Rachel Thomasin - New Music "Introducing"

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The Gravitate EP is Rachel Thomasin's third release in a little over twelve months but serves as my introduction after coming across the Boston based singer-songwriter on Twitter of all places, it is her most recent release that I shall focus on today, a seven track mini-album that blends a beautiful, ethereal voice, soft guitar plucks and minimalist electronics to exquisite results.

The title-track reminds me of breathier Katie Stelmanis, a sparse mix of acoustic and icy synths introducing a slow burn mystique which pulls you in to it. There is a gentle and soothing dynamic that runs throughout the release, "Constellate" and "Raven Hymn" both full of creeping guitar and delicate percussion, combining a slightly eerie melody with Rachel's soft whispers with evocative simplicity.

My favourite could perhaps be "Something Is", an utterly entrancing and beautiful listen which immerses you in a frosty, tender world full of haunting chorus and dreamy bliss while closing track "Valerio" strips everything down to an finger-plucked intimacy that that perfectly compliements the frosty days ahead. The EP can be downloaded on a pay-what-you-like basis via Bandcamp, an offer you'd be silly to refuse.

Sea of Love #2 - Tired

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At the turn of the year I posted an Introducing blog on Marie-Sophie Kanske's Sea of Love, a Dresden, Germany based singer-songwriter whom released a debut EP entitled So Loud that crossed the intimate, lovelorn mystique of Lykke Li with dark, brooding soundscapes akin to early Daughter material.

She returns with her second EP Tired (released tomorrow and available to order now via Sea of Love's Bandcamp page), with two preview tracks treading a similar path of hushed, reflective beauty. The minimalist "About" enchants, weaving a haunted web of intoxicating beauty with plaintive guitar loops and tender vocals serenading for listener into a melancholic state of dream-like bliss.

The title track "Tired" starts off similarly with stark, finger-plucked acoustic guitar and softening ambient twinkles accompanying Marie-Sophie's unique, otherworldly vocals until half way through there's a shift in sound when pounding tom beats create a darker mood in which haunting harmonies are effortlessly entwined.

If you're looking for the perfect winter balladry to warm the chilly, lonesome nights ahead then Sea of Love might just be what you were after.

Rachel Sermanni #7 - Everything Changes

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The bewitching Rachel Sermanni returns with the title track from her forthcoming EP Everything Changes, a release you are able to support in the making of via a current Pledge Music campaign and is due for release on CD / 10" on January 27th if all goes well.

Musically sparse with little more than tenderly plucked acoustic guitar and the gentle twinkling of a piano "Everything Changes" captivates through Rachel's extraordinary way with words and her pure vocals. The result transfers you far away from the rush of City life to the peace and tranquility of her Scottish Highlands home, beguiling further on every listen around soothing tones and the repeated chorus of "everything changes, everything moves".

Rachel plays her biggest headline show to do date at London's Union Chapel on February 7th - details.

Majken - New Music "Introducing"

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Los Angeles based (but Copenhagen born) Majken came to my attention through the wonderful, should-be pop hit "Dreaming of Franco", the first track from her debut EP Deronda Hotel which is available digitally right now via Bandcamp.

A catchy, infectious beauty that will have you bopping your head in agreement with the rumbling, rat-a-tat beats and fuzzed up guitar rhythms, the theme is one that that stays throughout much of the release with "Fainted Love" combining a Lykke Li esque breathy vocal with jangly and vaguely psychedelic guitars that come somewhere between Widowspeak and any number of late 70's groups.

"Where it All Beings" is full of syrupy, nostalgic daydreams whilst "Madness" and "No Man's Land" both change things with a darker, languid melody all shrouded in hazy, haunting moodiness and seductive, sweetly romantic harmonies.

It's all comes together perfectly and creates a debut EP of mystical, gorgeous intent from a new name to keep more than an eye on.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor - Young Blood

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor, you probably know her, whether it be through her involvement with the massive 2000 hit by Spiller "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" or the following years electro hits "Take Me Home" and "Murder on the Dancefloor" or more recently for a different type of dancefloor as a member of this years Strictly Come Dancing (not words I expected to see on this blog).

Music though remains her bread and butter and in anticipation of her fifth album Wanderlust (due for release on 20 January and available to order via her own shop with a signed print) we've been treated to its lead single, the beautifully mood evoking "Young Blood".

