Apple Eyes – Be
Apple Eyes' 'Be' is a warm, nostalgic slice of bedroom synth pop from London, a life-affirming single with real depth and a gorgeous homemade glow
'Be' opens on a wash of groovy synth, the kind that feels like sunlight through a window. Claire Hadidjenar's vocal sits just right in the track, intimate, honest and clear, threading through lyrics about life's sudden left turns. There's a lovely bloopy vibe to the groove here, and the synth work is really cool. And that hook? It earns the title. Uplifting indie synth pop, heartfelt and beautifully realised.
Apple Eyes are Claire Hadidjenar and Matthew Walker, a London duo who do everything themselves from their home studio. Their backgrounds are international: Claire was born in Indonesia and raised in Hamburg and Manchester, Matthew grew up in the UK. The influences run from Phoenix and Air through Bat for Lashes, and you can hear it in the edges. Catch them live at The Harrison in King's Cross on 24th September. A real gem this one.
Dan Webb – Thai Basil
Dan Webb's 'Thai Basil' is a kaleidoscopic funk-jazz banger from Singapore, stacked with brass and absolutely irresistible
'Thai Basil' hits you that squelchy bass first. And with Ron Blake and James King, fresh from their work with The Rolling Stones, laying down a brass arrangement that swings hard, you can't sit still. The groove underneath is pure funk, but Webb keeps pulling it sideways into jazz territory, then electronic textures. It's danceable and wonderfully weird in equal measure, a volume-rewarding headphone trip. The shifts feel earned rather than restless, each section building on the last until the whole thing locks into place. Infectious psychedelic funk, bold as hell and brilliantly arranged.
Dan Webb is based in Singapore and has been shapeshifting since 2008, moving through progressive rock, post-punk, electro-jazz and whatever else catches his ear. His 2023 release Sunshine/Dialogue picked up a nomination for Self-Producing Artist of the Year at the Music Producer & Engineers' Guild of Australia Awards. 'Thai Basil' is the lead single from his fifth album Lion Dance, out November 13. Love the vibe, and we're excited to hear what else that album has in store.