The Great Wilderness #3 - Hexagon

Facebook / thegreatwildernessband.com

I'm a little late to this, hardly a surprise there. Costa Rica's The Great Wilderness released their latest single "Hexagon" earlier this month, the second track taken from their forthcoming debut LP and is currently available as a free download via Bandcamp. The album is said to follow on November 15th and is definitely one to look out for as this and earlier single, the title-track "In The Hour Of The Wolf" testify.

"Hexagon" starts as it means to continue with ominous percussion and swirling guitar echoes creating a compelling tapestry of the darkened world that's perfectly in keeping with today's date - Hallow's Eve - slowly and surely it builds in intensity around grizzly vocals and tour de force riffs to commanding peaks which shiver with mysterious power. That's what you call a statement of intent - I'm off to hide under my bed.

Warpaint #8 - Love Is To Die

Facebook / warpaintwarpaint.com

It seems like we've been waiting a long time for this one. New Warpaint. The last couple of years I've only featured the quartet to say 'go and see them here' or 'it was great'. Now finally, they are back, following 2010's The Fool with a new track "Love Is To Die", shared whilst I was up in North Wales for a wet and windy half-term break. I'm instantly propelled to join the masses writing about it...

It's the first track taken from their forthcoming second record, imaginatively titled Warpaint and it ties everything people have grown to love about the band with glimpses of a more electronic sound highlighted at a recent show at the End of the Road Festival (I'm also seeing the girls tonight in Brixton with Pins supporting - whooop!).

"Love Is To Die" entwines a misty, slowly built melody of glacial guitars, hypnotic bass and enthralling beats with Theresa's lead vocals and typically glorious backing harmonies. Swirling and drifting around the repeated chorus of "Love is to die, love is not to die, love is dance" it slowly but surely pulls you in with a subtle, mysterious charm and commands you to press repeat. I'm not the only one with extremely high hopes for the album and this is just the start needed to hit them.

Warpaint is released on Janaury 20th 2014 and if you order the double LP quickly it comes with a free signed poster - full details.

Basia Bulat #2 - It Can't Be You / Wires

Facebook

I didn't take French at school past GSCE (I did Spanish) so apart from the 'Bonjour' and the introductory 'Je m'appelle...' part I haven't the faintest idea what Basia Bulat is saying in the interview that accompanies (and in places overlaps with, much to my annoyance) an absolutely exquisite live version of one of my favourite tracks from her recent album Tall Tall Shadow "It Can't Be You".

It proves you don't need to be fancy to mesmerise, there's little here apart from a lovely Basia's beautiful, heart-stirring voice and intricate ukulele patterns and I'm left with goosebumps. I've also included an equally memorable session for La Blogotheque, which features two more tracks from the album "City With No Rivers" and "Wires", the latter is to be Basia's next single, here its delicate and stripped back and you can feel the intimacy and emotion within the track. Such a gorgeous video which makes me glad to be such a lover of music.

The album version of "Wires" bristles with life and a rich, rousing melody, where guitar, organ and an instrument I couldn't possibly name propel the track with a sense of freedom and fun - it's great to see musicians with a smile on their face and I think Basia has one on just about every video of hers I've seen - you can sense that enjoyment throughout here. I'll do my 25 favourite albums of the year posts some time in early December as per usual - I've not really thought too much about it yet - but saying that, here's an album obviously on the shortlist.

I missed Basia's gig in London last week - I hope she returns soon - I promise I won't make the same mistake again!

Hella Better Dancer #5 - Sleeptalking

Facebook / Soundcloud

Writing this blog has led to some great life rewards for me over the years, promoting gigs with acts that I've written about and releasing records likewise with my little label Beautiful Strange. Today sees a new chapter written...

Hella Better Dancer were featured here first back in May 2011 before I'd seen the London quartet play live or had ever spoken to them, simply one of the organic finds that make writing a music blog so rewarding for a music addict like myself. Since, I've seen HBD play on a good few occasions, the band played at the first ever gig I promoted (and then returned for another gig), I bumped into Tilly and Soph about 20 times during this years Great Escape festival and now, the band are releasing their new, incredible, single "Sleeptalking" through my little label of love.

