Nilüfer Yanya, True Blue, Patche, Kaya Hoax and More: Also Cool's Playlist Refresh
Cola by Craig Scheihing
Buzzing from the high of our fourth straight induction into Cult MTL’s Best of MTL issue, we’re pleased to serve you another helping of tunes.
This edition of Also Cool’s Playlist Refresh features sharp new sounds from the likes of Two Shell and Patche. Save our regularly updated Playlist Refresh on Spotify to keep up with what’s cool.
Nilüfer Yanya by Molly Daniel
Nilüfer Yanya - “Like I Say (I runaway)”
Nilüfer Yanya has marked her move to record label Ninja Tune with the riveting new track “Like I Say (I runaway).” The British artist’s swirling vocal repetitions move in step with a percussive shuffle, giving way to a floodgate of fuzzed-out guitar as she falls through time and picks up the pieces.
Watch the liberatory music video for “Like I Say (I runaway),” directed by Yanya’s creative director and sister Molly Daniel.
Two Shell by Nancy McNulty
FKA twigs via Valentino
Two Shell and FKA twigs - “Talk to Me”
After teasing new release “Talk to Me” with chopped-up vocals by everyone from Jungkook to Taylor Swift, British dance duo Two Shell have found a home in FKA twigs. “Called you just to check you really meant the words that you said / I'm so hurt, cut my hair, putting makeup / With one chance, I just wanna be the one that you love,” twigs cries in her comfortably-tragic cadence. The floor drops from beneath her feet as she pleads to her lost flame, before Two Shell swoops in with a high-speed techno storm to obfuscate the tears.
True Blue via Bandcamp
LUCY by Annabell P. Lee
True Blue - “Airplane Mode (feat. LUCY [Cooper B. Handy])”
Not new, but still fresh: NYC musician True Blue’s twinkly-trap collab with AC fave LUCY (Cooper B. Handy). “Airplane Mode” pairs True Blue’s hushed angelic tones with LUCY’s carefree edge, delivering an F-U that is majorly infectious. Bonus points for LUCY’s interpolation of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” – a cheeky surprise jab to heighten the vibe.
Cola by Amy Fort
Cola - “Albatross”
Ahead of their sophomore album Gloss, Cola, the band formed by ex-Ought members Tim Darcy and Ben Stidworthy, and drummer Evan Cartwright, have released yet another indie banger – “Albatross.” The track (out on Fire Talk) is accompanied by a gorgeous abstract music video by Max Farrel.
Darcy explains:
“This song had a few lives before it took its final form. (...) The lyrics, which center around "an albatross"--something that greatly hinders accomplishment. From there I started thinking about a horse race and perhaps some trainer watching a slow motion replay to try identify what's wrong with an animal's stride, hence the chorus."
“Mandy” by Patche (art by Will Dereume)
Patche - “Mandy”
Montreal’s “ultrasupermegagroup” Patche has come out of hibernation, offering their latest “Mandy” as a transition into the spring, and a first taste of their upcoming album Document. The project brings together members from lô Pelgag, Alex Burger, Mon Doux Saigneur, Lumière, zouz and a thousand more projects, mixing their skills while jamming the sh*t out of their modular synths and organic instruments.
110% - “Ordinary”
The Montreal duo 110% return with their mellowed-out new single “Ordinary.” The track brings us into their world, floating through mundane tasks with a moody rhythm, getting us through the day the best they can. It’s a perfect soundtrack for your commute home & late night walks.
Kaya Hoax and Magi Merlin (art by @zachnf_ and @pietre.pigeon)
Kaya Hoax - “Hot Girls with ADD (feat. Magi Merlin)”
Hot girl alert ❗ Local icons Kaya Hoax and Magi Merlin have teamed up to make a summer banger with the same energy as “Bad Girls” by M.I.A. “Hot Girls with ADD” details the perfect night out, hopping in a limo, ignoring dumb boys, and celebrating their hard work. The track is accompanied by a lyric video with 8-bit animation and gorgeous Y2K styling.
Bladee, Ecco2k, Thaiboy Digital - “TL;DR”
We’re in a Drain Gang renaissance, with “TL;DR” leading the way. Drain Gang (Bladee, Ecco2k, Thaiboy Digital) teamed up for their collaborative single along with staple producer Whitearmor to create a filthy and addictive beat. Ecco2k’s glossy vocals shine in the track, with fans celebrating that he’s “back to using his old voice.” The music video brings us along for the ride on a grainy, blue-toned party night, with gorgeous light editing creating an electric, effervescent glow highlighting the crew.