The Bulls - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

When I looked at the press picture of The Bulls (the one attached to this blog) I thought 'that looks like Anna from The Airborne Toxic Event'.  Probably because it is. The Bulls is a newly formed side project of Anna Bulbrook and The Duke Spirit’s guitarist, Marc Sallis, their debut track "Come Unwound" simply a beauty.

A marriage of both bands influences results in a hazy wash of gorgeousness where hypnotising guitars, sumptuous strings and dreamy vocals merge together with dazzling results, softening, brooding and heavenly. It makes news of a forthcoming EP an appetising one.

Switches - 15 Beers

Facebook

Canadian quartet Switches arrive in my ears (via GFP's recommendation) with"15 Beers", the first track taken from their forthcoming debut LP I Just Wanna, seemingly due as soon as November 4th.

It introduces a band who seem to be having a whole lot of fun, a sure to be sweaty live juggernaut where fast-paced, punky rhythm section and swirling, pysche keys combine with snarly, girl gang harmonies to create a joyous, uninhibited three mintues of joy. Get hooked below.

Wonder Wonder - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

I've labelled this post on London duo Wonder Wonder a 'new music' post because the band in question are a new band and have only got two tracks to their name, yet those two tracks have amassed some 250k plays between them making pigeonholing seem a little foolish.

The duo are currently hiding behind their music, planning to release a song every month for the next year, culminating in a debut album. the second "Shark" is a smouldering piano pop ballad full of torch light emotion and beautifully hushed dual vocals, the female voice has a warm, honey-toned vocals much akin to Emily Wood's or Layla's and amongst the smattering of electronic beats it sounds pure and perfectly chilled.

The first track "Body Gold" is similarly pared-down and gorgeous, an addictive combination of pretty, sultry harmonies, intimate lyrics and tasteful melody. You can understand the hype.

November 1st will see the third installment, set your reminder.

Liza Flume - Sleepless Nights

Facebook

I came across Liza Flume because the Dublin based (Aussie born) singer-songwriter was named as support for Slow Skies EP launch (in Dublin, tomorrow 8th October - details).

Her latest track "Sleepless Nights" sounds like an aide for such, a softening, delicate beauty which wraps you in a comforting black and washes your worries away with a hushed, beautiful vocal and a sparse, almost-non existent wave of slow-burning electronics. The result is just devastating.

"Sleepless Nights" is the first track taken from Liza's forthcoming EP. It's instantly one to keep an eye out for.

RiotHorse - New Music "Introducing"

riothorse.net

RiotHorse is the new LA duo Emily Greene and Madi Diaz, a recently formed side-project with "Rabbit Hole" their debut track (and, if their website can be believed, taken from a forthcoming EP called The Guest House).

It introduces a layered and emotive sound that's all tight guitar rhythms and warm, breathy vocals. Dramatic, catchy and lush throughout, it's definitely the hypnotic harmonies that stay with you the longest, ethereal and weighty it makes me think of a tight musicianship of Warpaint and War on Drugs. That's no band thing is it...

Leiik - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

Leiik, a new London based duo welcome themselves to the world with their debut track "Holes", a stark, haunting lullaby which mesmerises thanks to a gorgeous, breathy vocal and an eerie, noir atmosphere. Never rushed it exudes a brooding sense of longing and intimacy throughout as subtle electronics build to reach the most more-ish of conclusions. Quietly devastating.

My inbox tells me that a single is due in November ahead of an EP next year, dates in London for Oct/Nov can be found via Facebook.

The Pretty Greens - Jealous Waves

Facebook

Last but certainly not least in a little quartet of fuzz (for now) is Philly trio The Pretty Greens, a new discovery that appeared in my draft folders from an unknown source (sorry, I forgot to link you). Their February EP Jealous Waves bringing a charming slice of diy indie pop to the table with perhaps title track "Jealous Waves" summing it up best,

You are soon introduced to a super infectious little gem which flutters around your heart with tumbling percussion, simple jagged guitar chords and super soft harmonies, complete with candy sweet vocals that are pretty much impossible not to swoon after.

"Lonely Hunter" reminds me of Tender Trap, catchy, melodic surf pop rhythms with clever wordplay lyrics, you can imagine it being even more fun live. There's even room for a cover of The Palisades' "Make the Night a Little Longer", transforming 60's girls group Motown sound to pure jangle pop bliss. Extend your summer and grab the dreamy three track EP now, available via Bandcamp.

The Debutantes - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

Irish trio The Debutantes contain a rhythm section familiar to these pages, Paula and Sarah from the wonderful September Girls alongside guitarist / co-vocalist Leon.

