It’s just under two weeks away until the most loved sports game in the world hits the shops once again supposedly better than ever before. As always, the music has been a key part of FIFA’s success and plays a role in bands exposure. Debutes from Bad Sounds, The Amazons and Tom Grennan lead the indie surge, which as always been included since the birth of EA Sports FIFA games back in 1998 from the likes of Blur.
New, yet unheard music:
FIFA 18 will include new unheard tracks ‘Tic Tac Toe’ from Django Django & ‘Mean Demeanor’ from Run The Jewels. With Django Django’s psychedelic and electronic sounds alongside the smooth alternative hip hop vibes from Run The Jewels it is likely to spice up your gaming experience.
The debutes: Bad Sounds, Kovic, Lorde, Slowdive, Tash Sultana, The Amazons & Tom Grennan
70’s groove-pop five-piece Bad Sounds will see ‘Wages’ (taken from their PHREESH EP) feature on FIFA 18 with their feel-good upbeat tone, blaring brass instruments and fun guitar the pure volume to this song and its fun nature will keep your spirits high whilst in the online waiting lobby.
Lorde’s Melodrama album artwork
Kovic have kind of dropped into the darkness since their bold start as a band when the formed in January this year when they supported the likes of The Hunna and Coasts. FIFA put them in the spotlight once again by announcing their single ‘Drowns’ will feature on the computer game.
After the release of her critically acclaimed sophomore album ‘Melodrama’, New Zealand artist Lorde will see slow burner ‘Supercut’ capturing the imperfect nature of the youth to millions of gamers across the world which sounds like a fitting choice for the majority of gamers who are under 25.
Forming in Reading in 1989 and haven’t produced an album since 1995 Slowdive make their comeback with FIFA taking their hit single ‘Star Roving’ from their new self-titled album (released May 2017) into the soundtrack mix. Having spent the majority of their time pursuing their own solo careers and other bands (Mojave 3 being one) it took three years to build Slowdive back to where they left the band off in 1995.
Melbourne star Tash Sultana has made all the right moves across Australia and New Zealand from starting out busking to touring the oceanic continent. Now her time has come to conquer the world with ‘Jungle’. It’s a divine track, Sultana’s delivery is beautiful and her guitar work in incredible. Tash Sultana is one to look out for.
One of the first singles ever released by The Amazons is set to make an appearance on the FIFA 18 soundtrack. These lads from Reading are rapidly climbing the music ladder, releasing their eponymous debut album back in May of this year. Recently, the band’s songs have been named record of the week on Radio X as well as being mentioned in BBC’s ‘Sound of 2017’. In addition, they have been making numerous appearances at festivals including YNOT, Reading and even Glastonbury.
The final newcomer Tom Grennan has seen his music career grow from strength to strength with each new release. That being his latest, ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’ making the cuton this years edition. ‘Found What I’ve Been Looking For’ see Grennan team up with Jordan Riley to co-write and produce the single. The swagger-filled track fuses his classic, singer-songwriter style with elements of funk and soul, his vocals totally impeccable. He made BBC Radio 1’s Hottest Record and our Song Of The Week!
The big stars: Alt-j, BØRNS, Portugal. The Man, The National, The xx
It is quite surprising that Alt-j, The National and The xx have never made a FIFA appearance before considering the bands have been around since the noughties and (Al-j formed in 2008, The National 19990, The xx 2005) but they have never had a FIFA hit, until now. Alt-j bring in Wolf Alice’s Ellie Roswell for her luring vocals on ‘Deadcrush’ with funky and upbeat melodies it’s perfect for a soundtrack that is constantly evolving.
The National also consists of luring vocals with a sinister sounding approach from their guitar riffs and energising piano keys. With their new album ‘Sleep Well Beast’ expected to hit their first UK number one album as the band have played the long game – an 18 year long game – for the US rock stars to get their turn in the UK and rock music makes its comeback.
Well-known for their captivatingly cool sounds, The xx (again!) have never been on FIFA before. You can feel the renewed energy from the first note, ‘Dangerous’, kicks off with a bang, the synthetic trumpets blaring out which transfers into a groovy beat in which Romy and Oli harmonise over.
Portugal. The Man album artwork
Portugal. The Man and BØRNS been on FIFA three times (2001, 2013, 2018) and two times (2015, 2018) respectively. With Portugal. The Man’s indie and hip hop new album ‘Woodstock’ the band have been a popular choice with EA and it looks like it’s going to stay that way.
BØRNS’ ‘Faded Heart’ will feature after Garrett Borns had his hit single ‘Electric Love’ on FIFA 15 made the headlines for its bold electronic melodies which pull off on ‘Faded Heart’ but with a powerful drum beat, complimented by Borns’ unique voice.
In addition to the soundtrack reveal, EA Sports have announced that fans who pre-order FIFA 18 will receive access to a bunch of all-new, special edition team kits, designed by a number of musicians and bands.
Glass Animals, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Bloc Party, Capital Cities, Saint Motel, Zhu, and Lemaitre have all contributed exclusively designed kits for the fame, which can be previewed below.
Listen to all the feature tracks on EA Sports Official Playlist!
