James Skelly Announce Single Plans Ahead Of Album Release

James Skelly & The Intenders have announced the release of a new single. 'You’ve Got It All', which was co-written with Paul Weller. The single will be available digitally through Skeleton Key Records on May 6 and features the B-Side 'Love Will Find You'. The single is taken from his forthcoming debut solo album, 'Love Undercover', which will be released on June 3.

Watch the video to 'You've Got It All' below.

The 11-track self-produced album was recorded in the autumn of 2012 at Parr St studios in Liverpool and the first taster from the record, 'Do It Again', was made available as a free download via his website,(www.jamesskellyandtheintenders.com), in late March.

James Skelly & The Intenders have also announced details of their debut U.K. headline tour. The list of dates is as follows:


JUNE

6th Leeds Brudenell Social Club

7th Sheffield O2 Academy 2

8th Liverpool O2 Academy 2

11th Birmingham Institute Temple Room

12th London Dingwalls

14th Bristol Thekla

15th Manchester Gorilla

Tickets are on sale now.

Loom Set For Acid Cities Tour

Loom's reputation has already preceded them around most of the country, but for those yet to witness the sheer ferocity and excitement that accompanies a live Loom show, the band have just announced their longest UK tour to date.

As well as taking in Hyde Park on the same bill as the Rolling Stones, the band will also be playing around the country from Brighton to Glasgow.

A free download single will be available to coincide with the tour.

The full dates are:

MAY

Thu 2nd Liverpool Shipping Forecast (Sound City)

Sat 25th London Old Blue Last (Seventy Times 7 Party night)


JUNE

Thu 6th London Shacklewell Arms (w/Charlie Boyer And The Voyeurs – part of JD Roots)

Fri 7th Norwich Arts Centre

Thu 13th Chester The Compass

Fri 14th Harlow The Square

Sat 15th Brighton The Hope

Sun 16th Southampton Joiners

Tue 18th Liverpool Shipping Forecast

Wed 19th Glasgow King Tut’s

Thu 20th Manchester Trof Fallowfield

Fri 21st Nottingham Chameleon


JULY

Sat 6th London Hyde Park (with The Rolling Stones)

Sat 20th Sheffield Tramlines Festival


Loom have released two highly acclaimed singles: 'Bleed On Me' a cassette-only release on the Heart/throb label, sold out within hours of its release in December and 'I Get A Taste', which was released through Hate Hate Hate Records on March 25 and has also sold-out, picking up multiple plays at Radio One in the process.

Today's Hot Track :: Lois & The Love - War

New from Ms Winstone and her band of Love, the follow-up to last year's double A side single, ‘Dark Serenade‘/‘Rabbit Hole‘.

The band, whom we featured here last October as a 'one to watch', return with the release of 'War' on May 17 via Camouflage Recordings.

Continuing with the Love hallmark of heavy guitar riffs alongside the gritty and fevered Janis Joplin-like vocals that Lois herself displays, 'War' is rawk 'n' raw with a psychedelic twist and plenty of melody on the side.

Lois & The Love play London's Camden Barfly on May 11.

EP Review :: Lionhall :: Rhizomes

Lionhall

Rhizomes (Tiny Lights)

April 29 2013

8/10

Words: Linn Branson



The emergence of the female vocal has really come to the fore over the last few years, highlighted by such artists as London Grammar and Mt. Wolf. A similarity to the latter and comparisons elsewhere to The xx have been made in regard to the Newcastle-based electro duo of Ana Blamford and Sean Ewins, collectively known as Lionhall.

On this, their debut EP, they have ably melded their sprarse and often very icy electronic instrumental sound, against Ana's vocals which tingle along the spine on hearing like icicles on the spiny branches of a leafless tree, often joined by Sean's deeper vocal inflection to add yang to the yin. The title track is a perfect slow-rise opener with its sound effects of sea washing against a shore, before breaking into those vocals which pre-empt what to expect from the three tracks that follow it.

'Colour Me' is a highlight: still adopting the raw, stripped back approach but drawing in guitar and drums to add weight and depth. It is haunting and sublime. 'Behave' pulls in guitar licks but still floats in minimalism without interrupting the mood already set. Closer 'Magnetic Forces' is perhaps the closest they get to The xx, largely due to Sean's vocals that remind of Oliver Sim, against a building electronic back-beat. It's a finale that leaves you longing for an encoure. And there can be little doubt that we'll be hearing more of Lionhall in the future.

Today's Hot Track :: To The Bones - Emperor's Ride

We may not be quite yet in our dotetage here at LIB, but we do tend to be rather 'decibel aware' and anything that requires a volume adjustment is usually not for us. However, on the tip-off from a member of one of our favourite bands Wide Eyed, we got on to this new single release from To The Bones. And whilst it could leave your ears bleeding on a live outing, it does actually grow on you.

‘Emperor’s Ride’, mixed by Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Ash, Idlewild), wad released last week via Martian Pop Records through all good major online digital retailers, and is the first single from the band's forthcoming album, which is set to be released this summer.

To The Bones are hailing this as their “best music to date”, and while the sound is loud and the riffs big, there's an appeal to their energy and dynamism that is on a par with QOTSA and Foo Fighters.

Watch the video below to 'Emperor's Ride' and if you like what you hear, To The Bones have the following upcoming dates lined up:

April 29 Band on the Wall, Manchester

May 02 Hare and Hounds, Birmingham

May 11 Mama Viz’s Voodoo Lounge, Stamford

May 25 Dogstock Outdoor Festival, Bolton

Live Review :: JAWS :: Piazza Vari, Benevento, Italy

JAWS

Piazza Vari, Benevento, Italy

April 20 2013


     
  Words: Maya Fiorillo


Last Saturday (April 20) something really weird and unusual happened: a small town placed in the south of Italy, hosted one of the most promising bands curerntly being talked about on the English music scene. Who are we talking here? We’re talking JAWS.

In case you didn't lnow, JAWS are made up of four young twentysomethings (though one we hear is still only 17) from Birmingham in the West Midlands, and who are touring the world for the first time. They haven’t even released their debut album, yet they have a bunch of songs that really catch the ears abd why they have caught the attention of  - certainly the UK's - notable tastemakers.

Today, however, we’re in a square in the middle of the old town centre of Benevento (Campania) - and the band, far from being the self-assured bunch of 'lads' that we have heard so much about,  look confused and somewhat ill at ease, like they are wondering if this city is really ready for this kind of music? No-one is really pauing them much attention, but with true British determination, they start to play anyway.