Their self titled, five track EP is due October 11th via the ever wonderful Soft Power Records and introduces a band that actually reminds me of the garage pop band that the early days September Girls were, full of delightful carefree fuzz, melody and reverb.

Take "Adam's Apple" for example of the melodically driven urgency that propels the release of pop jewels, a scuzz-ball of fierce drums and guitars paint dissonance around delightful harmonies and a perfect pop chorus whilst Gentleman's Wash" packs a similar punch, here awash with a softer, dreamy sheen, a swirling sea of lush kaleidoscope beauty. Indie-poppers - go and give it your love.

If you want a tape, you probably need to move quickly, 14 remain at time of writing. Order here.

Slowcoaches - Tourists EP

Facebook

I found Slowcoaches via Feature whom I posted about a couple of weeks ago, the band share a member (SC's vocalist Heather) and have recently completed a tour together which supported a split EP from which both bands provided three tracks, two originals and a Wire cover.

Slowcoaches have perhaps the most ironic band name of the month, "Raw Dealing" introducing a sound that is anything but, catapulted by thunderous drums and frantic guitar riffs it's heavier and shoutier than my usual type of pop-punk but I can't help but fall for this blast of sharp, abrasive noisescapes complete with infectious hooks, blistering vocals and a mighty, mighty dose of feedback. A fan of raw / melodic pop-punk played with perfect controlled aggression? Well I'm sure you've already found your new favourite band.

The split EP is available to download now via Bandcamp.

Susan - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

Yesterday's post on Working has renewed by enthusiasm for fuzz-pop, so much so that I think I'll have a couple of days dominated by it on the blog, the first post comes from LA's Susan with their debut EP Just Call It.

The title track kicks off the no-stop-for-breath seven minute, three song release with a deliciously addictive statement of intent, combining hook-laden garage pop riffs, pounding drums and girl-group melodies for a sweet as sugar romp.

Flip-side tracks "Frenchie" and "Pancake" continue with the chugging, reverb soaked noise pop moods, charming, swoony harmonies that offer a rush of smile-inducing adrenaline. The lyrics throughout are pretty direct with the rather biting finale of "fuck you, I hope you die alone" ringing through on "Pancake" amongst all the catchy, urgent choruses. Don't worry, I doubt it's directed and you and it's an awesome introduction in any case.

Just Call It is available on a super limited 7" via Volar Records now. An extended EP with more tracks is due via Burger Records soon.

Brooke Bentham - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / brookebentham.co.uk

Originally from Newcastle, but now London based singer-songwriter Brooke Bentham comes to my attention through her gorgeous torchlight single‘We’ll Be Ghosts’, her debut release due next week, 29th September via Trellis Music.

It introduces a potential future star, armed with devastating tone and a stunning vocal range as sparse piano and ringing guitar patterns provide the backing to a truly emotive stunner. Goosebumps await.

Working - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook

My music tastes have varied / changed over the years, this blog started almost five years to the day now (27th September 2009 was my first post). I've progressed from indie-rock to more dark-folk vibes over that time but one constant remains in my heart, the place for fuzzed-up sweetness...

Rhode Island quartet Working are the latest to tick that box with their debut self-titled EP the perfect example, three slices of 90's inspired noise-pop which combine warm, nostalgic memories with delicious vocals and plenty of guitar.

Take "Can't Wait For Summer", perhaps aptly titled given we've just had the first chilly mornings of autumn, where amazing hook-filled pop guitar riffs, machine-gun drum beats and super-sugary power-pop vocals combine to charm your pants well and truly off.

The EP is out now through Shelflife Records and available via Bandcamp. A debut LP is due in 2015.

Noire - Those Days

Facebook

"Those Days", the second track from Sydney's Noire serves as a gorgeous introduction to an effortlessly cool and mellow sound, bringing together Jessica Mincher's delicious, swooning vocals with beautifully restrained disco-shimmer and slick, polished production, the result is as smooth a groove as I've heard all summer long (I know it's pretty much autumn).

Fans of lush, nostalgia inducing pop should listen below. You can download it via iTunes now.

The Hanged Man - First Time Dreaming

Facebook

Rebecka Rolfart might look familiar to you, she certainly was to me from her earlier time in the sadly defunct Those Dancing Days, her debut track as The Hanged Man, "First Time Dreaming" has instantly perked my interest in her new project, offering a dark, heady statement of intent.

What immediately grabs you is the bass-line, full of intensity and deep, spidery patterns which swarm around Rebecka's ominous vocals and psychedelic synths for a mood firmly fixated within the dark realms.

"First Time Dreaming" is released via PNKSLM Recordings and a new act to follow is discovered.

Odessa - I Will Be There

Facebook

Here's another swooning track that your going to lap up immediately before it starts plucking at your heartstrings, California's Odessa is a new name to me and this track "I Will Be There", is the first shared from her self-titled debut EP that's due this very day (via Chop Shop records).

