At ACURE, we know how hard it is to keep up to date with all of the wonderful music out there. That’s why, we’ve handpicked ten of our favourite songs from the month of October, all tightly bundled in this profile for you to tuck into. Featuring songs from a variety of both artists and genres, there’s bound to be something that’s to your liking!
10. B O A – Holier
Favourite Lyric: “I know now how it feels to drown / One on one, heart to heart / Spent days apart and I still said nothing”
Genre: Indie Pop
Release Date: 05 October 2015
Bio: BOA are a three piece from Bristol, who with new single “Holier” take you on a whimsical journey filled to the brim with shimmering, bright electronics. Despite the darkening days, the trio create a blissfully vibrant atmosphere with just the right amount of summery warmth resonating from those lovely melodies. It’s absolutely perfect for those days in which the sun’s rays beam down onto the leaves falling from the trees; a beautiful blend of warm and cold.
09. Loxe – Elastic
Favourite Lyric: “Elastic, can you pull me close?”
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 14 October 2015
Bio: Loxe has been working with some of the most exciting artists around, namely Nao, Bo Rocha and Alxndr London, but it’s time the spotlight was on him. Taken from his Footprints EP, “Elastic” incorporates a jittery amalgamation of electronic glitches that’re warmed by some light, sparkling vocals and a bunch of synths trickling underneath. “Elastic”, is one of those tracks that on the surface, appears to be quite straightforward in that it’s just a cluster of computerised sounds put together, yet it’s only after taking a closer look, you realise the subtle intricacies dotted around. Despite its name, the track’s instrumentation is quite brittle, almost staggered in its execution; but it’s the smooth vocal melody which gives the track its flow.
08. Mr Hudson – Dancing Thru It
Favourite Lyric: “These are my dark days, I wait for the night”
Genre: R&B / Pop
Release Date: 07 October 2015
Bio: Mr H is back! Having spent the past year or so working on Duran Duran’s latest record, Mr Hudson (who contributed to Kanye West’s super underrated 808s & Heartbreaks) made an emphatic return with the groove inflicted “Dancing Thru It”. Whilst keeping things as close to his signature, eclectic sound as possible, the single takes the form of a warbling number as it sizzles its way into your heart. If this is anything to go by, the new record should be a blast!
07. Crook – Calando
Favourite Lyric: “I don’t love you for any reason / I love you just to love”
Genre: Singer/Songwriter
Release Date: 19 October 2015
Bio: Irish singer/songwriter Crook is one of those artists whose music reignites the fire residing in your heart. His gentle, almost whispered intonations dip into your soul with the slightest of tugs before slipping back out, stopping you in your tracks, so that you listen to each word being said. That’s exactly what new single “Calando” does to you: you find yourself transfixed by its simple yet honest aesthetic. It’s been well over a year since we last heard from Crook who released his debut Quarto EP last spring, but the wait, was well worth it.
06. ISLAND – Girl
Favourite Lyric: “Are you ever gonna be a good girl?”
Genre: Alternative
Release Date: 08 October 2015
Bio: Apart from the fact that they’re near impossible to search on the interwebs, London outfit ISLAND produce some pretty neat music. “Girl”, their follow up to lead single “Stargazer” possesses a kind of nonchalant almost whimsical aesthetic. Brazen guitars and sparkling melodies come together to serve as the perfect backdrop for the lead vocalist to lay down his spirited vocals. Both tracks are taken from ISLAND’s forthcoming debut EP, also titled Girl.
05. Grimes – Flesh without Blood
Favourite Lyric: “I don’t see the light I saw in you before”
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 26 October 2015
Bio: When it comes to Grimes, there are no restrictions. You never quite know what her next move will be, and that’s what makes her such an intriguing artist. “Flesh without Blood”, is the lead single from the singer/producer’s long awaited follow up to 2012’s incredible Visions aptly titled Art Angels, and to tell you the truth, it wasn’t what we were expecting. However, that’s not to say that it isn’t a bloody great track, because it is. Grimes’ angelic vocals rise above the energetic instrumentation with immense clarity and control. Despite the colourful atmospherics, the songwriting is somewhat emotional and heart-breaking.
04. Blaenavon – Dragon
Favourite Lyrics: “Empty nests, but the mouths need feeding…”
Genre: Alternative / Indie Pop
Release Date: 27 October 2015
Bio: It’s time that you were acquainted with Hampshire outfit Blaenavon, and their brilliant outings of indie pop greatness. Signed to Transgressive Recordings, the trio recently released their three-track Miss World EP, featuring “Dragon”, their strongest single by far. Opening with nothing more than a sombre guitar chord progression and some Foals-esque vocals, the track blossoms as more and more layers of instrumentation are infused into the mix to the point at which you’re overwhelmed by the sheer complexity (yet profound perfection) of the arrangement. So yeah, you know what to do.
03. RAYE – Tell Me
Favourite Lyric: “You kill everything you touch, but in that good way oh”
Genre: Pop
Release Date: 13 October 2015
Bio: “Tell me what you love about me” asks seventeen year old (that’s right, you read that correctly) singer RAYE in her Blood Diamonds produced new single “Tell Me”; a laidback, sleazy pop number. The single follows the singer’s Welcome to the Winter EP from last year, and serves as her strongest outing to date. From start to finish, RAYE’s slick delivery is at the forefront as it filters through the simple yet effective backdrop. There’s a tinge of Hip Hop seeping through ever so slightly, and I think it’s this, that brings everything together.
02. dvsn – The Line
Favourite Lyric: “At the end of it all, I’m coming back to you”
Genre: R&B
Release Date: 22 October 2015
Bio: Earlier this month, Drake collaborator and producer Nineteen85 featured a song by an artist called dvsn on his OVO Radio mix, and to say that everyone’s been confused is an understatement. No one really knows who dvsn is… Is it just a side project of Nineteen85? Is it a collaborative effort between himself and a vocalist? Maybe it’s because of this, that “The Line”, brings with it something special; as the music is allowed to speak for itself. And what a song it is… Opening with a splendidly elegant piano progression which is later driven by a sombre, bass-heavy beat, it’s those rich, soaring vocals from the unknown singer that truly elevate the track. Over the course of its seven minute long life, “The Line” is a powerful, emotive piece that only gets better after each listen.
01. LISS – Always
Favourite Lyric: “Are you searching for, something else?”
Genre: Alternative R&B
Release Date: 01 October 2015
Bio: LISS are a band from Denmark who create R&B in a way like no other… “Always”, is the perfect exemplification of this. Somewhere between The xx (which comes as no surprise as it’s produced by Rodaidh McDonald) and Autre Ne Veut, the quartet harmonise beautifully on the song’s oddly haunting chorus as a variety of guitar chords strum their way through the soundscape. “Always”, is a masterpiece.
Deep Shah (@_deepshah)