Songs of the week: New tracks by J.Lo, Marlon Williams, Suki Waterhouse

By Jennifer Lopez

First single from J.Lo’s forthcoming album This is Me . . . Now: A Love Story (her first in decade, not to be confused with 2002′s This Me . . . Then from her first “Bennifer” period). It finds the megastar almost lost for words in the throes of sexual heat and passion, as she reminds us by repeating the song’s title and can’t finish a sentence: “I just wanna . . .[sigh/moan], I just feel like [sigh/moan], every time I see you it’s like . . . oh, hey”. Catchy, good beat but let’s hope if the album’s a love story as promised there are more details. – Graham Reid

By Marlon Williams

Williams is the latest to join a lengthening queue which has included Jeff Tweedy, Kevin Morby, Steve Gunn, Julia Jacklin and Mary Lattimore in a series of artists covering songs of cult English singer-songwriter Bill Fay, who made a long-awaited comeback with his 2020 album Countless Branches. The song is from Fay’s lost album Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow which was recorded mostly in the late 1970s and is due for full release next month. Williams’ tilt, which turns what was a sardonic Lennon-esque song, into a gospel-tinged ballad is predictably lovely and ethereal, though a slightly less authentically creaky piano might have helped. – Russell Baillie

By The Smile

From the imminent second album by Radiohead moonlighters Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, this recalls the artsy jazz shapes their old band was throwing in its Kid A days. What with a song that comes out swingin’ gently on piano, drums and strings before doing some time crafty signature bending while Yorke entertains some dark thoughts about the neighbours. – Russell Baillie

By By Tomorrow

The piano sprinkled over By Tomorrow’s new track Trying to Have a Conversation blends the rocky, surfy song into something more elegant. The Canterbury-based band’s new track is clean, simple and would be energetic played live, depicting a sombre miscommunication in its lyrics and a danceability in its electric guitar. – Alana Rae

By The Black Keys

They were once a blues band. Now, by the sound of this groovy confection – essentially one big bassline underneath a nah-nah-nah Banana Bunch chorus – they’re a rhythm one. Might remind some of when Primal Scream went funky. Infectious then forgotten. – Russell Baillie