The first track out of the bag is 'Breeze': nobody moves, everything remains calm, but when 'Donut' chords start playing out across the square, things start to look up. Vocalist/guitarist Connor says “grazie” (Italian for 'thank you') and people seem to start warming to it, well they move in a little closer to the stage area anyway, if that's anuything to go by. 'Friend Like You' follows, and by the fifth song, JAWS have completely conquered the crowd. While Jacoby (bass) smiles at some fan singing along at the front (which could possibly have been me!), Connor keeps his focus downwards, his shoes appearing either of sudden great interest - or that he’s afraid to look upwards to what is happening in front of him.

JAWS’ sound is still a bit rough and Connor’s voice sometimes is a little too out of tune to be either edgy or cool, but that could also be because of the usual vagaries artists are open to when playing open-air gigs. They sounds great anyway, and they give a show that doesn't do them any discredit.

'Toucan Surf' and 'Surround You' close the set. With which it has to be said that this small Italian town is now in love with these English boys. From the nonchalant disinterest at the start, by the time they are heading off stage, everyone is ringing out their appreciation and applause settles over the stage like a warming cloud. Despite calls for an encore, it doesn’t come. But before they get rid of their instruments, the boys find themselves surrounded by people asking for the inevitable phone photo shot and autograph.

For their first visit here, three words: well done JAWS.

Seasfire Take To The Dark Side On Third Single

'Oh...Lucifer' may have a touch of darkness about its title, but one thing's for sure: it's another winner in the catalogue of Bristol's Seasfire.

This is the title of the latest single - which drops on July 1 on Little Fan Records - produced by Seasfire themselves and mixed by Dan Grech (The Vaccines/Hurts/Lana Del Rey). ‘Oh..Lucifer’ is the third single from the acclaimed Bristol quartet, and like its two predecessors, 'Oh...Lucifer' pulls in its instrumentation around its electronic centre from which all else swells digitally around Josh Thorn's vocals.

The band have also confirmed the following live dates upcoming over the next few months:

MAY
04/05 Live at Leeds
07 White Heat @ Madame Jojo, London
16/17 The Great Escape Festival, Brighton

JUN
14 Start The Bus (supporting PHORIA), Bristol

AUG
03 Y-Not Festival, Derbyshire
23/25 Reading & Leeds Festivals

Five Friday Hot Ones - April 26 2013

Kins - Post Tropical Storm





Archie Bronson Outfit - I Was A Dead Duck




Lovats - Over





Bad Moon - Crypt





Swim Deep - Simmer

Today's Hot Track :: Sigur Rós - Ísjaki

Taken from the forthcoming Sigur Rós album 'Kveikur', which is out June 17/18, Ísjaki is a foretaste of what to expect from the Icelandic trio.

You can watch the new uploaded video from the band below.

And if you're having any problems with the Icelandic lyrics, a rough translation is:

You knew of me
And I knew of you
But we always knew this would end

You miss me
And I miss you
We've lost our legs from beneath us

Now lie down with me,
All cold and blue
While our bones are shivering
Almost dead from the cold

Iceberg

You never say anything
You are an iceberg
You are covered with ice
You stay silent and hide yourself behind

The Iceberg

You turn me
And I turn you

Now covered in flames,
We ignite like sulfur

It sparks off of me
It sparks off of you
It sparks off of us
Turning us to ash

Iceberg

You never say anything
You are an iceberg
You are covered with ice
You stay silent and hide yourself behind

The Iceberg

(trans. Elijah Tebbetts)

Ex-Yuck Frontman Reveals New Project

With Daniel Blumberg recently announcing his parting of the ways with Yuck, many were querying what his plans were and whether he would now give full time over to his Oupa project. The answer it seems is a collaboration with Neil Hagerty, working on an album - 'Unreal' - to be relased worldwide on ATP Recordings on July 8.

The new Blumberg venture, Hebronix, are streaming the title track, which you can hear below.

Brightlight City Announce Single And Live Dates

Brightlight City, a five-piece hailing from as close as the Greater London reaches of Epsom and Carshalton to the, er, not quite so near, Brisbane, Australia, may not be an instantly recognisable name - although they can lay claim to opening for the likes of Bastille, Dog Is Dead and Kids In Glass Houses. Now cxould be the time they come into their own right with the release of their new single, 'Start at the End', on May 13.


Upcoming live dates:

Wednesday 24th April – The Dublin Castle, Camden
Saturday 27th April – The Hobgoblin , Staines
Thursday 2nd May – The New Cross Inn, New Cross
Friday 10th May – Jack Rabbits , Bogna Regis
Saturday 11th May – Scream Lounge, Croydon
Friday 17th May – SINGLE LAUNCH The Workshop, Shoreditch, London
Saturday 18th May – Redfest Comp Hobgoblin Staines
Tuesday 21st May – No Quarter @ NottingHill Arts Club, London
Friday 24th May – TBC
Wednesday 12th June – The Islington, London
Saturday 22nd June – Club Go Go Disco, Bullet Bar, Camden
Saturday 13th July – Rock in the Park, Wantage


Brightlight City are: Jamie Giarraputo - Vocals, Justin Giarraputo - Guitar, Jono Stauton - Guitar, Dan Stubberfield -Bass, Joe Edwards - Drums

Today's Hot Track :: Lovats - Over

Lovats, a five-piece band from Birmingham who have been slowly working their way up with local live shows and dropping a few demos here and there (as well as a debut EP under their previous name, Quayside), but now comes 'Over'.

The band list one of their influences as Bombay Bicycle Club, and there is strong evidence of that on 'Over'. First hearing may elicit a feel of 'hmm, this is quite good', but by the second hearing you are going to be tapping your feet and wanting to be up on your feet to trip a few dance moves. With a catchy melody, bubbly guitar riffs and some powerful vocals and keyboard touches from the lovely red-headed Ciaran, this has just the right feel for summer.

Yes, we like them. With the right exposure, 'Over' could just be the start for Lovats.

Lovats are: Ciaran Scanlon (vocals/synth/keys, Tom Barr (guitar/vocals), Nathan Barker (guitar), James Jackson (drums/vocals), Ryan Clark (bass/vocals)

Today's Hot Track: Bad Moon - Crypt

Produced by Gavin Monaghan (who has worked with a host of Birmingham artists including Editors and The Twang), Brummie quartet Bad Moon - who we featured recently in our Best Of Brum two-part series here have just unveiled this track on Soundcloud. And quite a something it is too, encompassing all their indie rock/psychedelic influences in one. Previous to this there had only been one demo, 'Quinton Expressway' up online, so unless you had seen them live one knew little of what to expect. The answer to that is predominantly heavy guitars, lots of reverb, and enticing vocals that twist and turn.

We think these Bad Moon boys could just have got a big one here.

