Dancing Years turn on the 'Neon Lights' - listen

Words: Sam Geary

More than two years since we first heard Leeds outfit Dancing Years the band have just shared ‘Neon Lights’, which is taken from their debut EP ‘Learn To Kiss’ out on February 12 via Kolbalt / Hide and Seek Records.

Produced by Colin Elliot (Richard Hawley, Slow Club), who also plays bass and double bass on the EP, the four-minute 'Neon Lights' captures the essence of the band's emotive lyric writing and vocal delivery against a stirringly melodic instrumental backdrop.

Dancing Years play an EP launch show at Brudenell Social Club, Leeds on February 10, followed by a date at London’s Moth Club on February 15.

[Video] Passion Falls - Chasing Ghosts

Little Indie featured 'Chasing Ghosts', the second single release by Manchester four-piece Passion Falls, a couple of weeks ago. Now you can check out the wonderfully animated visual treatment to accompany it.

Taken from their debut EP ‘The Greatest Adventure’ out on February 19 viaMUK Records, the video was created and directed by Russian animator Andrey Shushkov. The clip, above, pieces together an ephemeral love story, featuring a trippy hot air balloon journey and moonlit horse rides, fit for the most romantic of narratives.

Passion Falls play Gorilla, Manchester with hotly-tipped Australians Fairchild on February 27.

HUNCK share video for just released EP track 'Never Had a Dream'

London outfit HUNCK have just released their debut 'Never Had A Dream' EP last Friday (January 29), comprised of four live favourites the band have been performing this year.

Check out the video to the title track above, which ess shot in London on a dark and rainy winter's night.

The band play The Waiting Room, London on February 3.

Track Of The Day :: SWMRS - Drive North

Words: Linn Branson

We really can't get enough of this. We love it so much we might even repost it every day just to keep you all on your toes - that's how much we love it.

'Drive North' is the title track from San Francisco Bay Area pop-punk quartet SWMRS' upcoming debut album. Produced by FIDLAR frontman Zac Carper, the 12 track record is released on February 12 via the band's own Uncool Records.

'Drive North' follows previously unveiled tracks 'Miley', 'Uncool' and 'Figuring It Out', and so far this is standing up as the bestest: It's absolutely fucking fantastic! If this scuzzy punk four-piece don't leave you wetting yourselves and salivating in sheer frenzied, reckless, wild abandonment as Cole Becker bawls out how much they hate Santa Monica Boulevard, Highland Park, Venice Beach - and practically the whole of LA - then you need to  be flogged with a pile of Adele albums and force-fed an aural diet of 'Hello'. On repeat.

'Drive North' Tracklisting:

01. Harry Dean
02. BRB
03. Miss Yer Kiss
04. Turn Up
05. Figuring It Out
06. Ruining My Pretending
07. Uncool
08. Miley
09. D'You Have A Car?
10. Hannah
11. Silver Bullet
12. Drive North



SWMRS embark on a massive North American tour throughout February/March with San Diego's The Frights.

FEBRUARY
05 UNCOOL FEST Berkeley, CA
06 UNCOOL FEST Berkeley, CA
13 You Are Going To Hate This Fest San Diego, CA
14 Valentine's Day Rumble Los Angeles, CA
16 Club Congress Tucson, AZ
18 Three Links Dallas, TX
19 Mohawk Austin, TX
20 The Korova San Antonio, TX
21 House of Rock Corpus Christi, TX
22 Parish at House of Blues New Orleans, LA
24 The Local 662 St Petersburg, FL
25 O'Malley's Margate, FL
26 BackBooth Orlando, FL
27 1904 Music Hall Jacksonville, FL
28 The Masquerade - Purgatory Atlanta, GA
MARCH
01 Shaka's Virginia Beach, VA
02 Black Cat Backstage Washington, DC
03 Studio @ Webster Hall New York, NY
04 The Fire Philadelphia, PA
05 Brighton Bar Long Branch, NJ
06 Middle East - Upstairs Cambridge, MA
08 La Source De La Martiniere Quebec City
09 La Sala Rossa Montreal
13 Majestic Cafe Detroit, MI
15 Smiling Moose Pittsburgh, PA
16 Now That's Class Cleveland, OH
17 1st Ward at Chop Shop Chicago, IL
18 Firebird St Louis, MO
19 Lefty's Des Moines, IA
20 The Garage Burnsville, MN
21 Lookout Lounge Omaha,NE
22 Los Lake Lounge Denver, CO
23 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, CO
25 The Loading Dock Salt Lake City, UT
28 The Cobalt Vancouver

Take off with Over Sands on their intriguing 'Gyroscope' film

It was two years ago now that Little Indie introduced brothers Tom and Ben Stephens here - otherwise known as Over Sands.

The two, originally from Frome in Somerset, and now residing in London, have just shared the video accompaniment to ‘Gyroscope’, a track from their self-titled debut EP released in November last year.

Their combining of both visually beautiful scenes with the aural loveliness of mellow vocals, layered textures of shimmering electronic synth and drum samples with fluid guitar lines, make for a chilled out, stress free zone. Get in that zone.

Album Review :: Night Beats - Who Sold My Generation

Night Beats

Who Sold My Generation

January 29 2016 (Heavenly Recordings)

7/10

Words: Ellie Ward

Big wave Seattle-by-way-of-Texas garage-psych punchers Night Beats pull out all the stops on their third full-length, and the first for London label Heavenly Recordings.

Co-produced by Nic Jodoin and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s Robert Levon Been (who also guests on bass here) and recorded on old two-inch tape in Echo Park, Los Angeles at Jodoin's home, 'Who Sold My Generation' shovels enough retro jams and blues-funk riffs to more than adequately fill this follow-up to 2013's 'Sonic Bloom'.

From opening number, 'Celebration #1', a spoken-word sample which is followed by a driving beat and howling guitar drones, through to the rockabilly closer 'Egypt Berry', taking in the acidic 'No Cops' and the delicious melding of psych and brazen alt-rock of ‘Power Child’, to ‘Sunday Mourning's merging of scorching garage-psych with a rough-edged rock 'n' roll flavour of squally guitars and grainy soul-inflected vocals, the trio offer something alive and kicking, even if not exactly earth-shakingly different.

Album Review :: Bloc Party - Hymns

Bloc Party

Hymns

January 29 2016 (Infectious/BMG)

5.5/10

Words: Alison Mack

Fifth album (and a whopping four years since their last), new line-up, change of sound to sharper toned electronics, and, seemingly, by the title of this new work, either infused with the light of a new evangelism or at least some kind of spiritual fervour - despite Kele Okereke's insistence that the album is "not a religious epiphany", but deriving from a Hanif Kureishi talk he heard on religious art and imagery.

