For me, the new Maccabees record was always going to be a big one. I've enjoyed their last two albums so much that I had high expectations of album number three. I remember reading reviews of Wall Of Arms describing how much the band had 'grown up' since Colour It In , which is probably true. So, have they done the same thing again and further refined their sound? And is it good? Their is little doubt that the album retains some of that sincerity its predecessor had. Songs like 'Child', [...]
There's not an awful lot to be said about this one. The single 'Pleasure Palaces' is out on Monday, the album out the Monday after (the 30th) on Rock Action Records. They've also released some tour dates, starting in Newcastle on the 9th February and finishing up in Aberdeen on the 25th. For more news on that and where to get the tickets from head over here . And finally, you can pre-order the album on iTunes . Filed under: [...]
Maz Totterdell is incredible. I don't normally start with such hyperbole, but it's just the only way I can introduce this 15 year old Devonian. Yes, 15. When you listen to the song (or if you already have) you'll realise why I'm highlighting her age, because she has got a voice and a sound that belies her years. The lyrics to her first single, 'Counting My Fingers', are sweet but not sickly, her voice is a revelation and the song is one of the best things I've heard in a long time. It's got twee handclaps you'll be joining in [...]
It's all in the title for today's tidbits. It's a Monday, which means there are some new albums out. Of particular note is the Tribes debut album Baby on Island Records. We wrote about them a while ago ( here ) and if you like them then go buy the album ( here ). I'll be picking it up after work tomorrow, so if it's up to much there will probably some words written up here. As I said, though, [...]
It's all in the title for today's tidbits. It's a Monday, which means there are some new albums out. Of particular note is the Tribes debut album Baby on Island Records. We wrote about them a while ago ( here ) and if you like them then go buy the album ( here ). I'll be picking it up after work tomorrow, so if it's up to much there will probably some words written up here. As I said, though, [...]
There was a time, long ago, when we used to put up some remixes on a Friday. In this spirit, here's the new EP that The Rapture are releasing on the 17th January. It's got versions of their song 'Sail Away' by Aeroplane, Cosmic Kids and Cut Copy. What with this being DFA, the remixes are very much of the 'electronic' variety and the whole EP will clock in at a little under 25 minutes, with the Aeroplane mix being fairly typical of his productions, which is to say soaring and epic and, most importantly, good. The Cosmic Kids remix [...]
If you are a fan of the multi-talented Frenchman Woodkid (Yoann Lemoine to his parents) then you may be interested in learning that he's going to be playing a show at the top of the Eiffel Tower on the 24th of January. You may also be interested in learning that you could be there. All you have to do is send these guys an email explaining why you should be there and you could win return trips from London to Paris, plus a night's accommodation and tickets to the show [...]
Have you seen this yet?! I remember seeing that somebody had covered Gotye's original the other day and thinking to myself 'better check that out', before not doing so. I remembered to today and am I glad I did. Not only does the singing do the song justice (although it does take two people to match Gotye's range!) but the performance is out of this world awesome. Enough words now. Watch the video and below the drop find the link to buy the cover version. Thank you Walk Off The Earth and Sarah Blackwood, you have made my day. [...]
So They Might Be Giants are going on tour. In the US though. Lucky you, unlucky for those of us living the wrong side of the Atlantic. It all kicks off in California on January 27th and they'll be having their wrap party on the 10th March in New York at Terminal 5. If you get ticket, you should go. Every live video I've ever seen, review I've read and generally most things I hear about their shows are awesome. They are one of those bands who seem to be having a good time while playing, as opposed to some [...]
Here's a band called Freedom Fry, an American boy and a French girl who met, well, who met. The music is surprisingly (refreshingly, even) hard to put into a category. Marie Seyrat's vocals are as smooth as Parisian espresso, warm and luxurious but you get a hint of something very alluring... that's probably down to the slight French accent. The instrumentation is really well put together, using a combination of electronic sounds and live instruments to great effect. The single 'Tallest Dreams' has just had a video made, although the song has been out since August of [...]
Hello all. As many of you may know, and perhaps many may not, there is a wonderful talent out there by the name of Lucy Rose. She first caught my ear doing backing vocals on Bombay Bicycle Club's A Different Kind Of Fix (although she apparently helped a little on Flaws too) and I was intrigued. Having heard the radio DJ say her name, I promptly forgot it until this popped up on my Twitter feed. It's just come out and it's a wonderful pop record. If you're a fan of Laura Marling, Feist and others [...]