Not A Cloud In Hey Sholay's Sky With EP Announcement

Following the theft of their van containing all their equipment, like any spirited lot Hey Sholay gor right back on the bus (though not the bus that was nicked naturally) and headed into the studio to work on their next EP.

The results of which will be released on the world on June 3 with a title of 'Cloud, Castle, _______ '. A single with the equally baffling title 'WDYRWMTB' is out the same day, both thru Fierce Panda. The EP will be available on limited 12" coloured vinyl, as well as digital.

The five-piece outfit have also announced the following live dates:

May 21 Scala, London (Fierce Panda's 19th Birthday w/ The Crookes and The Heartbreaks)

Jun 7 Queens Social Club, Sheffield (support from Lets Buy Happiness, High Hazels)

The Wytches Drop 'Beehive Queen' As Next Single

The Wytches have announced details of their new single. ‘Beehive Queen’ will be released on Hate Hate Hate on June 3.

The single will be available on limited 7” (300 copies) and download. It also features the AA-side ‘Crying Clown’. Both tracks were recorded at Toe Rag studios and produced by Liam Watson.

The band formed in November 2011 after moving down from Peterborough. Now based in Brighton, this Surf/Doom three piece comprise of guitar / organ / lead vocalist Kristian Bell; ADHD suffering drummer Gianni Honey, and fiercely eloquent bassist Dan Rumsey and mysterious second guitarist Mark Breed, who's commitments at home and slight agoraphobic behaviour means that he will not leave Peterborough, and only expands the group to a quartet at home town shows.

The group have already gained a strong following from their debut single, and self produced video 'Digsaw', and have been gaining in notoriety since then. Think Nirvana's Bleach, The Arctic Monkey's Humbug, The Horrors' Strange House and you're half way there; because with songs that make you feel dirty to sing, and undeniable rhythm that will have you moving against all efforts to resist, The Wytches are a band you will not easily forget.

The band have announced a raft of dates next month with Drenge. They also play Brighton's Great Escape festival.

May 04 – London, Shacklewell Arms (Bad Vibrations Festival)

May 16 – Brighton, The Mesmerist (Great Escape)

Jun 04  –  Birmingham, Hare & Hounds (w/ Drenge)

Jun 05  –  London, Barfly Camden (w/ Drenge)

Jun 06 –   Southampton, The Joiners (w/ Drenge)

Jun 07 –   Bristol, The Louisiana (w/ Drenge)

Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs Announce New Single And Debut Album

Taken from their debut album 'Clarietta' (out May 27 via Heavenly Recordings), Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs have announced details of the release of both the album, and single 'Be Glamorous' which is unleashed the week before.

The 11-track album was produced by Edwyn Collins & Seb Lewsley at West Heath Yard Studios at the start of this year.

The track listing of the album is as follows:

1. Things We Be

2. I’ve Got A River

3. Clarietta

4. Go Blow A Gale

5. You Haven’t Got A Chance

6. A Lion’s Way

7. Clarinet

8. I Watch You

9. Be A Complete Dream

10. Be Glamorous

11. The Central Tonne


The band will also be touring the album with dates as follows:

MAY

3rd Liverpool Sound City

4th Leeds Live at Leeds

5th Newcastle Sumday

17th Brighton The Great Escape (Uncut stage)

21st Manchester Soup Kitchen

22nd Nottingham Spanky’s (Free show)

24th Amsterdam Paradiso (London Calling)

25th London Field Day

28th Bristol Start The Bus

29th Oxford Jericho

First Listen :: RISE

 

Words: Andrew Major



Continuing the seeming rise of Manchester based acts including The 1975, WU-LYF and the much anticipated return of synth-poppers Hurts, we have RISE. With The Verve and The Longcut cited as influences, the Mancunian quartet are relativity new on the scene having only formed this year; they are said to have imprisoned themselves in the studio with techno outfit N-Trance in order to hone their sound and are set to unleash debut single ‘Purple Heart’ on the masses at the tail end of April. However, if they 'look' in any way familiar or the names start ringing bells with you it may be due to their having previously been known as No Tokyo and received a fair amount of notice on the live circuit.

Describing their sound as ‘space dance rock’, there are certainly hints of the mid-90’s influences that the band have moulded their sound around. A driving drum section blended with a very Ash-esque guitar line (think Shining Light) lends itself perfectly to frontman Daz Whittaker’s Ashcroft heavy vocals. Light flurries of reverb/delay laden strings add another dimension to the band’s sound which is more than welcome and breaks up the rhythm sections droning hypnosis.

The band’s online footprint is fairly scarce due to their infancy however early artwork samples are beginning to surface and are very much in keeping with the steady ‘rise’ of electro guitar bands. I hope that RISE can find space amongst their peers in the coming months leading up to the festival season where they are sure to come into their own.

RISE are yet to release any plans in the way of live dates but you can be sure to see them at a venue near you this summer.

‘Purple Heart’ is due to be released on digital platforms and will be available to download from all major online sites from April 29.

RISE are: Daz Whittaker – vocals, Ernie Robinson – guitar, Lee Graham – bass, Dale Baker – drums

Sydney's The Money Go Round Go For Endless Sun

Sydney's psychedelic surf pop quintet The Money Go Round announce the release of their follow-up single to 'Yayaya'.

'Endless Sun' will drop on May 3, and you can watch the video to the track below, as well as tream their debut release 'Yayaya'.

Chapel Club Set For Second Album Release

After recording their '2011 'Palace' follow-up album a year ago during a two-month sojourn in Los Angeles working with Tom Biller, Chapel Club have finally revealed that 'Good Together' will be released on June 3.

Having swapped their love of the somewhat dark and downcast, their recent live shows have given a taste of the new synth style to be expected in full on 'Good Together'.

In advance of the album release, the band have released for today's Record Store Day, a special 12" picture disc (as below)containing four new tracks: ‘Sleep Alone’, ‘Jenny Baby’, ‘Scared’, 'Good Together'.

Chapel Club have also announced they will be touring in June, playing the following dates:

03/06/13 Birmingham Temple
04/06/13 Glasgow Art School
05/06/13 Leeds Cockpit 2
06/06/13 Brighton The Haunt
11/06/13 London Cargo

These are preceded by performing at this year's Dot to Dot Festival, taking in:

24/05/13 Manchester
25/05/13 Bristol
26/05/13 Nottingham

Light Up Gold: A Road Trip With Parquet Courts

Parquet Courts and their debut album, 'Light Up Gold (What’s Your Rupture?)', have been on a lot of people’s lips lately. The band burst on the scene from relative obscurity to being one of the most exciting and talked-about rock bands making music today.