Whether it is or isn't, it is heavy on synths, heavy on contemplation, and draws from an intimate, confessional pool. What it's not is particularly overwhelming or able to rise above, at times, what can only be described as some lazy lyric writing.

Produced by Tim Bran and Roy Kerr (London Grammar), the bag of 11 tracks range from the good through to the bad. 'Only He Can Heal Me' is confessional and prayer-like - "There are times I feel the world has stolen my grace" - with backing chanting over a staccato vocal delivery, while 'The Good News' is a mid-tempo country jaunt of slide guitars. First single 'The Love Within' is a moot point and one track on which opinion seems fairly divided: a lot hate it; others, while not exactly loving it, feel it stands up. A dance-floor pop mover, but overwhelmed and dominated by Russell Lissack’s guitar.

Elsewhere, 'So Real’ is perhaps where the band sound like the Bloc Party of old in guitar sound, while the five-minute-plus 'Different Drugs' sees Okereke detailing lyrically a relationship's demise. Album closer 'Living Lux' is one of the more laid-back moments; a break-up song, where the singer wants to "spend my money on you."

Okereke said recently in interview how he's “never been too concerned with how people are going to react to things.” With the mixed reaction he is likely to receive with 'Hymns', he may well want to revise that with the next album.

Live Review :: Beach Slang :: The Barfly, London - Jan 27 2016

Photo: The Barfly

Live Review

Beach Slang

The Barfly, London

January 27 2016

Words: Linn Branson

With their having been gloriously reviewed earlier this week in Glasgow, tonight's first foray into London (or should that be takeover?) for a sold-out Barfly show, left expectations at fever pitch for Philly punks Beach Slang. We, the capital's arbiters of music taste don't let bands off easily: we were wanting to be treated to a 'big' moment, transfixed, moved to the heights and brought back down to earth - eventually - exclaiming we had just seen the new future of rock 'n' roll (part X). Remember those first London gigs by Parquet Courts and The Orwells where they totally owned the notoriously difficult London crowd? Well, we bloody wanted a Third Coming tonight. That okay with you, Beach Slang? Good. Now go for it.

And that they did. With barely room to breathe in a space packed shoulder-to-shoulder with bodies, they fired through what almost felt like their own personal party night. The group’s singer-guitarist James Alex is a man with the experience – at the age of 41 you can be sure he's been around the block a few times – enough to know how to work a room. Though so deftly done is his patter of sing a bit, joke a bit, tell a few stories and play to the gallery, that it all seems so perfectly random and artfully shambolic (such as the uproariously aborted ‘Too Late To Die Young’ where drummer JP Flexner and bassist Ed McNulty change roles) that you almost wonder if the patter has been as well-rehearsed as their long-awaited debut album, 'The Things We Do To Find People Who Feel Like Us', which materialised last autumn.

Though the set tonight perhaps in song count lasts slightly longer than the album's 30 minutes, it is padded with plenty of party style bonhomie, flowing as easily as the pints being swigged in abandonment, both on and off-stage by band and crowd alike.

"I know what cigarettes I like - the dirrrty kind!" Alex yelps with a lascivious grin, as he belts into ‘Dirty Cigarettes’, followed by ‘American Girls & French Kisses’, which turns up the heat in the front rows to sauna point as the crowd let rip. ‘Throwaways’, ‘Bad Art & Weirdo Ideas', ‘Too Late To Die Young’, and ‘Dirty Lights’ all keep the room on fire.

Joined by Senseless Things' Ben Harding they cover the latter's ‘Too Much Kissing’, it proves just one of many top set moments, along with  The Replacements' 'Bastards Of Young' - a band whom Alex is much indebted to. A cover of early 90s American punk rockers Jawbreaker’s ‘Boxcar’ comes in the unruly extended finale, along with ‘Ride The Wild Haze’.

Without doubt, London loves Beach Slang, and Beach Slang seem to have enjoyed their brief sojourn this time around on British soil. At one point early on in the set, Alex, with broad smile, is given to comment that, "If the plane goes down on the way home, you'll know that James Alex died fucking happy!"

Beach Slang return to the UK in June. Go see 'em.

Introducing :: Georgia Mulligan

Photo: Bee Elton

Words: Ellie Ward

After releasing her debut single 'White Lies' in December, Sydney singer/songwriter Georgia Mulligan has just put out her second track, 'Worst Part'. And the worst part is...well, there are no bad parts.

After 'White Lies' picked up interest around local radio in Australia via her soul-sweet vocals, Georgia has worked with producer Ryan Brennan (of Phantastic Ferniture) on this new outing. The three-minute-plus 'Worst Part' is a surfy, twanging guitar gem with melancholic vocals lending an enticing pull.



Initially starting off with a series of covers - such as Antony & The Johnsons' 'Hope There's Someone' and Nick Cave's 'People Ain't No Good', the alt-folk/Americana styled 'White Lies' saw Georgia's emergence into showcasing her own material - and her impressive and distinctive voice.

Look out for Georgia's debut EP due to arrive shortly.

More info: FACEBOOK

Track Of The Day :: Hugh - Direction

Words: Linn Branson

There's something about Hugh. No, seriously. It's a funny name for a band who are not a solo person, but make up a foursome, none of whom are called Hugh (we have a vague recollection of being told by them once that Hugh Grant figured in the naming process...we could be wrong), and what's more, they make the kind of music you wouldn't expect a Hugh of any description to make.

The London electronica collective - Joshua Idehen (who also bides time in Benin City, who themselves have just completed work on their second album), Izzy Brooks, and Andy Highmore and Tino Kolarides (both formerly of Hoodlums) - make gorgeous sounds - remember 'I Can’t Figure You Out' from 2014, and the more recent 'Learn To Fall'? - and 'Direction', the latest track they unveiled earlier this week, might well be their best yet. Certainly one of the best tracks to reach our ears this month.



Described as a song "about losing faith and homophobia", 'Direction' comes in at near-on seven minutes, and not one second of could be thought surplus to the song's overall texture. It glows via the dual male/female vocals of Idehen and Brooks and swampy beats, in an otherwise sombre melancholic palette (with a dark production style that could be alikened to The xx or Oh Wonder) and loaded with restrained emotion as they sing: "Gimme something to work with/Cos I'm gonna need a little more direction...Do you believe, believe in love?/In all kinds of love?/Not just the ones you understand?" - before it closes on an unexpected piano end-piece.

Idehen, the song's (which took six months to finish) writer, tells below how 'Direction' came about:

"I thought I'd share a track I wrote a few years back, around the time I was falling out of love with my own christian beliefs. I'd been following the LGBTQIA movement online and I thought the catholic stance on same sex marriage was kind of sad: I'd grown up believing 'God is Love' and it didn't make sense to include a 'terms and conditions' to it."