I'm not down with self-promotion too much, check out the archive of my HBD posts for the praise I gave the band before I had a vested interest to see I really bloody dig this band but I'm not lying when I say that Sleeptalking is their best release yet. Listen to that bass-line and the guitar riffs and the beats and the harmonies - yes - it is bloody great.

The track comes out digitally today (grab it via soundcloud below) and on a super limited vinyl release (of just 100 copies) on November 11th. Each copy comes with a risograph print of the lyrics and stickers of the artwork too. The flip side is a super sweet acoustic take of "Sleep".

If you'd like to (self promotion alert) you can pre-order one from the Beautiful Strange Bandcamp or the band too.

Tina Refsnes #2 - Alaska

Facebook

I first posted about Oslo based singer-songwriter Tina Refsnes back in May with her debut single "A Million Things". She returns with this absolutely beautiful new track called "Alaska" that will have you holding back the tears.

A simple, mournful lament accompanied by a live acoustic video that will bring out all manner of heartfelt emotion over its course. It sounds as human as any track I've heard in recent time as it aches and soothes with a pure, longing quality. The sort of track you'll be playing on repeat all afternoon whilst drinking a warming drink and reflecting on whatever it maybe.

I've also included a live version of the aforementioned "A Million Things" below, played by a river with nothing more than a lone acoustic, Tina's voice and the perfect backdrop for company. Her natural voice floats with loveliest, haunting sound and is just gorgeous. You can thank me (and Tina of course) for making your Sunday all the better after.

Natasha Miren - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

My inbox has produced some gems this week and here's another, Natasha Miren, a London based singer songwriter who has just put two cracking tracks onto her Soundcloud. These are the first tracks from this solo incarnation but a quick Google search finds Natasha's previous project Erin K & Tash received such glowing endorsements as Guardian's 'new band of the day', I can definitely say I'm liking this new style more...

"Scarlet" immediately perked up my interest (as it should do yours too), a fresh guitar led pop beauty which shimmers around upbeat textures propelled by some lovely percussion with Natasha's glorious voice resonating above it all, soft and delicious, it can no nothing but make your day that little bit brighter. That's part of the reason that music is here after-all.

The other track available is "Overdose", a darker, more brooding track which starts with intricate guitar patterns soon hushed in the background with Natasha's devastating vocal delivery pushed firmly to the front of the mix. Soon piano, subtle beats and strings join in and the track becomes even more beautiful, reflective and intimate. The email promises 'there'll be lots more to come' - I can't wait.

Eline Thorp - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / elinethorp.no

Let it be said that I'm a sucker for a soft, romantic vocal that can wrap around you and find feelings long forgotten, Eline Thorp has a voice that can do just that and displays it to perfection on her debut track "The Game".

Released this week via Beyond Records ahead of an LP early next year, this slow burning gem is the sort of luxurious pop beauty which should be receiving airplay on radio stations all around the world instead of talent less manufactured "artists" which dominate such (places like Amazing Radio aside of course). Nestled around this gorgeous twinkling melody and an ambient, slightly moody synth backdrop, Eline's vocal is simply to-die-for.

The track is available on iTunes now - here's hoping the rest of the LP is as heavenly.

Marika Hackman #3 - Cinnamon

Facebook

If you follow me on Twitter you'll know I've been suffering with man-flu this week. Tonight (Thursday when I write this - and the rest of the weekend's blogs - I'm actually in Wales until Tuesday) I hit my inbox for the first time in a few days and waded through some submissions before hitting this gem, a track which is exactly what I needed...

Instantly making the hairs on your arms stand on end is "Cinnamon" by Brighton's Marika Hackman, the first track taken from her forthcoming EP Sugar Blind out 9th December. The track itself is a sparse acoustic led beauty which resonates around Marika's haunting, restrained tones and sombre percussion, together they carry you to a darkly lit atmospheric world that you don't want to leave.

The EP is available to pre-order via iTunes now - there's a cover of Joanna Newsom's "81" on there - intriguing!

