TRACK OF THE WEEK
Maggie Rogers - Alaska
You've probably heard about Maggie Rogers's singular track by now. Or, more likely, seen the news story: "Pharrell wowed by NYU student's track at masterclass". And, if you're like us, maybe you didn't click through – you're bored by hyperbole and you think you'll be shepherded towards an X Factor warble. But miss this song at your peril. It's glitchy and folky, singer-songwriter and producer, both unplaceable and familiar. And like all the best things in life, it's got a killer chorus.
The song begins around the 2.20 mark.
Hero of the week is Zayn Malik. He was frank about his mental health, tweeting that he had to cancel a gig because of his anxiety. And he opened up further to Dazed magazine: "I'm just staying the way that I am. I think that's the best way to keep your sanity. You've got to hold on to what you are and not let things get to your head, because if you do, that's when everything comes crashing down terribly."
If you've ever wondered where gifts from fans end up, let Michael 5SOS illuminate you. He told Smallzy (an Australian radio DJ fyi) that "I have so many fan gifts at my house. I have paintings, especially. I keep them in a little bookcase thing... the best paintings are on there!"
Zero of the week is Jake Bugg, who told BBC that he thinks the charts are a load of old rubbish. Jake explained: "Anyone can get a number one now. You only have to sell, like, 20,000 albums or something. If you speak to another band and you say, 'Oh, I had a number-one album', they'll be like, 'yeah, so did we, and John had one last week as well'. It's not really an achievement any more. You know, The charts are the charts. I can't really get excited about anything I see in them."
