Category Archives: New Music 2013

WIFE.

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You know when you hear something, and it doesn’t really sound like music. Music usually follows some form of structure. I dislike structure. I don’t like it. I dislike planning. Live by a quote from Jenny Lee Lindberg, “Organisation is bullshit.” Have some chaos in your life. Structure is bland. Music should be tested, experimented and pushed. When you regiment it, it loses meaning. It appeals to everyone and no one feels the need to seek out anything new. Which is why those talent(less) programmes fuel society. Awful. Ban them, please. You can find bands by accident. The vast majority of what I listen to was found by accident. Usually when I cannot sleep. I then realised staying up until 3am to find new music wasn’t healthy because I was becoming more and more obsessed; I wouldn’t sleep until I found something. Turns out you can find something really wonderful at 4.48pm on a Saturday.

WIFE aka James Kelly may be best known for his talents in the Metal band, Altar Of Plagues. Or you may not know of his music at all. If you don’t, you’re missing out. You really really are. He has the incredible way over casting night-time upon you; complete and utter darkness as soon as you listen to him. The very start of Endings has an eerie vibe to it. His music has an apocalyptic feel to it. This is the kind of music you’d want to listen to as you meet your maker, or the equivalent of.

For those who are partial to zoning out whilst listening to music (I am one of you, I always do it) Wife is the perfect artist to do that to. You cannot help but zone out and fall into this underworld he has created. The dark beats and haunting vocals are nothing short of divine. It’s another kind of ethereal. You cannot help but think you’ve been waiting a lifetime for this. I always want to hear something that just blows my mind. I don’t care for what genre it is; I just want it to make me feel like I am on a different planet. That everyday life is behind me, that I have found something sacred. I got that immediately as soon as I heard Wife. He is easily one of the best artists from Ireland. Regardless of where he is from actually, he’s just one of the best artists around. End of.

I refuse to ever place a singer/band in any genre. I find that disrespectful in a way, and I’m not a fan of labelling stuff (this could come from my dislike of structure/routine) I think I have an obsession developing with the beat to Bodies. It sounds like Portishead mixed with Burial; the vocals sound hazy. Almost drunk-like. It is absolutely stunning. I’m unsure how to listen to anything else after hearing this. Really bloody unsure.

His EP, Stoic is out now. I cannot express enough how much you need this EP in your life. It is a sacred piece of music. Listen to it as it gets dark. Freak yourself out, and fall into the depths of a different world. Cloaked in darkness but so comforting. So pure. Just bloody wonderful.

FEATHERS.

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FEATHERS are the most blissed-out band I ever did hear. I’ve heard a lot of bands that are similar to them before, and I know I throw my love about for some bands around all too freely (I just love music) but with Feathers; it is genuine. It’s always genuine. Yet there is something about Feathers that is just so perfect, it’s hard to believe a band like this exist. I don’t know where to place my joy right now. Being shown a band like Feathers or the delight at the lineup of this year’s Primavera Sound festival…THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN AND NICK CAVE ON THE SAME LINEUP. Fuck you if you’re not getting excited over that. I’m far too excited about it; but I know I won’t be going. So my excitement as ever, is null and void. In my head and heart; I will be there. Imagine if they toured together. I’m going to have a hernia if I carry on thinking about that. So, FEATHERS.

Feathers are as delicate as their name. Their sounds gently flow in and out of your ears. I’ve only heard 3 songs but I know they’re going to be incredible. They have a song (which is their debut single) called Land Of The Innocent. It’d fit perfectly in some dystopian film. It has a highly haunting vibe to it, but it leaves you immersed in awe. I’ve had it on repeat for a while now. I don’t think I know what the stop button is right now. The vocals are simply perfect. The purity that comes through makes you wish you could sing. Makes you wish you could be as fascinating as this band. All you can do is take in their music, and act as if it was written for you.

