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New Music Friday: Dizzee Rascal, Lana Del Rey and more
Here are our highlights from today's album release schedule.
New Music Friday is the new release fix you need! We’ve been listening to Dizzee Rascal, Lana Del Rey, Declan McKenna and more.
What’s even better about New Music Friday is that you can listen to a lot of the new music live. We’ve also found a few artists who’ve got new records out and are about to take them on tour. Double win!
RELEASE OF THE WEEK: Dizzee Rascal – Raskit
Before rapper Dizzee Rascal released his commercial smash Tongue N’ Cheek in 2009, he was celebrated as one of a handful of grime originators. Raskit, his sixth studio album, sees him re-embrace his roots, with a gentle nod to his stateside counterparts. Rather than attempting to overshadow the scene he himself started, Dizzee has forged a new sound, far removed from the mainstream chart-bothering songs he released at the turn of the decade. Combining his various past sounds, Raskit is the album Dizzee was destined to make. You can catch him live at Virgin V Festival this August, as well as his own headline shows in October. [Tickets] [Buy the record]
Lana Del Rey – Lust For Life
Lust For Life, the fourth full-length album by Californian native Lana Del Rey, is her broadest album to date. Her sultry tones underpin some seriously charged lyrics, forming songs that simultaneously transport the listener to a Orange County beach whilst raising questions over the current state of the world. It’s dark and twisted, as has become Rey’s mantra since bursting onto the scene with Video Games back in 2011. She announced a surprise London show earlier this week, which sold out in minutes. Although UK appearances are rare, follower her on Ticketmaster.co.uk to be one of the first to know when she’ll make a return. [Buy the record]
Declan McKenna – What Do You Think Of The New Car?
At just 18 years old, Declan McKenna has already been heralded as the voice of a generation, an accolade his tackles on his debut album’s opening track Humongous. It’s largely down to his socially aware lyrics, discussing LGBT and race issues in his otherwise energetic indie anthems. Appearing at Latitude Festival over the weekend, he’s already gathered quite a following. He’s now set to take to Reading and Leeds Festival this August, playing the NME/BBC Radio 1 Stage. [Tickets] [Buy the record]
Steve Aoki – Kolony
International hit DJ Steve Aoki has teamed up with yet more big names for his fourth studio-album, Kolony. The ten track release sees him collaborate with the likes of ILoveMakonnen, Gucci Mane, T-Pain, 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, Wale, Ma$e, and loads more. The urban electronic blend comes after becoming a household name by teaming up with former One Directioner Louis Tomlinson for Just Hold On, a track that doesn’t appear on this album. Steve Aoki will take to Virgin V Festival this August. [Tickets] [Buy the record]
Dan Croll – Emerging Adulthood
Liverpool based singer-songwriter Dan Croll follows up his Sweet Disarray debut with Emerging Adulthood, a record that sees him fully immerse himself in his creative endeavour. Croll not only penned each track on the record, he is also responsible for playing each instrument. On the record he tackles the void faced by many twenty-somethings, who face an uncertain future after leaving the safety of full-time eduction and university. Croll doesn’t have any confirmed live dates just yet, but follow him on Ticketmaster.co.uk to be one of the first to know when he does. [Buy the record]
Foster The People – Sacred Hearts Club
Foster The People carved a sound all their own with the release of debut Torches back in 2011. New album Sacred Hearts Club picks up where follow-up Supermodel left off, but welcoming a more 60s-inspired sounds and a psychedelic influence, as discussed in their pre-release documentary. The band haven’t announced any UK dates just yet, but follow them on Ticketmaster.co.uk to be one of the first to know when they do. You know the drill. [Buy the record]
Nine Inch Nails – Add Violence
It’s not a surprise that Trent Reznor, the driving force behind Nine Inch Nails, has chosen today to release new material. Having already created a record about the theoretical demise of the United States with 2007’s Year Zero, he has once again found inspiration in turbulent politics for Add Violence, a short collection of five new tracks. No Nine Inch Nail dates just yet, but follow them on Ticketmaster.co.uk to be the first to know when there are. [Buy the record]
Tyler, The Creator – Flower Boy
Losing the expletives that have preceded the final title Flower Boy, Tyler, The Creator has dropped his fourth studio album, outside of his collaborations with Odd Future. The record sees him team up with the likes of Lil Wayne and Estelle, on a record that goes some way to addressing some of the more controversial viewpoints Tyler has displayed in the past. As with Jay-Z’s recent 4:44, it’s already being celebrated as one of the best hip-hop releases of 2017 to date. Follow Tyler, The Creator on Ticketmaster.co.uk for more. [Buy the record]
Childhood – Universal High
Pop and soul is the name of the game on Childhood’s second album Universal High. It’s being heralded as a huge leap forward from their 2014 debut Lacuna, complete with huge hooks and stripped back piano ballads. Having played Latitude Festival over the weekend, there are no tour dates just yet, but follow Childhood on Ticketmaster.co.uk for more. [Buy the record]
Mr Big – Defying Gravity
Following worldwide smash hit To Be With You in 1992, American rockers Mr Big are now celebrating the release of their ninth studio album, Defying Gravity. Blending power-rock and huge ballads, the record was recorded remotely, making it all the more celebratory when the band join back together for UK live shows this November. “Personally, I can be on tour forever,” bassist Billy Sheehan recently told The Washington Times. [Tickets] [Buy the record]
Check back next Friday for more new releases.