Category Archives: New Music 2013

YOOFS.

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424273_167044933406086_1581262950_nIt’s that annoying time of the year where we’re given a handful of bands that we have to force ourselves to love over the next 12 months, because some twerp told us to. Don’t believe the hype. It’ll just turn you into someone you don’t want to be. I can apply this to many things, but sometimes when you have an opinion; others turn on you. I’d call them “bell ends” but I’m trying to be nice. Trying. I don’t know if I am, I don’t think so. Anyway, ignore the hype and go find someone YOU like. Someone you haven’t been forced to love. I could give you so many bands and singers that deserve your time and ears, but others have beaten me to it. Besides, I’m just a nobody from nowhere and no one is going to listen to that are they.

But maybe there is someone out there who is searching for a sort of new band, or a band that just go against all the drivel we are meant to consume and love. So, if you are that person this band are for you.

YOOFS are three lads from Bournemouth. I cannot comment on Bournemouth or the music scene there because I know nothing. However, as I am judging by the music that YOOFS make I am just going to assume that it’s a really good place. Anywhere is better than where I currently am, and have lived. I’ve made mistakes. People and places. Fortunately, I never have to return.

YOOFS are pleasurably noisy. YOOFS are a beach-band. Can I make beach-pop into a sub genre? Can I be that idiot that makes up a sub-genre and everyone falls for it? I’ve done it. I’m declaring these guys as BEACH-POP. It’s going to be a thing. I’ve decided. If this catches on, then I will have to hang my head in shame. Anyway, they are delicate and bold. Two things that many struggle to be, but very few naturally are. They are just brilliant.

As I write this, I am listening to their EP, We Used 2 Be Fun. If you need to feel like you are anywhere but where you are. If you need to feel like you’ve found a connection in a band; then this is the band for you. They are like a blissed-out version of Tame Impala. It’s hard to look at someone who doesn’t dig Tame Impala. I can’t quite understand how someone couldn’t like them, or YOOFS.

I’ve not seen much written about YOOFS, and this doesn’t bode well. It seems entirely wrong that a band with such talent and promise aren’t being heard. I know, as I said I am a nobody from nowhere. But I’m a nobody from nowhere that enjoys finding new music that sounds like nothing else. If it sounds a bit strange, I always fall for it. If it makes me feel creeped out, I will love it. If it makes me feel like I am watching the sun set on a beach, I will love it. Although YOOFS do not creep me out nor are they strange, they do give you a feeling of being at the beach doing a whole load of nothing with no one and being totally happy with that.

Alright, so you can listen to their deliriously stunning tracks right here: http://yoofs.bandcamp.com

Enjoy. Tell your friends and be the envy of your enemies as you listen to one of the most perfect band around.

Beach-pop ’13. DIG.

The Very Most.

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The amount of cough medicine I’ve taken over the past two days is enough to make me think I am slowly turning into Lester Bangs. Well, okay..maybe not THAT much. Cough medicine shouldn’t taste like Skittles. If it tasted of something vile, then maybe I’d be more careful, but when it makes you think you’re being cuddled from the inside then I suppose you should carry on- with caution, of course.

If you want a safer way of feeling like you’re being cuddled from the inside out, then you should probably listen to The Very Most. I have many reasons as to why they are pretty good (by pretty good, I mean I really like them.) The band came together in 2002, and are fronted by Jeremy Jensen. I may be alone in thinking this, but doesn’t he sound like he should be a superhero? Peter Parker. You know it makes sense. If I could draw, I’d probably have a character called Jeremy Jensen. I’m not one for making obvious compliments that work out, but that is a big one. Considering my love for superheroes (they are real.)

Superhero dreams aside, the music is wonderful. The Very Most are influenced by the likes of Camera Obscura and the Beach Boys. Find fault in this, and we may have a problem. They have such a relaxed feel to their music. Do you remember The Magic Numbers? I loved them, mix them with The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and you have the innocent atmosphere that The Very Most have in their music that you should fall in love with.

Their cover of Here Comes Your Man (from the Patricia EP) is gorgeous. I don’t know how fans of The Pixies may take it, but I love The Pixies and only music snobs would be vile about it. They aren’t important, we do not need them.

What I adore about The Very Most is that you can hear the love they have for the music, that’s a pretty rare thing to possess. Anyone who has a passion for anything in life are much more interesting than those who waste their days doing nothing. Barely living, just exisiting. I know I love music that at times, could cause someone to question their sanity and possible purpose on this planet; but I am a fan of gentle sounds that just sway the soul; The Very Most are one of those bands. Considering they’ve not taken over the world (YET) they have a huge discography that just needs to be heard, so you may as well start here : http://theverymost.bandcamp.com/

So there you have it. They may not be a “new” band but they play with heart and have a wealth of passion for what they do; which is something to truly admire.