Gone (for this single at least) is every ounce of bright, dancey synth-pop we've perhaps become accustomed to and in its stead we're treated to a rich, unabashed cocktail of lushness. Where smooth, timeless string led instrumentation is backed by restrained, twinkling piano for a melody that's the very definition of elegance and brings out the best in Sophie's undeniably honey-sweet vocals.

It makes me very much look forward to her show at Bush Hall on Jan 21st - I think that's sold out but another show for April at Union Chapel remains on sale - tickets.

Misty Miller #2 - Perified

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As long ago as February 2011 I did an introducing post on a young (then) folk-pop artist called Misty Miller. Since that debut album of whimsical, super-sweet ukulele driven material written whilst Misty was doing her GCSE's she's gone through a bit of re-birth with two EP releases earlier this year highlighting a maturing, dynamic growth to her sound. Girlfriend showcased a grungier, harder sound with super-charged guitar riffs and rock 'n roll attitude whilst the second Next To You a big improvement, a more restrained beauty with bluesy rhythms and soulful vocals.

"Petrified" a new demo though is better than both, a sparse, reverb-filled melody of little more than ringing guitar stirs emotions deep as Misty's heart-wrenching words of love lost and scared to reclaim are sure to connect with listeners of any age - the song written when she was just 15 and delivered with her finest, shiver-inducing vocal yet is sure to resonate with many.

Emily and the Woods #6 - Helios

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Emily and The Woods were one of my 'tips for 2013' - 2014's come next week by the way - it hasn't quite turned out to be the year that the now expanded quartet 'take the step from a favourite of those within the London folk world to a nationwide treasure' (to quote my initial posting) but that could be set to change next year as late last week Emily shared the first studio recording for some time, a track called "Helios", taken from a forthcoming self-released EP Then We Collide due January 16th.

The track molds everything those who've seen the band perform live recently have come to love, an intoxicating blend of ringing melody as smooth percussion and shimmering guitars subtly build around Emily's smoldering vocals, a calming and intricate beauty, "Helios" is the sound of a progressive band who finally look set to fulfill all their promise.

Mononoke - New Music "Introducing"

I watched My Neighbour Totoro today with my daughter, the brilliant Studio Ghibli movie provided sufficient a catalyst for me to remember to post this about Mononoke (I have no idea if the project is named after Princess Mononoke or not), a discovery made by Robin at Breaking More Waves a month or so ago whom has since caused a little stir amongst the blogging community.

There is little to go on thus far besides the the one track which made it all start "Alice", a genuine and intimate ballad that leaves you all tingly after listening (for the first of many times) with a bittersweet, restrained piano line and some subtle atmospherics providing the backdrop for Mononoke's haunting voice to devastate with such smooth, shivering beauty. I'm sure Lewis Carroll would approve. Here's to more where this came from...

Lily & Madeleine #3 - Come To Me

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In recent years a wave of family bands have come along to prove no one can quite harmonise as perfectly as kin. First Aid Kit, The Staves and now Lily & Madeleine, all sisters' blessed with pure vocals and combine them to timeless effect.

The Indianapolis duo's debut self-titled album came out at the end of last month and following from the gorgeously enchanting "Devil You Know" is the single release of "Come To Me", a track which similarly oozes in restrained beauty, heart-felt lyrics and those crystal clear voices. Simple, hauntingly good melodies and pleasurable arrangements which as one of the album's other tracks says, take you to paradise...

The album is available now via Asthmatic Kitty. A show at the lovely St Pancras Old Church has also been announced for February 13th - details.

The Majority Says - Where Is The Line

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Swedish sextet The Majority Says appear to have been around for a while now (with an EP dating back to 2011/12 available via their soundcloud) but came to my attention through the arrival of their latest track, the song I'm writing about here, landing in my inbox last week...

"Where Is The Line" is a genuinely beautiful song that burns with sentiment and leaves you with a warming sense of optimism despite it's repeated use of the words "tell me where's the end". Building from soft, fragile beginnings, the complimenting whispers of lead vocalist Hanna Antonsson and male harmonisations beguile as the track progresses with cinematic, rousing instrumentation which grows in strength to reach a wonderful climatic finale of soaring guitar and piano chords. A quite brilliant introduction here.

