Broken Hands – If You Need to Lie
Broken Hands are a quartet originating from Kent. Consisting of two brothers, Callum and Dale Norton, in addition to the two other members, Jamie Darby and Thomas Ford, Broken Hands are an indie band that are preparing to release their new single If You Need to Lie later this month on May 28. The four-piece have been very busy in recent months, having toured Europe as the opening act for Band of Skulls, in addition to selling out their first show in London. Despite being in the relatively early stages of their career, Broken Hands have received a warm reception and have been announced as performers at this year’s T in the Park concert, a feat that is sure to boost the band’s profile even further. (more…)
New Video: Friends – Mind Control
As I’m sure you all know, 80s is the new black at the moment, whether it’s Jordans on everyone’s feet or acid wash jeans, it’s all about sporting those nostalgia prompting items; keepin’ it old skool. (more…)
Husky – Forever (Album Review)
Someone recently said to me that there were no new ideas, just repetition and adaptation of old ideas. I managed to resist telling them that what they had said was also an old idea. (more…)
Nite Jewel – Memory Man (Single Review)
Apologies to those who have yet to watch the Jim Carey film ‘Yes Man’ as you will have no clue what I’m about to refer to, but YouTube will help you out. You know how whenever you hear a song your brain does that weird thing where it digs down in your memory and instantly relates it to something that you’ve seen, done or heard before? Well, Nite Jewel’s track “Memory Man” brings to mind lady of the minute, Zooey Deschanel and her performance in ‘Yes Man’, where she takes to the stage singing what appears to be a diary entry transformed into an electro-pop track. Of course accompanied with her seahorse hat wearing band members. The similarity is a good thing, everyone loves that scene! Songstress Ramona Gonzalez cleverly channels an 80’s vibe with hints of both Blondie and even The Bangles in a way that is authentic, yet never fails to lose that modern kick. (more…)
Said The Whale – Little Mountain (Album Review)
Said The Whale are a Canadian group of five – namely bassist Nathan Shaw, keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown, drummer Spencer Shoening and two front men, Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester, formed five years ago, gaining a JUNO award along the way. Their first EP, Taking Abalonia was quickly reissued the next year as Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia, featuring seven new songs. They made the follow up LP Islands Disappear in 2009, and gained many followers as their laid back pop rock song ‘Camilo (the Magician)’ became one of the most played songs from a Canadian band on Modern Rock Radio in 2010. (more…)
ILLLs – Dark Paradise (E.P. Review)
By all accounts, these two tasters from the band’s forthcoming debut EP should be as unappetising as the ice cream goo soup that adorns its sleeve. ILLLS hail from Oxford, Mississippi and though it’s tempting to lump them in with Southern garage exemplars like The Black Keys, they make quite a different kind of noisenik pop. Both records feel like a lank-haired American approximation of English post-punk influences. On Bathroom Floor, in particular, the band battens down the hatches to cope with the oncoming Anglo-rock onslaught. With its serrated guitar and rapid fire tub-thumping, the song replicates the stampede of the Banshess/ Cure in their early 80’s heyday. Somewhere in the murk of the mix, synth strings, that staple of portentous doom-pop, struggle to assert themselves. The vocals are double-tracked with an almost alien distance. It all ends up sounding like the shimmering din of My Bloody Valentine’s sonic cathedral but repositioned state side. By the time of the breakdown, rippling fretwork (is it a bass or guitar through a chorus pedal?), US alt-rock & UK indie form a stellar hybrid. Scuzzy finesse with fangs. (more…)
Listen: Bullion – It’s All In Sound
Listen to Bullion’s It’s All In Sound from new E.P. Love Me Oh Please Love Me and read Jenner Cole’s latest review of the E.P.
When you first see the title of Love me oh please love me, the new EP by Bullion, you probably picture a weepy, downtrodden winey compilation of songs. Bullion delivers something quite different. The west Londoner serves a diverse range of tracks with different feels based loosely around a kind of chillwave/trip-hop sound. However tracks such as All in Sound reflect influences divergent of those genres. It’s All in Sound boasts a funky persona towards the end, more commonly heard in the 70/80s complimented by some killer sax and jazz keyboard sounds which promote a nostalgia as the song fluctuates between modern electro energy and the soulful mood comparable to the likes of Grover Washington.
