MY PLAYLIST – STEALING SHEEP
In this edition of “My Playlist,” we explore the sonic universe of Stealing Sheep, a Liverpool-based trio consisting of Emily Lansley, Luciana Mercer, and Rebecca Hawley. Emerging in 2011 with their viral hit “Shut Eye,” their blend of weirdo psychedelic-folk, dubbed ‘pagan pop’ by The Guardian, captured hearts with vivid harmonies and surfy guitars.
Their evolution through albums like ‘Not Real’ and ‘Big Wows’ showcases self-produced surrealism and electronic disco influences, while their lockdown project ‘Wow Machine’ with The Radiophonic Workshop delved into experimental sci-fi soundscapes. Now teasing their upcoming album ‘GLOW’ after a Eurovision performance, Stealing Sheep continues to defy genres with bold creativity and dynamic flair. Join us as they curate 10 tracks that have shaped their eclectic musical journey.
1. Dang – Caroline Polachek
We love the production and tactile snappiness of the track ‘Dang’ from experimental pop artist Caroline Polachek’s fourth studio album Desire! Polachek plays with interesting paradoxical imagery and uses surreal oxymorons within her collage like lyric writing. Everything’s pieced together succinctly in the form of uber modern, creative, left centred, meta, perfectly crafted pop tunes. Her striking performances are full of silliness where she mixes sincerity with knowing pastiche and to top it all off she has a next level singing voice, where even her inhales are a musical ASMR feature in the music!
2. Fever Ray – Shiver
I saw Fever Ray recently with some friends and the song Shiver really stood out to us with its sexy, rhythmic, evocative singing, synths, tom sounds and relaxed, moody pace. Everyone was mesmerised, shuddering, dancing and singing along moved by the honest, sensual lyrics alongside the slow, engaging provocative gestures. The whole performance really stayed with us making it a really memorable night! Fever Ray and The Knife have always struck a chord with the Sheep with their minimalistic and compelling, epic, dancey pop!
3. Vanity 6 – Nasty Girl (1982)
We have always loved this timeless track!… Such a seductive, sassy raw track, originally written by Prince for Vanity 6 in 82.. We love the playful and understated singing, the nasty lyrics and the low key solo with some general operatic singing moments segued in there! Plus their dancing and outfits in the music video are something for us Sheep to aspire to!
4. MF Doom – Rapp Snitch Knishes (feat. Mr. Fantastik)
I’ve been playing this track all year round, the sparkly, summery looped riff is hypnotic with an old school nostalgic vibe that I could listen to forever. The riff is taken from David Matthews version of a ‘Space Oddity’ which is on a 1977 soundtrack of Dune and then sped up a fair bit for the DOOM track… The MF DOOM track was originally released as instrumental track Coffin Nails on by his moniker metal Fingers (‘Metal Fingers Presents: Special Herbs Vol. 5 & 6’) The track makes me wanna play the guitar again, but only that riff, forever, in a timeless looped parallel universe where its always summer.
5. Sassy 009 – Mystery Boy
This track has gorgeous catchy vocals paired with a simple boss beat, bass and cat meow chords with interesting techno rave production… Sassy 009 is a Scandinavian musician and producer from Oslo Norway who we’ve been listening to and djing occasionally too for some time. There’s also a recent grungey Vegyn Remix of the track that focuses mainly on the vocals where they’re pitched up a bit which is beautiful too and a totally different more low key take.
6. Vanity – Mica Levi (Soundtrack)
My friend showed me this track in the car after a weekend away, it was so peaceful and serene, really staying with me. Such a vivid, moving piece with beautiful, thick, poignant chords. Definitely a very reflective track.. Mica Levi also composed the music for the film ‘Under the Skin’ and the track ‘Love’ always stood out, equally as moving and melancholic though maybe a tad more unsettling!
7. Set the Roof – Hudson Mohawke / Nicki Nair – Warp Records
Love this banger, the bouncy 2-step bop rhythm gets you dancing straight away then mixing up the genres into garage house. The dynamics and the gradual return of the track after the breakdown eventually brings the bass back and gets you anticipating the euphoric key change drop which doesn’t disappoint! Everything’s really well balanced with its heavy bass and Taylor Monét Park’s high pitched chipmunk vocals which I’m a big fan of…
8. Anime / KAYTRAMINÉ – Sossaup feat. Amaarae [LONGER VERSION]
Have only just heard this track recently but have always loved Kaytranada with his slinky, smooth and sometimes awkward off kilter beats.. We’re loving the soft fluffy synths and amazing female vocalist / lovely soft organ sounds.. Amaarae’s vocals are really high, maybe pitched up, yet again seduced by the pitch changed vocals! The contrast between her vocals and Anime’s works great to create a simple groovy poppy tune..
9. Eh Wut – Addison Groove
This is a deep heavy banger that keeps pummelling you along making it unavoidable not to get into a dance trance… Using a bass line and rhythm much like Leftfield’s track used in the 1998 Guinness advert! Proving it to still be an epic bass line even using just one note!!! We have recently made a remix for Ladytron’s ‘The Night’ and this track was our first port of call when getting ideas together for the initial soundscape and inspiration.
10. Overmono – Good Lies
Love this garagey, techno track by the Welsh electronic music duo Overmono! In particular the pitched up, poppy, bendy high emotionally charged vocals. I’m always into a melodic yet upbeat track triggering the melancholia in me! Another nostalgic summery track that’s been played over and over again at my house..
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