It's That Kind Of Love

Wet Leg had people gushing with praise when they emerged in 2021, many hailing them as the saviours of indie music, as if it needed saving.

Whilst I haven't been gushy, mushy or pushy about wet Leg, it's hard to be cynical about the global plaudits when they - and their songs - are genuinely that good.

A good measure is a band's performance for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series. Their second appearance, albeit their first physically at the titular Tiny Desk in Washington D.C., has just been posted and it's an absolute cracker of a set:

CPR

mangetout

davina mccall

11:21

Wet Leg debuted for NPR with a Tiny Desk (Home) Concert in December 2021, a few months ahead of their selft-titled debut album's release. The four songs showcased then have now become certified classics.

What a difference a few years makes, eh?

Chaise Longue

Too Late Now

Oh No

Wet Dream

Wet Leg's second album, moisturizer, is officially released tomorrow (11th). I can't wait to hear it in full.

Oh, and to the orange baked clown in the white building, fuck you very much for the funding cuts.

Fish And Chips

Hot Chip (twice) and The Other Two (once), to be precise.

New music from Hot Chip is always a cause for celebration but the lads have really pushed the boat out for this one. Devotion is the precursor for an upcoming greatest hits compilation, Joy In Repetition, and it's an absolute delight. 

And the video, as you might expect from Hot Chip, is utterly brilliant.

If a three or four minute song goes on repeat, whilst reaching for your record collection or creating a playlist by the artist, then it's done it's work. Devotion excels in this regard, and I shall be listening to Hot Chip for the rest of this week (at least).

Even if you've only visited this blog a few times, you'll have sussed that I'm an advocate for the 'there's no such thing as a bad idea' approach to creating posts.

So when I was immediately inspired to post Hot Chip, the idea of a 'fish and chips' theme almost immediately followed. Rather than dismiss it as lazy, barrel scraping or indicative of a dried out husk of creativity, I leaned into it and well, here we are.

Rest assured, as quickly as the thought popped into my head, I just as quickly dismissed any thought of featuring Derek Dick aka Fish, either solo or in his Marillion days, somewhat contradicting my  'there's no such thing as a bad idea' mantra. Did I also mention that I'm inconsistent?

For me, there was only really one contender, a slice of joyous pop, like a distant relative of Devotion from thirty four years ago. After seeing Bernard and Hooky do their own thing with Electronic and Revenge, the other two from New Order (aka Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris) decided to take a bite from the cherry as The Other Two. Or, in this case, a Tasty Fish.

And rather conveniently, in 2015 Hot Chip remixed Tutti Frutti by New Order for a single release. The 12" features a vinyl edit at a smidge under nine minutes, but CD and digital formats contain the full length, eleven minute forty five second version, which is the must-have.

For added entertainment, I found an upload of Tutti Frutti (Hot Chip Remix) on YouTube that includes a still image of penguins. Thanks, vit3xxx!

And all cheaper than an actual portion of fish and chips these days. Now, isn't that satisfying? 

Thirty Five Years, Eight Songs, One Bald Alien

Moby has a new single out, a collaboration with two Brits: producer Goddard. and singer Lovelle.

Stereo is a frentic blast of drum 'n' bass, coming in at under two and a half minutes, with minimal lyrics and a video to match, Goddard. conspicuous by his absence and seemingly replaced by a ripped dancer in shades and sprayed on vest.

All in all, it sounds like a spruced out outtake from 1995, when Moby first dabbled with drum 'n' bass. I'm guessing that there will be a slew of remixes incoming that may get the pulse racing a little more, but this one left me rather cold.

However, it did inspire me to take a leap back, five years at a time, through Moby's back catalogue, landing with his infamous single, Go. First released in 1990, it was a global smash the following year when Moby was prompted to add the Twin Peaks theme tune sample.

Musically, it's been up and down in those three and a half decades, likewise the videos. But when it's good, it's very, very good.

