8track: Focus

Picture the scene: you've just stepped out of the Hercules Moments DeLorean and you find yourself in the 90s. MC Hammer pants and Walkmen are all the rage. Deciding to ignore the fashion of the day, you pick up a Walkman and head home to 2012...

Over the past few months, we've been getting in touch with bands, celebrities and more to ask them to create eight-song-long mixtapes for YOU. So crack out your Walkman and enjoy...

This mixtape was hand-picked by Dutch band Focus's guitarist Menno Gootjes. The 70s prog-rock band, who were recently signed by label 4Worlds, have a new album out on the 24th October called Focus X, and they are touring next month. 

ZZ Top - Chartreuse
ZZ Top remain one of the top class acts ever, and their new album’s great! 

Mew - Chinaberry Tree
I discovered their album Mew And The Glass Handed Kytes a couple of years ago, and I think it's one of the most unique albums of the last decade. Artistic, dreamy and full of detail. I love the melodies from the Denmark group.

Metric - Speed The Collapse
New album Synthetica from Canadian indie-band Metric is once again a very good pop album. Singer Emily Haines gets under my skin, she’s great!

The Bird and the Bee - My Love
Great modern-electronic-kinda-bigband-vibe from producer Greg Kurstin. It’s clear where Lily Allen got her sound from: from Greg.

Tool - Jambi
Spiritual and intellectual soul-searching metal. I dig their approach a lot.

KISS - Creatures Of The Night
Everything started with KISS for me, so they’ll stay in my playlist forever. Old stuff is the best though.

De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig - Dat Vind Je leuk He
Dutch hip-hoppers with a very refreshing sounds and a good groove.

Syd Arthur - Edge Of The Earth
New progrock from Canterbury, home of all the Soft Machines, National Healths and guys like that. I was blown away by these youngsters - they have a great sound and fresh ideas. They should be touring with us, man.

Read up on Focus's new album here or visit their website here

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