UKNY for June 5
Los Bitchos (photo by Tom Mitchell, PR)
If ever an album were meant for summer parties, it might be the cheerful debut from London's Los Bitchos, Let the Festivities Begin!, an effervescent brew of breezy instrumentals. The music, a mix that they describe as "a retro-futuristic blend of Peruvian chica, Argentine cumbia, Turkish psych, and surf guitars" is partly drawn from the members' multicultural roots, stemming from Uruguay, Turkey, Sweden, England, and Australia, and their own enthusiastic discoveries. (Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferndinand produced the record.)
Los Bitchos have two upcoming shows in the New York area, opening for Belle and Sebastian at SummerStage in Central Park on June 16 and their own gig at Music Hall of Williamsburg on June 20. On tonight's "UKNY" at 11 p.m., a song that caps a set with Icelandic sensation Laufey and Brazilian singer and songwriter Sessa.
Underworld return with an epic revisitation of one of their classic tracks from 1996's Second Toughest in the Infants, and a perfect summer song from London's Rachel Chinouriri.
And it has been 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II's coronation — her platinum jubilee — and whether you're fascinated by all things monarchy or mighty tired of it, it's still inspiring to see a 96-year-old woman carrying on with a job she's faithfully executed nearly her entire life with determination, dedication, and good humor. The swath of music history that's accompanied her reign is impressive, so expect a set inspired, directly or not, by Elizabeth.
British and global music late nights on "UKNY," Sundays 11 p.m.-midnight, on 90.7 FM, streaming online, and in the Weekend Archives after broadcast.
Songs played:
1. (Versailles, FR) Phoenix, “Alpha Zulu,” single
2. Lava La Rue feat. Biig Piig, “Hi-Fidelity,” Hi-Fidelity EP
3. Rachel Chinouriri, “All I Ever Asked,” Better Off Without EP
4. Pet Shop Boys, “Dreaming of the Queen,” Very
5. Nat Johnson & The Figureheads, “Your Majesty,” I’m Across, I’m Ashore
6. Aztec Camera, “Queen’s Tattoos,” High Land, Hard Rain
7. (Sydney-Melbourne, AU) Julia Jacklin, “Elizabeth,” Don’t Let the Kids Win
8. Sex Pistols, “God Save the Queen,” Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols
9. The Beatles, “Her Majesty,” Abbey Road
10. Jungle, “PROBLEMZ,” single
11. Underworld, “Juanita 2022,” single
12. (Reykjavík, IS-Los Angeles, US) Laufey, “Fragile,” Everything I Know About Love
13. (São Paulo, BR) Sessa, “Gostar do Mundo,” Estrela Acesa
14. Los Bitchos, “Pista (Fresh Start),” Let the Festivities Begin!