Nova Heart - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / nova-heart.com

China, the most populated country in the world and yet Faye Wong aside (thanks to her role in one of my all-time favourite movies 2046) I don't think I could name a Chinese pop star / band. That's about to change with Nova Heart, a Beijing quartet who seemingly (after a browse of their Facebook) have travelled around Europe and played various gigs over the past couple of years. "My Song 9" is the track which found its way into my inbox (via an Australian PR company) and I like it, I like it a lot.

There's this menacing synthetic heart-beat to the track that repeats around a dark and moody bass hook that sounds like it was made for German techno clubs but the track soon becomes an Italo-disco stomp with Helen Feng's ethereal vocals floating amongst pulsating rhythms, it's made for an early-early morning dance around a room lit only my a mirrorball (perhaps Hoxton Bar & Kitchen - if you've been there I'm sure you know what I mean!). I could easily insert the 'Drive' soundtrack line here too...

The track is taken from an EP entitled Beautiful Boys which was released back in April 2012 according to the quartet's Bandcamp page (where you can download it). The other tracks are equally impressive, "Good Ideas" has this gorgeous glittering introduction and is a perfect retro-electro disco track with "Beautiful Boys" taking it one step further with whispered backing vocals added to the cooly, sweet pop melodies. An EP that oozes seduction with stylish, funky and fun tracks - I'm down with that.

The Fauns #2 - Seven Hours

Facebook

When I did my first post on Bristol's The Fauns' almost a year ago now I started it with the following: 'here's a little prelude to a band I'm expecting to be covering plenty of times in 2013'. It hasn't quite worked out like that, in fact this is the first time I've done so. There reason is simple, until the other day we'd not actually heard anything from the band.

The follow-up to 2009's self-titled debut has now finally been announced, Lights is released December 2nd via Invada Records and we've been treated to a track from it in the form of "Seven Hours" - it's quite simply a stunner.

A modern adaptation of classic shoegaze sounds and ambient dream-scapes, the track makes you feel as if you are drifting in and out of consciousness around a layered, fuzzy haze of fizzing guitar and hypnotic, shimmering drones set off perfectly by Alison's lullaby soft vocals. It climbs slowly to these spectacular soaring peaks of punctured beats and howling guitar, it's these swatches of instrumental noise really set "Seven Hours" apart and make my earlier comments ring true, just belatedly, an album to be excited about, of that there is no doubt.


The Fauns - Seven Hours from Mintonfilm on Vimeo.

Mt. Wolf #3 - Midnight Shallows

Facebook / mtwolf.co.uk

I can't quite believe its already been over five months since The Great Escape, time flies and now we find ourselves starring 'list season' (December you may call it) well and truly in the face (well give it another month and a half for me).

I make the reference because it was May which last saw me catch up with Mt. Wolf and since the London quartet have gone from strength to strength with their phenomenal debut EP Life Sized Ghosts and subsequent release Hypolight, catapulting them to the attention of many and saw them recently play a sell out date at Union Chapel. In fact the band cropped up on my non-musical friends Facebook timeline after one of them was blown away by a recent support show with Ghostpoet.

The band return with another stunner "Midnight Shallows", available now via iTunes ahead of their biggest gig to date at Heaven on the 12th November. The track encompasses everything about Mt. Wolf thus far, a sound sure to send shivers and tears in equal measure, with vocals full of heart-wrenching emotion delivered by Kate Sproule's haunting vocals backed up by ambient, glacial soundscapes that soar and glide in perfect unison. It's a formula that can't fail to win.

Summer Camp #8 - Two Chords

Facebook / wearesummercamp.com

I'm feeling increasingly poorly today, fingers crossed a dose of the dreaded man-flu is not around the corner. I blame running twelve miles in rain - something that can never be considered a clever idea.

What better then, than a track by the (seemingly) always happy Summer Camp to brighten my mood (although it does come backed with a video which sees the end of the world delivered by two bickering newsreaders - thankfully it's more amusing than life threatening and even comes with an (almost) happy ending)...

It's a real cracker of a track too - the London based duo's latest single "Two Chords", one of the highlights from their self-titled second LP (released last month via Moshi Moshi with the single following on November 18th). It's the most expansive and lengthy track from Summer Camp to date and is guaranteed to immediately hook you in with a jaunty, addictive melody propelled by precise beats and shimmering keys which are illuminated by Elizabeth's ever sweet vocals. It also features some of their most endearing, intimate lyrics too and the result is sure nothing short of gorgeous.

