Blog: Hotcakes

This is a bit of out of left field from Becoming Real and a definite change in style from his previous works like last years 'Closer / Atlantic City' 123. 'Paramnesia' takes things altogether more upbeat and optimistic - an offbeat snare propping up a whirlwind of bubbling synths and bells. It's not just a change in style, it's a step up too. 'Paramnesia' will appear on a split 123 with Dam Mantle on 27 May via the new Get Me! label. Props to Jami for the heads up on this one.

Sleigh Bells exploded onto the scene in 2010 , and in a typically bold move, have wasted no time in following up their first album with the announcement of their second. On February 21st, the hyped Brooklyn Duo will unleash Reign of Terror, and in doing so will release one of the most no-nonsense follow-ups in recent history of much-anticipated albums. Take a look at the build up of the sophomore efforts of the likes of Fleet Foxes, Vampire Weekend and Bon Iver. They were long winded and steeped in uncertainty at times. But [...]

With his debut album, entitled ƒin , due on 27th January on Permanent Vacation, John Talabot has given us a taste of what to expect in the form of the album's closing track 'So Will Be Now'. It's a collaboration with Pional that the two produced together in Madrid and it is seven minutes of the most beautiful music I've heard so far this year. Engrossing doesn't do it justice - 'So Will Be Now' is warm, hypnotic house at its best and it's exactly the sort of track that reminds me why I fell in love [...]

AlunaGeorge will be massive this year. Nothing will stop that, even tiresome remixes such as this. The original 'You Know You Like It' [see below] was a sexy, addictive piece of original pop music grounded in chart melodies and intelligent, low-slung synth work. This, however, is about as unimaginative as a remix gets. The usually on point Riton has fallen into the 'dance remix' trap where an increase in tempo basically kills everything that was great about the original. Pitched up vocals take all the sugary joy out of Aluna Francis' voice, pounding four-to-the-floor beats [...]

Having mentioned Alt-J in previous post about 20122s bands to watch , I have been waiting in anticipation for their next offering. Now that it's here, I'm blown away. 'Fitzpleasure' is absolutely incredible - a truly unique and eclectic sound with such an astounding level of depth. You can't fail to be utterly engrossed. Alt-J have managed to stay clear of the dangerous realm of creating a concept so different that people are fearful to allow time to understand. Delightfully balanced clean guitar tones and the band's now highly recognisable vocal style allow for a [...]

After a strong 2011, Clock Opera have started this year equally as fast with the announcement that 'Once And For All' will be their next single release. To coincide with this they have made a music video equally as thought-provoking as the previously released 'Lesson No. 72. 'Once And For All' is an emotional track in the most uplifting sense. The video however is not uplifting, quite the opposite (so probably don't watch if you're having a shocker) but it is a superbly directed picture all the same, with a good cameo from frontman Guy Connelly [...]

After a strong 2011, Clock Opera have started this year equally as fast with the announcement that 'Once And For All' will be their next single release. To coincide with this they have made a music video equally as thought-provoking as the previously released 'Lesson No. 72. 'Once And For All' is an emotional track in the most uplifting sense. The video however is not uplifting, quite the opposite (so probably don't watch if you're having a shocker) but it is a superbly directed picture all the same, with a good cameo from frontman Guy Connelly [...]

View Blogroll in a larger map I found this in a draft post I started to write in January 2011. I'm not sure why I didn't get round to clicking publish the first time around but better late than never I suppose. Put together by the good chaps at Tympanogram , above is a map of music blogs from around the world. Unsurprisingly, they're highly concentrated in the US and Europe but presumably it's an ongoing project that will be expanded in the future to include ones from hitherto untouched parts of the [...]

View Blogroll in a larger map I found this in a draft post I started to write in January 2011. I'm not sure why I didn't get round to clicking publish the first time around but better late than never I suppose. Put together by the good chaps at Tympanogram , above is a map of music blogs from around the world. Unsurprisingly, they're highly concentrated in the US and Europe but presumably it's an ongoing project that will be expanded in the future to include ones from hitherto untouched parts of the [...]