It’s a strange series of events for any band to go through, and not everyone is lucky enough to have an accomplished documentary maker like Andy Capper along for the ride to capture a singular three-week period during the height of it all. Capper’s work includes documentary films such as The Vice Guide To Liberia, Swansea Love Story, Lil Bub & Friendz, REINCARNATED, and music videos for A$AP Rocky, Vybz Kartel, Black Lips, and Snoop Lion. His approach to filmmaking is getting as intimate with the subject matter as possible and letting them be the stars of the piece.

"When Sean Yeaton (bassist) left his job and the safety of a desk job for the wild life of a performing minstrel, I decided to get a camera and follow him on the first three weeks of his new life,” says Capper. "We went from Mexico to Texas and London in a very short time period for the amount of great moments we had together. I love Sean and his band —Austin, Andrew and Max —and I hope that this is reflected in this short film that we made together.

Following their recent three-date London sell-outs, Parquet Courts return to the UK next month to play the following:

May

18 – The Great Escape, Brighton
19 – 100 Club, London

Winterhours Return With A 'Heart Of Gold'

Winterhours, the indie folk rock quartet, return with the release of 'Heart of Gold', the follow up to 'Ocean Heart' which dropped late last year. The single is released on Monday, April 22 thru the Saint November label.

The band will play the following dates in support of the single release:

April 17 Sebright Arms, London (official launch show)
April 18 Sticky Mike's Frog Bar, Brighton
April 26 Focus Festival, Wrexham
April 27 Railway Inn, Winchester

Winterhours are: Alex J Dunne - Vocals/Guitar; Krys Bascombe - Bass/Vocals; Andy Stewart - Guitar/Vocals; Jon Pugh - Drums/Percussion

Watch and listen to their last single 'Ocean Heart' below.

Wave Machines Hit 'Home' With Single Release & Festival Dates

Liverpudlian quartet Wave Machines announce the latest single from their new album, 'Pollen', is to be 'Home' with a release on April 29 thru Neapolitan.

The band once more live up to their reputation for delivering glitchy beats, clean lines and surgical percussion. You can watch the video to 'Home' above.

The band embark on a series of festival dates throughout the summer, kicking off with a homecoming gig at the Anglican Cathedral for Liverpool Sound City on May 3.

LIVE DATES:

MAY 03 LIVERPOOL SOUND CITY, Anglican Cathedral
MAY 04 LEEDS, Live At Leeds
MAY 24 MANCHESTER, Dot To Dot Festival
MAY 25 BRISTOL, Dot To Dot Festival
MAY 26 NOTTINGHAM, Dot To Dot Festival
JULY 20 LATITUDE FESTIVAL, Southwold
JULY 28 KENDAL CALLING FESTIVAL, Penrith, Cumbria

Goldheart Assembly Return With 'Long Distance Song Effects'

Goldheart Assembly have announced details of the release of their new album, 'Long Distance Song Effects'. This, their second album, will be released through New Music Club on July 1.

Self-produced by the band with Tobi Gmur and recoded in Lucerne, Switzerland and London, the 11-track album follows their acclaimed debut, 'Wolves and Thieves' of 2010.

Tracklisting

1. Long Distance Song Effects
2. Billy In The Lowground
3. Harvest In the Snow
4. Transit
5. Stephanie And The Ferris Wheel
6. Linnaeus
7. Sad Sad Stage
8. The Idiot
9. Into Desperate Arms
10. Behind This Lonely Sun
11. Bird On A Chain

Named after a Guided by Voices song, Goldheart Assembly formed in 2008 through a love of harmonic, British pop music and not, as a bizarre internet rumour has it, whilst working as zookeepers at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park.

The release of their debut album was followed by shows with the likes of Black Mountain and Low Anthem while their own headline shows culminated in a sold-out performance at London’s Scala in April 2011. The start of 2011 also saw them play their first U.S shows, including a slot at that year’s SxSW Festival and make a high-profile appearance on the Last Call with Carson Daly TV show.

Beginning 'Long Distance Song Effects' in 2011, the album was shaped over a period of two years as the 25 tracks they initially recorded in London were gradually whittled down between trips back and forth to Lucerne where they recorded with Swiss musician/producer Tobi Gmur, who they’d met on an earlier European tour.

Goldheart Assembly will be shortly announcing a UK headline tour.

Goldheart Assembly are: Jake Bowser (keyboards, vocals), James Dale (lead vocals, bass), Nicky Francis (drums, vocals), Kyle Hall (guitar) and John Herbert (lead vocals, guitar).

Watch the video to 'Billy In The Lowground' here

Video :: Sans Parade :: In A Coastal Town

Stunning and cleverly shoot footage of rock pools, Scandinavian icicles, wintery snow and waters so clear you feel you want to jump right into.

Taken from their recently released self-titled album, 'In A Coastal Town' is from the Finnish trio Sans Parade who featured in our Scandinavian round-up here last year - and is something of an epic little song that sweeps along, stopping here and there for some delightful orchestral arrangements, acoustic and electric instruments, and slight electronic flourishes to come in. A cinematic soundscape.

Weekend Special Eight - April 19 2013

London Grammar - Wasting My Young Years





SOHN - Bloodflows





Father Sculptor





Lionhall - Colour Me





Girls Names - Hypnotic Regression





Hookworms - Radio Tokyo





Death By Sexy - Burning Like A Fever





The Adelines - Alleyways

Pulp Release New Soulwax Remix

To coincide with Saturday's Record Store Day, Pulp will make available a new Soulwax remix of ‘After You’ on 12” vinyl through Rough Trade.

The 12” will also feature the original version, recorded in late 2012 and produced & mixed by James Murphy (DFA Records / LCD Soundsystem), and the band’s own ‘The 4am Desperation Disco to Disco Dub Version’.

First Listen :: Welcome Pariah

Welcome Pariah


Words: Dave Beech


For years now bands have been trying to emulate and recreate the cultural explosion that was 1990s brit-pop. From Oasis to Happy Mondays, from Pulp to The Stone Roses, whoever their influence, the same energy, the same furore has never been encapsulated. Often I've given that over to the same reasoning that I give to why contemporary Punk doesn't have the same resonance as that it stemmed from; the moment has passed; situations have changed. Bands can't spend their careers chasing the Zeitgeist of 20 years past. That is until I heard Welcome Pariah.

Hailing from Southampton, the band have managed to achieve what their peers struggled to; they've managed to effortlessly distil the essence of brit-pop without once ever sounding forced or contrived. Their latest single 'Neither Here Nor There' blends nostalgia-tinged Brit-pop jangles with 60s inspired waves of surf-pop psychedelia in a fusion that's nothing short of infectious.