I was tottering about on the internet today and all of a sudden this song appeared on my Soundcloud . I'm a big fan of Belleruche (I wrote this a little while ago) and thoroughly enjoyed their last album 270 Stories . They're signed to Tru Thoughts, a really hard-working Brighton based label who's artists rarely disappoint. This new single is a precursor to Belleruche's fourth studio album, called Rollerchain and it's due out at [...]
Todays Music For Horses songs are very good. Not that they usually aren't, but I reckon these are up there with the best. One is new and one is old. Let's get it started with the new song. I was sent this a couple of days ago and I've been listening to it a lot. It's got a Radiohead feel to it, with a delicate vocal over the top of a distorted electronic trip-hop influenced instrumental. It's sophisticated, grown up and really good. And you can download it for free from his website for a limited time. Just click on [...]
Regal Safari - R G L S F R Regal Safari are a Brighton-based trio who make pretty, atmospheric electronic music. The song 'Lake' starts with a slow build before a garage-influenced handclap beat comes in and vocals that recall what Burial does, distorting, twisting and generally fiddling so that they don't have a meaning but instead give the track a mood. Egyptian Hip Hop, the Mancunian alt-poppers, have taken it upon themselves to remix the song and I reckon they've done a pretty good job. The song has taken on a 'Math-y' element, [...]
Yup, that guy up there is hilarious. And at the end of tonight I'd expect my little brother to be in a similarly compromising position. It is, as the title suggests, his birthday. It's also his twin sister's birthday (funny that, them being twins) so I thought I'd put up a song that each of them likes. To start with, my sister. We were talking about songs that remind us of family holidays and for some reason we ended up talking about Craig David. Yup, that Craig David. So here's one of the songs we were talking about. [...]
Well, it's finally the end of Christmas. Or maybe tomorrow is. I honestly couldn't care less, if I'm being honest with you. This does give me the opportunity to post one final song in this feature though. Sleigh Bells, one of the multitude of good bands to have come out of Brooklyn over the past five years or so, are releasing a new album in February. It is going to be called Reign Of Terror and judging by the hype this song kicked up when it was released at the start of December people are looking forward to [...]
This is the penultimate '12 Days' post, so how better to begin the end than with a song from a band I am really looking forward to hearing more from this year. Miike Snow's 2009 debut was fantastic (my favourite song: 'Song For No One') and it's been with bated breath that I've been waiting for the follow up. The lead single from the album was premiered at the start of December and it's grown on me. A polished piece of house-influenced electronic pop with a fantastic brass section. If you like his stuff, Alex Metric has made a remix [...]
I rather like Purity Ring. They tick an awful lot of my boxes: dreamy, hip-hop influenced, female vocal pop. What more could a modern metrosexual ask for? They released the Ungirthed 73 around this time last year to much acclaim and followed it up in October with a split 73 (shared with Braids, on Fat Possum) that feature their song Belispeak. It's choppy and ever so slightly sinister while maintaining enough of a pop direction to make it very ear friendly. Megan James' vocals on all of their songs, although very produced, have an innocent quality to them. They're a [...]
Hello again. A short post for you today. You may know a version of this song thanks to an advert for a certain DVD by post advert. That cover is done by a very talented Irishman called James Vincent McMorrow, who's falsetto is remarkable. The original song is actually from 1986 by a certain Steve Winwood. The album Back In The High Life came a little out of the blue, as he hadn't seen much success in the 802s. It went on to get to reach the top ten both sides of the Atlantic and the song 'Higher [...]
Alright there, how's it going? Only four more days left of this little feature before we have to move on and write some proper bits. Before that happen, have a little snippet and a song to help you steel yourself for the end of the holidays. This is a song from Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, a film I watched for maybe the thirtieth time over Christmas. Not only is the film boss, but the music is great. It was written by one of my stable favourites, Metric. I love their mix of quite dark production and Emily Haines' very [...]
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MP3: Daft Punk – “Horizons” (RAM Japanese Bonus Track)
Listen to producer Jacques Greene’s “On Your Side,” featuring How To Dress Well