The track is taken from The Majority Says' forthcoming EP Between Love and Simple Friends released December 6th in Germany.

The History of Apple Pie #4 - Don't You Wanna Be Mine?

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I managed to completely miss this on release but it's great so here's a belated update for you all... The London based quintet The History of Apple Pie returned with their new single "Don't You Wanna Be Mine?" last month, the first track since their debut album Out of View, it's a banger too...

A slice (sorry) of catchy, grungy pop which sees the perfect marriage of beautiful, soft vocal harmonies, an infectious chorus and rough, rugged guitar scuzz. There's even time for a meaty solo at the end - ace.

The limited 7" is available now via Marshall Teller.

Rose Elinor Dougall #2 - Future Vanishes

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Rose Elinor Dougall follows up her absolute belter of a comeback track "Strange Warnings" with the similarly apocalyptically titled "Future Vanishes", the title from latest EP out now on limited 7" Vinyl via You Records - order via Rough Trade.

It's a real gem of a track too, a shining pop beauty full of buoyant choruses and super bright synth lines that despite the title leaves little room for miserable thoughts as Rose's delicious vocals are catapulted by some game-boy esque sounds. Infectious - consider the EP ordered.

Katey Brooks - New Music "Introducing"

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Some of you might remember that back in February I was part of a judging panel of bloggers for the Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent Competition (fingers crossed it will run, and I shall be again next year!). Of the 200 odd artists on my list, I whittled it down to a shortlist of twelve that I blogged about here.

One of the dozen was Katey Brooks of whom I said: "A jaw-dropping vocal performance around gentle acoustic plucks, "In Light of You" spends two minutes as a genuinely gorgeous melancholic lament before transforming with a breezy, airy melody that will have even the hardest of souls toe-tapping before the end". My final three for those interested were Gerard and the Watchmen, Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker and Lillian Todd Jones (whom was later selected to perform in the final).

Looking forward Katey returns to my attention with her new EP I Fought Lovers (due digitally on November 28th) with two stunning tracks shared from it below. The title-track has a similar impact to the aforementioned "In Light of You", introducing a devastating vocal talent that instantly connects with deep emotive beauty, enriched by gentle acoustic circles and songs full of love, regret and passion. While the similarly goose-bump inducing "State of Mine" subtly builds from haunting beginnings with choral backing harmonies and restrained percussion to perfectly compliment the intimacy of Katey's powerful vocals.

The EP will be available via Katey's spin shop and I can't recommended it enough if you like your music to resonate deep and hit your emotions hard.

Angel Olsen - Forgiven/Forgotten

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One person I've never actually covered here that I probably should have numerous times by now (I have mentioned her in my review of End of the Road) is Angel Olsen. 

She has one of my most listened to records of 2013, her 2012 album Half Way Home and the first time I caught her live, at her spellbinding show at the aforementioned EOTR (an acoustic show played in full afternoon sunshine; the perfect setting) I was sufficiently transfixed by her sensual voice and intoxicating, intimate songcraft...

Fast forward to last week and we were treated to the first track from Angel's next LP Burn Your Fire for No Witness (due for release Feb 18th via Jagjaguwar pre-order packages). The track, "Forgiven/Forgotten" takes all that hushed, fractured beauty and turns it completely on its head. I'd definitely forgive you for not recognising it as Angel Olsen at all. It wastes no time getting inside your head with a gruff, explosive melody that is propelled by fuzzed-up guitar and a forceful kick drum beat. It will no doubt prove divisive for fans of her earlier material but is bound to open Angel up to a whole new audience and there's plenty of time in the song for her unique voice to shine too. Basically "Forgiven/Forgotten" makes the hairs on your neck stand on end with a rollicking, raw blast of intensely perfect punk-pop.

I'm also posting about Angel's last release because I'd totally missed it until I took a visit to her website and noticed a track I'd not heard of... "Sweet Dreams" was released as a stand-alone 7" in February 2013 with another track "California" (you can order the 7" via Sixteen Tambourines now), it gave an earlier indication of the progression in her sound, saturated in a swampy glue of reverb and a voice I best read described as 'liquid gold', full of emotion and power, it's a talent that should see Angel Olsen follow in the footsteps of Sharon Van Etten on the like and move from blogger favourite to becoming a genuine indie star.

