Hello world,
Here’s your latest FP Picks update .. loads of great new music as always inc trx from Protoje, The Lathums, Divorce & many more. If you like what you hear please follow and share this playlist, it helps us keep doing our thing by getting the algorithms on our side. Also please support the artists featured in any way you can!
Until next week
Helen (Futureproof) x
Divorce – Antarctica
Nottingham quartet Divorce have shared captivating new single Antarctica, taken from their upcoming debut album Drive To Goldenhammer, based around warped, breezy guitar lines and reflective lyrics from singer Felix Mackenzie-Barrow. Of the song, he states: “I wrote Antarctica at the end of a long and deeply important relationship as a way to self-soothe and make sense of the loss I was feeling whilst touring non-stop. Thinking of the silent indifference of that vast continent at the bottom of the world was and still is something of a meditation for me. Barry Lopez describes Antarctica as ‘utterly remote, even as you stand in it. The light itself is aloof.” A heartwarming track with beautiful vocals/lyrics which describes break-up and rescuing a calf found in the middle of the road!
The Lathums – Stellar Cast
The Lathums have dropped banging new single Stellar Cast which centres on vocalist Alex Moore’s unexplained dreams. He says: “I got the inspiration for this song after one of our early gigs at the Brudenell in Leeds. We were joined by a stellar lineup. It was one of the rare times I’d had a bit too much to drink before going on stage. That night on the bus back, I had a crazy dream, probably fuelled by all the Jamaican ale I refer to in the song. In the dream, there was a strange figure at the end of my bed that I couldn’t get out of my head for a long time after.” The track reveals a new, experimental side of The Lathums, with a high-energy, fast-paced sound that is set to thrive in a live setting. Propelled by a powerful drum and bass groove, the track erupts with a thunderous opening, building into rapid-fire lyrics and punchy guitar riffs that keep listeners on the edge of their seats.
Bilk – Tommy
Essex band Bilk have shared hip-hop-influenced punk track Tommy, from their upcoming second album Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll. Vocalist and guitarist Sol Abrahams explains: “Tommy is the story of an aspiring actress who gets involved with this guy who’s a bit of a wrong ‘un and he takes her down the wrong path. I wrote it quickly and the solo is enough to melt your face clean off.” The track, a gritty fusion of indie rock, punk, and hip-hop, captures the band’s unmistakable energy and chaotic charm with its infectious melody and captivating lyrics. Loving the killer elastic bassline and searing hard rock solo on this absolute belter!
mercury – Swarm the Hive Mind
Rising Tennessee-based artist mercury (aka Maddie Kerr) has returned with her energetic new single and states: “Swarm the Hive Mind is about breaking out of a box; questioning and sometimes going off track of how everyone else thinks, lives, and acts. It’s easy to get stuck in hive-minded thinking, and it’s important to see things from all angles and veer off from what seems normal sometimes.” Built on a post-rock foundation of swirling, gauzy noise, the heart of Swarm the Hive Mind beats in the rich, fuzzed-out bass line. Its cyclical, distorted descent leans the track toward metal, while mercury’s voice enters the fairground with her signature ethereal haunt. She counteracts the guttural lows of the track, while bolstering the moments of softening – like when a nearly disco hi-hat line brings the track a breeze of indie pop.
Chloe Slater – Fig Tree
Manchester’s singer-songwriter Chloe Slater recently shared infectious new single Fig Tree ahead of a seven-date UK tour in early 2025 and she explained: “Fig Tree is an exploration of choice feminism and how it feels to be a woman in a society that frowns upon visible signs of aging. It’s an upbeat and uplifting song with a reminder to never pay too much attention to society’s unfair standards.” Slater’s music channels the raw struggles of young women into fiercely anti-capitalist anthems, with her debut EP You Can’t Put A Price On Fun standing as a bold exploration of youth, identity, and self-discovery. Praised by international media outlets, and BBC Introducing, Slater’s sharp ascent has included support slots with The Beaches and Kings of Leon, and a debut Glastonbury appearance, firmly cementing her status as a vital voice for a generation in flux.
