What's that? You thought we might avoid posting something about Charlotte Church due to unfounded claims of credibility? Nope, not us. I may not have cared much for her pop-classical beginnings, but there is no doubting that Glitterbombed is a delicious popsicle of delight with her rich, thunderous voice used as the instrument to keep together and otherwise increasingly chaotic blend of pulsating bass, industrial drums, and a full constructive electronic orchestra of sounds. Charlotte Church - Glitterbombed was originally published on The Blue Walrus .
This is one I came across a fair while ago but is proving remarkably difficult to wash off my clothes. Michigan based Lightning Love ( twitter / facebook ) produce the kind of indie-pop that needs the 'pop' part written out in bright pink neon, maybe superimposed over a close-up image of a pair of faded denim shorts and a pair of roller skates. But don't be fooled, under that saccharin sweetness lies something just a little bit harsh. You see Lightning Love use their sing-song melodies and indier-than-thou chord progressions to bury their [...]
Cardiff-based producers Luke Welsby and Olly Howells (aka. Bodhi ) have already made it to these pages in the past for their simply sublime remix of The xx's Angels that made it onto our G R O O V E mixtape back in the summer. They also released the fantastic SY EP on Push & Run in September, but are now back with a crisp and delicious new groove for the #Unknown series in Don't You Know . Grab it as a free download now from our friends at [...]
We're getting towards the home run into Christmas, and we really haven't been very festive here on the Walrus yet. That is all going to change now, however, as Gabriel Bruce has leant his deep dulcet tones to a version of Silent Night. It's a simple and beautiful rendition, and just makes you want to curl up with the family in front of an open fire and sip your mulled wine. And because we've left all you lovely people in the cold dark silence for a few days, here's something completely different with Walrus [...]
I was lucky to catch Juveniles on their short "Oui Love" French disco tour of the UK with another favourite band of mine, Jupiter. My public response to the night was, and I quote, "I FUCKING LOVE DISCO" - so that should clear up my thoughts on the subject when seeing such bands live. Juveniles have also just released an eponymous EP, so even those that didn't brave the cold to catch them live can get their groove on. And they should. The EP starts with the perfect 80s-infused disco groove that is [...]
Nothing grabs my attention faster then a healthy dose of 60’s inspired garage rock, throw in a bit of hazy neo-psychedelia into the mix and my ears will be fully engaged. The latest zesty little gem to tick theses boxes is the psych grooves of Mitch Crook aka Moon Heads . I wish I could tell you more about this man and his music but with only a Soundcloud link attached to an email it was sort of like Alice following the white rabbit down the hole. On first listens however my curiosity soon turned to fascinated excitement. Wielding [...]
“The Dream” is the new limited edition single from Sunderland alt folk outfit Lilliput< /strong>. The song tells the tale of a recurring nightmare beautifully; using earthen imagery to illuminate the contrast between reality and fantasy, fear and safety. The five piece riff off The Beach Boys and particularly The Beatles with simple, sweet melodies and addictive hooks in spades but it’s their voices that steal the show time and time again. “The Dream” is no exception. Their harmonies are stunningly well layered throughout; lead [...]
It's that time of year once again when a team of some of the finest bloggers of this land come together to nominate a few bands and artists that we think could and should become successes next year. Every blogger gets to nominate five of their favourite up-and-coming acts, and then put together by Robin of Breaking More Waves, and Andy of Von Pip Musical Express into the list you see below. There were 170 acts in total nominated by the 49 bloggers, showing the breadth of opinion across the group, and then the 15 with the most votes become [...]
A little known fact about me here on the interwebs, is that my Masters thesis at university was on the witch hunts right here in the UK. It is unsurprising then that when someone like Anna picks up a band called Witch Hunt that it grabs my attention. Luckily for everyone, however, they are far more than an ex excellent name - the girl/boy duo make deliciously punk-influenced folk and blues. They can go from the folkish charms of Basements , to the mesmerising, cult-esque Crawl to The Kills-like energy of [...]
It’s difficult to commit words to paper (or screen) that sufficiently describe what Ajimal can do with nothing more than a grand piano and his voice. The deeply personal work of one man, multi-instrumentalist Fran O’Hanlon aided by rotating cast of North East friends and musicians; Ajimal creates haunting, atmospheric paeans so emotionally raw you can almost reach into the melody and touch his gaping wounds. This enchanting live recording of “I’ve Known Your Heart” was filmed as part of The Blank Sessions and features NE newcomers Tessera Skies [...]
