Hear new songs by Phoenix, Abraham Alexander, Sampa The Great, Brotherkenzie, Jockstrap and Sick Thoughts
by Jade
September 15, 2022
This week’s batch of new music features three amazing collaborations, as well as new sounds from Minnesota, London and New Orleans.
Phoenix, “Tonight” feat. Ezra Koenig
Phoenix released “Tonight” along with the announcement of their new album, Alpha Zulu, which is releasing November 4. They played the song in The Current studio the day before the announcement (which was also they night they were in town putting on a show at Palace). The song marks the first time Phoenix have featured another singer on any of their songs. In a recent interview with Pitchfork, Thomas Mars of Phoenix said, "You get bored of your own voice, and this song was calling for a question-and-answer dynamic. [Ezra Koenig and I] were friends already, so I just asked him." A fun interplay that's indie, nostalgic and still refreshing came out of that impulse.
Abraham Alexander, “Stay” feat. Gary Clark Jr.
“‘Stay’ is about loving two places,” explains Texas-based singer-songwriter Abraham Alexander. “Choosing between two desires and not knowing where the journey would lead, but being confident enough to just walk through a door I felt was right." Alexander just released this simple and sweet song, which features an expressive guitar outro from fellow Texan Gary Clark Jr.
Sampa The Great, “Let Me Be Great” feat. Angélique Kidjo
Zambian rapper and singer with a bombastic personality that pushed her to the front of the Australia music scene, Sampa The Great, is back with a new album, As Above, So Below. She's highlighting another stellar African artist on her track, "Let Me Be Great," by enlisting the help of Angélique Kidjo.
Brotherkenzie, “Overgiver”
The guys from Hippo Campus seem to be non-stop with their musical output. Nathan Stocker from the band recently released a project (aptly titled Nathan) under the moniker Brotherkenzie.
Jockstrap, “Greatest Hits”
The eclectic duo of Taylor Skye and Georgia Ellery have somehow managed to fit every genre into their debut, I Love You Jennifer B, with Ellery's breathy vocals floating over that musical puzzle.
Sick Thoughts, “Skrewed”
Lo-fi garage punk from New Orleans musician, Drew Owen, the project called Sick Thoughts gives us fast, sloppy, and a refreshing throwback in under two minutes with "Skrewed."