Beginning with a intro that's evocative of 'Waterfall' by The Stone Roses, the song takes you on a journey over several decades, making it apparent that they weren't lying when citing The Who and The Beatles as some of their influences. Often this can lead to a record sounding archaic or well-trodden but Welcome Pariah have managed to keep their music resoundingly fresh.

John Waghorn's guitar and vocal work is consistently excellent throughout the entire track, the solo in particular is is reminiscent of two generations of guitar music and ends sounding particularly like The Who. Not only that but the solo steps the pace of the song up from the almost-dreamy verses that float along in tandem with the songs John Squire-esque hook in to a fast-paced clamorous conclusion. The song ends somewhat unusually with the solo giving way to a sample which in turn gives way to a few seconds of gentle guitar.

Countless bands have tried it, almost none of have succeeded. Welcome Pariah have not only encapsulated the sound and aesthetic of their influences but they've managed to eschew feelings of antiquation or archaism that so often plague bands indebted to their influences. They've taken two much loved genres and generations mixed them together in an amalgamation of sound and spirit before adding their own unique spin and calling it their own. A must listen for anyone who fancies a nostalgia-trip worth taking.

Welcome Pariah play the following live dates:

April
25th – RMA Tavern, Portsmouth
26th – This Feeling Club Night, The Macbeth, London
27th - The Essex Arms, Brentwood

May
10th – This Feeling Club Night, Cellar, Southampton
11th – Pulse Festival, Sunnyfields Farm, Hampshire
17th - Lennons, Supporting Catfish and the Bottlemen, Southampton
24th - Coburgs, Ryde, Isle of Wight
25th – The Tap, Sandown, Isle of Wight

June
08th - The Adam & Eve, Scooterists For Heroes, Birmingham
14th- 15th – March Of The Mods Festival, Santa Pod Raceway, Wellingborough
21st - The Fiddlers Elbow, Cool Britannia, Camden, London
29th – The Good Ship, Kilburn, London

July
19th - 21st - Tonefest, Dorset
26th - Gabefest 5, Hampshire

August
02nd – Frolic Fest, Kent

'Waiting For Something To Happen'..with Veronica Falls

Veronica Falls, the London-based quartet, unveil a new video as they embarked on a six-date tour in UK and Ireland yesterday (April 16), followed by dates in Europe.

The video, shot in black and white, for ‘Waiting For Something To Happen’ - the title track from the band's sophomore album - was directed by Paul Kelly. The track itself will be be out as a 7” and digital download on May 27 thru Bella Union (Slumberland in US), backed with b-side 'Perpetual Motion'.

Veronica Falls play the following upcoming live dates:

April
16 – The Fleece, Bristol (w/ Brilliant Colors)
17 – Kazimer, Liverpool (w/ Brilliant Colors)
18 – Whelans, Dublin
19 – Voodoo, Belfast
20 – Deaf Institute, Manchester (SOLD OUT)
23 – Islington Assembly Hall, London (w/ Comet Gain)
24 – La Peniche, Lille, France
25 – Nouveau Casino, Paris (w/ Mazes)
26 – Noumatrouff, Mulhouse, France (w/ Mazes)
27 – Le Sonic, Lyon, France (w/ Mazes)
28 - Bad Bonn, Dudingen (w/ Mazes)
30 - Mascotte, Zurich (w/ Mazes)

July
06 Hop Farm, Kent
20 Latitude Festival, Southwold

Hookworms Spin On 'Radio Tokyo'

Leeds psych-rockers Hookworms return with the release of a new 7": 'Radio Tokyo' is to be released on May 27 thru Too Pure Singles Club. This follows on from last month's drop of debut album 'Pearl Mystic' (put out by Gringo Records).

While 'Radio Tokyo' delivers the same rich cacophony of sound that we have come to associate with Hookworms, yet of a more upbeat nature with a Japanese flavour, which may well be something to do with the title we think...

Sparrow And The Workshop Set For Murderopolis Release

Glasgow-based trio Sparrow and the Workshop announce their forthcoming album ‘Murderopolis’ is set for release on May 27 thru Song By Toad Records.

Following on from ‘Shock Shock’, the first single taken from the album, they continue to showcase a darker tone. The cacophonous guitar and bass lines and pounding drum beats of ‘Darkness’, ‘The Faster You Spin’ and recent single ‘Shock Shock’ emphasise the fact that Sparrow and the Workshop can truly pack a ferocious punch. Contrasting with these are the haunting melodies of ‘Odessa’, ‘Water Won’t Fall’ and album closer ‘Happy Days’, flaunting the trio’s versatility, yet even these tracks build up to an unrelenting crescendo.

The band have a short run of live dates lined up as follows:

May 04 Machynlleth Wales, Machynlleth Comedy Festival
May 08 Glasgow, Mono
May 09 Edinburgh, Caves
Jun 24 London, Lexington

The Great Escape Announce Final Line-Up Additions

The Great Escape, Brighton May 16 - 18 2013


The Great Escape festival today (April 16) announced the final additions to their line-up for the annual South Coast sea breeze festival at Brighton.

The full bill of new acts announced today are as follows:

ALARM BELLS / ALIMENT / ANDREYA TRIANA / ARCHIPEL / ARLISSA / ARROWS OF LOVE / ARTHUR BEATRICE / AUFGANG / BEATAUCUE / BIRKIN JERSEY / BIPOLAR SUNSHINE / BIRD / BLEK / BOATS / BOMBAY SHOW PIG / BROTHER & BONES / C JOYNES / CHARLIE BOYER & THE VOYEURS / CHINA RATS / CHRIS LETCHER / CLEAN BANDIT / CRYSTAL FIGHTERS / CURRENT SWELL / CUT RIBBONS / DAMERELS / DEADBOY / DEAN MCPHEE / D E N A / DOM SERVINI / DROP OUT VENUS / EAMON MCGRATH / ELLE EYRE / EMBERS / ETTA BOND / FATHERSON / FAYE / FEAR OF MEN / FEATHERS / FENECH-SOLER / FENSTER / FILOSOFISCHE STILTE / FOE / GAVIN JAMES / GREAT CYNICS / GUARDS / HJALTALÍN / HK119 / HOLY ESQUE / HONEYBLOOD / IAN HELLIWELL / IN THE VALLEY BELOW / INSTRUMENTI / IYES / JACKMASTER / JEREMY LOOPS / / JEREMY NEIL / JOHN NEWMAN / KHUSHI / KID KARATE / KINNIE THE EXPLORER / KID WAVE / KNYTRO / LAUREN AQUILINA / LULS / MARQUES TOLIVER / MELODY’S ECHO CHAMBER / MIKE DIGNAM / MIKILL PANE / MILO GREEN / MISTY MILLER / MODDI / MOKO / MT / NATTY / NINA NESBITT / NO / OF RUST AND BONE / OFEI / OQUADRO / OS NELSONS / OYAMA / POPE / POPSTRANGERS / PRATA VETRA / PYRAMID / RAINER / RED RIVER DIALECT / REDINHO / SEWARD / SHUYLER JANSEN / SIBILE / SINEAD HARNETT / THE SKINTS / SID BATHAM / SOPHIE / SOUL SISTER DANCE REVOLUTION / STRAW BEAR / SYMPHONIC PICTURES / THE ADELINES / THE DANCERS / THE FAMILY CHEESE / THE FAMILY RAIN / THE HEATWAVE WITH LADY CHANN / THE NEXT MEN / THE ORWELLLS / THE PENELOPES / THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT / THE WYTCHES / TOM PRIOR / TORUS / TOURIST / VONDELPARK / WASHINGTON IRVING / WHIRR / WILDFLOWERS / WOUNDS / YADI / YOUNG FATHERS / YOUNG HUSBAND / YOUNG KATO