1) Stereo: Moby & Goddard. ft. Lovelle (2025)

2) Power Is Taken: Moby ft. D.H. Peligro (2020)

3) Almost Home: Moby ft. Damien Jurado (2015)

4) Wait For Me: Moby (2010)

5) Spiders: Moby (2005)

6) Natural Blues: Moby (video ft. Christina Ricci) (2000)

7) Into The Blue: Moby ft. Mimi Goese (1995)

8) Go: Moby (1991)

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Faith And Folly(foot)

Big Special feel like they've never been away, yet here they are with a new single, God Save The Pony.

I was properly introduced to their heady cocktail of beats and rhymes and humour and social commentary when they opened for John Grant's gig in Bristol back in February. If I had to be reductive, I'd describe them as one quarter Sleaford Mods, Pop Will Eat Itself, The Streets and Madness, but really they're entirely their own thing.

Their debut album, Postindustrial Hometown Blues, has been a staple ever since that February gig and wryly titled follow up National Average (released last Friday) will be no different.

Available in all the usual places, including the Big Special website, will some lovely fried egg-themed merch to splash your cash on.

Big Special are performing at a few festivals over the summer, with a headline UK tour following in February 2026. Go!

Note: If you're not as old as me and the post title means nothing to you, in keeping with the horse theme of Big Special's video, I've adapted a line of their chorus as a nod to a popular kids' TV show from the early 1970s.

Go!

In faith and folly

God Save The Pony! 

I hope you’re never tired

I hope you’re never lonely

Go!

In faith and folly

God Save The Pony! 

I hope you’re never tired

I hope you’re never lonely

Every band is a big band to someone

Even if its just the cunts that are in one 

To reach the top of the slop

Ya stop when you drop

Begin again

The sun is low

England is balmy

Another step toward the unknown 

Half full of flat whites

And a gentrified bacon sarnie 

Wah wah wah

It’s all potholes and the price of fish 

And how a conservative therapist off wish 

Saved me £13.66 from my electricity bill

And taught me to praise the rich  

And fake knowledge and happiness at will

Erm, Is that a dog or bitch?

It don’t matter mate,

It’ll still bite ya fuckin' arm off

It’s as soaking wet and pissed off as I am

And twice as bored

Move on and thank your lord 

For not smiting you for being such 

a vague creation 

Go!

In faith and folly

God Save The Pony! 

I hope you’re never tired

I hope you’re never lonely

Go!

 

I gotta say

I am fuckin' flabbergasted

Barely passed minimum wage

And I’m a rock 'n' roll cliche 

If I’m honest I can’t believe how long 

It’s already lasted  

Stub my ciggy out in a crème brule

I wanna do a backflip at a French sex party 

Sacre Bleu! the boy’s so arty 

 

Catch your eye as I step back from the edge 

I’m Just cooking the veg 

Hope ya don’t mind the smell

Turn your heels and raise hell

He’s stoned in a hammock

Baffled like the fly

We’re only here for a weekend, kid

Cheat, steal and lie

Forget your pride and being dutiful

You’ve got the box, now lift the lid 

You’ve been beaten into something beautiful  

 

Go!

In faith and folly

God Save The Pony! 

I hope you’re never tired

I hope you’re never lonely

Go!

In faith and folly

God Save The Pony! 

I hope you’re never tired

I hope you’re never lonely

Go!

Go!

Go!

Go!

Go

Does Everything Reflect The Time You Spend?

I didn't need to look far for the inspiration for today's Talk Talk selection... I was wearing the T-shirt!

This ten-song compilation spans their early demos with Jimmy Miller in 1981, through to their final statement as a band, with Laughing Stock in 1991, but leans most on the 1984-1986 period and the albums It's My Life and The Colour Of Spring.

I've tried to navigate the incredible evolution of the band in just four albums without being a stickler for chronology. So the freeform jazz stylings of Ascension Day are sandwiched between the 'poppier' moments of Dum Dum Girl and ?, the B-side of Talk Talk's eponymous single.

Eden, the only song here from my favourite Talk Talk album, Spirit Of Eden, sits more comfortably between the opening and closing songs from The Colour Of Spring. The selection itself ends with one of their best known singles and one of their best B-sides.