Feathers have that relaxed feel that Warpaint have; except Feathers have synths. Synths can be overbearing and just crap at times. Feathers use them wisely. Much like the likes of Cold Cave do. There’s a hidden darkness here which is married into the synths. Female Cold Cave? Why not. Why bloody not. There is something about Feathers that just sends you into another universe. One full of hidden pieces of heaven that is sacred to you, and only known by you. These glorious sounds are enough to cheer up the most grumpy souls (ie:ME!) Their music elevates the soul, purifies the mind and makes the body want to flail around like a careless drunken dancer. Just let them take you over, because I doubt any other band will this year.

They have a song called Soft which sounds nothing like Land Of The Innocent. This one has more of a German electro feel to it with a hint of the New Romantics era. I think I have found my ideal band of the year. I’m utterly blown away by how brilliant a band can be, with not even a single/record out yet. Their debut record is out this year, thankfully. I doubt I could wait. I’d probably fall victim to some form of madness, a desperate bout of insanity because I craved a record. It’ll happen one day (it’s actually happened as I wait for the new Warpaint record, I need it NOW.)

Feathers are nothing short of divine. I know nothing about them but I do know I have fallen hopelessly in love with their music. Thank goodness a band like this exist.

You can (and should) listen to them here: https://soundcloud.com/#ffeatherss

THE LONG WIVES-The Hollow Fin.

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“Tender words unspoken, turn so cruel on their vine.”

Brandy St.John is probably one of my favourite singers ever. She isn’t as big as most, but she has the same captivating and gentle power that is found in the adored Patti Smith. Brandy St.John’s lyrics expose the darkness that everyone seems to run from. I don’t just listen to her music; I study her words. I study her words as if I am reading poetry. Her lyrics are sheer poetry. In poetry you get Poe. Hidden messages in everything isn’t there. Sometimes. It’s not hidden for I’ve just written it down, and you can see it (if you read this.)

This morning before I went to the gym, I saw that Brandy had put up a new song. She’s a machine. A music making machine that I hope never ever stops. So, I put in my headphones and listened delicately to The Hollow Fin. I stopped what I was doing, and gazed outside as I listened to her beautiful voice. I wish there was a word that was more powerful than the word “beautiful” to describe her voice. Her voice is so hypnotic. I gazed outside and watched the snow fall (I say snow.but it’s trying. Lord knows is it trying.) Every flake that fell to the ground fell with purpose but no destination in particular. The flakes may have wanted to fall straight down, but the swayed with the cold breeze and just flurried about. My thoughts remained fixed.

I took in everything I heard whilst listening to The Hollow Fin. I glanced at the lyrics from time to time, and I thought of every fuck up I have ever done. Every wrong I’ve ever done. I struggled to think of the good. It is so easy to beat ourselves up over things we have no control over. I don’t want to control others, and my self-control is alright. I listened to The Hollow Fin, and my head was at a place calm. My heart however, knew I was stuck. A constant battle that is just eased by musicians like this. Musicians that are not afraid to go so deep and dark. My notebooks are full of poetry like this (with the occasional cheerful poem) but I’d rather point someone in the direction of The Long Wives or whoever than let anyone read what I write down in my tattered notebooks. Spare yourself.

All that The Hollow Fin is, is just Brandy and a guitar. To me it is obviously much more. As her music is so stripped, you become a bit obsessed with her voice and lyrics. I will always be massively in love with her song, Judas Hex and I do believe that The Hollow Fin is going to head the same way. I play Judas Hex a few times a day. I don’t think I could really define why, it’s just something I simply must do. The Hollow Fin has hints of regret and wonder. I’m not familiar with regrets. If I allowed myself to regret I’d be a mess. You have to just let things and people go at times. We’ve all caused hurt and we’ve all been hurt. There are musicians out there that can nurse our hurt and soothe our souls.

My favourite line from the song has to be this: “But love is vicious when it dies.” Anyone who has lost a love may know just how true this is. It doesn’t have to be a romantic kind of love. It can be friendship too. Like I said before, you just have to let some things in life go. You can cling, but you cannot have a firm grip forever.

I do hope The Long Wives comes to the UK soon, I really do. These are songs that you need to see on dimly lit stage. A purely intimate setting.

