Seapony #6 - Prove to Me

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I said on my write up of their debut album 'Go With Me' that I'm an absolutely sucker for the sort of dreamy, blissful tunes that Seapony so effortlessly create and just to prove that point they go and hit me with another one, "Prove to Me" debuted today and is all kinds of wonderful.

It follows the Seattle trios (though judging by the picture expanded for live shows) signature heart-warming indie-pop lines and is one of their most beautiful yet, fluttery drum beats, sparking guitar jangles and Jen's languid, soft vocals combine to simply delicious effect, it makes you all warm inside and reach for a comforting pillow which on a Friday night in nursing a heavy Thursday is just about the perfect combination.

"Prove to Me" is a brand new track which features on a five-year anniversary flexi from Seapony's label Hardly Art and currently only available at their SXSW showcases and anniversary shows. You lucky people. Seapony are definielty one of the bands I'm waiting to see in the UK, please form an orderly queue.

Emily Kokal (Warpaint) - Hymn (Live Video)

The name Emily Kokal will probably be familiar to most of you as guitarist / vocalist / lyricist of just about everyone's favourite band of the past couple of years, Warpaint. I've previously been aware that Emily has some solo material to be heard somewhere on the interweb but I hadn't actually heard any until this recently released video dropped into my lap.

It's just Emily and her guitar in Dilettante Records shop in LA performing a track called "Hymn", no not the same "Hymn" that Beach House released yesterday but a solo track that appears to have been around for a few years. Besides a few different track names on limited plays via her last.fm account I've not found much in the way of solid information and to my knowledge there are no plans for a solo venture, so for this short post I'll just leave you with this compelling track...

Her familiar guitar lines remain soft and delicate and her voice beautiful and haunting, just gorgeous.

Everything by Electricity - New Music "Introducing"

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Everything By Electricity are a newly formed London based trio who came to my attention last week, I was unable to make what was only their second ever London gig at the Old Blue Last but I’ve only heard good things about it, which comes as no surprise given the incredible promise portrayed on their three online tracks.

“Lights Down Low” is simply gorgeous, shimmering guitars, sparkling synths and dreamy vocals, it's a combination made in the heavens. I keep thinking about 'Fantasies' era Metric whilst listening, perhaps it's the enchanting vocals, the way they fit so perfectly around the glistening pop melody and the luscious effect it all has on my body.

“Novocaine” is equally impressive, pure pop sensibilities run through ringing guitar chords and crashing, punchy beats, cascading beautifully to a powerful and engaging finale, the best though is perhaps “Hello Nothing”, surely a future signature live track, intelligently composed it gradually builds around waves of rich, textured guitars to reach an almost anthemic wall of sound, noise and beauty so perfectly entwined, this is a band with a great future ahead of them. For three debut tracks, they are quite something. Best of all? These are only demos!

 Everything by Electricity play Hoxton Bar & Kitchen on March 20th - details.

Parakeet - New Music "Introducing"

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Take 1/4 of Yuck and 1/5 of The History of Apple Pie, throw them into a grunge mixing pot and you'll come up newly formed duo Parakeet. From the former, Mariko Doi takes responsibility of bass and vocals while (probably unsurprisingly given he also drums for THoAP) James Thomas drums, last week they shared the video for their debut track (and first single) "Tomorrow", which came out this week and you can order (on limited self-released 7" vinyl) via the bands shop here and also download for free via bandcamp.

It's a great start too, uncompromising and full of relentless energy, Mariko's snarling cries combine with her thudding bass-lines and crashing beats to make for a distortion drenched noise fest, the lyrics simple and romantic but for me, this track is all about how hard the fuzzbox hits you in the gut. There's no news of live dates or further tracks (besides the b-side not currently online) so for now I'll just say Parakeet are definitely one to keep an eye on...

Beach House #4 - Myth

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How do you follow up an album as universally well received as 'Teen Dream'? Do you change direction and risk alienating the fans who enjoyed your last album or do you try and progress your sound yet placify those fans who discovered you on what was actually your third album? I'm sure that was part of a dilemma that faced Beach House, after 'Teen Dream' saw the Baltimore duo catapult to almost mainstream heights of exposure and play venues such as Shepherds Bush alongside prime festival slots around the world, the answer, quite sensibly in my opinion, is the latter.

New track "Myth", shared with the world today follows the same magisterial, melodic dream-pop sensibilities that brought swooning reviews from all quarters but seems more dramatic and larger in scale, perhaps learning from their live shows where they are joined by live drummers. The twinkling keys and shimmering guitars wrap around Victoria's trademark vocal, much like 'Take Care', "Zebra", "Walk in the Park" etc etc, "Myth" is simply luscious and will bring all sorts of goosebumps to lovers and dreamers all over the world.

Their forth album has yet to be officially announced, hopefully due spring / early summer. Edit - it's now been announced and is due via (as ever) Bella Union in Europe on May 14th (details). Cannot wait. Beach House are also amongst the initial line-up of End of the Road and also play two UK shows at the end of May, double excitement.

Alice Jemima #2 - All The Boyfriends

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I'm pretty sure I mentioned falling in love when I first featured Alice Jemima here last month, it's safe to say I have, consider me well and truly smitten. To compound those inner butterflies Alice has released a new track "All The Boyfriends", delicate guitar twangs give the platform for Alice's soft, heart-warming vocals and pretty as a flower lyrics. It's undeniably sweet and innocent and gorgeous enough to make grown men quite giddy.

A re-working of one of Alice's older tracks "Red Coat" has also been released, this studio recording is clean and crisper and allows the upbeat melody to shimmer and shine on what is perhaps Alice's future hit single, for surely Radio Two listeners would surely stop their household chores for a listen to this charming slice of pure, beautiful pop.

I'm delighted to say that Alice has agreed to play my forthcoming live music night at The Old Queen's Head on April 10th, the full line-up is pretty incredible if I do say so myself (and I do and will repeatedly), also playing are Emily and the Woods, Like Spinning and Anna Lena & The Orchids. Four incredible acts all who've previously featured here on the same evening... I can't wait! For more details / tickets head to my events tumblr here.