Test Room Tracks Utilized for Past Month's Experiments:
In the latest instalment of Now Playing, the team brings you a diverse array of tracks that push the boundaries of music, testing the capabilities of sound systems and showcasing the full talents of established hi-fi set-ups.
Ocean Alley's "Yellow Mellow" is a doozy of a test track, blending psych with reggae and featuring playful lyrics. The poignant pace change and an unrelenting cymbal-led jam make it a standout in this month's playlist.
Tunng's "Didn't Know Why," from their album *Love You All Over Again*, released 20 years after their studio debut, is full of shape-shifting sonic surprises. The track showcases Tunng's unique "folktronica" sound, blending soft, textured English folklore tones with crisp electronica noises. The lush textures of the vocals add depth to the composition, while the crunchy, taut electronic noises demand open, detailed, and clear speakers to fully appreciate the track's uniqueness.
The instrumental track "In a Heartbeat" from the movie 28 Days Later, composed by John Murphy, has stood the test of time remarkably well. Its minimalist riff in D-minor gradually builds up to distorted guitars and a growling bass, instilling a sense of dread in its listener.
Metro Boomin, A$AP Rocky, and Roisee's "Am I Dreaming" is a great test of dynamics for any sound set-up due to its mish-mash of styles and personalities. The track was used in the end credits of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Wolf Alice's "Bloom, Baby Bloom" showcases a punchy, edgier new sound, underpinned with a funky bassline and crashing drums. Ellie Rowsell commands the track with growling, snarling vocals.
Muse's new single "Unravelling" is a genre-warping track with synthy staccato choruses and a crunchy, wall-of-sound metal breakdown. The song is a testament to the band's ability to push the boundaries of music and create something truly unique.
The music video for "More Than Enough" by Universal Togetherness Band looks like it was shot 30 years earlier than its 2014 release date. The track, originally recorded in 1983 but sat unreleased until 2014, is a funky, disco-infused gem that is sure to get you moving.
The Now Playing playlist is a monthly rundown of the team's favourite tracks, detailing why they love them and what they bring out of certain products. The team is always on the lookout for new music and encourages readers to share what they have been listening to. So, what tracks have you been enjoying recently? Share them with us and we might just feature them in our next Now Playing edition!
- Ocean Alley's "Yellow Mellow" is a test track that pushes the boundaries of sound systems, featuring a blend of psych and reggae genres.
- Tunng's "Didn't Know Why" showcases their unique "folktronica" sound and requires open, detailed, and clear speakers to fully appreciate its sonic surprises.
- John Murphy's instrumental track "In a Heartbeat" from 28 Days Later is a test of sound systems, as its riff gradually builds up to distorted guitars and a growling bass.
- Metro Boomin, A$AP Rocky, and Roisee's "Am I Dreaming" is a dynamic test track for any sound set-up, thanks to its mish-mash of styles and personalities.
- Wolf Alice's "Bloom, Baby Bloom" features a punchy, edgier sound underpinned with a funky bassline and crashing drums, making it a great test for sound systems.
- Muse's "Unravelling" is a genre-warping track that pushes the boundaries of music, with synthy staccato choruses and a crunchy, wall-of-sound metal breakdown.
- The music video for "More Than Enough" by Universal Togetherness Band, released in 2014 but originally recorded in 1983, is a funky, disco-infused gem that requires high-quality audio to fully enjoy.
