February 12 2016 - Hot Top Ten

BROTHERS WATER - QUICK AND CLEAN
Leeds-based indie five share the single cut from their debut EP, 'Your Name In Paint, released today (February 12). The follow-up to 'Do What You Like' and 'Mascara’, the sub-four minute track is governed by the baritone of Chris Redgate and punchy, melodic alt-rock beat.




L.A. GIRLFRIEND - WELCOME TO THE ABYSS
Lead track from solo synth-pop Los Angeles artist Sydney Banta's 'Neon Grey' album released last week - a work she describes as the "introspective counterpart; a story of consequences, documenting an aftermath of emotions” to previous record, 'VIVA'. Laid-back layers of rippling synths and vocals revolve within and around each other to an almost hypnotic effect.




DEPARTMENT M - BAD FORMULAE
Taken from the forthcoming debut LP, 'Deep Control', out March 18 via Hide & Seek Records, by Leeds-based electronic experimental noise pop duo, Owen Brinley and James Kenosha, aided and abetted here by drummer Tommy Davidson (Pulled Apart By Horses), who together create a synthpop formulae that is perhaps their best to date.




THE MIDDLE INFIELD - SHADOW
Formed last summer by Brooklyn's McGuigan twins, Dan (guitar, backing vocals, synth, production) and Tim (lead vocals, bass). This debut single, released last week, sets them off to a promising start with an easy melodic and sparkling synth lines.




THE SLEEP MILLENNIUM - THE SKY IS ZERO
The moniker of Portland, Oregon's Josh Schroeder with the first cut from his debut EP 'Dark In The Light', out February 26. Soothing piece of indie pop with delicious Tame Impala-esque psych touches.




DARK TRAIN - EMOTION SICKNESS
Lead track from the London/Brighton indietronica duo's (Canadian Marcel Ino and Kent's Lauren Bateman) just released 'West Pier' EP. Dark electro pop that utilises analogy synths in combination with Bateman's icy-edged vocals.




SO BELOW - LUNA
New track from the currently Los Angeles-based New Zealander So Below (aka Maddie North), prior to her debut EP on way shortly. Dark electro beats effectively work under dulcet vocal layering.




LEAD SISTER - WAX
Formerly known as Richa, the four-piece noise rock band from Brighton/London, explore experimental / light industrial territories on this debut single. They play their debut live show at The Shacklewell Arms, London with Arrows Of Love on tomorrow (February 13).




THE DEAD LOVE - WASTELANDS
Sydney grunge duo, Clint Ossington (bass/vocals) and Stevie Knight (guitar/vocals), release their second album 'So Whatever' shortly, and this first self-produced track will leave you in no doubt what they're about: hard 90s grunge, hard attitude, and big fuck off choruses and guitar riffs.




TINY DEATHS - THE GARDENER
Electronic dream-pop via Minneapolis/Brooklyn duo of Claire Taubenhaus (de Lune) and producer Grant Cutler. Set to release their 'Night Flowers' EP on February 19, from which this track comes. Dark, brooding, with de Lune’s soaring vocal piercing the veil of experimental electronica with ethereal dreampop.