Today’s Top Tune travels to France for Justice, and makes a stop in Scotland to check out new work by prodigious songwriter C Duncan. We turn to Japandroids in advance of its KCRW presents shows and salute The Afghan Whigs as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of Black Love with a deluxe edition. And Ty Segall can’t help but make music!
Monday, Dec 12
C Duncan: Other Side from Midnight Sun
The extraordinary new EP by Glasgow’s C Duncan is a bit more experimental than his Mercury Prize-nominated debut album released earlier this year. The self-recorded and produced EP was made in the songwriter’s bedroom studio where he lovingly added layer upon layer to create an intricate collection of songs including Other Side.
Tuesday, Dec 13
Ty Segall: Orange Color Queen from his forthcoming self-titled album
The legendary and prolific Ty Segall could not let the year end without a taste of his self-titled forthcoming album. A groovy acoustic love song of epic proportions, here’s Orange Color Queen.
Wednesday, Dec 14
Japandroids: Near to the Wild Heart of Life (title track)
Japandroids played 200 shows in over 40 countries in support of its 2012 album, so by the last show in 2013, it was ready for a break. But the duo was not idle. In the past three years, it took what it learned on the road and applied that to its forthcoming work. 2017 will bring many good things, including a whole new album. Here’s Near to the Wild Heart of Life.
Thursday, Dec 15
Justice: Fire from Woman (NO STREAMING)
Considered one of France’s best musical exports, Justice doesn’t hold back when it comes to elastic beats as heard on the dancefloor hit Fire.
Friday, Dec 16
The Afghan Whigs: Go to Town (Acoustic Version/Mix) from Black Love (20th Anniversary Edition)
This year we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Afghan Whigs’ Black Love album. After massive worldwide success, the band’s fifth album was inspired by lead singer Greg Dulli’s idea to make a film noir movie. While that never came to fruition, it inspired the dark tone the album took. A standout track from the deluxe edition is an acoustic version of “Go to Town.”