Summer Camp head off on an extensive European tour next month and you can find a date near you here.

P.R.I.N.T.S - New Music "Introducing"

thisisprints.bandcamp.com

I found P.R.I.N.T.S. via Tashaki Miyaki who shared this, the debut track of the their Los Angeles buddy / side-project? on their soundcloud late last week - the track is called "Work This Out" and fans of the the former's languid, hazy dreamscapes are going to just love this....

The track purrs with nostalgic, wistful mood combining honey-sweet vocals with soft, psychedelic shimmers and infinitely seductive instrumentation - it's the perfect weekend chill-out song (I write this on late, late Sunday night) and perhaps it'll sound just as good on a Monday lunch-time too.

You can download "Work This Out" via Bandcamp now.

Tasseomancy #4 - Braid. Wind Is Coming

Facebook

It's been over two years since we last heard from Tasseomancy, long enough for me to wonder if they were to return. Especially given Sari and Romy Lightman's increasing role within Austra, with the latter in-between album tours for their most recent release Olympia what better time to seemingly resurrect their own collaboration...

"Braid. Wind Is Coming" is the first song taken from a forthcoming five track cassette and is available to download via Bandcamp ;now - I'm not sure if the tape will follow online or not but it is promised in time for a couple of London shows (including one at The Waiting Room on November 19th - details) with the band looking as far ahead as a third album promised for winter 2014.

The sisters' time within Austra has rubbed off somewhat as this new track is easily the most expansive, electronic they've produced to date, expanded to a quartet according to a write up on their Soundcloud, there are prevalent (if subtle) beats and a bubbling synth line throughout which adds an extra dimension to Tasseomancy's typically ethereal, graceful vocals. "Braid. Wind Is Coming" sees quite the departure from the delicate, acoustic plucks of their debut's 'ghost-folk' and I'm intrigued to hear where they go next...

Blessa #5 - Bloom

Facebook

I keep writing about Blessa with good reason, every track the Sheffield back have released thus far has been an impeccable slice of hazy pop dreams, the flip side to their debut release "Between Times" (released 11th November via No Self Records - order a copy now) is no exception.

"Bloom" does just that, kaleidoscopic guitarscapes swirl and swoon amongst Olivia's sweetly cooed vocals, the result is a glowing melody that leaves you longing for much, much more. Words, I again, keep finding myself using when talking about this band.

Blessa launch the single with shows in Leeds on October 8th and London on November 12th - details. Listen to their previous tracks with a trip through my previous posts here.

Veronica Falls #11 - Nobody There

Facebook

Hi Veronica Falls, you really do like to continually spoil us. Seemingly not content with an early year highlight with their second LP Waiting For Something To Happen, a glorious release full of beautifully melodic boy-girl harmonies, precise rhythms and blissed-out guitars, the quartet are back with a (currently) stand-alone stream of new track "Nobody There".

The track sticks close to the bands tried and trusted formula of  purposefully paced jangle-pop, a sound which has soon seen the quartet become one of the flag-bearers of this generation's indie pop brand. "Nobody There" bounces with sweetly sung verses and infectious choruses likely to be stuck in your heard all evening long. Even if I don't recommend you go around singing "hey, can you hear me" and "there's no use shouting, there's nobody there" too loudly in public, here's a song sure to brighten your day...

Veronica Falls play London's The Dome alongside Bleached next Wednesday - tickets.

Wyldeck - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / wyldeck.com

London's Wyldeck are here to take on TOY in that ever increasingly important category 'band with the longest hair'.Appalling attempt at humour aside the quartet have announced their intent with their debut track "Wolves", taken I assume from a four track EP that I can't find any release information about (but has all four track streaming on soundcloud)...

"Wolves" instantly captivates with the haunting harmonies of vocalist and lead guitarist Cece Wyldeck at the fore before building with mystical, progressive intent around sweeping guitars and rattling percussion. A darkly atmospheric folk beauty full of intrigue and hypnotic rhythms that combines the ethereal, rhythmic patterns of a Bat for Lashes with the Americana sounds of Widowspeak - something I cannot help but fall for.