You can listen to The Hollow Fin here:https://soundcloud.com/#thelongwives/the-hollow-fin-the-long-wives

Let her gentle voice and honest words claim a piece of your heart.

TROUMACA.

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Any band that has “BRING US GOLD, WOMEN AND WINE.” written on their bio section is going to be pretty incredible. I’d probably change whisky for wine though. Or probably fruit tea. I need to stop being a chubby person, so basically swap everything in life for fruit tea. And 2 hours at the gym every day. Throw in a nap too. Not at the gym, that wouldn’t be fun. No thanks.

Troumaca are from Birmingham. They’re not on a Swim Deep or Peace bandwagon. Far from it. They sound nothing like them, which is good because we have one Swim Deep and one Peace. I don’t mean this in a bad way at all, I bloody love Swim Deep. Troumaca are on something else. They also used to be called Scarlet Harlots and were on Channel 4’s Orange Unsigned back in 2008. Whilst at Uni, I used to spend my Saturday mornings watching this show. I developed an obsession with the band then. But then they split and are now reborn as Troumaca.

They have a tropical/calypso feel to their music. I guess if you didn’t know any better, you’d probably think “But how can a band from the grey Midlands create something so colourful?” Quite easily. Troumaca have this brilliant gift to glide in and out of your eardrums in the most sensual way possible. They just make everything alright. In a way, they remind me slightly of Foals but with more focus on the sounds. Obviously only a fool would deny how great Foals are, and Troumaca too. Imagine seeing them both live? You’d leave completely relaxed and in the most blissed-out state possible.

Troumaca have a wonderful hidden tribal feel to their sound. They have big drums but everything else surrounding it (including vocals) is so sensitive in comparison. The echoing chants on Sanctify are unreal. You know, everyone has their opinions on who is going to be massive this year. I guess that’s alright, but everyone is falling for the same bands over and over. It’s pointless because it means you’re missing out on the good stuff. When you buy into what everyone tells you to enjoy, you forget what you actually like. There is so much good music out there, you really cannot limit yourself to what certain publications and the like tell you to enjoy. Obviously what I say is good doesn’t mean someone else is going to enjoy it. I’m never right about music, I know this. Doesn’t mean I’m going to stop seeking out new music and not ranting about it. Troumaca deserve to be praised and shouted about it. I know I’m not the only one to love them as much as this.

In short, end all hype and like what you want to like. Whilst you’re at it, go listen to Troumaca : https://soundcloud.com/#troumaca

Their EP, Virgin Island is out 25th February. Probably the most exciting band to emerge this year for sure.

LONDON GRAMMAR.

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Writing about a band that have only one song out is quite tough, but if they create something beautiful then it makes life a little bit easier. And more enjoyable. The last time I did this was when I heard Saint Lou Lou last year and everything changed from then on. How I listened to music after hearing Maybe You was different. I paid more attention to the hidden beauty in the music, and how at times vocals can be made to more vulnerable than the words.

London Grammar are three extremely talented souls from London who make you think, “If Imogen Heap did something with Youth Lagoon, then this is how it would sound.” I adore Imogen Heap and Youth Lagoon so this is pretty much going to be an obsession I have zero control over, not that I mind; far from it.

They have one song (so far) called Hey Now which from the very first note feels like the sun creeping out on a dull day. The vocals ease you, like something warm on a Winter’s day. Why go out and play in the snow when you can stay indoors and feel the beauty and heat from music like this. I’d be utterly content with not hearing anything else but Hey Now for a while. This is the kind of song you play when you are making a long, painful journey to somewhere you hate (mine is London to the Isle of Man because I don’t think anyone gets how much I hate coming back to this piss-stain of an Island.) I can imagine playing this song over and over until my rage towards returning is replaced with, “You can leave again soon.”