These complete the line-up.

See full list here

James Blake Announces UK Tour

James Blake has announced a string of live dates in September, following the release of his his album 'Overgrown' last week - the follow-up to his 2011 debut.

Singer and producer Blake, who played Coachella Festival in California on Sunday (and returning for the second weekend April 21, will open at September 18 at Glasgow O2 ABC and finish up at London's Shepherds Bush Empire on September 25.

Tickets go on general sale April 18.

September 18 Glasgow, O2 ABC
September 20 Manchester, Ritz
September 21 Birmingham, Institute
September 22 Oxford, O2 Academy
September 24 Bristol, O2 Academy
September 25 London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

Single Review :: Bronze Medallists :: Empire

Bronze Medallists

Empire (Moi Moi Records - digital release)

May 13 2013

8/10


Words: Andrew Major


Hailing from East London, Bronze Medallists merge the lines of electronica and art-pop with their new offering ‘Empire.’ Taken from the band's 2012 EP of the same name, 'Empire' is a tale of misdirection and the nostalgia of home. Swirling synth lines, broken beats and ambient backing vocals from the daughter of synth design legend Peter Zinovieff! What’s not to like? With lead singer Oliver Price’s vocals taking on a baritone shoe-gazing style and the subject matter being that of New York, it is easy to why the band have been likened to acts such as The National and the electronic Americana of The Postal Service.

The band seems to have it nailed when it comes to sound and their artistic direction of videos. Their accompanying video for 'Empire' shows clips of the 1970’s cult classic, The Warriors, which works to emphasise the lyrical content of being stuck in the regimented New York grid system and longing for the gentle curves of London.

Coming back to the question of what’s not to like? Not a lot really. 'Empire' ticks mostly all the boxes in terms of production, samples, emotive lyrics and some haunting backing vocals. It’s all very polished, very ‘now’ and just my cup of tea. If I really had to pick negatives it would be a fear of Bronze Medallists leaning a little too far towards the Brooklyn sound they seem to have achieved with 'Empire'. They are after all a London based band and with East London outfit Breton having paved the way for art-pop/synth music with a British grit, I hope they take something from that and follow suit.

Bronze Medallists play The Social, London, this Saturday April 20.

Howling Owl Records Release For Record Store Day 2013: Music Is Dead

Music is Dead

Howling Owl Records

8/10


Words: Dave Beech


Now in its sixth year, Record Store Day is a worldwide event celebrated on the third Saturday of April. It brings together fans, artists and thousands of independent record stores across in an eclectic mix of previously unreleased tracks, reissues, in-store appearances, and more. The aim of which, quite simply to “celebrate the art of music”. In honour of the day and ahead of last year's release, Howling Owl Records releases 'Music is Dead' in a limited print of 100 copies only on vinyl.

Side A of the record features the first new material from The Naturals in over a year. 'Its Teeth' begins with a crunchy guitar which is quickly joined by a high pitched ad off kilter synth that's nothing short of abrasive. Singer Robin Stewart's moody vocals and a constant rolling bass work together to create a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere that's punctuated by occasional moments of optimism. The second half of the track feels somewhat more upbeat however it does manage to uphold distinctly dark undertones. Coming off sounding somewhat like a lo-fi White Lies, The Naturals are for those who like their fuzz.

The second track on side A is by Bristol based Spectres. Renowned for blending together ear shattering walls of noise with breezy vocals, 'Where Youth?' shows a different side to the band. A dreamy haze of guitars, drums and soundscapes isn't the band's usual fair and seems somewhat out of character, at least at first. It doesn't take long before the lazy vocals and shimmering background build to a tumultuous crescendo and the inevitable abrasiveness the band is known for bursts forth in a torrent of guitars and guitars and drums before slowly burning itself out in the songs climax. A fantastic and drawn out affair from one of the most refreshing bands to come out of Britain recently.

Turn the record over and side B asserts a whole different feel than that of it's counterpart. Oliver Wilde brings a premature summer with him in the form of 'Home'; a shimmering shoegazey affair that brings to mind the likes of Rollerskate Skinny. The familiar lo-fi production is constant present across the course of 'Music is Dead' but it benefits none more than this track, forming a heat haze across the whole song that makes summer seem almost tangible. Uplifting and optimistic Oliver Wilde has distilled 'festival season' perfectly with this track.

The final track on the record is by Velcro Hooks. 'Yesterday's Man' is perhaps the most radio-friendly track featured. Jangly guitars and an understated bass form the backdrop to a Strokes-esque vocal. A persistent yet ever-musical wall of noise builds throughout the second half of the track, in what is obviously a staple of the artists featured.

What Howling Owl records have done with Music is Dead is create a record with two completely separate identities each of it's sides. The first upholds a distinctly dark and brooding sentiment, featuring rumbling bass and melancholic vocals whilst side B purports a feeling of optimism and almost hope after listening to the first half. The record comes “in lovingly hand assembled packaging with bespoke artwork” and is only available in limited numbers. It features four very different bands who all share similar aesthetic tendancies. Definitely a record for fans of noise or lo-fi music in general should check out.

Coasts Offer A Little Wallow And Tour Dates

Coasts, the Bristol quartet, follow up the highly successful 'Oceans' with 'Wallow', the second single release from their forthcoming 'Paradise' EP. 'Wallow' is released by Tidal Recordings on April 29 2013.

The band have also announced they will be touring during May and June in support of the single.

