Basia Bulat - Tall Tall Shadow

Facebook / basiabulat.com/

Far, far too slow on this one but here's a quick post to hopefully catch a few of you who have likewise missed its release, amongst the whole Haim vs Justin Timberlake 'top of the charts battle', the Miley Cryus vs Sinead O'Connor 'arguement' and the greatly written / terribly sad it needs to be article about the abuse female musicians receive by Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry, the music world continues as normal and one such release out this week is the third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Basia Bulat entitled Tall Tall Shadow.

I'm going to focus on the two tracks that have supported the release, the title track and "It Can't Be You", both included below. "Tall Tall Shadow" is the ideal lead track and introduction to the album, with a transcendent melody that builds and sparkles with an uplifting spirit and beauty, full of strength and charm building to an almost perfect power pop track.

Elsewhere the release is more melancholic and affecting, as shown on the devastating "It Can't Be You", highlighting Basia's extraordinary tone and voice amongst sparser, delightfully picked arrangements. Two sides to an artist I really should have discovered sooner and both magnificent.

Tall Tall Shadow was released by Secret City this week and is available on CD/LP and the usual - order here. Basia plays London's The Islington on October 23rd.

September Girls #8 - Heartbeats

Facebook / septembergirls.tumblr.com

Following swiftly from an almost instantly sold-out cassette release September Girls return with new track "Heartbeats", their first single via Fortuna POP! whom will release the girls debut full-length in January next year.

"Heartbeats" is everything we've all come to love about the Dublin quintet all wrapped up within under three minutes, gorgeously ethereal, distorted harmonies entwined amongst fuzzy, reverb-heavy guitar jangles and rumbling rhythms combined with ominously dark undertones and infectious lyrics about unrequited love - perfect.

September Girls are back in the UK in a couple of weeks time including a London show at The Waiting Room on the 18th (details) and "Heartbeats" is released November 4th on Sea Foam Green vinyl (me neither - I guess it's a type of green!) - pre-order here.

Tennis #6 - Mean Streets

Facebook / tennis-music.com

The last time I featured Tennis (here) I did a long, waffling post about the fickleties of music blogs and events like Record Store Days. Fear not, they'll be none of that today, just a post on their luscious return "Mean Streets". The first track taken from the duo's forthcoming EP Small Sounds (which is released November 5th and available via the bands website) - US folk can see the band on a supporting tour too.

The track sounds like Tennis because of Alaina's distinctive vocals, as swoon-some and beautiful as ever floating amongst the soft, slow motion melody that accompanies them, a delicious combination of echoey guitars, pared-down beats and bubbling piano. "Mean Streets" however also manages to sound more purposeful at the same time, moving on from Cape Dory's infinity loveable themes with a wide-ranging, emotive palette - it promises much more from a band I already admire greatly.

Widowspeak #7 - Calico

Facebook

Widowspeak never fail to press the right buttons with me and latest single "Calico" keeps that history right on track the instant I press play with a typically (for the band) swoonsome, nostalgic mood sweeping through as pitter-patter drums and shimmering guitars create a slowed-down waltz for Molly Hamilton's ethereal goodness vocals to shine. "Calico" is dreamy, hypnotic and transports you to somewhere infidelity more beautiful than reality.

I've previously posted about "True Believer" but I've included the track again, here recorded as a live version from a recently recorded event for the ever exquisite Wild Honey Pie, recorded on a boat with a backdrop as idyllic and beautiful as the sounds the Brooklyn based band produce - simply sublime.

Both tracks are taken from Widowspeak's forthcoming EP The Swamps, released 28/29th October via Captured Tracks.

The Witch Hunt #2 - Army Man

Facebook / wearewitchhunt.com

Leeds duo The Witch Hunt return with their most striking track yet "Army Man", the lead track from their debut EP release Little Book of Hate due on limited edition (of 300) 10" vinyl perfectly in time for Hallows' Eve.

It shows a massive progression from the duo's early singles, where "Creep" was stark and haunting, "Army Man" is all brooding, commanding intensity.

It captivates from the get-go with ominously dark beats and crunching riffs shrouding a veil of thick, atmospheric gloom around the track. The mood is complemented perfectly by Louisa Osborn's incredibly controlled vocals, soaring above with a dramatic, impenetrable wall of intent. All spine-tingly sinister and brilliance - you might want to pre-order the EP quick (which you can via Bandcamp).

Witch Hunt launch the release with a show at London's The Sebright Arms on October 28th - details.

Dark Moon - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / thisdarkmoon.com

A trip into the archives of my draft folder to start the new month, London based trio Dark Moon appear to have been around for quite some time now but only appear (well I could only find) to have just the one track online, "Dusty Dreams",  a track released right at the start of the year.

Their description on Facebook is pretty accurate when it comes to describe the track, heavy psychedelia is definitely on the money. "Dusty Dream" sounds both hypnotic and ominous, brimming with tension as propulsive rhythms and meaty guitar riffs create a thick, swirling tapestry for Lola Ulalume's seductive vocals to instantly creep up on you, theatrical, flamboyant and brilliant. Let's hope there's more where that came from soon.