In this week's LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ALT BLK ERA, Jayahadadream, Pretty Windows and Alice for Breakfast...
Single: JayaHadADream & Gardna - Fine Art
Nottingham’s honorary hip-hop daughter teams up with Bristol MC Gardna on an infectious flow of binaural beats and current hip-hop. There are multiple influences in addition to this from reggae to underground grime, more fitting perhaps with Jaya’s Jamaican heritage. This is a number that is imbued with transcending waves of sound and passionate prosaic verses which demonstrate Jaya’s evolving talent as a writer as well as an artist. The latest rendition of the track features a remix from Baxter and like Jaya recites “I live for the art, it’s a vibe, it's a shesh".
This seems a decent summary of the tracks components and while there is a cultural concoction of multiple genres, the vibe is all about capturing art in the moment, the slot in time where we stop to appreciate what is put before us. It certainly questions our notions of what art means to different people. The question we are left with is “Does Air Max One look like fine art or is it an instant cop? To others, yes, to purists, an instant no. This combined craft is a contemporary case of modern music's ability to break new bounds. @jayahadadream (Lewis Oxley)
Single: ALT BLK ERA - Hunt You Down
Celebrating their second MOBO Award nomination in style, Nottingham’s favourite alternative sister duo have just dropped the latest teaser single from their forthcoming debut album, Rave Immortal. Of all the tracks released from the project so far, it feels like the song that plays up to the album’s title the most. Effortlessly merging an ominous atmosphere with some pulsating, trancey synths that will make you want to dance and let loose, it’s a single that firmly puts the Rave into Rave Immortal. With Nyrobi and Chaya continuing to get more exposure and every song from their upcoming debut so far being a certified banger, their Saltbox show in January may be one of your last chances to see them before word truly gets out. If you haven’t sorted your tickets yet, you may want to move fast! @altblkera (Karl Blakesley / Photo: Cassie B Photography)
Single: Pretty Windows - Christmas on the Moon
Remember the classic Christmas songs from the 1970s by artists like Slade, Wizard, Sweet and Mud? Well, Nottingham's Pretty Windows now give you a modern twist with the single Christmas on the Moon. It starts with a space rocket launch countdown and moves quickly into a retro guitar riff that you feel sure you've heard before, but don't know where or why. Lyrics about our Christmas many years ago, cheap aftershave presents, fake snow and dodgy dancing. Do yourself a favour, pop this track on your playlist and press the continuous button to make this the alternate Christmas number one. Christmas has landed and Pretty Windows have started the party. @thisisprettywindows (Bassey)
Single: Alice for Breakfast - Sugar Crash
A brand new band is a great sign of a thriving music scene; Nottingham's latest is called Alice for Breakfast and their debut Sugar Crash heralds an exciting new voice on our circuit. Drawing on a wide range of genres, the track opens with brooding, chunky guitars and whispered count-in. Then, it opens up into wide-ranging riffs, soaring vocals and subtly expanding drums. Layering in more guitars, giving the bass a time to shine, and allowing those drums to display their potential, there's a lovely feeling of exploration and a band excited to show what they're made of. The guttural screams of joy and abandon towards the end hint at a thrilling live experience when these guys get out among us. Watch out Nottingham!
Sugar Crash is released on 27th December; expect an album's-worth of tracks throughout 2025. @alice.for.breakfast (Phil Taylor)
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