1. Ella Thompson – I Go Over
One half of GL, the singer from Dorsal Fins and The Bamboos, newly solo Ella Thompson is making waves on her own – and rightly so! Check out her latest clip for I Go Over, filled with beautiful scenic shots, girls dancing in pastel colours and her awesome version of nostalgia tinged 80’s dance pop.
2. The Murlocs – Adolescence
One of the more exciting acts to be doing things this year is The Murlocs, and their single Adolescence has been stuck in my head since it came out. The clip suits the song perfectly, with lead singer Ambrose Kenny-Smith sitting on a couch in a knight’s helmet playing video games. Classic.
3. Rapsody – The Man
Rapsody doesn’t get anywhere near as much credit as she so obviously deserves, but perhaps now that she’s featured on Kendrick‘s To Pimp A Butterfly things might be starting to pick up. She just dropped this beautiful, emotional and all too real clip of young boys growing up without fathers. If this amazing artist isn’t on your radar, let this change that for you.
4. Major Lazer ft. MO & DJ Snake – Lean On
I put this one in this list purely for the awkward dancing shown by everyone but Walshy Fire. Also, the shot with MO in a spa/ancient bath with JUST Diplo is both creepy and hilarious. The song is a jam but this clip is lol-worthy.
5. Modest Mouse – Lampshades on Fire
We were incredibly excited about the imminent arrival of Modest Mouse’s new album, so this clip is a big deal for us. They released five tracks ahead of the release date (March 17), and now that it’s out, they’ve deliver this chaotic and visceral clip for what was their first new single. It also features Orange Is The New Black star Natasha Lyonne for some extra industry cred!
6. Chic – I’ll Be There
20 years have passed since the last Chic release, but with the release of their latest track, I’ll Be There it’s like they never left! These guys are literally the forefathers of dance music, living legends and one of the main reasons I got so into music (how could you not when you listen to them?). It was written by Nile Rodgers in relation to him finding friend Bernard Edwards‘ body a few hours after he had died. Although the meaning carries a lot, this track could be played just about anywhere with it’s classic-yet-modern take on disco music.
One half of GL, member of The Bamboos and Dorsal Fins– it’s a wonder Ella Thompson has any time on her hands let alone enough to forge her own solo career as well, yet she does and has, and the results are sublime.
Although the accompanying film clip suggests a nostalgic tinge, this is actually a more modern take on the dancefloor tracks Thompson has become known for with GL, and more electronically suited than that of the soul/funk stylings of The Bamboos or the lo-fi psychedelic tunes of Dorsal Fins.
Ella is stepping out on her own, and Arcade is a perfect and ambitious first release. Pensive and emotional, Arcade is an emotional synth-pop ballad with heartfelt lyrics. Showing more lyrical depth, as well as serious talent on the production side of things, this is the kind of heartfelt pop that will set her apart from other slightly more generic electro-pop ladies.
Arcade is the first track off Thompson’s forthcoming album Janus, and has got me very excited indeed to see what else she can offer!