The Barometer: Michael Kiwanuka; Rae Morris; Nerina Pallot; Hard-Fi; Nero; Ice Age; Bob Dylan

What's hot on our playlist

Michael Kiwanuka

Tell Me a Tale

Calling this "retro-soul" is inaccurate if only because the term has been hijacked by the likes of Paloma Faith. A jazzy 'Astral Weeks'-esque backing sits atop Kiwanuka's warm vocals. 1968 revisited.

Rae Morris

Did I Ever

Morris' huge voice is accompanied by delicate piano and a subtle guitar line on this slow-burning torch ballad. Understated but strong, this is well worth a listen.

Nerina Pallot

Put Your Hands Up (Like It's 1987)

Just as Michael Kiwanuka does with 1960s soul, this slice of 1980s power-pop imitates its influences perfectly (above). Check out the We Are the Chatterleys remix for the full 1980s affect.

Hard-Fi

Good for Nothing

Remember these guys? Hard-Fi's "comeback" single may sound pretty uninspired but its laddy, Britpop-imitating edge makes a showdown with Brother inevitable. That alone makes it worthy of support.

Nero

Guilt

The drum'n'bass-loving two-piece produce well-structured trance, packed with dubstep synths and explosive beats.

Ice Age

Broken Bone

Fans of noise-punk band Wavves will enjoy this. The new wave-aping chorus brings to mind Squeeze.

Bob Dylan

I Can't Leave Her Behind

In his mid-1960s peak Dylan was writing and forgetting more songs than most artists produce in a lifetime. Thankfully, this soaring, never-performed number was caught on tape – on the rare 1966 UK tour film 'Eat the Document'.