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Yard Act – “A Vineyard for the North (KCRW Live From HQ)”
Pretty much anyone who’s ever lived in a city has thought about retreating to a simpler life at least once, but if you’re prone to hyper self-awareness those escape hatches tend to come with detailed blueprints. It’s an all-too-relatable idea that “A Vineyard for the North” explores in satisfying detail. UK band Yard Act’s 2024, postmodern opus Where’s My Utopia? spends most of its 11 tracks exhaustively attempting to make sense of a senseless world. By the time this album closer comes along, frontman James Smith has understandably allowed his lyrics drift into the fantasy realm: “Quitting the band … buy a few acres, live off the fat of the land.” Nice work if you can get it, innit?
Check out this impeccably dialed-in performance of “A Vineyard for the North,” delivered Live From KCRW HQ. It’s a sweet taste of the full session coming this Thursday (Aug. 1) which includes further Utopia highlights like “We Make Hits,” “Dream Job,” and “Petroleum.” Bookmark this page to catch each new KCRW Live From the minute that it drops. — Marion Hodges
More: Explore the KCRW: Live From archives
Callahan & Witscher – “Long Drive (Feat. Sedona)”
From its opening chords, this track will tickle something deep-down inside of millennial minds… or really anyone who was tapped into the alt-charts of the very latest ‘90s and earliest ‘00s. It’s the narrative speak-singing, it’s the rock elements arranged like pop hits, it’s the low-key home video visuals, it’s the whiff of satire — whatever it is, it’s f*cking delightful. And it’s definitively the latest single from NYC’s Callahan & Witscher, two longtime musicians who came together as a creative duo citing the likes of Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, and Sublime as influences… but make it “now.” Click play and you’ll hear why. — Adria Kloke
Rosie Lowe – “In My Head”
British artist Rosie Lowe has an edge to her voice that’ll scratch an itch you didn’t even know you had. Lowe harmonizes with herself (!) throughout this funk-laden, electro-soul single — hitting deepest layers of sonic flavor in the process. “In My Head” is the rare sort of track that’d be a welcome addition to nearly any environment, be it high or low key. Quick to get to the musical point and grounded by jangly-cool percussion and deeeeeep bass, this track is cool and mysterious… Just like Lowe herself. The singer-songwriter doesn't share much personal insight, but the music can speak for her: check out her forthcoming EP Lover, Other (due Aug. 16 via Blue Flowers). — AK
Mal Not Bad – “Life”
LA’s Mal Not Bad might not be a household name, but their pedigree is unparalleled. Mal’s collaborated with Mk.gee, Rett Madison, Jensen McRae, and Miya Folick, to name just a few. Their brand new single, “Life,” with its feelings-forward vocals and skittering rhythms provided by percussionist Madi Vogt, is a pop track unfurling in soft focus. It’ll beckon you in further and further each time you listen… And trust us, you’re gonna want to listen to this one over and over and over again. — MH
Yannis & The Yaw – “Rain Can't Reach Us”
Combine the cinematic indie rock stylings of Foals with the legendary percussion prowess of late Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen and (ta-da!) you have Yannis & The Yaw. Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis had the opportunity to work with Allen in 2016 and jumped at the chance. He flew to Paris to meet up in the studio, which, as you can imagine, looked like a Fela Kuti session from 1972, complete with a bounty of African percussive instruments and analog equipment. And now that the fruits of this collab have reached our ears, we just can’t get enough. Fortunately for all of us, the duo’s EP Lagos Paris London is set for release on Aug. 30. — MH