Start your weekend right with this week’s Top 5 picks, a collection of songs featuring both ACM students and alumni. Also – be sure to check out the This Is ACM Spotify playlist here for more incredible talent!
The 1975 – “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”
Fronted by ACM alumnus Matt Healy, The 1975 have experienced consistent mainstream success ever since their eponymous debut album hit the Number One spot in the UK. Along the way, the British indie rockers have naturally racked up their fair share of charting singles – and their UK Top 50 stunner It’s Not Worth Living (If It’s Not With You) is an ideal example. Retaining the fluorescent 80’s sound present on previous albums, the song is upbeat and fluffy, a superb addition that sees the band move away from their angsty, adolescent homeland while transporting themselves toward a sunnier, Disneyesque horizon.
Nrsi – “Baseline”
The effortlessly cool “Baseline” by ACM student Nrsi (otherwise known as Manesseh Amponsah) evokes the same subtle silkiness as Childish Gambino’s more relaxed work. Anchored by a heavy slap bassline (hence the name), the track oozes style as it interweaves between Nrsi’s soulful vocals and hushed rap-tone. A definite must-listen for your Friday-night chill out session.
Also available on This Is ACM Spotify playlist!
Erika Soteri – “Pablo”
ACM Student Erika Soteri’s track ‘Pablo’, is a slinky neo-jazz, funk fusion, delivering soft and refined vocals with touches of slap bass and stylish piano-work. With intelligently-constructed lyrics such as “This man is not Picasso but he loves artistically”, Erika construes an explicit maturity, mismatched from her ripe age of a mere 19 years. Taking influences from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Sade and Hiatus Kaiyote, her style is classically elegant and refreshing; an artist who will in no-doubt be cutting through the mainstream and introducing the industry to a sound that is timeless yet still thoroughly original.
Also available on This Is ACM Spotify playlist!
Mumford & Sons – “Woman”
Indie-folk heavyweights Mumford & Sons welcomes their new record Delta this year, and it’s an album saturated with mesmerising, warm melodies and mellow tunes. Although it’s a sound well away from their much-loved days of waistcoat-wearing and belligerent banjo-strumming, their new change of direction is certainly one of praise. Our chosen track ‘Woman’, offers a slow-paced dream-pop ballad mixed with soft R&B flavourings. Although the banjo’s haven’t been completely abandoned, they seem to timidly flutter behind ACM alumni Ted Dwane’s warm, drone-like bass tone. Alongside frontman Marcus Mumford’s purring vocals, altogether the track is a simplistic and thoroughly heart-warming listen.
Clean Bandit – “Mama”. Featuring Ellie Goulding
Clean Bandit’s new record What is Love? features a whole array of featured artists; from Marina and The Diamonds to Sean Paul, the collection offers an eclectic mix of sound. ‘Mama’, featuring Ellie Goulding stands as our top pick, with its Spanish-style guitar and Goulding’s slightly raspy yet infectious vocals, it’s a delightfully sunny creation with a fabulous Holiday-feel (perfect for those wishing to mentally escape this icy season). Also be sure to catch ACM alumni and lead vocalist Kirsten Joy during Clean Bandit’s live performances!
Want to follow in the footsteps of our very talented students and make waves in the music industry? Make the first step to discovering your inner artist now by attending one of our ACM Open Days.