"Smoke" highlights a softer, more intimate sound where delicate acoustic circles help bring out the real beauty within Cece's vocals and lyrics. If you want to see how this magic transforms to the live stage, you are in luck - the band play London's Sebright Arms on November 8th - details.

Shady Elders - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

I think easily the most over used words on this blog are "beautiful", "dreamy", "shimmering" and guess what, here I am again introducing a band that are exactly that. Shady Elders are a quartet from Denver, Colorado whom released their debut EP No Favors back in April but came to my attention last week with a recently released video to its closing track "Summer Song" (which I timely discover just as Summer has firmly disappeared from the UK)....

The EP entwines a few different styles and genres together throughout five perfectly paced tracks, starting with the EP's opening track "In The Waves" which opens with an elongated instrumental of widescreen, cinematic soundscapes before soft, boy/girl vocals warm and intoxicate whilst "Schoolmate" is all syrupy doo-wop harmonies that recall days gone by amongst luxurious melody and Fox Rodemich's gorgeous vocals and then there's "Summer Song", a languid, hazy gem which creeps up on you with its brooding, faraway jangle. Combined it results in a beautiful debut full of fizzing, reverb echoes and nostalgic tales of love lost and won, you can't ask for much more than that.

You can download No Favors on a pay-what-you-like basis from Bandcamp now.

Trick Mammoth #2 - Delphine (With A Purpose)

Facebook

A quick follow up for New Zealand trio Trick Mammoth whom I featured just a couple of weeks back with a set of demos highlighting a perfectly nostalgic fuzz-pop sound, they return with the first track taken from their debut album Floristry, lined-up for release in late November via Fishrider Records (NZ) and in the UK via Occultation next February.

The track "Delphine (With A Purpose)" instantly sounds crisper and more polished than those demos (as I suppose it should), gone is the lo-fi bedroom recording approach and instead there's a radiant melody that instantly shines full of atypical indie-pop sheen with rat-a-tat beats and jangle guitars leading the beautifully sweet vocals of Millie Lovelock's to swoonsome results. "Dephine" is definitely a glass is half full track - I like that.

An upgraded version of "Pinker Sea" is also included, super glossy and clean it still smolders with wistful gorgeousness. You can download the single now via Bandcamp. - that should tide you over until the full release...

TOY #3 - Join The Dots

Facebook / toy-band.com

One of the finest albums of 2012 in my humble opinion was last year's self-titled debut by London psyche-gazers TOY (indeed, I named it number four in my 'favourite albums of 2012' posts). Today's best news comes in the form that the London based quintet have wasted no time at all announcing the follow up to it, entitled Join The Dots it is dated for release on December 9th (a funny time to release an album perhaps, surely too late to feature in most 'critics' best of lists).

The title track has been available to stream and fans of that debut will likewise be salivating all down their tops, "Join The Dots" is instantly every bit as good as what came beforehand, epic sized in terms of length and scope (at some eight minutes in length) and full of the same type of brooding intensity too; throbbing bass, rumbling rhythms and shimmering guitarscapes all intertwine together here to devastating effect. As ever with a TOY track there are these monumental sized instrumental sections which kick on just as you think they are coming to a close and create these dark, widescreen pieces of nervy, claustrophobic perfection. In a word - awesome.

You can pre-order Join The Dots via Heavenly Recordings now - The band play at The Garage tomorrow with a Shepherd's Bush show for April 26th next year on sale later this week.

Parlour #2 - Devil's Eyes

Facebook / parlourmusik.com

Since my "Introducing" post on Parlour with the exquisite "My Love", Angela Won-Yin Mak has slowly but surely been putting together a band and playing live shows around London town, now just over a year later the new Parlour, a quintet, have shared the first results of their labour "Devil's Eyes"...

The track starts with a similar sense of dreamy, fuzzy goodness as "My Love" with psyche guitars soaked heavily in reverb layered over Angela's soft, hazy vocals which float around in atmospheric bliss. The melody soon propels into life with a intoxicating burst of swirling, fizzing pop drones and hard-driving rhythm before returning to the swooning, hypnotic mist that introduced the track - again - such beautiful, beautiful noise.

