Before we begin this week’s roundup, I wanted to draw your attention to a fundraiser gig on March 8 at Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. It’s in support of Rosa Thomas (The Samphires vocalist) and her recovery after suffering a haemorrhagic stroke in 2025. The acts include Prefab Sprout frontman Martin McAloon and Richard Dawson. Another act,
The Agency… has released a new single ‘We Fell to the Floor’ featuring guest vocals from Rosa Thomas. Get down and support the cause! Tickets here, and presave the single here.
Onto the roundup!
TRACK OF THE WEEK
Kenzo Jae – ‘chicken bagel’
I am absolutely starving as I listen to this song, so everything I say about this track is despite the hungers pangs. It’s a brilliantly cosy, light-hearted song that carries its title out of ridiculousness with pure sonic slickness, a playfulness that understands the balance between the tongue-and-cheek and the straight-faced. ‘chicken bagel’ is the track of the week.
Tree Trunks – ‘Tiempo’
Pure 2010s in its approach, ‘Tiempo’ feels like if Vampire Weekend eschewed the freneticism for something sweeter, choosing raspberry ripple over thunder and lightning.
Chinese American Bear – ‘All The People (所有人)’
This track sounds like a latter-day James Mercer project: clean production, falsettos et al. And with this comes a catchiness, an off-kilter sound that’s still identifiable as pop but much richer in its delivery.
Lizzie Reid – ‘Sweet Relief’
Reid’s vocals writhe over moping rhythm and goth guitars like a snake on the grill. It reminds me of a Humbug track; I can imagine Reid on a badly-CGI’d sail boat, directed by Richard Ayoade. Also, my alarm went off just as the second verse started, and I accepted it as part of the song for too long.
They Might Be Giants – ‘Wu-Tang’
An ode to the C.R.E.A.M. of the crop, and my second favourite behind The French’s ‘The Wu-Tang Clan’, the Johns’ are as irreverent, bombastic and endearing as ever. Only now, we all know who to thank.
Prostitute – ‘Judge (Fast)’
Though it starts perfect for a film trailer, it soon becomes clear that this song is made to e played live. Half the rage is in Moe Kazra’s vocals, but the other half is in the caged instrumental, grasping for feedback in my headphones, desperate to let loose, to burst and eardrum or two.
GUM – ‘Celluloid
Jay Watson (of Pond and Tame Impala) dips his toes into some chamber psychedelia, morphing and shifting like Gumby in an iron fist.
The New Pornographers – ‘Pure Sticker Shock’
A thoughtful rumination on self-worth – the worth of anything, really – ‘Pure Sticker Shock’ always feels guided by a steady hand, flitting between hooks delivered somehow with an earnestness and a wink.
Pete Fij – ‘Cuckoo’
Strangely alluring, Pete Fij grooves with a 90s aloofness atop what sounds like a Kills song, though with less bite and more mystique.
Baby Rose ft. Leon Thomas – ‘Friends Again’
What a throwback! Pluck a soul singer from the 50s and whack them on a neo-R&B track – you get ‘Friends Again’. Baby Rose’s vocals feel like water rushing down a dry throat, paint smeared slick across a bare wall, with Leon Thomas’ duet providing well-suited texture.
Book of Churches – ‘The Quiet Was A Heron’
I’ve tried to write ‘warp and weft’ into many of my own songs, but what a waste. It’ll never match the gentle, folky serenity evoked by ‘The Quiet Was A Heron’.
Foy Vance – ‘We Almost Made It’
As the final single from Vance’s upcoming seventh album, the last in his odyssey of grief, I can’t imagine of a more fitting song. This is Vance at his most vulnerable.
The Orielles – ‘Tears Are’
Where wood meets metal, dissonant guitars pierced by electronic chirps, whispers of sympathy and scorn gliding like a plastic bag on a playing field.
Pop your email below to support the site and never miss an article again!
Argus Far 
Leave a comment