Thea & The Wild - New Music "Introducing"

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So on the day The Great Escape announced their first wave of acts (head to their website to see that - I give it 6/10 - a little too 'buzzy' for me) I'll bring a couple of acts who would fit in perfectly at the festival (hint to organisers). Thea & The Wild is led by Thea Glenton Raknes from Oslo, their debut single "Cry Sometimes" is a great, breezy pop tune with some rough-edged guitar and individual, experimental subtleties. Amongst a web of rich instrumentation this gloriously melodic radio friendly track is quirky and beautifully refreshing throughout.

The only other track currently available is a demo called "Trains" which revs up the fuzz level with gritty, snarling guitars adding a level of filth to seductive keys and percussive claps, it's not quite garage-rock, it's far too well produced and slick for that and Thea's vocals, whilst direct, are beautiful and clean but it is hypnotic and endearing and I'm looking forward to hearing more from my latest in a long line of Scandinavian finds.

Bored Spies - New Music "Introducing"

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Bored Spies is a three-piece band from Singapore, their debut single Summer 720 is due later this Spring on 7" and contains two instantly endearing power-pop beauties...

A little bit of searching leads me to find their vocalist / guitarist is Cherie Ko from Obedient Wives Club (who coincidently will be back on the blog in their own right very shortly) and Bored Spies similarly traverse dreamy, melodic planes but instead of a hazy Best Coast-esque sound with quick-paced, fuzzed out guitars "Summer 720" plays soft and smooth with languid beats, shimmering guitar and sweet, sweet vocals

I've no idea how to start naming the tracks flip side but it's equally atmospheric and swoon-some, hushed vocals and a blanket of luscious textures caressing your mind, gorgeous.

The band are due to play Primavera in May with a London date planned on June 2nd at the Sebright Arms.

Lotte Kestner - Cliff

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Lotte Kestner is the solo project of Trespassers William vocalist Anna-Lynne Williams from Seattle. Her third album (but my introduction point) The Bluebird of Happiness is due for release on Feb 26th via Saint Marie Records (available to pre-order via Bandcamp), its lead track "Cliff" is bloody lovely too...

Essentially a bare-boned ballad made up of little more than swirling keyboard strokes and soft strings flourishes it holds its weight due to the devastatingly beautiful and intimate nature of Lotte's emotive delivery and the absorbing ambience she manages to create with her minimalistic arrangements. Blissful and tinged in sadness, "Cliff" is a track that will stay with you long after it has finished.

There's a whole treasure chests worth of Lotte Kestner music to delve into on her bandcamp page too.

Mt. Wolf #2 - Hypolight

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For all the superlatives I seem to use sometimes the simplest, most frequently used are the best.

I can't think of a better word to describe Mt. Wolf and their new track "Hypolight" than beautiful. It is beautiful, of that there can be no debate. Restrained guitars, subtle electronic nuances and a beguiling vocal performance combine to something that is ineffably beautiful. Kate's Sproule's controls her voice with effortless ease, throughout; one moment ethereal, whispered bliss and the next soaring, emotive power, just stunning this.

The band play London's XOYO on February 28th (details) with an EP of the same name due soon.

Scanners #2 - State of Wonder

Facebook / scannersmusic.co.uk

I've got a bit of a habit of featuring bands I've not done for ages at the minute, the latest are Scanners who came back to my horizon with the simply gorgeous "State of Wonder". Originally released very late last year as a Christmas give-away single (still available to download below) it's planned for inclusion on the bands forthcoming album Love is Symmetry...

It should be anyway, because it's a real fucking beauty, a slow burning melodic anthem which finds itself imprinted on your heart and mind from the very first listen, repetitive keys glisten amongst beautiful, beautiful inspiring choruses. Apparently an ode to a river, I don't a river has ever been so lucky.

Field Mouse #3 - Tomorrow Is Yesterday

Facebook / fieldmousemusic.com

Brooklyn shoegaze quartet Field Mouse already have a couple of killer 7" to their name ("You Guys Are Gonna Wake Up My Mom" and "How Do You Know" if you didn't already know), and now they return with their punchiest, power-pop track to date "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" (taken from an as yet unannounced album to follow later this year).

Whilst there's hardly anything new about "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" the nostalgic cocktail of 90's fuzz-laden guitars, crashing drums and dreamy female vocals is used to winning effect. Rachel's sensual vocals are so soft and effortless in their beauty that you can almost float amongst them and the chugging bass-line bursts with toe-tapping energy while swirling textures similarly embed in your brain making "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" a two and a half minute dose of sugary hooks and shoegaze master-class - who can refuse that?

I'll also point you in the direction of their blissful rendition of the Twin Peaks theme song from their last 7"; delicate, hazy perfection...