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AUDIO Killian Barry Andrew Lambert Danny Wilson P
illow Queens In Waiting [Pillow Queens Records] Kenshi Yonezu Stray Sheep [Sony Music Entertainment] Pillow Queens’ debut full-length finds the band picking up where their EPs left off. This is a selfassured collection of meat-and-potatoes indie rock which puts the guitars front and centre. It consolidates the group’s signature sound while the vernacular timbre of the vocals sets them apart from soundalikes. True to form, In Waiting never misses an opportunity for a hefty instrumental breakdown, but it also finds space for its fair share of escalating slow burners. Even at its grungiest, the effect is more melodic than abrasive, from the dreamy guitar of Holy Show to Handsome Wife’s ungarnished reverb. Having navigated the choppy waters of postrecession, post-referendum Ireland, here Pillow Queens emphasise community, connection and grassroots artistry. Though mostly apolitical, In Waiting embodies the winds of social change blowing through the country, doing its bit for LGBTQ representation along the way. The Dublin-based four-piece have been a bit of an open secret since their 2016 formation and make the step up to full album without sacrificing their DIY ethic. Indeed, simply being a no-nonsense guitar band in 2020 seems itself an act of contrarianism. In some parallel universe, the launch gig would be a defining moment for Pillow Queens. As it is, In Waiting is destined to elevate the band’s profile from industrious word-of-mouth workhorses to one of this country’s most exciting prospects. KB Like this? Try these: Lucy Dacus - Historian SOAK - Grim Town Powpig - Buzz Buzz Stray Sheep sports plenty of J-rock influence, but make no mistake, this is unadulterated crowdpleasing pop from Kenshi Yonezu. Hence, smooth rapid-fire vocals steer twitchy guitar-led tunes with concessions to soaring strings and faddish tinges of ‘80s city pop. Nothing quite eclipses Lemon; that stubbornly ubiquitous earworm does much of the heavy lifting, having made Kenshi-san a household name in his native Japan. Yonezu’s earnest pop succumbs to neither sterility nor mawkishness, even if Stray Sheep’s lengthy runtime could use a bit of shearing. AL Marcus Woods Self Portrait [Burner] With his debut LP, Dubliner Marcus Woods, confirms his reputation as a young producer of rare nous; acutely aware of the tropes of house and techno (as evidenced on tracks like Technicolor) but just as unconcerned with pandering to them. In fact, tracks like Temporary Onism more call to mind the strung out bedroom melancholia of ‘90s slowcore icons Duster than it does any dancefloor trend du jour. With this deftly realised, satisfyingly individualist collection Woods has announced himself as a welcome new face in the lineage of essential Hiberno knob twiddlers; Si Schroder, Somadrone, New Jackson et al. DW Burna Boy Twice as Tall [Spaceship/Atlantic/Warner Music] Postcard Versions Remote Viewing [Self Released] Employing dancehall and mellow hip-hop over African rhythms and instrumentation, Burna Boy’s mission is to project that continent from within via the nebulous umbrella genre of Afro-fusion. The Nigerian’s fifth album shows evolution from the flimsy party music of his early career, though beyond one impassioned barnstormer (Monsters You Made), Twice as Tall contains less Afrocentric politics than expected. The distraction of the Grammys and the turning of PR wheels might explain its scattergun approach, but nevertheless, here’s a three-dimensional crossover effort that’ll lighten Burna Boy’s millstone of bringing Africa to the world. KB CLICK IT OUT… Postcard Versions sophomore album is a very welcome return to the breezy bedroom indie pop of the duo’s 2019 debut, as Ross Hamer and Paddy Ormond lay down another charming series of misleadingly bright instrumentals while subtly weaving in loftier lyrical subjects than suggested by these sweet jangles. As well as expanding their musical repertoire with keyboards and organ, Ormond and Hamer develop thematically on this contemplative yet effortlessly catchy sequel. AL We know it and so should you food, fashion, photography, film, books, magazines, music, design, drink and a curated section of events for you to consider www.totallydublin.ie