Hugh's debut album is due later this year.

DIIV stream new album 'Is The Is Are' - listen

Words: Sam Geary

Almost four years after Brooklyn four-piece DIIV's - fronted by Zachary Cole Smith (aka Cole) - released their debut 'Oshin', they return with the lavish follow-up, 'Is The Is Are'.

The new lengthy, 17-track album is officially out on February 5 via Captured Tracks, but via The Guardian you can hear an advance stream now.

[Video] Tourist - To Have You Back

London producer Tourist - aka William Phillips, who is part of Disclosure and Sam Smith's crew, and co-wrote Smith's 'Stay With Me' - has produced a visual treatment to accompany 'To Have You Back', the emotive slow-burner of a debut single he unveiled last week.

Taken from his upcoming debut full-length 'U' - released this spring - the track's video, directed by Davy Evans and Jason Drew, is a (largely) all-white minimal work that later breaks into a palette of blue and pink hues, in a surreal landscape of images.

Tourist will play a series of live dates in May, as below.

MAY
07 Dublin, Academy Green Room
09 Glasgow, King Tut’s
10 Manchester, Deaf Institute
11 London, XOYO
12 Brighton, The Haunt
21 Gulf Shores, AL - Hangout Festival
27 Lake San Antonio, CA - Lightning In A Bottle

Zayn Malik drops debut solo Pillowtalk - and its hot romp video

Words: Alison Mack

Okay, let's put aside boybands, One Direction, The X Factor and young teen screamers, and judge Zayn Malik's debut single 'Pillowtalk' on its merits.

Both the single and video have dropped today, and the latter will no doubt cause much fervor featuring as it does Zayn - he has now abandoned his surname as moniker - with model and girlfriend Gigi Hadid. The clip was directed by multi-award winning filmmaker Bouha Kazmi (Flicker, Jay-Z's Onto The Next One). 

Firstly, it has a style and vocal not too unlike Various Cruelties' Liam O'Donnell: Slow, sensuous and minimalist, with an R&B/soul flavour, big bass beat and guitar solo, it shows the now 23-year-old Zayn has moved up and away from his teen image.

'Pillowtalk' is the first single from Zayn's debut album 'Mind Of Mine', which is released on March 25 via RCA Records, and comes on the anniversary of Zayn's decision to become a solo artist. It is undoubtedly going to be a hit for Zayn, just going on his fanbase alone. What might have been more interesting would have been for him to put this out anonymously, allowing it to be viewed solely on content.

Track Of The Day :: Amber Arcades - Right Now

Words: Sam Geary

Dutch artist Annelotte de Graaf - Amber Arcades - offers another taste of last year's New York sojourn where she worked with producer Ben Greenberg (ex-The Men) on her debut album.

The record, set for release this coming spring via Heavenly Recordings, sees Utrecht-based de Graaf explore a new set of influences, presenting floating pop melodies over hypnotic guitars and easy drums.

After 'Turning Light', 'Right Now' too works in a pop melody but in a less rushed way to its predecessor, and a distinct 60s retro feel. She describes the track as "about the billions of different views there are to this life and whatever we’re doing here with our time and how all these differing views are probably equally true and false. I guess that’s kind of everything and nothing. And I think that might be the point."

January 29 2016 - Hot Top Ten

VIRGIN KIDS - MY ALONE
Following their self-titled EP new London-based garage-punk three-piece release their debut LP 'Greasewheel' on Fluffer Records on March 11. Melodic scuzzy guitars work in with Asher Preston's distant vocals in a tightly styled three-minutes-plus.




SEAZOO - TELEPHONE JONES
Released on February 22, the new single by the North Wales’ outfit is a three-and-a-half minute pop pearl of skuzzed guitars, a chapel organ and Korg synth. Taken from an EP which will be released late March. Catch live tomorrow (January 30) at The Stiwt, Rhosllannerchrugog (Focus Wales Winter Warmer).




HAARM - FOXGLOVE
Debut offering from new lo-fi electronica-pop tinged outfit (who include electropopper Jennifer Davies) from Liverpool, built on catchy rolling bassline, subtle synths and dual male/ female vocals.




TANGERINE - SUNSET
The Seattle garage-surf pop trio deliver their 'Sugar Teeth' EP on February 19 through Swoon. Before that, this zesty, fun-filled track builds on distorted guitar riffs, melodic hooks, Marika's fast-paced vocals and sister Miro's rolling drums.




ARTHUR BEATRICE - REAL LIFE
Second new track after last year's 'Who Returned', and from their just announced new album, 'Keeping The Peace', out on May 20 via Open Assembly Recordings /Polydor Records. Ella Girardot's resplendent vocals helm four minutes of classily structured guitar and piano lines, and a chorus that aims for the rafters.




TRANSCENDENTAL TELECOM - COTTON TAIL
One side of split single released January 22 by Orlando, Florida psych/surf five-piece (w/"Again" by Endless Pools), drawing on the band's shoegaze/dreampop '90s influences, to make for a mellow five-minute chilled stroll.




NOVELTY DAUGHTER - SHELLBODY
The project of Brooklyn-based electronic producer/jazz vocalist Faith Harding, with the second track to be released from her debut LP 'Semigoddess', which drops on March 25 via Stereocure. Hypnotic opening notes flow on softly textured beats, and Harding's captivating voice that deliver lyrics like, “Darkness to me was never not scary/Flip the switch and run to my bed.”




SLEEPOVERS - I AM ME & YOU ARE YOU
Slacker pop London five-piece make their debut with this blend of indie charm, dreamy lo-fi guitars and laid-back vocals that deliver lyrics of nights of, erm, some promiscuousness. Catch them live tonight (January 29) at The Lexington, London.

FLOWERS - BITTER PILL
The indie pop outfit blend Rachel Kenedy’s dreamy sweet vocals with abrasive guitars and hard-hitting drums on this new track from their full-length 'Everybody’s Dying To Meet You', out on February 12 via Fortuna POP!

THE CHEAP THRILLS - MACHINE
Short, but beautifully formed, pop-rock from the Liverpudlian quartet who see this officially released on January 27. Energetic garage pop style, Lewis Pike's vocals and melodic hooks, make for a catchy ride. Catch live tomorrow (January 30) at Liverpool's Zanzibar.

Norway's Spring Vibes Arkestra cast some experimental psych vibes on new album - listen

Words: Ellie Ward

'Late Nights & Lazy Afternoons', is the new album released tomorrow (January 29) by Spring Vibes Arkestra, and follows their previous releases 'Concrete Beats & Cosmic Breaks Vol.1 and Vol.2.'

