Now we are finally free of the long shadow of January, February has practically flown by and we have been enjoying some killer tunes at the Gigantic Tickets office that we couldn’t wait to share!
And if you want to enjoy the unparalleled thrill of live music, click the link below to choose from a mind-blowing range of gigs and festivals. We have everything a music lover could want whether it be indie or pop, hip-hop and rock!
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A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SONGS
“Burning Down The House” – Paramore
Hayley Williams and co. turn their hand at this classic Talking Heads single, pulling off the perfect cover. The track is set to be included on an upcoming tribute album celebrating the iconic Stop Making Sense concert film which was recently reissued on its 40th anniversary.
“16 CARRIAGES” – Beyoncé
“16 CARRIAGES” is a pre-taste of Beyoncé’s eagerly awaited eighth album. Queen Bey’s surprise release also sees her take an unexpected turn towards country ballads as the superstar plucks heartstrings in a nostalgic song about family and coming of age.
“Naked In Manhattan” – Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan went big on the new-wave vibes with her 2022 single “Naked In Manhattan”. It’s a playful banger about the giddy rush of excitement that comes during the first flourishes of romance and a massive queer anthem.
“The Real Thing” – FEET
Coventry indie rockers FEET have come a long way since the self-release of their debut album What’s Inside is More Than Just Ham in 2019. The five-piece have shot to international attention and become a major force on the festival circuit. Their ascent continues with “The Real Thing”, an impassioned lead single from their upcoming sophomore LP.
“Therapy” – Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
Cardiff crew Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard continue their 70s glam-rock-inspired retro revolution with “Therapy”. Clocking at six minutes long and chock-filled with huge hooks and killer riffs, it’s a slamming single exploring the mental inner space of the band’s singer-songwriter Tom Rees.
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“Black Holes, The Stars and You“ – A. Savage
“Black Holes, The Stars and You“ is the latest offering from Parquet Courts singer-songwriter A. Savage. The lilting Latin-inspired grooves and relaxed nature of the track make it a treat for ears and a balm for the soul.
“When God Comes Back” – All Them Witches
Nashville blues-rockers All Them Witches go all out on the stomping song “When God Comes Back”. Featured on their second LP Lightning at the Door, religious motifs are met with hard-hitting riffs on a bruising track that just begs to be turned up loud.
“Derailer” – Wine Lips
Wine Lips have just unleashed their whiplash song “Derailer”, the lead single from their upcoming fourth album Super Mega Ultra. The taut track is a mean, lean account from the Toronto punk-rockers.
“I Thought You’d Change” – Hotline TNT
Launched last year, “I Thought You’d Change” is a transcendent track about the joy of friendship from Brooklyn-based shoegaze outfit Hotline TNT. Now signed to Jack White’s Third Man Records, it featured on their latest LP Cartwheel.
“Watercooler” – Grandaddy
Californian indie-rockers Grandaddy always come up with the goods, and “Watercooler” is yet another excellent country-tinged melancholic offering. Lush guitars are met with singer Jason Lytle’s signature soft vocals on a magnificent tune about love and despair in the workplace.
“How To Pray” – John Roseboro
Brooklyn singer-songwriter John Roseboro presents a personal account of faith in the face of adversity. Displaying a deft acoustic dexterity and emotional maturity that defies his young age, “How To Pray” is at once world-weary yet fresh and full of feeling.
“Kandaiki” – Mammal Hands
Avant-garde jazz trio Mammal Hands are always a compelling listen, as proven by the delicate ditty “Kandaiki”. Taken from their debut album Animilia which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, it’s a treat for the ears as sax, piano and percussion are lightly played to maximum effect.
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” – Beyoncé
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” is the co-lead single with the aforementioned "16 CARRIAGES", taken from the second part of Beyoncé’s Renaissance album trilogy tentatively titled Act II. Shooting to the top of the singles charts, her first UK No.1 in 14 years, the historic release also sees Beyonce become the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart
“Cuba” – The Gibson Brothers
“Cuba” is a sassy disco-salsa delight from the French trio of siblings Alex, Chris and Alex AKA The Gibson Brothers. The Latin grooves first infected dancefloors in 1978, smashing into the Top 20 when it was re-released two years later.
“Casual Encounter” - Doug Shorts
Funk and soul singer Doug Shorts rose to the fore as the frontman of 70s Chicago band Masterplan Inc. Splitting off as a solo artist in 2012, he continues to be a formidable funk force as proven on “Casual Encounter”.
“Misery’s Love Song” – Jesse Woods
Woe is wrapped with whimsy on American-born British singer-songwriter Jesse Woods’ “Misery’s Love Song”. The twisted love song, on which Wood confesses “I'd rather be miserable with you than happy with anyone else” is tempered by its dreamy feel.
“Beercan” – Beck
“Beercan” was an early glimpse of Beck’s genius and was included on his third album Mellow Gold. The genre-blending maestro manages to cram everything from hip-hop to alt-rock with psyche vibes into his characteristically eclectic approach to songwriting.
“For You Blue” – The Beatles
“For You Blue” is an often-overlooked moment of brilliance by The Beatles. Penned by George Harrison, it’s a country-blues ode of love directed towards his then-wife Pattie Boyd (who would later leave him for his close friend Eric Clapton). It features on the Fab Four’s final album Let It Be.
