This week our three guest reviewers take on another five new tracks and give them a spin through the headphones before they then air their opinion on each.
This week's panel: Ellie Ward, assistant editor at Little Indie; Dan Hegarty, presenter on Ireland's RTE2FM 'The Alternative' show; Little Indie contributor Steve Willcox.
HOLLOWS - ATONE
New single - out September 29 via End Of The Trail Records - from the North West-based outfit of two Welshmen, one Merseysider and a Brummie. Together they create big alt-rock melodies and catchy hooks.
Steve Willcox: I love the dramatic drums and guitar looping to create an rushing effect merging into the singer's voice. Loved the production of high/low energy which brought the song longevity. I confess I listened to the whole of it totally in enraptured. 5/5
Ellie Ward: Not quite as overawed with this as Steve obviously was, but like the big opening, though thought it was going to offer more vocally. 3.5/5
Dan Hegarty: You get the feeling that Hollows could really do something big, and 'Atone' is a perfect example of why. Catchy enough to hook in people with a passing interest on music, and it has enough going on to engage the more serious music fan. 3.5/5
Total score: 12/15
SHY LUV - LIKE A RIVER (feat. Bakar)
Manchester duo - Sam Knowles (Karma Kid) and Jake Norman - feature the vocal talent of new artist Bakar on this new track, with acoustic guitar from Will Rees of The Mystery Jets. On writing the track Shy Luv say, “The chords and beat are super happy – we wanted to write this tune based around happiness and the sort of happiness you feel when you’re with someone you love and that feeling running through you. But we wanted it to be quite tongue in cheek, almost overly cute so that’s where the versus came from.”
DH: I've mixed feelings about this one, but if I don't like it, why is my foot tapping while I'm listening to it? For that matter, why can't I get the chorus out of my head! Not 100% my thing, but one hell of a catchy tune. 3/5
EW: Doesn't move me at all, I'm afraid. 2.5/5
Total score: 8.5/15
NAUGHTLAND - IN THE MIRROR
The LA (via Portland) experimental pop duo of Aaron Chapman and John Bowers deliver a follow-up LP, 'Naughtland', on October 6 - a wait of six years. This first single is sweet, funky, and beaty.
EW: This is so quirky vocally and off-kilter, it's a grower I think. 3/5
SW: Quite an aquired taste this one. Didn't get it at first and I'm still no nearer to the bones of this song. Too repetitive for my liking, with the voice of Jake Shears in a weird mood. 2.5/5
DH: Like Little Dragon's 'Ritual Union' track, Naughtland give us an off-beat pop beauty. 'In The Mirror' has echoes of past masters like prince too. 4/5
Total score: 9.5/15
PIN UPS - YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO SICK
Debut single released September 20, from London trio - Joshua Gibbs (vocals/guitar), Jesse Baker (drums), Louis Baker (bass) - who formed earlier this year. Influenced by bands like Television, The Stranglers, Pavement, The Cure, The Telescopes "and most mad 70s post-punk", they play first live show at London's Shacklewell Arms on September 30.
SW: What this song lacks in diverse lyrics it makes up for one hell of a punchy tune. It reminded me of early new wave/punk records. Pretty awesome. 4/5
DH: Sometimes a catchy guitar riff takes over a track. It actually doesn't matter that there are other interesting things going on. Case in point, the chaos that swirls around this track is knitted together with a strumming guitar sound that's as potent to that of The Libertines' 'Can't Stand Me Now'. 3.5/5
EW: Little Indie knows Josh from his previous bands - Pastel Colours and The Isabelles - so we had an inkling this would shape up. Once it picks up pace, it's red hot catchy. The false ending's sick too! 4.5/5
Total score: 12/15
SURE - TASTING REVENGE
The debut single (from an EP due early next year) of dark post-punk electronica from Paris-based three-piece: Gregory Hoepffner (vocals/drums/synths - also has own solo project as Almeeva and plays in Kid North), Michael Szpiner (bass - from the band The Teenagers), Nicolas Di Vincenzo (guitar - from Hallowed Ground). A pounding kick drum, a bass full of chorus, and a guitar "shedding tears of distortion", with an experimental edge.
DH: No reinvention of the musical wheel here, but it doesn't matter, this is has all you need: menace, unease, and the kind of brute force that FEWS brought us last year. 4/5
EW: Dan, you're exactly right, I agree. I do love the dark nature of this - and not just meaning the video - and the beat is for dancefloor shape throwing. It sounds like a leaner, electro'd Cold Pumas. A oui from me! 5/5
SW: What a great intro. I was hoping for a woman's voice but got a late Depeche Mode vocal and sound. But I was still hooked and saw it out and it grew on me, going rating-wise from a 5 to a 2, then settled at 4/5
Total score: 13/15
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