I used to find it really difficult to write about brand new bands because I wasn’t entirely sure how I was meant to approach it. With no previous releases to mention and the like, it was a bit difficult. But I suppose I found it difficult because I’m not someone who makes things easy for themselves. I make a mess out of decisions and I’m hopeless with words when I speak. I’m not sure how I am with writing words; I have no ego to feed so it doesn’t really matter.

If I’m correct, Alex and Matthew who initially started Coquin Migale are from Scarborough. That’s in Yorkshire. Yorkshire is the best county in England. Most will dispute this, but they’ve not experience the delights of that fine county. They are missing out. Coquin Migale are Yorkshire’s answer to The Drums. They have this lovely surfer feel to their music; a dreamy escape from the horrors of every day life.

Coquin Migale only started making music in March this year. Personally, I think they’re better than half the crap we’re forced to love right now. They don’t use synths to make up for their lack of talent (nothing against synths but lay off the demo button or something!) Their talent is undeniable and Alex’s pleading vocals are just stunning. They did start out as a duo (easily could have been one of my favourite duos if there was still only two of them) but they’ve added two more members Stevie and Jack.

I’m not sure what they sounded like as a duo, but I’m going to make a bold assumption that they were still brilliant. The band recently recorded an EP in Hexham and are currently working on getting their music heard and playing gigs around the Newcastle area. Newcastle, you are truly lucky to have a band like this spoiling you with their music. Be kind to them.

What I really love about Coquin Migale is their dark 80s feel to their music. When most try to sound 80s, they sound like an even crappier version of Wham. The best thing about the 80s was the dark side to it. The side that gave us the likes of Sisters Of Mercy (they got their breakthrough in the 80s) and The Cure (Seventeen Seconds onwards.) They have a sinister feel to their music but Alex’s vocals sort of tame the dark vibes slightly because his voice is so gentle.

Their song, Icarus is 5 minutes of excellence and off the one minute mark it transforms from being quite vulnerable to a really authoritative masterpiece. Even if two of them weren’t from Yorkshire, they would still be one of my favourite finds of 2013. The fact that they’ve not been making music together for long is mind-blowing. All they have is an EP, and it is enough to make you wish they had more. In time it will happen, of course.

On record they sound incredibly tight, and I’m yet again making a (positive) bold statement that Coquin Migale are more than likely going to be amazing live. There is next to nothing about these guys online, but only for a small amount of time is this Newcastle four-piece going to be a hidden treasure. There is something about them that just HAS to be heard. They have the same level of fury to their sound that is found in the likes of (hate the word) “established” lo-fi/surfer bands that are based on the West Coast. They could easily take them on. Worth Your Time is a prime example of how tough this band is. Hearing a band so early on in their career is exciting because you just know they are approaching amazing things.

All the luck in the world to them, but I don’t think they’re going to need it.

You can listen to them here: https://soundcloud.com/coquinmigale