Now Hear This: New music from AJ Tracey, Exit Kid, Jaguar Jonze, The Black Keys and Emotional Oranges, plus spotlight artists SYML and Jords

In her weekly column, our music correspondent goes through the best new releases

L-R: Spotlight artists SYML and Jords (Press)

I know everyone’s probably going to be out (hopefully still being safe) at the pubs this weekend, but do take some time to check out the Ridiculous amount of new music released over the past seven days.

Let’s start with AJ Tracey, who just dropped his second album Flu Game (a basketball reference, not Covid). He’s proving that he can do things his own way and (I predict) still make it into the UK Top 5 albums chart. No 1? Very possibly. Read my review here, and while you’re there make sure you also have a read of Rachel Brodsky’s take on Paul McCartney’s latest album. Oh, and Helen Brown’s wonderful take on London Grammar’s album, California Soil. Keep an eye out for our big interview with London Grammar frontwoman Hannah Reid, out tomorrow (Saturday).

I love the new single, “Munny”, from Exit Kid, it’s grungey and glum in the best kind of way. Very Sonic Youth. “You Stupid Bitch” from girl in red is an aggravated howl, while “Spanish Doors” from Liz Phair is chirpy but defiant. I’m very into Antihero, the second EP from Taiwanese-Australian artist Jaguar Jonze, and also the sun-and-palm-trees vibes of “Down to Miami”, a collaboration between Becky G and my favourite LA duo, Emotional Oranges.

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I have two spotlight artists this week. Jords, a hugely talented young rapper, singer and songwriter based in south London, just released his brilliant new single “Enemies”. Check out the Q&A below:

– Hello! Tell me about yourself

My names is Jords, I’m an artist from south London, Croydon to be exact. I’m just a product of my environment, and I want to leave the door open after I walk through it

– What are the big influences / themes behind this new music?

Last year was about processing a lot of trauma, This year I want us to be able to celebrate who we are, unapologetically. I’ve been making a lot of music that makes me happy, whilst exploring my blackness and roots through rhythm.

Enemies is the perfect statement song to show what I mean. For me it sounds like the journey to the party, being on the way to the celebration. I’ve been listening to Kadiata and Masego since the early soundcloud days, and it just made a lot of sense to work with them and that they could help me capture this feeling.

– What's on your playlist at the moment?

Kaytranada, Blxst, Skillibeng & Chronixx. A lot of new artists. Ariez is one to watch, loving what DC, Enny & Knucks are doing at the moment too

– What are your plans for the rest of 2021?

Album mode man. This first song is just a piece of the bigger story which is the album, and it’s a masterpiece that I cannot wait for the world to experience. We also have the headline show in October, which has been a year and a half in the making, so to translate the music to a live set again will be memorable. I think my phrase for the year is “but wait, there’s more..”

Next up we have SYML, a project from musician Brian Fennell, which serves as a poignant exploration of grief following the death of his father.

– Hey SYML, how's your 2021 so far?

It’s been ok. I feel like most of us have been in a stasis since the pandemic began. There has certainly been a bit of light and beauty throughout this time, but I am anxious to get back out into the world with other humans. I feel lucky to have spent a lot of time with my family over the past few months, especially after touring for a lot of the past three years. I also feel fortunate to be able to write and record music at home, which has kept me occupied. We live in Seattle, so the sun is just now starting to show itself, which is a breath of relief.

– Tell me about your latest music and what it means to you?

My 2021 unfortunately began with the death of my father. He lived with cancer for about 2 years and I wrote and recorded this EP during this time. It was both cathartic and surreal to work on this EP while my dad was dying. Interestingly, I didn’t play these songs for him before he passed. He was one of my biggest fans, of course, but I didn’t feel the need to share because I didn’t want to project my perspective onto what was already an overwhelming season of life for him. Thankfully, everything I say in these songs, I had already said to him in some way or another. So I feel peace in that. I think many of us have felt isolated during this time, literally and metaphorically. I hope this music sits with people wherever they are and brings a bit of comfort. Loss is always happening, but it has felt highlighted recently. My loss is certainly not your loss, but we can grieve together, even if we are apart.

– What's the reaction been like so far?

Whenever my music resonates with others, I am happy. For the EP songs already out in the world, the reaction seems positive. I think this group of songs is a great introduction to my music if you are new to it, it covers a lot of landscape in a relatively short time. Again, I love the feeling that once it’s released, the EP is no longer “mine”. It becomes something else when it reflects off and absorbs into other people. That’s the reaction I am excited to see more of. Especially in a live concert setting!

– What else do you have lined up this year?

I am currently recording my second full length album here in Seattle, which has been an exciting journey. Typically, I work alone in my studio at home. This time, I am working in a few iconic studios in the city. There is a rich musical history here, so recording in rooms where legends have walked is a new experience. It feels more sacred. Lastly, I hope this year holds some sort of live music in a safe environment!