The thing that binds them all together is the core of Mark Hollis, Paul Webb and Lee Harris. Much is written about Mark's lyrics and unique vocal performances, but it's Paul and Lee that provide the foundation, the feeling, the humanity through through their incredible musicianship. And that's not to dismiss the contributions of Simon Brenner and especially Tim Friese-Greene.

Talk Talk was an astonishing band, no matter which album or single you happen to be listening to, and one that rewards on each return visit.

1) Living In Another World (U.S. Remix By Gavin MacKillop) (1986)

2) Dum Dum Girl (Single Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1984)

3) Ascension Day (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene & Phill Brown) (Single Edit) (1991)

4) ? (Single Version By Colin Thurston) (1982)

5) Candy (Demo Version By Jimmy Miller) (1981)

6) Happiness Is Easy (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1986)

7) Eden (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1988)

8) Time It's Time (Album Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1986)

9) Today (Album Version By Mike Robinson) (1982)

10) Again, A Game...Again (Single Version By Tim Friese-Greene) (1983)

1982: Talk Talk: 4

1982: The Party's Over: 9

1984: Dum Dum Girl EP: 2

1984: Such A Shame EP (limited edition 2x 7"): 5, 10

1986: Living In Another World EP: 1

1986: The Colour Of Spring: 6, 8

1988: Spirit Of Eden: 7

1991: Ascension Day EP: 3

Does Everything Reflect The Time You Spend? (56:05) (GD) (M)

Post script: 

I've reactivated links to a couple of Talk Talk selections I posted previously:

Inheritance (April 2022)

Take My Freedom When The Riot Comes (May 2023)

DeathMetalDiscoClubMeetsTheGuv'nor

After a few days of my amateur efforts, time for Andrew Weatherall's 65-minute master class in the art of the mix. A true professional.

Andrew recorded this mix for Amsterdam-based blog deathmetaldiscoclub in 2013 and it's a heady mix of beats and bass, as you might expect. Then new and unreleased music is threaded through, from his still-thrilling remixes of Emilíana Torrini and Craig Bratley, to choice cuts by Joe's Bakery (the heavyweight opener), Avanti and Duncan Gray.

The Femi Kuti remix dates from 2009, but got a fresh release in 2013 on 10" vinyl, courtesy of the Magic Feet label. Ewan Pearson also turns in a gorgeous dub remix of Out Cold aka Simon Aldred aka Cherry Ghost. 

Things wrap up suitably with an exclusive remix of The Asphodells aka Andrew and Timothy J. Fairplay. Skwatch originally appeared on their debut album Ruled By Passion, Destroyed By Lust in 2012. Black Merlin's rework was a preview of the The Asphodells Remixed album which was released a couple of months after Andrew's mix for deathmetaldiscoclub.

This is one of many, many DJ mixes that I missed first time around, but I came to after Andrew Weatherall's untimely passing in 2020, thanks to The Flightpath Estate and their incredible WeatherDrive archive.

Keeping the dream alive, news came out this week that the follow up to last year's Sounds From The Flightpath Estate will arrive at the end of August. 

Volume Two includes an exclusive remix of The Sabres of Paradise, plus contributions from Dicky Continental, Unit 14, Richard Fearless, David Harrow, Red Snapper, A Certain Ratio vs. Number, Bedford Falls Players and Sleaford Mods covering Two Lone Swordsmen. You can listen to a 25-minute promo mix by Rude Audio over at The Flightpath Estate Mixcloud site. Bloody hell! 

I was completely floored by Volume One and I know that Volume Two will have a similar effect. There may be tears. 

Limited to 1,500 copies on double vinyl, in a gatefold sleeve, Sounds From The Flightpath Estate Volume Two is available for pre-order. now. I got in quick; I'd strongly recommend you do the same. 

