Tuesday Tracks: Josh Johnson, Hana Vu and Metronomy

Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson, courtesy Robbie Jeffers.

We’ve got a little bit of everything in my first week behind the Tuesday Tracks wheel. Josh Johnson turns a sax into the main character. Bruk Rogers (aka Cian McCanne) has us head-bopping with our hands in the air and Hana Vu confronts what it means to exist in today’s world. Through brutally honest lyrics and a soft melody, Sasha Alex Sloan calmly explores healing and finding her purpose. Ivan Cornejo numbs his pain with booze, Dubliners Villagers get vulnerable on the timely titled “You Lucky One,” Still Corners yearn for someone missing and Metronomy fuses rap, disco and pop.



Ivan Cornejo, “Baby Please” — Ivan Cornejo, 19, delivers a heartbreaking Sierreño ballad that had me looking up the lyrics just to understand the depth of his words. Singing in Spanish over slow guitar strums, the Latin American artist reflects on heartbreak and using alcohol to numb the pain. As with the video, there’s a somber energy throughout the song reflecting his loneliness. “We hate the attachment but love the thought of a rekindled love. I wanted this song to feel like I’m vulnerable but at the same time willing to fight for her,” he’s said about the song. Cornejo is currently working on an album and we better get our box of tissues ready.

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Villagers, “You Lucky One” — This is the second single from Dublin’s Villagers’ forthcoming album, That Golden Time, out on May 10. Frontman Conor O’Brien has described it as the most vulnerable album he’s made so far. Through soft melodies, O’Brien cooly interrogates change and the power shift in relationship. The single is accompanied by a distorted black-and-white video of him changing faces, adding to the power dynamics theme.



Bruk Rogers featuring JSwiss and Onj, “Feel Alright” — This is the kind of bop you play before a crazy night out; it’s just pure good vibes. Also known as Cian McCanne, the London-based Irish producer fusses funky jazz, Latin breaks and New York hip-hop, leading to an electronic banger. The single is from his upcoming album, Loophole, coming on April 26. “You aint gotta be famous, gotta be popping, gotta be cool/ You just gotta be open, gotta be honest, gotta be true,” the artists proclaim.

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Sasha Alex Sloan, “Me Again” — With an angelic voice and smooth guitar, Boston-born songwriter Sasha Alex Sloan talks about rediscovering herself. “I can’t wait to wanna put weight on/ There’s something broken inside my head/ I can’t wait to feel like me again.” the newly independent artist sings. The simplicity and honesty is what makes her music so heartwarming. Her forthcoming album, Me Again, is due out out May 17, and is about Sloan being true to herself and her craft.



Still Corners, “Crystal Blue” — This is a dreamy love song by half British, half American pop band Still Corners, which makes a speedy return to Tuesday Tracks. Over tranquil, serene tones and soothing guitar riffs, vocalist Tessa Murry sings about yearning and missing someone you love. As with the video, filmed along water with seagulls flying around, the simple lyrics create a light and emotional atmosphere that reminds me of music from the ’80s. As with prior single “The Dream,” the driving melody feels like it’s taking us somewhere. Their new album, Dream Talk, is out next month.

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Hana Vu, “Hammer” — I’d call this a Gen Z theme song, addressing the overarching feeling experienced by anyone living in today’s society— an endless loophole of fatigue. Over mandolin strums with an ascending, floor-coating bass, L.A.-based Hana Vu questions existentialism. The anthem is complemented by an uncanny video where Vu is in a constant loop within her reality. There is a comforting energy about the song that makes is so important in today’s climate.



Josh Johnson, “Quince” — Listen to Josh Johnson turn a saxophone into a main character in the story. For six minutes and 25 seconds, the Grammy-winning musician takes us on an engrossing journey layered with twists and turns over drum samples. The jazz number feels textured and experimental, creating suspense from start to finish. “Quince” is from his next album, Unusual Objects, coming April 5.

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Metronomy and Pan Amsterdam, “Nice Town” — This tune is a fusion of rap, disco and wonky pop. Paired with cool trumpet riffs by Houston’s Pan Amsterdam, “Nice Town” is a groovy jam filled with the fun and quirkiness of music from the ’80s and ’90s. This single marks the first new music from the U.K. band on label Ninja Tune.



Dumi’s pick: “Quince” by Josh Johnson has been on heavy rotation the whole week. Music is about experimenting and breaking the norms, and “Quince” ticks all the boxes. I’m in awe at Johnson’s ability to evoke so much feeling and tell a story with no words at all.

Follow Dumisani Mnisi at Twitter.com/nairobi_1899 and Instagram.com/nairobi_1899.

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