It's pretty magical too, a sparse, sparkling melody that's guaranteed to leave you with nice, warming thoughts as luscious harmonies weave around restrained beats and shimmery guitars.

From searching online it appears to have been used in a stateside advert, it's time for Odessa's star to shine by itself. A dreamy listen awaits below.

I'll update this link when I find a place to stream / purchase the EP in full.

FURS #4 - An Eye On The Vicious

Facebook

Twelve months have passed since we had new music from FURS so it's great to be able to talk about their new, second official single “An Eye On The Vicious”, a track which follow the wonderful "Just Kids" and cements the London based quartet as one of the most exciting new acts about (a set on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury had already given me that impression admittedly.

"An Eye On The Vicious" continues their bright, effortless blend of psychedelic pop with sweeping guitar licks and echoey drum beats rising around Elle's gorgeous vocals, the delicious, polished melody is about as moreish as they come and rises to become their most accomplished track yet.

The single is launched when the band play London's Lexington on October 7th - details.

Pr0files - Forgive

Facebook

It's almost the weekend and I'm sure some of you are in the mood for some Friday heartbreak, today that comes from LA's Pr0files with their smoldering piano led "Forgive", a gorgeous plaintive ballad which highlights the stand-out vocal of Lauren Pardini amongst tortured lyrics and twinkling keys. You could imagine it hitting the highs of the charts if released by a so-called household name...

Elsewhere the band deal in luscious, lifted from the 80's synth pop, with "Luxury", the title track the duo's debut EP (out September 16th via Straight A Records) the perfect example of the shiny, hypnotic grooves and alluringly cool vocals that dominate,  the result is dangerously addictive.

Feature - Tourists

Facebook

I meant to do a write up on London trio Feature during the promo for their last EP Culture of the Copy but obviously I never did, let me correct that with their next, three tracks which form a split release with Slowcoaches ahead of a forthcoming tour together next week.

Feature's tracks include a cover of Wire's "Mannequin" and two new ones of their own, the first "Tourism Fiction" is possibly their best yet, adding a sing-along chorus to their jagged guitar based noise-pop, with hard scuzzy rhythms and punchy beats propelling sweet-sounding vocal harmonies that command attention throughout every lyric of the of song.

"Wisdom Teeth" is more raucous, a fuzz-filled fusion of raw talent and infectious pop which washes around you with a smile inducing rush of distorted spirit, something they've brought in equally brilliant dose to their fine cover of "Mannequin". You should enjoy this. Listen below and grab a download of the Tourist EP now on a pay-what-you-like basis from Bandcamp.

Videotape / Impulsive Hearts - Split Cassingle

videotapenoise.net /
impulsivehearts.bandcamp.com

I think this only the second time I've ever done two bands in one post but given my discovery to both bands comes through the same split release, it only seems fair... Chicago bands Videotape and Impulsive Hearts each add a track to a new cassette singles club by hometown label Impossible Colors, it promises a very reasonable priced series of singles (12 tapes for USD20 + postage) over the next year and the first is a absolute belter...

Starting with the a-side, Videotape's "Salty" combines beefy guitar riffs with snarly vocals and big beats. As well as the whole heap of nostalgia crush there's much to like on top, with dreamy harmonies colliding perfectly with the piercing melody, full of the right mixture of menace and warmth throughout.

I am completely in love with the flip-side by Danielle Sines' Impulsive Hearts, "MDB" is an immediate jangle pop hit in the making, propelled by an infectious drum march and jagged, cavernous guitar patterns it recalls long lost summer days, you'll soon find it swirling around your head leaving you giddy for more, a repeat play will suffice nicely.

You can subscribe to the series of tapes via Impossible Colors or if the price of postage puts you off (and as a label myself, postal charges can most definitely do one), download the release for just $2 via Bandcamp now.

Deers #2 - Castigadas en el Granero

Facebook

Since I talked about Madrid's Deers back in May they have become one of the most talked about new bands of 2014, with a promptly sold out debut 7" Demo catapulting them to full page spreads in NME and equally sold out shows in London town. The now expanded quartet return with their first new tracks since "Castigadas en el Granero" to fully justify the hype...

The track combines the free-natured ramshackle spirit of their debut with the same boundless enthusiasm and spirit but also manages to sound tighter and more polished, thanks in no part to the tracks fantastic rhythm section and the infectious dual vocals, which sees Anna and Carlotta's words bouncing off each other, the result is sure to see live audiences do the same.

"Castigadas en el Granero" is the lead track to Deers' second release Barn, available to pre-order on 7" ahead of a 10th November release date via Lucky Numbers now.