Obviously, nineties retro is by now well-embedded in the mainstream. And thank god for that because the additional breeze generated by baggy jeans and giant shorts flapping away all summer was critical in averting an even more devastating series of heatwaves in the UK than the ones that occurred anyway. It’s not just fashion though – Emmeline’s LittleMissSixty single released at the end of August demonstrates that 90s retro is firmly back on the agenda and Doechii’s use of boom-bap beats, old Beastie Boys bumps on the soundtrack to Netflix’ Black Rabbit and old grunge, metal and alt-rock standards that close every episode of Alien:Earth are no coincidence. Wait – ‘released at the end of August’?!!! Yeah – well – like, er – the PR release date info. was confusing man!…uh – you wanna hit on this bong? Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, 90s retro – in this instance stuff referencing a time when Bristol had just replaced Seattle as the centre of global music. You may remember Earthling – the least known (and most hip-hop) of the Bristol-associated trip-hop outfits. Now imagine them with all female vocals – stoned raps paying tribute to 60s female screen icons, fat drum break, cinematic soul guitar stabs, the occasional piano tinkle and a wistful sung hook courtesy of Marina B. Yep, that should do it. Emmeline’s Lift Going Up EP follows on 21 November.
(Out now on Lewis Recordings)
