Here’s to another big week of music! On the new music review, we guide through some of the best from around the world. Read on, click through to our Spotify playlist and enjoy it all on 2SER.

SERvin’ Up! – w/c May 28, 2018

Parquet Courts – Wide Awake! (Feature Album)
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Dear Nora – Skulls Example
The San Sebastian – Alive on the Black Sea
The Mouse Outfit – Jagged Tooth Crook
OKENYO – THE WAVE
Ari Roar – Calm Down
The Finks – Rolly Nice
The Sea and Cake – Any Day
Juliana Daugherty – Light

Let’s start with Dear Nora, the solo project of Katy Davidson. Some of you might remember them from last year when Orindal Records re-issued their 2004 album ‘Mountain Rock’ which was written during the time of George W. Bush’s early presidency, the 9/11 attacks, and the beginning of the Iraq war. Now returning almost 15 years later, in the midst of the Trump administration, with new album ‘Skulls Example’ which draws from meditations on humanity “how the techno-futuristic present juxtaposes so absurdly against the never-ending backdrop of inexorable, ancient elements”. To put it more simply, this is a fantastic indie folk record that’s both minimal and dynamic. Really transfixing vocals that glide seamlessly over fluid guitar melodies.

You’ll also hear from UK hip-hop crew The Mouse Outfit’s 3rd album ‘Jagged Crooked Teeth’, a great combination of laid back breaks and sharp-witted rhymes delivered with rapid spitfire flow. There’s an organic feel throughout which sounds like a tighter, more concise jam session, and that makes sense considering the crew initially cut their teeth as a live band for a South Manchester hip-hop open mic night called In The Loop. Such a lively record, with over 29 musicians, vocalists and producers appearing on this release.

And Ari Roar the moniker of Texan singer-songwriter Caleb Campbell brings us his debut album. He wrote ‘Calm Down’ with the aim to tackle anxiety and a lot of these songs explore the push-pull that comes with living with a mental illness. Drawing from 60s guitar pop and steeped in DIY bedroom production techniques, these songs are delightfully infectious that end all too soon.

Plus new singles from homegrown talents Luluc, Emma Davis, Tanaya Harper, newcomer Jonathan Something, Mark Lanegan collaborating with Duke Garwood and the solo work from BadBadNotGood’s Matty.

Until next week,
Steph