Tape Waves #4 - Age of Consent (New Order Cover)

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Tapes Waves are a band I now have a working affinity with as well as a musical one after Beautiful Strange released their brilliant debut EP on cassette tape back in September (hint: there aren't too many left).

The Charleston duo return with a cover of New Order's "Age of Consent". A version that retains the hypnotic guitar riff that forms the heart-piece of the track but strips much of the pace and aggression from the track, instead Tape Waves have come up with something all the more beautiful with Kim Hart's softenings vocal coo's soon covering you in a warm, hazy after-glow. Just gorgeous.

Agnes Obel #3 - Dorian

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The UK is seemingly finally coming around to the intoxicating talent of Agnes Obel, with a stunning album Aventine recently released and a sold-out date at Union Chapel there is a return to the UK planned for Easter (including Agnes' largest UK show to date at London's Barbican on April 19th).

The tour news comes with a timely share of a new video for one the albums finest moments, "Dorian", here recorded live as with the earlier released video to "The Curse". It beguiles with seeming ease and is impeccably constructed, a pure, majestic, reflective wonder that should surely see even more fall under its spell.

Aventine is available via PIAS now - expect it to feature in my favourite albums of the year posts next month...

Wild Ones - New Music "Introducing"

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Another of those ridiculously overdue posts coming up now. Portland's Wild Ones came to my attention through their heart-melting "Golden Twin" over the summer but for some reason lost to time I never got around to posting it then and soon promptly managed to forget about all the band until I came across a new video for their track "From Nothing" the other day.

The band released their debut album Keep It Safe via Party Damage Records back in July (available on digital/vinyl via Bandcamp) and perhaps it's the sparkling indie-pop melodies or the sumptuous, butterfly-soft vocals of Danielle Sullivan but I'm instantly drawing comparisons to Leeds finest Just Handshakes. "Golden Twin" opens the album and is the perfect place to kick off this post, alive and kicking with a bright and fresh honesty which fills much of the album as stuttering electronics, sun-kissed guitars combine with those aforementioned vocals guaranteed to send hearts a flutter.

Both "From Nothing and "It's Real" are equally swoonsome as rhythmic guitars shimmer with nostalgia-inducing dreams and "Lion Heart" gives another example of the sweet and refreshing sound of the album. I don't normally quote other people here but there's a line on bandcamp by someone who has purchased the album that I think suits as the perfect summation. Every track bleeds loveliness... the vocals, the synths, the instrumentals; a lot of good going on here.

I've included a stunning live video of the title track below, stripped bare and restrained it sends shivers down your spine as twinkling piano chords become the focus of the track. Danielle's vocals remain soft whispers accompanied by a backing choir whom remain equally sedate. When guitar and a wash of electronics join in half way through the track threatens to explode but it never does, remaining the perfectly example of intimate beauty.

Dog In The Snow #4 - Africa (Live)

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We're half-way through November already and traditionally it's not going to be too long before the first 'tips for 2014' posts start cropping up, one act I'm featuring here for the fourth time this year and should definitely be on the short-list for such features is Brighton's Dog In The Snow...

"Africa" (a track I've previously covered back on my Introducing post in January) has been given a new lease in the form of a slow-burning live video recorded earlier in the year. The performance is so perfect and polished here you could easily be fooled into believing it was a studio release aside from the clapping that book-ends the track and the odd bit of feedback. The track, of course, is outstanding, combining the otherworldly essence and mystery of a Planningtorock with a melody and rhythmic groove you'd expect from Foals and then adding Helen's ethereal, softening vocals. The result is as captivating as it sounds.

Marika Hackman #4 - Itchy Teeth

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A couple of weeks ago I featured "Cinnamon", the first track from Marika Hackman's forthcoming EP Sugar Blind (out December 9th via Dirty Hit). To keep the confectionery titled-theme well and truly alive Marika has shared the second track from the release, the deceptively simple "Itchy Teeth".

The track echoes with eerie, choral instrumentation, little more than strummed guitar shimmers and atmospheric nuances, it provides a ghostly, haunted platform for Marika's softening whispers to creep up around you. Perhaps surprisingly the tempo doesn't change throughout, instead remaining sedate and increasingly atmospheric choosing to pull you in with its raw intimacy - it works to perfection.

