Words: Andrea Naess

Happy Friday everyone! After a week with a stormy weather, what’s better than to curl up in the couch with some good music and a cup of tea… Or a glass of wine maybe! This week LDN is happy to present for you Florence + The Machine, Oceans Of Slumber, The Vaccines, Khurangbin & Leon Bridges and Maude Latour. 

1. Florence + The Machine – King

Florence + The Machine return with their first single since creating the lead track, ‘Call Me Cruella’, for 2021’s Disney film. Since forming in London in 2007 they’ve topped global charts, starred in TV-shows like Gossip Girl and been nominated for over 60 awards. Their latest song ‘King’ really captures the girl power/feminist aspect of the band, with vocalist Florence Welch revealing the inspiration as her gender, identity and “her desires” for the future. The video – directed by ‘Emma”s Autumn de Wilde – has a horror feel to it and LDN thinks the song is well worth checking out. 

2. Oceans Of Slumber – The Waters Rising

“The devil called me here, says my name like a story” sings the spectacular lead vocalist Cammie Gilbert in Oceans Of Slumber’s newest single ‘The Waters Rising’. The band’s style is reminiscent of Evanescence and the Texas-based band has this to say about the track: “We’re at a point of clarity in a conversation we’ve been having with ourselves for a very long time. ‘Where do we go from here? What are we?’ And we’ve landed firmly on a conclusion. We’re an amalgamation of many stories and the southern drawl of the gulf coast of the USA. A new southern gothic.” LDN is rooting for their new southern gothic path!

3. The Vaccines – Thunder Fever

‘Thunder Fever’ is for sure this week’s most catchy tune, and LDN is already in love with it. This is the London-based indie-rock band’s newest song since their release of the album ‘Back In Love City’, which became the band’s fifth consecutive Top Five LP upon its release in September 2021. The band will perform for their home audience on April 21 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, so, for all readers who also enjoy their catchy tunes, here’s your chance to see them live again. 

4. Khruangbin & Leon Bridges – Doris

The gentle vocal and meaningful lyrics of Khruangbin and Leon Bridge’s latest song ‘Doris’ caught LDN’s attention this week. The song is a part of their latest EP ´Texas Moon’, and is out on Dead Oceans, in partnership with Columbia Records and Night Time Stories. “Without joy, there can be no real perspective on sorrow,” says Texas-based Khruangbin about the idea behind the album. LDN thinks the song has a soothing, soulful vibe to it, and it’s a perfect one to listen to on a rainy or stormy day. 

5. Maude Latour – Headphones 

“I put my headphones on, and I play my song” sings the 22-year-old Maude Latour in her latest single ‘Headphones’. The song is appealing and the use of the auto-tune works well with the song’s vibe and artistic style. The use of ‘childish’ toys like a giant ladybug in the video makes it lively and goes well with the song. Latour is from NYC, and in addition to making music she also studies philosophy and political science at Columbia University. LDN would love to hear more from her in the future!