Cloth – Polaroid
Cloth have shared their upbeat new single Polaroid and the band’s Rachael Swinton states: “Polaroid has such a strong, driving beat and a soaring string arrangement from Owen Pallett. We’ve never had strings on our music before so this was a real first for us. I was a little nervous about the idea because I think adding strings can sometimes go one of two ways – they can sound great or they can overpower the nuance of everything going on underneath. I can still remember hearing Owen’s arrangement for the first time and just turning to Paul with the biggest smile on my face – they absolutely nailed it.” Rachael’s brother Paul added “Lyrically, the song deals with the gradual loss of a friendship which used to burn very brightly. I think a lot of people can relate to the peculiar and quietly devastating feeling of becoming isolated from a person they once shared so much with.”
Greentea Peng – One Foot
Greentea Peng is back, and she’s bringing her genre-bending artistry to the UK and Europe next spring. Hot on the heels of announcing her sophomore album, Tell Dem It’s Sunny, the soulful powerhouse has released her single One Foot, the chorus of which is a standout example of the stop-in-your-tracks vocals which punctuate Peng’s spoken-truths throughout the album. Produced by OCT8VES (Jon Mills and Nat Powers), the raw and hypnotic instrumentation is perfectly complemented by Greentea’s dynamic vocal delivery. The video, directed by Peng herself in collaboration with ABOVEGROUND, is a monochrome masterpiece filmed in London. The moody visuals perfectly echo the introspection of the track, which is all about finding balance amid uncertainty. “One foot front and back again, the journey of perpetual longing,” the artist explains.
Protoje – 80’s Wild
Reggae revivalist Protoje recently shared poignant new single 80’s Wild. A timely commentary on Jamaica’s political unrest, corruption and systematic repression during the late 70s and 80s, the track serves as a pivotal piece of his upcoming film The Jamaican Situation. Protoje describes the film as a story “about a man returning home and navigating his identity amidst the complexities of modern Jamaican life.” The music, he explains, plays a crucial role in enriching these themes, blending seamlessly into the narrative. Fantastic songwriting on this stunning toe-tapper.
Korda Korder – What Have You Done?
This latest talent from Hastings, very much in the nascent stages of their fast emerging story, are turning heads in various quarters of the industry in recent weeks with John Kennedy, Steve Lamacq, DIY & 6Music’s Roundtable team all taking note of this first release. What Have You Done?, with its ethereal atmosphere, captivates you both with its lyrics & beautifully simple arrangement. Touches of the Cocteau Twins come through in their heavily chorused sound at times, as well as tinges of YMG’s Alison Stratton in the vocal performance but this duo (soon to be a full band apparently) have certainly captured the zeitgeist with their radio friendly sound and contemplative lyrics. I’d be interested to see how things develop from here as the band take on new members but safe to say we’ll be seeing more of Korda Korder in 2025.
Rikke – Spare Key
Emotions spill out at Christmas time in different ways for all of us but it’s always a reflective time of year no matter what the mood. On this poignant & heartfelt ballad by Scandinavian singer-songwriter Rikke, she takes a highly personal situation and makes it relatable to the many. We’ve all felt alone at time & as a result can spare a moment to consider others during the festive holiday. With its lilting rhythmic feel, the song deals with romantic breakup and feelings of betrayal but then in the chorus she reaches out & likens the situation to each and every one of us. Nicely understated gospel tinged backing vocals lift the song in the chorus & by the time the outro comes, Rikke sings “you should never wonder where your loved ones are at this time of year”… a wonderfully empathetic statement but sadly that can be a reality for many people – Merry Christmas everyone!
You can check out the whole playlist here. Please follow the socials below for our weekly updates and share about the place!
