SINGLE REVIEWS OF THE WEEK: Omar Apollo, Griff, Kehlani, Soft Launch, Chappell Roan, Glass Animals, DICE

Omar Apollo – Spite

Omar Apollo is opening a brand new chapter ahead of the release of his forthcoming second studio album later this year. “Spite” is the first taste of what’s to come, and it’s a bonafide banger. There’s a pulsating energy to this song that feels quite fresh and exciting for Omar, with a production that leans into a rhythmic soundscape. From the very first listen you’ll find yourself grooving along and ready to scream out the chorus with him. Reflecting on the complications of a long distance, he gets frustrated by not being able to be with them, and tries to prove he’s okay on his own, even though he’s not. “Why you gotta ruin every night? Fifty K, I spend it out of spite every time I see you on my phonе. Hate that I still need you in my life” he angrily sings before later confessing “You’re the only place I wanna go. I still wanna take you on a date”. There’s a natural charm to this song that will have you immediately falling in love with it and ready to break out all the choreography from the music video, except maybe the motorbike stunts.

Griff – Pillow In My Arms

Griff really wants us to have ALL of the new music, so she’s unveiled “Ver2igo vol.2” which opens the portal from vol.1 and brings listeners into an increasingly more pop-centric soundscape. Following the lead single (and epic pop anthem) “Miss Me Too”, vol.2 is led by the heartbreakingly beautiful focus track “Pillow In My Arms”. It’s the sort of song that will captivate you on the very first listen and leave you in awe with its raw vulnerability, beautiful vocals, and smooth melody. Reflecting on grief following a break-up, she starts seeing that person everywhere she goes and tries to find ways to hold onto the memories she has. “I dance with a pillow in my arms. Oh, as if it has a heartbeat. Oh, as if it was your body” she sings. The production begins quite minimalist before building with drums and pop beats. The vocal delivery of the post-chorus is a standout with her singing “Oh, it loves me in the morning and it loves me in the evening, and it loves me when everyone is sleeping. And it’s all that I’ve got left”. And then she strips it all back for the final chorus of the song to just her on piano which brings you back to the raw vulnerability that makes this song so special.

Kehlani – After Hours

Kehlani is back! It’s been a little while between releases for the RNB powerhouse, but following the release of their album “Blue Water Road” in 2022, they’re turning up the heat and returning with an absolute smash. “After Hours” is an anthem that is ready to soundtrack the American summer with its seductive energy and the infectious sample of Nina Sky’s “Move Ya Body”. The upbeat and carefree track is all about feeling a dynamic energy with someone and asking them to not go home and spend the early hours of the morning with them instead. “Why don’t you stay? Stay here after hours. I know you don’t wanna leave. Stay here after hours” they sing. There’s a cheekiness and seductiveness that is so compelling and will have you pressing replay over and over again. It’s a summer anthem that I think we won’t hear the end of, and rightfully so.

Soft Launch – Cartwheels

Introducing themselves to the world, Soft Launch are ready to go full hard launch on their debut single “Cartwheels”. The Irish five-piece are being touted as “your new favourite boyband”, but the term “boyband” is quite loose, and instead they are redefining what it means. This is one of those debut singles that stops you in your tracks on the very first listen and makes you say an expletive, it’s that good. Sonically reminiscent of Wallows, Declan McKenna and Thomas Headon, they craft this very British alternative pop-rock sound that feels warmly familiar and also experimentally charged at the same time. Self-produced by the band themselves, they hone a vision that is undoubtedly unique to them. The chorus is infectiously catchy with this oddball hook with the instrumental also injecting a groove into your ears that stands out. “Cartwheels” is a very strong debut single for Soft Launch, and I can safely say my eyes (and ears) are eagerly waiting for their next move.

Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Chappell Roan is the future. The Midwestern princess herself gained global acclaim with her stellar debut album “The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess” last year, and now she’s ready to keep the momentum building with another brilliant pop song. “Good Luck, Babe!” is a queer pop anthem about finding yourself in a situationship with someone who isn’t ready to be true to themselves. It’s a reality that isn’t talked about a lot in media or through mainstream art, and Chappell paints this vivid image of needing to let someone go figure themselves out instead of continuously getting led on. “You can kiss a hundred boys in bars. Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling. You can say it’s just the way you are. Make a new excuse, another stupid reason. Good luck, babe” she sings. I wouldn’t necessarily say there is an anger to this song, but instead it’s more about standing up for yourself and not letting someone else dictate how you feel. It’s quite playful, and her unique bouncey alt-pop is in strong force within this production. It’s just so catchy that is undeniably a banger.

Glass Animals – Creatures In Heaven

“Yes, yes, yes!” Is the internal monologue I had while listening to Glass Animals highly anticipated return, and I have a feeling you will be feeling the same way. “Creatures In Heaven” is the first taste of their forthcoming fourth studio album “I Love You So F****ing Much” out July 19, and it’s an infectious monster of a song. Slightly reminiscent of the off-kilter production behind “Heat Waves”, this song serves you a giant hit of serotonin. It has that festival ready chorus intertwined with a theatrical production that is going to feel very grand when performed live. Using analogue 70’s synths, the UK four-piece bring the past and future together for a very innovative sound. Exploring the importance of being present, they use this song as a reminder to pull yourself in when you feel yourself drifting away. “I don’t think I realise, just how much I miss you sometimes. We were young and so in love. We were just creatures in heaven” lead singer Dave Bayley sings. It’s a giant tune, so prepare to be obsessed.

DICE – Quick To Judge

Rising Australian indie-rock favourites DICE are cementing why they are ones to watch for 2024, with their bold new single “Quick To Judge”. Released ahead of their biggest national tour yet which kicks off in May, the four-piece find a vulnerability within their festival-ready sound. The introspective track is all about the crossroads of wanting to go out to forget the head noise, or staying home to have the much needed alone time you know you need. It’s something most of us are faced with, and we don’t always choose to do the best thing for us. “Don’t tell me that I’m higher, ‘cause I don’t care what they say. I’m a lover not a fighter of yours today. Until the end of days” lead singer Ben Hodge sings. There is a British alt-rock feel to this song that matches the arena-rock standards of Catfish & The Battlemen and Arctic Monkeys with elevates from everything they’ve previously released. It’s a massive step-up that excitingly sets them up for an even bigger 2024 as they begin their takeover as your new favourite band.

DICE – QUICK TO JUDGE NATIONAL TOUR
Tickets on sale now at https://dice.komi.io/

BLEACHED

SINGLE REVIEWS OF THE WEEK: Omar Apollo, Griff, Kehlani, Soft Launch, Chappell Roan, Glass Animals, DICE

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