HVOB or "Her Voice Over Boys" are a duo from Vienna who would otherwise go by the names of Anna Müller and Paul Wallner who produce reflective, subtle grooves. They have their debut EP out on the German Stil Vor Talent label and from the opening chords on Dogs, you can feel you have a silky treat waiting for you once the song unwraps itself for your ears and the beat rolls in. Introducing: HVOB was originally published [...]
Stratford-Upon-Avon based songsters My Grey Hors e [ facebook / twitter ] have been making some waves over the last year, first with The Saltway EP and then their 2nd EP: The Marley Banks, showed them really honing their sound into something more distinct. Their new single Need Wood, taken from their upcoming 3rd release: 'stop before the dry river', is about as perfect a progression you could ask for, it keeps all of the things that made the music on The Marley Banks work: fine tuned harmonies, catchy-as-fuck chorus hooks but has expanded on them, the harmonies are richer, [...]
Decibels [ facebook / twitter ] briefly came across my radar at the beginning of the year when they released their debut single The Lesser, which was full of playful vocals over heavy distortion and a charming melody. But having caught their live show supporting Walrus favourites Strangers last week - they now have a lot more to offer. Two songs caught my attention from their set: first, the sheer infectious energy of these masked creatures on stage when banging out the percussion for Ruza - it reminded me a little of parts of the Clock Opera [...]
There has been a bit of a flurry of female solo talents this year from Lianne La Havas to Laura Mvula to Eddi Front , and now on the folkier side we have Jade Hopcroft . She's been playing shows with Walrus-supported artists Matt Corby, Rachel Sermanni and Luke Sital-Singh so it was about time we featured her on these pages, and with her debut single Saint coming out next week on Laissez Faire Club now would be the right time. Saint is rich, delicate and soothing leading into a [...]
Hot on the heels of winning the much deserved Mercury Music Prize just a couple of weeks ago, Walrus favourites Alt-J are back with new material for upcoming movie Silver Linings Playbook in the form of Buffalo . It's slow, soft and delicate with Vermont based folk group, Mountain Man, helping out with some backing vocals, but accentuated with Alt-J's staccato rhythm section and groove. Alt-J - Buffalo was originally published on The Blue Walrus .
Folk rock quartet Hot Feet are in a very good position to launch their debut EP this month. The Wood House EP was produced by long-time Laura Marling sideman Pete Roe, and it comes just ahead of Hot Feet's UK tour alongside Emily and the Woods, Sam Brookes and Pete Roe himself. Combined with attention from Communion Records, Chess Club and Lucy Rose who are all among this young band's fans, it's a wonder most of us haven't already heard of them. It seems like we soon will. The music goes from the quietness and delicacy [...]
Things are looking promising for the captivating young London based singer songwriter Luke Sital-Singh following the release of his debut EP ‘Fail For You’ earlier this year. The four track EP has garnered much critical acclaim, caught the attention of BBC introducing and is ever present on the blogosphere. Singh has also been making waves on the live circuit having supported the likes of Fossil Collective and The Staves, and heads off on his first ever UK headline tour next month. It is simplicity that defines the talented songsmith and gives his music a rare sense [...]
Halloween may have been and gone but we have a track that is sure to give you goosebumps and chills down your spine. Gray Things , spelled with a “a” not an “e“, is the solo efforts of Mississippi based producer and music experimentalist Thomas Cooper. Gray Things are one part of the Mississippi based Cats Purring arts and music collective that also happens to include Dent May, Illls and one of my favourite bands Bass Drum Of Death, so I can ensure this are band are in good company. Coming just off the back [...]
Halloween may have been and gone but we have a track that is sure to give you goosebumps and chills down your spine. Gray Things , spelled with a “a” not an “e“, is the solo efforts of Mississippi based producer and music experimentalist Thomas Cooper. Gray Things are one part of the Mississippi based Cats Purring arts and music collective that also happens to include Dent May, Illls and one of my favourite bands Bass Drum Of Death, so I can ensure this are band are in good company. Coming just off the back [...]
"Hope you guys like saxophone as much as your logo would suggest, because my new one has a bunch of it" That's pretty much it in the message from Brooklyn's Big Voyage, but yes, I do very much like saxophones, and the solo at the end is exactly why. That all the percussion elements besides the kick are actually clapped sax keys filtered beyond recognition as well is a bonus though. Beyond the sax, Big Voyage is all about the soft, subtle R&B production, contorted vocal samples, and all laid across quite the groove. [...]
The Blue Walrus
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Escucha el ruidoso regreso de M.I.A.
White Lies Stream Track From New Album