Dates as follows:

May 24 Also Known As, Banbury
May 26 Unit, Southampton
May 28 The Portland Arms, Cambridge
May 29 Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
May 30 Night & Day Cafe, Manchester
May 31 Louisiana, Bristol
Jun 01 Borderline, London
Jun 05 Café Video, Ghent, Belgium
Jun 06 Rotown, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Jun 07 Magnet, Berlin, Germany
Jun 08 Molotow Bar, Hamburg, Germany
Jun 09 Gigant, Apeldoorn, Netherlands


Listen to 'Wallow' here:

Jai Paul Releases New Album - Oh No He Doesn't!

When late on Saturday night, an 'album' appeared online allegedly to be from the elusive and mysterious Jai Paul, the social media sites were sent into a frenzy, and for more than 24 hours it was the sole topic of conversation for many of the 23-year-old songwriter and producer's fans.

With rumours rife for the last few weeks of there being a release in the offing, at first the Bandcamp announcement selling the 16 track untitled work for £7 was thought to be nothing more than a sneaky little number - as My Bloody Valentine delivered ealier this year. Then there started to be a few questions, and although there was no word from Jai Paul himself or his label, XL Recordings, there seems to day (April 15) to be an answer with Paul seemingly having emailed Dazed journalist Owen Myers that it was an 'illegal leak': “I will be releasing a statement later today about the illegal leak. I have not released a new record,” with the material having been gleaned from a stolen laptop.

A short time ago, Paul took to Twitter to state: “To confirm: demos on Bandcamp were not uploaded by me, this is not my debut album. Please don’t buy. Statement to follow later. Thanks, Jai”

Jai Paul, the London-born songwriter and record producer, first came to notice in 2010 when his demo 'BTSTU' began receiving widespread blog coverage, and UK national airplay by DJs including Gilles Peterson, Zane Lowe and Nick Grimshaw.

In December 2010, Paul was longlisted for the BBC Sound of 2011 poll. 'BTSTU' was playlisted on BBC Radio 1 following its release as a digital download in April 2011. On May 20 2011, Canadian hip hop artist Drake leaked a track titled 'Dreams Money Can Buy' via his blog, and later 'Till The End Of Time', a song by Beyoncé surfaced online. Both tracks feature a sample of Paul's 'BTSTU' demo.

In March last year, Jai Paul uploaded a new demo titled 'Jasmine' to his Soundcloud page, (the demo was given an official release via XL on April 9 2012), where it clocked over 500,000 plays within a month.

Since then little has been heard from Jai Paul's camp, though rumours of an imminent release had fuelled speculation that the 16 untitled tracks that were uploaded Bandcamp on Saturday night was the real McCoy.

For those who haven't yet heard what was there - though may not be for much longer - here it is:

Single Review :: The Shermans :: Intentions

The Shermans

Intentions

April 11 2013 (online)

7/10


Words: Harry Barnes


Essex indie rock quintet The Shermans are streaming their latest single 'Intentions', taken from their forthcoming EP 'Luna'. The track is also available for free download.

After releasing their debut EP 'Marina' in November last year to much acclaim, they return with perhaps a more refined indie sound than was previously heard, with the quality in recording and musicianship definitely having been stepped up a notch with cleaner vocals from frontman Callum Quirk. Their guitar use - via Hamish Monk on lead guitar, and Sean Heaney on rhythm guitar - is as ctachy as ever, with irresistible melody lines woven throughout, and a rocking beat acting as a solid backbone for the song. It can't be left unsaid - the bass here is good due to Jake Piper's effects, but the drums of Alex Pattle have really improved in quality.

None of this is to say they were lacking before, but the change in studio may of just been what was needed.

The Shermans play the Queen of Hoxton on April 20 for Mat Horne's 'Sessions'. Make you sure you don't miss out on the latest band from the newest B-town - Brentwood that is!

The Virgins 'Strike Gently' - New Album And Tour Dates

Following the release of their new album ‘Strike Gently’ (thru the label formed by Julian Casablancas, Cult Records), The Virgins will be performing at London’s The Old Blue Last on June 20. The band have also been confirmed as support on the forthcoming The Killers tour in the US.

Watch the video to recent single ‘Prima Materia’ here:



Recorded in New York at the East Village Recording Centre (underneath the site of the storied former rock club ‘Brownies’), the long-awaited second album from the New York band was produced by The Unicorn Parade (Johnny T. Yerington and Gus Oberg).

Casablancas notes, “When I first saw the Virgins I was psyched there was such a rad new band from NYC. Donald’s such an awesome guy and it’s great to meet someone who’s such a true artist. I think they’ve made a classic record and we’re really excited they chose to work with us.”

The Killers US Support Shows:
May 06 El Paso,TX Abraham Chavez Theatre
May 08 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
May 09 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre
May 10 Cedar Park, TX Cedar Park Center
May 12 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry House
May 14 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
May 15 Toronto, Canada Air Canada Centre
May 16 Cincinnati Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati
May 18 Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center
May 19 Camden, NJ Susquehanna Bank Center

Headline Shows:
Jun 14 Hamburg Gruenspan S
Jun 15 Cologne Luxor
Jun 17 Frankfurt Batschkapp
Jun 18 Munich Strom
Jun 20 London, Old Blue Last
Jun 25 Strasbourg La Laiterie Club
Jun 27 Paris Le Trabendo

April 12 2013 - Five Hot Ones For The Week

Dark Bells - Wildflower





Victories at Sea - Stay Positive





RDGLDGRN - Million Fans





Fryars - On Your Own





No Ceremony/// - Hurtlove

Wolf Alice Stream New Single Bros

North London's Wolf Alice return with their next single. 'Bros', a follow-up to the quartet's 'Fluffy' which dropped in January.

The self-produced 'Bros' (with Austen Jux-Chandler) is released on Chess Club Records, 20th May.

Wolf Alice, who formed three years ago (taking their name from an Angela Carter novel) have also lined up a string of live dates for May and June


May

02 - Birthdays, London w/ Peace [SOLD OUT]
04 - Live At Leeds Festival
05 - City.Sound.Project, Canterbury
16 - Great Escape Festival, Brighton
18 - Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
20 - Kasbah, Coventry
21 - Bar Bloc, Glasgow
22 - Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough
23 - Think Tank at Hoults Yard, Newcastle
24 - Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester
25 - Dot to Dot Festival, Bristol
26 - Dot to Dot Festival, Nottingham
28 - Thekla, Bristol w/ Tribes
29 - Roundhouse, London w/Tribes
30 - Arts Centre, Norwich
31 - The Victoria, Birmingham

June

01 - Buffalo Bar, Cardiff
03 - Joiners, Southampton
04 - The Lexington, London
05 - Jericho, Oxford
06 - Shipping Forecast, Liverpool
07 - Esquires, Bedford
08 - 60 Million Postcards, Bournemouth

Bowie - And The Boy: Boy George In Conversation

Last night, April 9, journalist Paul Gorman was in conversation with Boy George at an event hosted by the V&A to coincide with the museum’s hotly-anticipated retrospective, David Bowie Is. The subject - naturally, was David Bowie and his visual style, his engagement with fashion and style over the years, his impact on generations of pop fans and how he helped shape George’s own visual expression.