1) Mamba Gasgoine: Joe's Bakery (2013)

2) One Two (Garth Trinidad's Fiyah Dubb): Femi Kuti vs. KCRW Soundclash! (2009)

3) Speed Of Dark (Andrew Weatherall Remix): Emilíana Torrini (2013)

4) Waiting Game (Craig Bratley Remix): Kalidasa (2013)

5) Obsession (Asphodells Remix By Andrew Weatherall & Timothy J. Fairplay): Craig Bratley (2013)

6) All I Want (Ewan Pearson Dub Remix): Out Cold (2013)

7) Cabezaurio: Avanti (2013)

8) Peach: Duncan Gray (2013)

9) Keep It Up (The Cosmologist 2013 Soul Reconstruction By Laurie Keith): The Cosmologist (2013)

10) Skwatch (Black Merlin's Reel To Reel Remix By George Thompson): The Asphodells (2013) 

Deathmetaldiscoclub #020 (1:05:31) (GD) (Mega)

Staring Into Air

Time for another round up of tunes and beats that have been lodged in my brain this year.

A brisk run through of seven songs in forty-four minutes, some tracks featured previously albeit in different mixes, some more recently purchased, all pressing my buttons.

If you like what you hear, go buy! Links below.

Happy Friday, everyone!

1) Little Fluffy Clouds (Ambience Of Coconut Mix): The Orb (Feed Your Head! The Second Course: 15 Mind Altering Classics (Mojo magazine promo CD))

2) Like Fire (The Machine Soul Morning Chord Mix By Robert Folkesson): Airsine (Like Fire EP)

3) KGLW (GIFT Remix) Pt. 3: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (KGLW (GIFT Extended Rave Remix) EP)

4) Field Of Dreams (Rude Audio Remix By Mark Ratcliff): Hugo Nicolson (Field Of Dreams EP)

5) Mystery (Dub Mix): Kapote ft. Guinny (Mystery EP)

6) Love Filter (Strings Of Love): Kito Jempere (New Life EP)

7) Lazy Arc One (Rework By Gaudi): Roedelius, Story, Gaudi (Lazy Arc One EP)

Staring Into Air (44:17) (GD) (M)

A Song Has To Change To Stay Alive

I've been sitting on the Covers EP* by Lykke Li since it came out on 13th June, as it wasn't quite the right time to post about it. 

However, following Ernie's musings yesterday on the purchase of a Swedish Pop Music CD in a charity shop, and Swiss Adam's comment that he likes Lykke Li a lot (me too, Adam, me too), that time is now!

The Covers EP features Lykke's singular takes on songs by Ben E. King, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and The Everly Brothers. Into My Arms seems to be the one getting all the attention in promoland, but they're all hauntingly wonderful, as you might expect from Ms. Li.

Of course, Lykke's got plenty of form in this regard so, in case you haven't heard them previously, I've added five more cover versions that she's released into the world in the last decade and a half.

And, another prime example that every day is a learning day, I've only just discovered that Ring Of Fire by Johnny Cash was itself a cover version. I knew that Johnny's wife June Carter co-wrote the song with Merle Kilgore, but not that it was first recorded by June's younger sister, Anita Carter. You can listen to the original here.

1) Stand By Me (Cover of Ben E. King) (2025)

2) Into My Arms (Cover of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) (2025)

3) Love Hurts (Cover of The Everly Brothers) (2025)

4) Ring Of Fire (Cover of 'Love's Ring Of Fire' by Anita Carter) (2024)

5) I WIll Survive (Cover of Gloria Gaynor) (2020)

6) Unchained Melody (Cover of The Righteous Brothers) (2017)

7) Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (Cover of The Shirelles) (2009)

8) Knocked Up (Cover of Kings Of Leon) (2009)

* not literally, it's digital!

And to prove that Lykke Li is a formidable songwriter in her own right, I've reposted a link to the 48-minute Dubhed selection that I created in November 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard To Pin It Down

In late January, temperamental tech put paid to my efforts to create an Edwyn Collins selection. I had to make do with writing about his then-new single Knowledge instead. 

Five months later, here at last is a (lucky) 13-song compilation for your listening pleasure.

