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Live Review: ICYMI: New music from The Streets, KVKA, The Merindas and more

8 June 2020 | 2:15 pm | Emma Jones

In case you missed it, we've got a stack of new songs we think you should be checking out including fresh cuts from The Streets, The Merindas and more!

In case you missed it, a lot of fantastic new music has been released lately. It can be hard to keep track, so we've done the hard yards for you and compiled a few of the songs we reckon you need in your life right now. Dive in below!

Dua Saleh - body cast

Minneapolis-based singer and rapper Dua Saleh released 'body cast' last week in response to "police brutality and injustice", and included the names of unarmed black people murdered by police in recent years as the cover art. The track samples dialogue from an exchange Angela Whitehead had with police who were attempting to enter her home illegally. The song itself is an intense, urgent experience featuring frustrated and pained vocals from Dua Saleh over a sparse beat courtesy of Psymun. Writing on Instagram about the release, Dua Saleh said, “‘body cast’ is a song I made with Psymun last year and intended to save it for a project in the future but I can’t wait that long with what is happening in Minneapolis.” Proceeds from the song will be donated to Black Visions.

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The Merindas - Drumfire

Taken from their brand new album now also out in the world, 'Drumfire' is a bonafide BANGER from The Merindas. With a hard hitting, dance-focused beat, the duo let their stellar vocals shine as they bounce off each other with this empowering call to arms. Turn this one all the way up!

Jamilla - Love Himself

This might be the most beautiful song we've heard in a while. Armed with just a guitar and her incredible voice, Jamilla strips things right back on her latest single, 'Love Himself'. Normally backed by smooth, layered RnB leaning production, 'Love Himself' is raw and deeply intimate in how sparse it is. Its vulnerable and tender, with evocative, personal lyrics and a gentle, caressing melody, and is a thrilling addition to Jamilla's work so far. Said to be working on a debut EP, we hope there's plenty more where this came from!

m8riarchy - The Feeling

'The Feeling' is the second single from Melbourne's m8riarchy, and the first one she has written, performed, produced and mixed. Following on from 'Supertouch' earlier this year that saw her team up with the amazing Simona Castricum for co-writing and co-production duties, 'The Feeling' is a deep club groove that shows m8riarchy is one to watch!

The Streets - I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Loved Him

Mike Skinner returns with the second taste of The Streets upcoming mixtape, 'I Wish You Loved You As Much As You Loved Him'. Teaming up with Donae'O and Greentea Peng, this is the surest return to UK garage we've heard from the band in a while and follows on from previous single 'Call My Phone Thinking I’m Doing Nothing Better' featuring none other than Tame Impala. While we did hear from the band last month with 'Where The F*#K Did April Go', that song was more of a one-off and the band has resumed whetting our appetites ahead of the July 10th release date of their mixtape. It's vintage Skinner and co, and we can't get enough.

KVKA - WOW

KVKA returns with another heater in 'WOW'. Over a smooth beat courtesy of Melbourne producer Deer, 'WOW' is all the proof you need that KVKA is worth keeping both eyes firmly planted on. His second release for 2020, 'WOW' sees KVKA further explore his versatility as he sings, raps and ad-libs over the shimmering Deer beat and sounding absolutely golden in any capacity. We said with his last single, 'No Lackin' that he was set to make this year his, and now with 'WOW', he's proving us right. We can't wait to hear more.

Words by Emma Jones

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