Honestly, it was quite difficult to do the Weekly5. Not because there were too few good songs, quite the contrary actually, but because of the current state of the world.
Stumbling out of pandemic-enforced isolation, we're hoping for some long-needed normality. But now, an open war in Ukraine and the recently published IPCC report on climate change draw an even darker picture. All while the sun shines bright and warm in Switzerland, announcing the first ambassadors of spring. It feels quite disconnected.
Nevertheless, doom-scrolling the news doesn't help us nor the ones affected. So I hope that today's Weekly5—filled with beautiful and genius voices, songwriting, and sounds—may give you a moment of escape and calm.
Best,
Jacob Banks – Just When I Thought
I vividly remember the very first gig by Jacob Banks in Switzerland. The Mascotte club in Zurich was completely sold out, the queue went around the block. This was almost five years ago.
With his EP The Boy Who Cried Freedom and its hit single Chainsmoking, the British artist became an instant phenomenon. Unknown (To You), an insanely sad ballad, cemented Banks reputation.
Just when I thought you were ready for me
Kingdoms of the heavens falling
Just when I thought you were ready for me
Thunder and rain is pouring
Now, the man with the voice of a god is back with a new song, Just When I Thought. It's a single that, like Chainsmoking, combines a contemporary sound with the original soul. It slowly drags, synths uncomfortably buzzing in the background.
But just after half of its runtime, Just When I Thought changes gear dramatically, morphing into a warm gospel song. The contrast is shocking, but it works surprisingly well. And listening to Banks' voice is simply pure pleasure.
Violence – Honey
The post-punk revival is getting stronger with every release. Fresh bands like Grundeis or VLURE bring this short sonic era back to the present. Part of this new movement in musical darkness and melancholy are Kopenhagen's Violence.
