Labyrinth Ear - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / labyrinthear.com/

Labyrinth Ear are an electronic duo from London formed in the summer of 2010 made up of Emily Jacobs and Tom Evans, it certainly seems London is the capital of brooding, icy-cool synth-pop with Alpines and Paper Crows already featuring here on numerous occasions it's probably a long overdue posting about this wonderful new act.

'Amber' is the follow-up to last years debut EP, 'Oak' and as a stand alone track is the best the duo have released to date,  it's available as a free download on their facebook and I'd certainly advise you to make haste and take advantage. The best word to describe it quickly is beautiful, everything about it is beautiful, the subtle textures, the first class programming and production, the vocals, calming and deadly seductive. The track, serene a true slow burning beauty.

I've included my favourite track from Oak below, "Snow White" blends Emily's gorgeous breathy vocals with twinkling synths and an ambient industrial beat that would fit perfectly in the futuristic sci-fi soundtrack that I love so much, yet it uses lyrics from a Disney film (I think you can guess which one), it sounds bizarre, it's not, it works, the result is smooth and utterly delicious. If you haven't already you can get the five track EP for free direct from the band here.

Labyrinth Ear - Amber by Labyrinth Ear
Snow White by Labyrinth Ear

Ex Cops - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / http://excopsband.bandcamp.com/

Brooklyn's Ex Cops (the work of Braid Harding) have a small batch of tracks available on their bandcamp (link above) for free download, it's definitely worth taking them up on the offer...

Their stand-out (to date) is "The Millionaire", a dreamy track with glistening guitars and muffled, hazy percussive beats that sumptuously float around a beautifully rich melody and a gorgeous vocal which flutter from dream-like grace to Beach House cascading harmonies.

Latest track "Broken Chinese Chairz" changes direction slightly, built around a pulsing drum rhythm, where simple synthesiser lines and jagged guitar create a shimmering melody, it's equally rewarding.

Listen:
Ex Cops - "The Millionaire"
 Ex Cops - Broken Chinese Chairz

Braids #2 - Peach Wedding

Facebook /braidsmusic.com/

One of the best albums of the year for me is BRAIDS early 2011 release 'Native Speaker', it's a fascinating record, brimming with floating melodies, electronic loops, hazy guitars and tribal percussion.

Best exemplified on "Lemonade" where intricate structures and the free-flowing vocals of Raphaelle Standell-Preston combine with beautiful backing harmonies. Braids sound has a layered complexity that sounds simply incredible, and even better live, I've seen them twice this year and have left suitably impressed on both occassions.

New track 'Peach Wedding' is off a split 7" due with Purity Ring (due Oct 11th via Fat Possum), it continues with their original soundscapes, atmospheric and echoey instrumentation whirls around creating a completely wonderful and hypnotic listen.

Braids are about to start an extensive three month tour, reaching UK early November - dates.

Listen:
Braids - Peach Wedding
BRAIDS 'Lemonade'

Isobel Anderson #2 - Dark Path

Facebook /isobelanderson.bandcamp.com/

Isobel Anderson has quickly become one of my favourite folk acts, since discovering her debut 'Cold Water Songs' I've found myself completely enchanted with her music, Isobel has one of the most beautiful voices I've heard in recent times, a pretty, soulful warmth that is perfect for late night relaxation, something I'm in need of right now after work has been demanding far more of my time than I'd like it to - and I'm not even going to talk about EOTR!

Her second release 'Dark Path' is set for release on September 14th, (order a limited edition CD or download here as well as 'Cold Water Songs' here), expanding upon the debut's bare-bones approach with the addition of violin strokes, gentle percussion and at times, some heavy guitar strumming, 'Dark Path' still retains the personal nature of her song-craft over the albums eight tracks. A melancholic air dominates throughout, emotionally intimate themes predominitely of love lost and found heard through Isobel's wonderful guitar strokes and vocal elegance.

"My Love" is divine. Isobel's warm voice combine with her fluttering guitar work and violin strokes, it's the definition of serenity, beautiful tender music that is enough to melt your heart. One of my highlights is the divine "Let Me Go" where intricate guitar plucks gently lead a heartfelt tale of a broken relationship and then comes the album closer and probably my favourite, the superb title track. Stark, raw and expressive, it's just beautiful, I'm repeating myself but Isobel's voice is simply breathtaking, it seems so effortless too, I'm sure it's not!

I didn't want to use the LM word here, let's just say fans of contemporary and traditional folk will find their next love with Isobel. 'Dark Path' is beautifully created, production is top-notch and the album is highly, highly recommended.

If you are in her hometown, Belfast, Isobel plays a launch show on the date of the albums release (details), with a London show planned for Proud Camden at the end of September.

Stream two tracks below:
An Hour With You by Isobel Anderson
My Love by Isobel Anderson

Airship #2 - Algebra

Facebook / airshipband.com/

Airship return with a video for their new single (although not a new song) 'Algebra', following on from the excellent 'Kids' the track continues in similar form, an upbeat slice of rousing, anthemic indie-pop.

Full of chiming guitars, hard hitting drums and rousing melodic choruses, it's a polished track of driving and emotionally charged pop-rock. "Algebra" strays close to the dreaded 'stadium rock' coinage but I'm thoroughly enjoying it all the same.

Airship are nice guys too, I had the pleasure of chatting with them on their support slot with The Joy Formidable and this is track will hopefully help them along on their way. Their debut LP  'Stuck In This Ocean' is due out next week, September 5th, I'm interested in here the full album, especially the track which features vocals from Ritzy.

 

Algebra - Airship by [PIAS] Recordings

Pink Noise - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / pinknoiseny.bandcamp.com/

When Holly Miranda suggests a band it's wise to check them out (even if it's taken me approx eight weeks to finish this write-up!). That's exactly what happened with Brooklyn based (via Tel Aviv) Pink Noise. The connections to Holly are there, she adds some additional vocals on the their debut EP, 'Here is Happiness' and it's produced by TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek (who also produced The Magician's Private Library), though I'm not liking this purely because I love HM, I'm liking this because it's bloody great.

Released towards the end of last year 'Here is Happiness' contains six tracks that flutter between lush, layered arrangements a la Miranda (end of comparison I promise) and full on kick-ass rock assault. A pacy, tight EP of accessible and immediate indie rock. Vocalist Sharron Sulami reminds me of Emily Haines, her voice is similarly sultry-cool, a dreamy whisper yet it that can kick on hell of a punch when it's needed.

"The Roads" kicks off proceedings and instantly let's you in on one of Pink Noise's signatures, a tight, rhythmic percussive beat, "Redwoods" continues with the shimmering soundscapes before "Moving In" changes the mood, ringing keys and synth effects lead to sinister guitar hooks and machine-gun drums, it's unsettling, ferocious and dark. My favourite is probably closer "Dive" which leaves you gasping for breath with fuzzed-out riffs and the roaring intensity of the vocals. It's a fine, fine introduction.

The band recorded a live session of their entire forthcoming album 'What Would Happen If Someone Finds Out?', and have shared some of them on youtube, I've picked a couple of my favourites below. "Distant" is fantastic, with brutal, piercing guitars and driven beat it's relentless, loud and gritty. I love it. It's powerful stuff which promises an incredible live show, of which their website promises US and Europe tour dates 'this fall', I'll definitely be on the look out for them.

Listen:          Pink Noise - Dive