The first week of May has brought another batch of amazing new releases. Check out the IINAG team’s favourite tracks of the week.
CMAT – Take A Sexy Picture Of Me
Proclaimed by CMAT herself to be ‘one of the best songs’ that she’s ever written, ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me’ is an earnestly emphatic single from the Irish singer, ahead of the release of her third album, ‘EURO-COUNTRY’. The single boasts a silky production that spotlights CMAT’s velvety vocals, which are warmly married to a shimmeringly whimsical musical arrangement. With twin-tipped lyrics that both humorously and honestly condemn the unachievable beauty standards enforced upon women, ‘Take a Sexy Picture of Me’ can certainly be christened as CMAT’s most recent powerful pop proclamation. – Elizabeth Guest
Baxter Dury – Allbarone
Baxter Dury returns at last – the lounge lizard is back with his first release since 2023’s ‘I Thought I Was Better Than You’. ‘Allbarone’ is an upbeat, electronic banger: pulsing dancefloor filler beats fill the track out, before Dury’s velvety sung/spoken vocals are draped on top. Dury is the king of cool: achieving illicit nonchalance whilst pulling a blinder of a track out of the bag. JGrrey’s vocals match Dury’s perfectly here, each garnishing the electronic beat with fantastically sardonic regional tones. – Charlie Brock
Gwenno – War
After a trio of records in Welsh and Cornish, popular polyglot Gwenno will sing predominantly in English for the first time on her upcoming album “Utopia”, the second single from which was released on Wednesday. “War” reimagines a poem by Edrica Huws, ‘Vingt-Et-Un’, written in the early years of WW2. Gwenno lends voice to Huws’ evocative words, her singing sits perfectly atop a driving rhythm painted with piano and guitar, channelling the melancholy, the calm and the confusion of the poem, the pridefulness and cynicism of wartime. If ‘War’ is anything to go by, ‘Utopia’ promises no less mystique, even if 1.35 billion people worldwide will now have a better grasp of what Gwenno is talking about. – Miles Cooke
Man/Woman/Chainsaw – MadDog
London art-punks Man/Woman/Chainsaw have blessed us all with ‘MadDog’ is a raucous two-part thriller in short, musical form. Erratic, thrashing guitar work soon intertwines with twinkly keys, helping to form a turbulent, intense track. The sextet’s already signature violin only adds a delicate stitch of peacefulness to the chaos at first, but helps create a beautiful calm as the music steadies to a halt. ‘MadDog’ is a perfect cocktail of the group’s musical rowdiness and their unique ability as instrumentalists. – Tyler Wright
The New Eves – The New Eve / Rivers Run Red
Brighton’s The New Eves announce their debut album, The New Eve Is Rising, arriving August 1st via Transgressive, alongside two compelling tracks. “Rivers Run Red,” born from a teenage poem and jamming improvisation, evolves into a hypnotic folk-dance marvel with unexpected instrumentation and dramatic lyrics. The title track, “The New Eve,” a spoken-word mantra turned folk-punk battle cry, serves as a powerful mission statement of self-belief and collective strength. These initial glimpses reveal a band conjuring a unique and irresistible sound. – Lauren Moreton
Adam Hopper & The Wimps – Remember To Have Fun
Adam & The Wimps’ latest EP drops today, featuring its enchanting title track, “Remember To Have Fun.” This gorgeous, folk-infused song delicately explores the vital act of preserving childhood wonder amidst the complexities of adult life. Gentle acoustic instrumentation intertwines with heartfelt vocals, creating a poignant and tender atmosphere. The lyrics serve as a sweet reminder to cherish simple pleasures and maintain a sense of playful curiosity. It’s a beautifully crafted piece that resonates with a nostalgic longing for innocence, offering a comforting and uplifting listening experience. – Katie Macbeth
Check out our playlist!
Adam Hopper, Baxter Dury, CMAT, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, The New Eves