Parlour have a few shows coming up, next up a single launch for "Devil's Eyes" at The Waiting Room on November 14th (details) which I cannot make but one I can, supporting Big Deal on November 27th.

Folding Legs - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / foldinglegsmusic.com

Brooklyn quartet Folding Legs cropped up in my inbox earlier this week with a really bloody creepy video to their track "Double Time". Taken from their debut EP Drown in Light, released this week via KID Recordings it features a child's totem head with big, big eyes whose slow motion blinks pierce right through you and then slowly pans out to its mouth which is just as damn creepy!

The track itself though is wonderful so make sure you don't let it pass you by, a gorgeous, melodic piano led beauty with rich vocals and luxurious, cinematic instrumentation full of expression and intimacy.

Elsewhere the release showcases a diverse range of musicianship, where lead track "This Glass House" is direct with fuzzed out pop melodies and big beats full of spirit, closing track "Spring on 93rd St" is a devastating lament which really showcases the beauty of Katharina Stenbeck's crystalline vocals backed by little more pared down acoustic and sparkling glockenspiel. Overall, a very pleasing debut indeed.

Strangefruit - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / strangefruituk.com

Strangefruit are a band I've had saved in my inbox for a few months now, waiting for a time when I could write a blog to do them justice rather than a rushed attempt at one, spare time however is one thing I've not been blessed with recently and instead I've decided that this gushing praise-boat will have to do!

The track that drew me in to the London band was the spellbinding "Ghosts". It instantly captivates with a haunting Portishead like introduction, trippy and restrained with slow motion drums and spidery guitars seducing around Jenny Maxwell's mesmerising vocals before it suddenly explodes with soaring twists of psyche atmosphere, full of darkly noir soundscapes that are both touchingly beautiful and hypnotically dramatic at the same time.

Equally stunning is "Sea of Fog" which combines those gothic tinges with both Americana and Spanish guitar rhythms, weaving a luxurious web of sultry, shiver-inducing vocals around a progressively powerful melody, building to a climatic finale of heavy rock guitars as Jenny duet's with herself until the lamenting cries of "It's hard to suffer and remain the same" bring the track to a devastating close.

Both tracks are taken from the bands debut EP Between The Earth and Sea available now from iTunes (and probably other digital retailers).

Boardwalk #4 - Crying

Facebook

Here I am back after no time at all featuring LA duo Boardwalk again and if you take a quick listen to "Crying" below you'll quickly see why I've fallen smitten with them in no time at all. Three tracks have now been shared from next week's self-titled debut LP and all three are utterly wonderful...

After "I'm To Blame" and "High Water" introduced some hazy, languid soundscapes full of slow-motion guitars, sparkling electronics and beautiful vocals here's "Crying" to move the band in a slightly different direction. There are less Beach House comparisons here for sure, instead there's this Still Corners esque mood with a creeping, darkly sweet melody of spidery guitar and a gentle pitter-patter of beats wrapped up like a warming winter blanket around Amber Quintero's intoxicating vocals.

Seductive, gorgeous and completely bloody irresistible, Boardwalk can only be described as a must buy LP - thankfully for those of you who agree, the album is available next week on digital/cd/lp via Stones Throw.

Mistake Pageant - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

Mistake Pageant are a Glasgow based duo who've released a couple of tracks thus far (available via Bandcamp for free) in year long life span, aptly describing themselves as 'Two People Making A Lot Of Noise' both tracks sound as raw and intense as anything from the Blood Red Shoes debut and that's got to be a good thing for fans of abrasive punk-pop...

"You Think Your're Cooler" provides a timely kick in the face with catapult drums propelling the tracks blistering melody amongst Karlyn's bittersweet vocals swarming around jagged guitar riffs - there's no unnecessary padding here, just and exhilarating dose of energy and enthusiasm.

"Please Don't Think" slows things down with languid shimmers building to a powerhouse chorus with catchy lyrics and a moody, fiery edge - two tracks combining a raw, DIY ethic of old-school noise-pop and you can't help but think that this is a band with much more yet to be revealed.

