She-Devils - Where There's No One ★ ★ ★ ★
This second single from Montreal duo She-Devils is a dreamy retro pop number, constructed around hypnotic two-note organ loop by instrumentalist Kyle Jukka. "I just need you to say," swoons singer Audrey Ann, sounding more than a little like Beach House's Victoria Legrand. "Please no, don't go away." The band's self-titled debut EP is due out January 15th.
PJ Harvey - Ministry of Social Affairs ★ ★ ★
Premiered at London's Royal Festival Hall in October, Polly Harvey's forthcoming new single is (at the time of writing) available only as a 30-second YouTube snippet. But it whets the appetite for her as-yet- untitled ninth studio album, inspired, apparently, by her travels to Kosova, Afghanistan and Washington DC.
Ray Boy - Fake I.D. ★ ★ ★
One of the contenders for the BBC's Sound of 2016 poll is 19-year-old rapper Jordan Cardy (a.k.a. Rat Boy) whose calling card is this precocious ode to underage drinking.
Cass McCombs - Bradley Manning ★ ★ ★ ★
The 38-year-old Californian, whose 2011 single County Line is one of the saddest, sweetest tracks you will ever hear, recently released a compilation of discarded songs titled A Folk Set Apart: B-Sides, Rarities & Space Junk etc. This 2010 tribute to the US army whistleblower is one of the highlights.
Fat White Family - Whitest Boy on the Beach ★ ★ ★
As a live proposition, Fat White Family are notorious for throwing a pig's head at a vegan fan, masturbating on stage and smearing themselves in faeces. But in the studio, the most malnurished band in Britain have progressed in leaps and bounds. In its weirdness and its urgency, their new single reminds me of David Holmes' I Heard Wonders (which is high praise). Whitest Boy on the Beach is out January 15th.
