It’s spring! Let’s dive into some of my favourite sprouting tracks from Latitude 2019 artists. Now, it’s time to roll on the summer solstice as from there we’re just one month away from being back in Henham Park!
To celebrate spring taking its formative steps and basking us in its radiant glow, Latitude booker Ed Lilo has selected the tracks that most remind him of this glorious season.
Over to Ed!
CAVETOWN – ‘THIS IS HOME’
This track is actually not particularly spring-like, but Cavetown’s allusions to asexuality are relevant in any season and the track’s themes of escape are certainly seasonally appropriate. Plus, it’s a banger. I’m going to be at the front for Cavetown’s set in the Sunrise Arena this summer.
KHRUANGBIN – ‘TWO FISH AND AN ELEPHANT’
The optimism of spring is wistfully bound into a furl of shimmers and low-key funk on this dreamy track by Khruangbin. Yum.
PRIMAL SCREAM – ‘MOVIN’ ON UP’
One of our Friday BBC Sounds Stage headliner’s biggest hits is a defacto post-hibernation celebration of being reborn with the euphoric line, ““Getting out of my darkness / My light shines on”. And, of course there is no other subtext. Ahem.
LANA DEL REY – ‘HIGH BY THE BEACH’
‘High By The Beach’ is where Lana went trap and completely owned the sound with her unique spin. Nothing optimises the opportunity of spring’s onset than the hypnotic vocal and a stripped back slow, synths of this track.
IDER – ‘YOU’VE GOT YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU BABY’
More escape, potential and, yep, optimism here, but this time wrapped up in to a break up. IDER’s definitive track is the kind of uber-syncable ear-worm whose lush production rewards multiple listens.
THE JAPANESE HOUSE – ‘MAYBE YOU’RE THE REASON’
The Japanese House aka Amber Bain’s sun-drenched guitar and searching vocals are optimised in this mid-tempo hum-along slow-burner. The lyrics are where the real depth is – apathy is absolutely a funny feeling and relatable, too.
JENNY LEWIS – ‘WASTED YOUTH’
Former Rilo Kiley lead, Jenny Lewis’ latest album ‘On The Line’ has just come out and this, the lead single, optimises its context at the juncture of her life. The instrumentation and her unique vocal exude the innocence of spring.
ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER – ‘TIME IN COMMON’
All of Rolling Blackouts’ songs are spring-like, but ‘Time In Common’ feels like the right kind of upbeat to bring this playlist up a notch. The potential of an incoming relationship (maybe a long distance one, either because of touring or separate lives) fits just so with the blossoming of spring.
EVERYTHING EVERYTHING – ‘SPRING / SUN/ WINTER / DREAD’
Hello, the first song title mentioning spring overtly. Everything Everything’s ode to not wanting to grow older is full of bounce, but peel underneath their falsetto vocal the lyrics are pretty dark.
GEORGE EZRA – ‘PRETTY SHINING PEOPLE’
George’s multiple O2 shows earlier this month were a defining moment for his career; one that his Latitude headline show could well build upon. This, his current single, is a sweeping, perfectly-produced nugget with just the right amount of lyrical subtlety to be thought-provoking, ahead of the huge singalong chorus. We all ride together, innit.
JULIA JACKLIN – ‘PRESSURE TO PARTY’
Who doesn’t feel the pressure to indulge in social occasions? Julia Jacklin, who you may have noticed is in every Latitude Loves playlist (sorry, not sorry) juxtaposes a song about trying to love again (soon) with a, dare-I-say-it, jaunty contemporary country-ish belter.
LOYLE CARNER – ‘MEAN IT IN THE MORNING’
There’s pressure to party, but there’s also shame the next day. Loyle Carner’s latest album (released 19th April) features this thought-provoking reflection on Loyle’s success and the lust others have towards success anywhere. From the Lake Stage to the Obelisk Arena within just two albums, his Friday night sunset performance will be unmissable.
Watch all of these artists including our headliners George Ezra, Stereophonics and Lana Del Rey plus many more at Latitude 2019 in the resplendent grounds of Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk on 18th-21st July. Weekend and day tickets on sale now!