Fresh from their inclusion in the BBC Sound of 2012 list, Niki & The Dove are back with a new video for 'DJ, Ease My Mind'. If I remember correctly this track was the first piece we ever heard from the Swedish duo way back in 2010, but now they have a bigger fan base and a bigger budget, they've made a proper video for it. It's still one of their strongest tracks to date and was one of the highlights when I saw them back in November

Fresh from their inclusion in the BBC Sound of 2012 list, Niki & The Dove are back with a new video for 'DJ, Ease My Mind'. If I remember correctly this track was the first piece we ever heard from the Swedish duo way back in 2010, but now they have a bigger fan base and a bigger budget, they've made a proper video for it. It's still one of their strongest tracks to date and was one of the highlights when I saw them back in November

Another year, another astonishing array of releases to get you through January to December. But where last year had some very clear cut winners across the board (from the likes of Arcade Fire, Kanye West and LCD Soundsystem), this year has not appeared so obvious. But, better late than never, Hotcakes brings you an eclectic list carefully decided by our five writers. Enjoy! 30. Givers - In Light 29. Balam Acab - Wander / Wonder 28. The Black Keys - El Camino 27. Gui Boratti - III [...]

Another year, another astonishing array of releases to get you through January to December. But where last year had some very clear cut winners across the board (from the likes of Arcade Fire, Kanye West and LCD Soundsystem), this year has not appeared so obvious. But, better late than never, Hotcakes brings you an eclectic list carefully decided by our five writers. Enjoy! 30. Givers - In Light 29. Balam Acab - Wander / Wonder 28. The Black Keys - El Camino 27. Gui Boratti - III [...]

Dry The River are a band that have long convinced me that at some point their gripping vocal harmonies, integrated within well structured, mood-building tracks - not to mention their relentless tour schedule - would pay dividends. With the latest announcements it appears the fruits of labour are finally emerging for this band with a rapidly growing fan base boosted by a series of big show support slots earlier this year. Following the release of the excellent Weights And Measures EP DTR have now announced the release of their next single [...]

While some songs come along and make you flinch, others make you want to cry and some practically force you to jump up and down in excitement. In this case, when a song is this lush and, at the risk of sounding a bit cheesy, so damn sexy, it makes you kick back and click play again and again. 'Okinawa Channels' is more proof that the awkwardly named NZCA/LINES has cracked the art of writing an electro/R'n'B song. Even with a song that includes a string accompanied finish and countless 'Ooos' beforehand, Michael Lovett [...]

Blessing Force is a collaboration of bands, friends, artists and writers responsible for the building excitement surrounding the music scene in Oxford. It is a community of talent made up of a series of groups and individuals including Trophy Wife, Chad Valley, Solid Gold Dragons, Jonquil, Neon Pulse, Pet Moon and more. Grouping themselves under the one title of Blessing Force has allowed many of these artists to work together on projects and help one another freely with a common cause in mind. A project such as this is refreshing to see; promoting a sense of togetherness which is [...]

Shifting time signatures, intricate guitar leads and, of course, dancing that your mother definitely can't do. Yes that's right, it's Dutch Uncles . Formed in 2009 this Manchester outfit are going from strength to strength and 2011 has been a thoroughly productive year. Upon the release of their second album Cadenza it became apparent to me that these guys had contrived something very special indeed - a purely indie pop record which is listenable, understated, while still managing to discretely ooze musical intelligence. The seamless drifting from one time signature to another, coupled with [...]

Jonquil - who need new press pics as they've become a four piece since the above - have released details of their soon to be released new album. Following on from one of my favourite EP releases One Hundred Suns , the new album Point Of Go will be released through Blessing Force (UK) and Dovecote (USA) on 5th March 2012. Having already provided us with the samba infused, infectious 'Mexico' to prepare us for things to come, Jonquil have now made their latest track 'It's My Part' available for examination. It does [...]

Brooklyn band Caged Animals released their debut LP Eat Their Own on Lucky Number Music a month or so ago and now they're back with a new video. And what a video it is. Slight spoiler alert: the scene with the match towards the end is probably my favourite moment in a music video this year. Piles of $$$ by Caged Animals

Mercury-nominated Ghostpoet and Mike Skinner's new project The D.O.T. have collaborated on a new track 'Trouble' for Rizlab's latest project. The video is something of a first and will be recorded live on 30 November with the audience deciding what happens on the fly. You can send in suggestions of what you'd like to see happen in the video before the event and then viewers of the live stream on the 30th will be able to vote during the performance on what they'd like to see in the next scene. [...]