The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, Yves Tumor, Nia Archives and P-rallel.
Music
Words: Jade Wickes,
Olive Pometsey,
Davy Reed
Photography: Mia Teresa
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PinkPantheress & Ice Spice – Boy’s a liar Pt.2
The Bronx’s newly anointed princess of drill brings her signature blend of spice to Boy’s a liar, PP’s bittersweet, lo-fi banger about a romantic link-up gone awry. “Like that boy is a cap /Sayin’ he home, but I know where he at, like /Bet he blowin’ her back,” Ice Spice raps languidly over the sugary production. JW
Yunè Pinku – Night Light
Twinkling, hypnotic synths transport you to a digital realm on Yunè Pinku’s latest, a track written from the perspective of a sentient AI that realises its creator could pull the plug on its consciousness any second. “I’m not digital /I’m just feeling,” she sings in wistful, airy vocals. ChatGPT could never. OP
p‑rallel ft. Kam-Bu & BXKS — Evening Time
Rising producer/DJ P‑rallel has teamed up with fellow Londoner Kam-Bu and Northampton rapper BXKS for his first track of 2023. Inspired by the distinctive garage sounds of So Solid Crew, who he grew up listening to, Evening Time has all the trappings of an instant nightclub classic: a rumbling bassline, a euphoric hook and razor-sharp bars from its guest MCs. JW
Nia Archives – Conveniency
Drum ‘n’ bass gets an indie makeover on Conveniency, with an acoustic guitar sample and layered vocals that soften the impact of Nia Archives’ signature sound. Lyrically, it’s clear that Nia is sick of being second best in a relationship, putting her foot down as she sings, “I’m at your conveniency /You ain’t never chosen me”. OP
Rèmmy – SMYL
Almost Nice Tapes is carving out a distinctive sound. On the London label’s releases, warm soul samples tend to simmer over slightly wonky hip-hop beats, bringing to mind the kind of lo-fi production that the likes of Mike and Earl Sweatshirt rap over. Rèmmy’s SMYL is the audio equivalent of comfort food, with brass that crackles like a well-worn vinyl record. DR
Yves Tumor – Echolalia
The coolest rock star of this era delivers lustful lyrics, breathy vocals and a purring bassline. DR