“Inside My Love” – Minnie Ripperton
“Inside My Love” is a tender yet sensual single from Chicago-born soul singer Minnie Ripperton. Her angelic voice rises above her silky-smooth band. Tragically, Ripperton would lose her battle with cancer aged 31 just four years after its release. “Inside My Love” remains a testament to her true greatness.
“Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me” – Miki Matsubara
“Mayonaka no Door / Stay With Me” is the debut single from Japanese city-popstar Miki Matsubara. First written and recorded in 1979 when Matsubara was just 19 years old, the upbeat track has enjoyed a resurgence after becoming a TikTok trend.
“House” – HMS Morris
Cardiff art-rockers HMS Morris continue their ascent with “House”, a dramatic single demonstrating the problems of gentrification caused by the rich buying second homes in Wales. Make sure you check out their full third album Dollar Lizard Money Zombie after listening.
“Is That All There Is?” – Peggy Lee
“Is That All There Is?” is the title track of jazz icon Peggy Lee’s most celebrated album. It saw the singer win a Grammy for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance in 1969, cementing her place in history forever.
“Jelly” – Allah-Las
LA-based garage-rockers Allah-Las turn their trademark stream-of-consciousness humour to max on “Jelly”. The feel-good vibes are also on full, so turn it on, tune in and drop out to this charming little tune.
“Postcards From Hell” – The Wood Brothers
If you don’t know folk-rock siblings Oliver and Chris (plus Jano Rix) are The Wood Brothers, “Postcards From Hell” is the perfect place to start. The Americana anthem is a stripped-down song found on sophomore record Loaded.
“I’ll Take Les” – John Scofield
John Scofield has enjoyed a lengthy career, delving into acid-jazz, blues, soul, and rock, earning multiple Grammy Awards along the way. “I’ll Take Les” is yet another masterclass from a living legend at the top of his game.
“Into Dust” – Mazzy Star
Who doesn’t love Mazzy Star? “Into Dust” is the perfect example of their magnificence, as the achingly beautiful voice of Hope Sandoval, matched with sparse arrangements of dream-pop never fails to stir the soul.
“Most Of The Time” – Bob Dylan
“Most Of The Time” is a massive departure from Bob Dylan’s 60s acoustic past, opting for reverb-drenched electric guitars and adopting a sound that almost verges on shoegaze. The lush instrumentation is countered by his raw vocals to create the perfect rough with the smooth dynamic.
“Half A World Away” – R.E.M.
Out Of Time is arguably THE definitive R.E.M. album. And whilst it’s easy to skip straight to hits "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People", listeners would miss out on the mournful glory of “Half A World Away” which sees Michael Stipe at his emotive best.
“Green Light (Chromeo Remix)” – Lorde
Electro-funk duo Chromeo add a catchy beat to their reworking of Lorde’s “Green Light”. It was the first official remix the alt-pop superstar ever signed off on and adds a whole new dimension to the emotive anthem.
“IMBOLC” – La Femme Pendu
La Femme Pendu is the stage name of actress, director, and musician Allison Scagliotti. Her sensual, smoky sound is exemplified on “IMBOLC”, a song inspired by the Gaelic traditional festival marking the start of spring.
“Make Me” – Elkka
Cardiff-based DJ and producer Elkka (AKA Emma Kirby) is a relatively new face on the scene, bursting onto the scene in 2021 as the winner of BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix of the Year. She continues to prove herself by starting her own label which has led to her launching a series of popular queer club nights and dropping this killer new track.
“flight fm” – Joy Orbison
Croydon house and dubstep producer Peter O'Grady has been making waves in the underground club scene for the past 15 years as Joy Orbison. New cut “flight fm” harnesses his experience with powerful basslines on a track that sounds so effortlessly cool and is set to see clubs vibing all around the world.
“Sometimes” – Mannequin Pussy
You can’t go wrong with the quiet/loud alt-rock dynamic, as proven once again by Philadelphia punk-rockers Mannequin Pussy. Growling guitars are met with confessional lyrics on a banger that just begs to be heard being played live. “Sometimes” is set to be included on their new album I Got Heaven, which is out in March.
“ride around” – Goat Girl
Post-punks Goat Girl seemingly nod to Sonic Youth and Deerhoof on the newly released “ride around”. Playfully pulling their own melodies apart, the untrained ear could easily dismiss it as a ramshackle mess. But listen carefully, and you begin to enjoy the off-kilter nuances and revel in the ragged building of tensions.
“Nancy From Now On” - Father John Misty
Joshua Tillman first adopted the now more familiar moniker of Father John Misty in 2012 for the release of his 2012 album Fun Fear. It included the deep cut “Nancy From Now On”, a subtly disturbing account of an unravelling personality and exploration of personal trauma.
“Mother” – Lime Garden
Brighton band Lime Garden started the year with their new track “Mother”. Singer Chloe Howard describes the changing nature of her relationship with her own mother and the subsequent growing pains as she comes of age. “Mother” is taken from their newly released debut album One More Thing.
Check out our My Favourite Album interview with Lime Garden drummer Annabel Whittel HERE.