Try Before You Buy: A Palette Of New Sounds #1 2/9/15

The first in our semi-regular series where we round up some of the great, good, mediocre - and bloody awful - new tracks we have been listening to in our Little Indie tent.



THE SHANKLINS - STRANGE
From whence do The Shanklins hail? Was their name lifted from Belfast maybe? Or wafted on a sea breeze from the Isle of Wight? Their smooth indie sound could be the former, or a Philly/New York East Coaster. But no, they're Black Country/Staffies folk! Now you listen below. What do you think? Star Rating: ***.5/5




JAMES FAUNTLEROY - COLD FIRE
Californian James Edward Fauntleroy II may not be a real 'Lord' (as in the 'Little Lord...' one) but he can kick a tune (twiddle the electronics, what have you) - as you might expect from a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer. Go him. Star rating: ****/5





DORIAN ALLEN - WALKING ON FIRE
Dorian Allen is "embark[ing] on a journey to achieving his musical dreams..." so the promo goes anyway. It may sound all a bit X Factor-ish, but the New Yorker's latest single is easy enough in alt-rock-cum-folk way. At times on the harmonies it sounds like he's in pain, which is probably about right if you're walking on fire...Nice voice though. Could be promising. Star rating: ***/5





THE COAT - TRUST
Moscow-based Leo Vasilets is Russian, but never fear as he is singing in English on this latest of tracks uploaded as The Coat. Strong Eurovision contender perhaps, but not unpalatable. Furs and muffs on. Star rating: **.5/5





LEVEL & TYSON - NO FUN IN MY HEAD
You might not want to be sharing L&T's head space in that case, but you will enjoy having your earbuds ticked with this latest banger from the Norwegian fuzz-pop quintet, the second single and from their upcoming album, 'Gruesome Twosome', out September 4. Star rating: ****/5