Creatures of Love - New Music "Introducing"

http://www.facebook.com/creaturesoflove

I'd heard of Creatures of Love through their Joy Formidable connections but hadn't listened to them before catching them support TJF at The Borderline last Saturday, I was suitably impressed.

The menacing intro and dimly lit stage set-up gave a strong signal that we were in for a gothic spectacle, that we were. Lead singer Bonita Mckinney was sporting a cape similar to one I've seen Zola Jesus wear a few times and the similarities don't stop there, an incredible vocal with a sound that sits somewhere between the aforementioned Nika, Esben and the Witch and the pop sensibilities of Florence Welch. Instead of the incessant pacing of Zola Jesus, we were treated to bewitching stares and a powerhouse voice from Bonita backed wonderfully by some pounding electro beats.

"Barbitos" might still be in demo form but it's a dark, electro masterpiece. Edgy guitars, witchy ambient synths and percussive beats create an brooding, atmospheric beauty. It is a real sign of intent.

Creatures Of Love - Barbitos (Studio Demo)

The band released a digital EP last year which you can get on iTunes. It contains six tracks very much in the same vein. Highlights include the haunting chimes on intro "Creatures of Love", "Book Thief" and "So Low". Check them out live, I was impressed, you will be too. Expect to see Creatures of Love back on here soon.

Creatures Of Love - So Low

January 2011 in Summary

It's been a great start to 2011 if you ask me. Rather than trawl through some of my older posts and read my inane drivel, here is a summary of the best of what I've heard and discovered this month through, what matters, videos and audio from the artists themselves.

The Best Five Things Released in January 2011.

1. The Joy Formidable - The Big Roar
Joy Formidable - The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade by The Drift Record Shop

2. Esben and the witch - Violet Cries
Esben and The Witch - Marine Fields Glow by The Drift Record Shop

3. Braids - Native Speaker
BRAIDS 'Lemonade' by kaninerecords

4. Tennis - Cape Dory
Tennis - Marathon by Vicente P

5. The Soft Moon - The Soft Moon
The Soft Moon - Out of Time by Insound

The Five Best Just Music That I Like Discoveries of January:

1. Softspot
SoftSpot - Bones by morrisday



2. Echo Lake
In Dreams by Echo Lake

3. Clytem Scanning


4. Camille Delean
Camille Delean - Rivers (Demo) by morrisday

5. Birds of Passage
you wore blue by birds of passage

scarlet monkeys by birds of passage

Five Things You Need to Order in Feb

1. Caitlin Rose - Own Side (Single out 21st Feb)


2. Let's Buy Happiness - Fast Fast (Single released 28th Feb)
Let's Buy Happiness - Fast Fast by Jonathan Six07 Press

3. Terror Bird - Outside / When I Woke UP (Single Released 21st Feb) + Human Culture LP (out feb)
TERROR BIRD - Outside.mp3 by NightSchool

4. The Boxer Rebellion - The Cold Still (Album Released 7th Feb)


5. She Keeps Bees - Live in the UK, 24th Feb at London Windmill - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/107650
She Keeps Bees - Gimme by morrisday

Creep - New Music "Introducing"

Creep is the female duo of Lauren Dillard and Lauren Flax, from Brooklyn NY, like so much of the music finding its way onto the blog recently, their sound is a dark menacing electro, with some serious gothic undertones.

Their first single features The xx’s Romy Madley Croft providing her trademark dreamy vocal which will no doubt bring a much wider audience to the duos music.

The xx link doesn't end their, their debut release is through Young Turks, The xx's label, a marketeer's dream one could say. There are a few other tracks on their Myspace which hint at future gems too.

You can purchase 'Days' on 12" Picture disc from Young Turks shop.

CREEP / Days by Young Turks

CREEP / Intro by Young Turks

Nicole Atkins - New Video / Album

http://soundcloud.com/nicole-atkins
http://www.nicoleatkins.com/

I'd not heard of Nicole Atkins until this past week but judging by the number of plays on her MySpace account I'm in the minority. I did some further investigation and came across her 2007 album 'Neptune', which is rather lovely.

I'm really into the single for her upcoming album 'Mondo Amore', "Vultures" exhibits a dark and dusky soulful voice.

You can get the album in an array of packages and support the band raising money for a tour van via Kickstarter.

Vultures by Nicole Atkins

The Way It Is by Nicole Atkins

Lidwine - New Music "Introducing"

http://www.lidwine.com/

Below is an excerpt about Lidwine from her Myspace page, which perked up my interest enough to give her EP a listen:

'Influences: Prince, Björk, Kate Bush,Joanna Newsom, Gonjasufi
Sounds Like: A strong wind blowing on an unpredictable sea'

Now I'm going to have a hard time improving on the comparisons that those two simple lines draw because they are wholly accurate. There is no hiding the fact that Lidwine delivers a very similar quirky, elongated vocal to that of Iceland's favourite export. Lidwine does though manage to draw you to her music rather than just make you reach for 'Vespertine'.

Lidwine released her debut EP 'Lw' in October 2010, it's a twenty minute journey of bewitching yet beautiful slow-burning electro-folk with a sound that could soundtrack a Tim Burton movie or an eerie children's fairy tale by Grimm Brothers. There is a natural, forest like, breathy sound to the music.

Using many traditional instruments with beautiful results, harp and harmonium especially creating some delicate and delightful moments, like on this track off the EP, "Animosity":



"In The Half-Light" is another perfect example, the haunting, delicate vocals, luscious soundscapes with beautifully arranged harmonium melodies and a glorious choir. You can watch the video of the track here:


In The Half-Light - Lidwine from Lidwine on Vimeo.

Sleigh Bells #5 - Rill Rill Video

Yeah, I am completely in love with Alexis. Sleigh Bells are in the UK at the moment, their show is crazy - go and see it. Their album still blows the socks off you.
Tickets: http://www.seetickets.com/Tour/SLEIGH-BELLS.

Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em

Lousy post, busy today with budget meeting (fun). I've spoiled you recently though with Camille Delean, Clytem Scanning, SoftSpot, Birds of Passage etc. So I'll forgive myself!