Pixx + Matt Maltese + Jockstrap

Matt Maltese – From the N.M.E… Matt Maltese is leading the charge of sensitive singer-songwriters that are smooth as butter. Like Tom Misch, Rex Orange County and half-Egyptian, half-Belgian torch singer Tamino, he embraces the mellow side of life, though often the subject matter of his lounge-pop is darker than it first seems – take ‘As The World Caves In’, which imagines a love affair between Donald Trump and Theresa May in the midst of apocalypse. His debut album, ‘Bad Contestant’, released on Friday, combines his arch croon with louche piano and witty lyrics (“I tried horse tranquilliser just to impress her / I kiss her and leave, how the hell did I get here?”) and is bloody brilliant from start to finish.