Hey Now is 3 and a half minutes of purity and ethereal vibes that could tame anyone, that could melt the coldest of hearts. I think the song has been out just over a month, I’m not entirely sure. I’ve only just heard it but I know it’s going to be one of th and gorgeous songs I will hear all year. Every year I seem to find one song during the first few months of the year, then compare everything else I hear over the year to it. I think I’ve found my song. Everything I hear now will be compared to how stunning this song is, and how will every listen to just hear something else to fall in love with. Completely and utterly. I know nothing about London Grammar, but I do know that they are 3 people who make music to just lose yourself in without a care in the world. Hey Now is like a gentle hand on the shoulder telling you it is all going to be alright, even if you feel otherwise. Maybe, just maybe….it will be.

VIRALS.

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Shaun Hencher. Used to be in a band called Lovvers (they were good, go listen) now he’s on his own as VIRALS.

The EP, Strange Fruit will warm your bones and turn your brain to mush because of how gorgeous and how beautifully rambunctious it is. It is the right level of noisy. It is the right setting of rowdy. It’s the kind of EP you play when you feel hopeless and all sense of hopelessness slips from you as you listen to it. If you know nothing about Shaun’s musical background, you’d probably think “Oh he’s from LA.” So wrong you are. So very wrong. He’s from Worcester. You can make your own mind up if anything good has ever come from there. Personally I believe yes something good has come from there; Shaun Hencher of course.

The EP begins with the wonderful Strange Fruit but I think Summer Girls is the one that may take over hearts. And also thoughts. Although it is an EP, and yes you do want more (just hit repeat) you cannot help but be led straight into a warmer climate in dreams as you listen to this blissful piece of art. At times VIRALS remind you of a tame version of Wavves, but it’s just one person doing all this. One person is making this beautiful sound. I know my heart seems to reside with duos but I could easily reel off a list of solo artists that are just as powerful; VIRALS is one of them for sure.

https://soundcloud.com/#virals-music/summer-girls

A constant summer mood drifts throughout the EP, making you feel at ease with how the outdoors is quite dull and dark. VIRALS is another reason as to why I wish I had the money to go to SXSW this year, there will never come a time where I don’t hate myself for having no money and not being able to go. One day, one day. I don’t care if I’m 80 years old and I have to crawl to the plane; I will go.

You don’t really need me to tell you how brilliant this EP is, anyone who was a fan of Lovvers knows just how much of a genius Shaun is so of course VIRALS is going to be so close to perfection.

Strange Fruit is out now on Zoo Music (http://www.killzoomusic.com/)

Beat Mark.

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I don’t know much about French music, but I did go through a stage of listening to nothing but French Hip Hop. I was 15 years old, and I’m not sorry. Even if you can’t understand French, their Hip Hop scene is pretty good. But if you want something else then maybe try Beat Mark.

Soft Power Records do not put out shit music. They’re like Art Fag Records, Sacred Bones Records and Zoo Music. They just put out music that MUST be heard. Music that is of worth, and by that I mean music that I love so this is obviously going to be biased. Thing is, I don’t write about what I don’t like because although I can be shit at times; I have my limits. Don’t slag someone off who is doing their job. Are you the one selling records and on stage singing your heart out? No. Then shush. I will sit down with you and tell you why certain “folk” singers/bands are toss though. I don’t have an issue with that. Anyway, Beat Mark.

Beat Mark are from Paris. They have captured the true feel of Shoegaze and have made something entirely dreamy. I don’t mean in a swoony kind of way. I mean that, Beat Mark make you feel like you are dreaming and judging by all the hate in the world, this is something that we all need. I can imagine living in a city to be quite exhausting at times (try living on the Isle Of Man, that’s a billion times worse) and possibly frustrating. Like a wild animal trapped; so you search for an outlet. Never judge a person’s way of unleashing how they feel, unless they punch you. Then maybe they need a cuddle. I’m convinced the world would be more gentle if we all hugged more. Anyway, tangent. Sorry. Beat Mark have a brilliant suave vibe to their music, and the female vocals that appear add a gorgeous delicate tone to their songs.

