Seeing the names Björk, Shygirl, and Sega Bodega on a single track credit is the gift we didn’t know we needed. The queen of avant-garde baroque pop embracing the new vanguard of artists carrying her pioneering efforts into the future is a breath of fresh air, and with the Bodega
For Granted, the first single from Korean-American producer Yaeji’s debut album With A Hammer, is a bit of a bait and switch. But it’s a rather satisfying one, at that. Upon the announcement of With A Hammer, interest peaked into which version of Yaeji we might get on her debut
Alt-Pop / bass and breaks / breaks / Dance / Drum'n'bass / Pop
I’d like to begin this year with an introduction. Hi, my name is Tazmé Pillay. Editor of The Playground. If you’ve read most of the reviews and think pieces that we do here, chances are you’ve read most of my work. Coming into the end of last year, I knew
If anyone over the past year can truly claim the title of ‘viral sensation,’ it’s the UK’s PinkPantheress. The alt-pop singer’s quick, energetic tracks may be programmed for the algorithm that thrust her into the cultural conversation, but it’s her undeniable talent that has made her a part of discourse.
Björk has released a music video for the song Sorrowful Soil, taken from her latest album Fossora. Directed by Viðar Logi, the video was filmed at the site of the recently erupted volcano Fagradalsfjall. Filmed entirely in an oval frame, Sorrowful Soil sees Björk sing one of the eulogies to
Alt-Pop / baroque pop / chamber / experimental / music video / new video
Husband and wife Nikki and Jonathan Stipp form the power duo Hooked Like Helen. Riffing on themes of existential difficulties, they are a pair who are unafraid of tapping into their traumatic pasts to dig up audible gold. Based in the woods beyond Cleveland, Ohio, the couple leans alternative much
In 1986, Prince recorded an album as a woman. Camille, as she and the project were both christened, saw Prince pitching his voice up and assuming a more androgynous appearance to transform into the titular persona. It was condemned by his label, and for all accounts lost to the archives
Inspired by the late, great Michael Jackson, songwriter Cimo Fränkel shakes up the proverbial snow globe this year with his seasonal-themed record ‘This Christmas’. Like the King of Pop, he is all about giving. Putting power behind his voice, he captures the feel of the festive blues, reminiscing over love
The meeting of South African alt-pop star Nakhane and American art-pop darling Perfume Genius was inevitable in hindsight. Both artists have embraced the otherness of queerness, drawing from abjection, stigmatisation, and alienation as both major themes and aesthetic vehicles in their work. In this case, Do You Well feels like
From old-school rave to sleazy hip-house, we roundup our favourite tracks of the week. Listen below. Follow our Roundup Selections playlist on Spotify to stay updated on what we have on repeat. Bonobo – Defender On this year’s Fragments, British electronic musician Bonobo expanded his palette beyond slow burning,