Doomtree – Bangarang (Single Review)
Fair warning: “Bangarang” by Doomtree will inevitably get stuck in your head. But with that being said, this catchy song and quirky music video are definitely worth checking out. (more…)
My Goodness – ‘C’mon Doll’ (Single Review)
My Goodness, such a band name with so many puns like: ‘My goodness, have your heard this band? No, My Goodness is the name of the band, stupid. And why haven’t you heard them? Go and listen to them right now!’ (more…)
Free Download: King Charles – Love Lust (Review)
Love Lust is the new single from King Charles, taken from his début album LoveBlood. Inspired by a near death experience in an accident, this iconic artist is a true example of how life can change direction in unexpected ways. (more…)
Listen: Alpines – Empires (Single Review)
Alpines have received so much love from so many important people this year, not least from Florence Welch who asked them to support her (and the Machine) at their Alexandra Palace shows in March. Luckily for our ears they have also announced the release of new single “Empires” on 11th June. (more…)
Library Voices – Summer of Lust (Album Review)
Library Voices are an indie-pop septet from Regina, Canada, who have recently released their latest offering, Summer of Lust. The band’s latest album follows two prior releases, Hunting Ghosts, a debut EP released in 2008, in addition to their 2010 album Denim on Denim. Summer of Lust is a feel good, pop-tinged recording that could assist in helping Library Voices make the transition into mainstream, popular music. (more…)
Savoir Adore – Dreamers (EP Review)
Upon hearing that Brooklyn duo Savoir Adore class themselves as ‘fantasy pop’ I immediately thought up some sort of horrendous concoction from the likes of Kate Bush and Kraftwerk. However, have no fear that was just my warped imagination, our ears are safe; as are members Deirdre Muro and Paul Hammer from crimes against both music and humanity. ‘Dreamers’ is the latest EP to be released from Savoir Adore on Neon Gold records, featuring seven tracks in total, five of which are actually remixes of the title track. It’s not really an everyday framework for an EP, but with the album ‘Our Nature’ on the way it seems this simply a starter before the main course. Having painted a mental picture worthy of the word nightmare I was pleasantly surprised to hear a seemingly perfect combination of 80’s synths and 90’s melodic vocals. A sudden sense of calm washes over and nothing but sunshine, rainbows and happiness are thrust upon us, which of course can only mean The Care Bear Movie. Basically, envision your paradise and here is your guaranteed perfect soundtrack. (more…)
AlunaGeorge – Just a Touch (Single Review)
It’s pretty encouraging to hear more and more artists having the confidence to work outside the comfort of sounds stereotypical to genres they are affiliated with. AlunaGeorge, the dynamic duo consisting of Aluna Francis (vocals) and George Reid (instruments/synths) do just that. Incorporating RnB and Hip hop with sounds uncommonly found in such genres, such as electrosynth with an aura of 80/90s pop may sound like a deadly combination, but AlunaGeorge combine the cocktail of influences seamlessly. (more…)
Savage Nomads – Tension in the Middle (Review)
Savage Nomads, the five-piece band from South London have a lot to live up to, after the success of their debut album Coloured Culture. Tension in the Middle attempts to display their diversity; diluting Savage Nomads garage band sound with characteristics commonly found in piano ballads, this song demonstrates the band’s eagerness to stand out. With the piano taking the melody’s lead for the majority of the song, Tension in the middle breaks the mould with its serene yet quirky disposition. However, lacking the gusto shown in their debut release, the upcoming Tension in the Middle EP, due to release on May 24th may cower in the shadow of Coloured Clutter. (more…)
Giana Factory – Dive (Single Review)
Fresh from conquering Denmark with their first full length album, Giana Factory are all set this year to present their sound to a worldwide audience. The Danish female trio are currently giving away free downloads of the unreleased track named ‘‘Dive’’ taken from their forthcoming debut album ‘’Save The Youth’’. The track provides a wonderfully enticing taster of what to expect from the rest of the album, which judging by this song seems that we are in for a real treat! (more…)