Our writer Harry Barneswas along to listen...

When I arrived at the wonderfully cultural and elegant Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington, I did not know what to expect. I didn't even know whether coming away from it I'd firstly enjoy it, and secondly have anything worth writing about! And before you scroll down and read the next article, pardon the phrase, but boy is there a lot to talk about.

The main reason for that is the 60-minute conversation that I witnessed between Boy George and journalist Paul Gorman on the massive cultural influence that is David Bowie. They talked at length for the full time - even putting time inside for questions rather than further self-indulgence - and Boy George was masterfully guided through the talk by Paul's inviting questions on the often romanticized 80s.

At first I was worried that the very healthy looking Boy George would be stuck up after denying anyone to take photos (he also, quite rudely, appeared to deny fan photos, and walked away swiftly at the end), and he also started talking about himself rather than the man in question, David Bowie. This is where Paul came in, inviting him to answer the questions people want to hear answers too, and more importantly, create interesting conversation. That they did.

It was fascinating. I of course understand the influence and significance of David Bowie, particularly after his come back and STILL being relevant, but more so after this talk. A key topic of the night was how being a fan of David Bowie in the 70s made people question your sexuality in the playground, something quite understandably that Boy George denied ever being questioned about - it was plain to see. One key moment of the night that stood out was quite early on when they started delving into photos of his fashion, intertwining videos of each persona. The one clip that striked a chord with Boy George was the performance of Starman on Top Of The Pops in 1972, when he put his arm enticingly round Mick Ronson. Boy George and I did not realise when we first saw the video, but this is quite something - it is a gesture saying "I am allowed to do this." Questionable in hindsight, what definitely was not was the not shown but mentioned felatio of the guitar in the Ziggy Stardust era.

After the night, it made me realise what music is: it is more than music, it is a way of life. David Bowie is a man that knows this far more than other, as he takes control of the whole production, including stage sets, clothes, songcraft too. I wonder how many bands do all of that today? Very little - and that is what makes this man so historic, his presence in the culture of music will stay with us for a long time coming.

Josh Record Streams Debut EP

Josh Record, the 25 year old singer/songwriter, is streaming the debut EP 'Bones' that was recorded at home in his Brixton bedroom.. The EP, already available on iTunes and Spotify, is released physically on 10" white vinyl on April 14, via National Anthem.

Josj is also playing the following two dates in advance of his appearance at this year's Great Escape festival in Brighton.

Thur April 11 - The Lexington, London
Fri April 12 - King Tuts, Glasgow

Album Review :: The Boy Least Likely To :: The Great Perhaps

The Boy Least Likely To

'The Great Perhaps' (To Young To Die Records)

April 22 2013

7/10

Words: Dave Beech



'Cuddlecore' isn't a exactly a genre you would expect to find whilst at your local music shop but that's exactly what Wendover duo The Boy Least Likely To purport to be. To those with an untrained ear and lacking a sense of irony, the band's sound could quite easily come across as twee-pop, the only difference being...well...there isn't any. The fact of the matter is TBLLT couldn't really be much 'twee-er'. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Coming off sounding something like The Shins meets Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin by way of Beulah is no mean feat and one they manage to pull off without ever sounding too indebted to any of the aforemetioned. Of course, in a genre so full of conventions it's always hard to maintain a certain degree of autonomy, especially one as niche as twee-pop; as a result certain clichés need to be overlooked in order to fairly review a record.

'The Great Perhaps' is the fourth album to be released by TBLLT and sees the band entering their second decade together. The intricate soundscapes woven by multi-instrumentalist Pete Hobbs are as eclectic as they elaborate. From the delicate and emotive string ensemble in 'Michael Collins' down to the optimistic 8bit electronica of album opener 'I Keep Falling In Love With You Again' each track forges it's own path without the record ever coming across as erratic.

Track six, 'Climbing Out of Love' is a particular highlight of 'The Great Perhaps' and an effortless fizzes and dances like a drunk R2D2 behind singer Jof Owens richly coloured lyricism, a simple guitar accompanies the synth in a song that's somewhat evocative of Bishop Allen. 'Lucky to Be Alive' on the other hand could almost be a Death Cab Cutie Song. A dual vocal on this track sets it apart from the rest of the album, if only subtly while the chorus sees Owen doing his best James Mercer impression and he gets away with it. Just

'The Great Perhaps' is a album that upon first listen, is as enigmatic as it's name suggests. Through multiple listens, the album begins to unravel itself, spilling with it all it's nuanced beauty and splendour. TBLLT are obviously a band whose wide rage of influences to every record they make, and while sometimes they might come across as particularly indicative of a certain band, there's an unmistakeable degree of charm to the band, and one that couldn't be anyone else. 'The Great Perhaps' is an album that's energetic and summery whilst at the same time being gently pensive. It takes a few listens to get there but once you do, you'll be glad you did.

Wild Swim Unveil Another Night Single And Video

Wild Swim, the Oxford-based quintet, release their stunning follow-up to 'Echo' and the third single release from their forthcoming debut album (release date unconfirmed) - 'Another Night' on May 4 thru Believe Recordings.

The dark electro-pop outfit (of four undergraduates and a trainee Saville Row tailor) are hauntingly mesmeric, due in no part to Sansom's vocals which catch you unawares in parts and delve from rich baritone to near operatic. Add in some impressive twiddling of synths and a variety of key changes, and you have the makings of a song that offers much excitement for a full album's worth.

Wild Swim are: Richard Sansom - vocals, Jamie Jay - guitar, keyboard Carlos Posada - guitar, keyboard, Jacob Lively - bas), Sam Robinson - drums.

First Listen :: Casual Sex

Glasgow quartet Casual Sex may not exactly be a name to Google during your office work-time, but after those early split 7" of fun, now comes the first full offiering on Moshi Moshi.

Coompared to Orange Juice and Franz Ferdinand, Casual Sex were picked up by the label for their debut double A-side 'Stroh 80' / 'Soft School' which was released last week. 'Stroh 80' is, according to vocalist Sam Smith, “about being caught doing the nasty with your girlfriend’s pal in the aftermath of a drug party on the floor of a local occultist”. And if that's not enough to entice you, it delivers some very tasteworthy chords, handclaps, a bit of disco - and one helluva tune.

And if you should fancy a spot of Casual Sex tonight (April 9), then get along to The Social in London for a Moshi Moshi night which also includes Fimber Bravo and Totem. All free too.