Songs for the Week #4

Menomema – Heavy is as Heavy Does

So Menomena return, one member light but still packing as idiosyncratic punch as ever. This is the first track to be taken from new record Moms, which, as the title implies, tackles the theme of surviving your family (something we can all probably relate to).
Heavy Is As Heavy Does – a song about not believing in second chances – starts out with a simple piano, before morphing into a freak out section as they sing, “I don’t care much for wishful thinking, it’s heavy as I breathe.” It’s this apocalyptic climax that really gets in your head, powerful and cathartic, it suggests the album will be one hell of a ride.

Eddi Front – Gigantic

A voice and a piano. Simple hey? Brooklyn songwriter Eddi Front is the singer formerly known as Ivana XL – and the change of name seems to have given her fresh impetus. Her turn as a spellbinding chanteuse suits her perfectly. Over a stark yet beguiling piano she sings “This divorce is gigantic/ And I’ve always been slow to get off of some drugs/ To let go of some loves” and it couldn’t be any more affecting. Despite the relationship falling apart there’s a beautiful hope to the song: “I’ll crawl out of this hole… soon enough.” Heartbreaking and life-affirming this is a song you need in your life.

The XX – Angels

They’re back and yeah you’ve probably all heard this already. I’ve heard some people say they are disappointed, that it’s simply too ‘XX’. But having seen this live, to me, Angels seems like the one track that’s provides the connection between the first and second records.
It does what the first record does – it’s understated and heartfelt with Jamie’s production very much in the background and Romy’s quietly emotional taking the lead. And te “Being in love with you, as I am” line that proves the most heart tightening moment.
This track is an exciting glimpse of what ‘Coexist’ may be – but I expect the record to be a deeper, more eclectic and vivid animal. For now this is the perfect song to keep us company.