The Big Sleep – Valentine (Single Review)
Hailing from Brooklyn, The Big Sleep are Sonya Balchandani (bassist/vocals) and Danny Barria (guitarist/vocalist) and their new album, ‘Nature Experiments’, has had us all waiting with baited breath. After their last LP, ‘Sleep Forever’, released in 2008, followed by a mammoth tour, things went quiet (or a little sleepy) for a while. Little did we know, The Big Sleepers were plotting a surprise attack. Having taken their time on this new album and armed with a deft set of GarageBand skills, ‘Nature Experiments’ promises to be a ‘filler-free’ organic product of a creative back-to-basics approach. (more…)
Variety Lights – Silent Too Long (EP Review)
David Baker, the original singer for Mercury Rev, and his band Variety Lights prepare to launch their debut album in June. As a little taster they have released EP “Silent Too Long”. This could not be a more apt title as it is Baker’s first musical offering for 18 years. That’s right EIGHTEEN. This better be good. (more…)
The Rocketboys – Carry Me (Single Review)
“Carry Me”, the newest release from Texas indie rockers The Rocketboys, is taken from their newest album, Build Anyway, and carries with it the promise of a melodic change of direction from their earlier work. The recent change of line up appears to have had quite an effect on both their style and their line up. “Carry Me” is a wonderfully serene trip into soft rock, combining a delicate touch on the guitar and drums with powerful lyrics delivered by smooth, almost innocent vocals. No flashy tricks here, just the purity of lead singer Brandon Kinder’s voice mixed with the lilting melody. (more…)
Perfume Genius – Dark Parts (Single Review)
Perfume Genius will be releasing ‘Dark Parts’ from his recent album ‘Put your Back N 2 it’ on June 4th of this year. This piano ballad expresses the build up of emotion translated into a mild crescendo, lasting a large proportion of the song, which breaks into Perfume’s soft voice accompanied by the quiet comfort of his piano. (more…)
Electric Guest – This Head I Hold (Single Review)
Asa Taccone and Matthew Compton form ‘Electric Guest,’ the duo from Los Angeles who released their debut ‘Mondo’ album on May 14th. They are due to release their first single; ‘This Head I Hold’ soon. Before the first 30 seconds of this song have played, you’ll be caught up in the catchiness of the upbeat happy go lucky melody. The funky vibe it emits is hardly surprising from sounds that mix lively high-hitting vocals comparable to Gnarles Barkley with an electro-acoustic feel similar to Broken Bells. With the backing of Danger Mouse, who produced their album, This Head I Hold is bound to be a hit later this year. Fans should also check out the video below; Asa, whose brother, Jorma, who is part of the Lonely Island, shows his own sense of humor, in the surprisingly comedic video. (more…)
2:54 – You’re Early (Wild Beasts remix)
2:54′s video for B Side You’re Early (Wild Beasts Remix) is a beautifully choreographed and shot piece that is filled with a tense atmosphere and gorgeous simplicity. Featuring the band and a series of hooded, animalistic figures, the haunting sound of the remixed song mixes perfectly with the smoke laden scenes. (more…)
The Coronas – Addicted to Progress (Single Review)
Addicted to Progress is the lead single from Closer to You, a new album by The Coronas. The Coronas are an Irish band that won critical acclaim with their early releases, including their debut album Heroes or Ghosts. Since then, The Coronas have become platinum-selling recording artists, playing at SXSW festival and even opening for Sir Paul McCartney. The group, now the current best selling independent group in Ireland, are preparing to release their new studio album Closer to You on May 28th, which is preceded by the release of lead single Addicted to Progress on May 21st. (more…)
CYMBALS – Sideways, Sometimes (EP Review)
As might be expected from an EP recorded in the space of just five days on a boat moored in the Thames, London-based CYMBALS’ latest release ‘Sideways, Sometimes’ certainly doesn’t lack in flow. (more…)
