We start the show with an artist who is nearly impossible to classify by genre: Nilüfer Yanya. That slippery musical fluidity and boundary-less songwriting has made the UK artist, whose family roots reach back to Barbados and Turkey, one of the most exciting new artists to emerge in the last few years. Her song “Crash” was one of our favorites when we launched and on March 4 she dropped the new album PAINLESS. It’s getting the full crop of critical praise from NPR to NYTimes to the BBC — and rightfully so. Pitchfork says it “excels at (a) kind of subtle disclosure, relying less on power than it does texture and immaculately sparing detail.”
It’s a big week for one of our favorites, Bartees Strange. The song “Heavy Heart,” about letting go of guilt, is the first released under his newly announced record deal with legendary label 4AD. Congratulations to him and the label, who now have one of the most exciting new artists to strap on a guitar. He’ll be in Nashville in April opening for Car Seat Headrest at Brooklyn Bowl.
Belle and Sebastian initially arrived on the scene in the ’90s with a style that connected the indie rock aesthetic of that era with the delicate folk of Nick Drake. Their sound has evolved over the decades to include the kind of upbeat, danceable pop like you just heard on the NME. “Unnecessary Drama” is their first new music in seven years and previews their tenth album coming in May. B&S are returning to Nashville for a very rare appearance at the Ryman in June.
Before that, former WNXP #NashvilleArtistOfTheMonth Madi Diaz from a new EP out today reimagining four songs from last year’s gorgeous History of a Feeling album. Lots of guests including touring mate Waxahatchee (they play Ryman Auditorium in April) and that version of “Forever” features Angel Olsen.
Next we have Kevin Morby. A unique voice in every sense of the word, who has won the respect of fans, critics and fellow artists with his folk and psych-rock songwriting that is both economical and mind-expanding. He turns his talents inward on the title track to his new album This is a Photograph, telling the story of a family picture that led him on a recent journey of inspiration and discovery in Memphis. The full record comes in May and he’ll be back in Nashville in October.
Some breezy French indie pop for our little window into spring from Melody’s Echo Chamber. The new album is coming in April on Domino. The project’s namesake Melody Prochet says she approached it in a more grounded, mindful and direct way and it has a (quote) “uplifting quality.”
The next voice you’ll hear on the NME sounds like a lost classic re-released on some cool indie label. This isn’t a contemporary of Harry Nilsson or Randy Newman but Alex Izenberg certainly carries that torch in fine fashion. His third album, I’m Not Here, comes in May. The LA based artist has been open about dealing with schizophrenia and says he’s “getting closer to making the unconscious conscious with this song,” which is “Egyptian Cadillac.”
“Blenda” from the Belgian duo Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul on the NME. Their new album out this week Topical Dancer was co-produced by Soulwax and as you could hear in those lyrics – it tackles cultural appropriation, misogyny, racism and does it with wit and rhythm.
Back in 1988 a genre-smashing, chart-busting dance hit came from Sweden and the artist Neneh Cherry. The style, the video and the song are all considered incredibly influential and the song is on several lists of all-time greats. This week a new version dropped, with Cherry’s blessing and involvement from fellow Swede Robyn with production help from Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes. Cherry says this is the first from a forthcoming collaboration album expected later this year.
NME PLAYLIST 03042022
- Nilüfer Yanya “the dealer”
- Yola “Diamond Studded Shoes (Remix)”
- Bartees Strange “Heavy Heart”
- Madi Diaz feat. Angel Olsen “Forever (New Feelings Version)”
- Belle & Sebastian “Unnecessary Drama”
- Melody’s Echo Chamber “Personal Message”
- Alex Izenberg “Egyptian Cadillac”
- Band of Horses “Warning Signs”
- Charlotte Adigery & Bolis Pupul “Blenda
- Wet Leg “Angelica”
- Charley Crockett “I Feel For You”
- Robyn “Buffalo Stance”
- Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever “Tidal River”
