Some Great Songs You May Not Have Heard

“Still Beating”, Mac DeMarco

Somehow, until late last year, I was completely oblivious to the magic of Mac DeMarco. Thankfully for me, good friends share good music, with Calum Bain once again providing an excellent recommendation. “Still Beating” can be found on Mac DeMarco’s third studio album “This Old Dog”, released in 2017, following on from his successes with “2” and “Salad Days”. I have always admired his uncanny ability to be quite so creative whilst using such few chords, a talent he utilises particularly well on this track.  “Still Beating” initially appears to be merely another heartfelt love song, yet closer listening might suggest it tells the story of being unfaithful and the resultant guilt. I particularly enjoy the following lines:

“Never thought some silly songs

Could ever go and hurt someone,

I never meant to sing my tune

For anybody else out there but you”

They serve as a perfect example of Mac DeMarco’s clever and poetic songwriting. Definitely check out this song and the rest of the album – you won’t regret it.

 

“Albion”, Babyshambles

Pete Doherty might just be the best example of the term “flawed genius”. A deeply troubled soul, yet a true poet and craftsman of outstanding songwriting. After a successful, yet turbulent, period with The Libertines came to an end in 2003, Doherty went on to form a new band, Babyshambles. Their debut album was released in 2005 and features a number of great songs, but my particular favourite is “Albion”, which perfectly personifies Doherty’s eccentric style. The opening 60 seconds feature an odd collection of unconventional sounds which have been attributed to an old-fashioned organ warming up. These soon give way to a melodic, acoustic, ballad, complete with Doherty’s distinctive vocals, which albeit are far from spectacular, do possess a certain enigmatic charm. The lyrics are inspired by a poem written by a 16-year-old Doherty and it is often claimed to be the very first song written by him. What a way to start your musical career!

 

“The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home”, Courteeners

I’ve been a big fan of Courteeners for a number of years now and had the pleasure of seeing them live on a number of occasions. They are perhaps best known for their energetic anthems and spirited performances, but they have also produced a, somewhat underrated, collection of brilliant acoustic tracks. After discovering “The Rest Of The World Has Gone Home” in a random Spotify playlist, I quickly fell in love with it and it has fast become one of my favourite songs by the band. The topic of songwriting has become a common theme throughout this post, but once again it is a key part of what makes this track so great. Through his use of clever rhyming and cultural references, Liam Fray tells the story of a lad out in town who, despite his jovial surroundings, feels totally alone and out of place. This track not only highlights Fray’s songwriting ability, but also the strength of his mellow vocals, which are complimented by the acoustic setting.

 

“BURNING”, Loup Havenith

With this next pick, we take a significant side-step from the mainstream to up-and-coming, Glasgow based, musician – Loup Havenith. I fortunately came across his music through a mutual friend (Lloyd - check out his music too - Lloyd’s House on Spotify). Loup released his first album in September of 2020 titled “BRING YOURSELF TO COMPLETION”. Self-described as “Music for taking a breather”, he offers up a plethora of refreshing tracks, dripping with moody, melancholy lyrics and bright, acoustic melodies. The opening track “BURNING” is a particular favourite of mine. It’s the kind of song one might listen to whilst gazing out of a raindrop-stained window, calmly pondering the trials and tribulations of life. If that is not enough to at least slightly engage your interest, I’m not sure what will!

“K.”, Cigarettes After Sex

Cigarettes After Sex can be described in any number of ways. Dreamy, ethereal, limerent, ambient, but one thing is certain, you must be in the right mood to listen to this band. A relatively recent discovery for me, they provide a refreshing change from my typical taste in music. Listening feels like resting on a familiar shoulder in times of need, particularly when you just don’t know how to feel about someone or a certain situation. “K.” tells the story of falling for a no-strings-attached lover, and the feelings of yearning that the narrator feels when she is no longer there, but my clichéd account does not do this beautiful song justice. If you have ever been in this situation, you will experience a deep resonation with the storyteller. If you have not, after listening, you’ll most certainly feel like you have. Grab your headphones, get comfy, and prepare to shed a tear.

“Are You Bored Yet?”, Wallows (feat. Clairo)

Once again, Calum Knott has proven his worth as one of my most valuable sources of fresh music recommendations. I’m convinced that the man is employed by Spotify and you can’t persuade me otherwise, he possesses too much insider information. Anyway, Willows are a 3-piece American band formed in 2017, who released their debut album in 2019. Unbeknown to me, the group’s vocalist and guitarist, Dylan Minette, starred in Netflix’s immensely-popular “13 Reasons Why”, as well as making appearances in several other well-known shows - you learn something new every day. The band themselves describe the song “Are You Bored Yet” as: “the idea of someone being bored with a relationship that you have been in for a while, and the fear that you or the other person is ready to move on”. Combine this theme with a catchy melody and some lovely vocals, and you have a song I’ve had on repeat for several days straight. Go listen! 

“Sunday”, The Cranberries

There is nothing quite like the warm comfort of listening to an artist you know and love. Yet, finding oneself stuck in a seemingly endless loop of listening to the same songs over and over, returning to your favourite bands and playlists each day, is an easy trap to fall into. In a bid to avoid this staleness, I’ve been trying to listen to a new album end-to-end, as often as possible, which in turn led me to “Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?”, the debut album from The Cranberries. Until this point, I had heard a few songs by them, but I was woefully unprepared for how much I would enjoy this album! I could have included any number of tracks; however, my particular favourite is “Sunday”. A simple but brilliant alternative song, perfectly coupling euphonic melody with Dolores O'Riordan’s powerful vocals. An absolute must listen!

 

“Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts”, Arctic Monkeys

There are often some interesting finds on band’s B-sides.  Songs that (somehow) didn’t make the final cut for the album, or grace the fame of its fellow counterparts. “Bigger Boys and Stolen Sweethearts” can be found tucked away as the B-side on the very first Arctic Monkeys single, the far more well-known “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”, which was released in 2005. The song is about fickle teenage relationships and the likelihood that someone is always out to steal your girlfriend.  It possesses that certain mid-2000s charm and complete with Alex Turner’s boyish, 19-year-old vocals, this song can only be described as classic Arctic Monkeys sound. Just when you think you have listened to each and every song recorded by your favourite artist, there might just be something tucked away, waiting for you to discover!

Andrew x