The Norwegian Oslo-based trio start off with "Summer Heat' with some psych vibes not too dissimilar from an early TOY. From here the record delves into some interesting experimental areas, using a diverse array of instrumentation from the usual guitars and bass to bongos, djembe, bulbul tarang (an Indian string instrument).

The result is ten tracks that are subtle, shimmering and unusual as they traverse across neo-psych, retro jazz/ soul terrain.

Little Indie favourite tracks: 'Summer Heat', 'Magic', 'Space Jazz Guru', 'Polo Shirts Meet Polka Dot Skirts'.

Spring Vibes Arkestra are: Goran Conradsen - vocals, guitars, bass, bulbul tarang, programming; Siri Katinka Valdez - vocals; Jon Dahl Tveter - bongos, djembe, maracas, tambourine

Foals and Disclosure headline this year’s Reading/Leeds festivals

Announced today are a batch of artists taking part in this year's Reading and Leeds festivals.

With Foals and Disclosure headlining the three-day festival which takes place between August 26 - 28, other names include Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Courteeners, The 1975, Eagles Of Death Metal, Hinds, Two Door Cinema Club, Fetty Wap, Crystal Castles, Rat Boy, Nothing But Thieves, Slaves and more.

For more information and tickets which are now on sale, click here.

New Sounds #27 28/1/16

WYVERN LINGO - LETTER TO WILLOW
Irish female three-piece (Caoimhe Barry, Karen Cowley, Saoirse Duane) from County Wicklow share new single, the title track from their upcoming debut EP via Irish label Rubyworks. Led by the jazzy vocals of vocalist and drummer Caoimhe, they add a funk styled vibe to fresh pop percussion and crafted harmonies. On tour in the UK with Hozier, they play three nights at Brixton Academy, London, January 29 - 31. Star rating: ***/5




VIOLA BEACH - BOYS THAT SING
Released last Friday, the new single from the Warrington indie-pop outfit, following on from success of last year's debut single 'Swings and Waterslides'. Reverb rich, jangly guitar lines and upbeat melody. Catch live tomorrow (January 29) at London's Koko, and tomorrow at Carsons, Middleton. Star rating: ***.5/5

WHY WE LOVE - LUCKY ONE
Lead cut - out now - from the Bristol/Cardiff indie-pop quartet's (which features siblings Joe and Rachel Wellfair) second EP ‘The Boy You Knew’, released through My Little Empire Records on March 25. Melodic guitars, big drums and vocal harmonies combine with bittersweet lyrics for instant appeal. Star rating: ***.5/5




GET INUIT - MY OH MY
Get a download of "dirty pop" from the Kent outfit's latest offering of catchy riffs, chiming guitar exuberance and singalong melodies in an infectious punk-pop style. What's not to like? Catch live at The Cookie, Leicester tonight (January 28). Star rating: ****/5




GOSH PITH - K9
Detroit duo - Josh Smith (vocals, guitar, electronics, production) and Josh Freed (beats, electronics, production) - follow debut single ‘Waves’ and 'Window EP', with this latest, the title track from their upcoming EP, released February 26. Trap bass, melancholic tremolo guitars and plaintive vocals mesh in a distillation of hip-hop, electronic, pop and rock. Star rating: ***.5/5

The Big Moon Announce UK Spring Headline Tour

Photo: Laura Allard-Fleischl

Prior to their appearance at this year's Great Escape festival in Brighton in May, The Big Moon announce details of a new UK headline tour this spring.

The twelve-date run kicks off at the Bodega Social Club in Nottingham on March 30, and concludes with the band's biggest headline show to date at The 100 Club in London on April 13.

Tickets for the shows go on sale this Friday (29th).

MARCH
30 Bodega Social Club, Nottingham
31 Adelphi, Hull 
APRIL
01 Think Tank, Newcastle
02 Stereo, Glasgow 
04 Mandela Hall, Belfast
05 The Workman's Club, Dublin 
07 Brudenell Social Club, Leeds 
08 The Cookie, Leicester 
09 Dim Swm Festival, The Moon Club, Cardiff
11 Start The Bus, Bristol 
12 Joiners Arms, Southampton 
13 100 Club, London 

Track Of The Day :: Mr Dan (feat. Guilty Simpson) - Firewater

Words: Linn Branson

When you hear a song that gets you up out of bed at 4am for a hop-bop around the room, well it must be damned good. And this new track from producer, Speedy Wunderground boss and Sexwitch member Dan Carey - Mr Dan - is that.

After becoming "obsessed" with the beats of Run The Jewels after seeing them in the US last year, and wanting to create a similar sound himself, Carey purchased a new type of MIDI sequencer called a swynx and on his return to London, holed himself up in his studio, experimenting with new sounds.

It was these sessions that arose the basis of 'Firewater', a collaboration with Detroit rapper Guilty Simpson, out on February 26 via Carey's Speedy Wunderground.

It's not long - just two-and-a-half minutes - but Carey’s ominous, swampy beat, layered with distorted synths and heavy constant drums under Simpson's vocal storytelling delivery is masterly, gritty and hypnotic.

The Joy Formidable share video for 'The Last Thing On My Mind' ahead of UK dates

The Joy Formidable are set to follow 2013's 'Wolf's Law' with upcoming full-length 'Hitch', which is out on March 25 via their own label C'Mon Lets Drift (Orchard/Membran - EU; Caroline - US; Maple Music - Can).

Check out the video to leas single 'The Last Thing On My Mind' above. The band's Rhiannon "Ritzy" Bryan had to say about the video:

“It’s a song about freedom, about feeling alive; a part of that is about sexual liberation too, which is why we wanted to make a music video from the perspective of a heterosexual female gaze. It shows men in many forms, being free, being sexy, being watched, it’s beautiful and provocative and is some small attempt to re address the existing imbalance of perspective and nudity in music videos.” 

'Hitch' Tracklisting:

01 A Second In White
02 Radio Of Lips
03 The Last Thing On My Mind
04 Liana
05 The Brook
06 It’s Started
07 The Gift
08 Running Hands With The Night
09 Fog (Black Windows)
10 Underneath The Petal
11 Blowing Fire
12 Don’t Let Me Know

UK live dates

February
21 Manchester, Deaf Institute
22 Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
23 London, Oslo
24 Birmingham, The Rainbow Courtyard
25 Glasgow, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut

Listen :: Polar States - Elizabeth

Words: Ellie Ward

The Liverpool quartet from Toxteth are certainly picking up interest with this new single 'Elizabeth' - and having Radio One's Huw Stephens onside is no bad thing either.

The first release since signing to Fly On The Wall Records last autumn, after playing a bunch of festivals and gigs around the country since they formed in 2014.

