We’ve got Sleater-Kinney on the brain, as they hit New York this weekend for the five-date “vanishing tour” Carrie Brownstein told us about back when she was pushing her new memoir, Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl. But there was plenty more to massage your eardrums this week, including surprise albums from embattled child laborer Chief Keef and the blessed starchild known as Willow Smith.
In this week’s edition of 5 songs, though, we’ve got a clip of Carrie B. channeling Joey Ramone in Cleveland, a new solo project from half of Slutever, a stirring CCR cover from Fargo, and a Katy B collabo with Four Tet and Floating Points. But first, some praise for the chief from “Classic Man” Jidenna.
Jidenna – “Long Live The Chief”
Jidenna’s “Classic Man” was arguably the Song of the Summer (or at least one of them, anyway), but his latest material has skewed more a bit more militant. His feature on label boss Janelle Monáe’s “Hell You Talmbout” demanded we say the names of Eric Garner and Freddie Gray, and while “Long Live the Chief” isn’t as political, the imagery certainly recalls military marches. But more important, the beat is disgusting, and the lyrics, while often tongue in cheek, demonstrate a masterful flow. We can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.
Sleater-Kinney – “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)” (Live Ramones Cover)
Carrie Brownstein, Corin Tucker, and Janet Weiss are on the comeback trail, touring the country in support of their reunion record No Cities To Love. Last night in Cleveland, Brownstein put down the guitar during the encore and led the band in a rendition of the Ramones Christmas classic “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight).” If you haven’t caught them on this tour, you’re almost out of luck; the five New York City dates that close out this tour start tomorrow night at the King’s Theater in Brooklyn, and they’re all super sold out.
Pouty – “Now”
Los Angeles duo Slutever released the catchy, tongue-in-cheek EP Almost Famous earlier this year, lamenting grown-up problems and reminding us that “nobody loves anybody.” Now half the duo, namely, Rachel Gagliardi, is set to release a solo project on her own Bratty label under the name Pouty. “Now” is a taut pop jam that clocks in at under two minutes and is likely to have you clicking repeat. Pouty’s debut LP Take Me To Honey Island isn’t due to come out until February, but you can pre-order the record on bandcamp and preview the first six songs.
Britt Daniel – “Run Through The Jungle” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
If you haven’t been watching FX’s Fargo this season, you’re fucking up: You’ve missed one of TV’s most ambitious narratives, with enormous talents like Kirsten Dunst and Nick Offerman chewing up impeccably styled scenery in period (1970s) dress, and some of the best music supervision on television. This week’s episode featured an ominous acoustic cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Run Through The Jungle,” which soundtracked an anxiety inducing chase scene. This season of the Coen Brothers-produced series also features another cover of a song from the brothers’ The Big Lebowski: White Denim’s version of Kenny Rogers’ “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In).”
Katy B x Four Tet x Floating Points – “Calm Down”
Katy B’s new album Honey is on the way, and she’s teased us with this infectious collaboration with Four Tet and Floating Points, the first of many with other artists and producers. There isn’t much more to share about Honey, but if it’s anything like this four-on-the-floor banger, you can sign us up right now. See you on the dance floor.