Novella #4 - Follow

Facebook / novellaband.com

Running a new music blog that prefers to praise ahead of grumble (the opposite of reality!) means I'm often declaring many different acts as my new favourite thing, in reality there's probably not more than a couple of handful of bands that I can attentively follow to devote levels, one of those bands is most definitely Novella...

I've been hooked on them since their debut songs "The Things You Do" and "Oh Brian" over two years ago now and soon rushed out to see the London quartet (I think Iain on drums has been officially added to the bands ranks). I remember them opening at Corcisa Studios and soon after they were supporting Dum Dum Girls and Veronica Falls amongst others. The buzz was apparent and fulfilled by 2012's debut EP and subsequent single "Mary's Gun", the former appearing  at number eight in my releases of 2012 list, a 'sumptuous cocktail of sugary vocals buried in a sea of hazy, grungy guitars and battering drum beats'. Novella have also appeared on my 'ones to watch' posts for the past two years - I'd call that almost stalking!

Recently news and shows have been sparser as the band have been tucked away working on their debut full length, I missed a recent show at The Lexington but earlier caught the band at a blistering show at Scala and now we've been treated to the first signs of the recordings with new track (although one which has featured in the bands live set for a while now) "Follow". Taken from a four track EP Murmurs, an aperitif for a full length next year, and released on cassette next week, Monday 14th October via Italian Beach Babes with a special free show at the Shacklewell Arms this Friday to launch it - details.

The tracks long winding intro hints at what is to come, a raw, sprawling blend of gazing pysche-guitars with repetitive rhythms infecting your head before finally, just after the two minute mark Hollie's typically luscious vocals enter, floating nonchalantly with a dreamy hush adding an additional layer of hypnotic beauty to this spacey, exhilarating track.

Blessa #4 - Between Times

Facebook

After a series of fantastic souncloud tracks (such as "Pale" or "Unfurl" both featured here previously) Sheffield quintet Blessa have announced the release of their official debut single "Between Times", due 11th November via new indie label No Self and available to pre order now.

The track is the perfect extension of the shimmering indie soundscapes previously introduced. Awash with warming, echoing reverb and precise beats is the sort of hazy, romantic melody that brings all sorts of swooning memories back, set amongst Olivia Neller's irresistible vocals "Between Times" soon becomes this expansive, soaring beauty that commands instant repeated attention and with it Blessa confirm themselves as one of the most exciting new bands in the UK.

Tashaki Miyaki #7 - I Can't Stand The Rain

Facebook

I've featured the ongoing covers series of tracks by the marvelous Tashaki Miyaki on this blog a few times now (here or here for starters). After a little break the LA based trio return with another, an exquisitely delivered tribute to Ann Pebble's "I Can't Stand The Rain", transformed from a 70's velvet smooth soul number to a hazy, dream-gaze beauty with big languid guitars and syrupy harmonies enough to make you all weak at the knees.

Looking at the bands Facebook page prior to this post I  discovered an equally wonderful live session for Blip TV with delicious versions of "Somethin is Better Than Nothin" and "Keep Me In Mind" that you should definitely check out too. The interview in the middle states their debut full-length is almost done - that's news to my ears indeed and if it all takes your fancy too, like it should, head to their Bandcamp for more.

Basia Bulat - Tall Tall Shadow

Facebook / basiabulat.com/

Far, far too slow on this one but here's a quick post to hopefully catch a few of you who have likewise missed its release, amongst the whole Haim vs Justin Timberlake 'top of the charts battle', the Miley Cryus vs Sinead O'Connor 'arguement' and the greatly written / terribly sad it needs to be article about the abuse female musicians receive by Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry, the music world continues as normal and one such release out this week is the third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Basia Bulat entitled Tall Tall Shadow.

I'm going to focus on the two tracks that have supported the release, the title track and "It Can't Be You", both included below. "Tall Tall Shadow" is the ideal lead track and introduction to the album, with a transcendent melody that builds and sparkles with an uplifting spirit and beauty, full of strength and charm building to an almost perfect power pop track.

Elsewhere the release is more melancholic and affecting, as shown on the devastating "It Can't Be You", highlighting Basia's extraordinary tone and voice amongst sparser, delightfully picked arrangements. Two sides to an artist I really should have discovered sooner and both magnificent.