After a series of tracks put out in 2015 - debut 'Concrete', 'Vines', 'Shimmer' - 'Elizabeth' is a healthy start to kick off what must surely be a groundbreaking year for them, containing all of their trademark atmospheric indie rock vibes, with big hooks and shovel-loads of high-energy.

Live Review :: TOY/Oscar/Thomas Cohen :: Village Underground, London - Jan 25 2016

Live Review

TOY/Oscar/Thomas Cohen

Village Underground, London

January 25 2016

Words: Linn Branson

It could probably be said that for this first night of the [PIAS] Nites anniversary shows at London's Village Underground, one act brought out the curious rather than the fans; one induced the feelgood dance vibes; and one, shrouded in subdued lighting, often left the crowd not just blinking, but wondering what half the songs in their set were.

First up was Thomas Cohen. Now Cohen has been making headlines of late more for non-music related matters than his worthiness on a stage, and many might indeed have forgotten that he was once the frontman of the band S.C.U.M. But if anyone came expecting a scummy reenactment of his previous somewhat theatrical flamboyance they were to be disappointed by this new reflective, down-tempo style.

As he opens his first solo gig with 'Honeymoon' - "Holding on to each other /and sing to one another" - a song which he first aired publicly in the latter half of 2013, its six-minutes-plus length is not augmented by the horn section that helps make it such a beautiful piece of recorded work, but still sounds evocative and lush delivered by Cohen and his four musicians.

For the opening numbers - a guitar re-tune prior to the third of set, 'Country Home', sees him invite invite the audience to "talk amongst yourselves!" during the intervening dead air space - there is a detectable hesitancy, until he seems to settle in to being back playing live once more. Announcing 'Bloom Forever' - a song he wrote on the day his second son Phaedra was born in 2013 - cheers and whistles of approval echo forth from the Cohen and Geldof family members in the audience. By the time he finishes on 'Mother Mary' - one of the set highlights - we see a touch of the Cohen of old, with an all-out, kneeling pose as he hammers the guitar to an end.

Oscar Scheller hits the stage not only looking like he's just returned from a winter jaunt to sunnier climes (that or Tans R Us) with glowing bronzed skin and tropical sweat top, but with his uplifting array of tunes, also sounding like he's well down with the summer spirit.

While for Cohen there were visible gaps to be had between bodies on the floor, 22-year-old Oscar fills these with ease - and more squashed in besides. The infectious indie pop of 'Breaking My Phone' brings up the on-the-spot dancers and head-boppers in huddles at the front and gets underway what proves to be an all too short set. "Some of you may know this one," he says, going into 'Daffodil Days'. We think we may have spotted Mummy Scheller - formerly Bric Brac of early 80s group The Regents, which Daddy Scheller, Martin, was also vocalist with - looking on approvingly at her son, and no doubt had heard it a few times.

Drawing to the end with the catchy hooked little blighter 'Sometimes' - "have a little mosh to it'" - he gets the crowd flinging arms in the air, and if not exactly going full-on mosh, they're certainly having a good time in the glow of the Oscar sunshine.

TOY used this occasion to parade a large amount of new, previously unheard material. Now we know all our favourite songs were newbies once, and with the band having been working on a new album over the last months, it was to be expected that some of this be debuted, and in fairness, they had announced they intended such via their Facebook page.

But still, smacking such a hefty proportion of your set - 80-per-cent - in the ears of your fans without introducing or an if-you-please, may not have gone down too well with some small factions of punters. As they open with new tracks 'Cinema' and  'I'm Still Believing', you could sense the unfamiliarity amongst the crowd, and which was to continue for much of the night. Not that the new works are bad, far from it, just that they appear to herald a change of sonic direction for TOY. While there's no 'Kopter', no 'Motoring' - which they seem to have now left as much behind as well, 'Left Myself Behind' - they do chuck in second album title track 'Join The Dots' and the always welcome 'Heart Skips A Beat' from their eponymous debut of 2012.

Not only did the set feel strange at times, but so too was seeing Max Claps from psych-poppers The Proper Ornaments replacing Alejandra Diez (who left the band last year) on synths. TOY not just sounded like a new band, but looked like one - despite Tom Dougall and co. still displaying as laissez-faire an attitude as always. As they close with two further new songs, 'We Will Disperse' and 'Dream Orchestrator', they have managed to draw in a little more fervour from the now warmed-up crowd.

With their third full-length expected later this year, it remains to be seen, however, whether it will go far enough to satisfy the TOY fanbase who had initially had their hearts melted by the outfit's earlier psych-infused output.

Track Of The Day :: Sennen - Still Dark

Words: Linn Branson

There is something beautiful, dark and compelling about this new track - and predominantly, about the vocals of Laurence Holmes  - from the ex-Norwich, now London-based Sennen that makes up for the siren drone 'thump-thump-thump' which it is carried on.

Maybe we're missing a crucial point in 'Still Dark' (which was mastered by Sonic Boom, aka Peter Kember of Spacemen 3/Spectrum), but all that we can say is listening to four minutes of it, becomes a tad wearing. Would be interesting to hear it without this particular metronomic component, or at least faded out after the first 90 seconds.

Electronica quartet Sennen returned last year after a lengthy hiatus since releasing their 'Lost Harmony' album, and certainly 'Still Dark' makes them a band you want to hear more of.

'Still Dark' is taken from the album 'First Light', out on February 26 through Indelabel.

Cattle & Cane share 'Birdsong' video in run-up to UK tour

Cattle & Cane unveil their latest video to accompany 'Birdsong', a track from their debut album ‘Home’ released late last year.

Consisting of siblings Joe, Helen, Fran and Vin Hammill, with friend Tom Chapman on percussion, Cattle & Cane balance indie-pop soaring harmonies with warm emotion.

The 'Birdsong' video, directed by Rhys Davies, tells the story of a ballet dancer trapped in the struggle of everyday life, trying to make ends meet, with finances spiralling of control - we've all been there, right.



Catch the band on tour across the UK in February.

FEBRUARY
04 – SALTBURN – THE THEATRE ^
11 – LINCOLN – ENGINE SHED
12 – NEWCASTLE – THINK TANK *
13 – YORK – HOUSE CONCERT (Sold Out) ^
14 – LEYBURN – THE GARDEN ROOMS
15 – EDINBURGH – ELECTRIC CIRCUS
17 – MANCHESTER –GULLIVERS *
18 – CHESTER – THE COMPASS *
19 – BLACKBURN – KING GEORGES HALL *
20 – LIVERPOOL – STUDIO 2 *
22 – NOTTINGHAM – BODEGA
23 – LONDON – THE LEXINGTON
24 – HULL – THE ADELPHI
25 – DERBY – THE VENUE
26 – DONCASTER – DIAMOND LIVE
27 – AYTON – HEMELVAART BIER CAFÉ ^
28 – DURHAM – OLD CINEMA LAUNDERETTE (Sold Out)
* Support from Natalie McCool
^ Support from Tom Joshua

Watch :: Miguel performs 'Space Oddity' at LA show

Miguel’s set at Los Angeles venue Bardot last night (January 25) provided a small hometown audience with an intimate acoustic performance - which also included a cover of David
Bowie’s 'Space Oddity'.

