Jonathan Hatchman (@JonHatchman) picks out the sounds and stories that have been making headlines over the last seven days… and presents them all as a handy playlist
The days are drawing in, the shops are filling up and the nation’s musicians are beginning to premiere their own takes on a handful of past Christmas classics to the masses. So far this week, two of these covers have caught our ears, and are featured within this week’s playlist. The first of which comes from Sam Smith, having become one of this year’s biggest breakthrough acts, he’s rounding off the year with a stripped back, initially a cappella rendition of Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, featuring a simple piano line that spotlights the young artist’s outstanding vocal performance.
Also having Christmas moment this week is Marika Hackman. Standing out upon a compilation in association with Breast Cancer charity Coppafeel – which also features recordings from Newton Faulkner, Slow Club and more – Hackman’s beautiful rendition of O’ Come, O’ Come, Emmanuel features a rich fingerpicked acoustic guitar that’s fused with the singer’s delicate vocal tone. All presented in a hauntingly picturesque rendition of the traditional carol.
Away from the mistletoe, though ones for an onstage peck on the cheek in the past, The Libertines have announced their long-awaited third album is on the way, courtesy of a new record deal with Virgin EMI. Following on from their successful reunion shows in the summer, the band’s new effort should arrive sometime within the next 12 months. Maybe.
Following on from 2012’s Tempest, Bob Dylan announced plans for 36h studio album Shadows In The Night. Released in February it’s set to feature a selection of stripped back standards (which Frank Sinatra has tackled at some point), including re-recordings of songs such as Autumn Leaves, Some Enchanted Evening, and Full Moon And Empty Arms, a version of the latter has been lurking around online for a while and can be heard below.
The Horrors unveiled the new video for Change My Mind, taken from the band’s fourth album – Luminous – to round off a pivotal year for the band. Comprised of live-footage from the band’s recent Manchester show, watch below.
Pick Of The Week
The new video for Disquiet provides an enlightening insight into the weird and wonderful world of Cristobal And The Sea. Hailing from all over Europe – the band is a union of French, Spanish, Portuguese and British natives – the band craft a melting pot of varied sounds and fusing them elegantly in order to craft a collection of delicate tracks that are almost impossible to categorise. Taken from their recently released debut EP, this track is a bohemian acoustic blast that’s filled with diverse percussion as well as some rich tropical vibes that provide a warming treat for the winter months.
