Too Little, Too Late

 

To round off the month, here’s a little foray into country music. Orville Peck, the South African singer-songwriter with the fringed mask, is drawing attention to his upcoming album with his latest single. It’s not exactly classic country, but more of a mix of Buddy Holly, rockabilly and doo-wop. A driving rhythm and his distinctive baritone simply make this a track that makes you want to tap your feet. 

This Year In Music - Part 2

 

This year also saw the return of old heroes after many years as well as new material from well-known and respected artists. 

I was most surprised that The Cure were able to pull themselves together again and release a new album. To be honest, I didn't expect much from the album other than the old dish of flabby songs being reheated. However, it was not to be expected that they would present their best album since Disintegration and show that they are more than just a cover band of themselves. No one expresses world-weariness better than Robert Smith.

Matt Johnson has also taken almost a quarter of a century to release new material. His music still defies categorization. Somewhere between art rock and new wave, his perfectly produced songs are carried by his voice. The sound sounds like it did back then, but it is in tune with the times. An album not just for nostalgics.

Barry Adamson's new album has been playing on my record player since the summer because, after his time with the Bad Seeds, he has once again managed to capture his other musical influences from soul and blues in remarkable songs. Whether it's funk or a bluesy groove, everything is present on this album and where others lose themselves in the mainstream, he shows his true greatness.

Maybe it's my age that I've been listening to more (old) soul music this year, but it's music that felt good when I heard it. The only new soul music that sticks in my mind this year is Michael Kiwanuka. Sure, he likes to drift off into soul-pop realms, but he still shows great respect for his role model Marvin Gaye. A cleverly conceived album that once again lives from Kiwanuka's voice.

Songs:

Hermanos Gutiérrez are two brothers from Switzerland with Equatorian roots. They released an almost instrumental album that could be a soundtrack for a spaghetti western. Calm and beautiful.

Not only this song by Kurangbin is worth to listen.

Orville Peck and Beck made one of the coolest country-soul songs this year.

New Song On Sunday

 

Another unexpected song came to my ears a few days ago. Peck & Beck released Death Valley High Beck was already a musical chameleon when the term didn't yet exist and Orville Peck is said to be a hip representative of dark country, whatever that may be. In any case, they manage to combine more ideas such as country, funk, blues and rap in just under three minutes. The result is an anthem to Sin City, which also convinces visually with a cameo by Sharon Stone, among others. A