Watch Miguel - Miguel Jontel Pimentel - open the first verse of the Bowie classic, before moving into his own 'Waves' from last year's 'Wildheart' album, in the video clip above.

Listen :: Bloc Party Stream New Album 'HYMNS'

Photo: Rachael Wright

Bloc Party's fifth album 'HYMNS' is out on January 29 via Infectious Music/BMG /Vagrant Records, but you can hear the work now, in full, via the stream below.

This is the first album with their new line-up with bassist Justin Harris and drummer Louise Bartle, who join vocalist Kele Okereke and guitarist Russell Lissack.Bloc Party on tour this year.

Bloc Party are on tour in the UK from tonight.

JANUARY
26 London, Village Underground [PIAS Nites] SOLD OUT
27 London, Electric Ballroom (MTV Brand News)
29 Cardiff, Great Hall
30  Southampton, O2 Guildhall
31  Kingston, The Hippodrome (Banquet Records)
FEBRUARY
01  Bristol, O2 Academy
02  Nottingham, Rock City
04  Newcastle, O2 Academy
05  Glasgow, Barrowland
06  Manchester, Academy
08  Leeds, O2 Academy
09  Cambridge, Corn Exchange
11  London Brixton O2 Academy
12  Birmingham, O2 Academy
14  Bristol, O2 Academy
15  London, Bush Hall

Live Review :: Peace And Love Barbershop Muhammad Ali :: Shacklewell Arms, London - Jan 23 2016

Photo: Georgina Sullivan

This abridged review originally appeared in the music blog Gypsy Death And You. For this and more music posts, you can reach their site with a click here.


Live Review

Peace And Love Barbershop Muhammad Ali

Shacklewell Arms, London

January 23 2016

Words: Olivia Cellamare

The Shacklewell Arms is easily one of, if not my favourite place to watch bands. The drum kit is in a cave, it’s a small venue, it’s pretty sweaty and fortunately it is ten minutes away from my house. Oh, and most of the gigs they put on are free. The night before I saw Tall Juan and tonight, Peace And Love Barbershop Muhammad Ali (PALBMA).

PALBMA are one of my favourite bands to see live, and I think it’s because they make me want to start a band. I know a lot of what I listen to does make me feel that way, but it’s different with PALBMA. Maybe it’s because they make it look super easy. If Kim Thompson doesn’t leave you wishing you could play bass, then you were probably watching the wrong band. I saw them live last year supporting PINS at Oslo in Hackney, but I think this set was better because of the venue. This is the kind of band you need to hear in that kind of venue: Their growling, gnarly sound matches the venue entirely.

Their split 12″ with Druggy Pizza came out late last year, consisting of 12 songs by the kind of bands that were clearly made to melt the faces off, and fry the brains of, anyone who listened to it. To get this across at a live show takes some guts, which is probably why PALBMA managed to do it so effortlessly.

They were joined on drums by Sophie Galpin from PINS. If you’ve seen PINS live, you’ll know how fucking brilliant she is. But because the songs with PALBMA are completely different to PINS you get to see something else. It draws you in completely but Mark Vernon (ex-Brown Brogues), Dale C. Helen and Kim all have this about them so you’re really never sure where to look. Mark holds his guitar as if it is a machine gun and unleashes a fury upon us all. This is the kind of fury that makes you wish you could do it. Have a go.

The crowd were obviously having the time of their lives watching them, although it got a touch more rowdy when headliners Claw Marks came on. There was a lot of sweat. Sure London crowds do have a reputation of being quite uptight, but this was so far from the truth tonight.

PALBMA for me, are one of those bands who manage to mix everything I love about music and certain bands in particular to create something mind-blowing. Their live shows enhance the thought and care that goes into the music, and that alone sets them apart from other bands. The songs may be short but it’s enough to move bodies and deafen ears. They are gloriously loud, and it’s probably why they’re one of the best bands to watch. You kind of hope some 14-year-old misfit finds this band and is inspired to start their own band as a way of dealing with the world. The fuzzy sounds are ideally to be played as loud as possible, so your neighbour can enjoy too.

Going by their live shows alone, PALBMA deserve to be massive. Regardless of how long the band may last, I’ll probably be blasting out 'Pretend To Try' when I’m 80 telling kids on the street, “In my day this is what we had….”

Five Minutes With ... Tibet

Five Minutes With ... Tibet

Words: Linn Branson


We take time out with Welsh four-piece Tibet. Formed towards the end of 2014, they released their first song 'She Don't Know' online in February 2015, then delivered their debut EP ‘Fridge’ a few months later. They have since been winning plaudits from the great and the good and hailed as a band ready to break.

So, hello....who is answering here?

Joel: Hello Linn! Joel and Tom here. Hope you’re well!


And how and where do we find your good selves at this point?

Joel: We’re good! We’ve just come off a run of dates around the UK in support of our latest self-titled EP, which has been awesome!

Now, you are not a solo venture so don't hog the limelight, introduce us to your fellow band members and their respective parts within the unit.

Tom: To my right we have Joel Hertz, lead singer and guitarist, along with his younger brother and absolute drumming animal Ethan Hertz. Rhys Carey joins us on lead guitar and vocals, and myself on bass and vocals.



Tibet, then, weird name, no, for a Welsh band? Why and how?

Joel: We’re big fans of an old TV series called ‘Twin Peaks’ created by the legend that is David Lynch. He’s a huge inspiration to us artistically, the man has a great vision! There’s a bit of a recurring theme of the Tibetan movement throughout the show, and one night when we were all watching it together, we though: “Yeah, Tibet sounds good!”.

You didn't think about calling yourselves 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch'? Wouldn't it have been much easier to pronounce?

Tom: That was actually our original name, but it was too long to have as our Twitter handle, and we LOVE Twitter, so we went for Tibet.

Now three of you are still students, I believe:  that still a diet of baked beans, in bed til midday and lounging around watching Countdown and Jeremy Kyle?

Joel: Well, two of us are! Tom and I are at university, Ethan's finishing his A-levels this year and Rhys works full time at Vue Cinemas, which is handy when you don’t want to spend £10 on a Coke. Baked beans and lie-ins is correct; however, we rarely watch those shows! We’re Netflix addicts: just finished Making A Murderer and completely obsessed with New Girl and Friends!

