bentley)

Tags: Declan McKenna, Kim Gordon, Mura Masa, Pumarosa, The 1975, Listen, Features, Tracks