Go listen.

The Boombox Hearts.

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If Nick Cave ever went completely folk-based or embraced country music in an insane way, he’d probably join a band from Denmark called The Boombox Hearts.

If you want creepy and dark folk music, then this is the band for you. If you want to feel like you have sinisterly taken up residence in a desolate cabin, then The Boombox Heart are destined to be yours. I dislike contemporary folk bands. I use the term folk loosely. You know the artists I mean, from Mumford & Sons to Laura Marling. It doesn’t do anything to me, but I know it does for others. I don’t get the appeal at all. Every song has left me bored, I don’t want that. I like the true essence of folk ie: Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie. Give me that, I’ll be alright. I wouldn’t call The Boombox Hearts a folk band. I’d just call them a band. A band in the truest sense of the word. A band that evidently love what they are doing, and the motivation they have in doing so is the music. Simple as. That’s just how it should be. If you’re not going to believe in your own art, then who will.

I’m not up on Danish bands. The only Danish thing I am familiar with, is the (second best programme ever, The Wire beats all) Danish programme, The Killing. So I can say that The Boombox Hearts are now my favourite Danish band, but this is motivation to listen to more Danish bands; especially if they sound like this.

The Boombox Hearts are currently working on their debut record, which I hope is out this year. There are a wealth of new bands I could have chosen to write about as my first pick of new bands for 2013. I didn’t just go with these guys because Ivan sent me a lovely email, but because although they have some eerie songs; they also have some truly gorgeous and gentle songs. With it being a new year, I suppose we should start gently. Maybe come March and I’ll be really into Thrash Metal. Who knows.

The band have a stunning EP up on bandcamp called Monte Carlo, which could possibly be an indicator to how the debut record will sound. I have no idea, but I do know that this band deserve to go far and claim a place in your heart.

You can listen to the ethereal EP here : http://ourlittlesistersrecords.bandcamp.com/album/monte-carlo

And for those of you who may be interested in some eerie country tracks, wrap your ears around this new one of theirs:https://soundcloud.com/#the-boombox-hearts/elinore-blues-for-the

Tormented souls who feel at ease with the Blues unite, and enjoy.

 

*Photo taken by Mikkel Møller Jørgensen

The Bedroom Hour.

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When all is exhausting, and borderline dull we must find something to ease it all. Something to give us something that nothing else can. You can find it in a person, you can find it in a sound. Anywhere, everywhere. You just need to put effort into it; it isn’t hard.

The Bedroom Hour by rights, should be one of your favourite new bands. If you buy into hype from certain radio stations and publications, then this will cause you to miss out on them. So, ignore it. Ignore it all. The Bedroom Hour make music that is evidently from the heart. When I first heard their song, Submarine I thought I was listening to a mellowed out version of Spiritualized. The hazy intro to Submarine reminds me of one of the best songs ever written, Fade Into You by Mazzy Star. Trust no one who doesn’t hear the beauty in that song. After I’ve written this, I’ll probably spend the rest of the evening listening to it on repeat. It happens a lot.

The Bedroom Hour are from Hillingdon. I’ve tried to find interesting folk from there, but nobody notable stands out- aside from The Bedroom Hour. One thing that really stuck out for me when reading their bio was this, “with every end is a new beginning.” If more people took notice of that, then I think we’d get along better. We’d be more acceptable and loving. It’s such a brilliant way to look at life and all around you. When one thing fucks up, another thing works out. That’s just how it is, and clinging onto that will always work in your favour.

They make music that is good for the soul. Music that just makes you feel like there is more to you than your beating heart. That all those cells you are made up of are actually of worth. These five talented musicians really  the capability to make new music less mundane and manufactured. They have songs that ooze sheer devotion (X Marks The Spot- play this one to the one you adore, everything will be fine forever.) The Bedroom Hour are the kind of band that you’ve been longing for, they’ve been longing for you too.

Their songs are delicate and utterly vulnerable. Stuart’s voice makes you relate to every single word; there’s something deeply passionate about this band that goes beyond what you have ever heard before. This is why they remind me of Spiritualized. Their songs are big but gentle. Heal yourself, and comfort the ones you love. The Bedroom Hour are a band you simply must treasure because bands like this do not come around often.

They are currently writing an EP in their own studio which should be out the start of 2013. For now, you can listen to their music here : https://soundcloud.com/#thebedroomhour Play it through headphones, as loud as you like and pay attention to the lyrics.