I didn't keep a note of the aborted track list but I suspect that this newly created selection bears little resemblance to what I originally had in mind. 

Not least, the release of Edwyn's tenth solo album, Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation, in March and which I've been enjoying ever since. As well as Knowledge, I've also previously posted about The Bridge Hotel, so both of them have made the cut for today's mixtape.

I've also gone back four decades for a couple of singles from the Orange Juice back catalogue, interspersed with album tracks, B-sides and rarities, spanning an incredible and at times inconceivable career in music.

Edwyn's music has been with me since my early teens and the fact that, despite everything, he's come out with another brilliant album in 2025 is a testament to his songwriting prowess and drive to make music.

In response to January's post about the new single and forthcoming album, Mike hoped that Edwyn may also tour in 2025.

"Much as I'd love to think so, I suspect it's unlikely" I replied.

Ahead of the release of Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation, Edwyn announced "The Testimonial Tour: A Last Lap Around The UK". I will be cheering him on at Komedia in Bath on 30th September. 

In the meantime, that noise you can hear is the sound of me eating my hat.

Bless you, Edwyn!

1) The Popstar: Edwyn Collins (2002)

2) The Magic Piper (Of Love) (Edit): Edwyn Collins (1997)

3) Two Hearts Together (Single Version): Orange Juice (1982)

4) The Bridge Hotel: Edwyn Collins (2025)

5) Graciously: Edwyn Collins (1990)

6) For The Rest Of My Life: Edwyn Collins (1997)

7) Come Tomorrow, Come Today: Edwyn Collins ft. Johnny Marr (2010)

8) Ghost Of A Chance: Edwyn Collins (1989)

9) Simply Thrilled Honey (Single Version): Orange Juice (1980)

10) You've Grown A Beard: Edwyn Collins (1996)

11) Knowledge: Edwyn Collins (2025)

12) Queer Fish: Edwyn Collins (1987)

13) In A Nutshell: Edwyn Collins ft. Bernard Butler (1995)

1980: Simply Thrilled Honey EP: 9

1982: Two Hearts Together EP: 3

1987: Don't Shilly Shally EP: 12

1989: Hope And Despair: 8

1990: Hellbent On Compromise: 5

1995: Volume Thirteen: 13

1996: Keep On Burning EP: 10

1997: I'm Not Following You: 6

2002: A Casual Introduction 1981-2001: 2

2002: Johnny Teardrop EP: 1

2010: Losing Sleep: 7

2025: Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation: 4, 11

Hard To Pin It Down (47:43) (GD) (M)

For Alyson

Finally, here's the actual Bee Gees!

A dozen songs from 1965 to 1973, i.e. before Barry, Maurice and Robin discovered disco and conquered the world. Again. 

A few of their smash hits from the Sixties included, but just as many left out in favour of singles and album tracks that you may be less familiar with.

Today's selection is dedicated to Alyson. creator of the excellent What's It All About? blog. i had the immense pleasure of meeting Alyson and Mr. WIAA for the first time last month, a highlight of 2025.

1) I Started A Joke (1968)

2) Paper Mache, Cabbages And Kings (1972)

3) I've Gotta Get A Message To You (1968)

4) Holiday (1967)

5) Melody Fair (1969)

6) How Can You Mend A Broken Heart (1971)

7) To Love Somebody (1967)

8) Butterfly (1966)

9) World (1967)

10) I Was A Lover, A Leader Of Men (1965)

11) Bury Me Down By The River (1970)

12) My Life Has Been A Song (1973)

1965: The Bee Gee's Sing & Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs: 10

1967: Bee Gees' 1st: 4, 7

1968: Horizontal: 9

1968: Idea: 1

1968: I've Gotta Get A Message To You EP: 3

1969: Odessa: 5

1970: Cucumber Castle: 11

1970: Inception / Nostalgia: 8

1971: Trafalgar:: 6

1972: To Whom It May Concern: 2

1973: Life In A Tin Can: 12

Hey, Hey, We're The Bee Gees (42:19) (Mega)