What are you all studying - Joel, I think you are doing Fine Arts at Camberwell, right? And how do you and the others see this fitting in with your music careers?

Joel: Yes, that's correct! I have tried and epically failed to create artwork for the band, being a student of the fine arts, but it’s not so easy translating that into the world of graphic design. Tom studies music technology at The Atrium in Cardiff. Him and Ethan are very much into their gear and recording, so that makes quality home demos quite easy!
Tom: We love gear. And Twitter.




Joel, you are a left-handed player, which is still not too often seen. Have you had a chat yet with Macca about the problems of being such - if, indeed, there are any difficulties being left-handed?

Joel: Thats the dream! There are difficulties; companies only sell a limited number of left handed models, and on top of that it’s an extra £300 for the exact same model if I were to get a left-handed guitar rather than the right-handed version!

How did the Tibet music style come to be? You have been described as something akin to a latter-day Beatles, would you agree with that?

Joel: Yes, we definitely cite The Beatles as a major inspiration, and it’s probably quite easy to hear in the music, but hey, why not learn from the greatest band of all time? We like to think that we take 60s music’s best qualities, the harmonies, the classic British songwriting and fuzzy/jangly guitars and give them a modern edge.

Tom: We feel a lot of modern pop at the moment has lost a bit of it’s British identity, so we love trying to work that back in. It’s all about the songs for us: if you hear a great song, and you can’t get it out of your head for weeks on end, that’s truly great music.

Joel: I write the sweet love songs, Ethan adds the Bonham- esque attitude, Rhys’ britpop guitar style and vocals give the swagger, while Tom’s blues-funk bass lines supplies a generous dose of groove. It’s 60s, psychedelic, garage, funk, pop, rock. Coz y’know, every bands gotta make up some ridiculous genre these days!



Acting as your own PR, given us a short spin on Tibet: the band, the music.

Joel: Four lads from Cardiff, playing music inspired by the greats in our bedrooms. Our main focus is great songwriting, and an energy-fuelled live show. Our gigs are more like parties, a celebration of music rather than a spectacle to be seen.

How long have you all known each other? Tell us one defining thing about each of you.

Joel: Me and Ethan have know each other for about 17 years! The others only for about two years.

Tom: Me and Joel knew each other a little from playing a few gigs together. I was in a different band previously playing drums, so every now and again we’d catch up at gigs. Somehow it got around Cardiff that I could play bass, so Joel asked if I wanted to jam and the rest is history! Rhys came into the mix a little earlier than myself, Joel had just finished watching that really bad remake of Godzilla in the cinema, and saw Rhys busking outside a Hugo Boss in the city centre in Cardiff. Joel asked Rhys if he wanted to join...and yeah, I guess that’s it!

We made note of your matching tee style at a recent gig, but all in a different colour. Was this just happenstance, or did you purposely co-ordinate? Would you describe yourselves as a fashion-conscious band?And while we're on the subject, tell us your favourite colours, just so your fans know for socks and underpants gifts...

Tom: The image of the band is really important to us. When you go and see a band it should be a whole package deal! We just noticed that other bands we loved had very subtle but genius imagery tying them together, and we needed something that encapsulated our personalities well to tie us together, and we love colour so the shirts were a winner!

Besides all that, you see so many bands dressing in all black nowadays, it can get a little bit intense, so we thought we’d mix it up and splash some colour into the mix in true Tibetan style!

Joel: This was recently co-ordinated actually! We noticed that all our favourite bands, despite the music also had a very strong image, whether it be The Strokes denim and converse, or Kings Of Leon’s shaggy-hair and 70s flares. Simplicity is key in Tibet’s image, the reason we love ‘Twin Peaks’ so much is cause visually everything is so simple but so pleasing to the eye, especially that dream sequence scene.

As for favourite colours, I like blue very much. I know Rhys is fond of green, Tom loves red and Ethan loves yellow. We’re all a little fashion-conscious in our own way, but the shirts idea was a great way to tie us all together!

You are called a 'Cardiff band' but I think I that you are not all based there or even from there?

Joel: Me and Ethan we born and raised in Cardiff. Tom was born in Barry - home to the show Gavin and Stacey - but now lives in Cardiff. And Rhys was born in Swindon but has lived in Wales the majority of his life, so it’s safe to say we’ve all got Cardiff in us!

We first heard of Tibet early last year with 'She Don't Know'. How did things progress from putting that track out to where you are now? You seem to have been picked up by radio bods quite early on; did that help to get you started?

Joel: It’s been a great year since we first released ‘She Don’t Know’, and radio has been really great for us! Every single song released has been playlisted on Radio X, as well as plays by Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1, which is absolutely outstanding!

And we’ve had an amazing amount support from local DJs Adam Walton, and Bethan Elfyn, who are the foundations of our radio success, without them, the rest wouldn’t have happened!

You have been variously touted for 2016 as a band to 'break', 'watch', 'make big' this year. Feeling the pressure?

Joel: Not at all! We’re still just doing our thing, and it seems to be capturing people’s imaginations. We’re trying to stay away from the record industry for the time being as that puts unnecessary pressure on us. We’re gonna continue with what we’re doing as it seems to be working, and when the time is right, we’ll think about signing a deal, but right now we’re in the privileged position of creating the music we want, without any deadlines or external influence. Thats a rare position to be in and something we can’t take for granted!

Tom: Yeah, just having the opportunity of being considered as a band to break out of their local scene is a HUGE privilege, and we can’t wait for the year ahead.

There seem to be a hell of a lot of fine Welsh bands up and coming. Apart from yourselves, who else are you rating from that part of the UK?

Joel: The Cardiff music scene is indeed very exciting at the moment. Fellow band Estrons are making waves in London and it’s about time! They’ve done their time on the local scene, and with great songs to back them up, they’re gonna do big things this year. We also really rate singer Maddie Jones and psychedelic legends Rainbow Maniac. You should definitely check them out! We plan to play a gig in Cardiff with all those acts in March so we’ll keep you posted. Not one to miss!

Who are the musical influences behind Tibet and how would you say that has impacted in your style and sound?

Joel: We all love a variety of different things, which helps create the sound of Tibet! We all love The Kinks, The Beatles, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Arctic Monkeys.
Tom: Individually though, we love a bit of everything. I’m pretty sure Joel wants to marry Lorde, and I believe he will. I know Ethan loves the heavier electronic and experimental stuff like The Flaming Lips, Chemical Brothers and Faithless.

Taylor Swift is my guilty pleasure, I think she kinda annoys Joel, but ‘Bad Blood’ is a massive tune, I really dig the old soul guys too, like Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye. Rhys is a big fan of bands like the Libertines and Reverend and the Makers too.

