I don’t have a recipe for broken hearts, and this week the artists don’t pretend to either: Tusks sits with her grief. Shout Out Louds are looking to escape the pain. Hannah Jadagu smiles through the hesitation. And Drea brews a honey-infused tea for sore hearts. But if you look for someone to hold space, Joshua Idehen welcomes you.
Tusks – Adhere To The Loss
Like a leaden weight, the deep bass pulls you down into a sombre soundscape. Emily Underhill, aka Tusks, explores her grief at the death of a close friend. Adhere To The Loss is at once oppressive and overwhelming; densely woven layers create a sacred work that straddles electro and dream pop.
Shout Out Louds – Closer
Melancholic soaring from Stockholm: Shout Out Louds are back after a five-year hiatus with Closer, and on this heartbreak single, they let their wistful, melodic indie rock swell even further. A pleading longing to escape the heartache, geographically and spiritually.
Joshua Idehen – Say Less
A thick, juicy groove. The balance between restraint and anticipation, between vintage and modern, refined to perfection in collaboration with Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard. Sweden-based Joshua Idehen brings spoken-word poetry and beats together on the dance floor. Say Less struts with addictive confidence.
Hannah Jadagu – Curse
Beaming alt-pop textures along a booming bassline. Hannah Jadagu’s Curse is a masterclass in restraint and, simultaneously, maximum impact: the sound languidly basks in a warm R&B glow, whilst hesitation and the fear of rejection rumble beneath the surface.
Drea – How to heal a broken heart
“And I’ve given up drinking to face what I’m feeling/But still without a buzz I feel numb.” Norway’s Drea sets you up with a title like How to heal a broken heart—then frankly admits she has no recipe either. But the achingly beautiful composition is like soothing, honey-infused tea for sore hearts.
P.S. Regular Weekly5 is taking a small hiatus for the next two weeks. But do not worry: there will be music anyway.