A beautiful acoustic version of the track has also been released, it acts as a gentler, smoother accompaniment with the sinister edge changed for a lone acoustic, tugging at your heart-strings it confirms Marika as an artist to firmly keep an eye.

Lost In The Trees - Rites

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I feel like I should probably have heard of Lost In The Trees prior to the track I'm writing about today, "Rites" appearing in my inbox. The song is so astonishingly beautiful that its maker's should definitely have been known to me the sooner. In fact, it's the lead track from the Chapel Hill quartet's forthcoming third LP.

Around a sparse, delicate backdrop the track's haunting lyrics are dripping in emotion that will touch the hardest of souls. There's little more than the repeated chorus of "Are You Sitting Down" and a calming wash of classical-inflected piano and some pared-down electronica here and yet "Rites" hits as hard as any sweeping epic, the perfect exercise in restraint.

A soundcloud search discovers another new track "Lady In White" which whilst being slightly less sombre thanks to some tight rhythmic percussion and meandering piano twinkles still creeps with orchestral and delicately layered atmosphere that I keep excepting to explode but never does, instead it fills the air with a similar level of melancholic beauty that Radiohead do so well.

Their album Past Life, from which both tracks are taken is released February 18th via Anti- and is available to pre-order here.

The Jezabels #4 - The End

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I've not featured The Jezabels here for a quite some time (two years). As a sold-out show at London's Scala last night will testify, they've been doing well enough without me,gaining popularity on both sides of the Atlantic amongst already lofty heights in their native Australia. The announcement of the quartet's new album The Brink (due to be released 17th February worldwide and a little earlier back home) gives me sufficient reason to post the newly released video to recent single "The End" and break my duck.

"The End" is quite simply everything I've come to expect from The Jezabels (and I mean that in the kindest possible way). An exhilarating rush of kinetic energy propelled by blistering drums, melodic keys and guitars that combine to pack quite the punch around sweeping crescendos and the dynamite vocals of Hayley Mary. It's a voice you're probably familiar with now (if not, prepare to have your socks blown off) but my it's still capable of bringing goosebumps, in seemingly perfect control of her super-charged delivery, one moment it's all sweetly beautiful and the next soaring into a different stratosphere - 2014 has another album on the 'to buy' list already.

Chelsea Wolfe #12 - A Take Away Show

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If you've followed this blog for a while you'll probably be aware of these two things. One I absolutely bloody love Chelsea Wolfe and secondly, I think La Blogotheque and their A Take Away Shows are some of the best live sessions to grace the Internet. I've posted about them numerous here before, now here's another one, a match made in heaven I'd say...

It sees Chelsea strips back two tracks from this years full-length Pain is Beauty and comes as the perfect reminder that less can be more. These versions of "Lone" and "House of Metal" make the albums title resonate deep, bringing a tortured intimacy to "House of Metals" not there on the original, it strips all signs of the electronic energy and strings prevalent on the album version and leaves the tracks core as a wounded acoustic lament whilst the albums closing track "Lone" is similarly drowned in emotion, as spine-tingling moment as heard this year, nothing more than a sole acoustic whose shadowy strums guide Chelsea's haunting, hymnal vocals - the result is simply devastating.

The album is staggering - make sure you own it - you can now via Sargent House.

Emily Wells #2 - Mama's Gonna Give You Love

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I touched on my disappointment to miss Emily Wells when she was last in the UK in June so I'm very happy to have the chance to make amends when she returns to London at the end of an extensive European tour just before Christmas (with a show at The Lexington on December 17th - details).

To kick start the tour Emily has released a stream of her new single taken from her wonderful album Mama, a track which shares its name with the album "Mama's Gonna Give You Love". I've touched upon it within my Introducing post, with languid dub loops and a thick layer of droning strings it gives a fine taster of the album, full of menacing undertones but carried by the beauty of Emily's striking voice, fluttering between luxurious and mellow it that crosses a multitude of genres within its length. Eclectic yes, wonderful most definitely.

Make sure you grab the deluxe version of Mama, the accompanying Acoustic CD is in my opinion (as a folky) even better than the original.