I think it is obvious that Beat Mark are my kind of band, and that’s why I’ve written about them. Purely selfish reasons, but it’s the only time I am so it’s okay. Beat Mark are the first new release of 2013 on Soft Power Records on the 15th February. Don’t buy into the Hallmark Holiday the day before, invest in Beat Mark’s EP, Move On instead. The release is limited to 100 copies on cassette, so be wise and purchase it ASAP.

You can listen to the EP here: http://softpowerrecords.bandcamp.com/ The title track is 6 minutes and 20 seconds of sheer bliss.

Youth Lagoon-Dropla.

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I think those who are not familiar with Trevor Powers/Youth Lagoon are missing out. I remember the day I accidentally heard his music, it was like nothing even mattered in that moment. Of course things do not matter, but I’d rather shrug them off and listen to something like Youth Lagoon.

Quick to be lumped in the “Chillwave” category (has that died now or….?) Trevor Powers pretty much went against all of that. He didn’t (and doesn’t) sound like those he was compared to. His debut record was made in his bedroom, and when you listen to it you do get such a personal feel coming through. Hopefully this will happen again in his new record, Wondrous Bughouse which is set to be released on 5th March.

Until then, you can listen to the just short of 6 minutes ethereal gem that is Dropla here: https://soundcloud.com/#fatpossum/dropla

Dropla starts as a gentle daydream which then goes into a hazy nap and ends in you falling deep into a heavenly trance.

LOOM-Bleed On Me (EP.)

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Last year some amazing EPs came out. My favourite was of course End Of Daze by Dum Dum Girls. It’s hazy sound eased everything, and made everything pure again. Everything felt right.

A few weeks before the end of the year, one of the best new bands in the UK put out their debut EP. LOOM will blow your mind. They will unleash fury in your head. They will takeover your mind. They’ll become your everything, if you let them. They are not for people who enjoy the quiet and cannot appreciate anything but. I love silence, but I do like the be surrounded by pleasant noises at times. By this, I mean music. I enjoy music that is dark and brutal. This will be why I adore LOOM.

I’ve already written about them and why you need them in your life. So now, a month late (sorry) I’ll tell you about their three track EP, Bleed On Me.

Do you remember the first time you heard something quite strange, and unlike anything else? I’m trying my best to not compare this to Psychocandy, but I feel I must do so. Look, you know I compare a lot of records to this I simply cannot help it. Bleed On Me gives you that dangerous feeling that Psychocandy did. Bleed On Me is dangerous, and should be played so loud; your neighbours are concerned about your wellbeing. But you’ll be just be thrashing about in your room immersed in this incredible band.

She is my favourite track from the EP, but after playing it religiously I am finding different things to love about this EP. Tarik’s voice is aggressive and passionately possessive. Say hell to your new favourite frontman. Say hell to your new favourite band.

I don’t know if you can still get the cassette (no I am not selling mine.) but you can listen to the song, Bleed On Me here: http://heartthrobrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bleed-on-me

They are playing The Craufurd Arms in Milton Keynes on 2nd March. Go.

The Men-Electric.

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Sacred Bones Records cannot and do not ever fail. They are Brooklyn’s finest. Speaking of Brooklyn’s finest, so are The Men. Did you ever hear Leave Home and Open Your Heart? Both became instant classics. Their debut (Leave Home) is more rowdy compared to last year’s incredible Open Your Heart. They’re a band worthy of your time.

Time. Time can be wasted. Time can be enjoyed. Time can be a drag. Spend it wisely, or unwisely. On yourself, or with the one you love. The beautiful thing about time is that it is YOURS. No one can really tell you what to do, if you don’t want to do it. I don’t wear a watch. I don’t own a diary. I don’t make plans. Things just happen. I like to nap.

Electric is the new single from The Men’s third record, New Moon which is out 5th March on Sacred Bones Records. Brooklyn’s finest are about to make some noise. This is enthralling and boisterous. This is The Men ladies and gentlemen. Get to know. They will lure their way into you somehow, it might as well be now.

Electric is just as pleasant taster from the new record, and I may just be utterly biased with this, but I think it’s going to be one of the best records of the year. Just throwing that out there with every ounce of confidence I have.

Go listen! Please play as loud as you can.