Joel: There’s too many to count really, we just love BIG CHOONS.

What plans do the band have both record and gigwise coming up?

Joel: We’ve actually just finished recording our next EP which will hopefully be an official release this summer - with hard copies too!

We’ve got a number of ‘This Feeling’ shows coming up soon with some of the most exciting bands in the UK indie scene at the moment, we’re super excited to be a part of it!

You now have a few sentences for your big plug to push whatever you might want to promote. Use it wisely. Go.....

Joel: We’ll do the usual! Just released our second EP ‘Tibet’ which you can download for free if you visit our website! You can also download our first EP for free too! That’s 8 songs in total - woop woop! Click the link: tibetband.co.uk.

Like us on FACEBOOK, follow us on TWITTER. And come say hi at one of our shows next month!


Last word: spill your word or words of wisdom. Say 'pass' if you have none.

Joel: Hear me now.

Tom: Touch me there.

Joel: Show me what you’re working with.

Thanks, guys. Joel - we've been all ears. Tom - on the grounds of respectability we have to unfortunately decline your request!

Tibet are on tour in the UK from January 31. See poster below for full list of dates.

Track Of The Day :: Boys Forever - Poisonous

Words: Sam Geary

Breezy debut single of off-kilter, lo-fi pop from Boys Forever, the new project of Patrick Doyle of Veronica Falls/Royal We/Sexy Kids.

‘Poisonous’ - released last week on Amour Foo - was written at Doyle's south London home and recorded in Los Angeles with him playing all instruments. B-side is a cover of Kirsty MacColl / Tracey Ullman's 'They Don’t Know’.

Boys Forever play two free entry shows at London's Shacklewell Arms on January 30th and 31st.

Listen :: Jimmy Chang - Welfare Youth

Words: Ellie Ward

With it being National Australia Day tomorrow (January 26) - or already, if you happen to be in the Down Under timezone - what better than to celebrate with Jimmy Chang and his “hot tuna”, as he labels his music.

Previously known as ‘Zealous Chang’, Jimmy is about as out-and-out Aussie as an episode of Home & Away, with both his material and Facebook posts littered with some fine ol' ripper expressions. The ex-Perth native, now ensconced in Melbourne, has just released his psych-pop-esque album 'Changwave', and we suggest you open a tinny and settle back for a listen.

Recorded in his bedroom with just a guitar and some vintage Casio synths, the overall psych vibe of the work disguises some hard-hitting themes as slacker anthem 'Welfare Youth', below, demonstrates with its tale of a student struggling to get by on his weekly benefit payments to support his music passion. It's a song that relates equally well to British youth no doubt, as much as to young Australians in its argument of going for what you believe in.

Track Of The Day :: Glades - Drive

Words: Linn Branson

Glades gave us two stunning tracks last year: their debut 'Falling Away' setting the summer alight, followed by the autumn killer, 'Her (Loving You)', which saw its Soundcloud streams rise at a weekly rate of double figure thousands in its first weeks of release (current total approaching 125k).

So when the Australian electro pop trio - led by 18-year-old Karina Wykes on vocals; Joseph Wenceslao, guitar/synth; Cameron Robertson, guitar/synth - announce a new single, it's practically a given that it is going to be a bit special, and 'Drive' most certainly doesn't disappoint.

Released last week - and streamed almost 42k times in just five days already -  it is the track for... well, sticking on in the car and taking off down some open road. Once again filled with lashings of the Glades' trademarks of lush synth-textured atmospheric melodies, layered guitars, and the heavenly vocals of the angelic Ms Wykes (whom we have previously eulogised over at Little Indie), it is lyrically a tale of young love. Smooth, sweetly evocative, 'Drive' confirms Glades position as one of the best acts to have come out of Australia in the last year. And with their debut EP on its way, 2016 promises to be a major year for the Sydney three.

Listen :: COLOUR may be 'Nowhere' but we think they're definitely going somewhere!

Words: LB

The now Liverpool-based COLOUR are a band who Little Indie have been behind since the beginning of last year when we first heard the striking lead track from their debut four-song EP 'Strangers', and which we followed in September with our track exclusive of 'Shattered'.

Now the quartet are about to release their new and richly-hued, math rock-esque single 'Nowhere' next month to follow their impressive debut. With a huge guitar intro and more glitchy feel, the band take a step forward - not least in the lyrical content, for example: "Jealousy / In-the darkness / Says unto itself / Time to turn youth into madness..." and: "Oh / They're not your friends / They'll fill you with the little things / That dig you down further...".

This is the first of a bunch of new material the band have lined up for 2016. We can't wait to hear more.

New Sounds #26 24/1/16

STEALTH - I DON'T NEED YOUR LOVE
The impressive vocal of Birmingham soul/blues artist with the latest track to be taken from his upcoming debut EP 'Intro', released on March 25. You don't get many voices to the pound like this. Star rating: ****/5




COASTGAARD - LANDMINES
Neo-surf-rock Brooklyn four-piece with 60s psych-pop hooks and vibrantly sunny melodies. Taken from their upcoming second release, 'Devil On The Balcony', out February 26 via eOne Music. The band play SXSW festival in March. Star rating: ***/5




QUILT - ROLLER
Boston psych-rockers' second single (after 'Eliot St') from their upcoming full-length 'Plaza', released February 26 via Mexican Summer. The quartet add warped guitar grooves, weird sweeps, and cowbells to a discordant backdrop for Anna Fox Rochinski’s velvet vocals. Star rating: *** 5/5




MIDNIGHT GARDEN - DOWN
Lead single from the forthcoming 'Ruined' album by Chicago/San Diego duo (formerly known as Glitter Bones) who write/ collaborate via email. The two, Zach Vouga and Nick Donlin, met in high school, and have been writing proactively (under numerous guises) since. Star rating: ***/5




FUTURE MYTH - LITTLE VOICE
California four-piece from San Jose with their debut single and lead track from their upcoming EP 'Flashbulb Memories', self-released on January 29. Elements of psych-rock and dreampop with lo-fi vocal harmonies. Star rating: ***.5/5

Introducing :: FEELS

Words: Ellie Ward

Helsinki electro-pop trio FEELS have so far released just two singles - 'If You'd Meet Me Tonight' and 'Weightless', which you can stream here - in their native Finland, but are already garnering attention further afield.

Set to drop their debut EP ‘Butterflies’ in March, FEELS - who aptly describe their music as "epic, gripping and toned with northern melancholy' - deliver all the best of Scandi iciness in Sofi Meronen’s vocals, overlaid with zippy electronics.



FEELS are: Sofi Meronen - vocals, Mikael Myrskog - keyboards, Jooel Jons - producer

More info: FACEBOOK