Oshwa - New Music "Introducing"

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It's always a tricky one when I discover a new artist late where to start with my posts. I tend to avoid full album reviews that critique and prefer to mush over a few tracks instead, it's a formula that suits me I find (and it's a lot less time consuming too). The Chicago based Oshwa have a recently released full length LP Chamomile Crush to their name and a couple of EPs released since November 2011, it was the live video I've posted below "Grar" that brought them to my attention, I forget my source (sorry)...

It's a performance that will instantly command your attention, pry you away from whatever else you may be doing and compel you to listen fully for the tracks entire six and a half minutes. Starting a cappella with a looping vocal, you soon discover this extraordinary, soulful voice that should be heard by everyone. Alicia Walter has completely stolen the show before we even hear the rest of the band. They do join in, half-way through with gradually swelling instrumentation that mixes a mosaic of playful loops and percussion to create the most expressive of soundscapes.

The two acts I can't help but mention when trying to come close to describing the sounds I've been listening to for the best 45 minutes are so are Dirty Projectors and Tune-Yards, the harmonies and melodies throughout are unstructured and unpredictable and surprises follow at every turn, one moment it's bat-crazy art-pop best portrayed on "One Man Skies" with shimmering guitars and intricate vocal harmonies or the title track which adds in some Talking Heads eccentricity amongst some stunning vocal interplay. Then there's "Emily" and "Runnin" which are the releases most delicate, intimate moments, the former, a beautiful acoustic folk song and the latter, the albums closing track, sees plucked strings and fluttering piano provide the platform for Alicia's vocals to floor you one last time.

I've can't help but post another live video below too, "Emily" is here expanded with the addition of a luscious string section and it's completely magical stuff too.

Chamomile Crush is available now via Naked Ally Records. Thank me after.

Snowbird - New Music "Introducing"

About three years ago now I can remember seeing Stephanie Dosen adding backing instruments for a couple of gigs by Heidi Spencer. I'm pretty sure it was at the Latest Music Bar in Brighton and at Brixton Windmill for a couple of early Caitlin Rose gigs. On both occasions alongside Stephanie forming a backing 'band' was Bella Union founder Simon Raymonde previously of Cocteau Twins.

The label had earlier released Stephanie's solo album Lily In The Spectre, a gorgeous, over-looked album full of softening folk tracks which highlighted an effecting voice and a poetic song-craft. If you missed it back in 2007 make sure you check out "This Joy" for proof.

Reminiscing aside, the pairs relationship has grown further to the formation of a new group Snowbird and their first track "Poreclain" is so devastatingly beautiful you'll want to give it your immediate attention (if you haven't already - it has amassed some nineteen thousand plays over the weekend alone). Raymonde's fingerprints are on evidence as the perfectly titled track enchants around delicate, haunting whispers and a beguiling piano melody. Such elegance and grace, the debut album Moon, scheduled for release in January instantly becomes a must listen.

The Night VI - Thinking Of You

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Another weekend disappears in a flash and here's another post I should have done sooner. Just about every blog in the UK picked up on The Night VI over the summer with the track I'm going to feature today, "Thinking of You"...

The track really is perfect, oozing with late-night 80's styled romanticism accompanied by bitter-sweet lyrics and gentle crescendo builds. It takes the chilled, minimalistic vibe of the XX to the next level thanks to some beautiful shimmering guitar soundscapes and the stunningly smooth vocals of Sophie-Rose Harper, hooking you firmly within its spell with an entrancing, haunting power - It really doesn't matter when you discover music when it's this good.

The bands debut EP Still Thinking Of You is available on digital/10" EP now - order the vinyl here.

Hotel Cinema - New Music "Introducing"

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Dipping into the archives of my drafts folder for a couple of overdue posts this weekend (I've currently 201 un-written posts by artists that I liked when I initially heard them - time isn't on my side). Hotel Cinema released their debut EP way back in January and came to my attention at the start of March, eight months later I'm finally giving them my ramblings, that's some gestation period.

The song that has me all a-flutter right now is the six track EP's gorgeous opening track "Rabbit Hole", it finds the Los Angeles quintet at their most beautiful with twinkling instrumentation sweeping and swooning amongst the sugar-sweet vocal of Keeley Bumford. The formula is repeated with more intimate restraint on the equally impressive "Fire Escape", it might be a little bit of the Badger ale I've been consuming on this Friday evening in but this is sounding just magical in my ears right now and that can only be a good thing.

