LA-based No Love For The Middle Child is back with a powerful new single today called ‘Ash on the Floor’, and it’s one of our favourite tracks of the week.
The song looks at the denial that we sometimes allow ourselves to experience when a relationship is clearly ending. The lyrics also speak of the clarity that comes when we finally accept that someone isn’t right for us, and the closure that comes with it. Speaking on the production, the artist explains:
“I’ve been obsessing over production lately, especially within the confines of my own music. I find that I’m most comfortable writing lyrics in my room with an acoustic guitar and that’s often where my favorite stuff comes from. I mainly listen to energetic music though, and always want energy when I think about the live show. It’s been a fun experiment writing these acoustic songs and taking them as if they’re samples and remixing them to be quicker, transposed, or completely reproduced. I find that if the bones of the song are good, the production can be anything, and that’s what I found when making ash on the floor.”
Alongside his own solo work. No Love For The Middle Child has also recently collaborated behind the scenes with global names as notable as Machine Gun Kelly, Jelly Roll, Jessie Reyez, Juice WRLD, and TXT.
“Months ago, I felt like I started questioning who I was, if I’m living the life I’m supposed to and what’s keeping me from it. “No One’s In The Room” is a song about consciousness and life purpose.“
Taken from ‘Before Love Came To Kill Us+’ which is out now.
Few talents have impressed more than Jessie Reyez over the last couple of years, and with the release her long-anticipated debut album on March 27, I can only imagine 2020 will be absolutely huge for this kid. And well deserved!
Now in it’s sixth edition (yep… I’ve been around that long), my Random List seems to be the most visited post on this blog every ear.
Due to life being hectic I haven’t had much time to reflect on the last twelve months much, but I feel that while people are claiming new music is losing it’s direction – well, it’s good to shake things up every so often.
I’ve found myself mostly being drawn to pop in 2017, although there was a lack of those ‘massive’ hit singles that we usually see in previous years. Nonetheless, credit given where it’s deserved…
Banger Of The Year
The older I get, the more I start to dig Justin Bieber. I don’t know why. It is what it is. I think this is one of the best radio hits of the year.
Trend Of The Year
Hot British guys who manage to blend RnB with soul and funk, each of them in a very unique and painfully cool way. You’ve got Zak Abel, SG Lewis,Tom Misch, Toulouse, Louis Mattrs, Jarreau Vandal… The list goes on. And actually, I am near obsessed with each of these guys.
Scandi Country To Have Perfected Pop
Norway (they managed this accolade back in 2015 as well). I mean it couldn’t be anywhere else this year. In the last year we’ve seen some excellent music from Astrid S, Sigrid, Dagny, dePresno, Smerz… The country even has it’s own museum dedicated to pop (it’s the cool building you see up there). That’s saying something. Check out my full list of Norwegian talent here.
Best Hair
ALMA! Finnish talent has never been so exciting! The hair’s even got it’s own (amazing) song.
Most Tear-Jerking Music Moment
Portugal’s Salvador Sobral winning Eurovision this year. Whatever you think of this TV show, the kid (who was struggling with heart problems) single handedly commanded a huge arena and a whole world to listen to this blissful and simple melody.
Best Track Not Sung In English
Cezinando’s ‘Håper du har plass’ is undoubtedly my most loved song of the year. Entirely in Norwegian (see, Norway getting another mention on the same List), this mellow hip hop sound mixed with some strings had me emotional all the way through. I still feel warm when I listen to it now. And it took his home country by storm too. Just look at the love from the crowd on this…
Best Gig
Jessie Reyez put on a very short set at London’s tiny Miranda venue back in May this year, and the buzz in the room was inspiring. Powerful vocals, intensely sharp lyrics and beautiful melodies.
Most Played On My iTunes
Yep – Swedish music had to make an entry on this list somewhere. I honestly don’t know what the deal is with We The Kids aside from the fast that they released this great piece of Scandi pop earlier in the year, and that they came from the Tenacity label which is run by mega-important Swedish production company Ten. Believe it or not, this clocked up 170 plays on my iTunes since July so I really hope more comes in 2018!
Likely To Be Huge In 2018
This is a tricky one because there’s a few on my radar. I think a safe bet will be the UK’s Tom Walker. I’ve seen him live a few times this year and I honestly think he has great mainstream appeal.
But I also want to mention a Danish talent called Maximillian, who’s been on my radar for some time and I can’t fault any of his releases to date…
And there we have it! I hope you’re all as excited as I am about the next twelve months, and thank you for logging on and enjoying the music that I post – it gives me so much life!
For previous editions of The Random List, head here.