Tall Tall Shadow was released by Secret City this week and is available on CD/LP and the usual - order here. Basia plays London's The Islington on October 23rd.

September Girls #8 - Heartbeats

Facebook / septembergirls.tumblr.com

Following swiftly from an almost instantly sold-out cassette release September Girls return with new track "Heartbeats", their first single via Fortuna POP! whom will release the girls debut full-length in January next year.

"Heartbeats" is everything we've all come to love about the Dublin quintet all wrapped up within under three minutes, gorgeously ethereal, distorted harmonies entwined amongst fuzzy, reverb-heavy guitar jangles and rumbling rhythms combined with ominously dark undertones and infectious lyrics about unrequited love - perfect.

September Girls are back in the UK in a couple of weeks time including a London show at The Waiting Room on the 18th (details) and "Heartbeats" is released November 4th on Sea Foam Green vinyl (me neither - I guess it's a type of green!) - pre-order here.

Tennis #6 - Mean Streets

Facebook / tennis-music.com

The last time I featured Tennis (here) I did a long, waffling post about the fickleties of music blogs and events like Record Store Days. Fear not, they'll be none of that today, just a post on their luscious return "Mean Streets". The first track taken from the duo's forthcoming EP Small Sounds (which is released November 5th and available via the bands website) - US folk can see the band on a supporting tour too.

The track sounds like Tennis because of Alaina's distinctive vocals, as swoon-some and beautiful as ever floating amongst the soft, slow motion melody that accompanies them, a delicious combination of echoey guitars, pared-down beats and bubbling piano. "Mean Streets" however also manages to sound more purposeful at the same time, moving on from Cape Dory's infinity loveable themes with a wide-ranging, emotive palette - it promises much more from a band I already admire greatly.

Widowspeak #7 - Calico

Facebook

Widowspeak never fail to press the right buttons with me and latest single "Calico" keeps that history right on track the instant I press play with a typically (for the band) swoonsome, nostalgic mood sweeping through as pitter-patter drums and shimmering guitars create a slowed-down waltz for Molly Hamilton's ethereal goodness vocals to shine. "Calico" is dreamy, hypnotic and transports you to somewhere infidelity more beautiful than reality.

I've previously posted about "True Believer" but I've included the track again, here recorded as a live version from a recently recorded event for the ever exquisite Wild Honey Pie, recorded on a boat with a backdrop as idyllic and beautiful as the sounds the Brooklyn based band produce - simply sublime.

Both tracks are taken from Widowspeak's forthcoming EP The Swamps, released 28/29th October via Captured Tracks.

The Witch Hunt #2 - Army Man

Facebook / wearewitchhunt.com

Leeds duo The Witch Hunt return with their most striking track yet "Army Man", the lead track from their debut EP release Little Book of Hate due on limited edition (of 300) 10" vinyl perfectly in time for Hallows' Eve.

It shows a massive progression from the duo's early singles, where "Creep" was stark and haunting, "Army Man" is all brooding, commanding intensity.

It captivates from the get-go with ominously dark beats and crunching riffs shrouding a veil of thick, atmospheric gloom around the track. The mood is complemented perfectly by Louisa Osborn's incredibly controlled vocals, soaring above with a dramatic, impenetrable wall of intent. All spine-tingly sinister and brilliance - you might want to pre-order the EP quick (which you can via Bandcamp).

Witch Hunt launch the release with a show at London's The Sebright Arms on October 28th - details.

Dark Moon - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / thisdarkmoon.com

A trip into the archives of my draft folder to start the new month, London based trio Dark Moon appear to have been around for quite some time now but only appear (well I could only find) to have just the one track online, "Dusty Dreams",  a track released right at the start of the year.

Their description on Facebook is pretty accurate when it comes to describe the track, heavy psychedelia is definitely on the money. "Dusty Dream" sounds both hypnotic and ominous, brimming with tension as propulsive rhythms and meaty guitar riffs create a thick, swirling tapestry for Lola Ulalume's seductive vocals to instantly creep up on you, theatrical, flamboyant and brilliant. Let's hope there's more where that came from soon.