The EP is available to download in full from Bandcamp.

Sumie - New Music "Introducing"

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It's pretty much a given that when Bella Union sign someone, you take a listen to that artist (if you didn't know them previously of course). That's what happened with Sumie and where I again realise their quality testing is second to none.

Sumie is the nom de plume of Gothenberg's Sandra Sumie Nagano and it's "Show Talked Windows" that serves as my introduction, a delicate, atmospheric track where a lone acoustic guitar weaves a haunted web of intoxicating, dream-like beauty around Sumie's exquisite vocal whispers. Perfect for the winter months - go grab a blanket and immerse yourself in this stunner.

It's certainly enough to make me anticipate Sumie's self-titled debut, which is due for release on December 2nd (pre-order via Bella Union) and is followed a date at London's Slaughtered Lamb on December 11th - details.

The National #6 - Lean

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I've not featured The National too much recently, I hardly need to. A new music blog like this featuring one the the biggest bands in the world right now is a little counter-constructive and there are hundreds of bands probably more needing of this minimal exposure. Still I can't help myself every now and then and the title of this blog is Just Music That I Like, so yeah, I'm going with it...

"Lean" is their latest track, their contribution to The Hunger Games: Catching Fire soundtrack. I'm pretty sure I read an article a while back where the band said they wanted to call the track "Dying is Easy" but the film-makers didn't like that too much, you can understand why but the words are the key to the track. It's immediately distinguishable as The National of course, a longing, brooding ballad that buildings amongst luscious instrumentation and leaves you emotionally charged and grasping for your breath.

The National finally hit the UK this weekend to promote their wonderful album Trouble Will Find Me including two dates at Ally Pally, an incredible sized venue for me to be excited about visiting but I am. That's the perfect summation to the power of this band.

Broken Twin #2 - Sun Has Gone

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Broken Twin (aka Copenhagen's Majke Voss Romme) stunned me earlier this year with her affecting debut EP Hold On To Nothing, full of heartbreaking intimacy and a stark beauty that weaved a potent spell of genuine emotion.

Now signed to the label ANTI- Broken Twin returns with new track "Sun Has Gone" ahead of a debut full-length next year. The track's title gives newcomers to the Broken Twin sound as darkly indication as possible as what to expect, introspection and devastation through tender piano chords and Majke's arresting voice, "Sun Has Gone" tugs at your heart with a haunting, uncluttered sound and will stay there long after its finished.

I had to leave End of the Road before Broken Twin's set and I'm looking forward to making amends when Majke plays London's Servants Jazz Quarters on December 5th - details. "Sun Has Gone" is released on 7" on November 18th - pre-order.

Holy Milk - New Music "Introducing"

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Holy Milk came to my attention because they are about to support blog favourites Blessa in London (November 12th at The Tipsy Bar). I can't make the gig, I'll be seeing that little known band called Arcade Fire on the same evening but their only track (thus far) introduces this devastating sound with a bewitching, calming quality to it that can do nothing but suck you in...

The track, "Confusing the Wind" combines minimal, electronic glitches with a whole host of random but subtle noises to create an icy, ambient platform for the honey-sweet vocal of Lucinda John-Duarte to transfix, maintaining your attention throughout until the repeated, final cries of "be my only saviour and give me your kiss" send chills right through your body, an eerily beautiful and compelling release from a young band to keep an eye on.

Megan Bonnell - New Music "Introducing

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I'd not heard of Megan Bonnell until last night, that's the magic of the Internet, there are so many (too many perhaps) artists to discover. I can vaguely remember the 'old' days where if you heard a track you liked you had to memorise a line of the words and then hope the guys in your local record shop had heard of it, or listen to the radio all day in the hope it was played again. Today though, you just look on your computer or point your smartphone at a speaker. It kind of remove some of the thrill and romance I think...

The reason I waffled on there is simple, if I was out and about fifteen years ago and heard Megan's track "Hunt and Chase", it'd would've introduced a voice that would have had me desperate to seek it out further.

I'll start by saying that "Hunt and Chase" is a little bit bonkers, it definitely is. Bristling with life amongst an ever-changing melody and theatrical instrumentation that skitters and flourishes with shimmering, illuminating brilliance. Megan has this striking, earthly voice which fits perfectly with the tracks accompanying video, a chase through a misty wood, it's Alice in Wonderland, compelling and fantastic.

