Staff Picks - November 2022

ON REPEAT: November 2022

The Kili Presents team highlight the tracks they have been listening to in October. Take a read for some inspiration for what should be in your rotation this month.

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The Lazer by Personal Trainer

“‘The Lazer’ was one of the first songs we ever wrote together a band. To me ‘The Lazer’ always felt like my big Personal Trainer anthem. We used to have this shifting line-up situation where I didn’t want to rehearse much, so I wanted to make songs that were very easy to play. ‘Can you play an A chord and a D chord? Do you want to be in my band?’ was the vibe. And that’s ‘The Lazer’” 

- Willem Smit for Dusty Organ

Midnight 10th of December by Dark Tropics

“The stylised single is an anthemic call to action positioning themselves at the front of the charge for change. Keeping their cinematic scores but swapping out the subtly underrated pop of their debut for a swirling horizon of alternative pop choruses and commanding hooks.”

- She Makes Music on Midnight 10th of December

Horizon by DAMEFRISØR

“Horizon focuses on my observations and experiences of the people who the city relies on to function, and yet they are constantly made to feel expendable… We’ve never written anything intentionally political, but I think as an artist it would be practically impossible to create anything that didn’t in some way relate to what we’ve all been going through these past 3 years.”

- Kazhi Jahfar for Reflector

novembre by November Ultra

“‘Novembre’ was therapy, a way for me to understand and verbalise what I was feeling and going through, the fuite en avant that is this amazing magical life I lead but also the saudade and longing I feel for home. It’s about spending so much time on the road, having a life contained in suitcases, a house contained in boxes, it was the question: now that I tour and bring my bedroom everywhere with me, then where is, what is, or who is home?”

- November Ultra for CLASH

Souvenir by Smirk

“The song is as immediate as Smirk gets, with a power-pop essence that radiates well beyond the bridge and reverb soaked guitars. There’s a familiar comfort to Vicario’s songwriting, offering earworms around every corner, channeling into something shimmering and direct, a washed out swoon loaded with guitars, synths, and a sun-kissed attitude. The video, directed by Nate Kahn, features an aquatic theme as Vicario takes us beyond the fishbowls of the pet store as the band end up underwater before a dip into the pool and a trip to the beach.”

- Post Trash on Souvenir

1994 by Cavetown

“‘1994’ is about dealing with perceived guilt and how it can become over-exaggerated in my head. I’m working on defining the line between what’s really wrong in a situation versus what is made up in my head, because it’s the parts that aren’t real that I end up feeling quite guilty about.”

- Cavetown for NME

Artefact by Phoenix

“Mars tries to balance his sense of self with a fierce desire to hold on to a loved one. From the instrumentation to the lyrics, “Artefact” feels the most classically Phoenix. Over unfussy drums and guitar, the band wades through the confusion of love gone sour—“Did you know / Every color turned blue? / How to find the shore in a waterfall?” On the bridge, Mars’ voice warps slightly through Daft Punk-esque autotune (unsurprising considering former Daft Punk member Thomas Bangalter helped produce the album). Direct but colorful lyricism has always been one of Phoenix’s strengths, and here they’re in rare form. “Heart of styrofoam / Over the telephone / Oh, let the rumor run through / Here, I tell the truth,” Mars commands, conjuring the painful but freeing understanding that your feelings are unreciprocated.”

- Isabel Shepherd on Artefact

So Much Wine by Phoebe Bridgers

“Phoebe Bridgers has released a new cover of the Handsome Family’s Christmas song “So Much Wine.” Proceeds from the single will go toward the Los Angeles LGBT Center. The single features fiddle, whistling, and vocals from Andrew Bird, as well as vocals from organist Ethan Gruska, guitarist Harrison Whitford, and actor Paul Mescal. Hear Bridgers’ take on “So Much Wine” below.”

- Pitchfork on So Much Wine

Utopia Is A Colonial Project by Sarathy Korwar

“The discourse around futurism is often deeply rooted in Eurocentric ideas of the world. In music, there’s an inherent hierarchy when you talk about left to right and top to bottom. I started thinking about a rhythmic notation system that was circular. These patterns started forming over time, and the more I thought about that, and the kind of symbolism that they began to have, I realised that this would be the core of the record.”

- Sarathy Korwar for CLASH

Hold the Line by Melin Melyn

“I called a well known energy supplier that has recently gone into administration to get advice on my rocketing bills. I spoke to a lovely lady called Lisa. After a short chat, she asked me if I could Hold the Line for a few minutes. No problem, she promised she’d call me back. Whilst waiting, I wrote this song. She never called me back. And I promptly switched off the boiler.”

- Gruff Glyn for DIY

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