Her album of the same name is out now in the US, us Brits will have to wait until early next year though, for now we've some more tracks to listen to on YouTube. My favourite of which is a live version of a track from the album "We Are Strangers Now". A track full of haunting emotion delivered with devastating intimacy as restrained instrumentation and Megan's heartfelt vocals sooth with blissful, thoughtful beauty. Don't miss out.

Gulp - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / gulpgulp.co.uk

I've been swamped for a few weeks now and have had this post waiting to write up for too long, a cancelled badminton game tonight gives me an unexpected hour to write a couple of blogs and where better to start than this...

Gulp is the new project from Super Furry Animals’ bassist Guto Prycere and Lindsay Leven and the track below "Play", is their first single, released back in July (with an album promised for early next year).

Belatedly perhaps, you too can full for this swirling, psychedelic beauty, which combines the irresistibly sumptuous vocals of Lindsay with a teasing, summertime melody (what timing hey, as I'm writing about it on perhaps the chilliest night of the impending Winter!) and a tingling of cinematic, spookiness which keeps you on the edge.

Flip side "Hot Water" removes all that suspense for a full on nostalgia blast, oozing with syrupy goodness and wide-eyed smiles, if you want to reminisce about all those (???) romantic days spent idling by the beach / lake / park then take a listen below. If you didn't lead the life of a Hollywood rom-com, still take a listen below, this might just have you swooning all the way to Match.com (or another perfectly adequate dating website, I'm not on commission!).

The tracks are available to download and on limited edition 7" via Bandcamp now.

Be Forest #3 - Captured Heart

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It's been a while since we've heard from Be Forest, their 2011 debut Cold is one I still find myself listening to now, an album full of icy guitar howls, dark, brooding atmosphere with threatening rhythms combining with gorgeous ethereal vocals. It featured in my albums of the year posts and if you missed it then, I recommend catching it now.

Last week Be Forest announced their return as a quartet with "Captured Heart", the first track taken from their follow up full-length Earthbeat (due Feb 4th next year via We Were Never Being Boring).

The album title is an accurate description of the track too, where the overlying feeling from Cold was this chilly, mysterious mood "Captured Heart" is full of life with tribal drum beats catapulting shimmering guitars and dreamy vocal harmonies - it's fresher, warmer and distinctly beautiful - I'm all for that.

Besides one gig in Liverpool a couple of years back, I don't think the band have played in the UK. Let's make that change please.

Lyla Foy #4 - Easy

Facebook / lylafoy.com

I've mentioned Lyla Foy here a few times before as WALL, seemingly a name dispute (or perhaps deciding the name was a little too un-Google friendly) means Lyla has dropped the moniker and has adopted the use of her real name, a technicality which comes coupled with the much more exciting news of a Sub Pop signing and a new song "Easy"...

The track is easily Lyla's best yet, building from the hushed, intimate debut EP Shoestring with the most expansive sound we've heard from Lyla to date, don't worry though, it still retains those earlier characteristics in all their glory. "Easy" is a soft, wounded beauty that sweeps you off your feet with an impeccably haunting vocal and enchanting instrumentation, luxurious and chilly, it almost makes you want to welcome the impending winter months ahead.

Easy is released on 18th November and the limited 7" can be pre-ordered now via Rough Trade. Lyla Foy headlines The Lexington on December 10th.

Veronica Falls #12 - Need You Around

Facebook / veronicafalls.com

It was only a few weeks ago when I last mentioned Veronica Falls and like all good buses, after a while of waiting, two new tracks arrive almost at once.

Following from the wonderful "Nobody There" is "Need You Around", the flip side to the double-a side tour single of the same name. Where the former was full of the usual Veronica Falls darkly enthusiasm and jangle this is softer and dreamier with a chugging bass-line leading Roxanne's sweetly vocals. Soon trademark harmonies and guitars fill the air and carry you to pastures full of a lovely thoughts and more-ish beauty - Veronica Falls remain a band who show no sign of losing their killer knack of writing perfect pop tracks.

The release is due on December 9th, limited to just 300 worldwide with some available to pre-order now via the bands Big Cartel - I wouldn't hang around.