Dark Dark Dark #2 - What I Needed

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Record Store Day remains something I'm very fond of although I can't say I'm a believer of all the major label re-issue's that seemingly take up most of the press in its build up, I'm much happier with the special releases, normally from little independent labels with some form of limited edition, exclusive material that can reward those of us mad enough to spend three hours queuing to get in the same record shop that you can go to every week without such troubles. (As I'm here, a side note, please don't feed the eBay sharks, in the last two years I've managed to get pretty much every release I wanted either on the day or by waiting a week for the remaining stock to come online - patience is the key).

My first post of RSD 2013 material sees the prolific Dark Dark Dark (their last album Who Needs Who came out just last October) release the lead track from a forthcoming four track 10" (with three new tracks and a remix) release, "What I Needed", instantly luxurious amongst an old school slow-motion melody and rich, sentimental vocals, it sweeps by with impassioned retro-pop goodness as organ swirls and precise percussive sway you into a smooth, romantic waltz.

You can also order the 10" vinyl via Melodic Records (and digitally too).

Rayys - New Music "Introducing"

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Rayys is a new name to me, a London based songstress (her accompanying website or facebook don't release the secret of a true identify) whose debut single "I'm Coming Home" is a wholesome, spiritual number that soothes, calms and enchants from the first listen.

"I'm Coming Home" sees a mystical, psychedelic folk sound introduced, drenched in a sumptuous melody led by fluttering piano keys, Rayys siren-like vocals stand-out with grace and crystalline beauty instantly transporting you to heavenly plains.

You can grab "I'm Coming Home" from bandcamp and then join the queue behind me awaiting a follow-up. Exquisite.

Hella Better Dancer #4 - Sleep

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One of this blog's favourites Hella Better Dancer have kick started your post-Easter music fix with a free download of a new demo track "Sleep", the first new material heard from the quartet for about a year now (thankfully I've seen them live a few times over the same period)....

Recorded via a laptop's internal microphone, the same process that resulted in last years immersive Living Room EP "Sleep" glistens with equal sense of drama and melancholy, drenched in reverb the languid melody (well that's to be expected in a track called "Sleep") is sparse whilst the shimmering guitar textures and beautiful harmonies are heart-melting and rich, circling around Tilly's immediately identifiable honey-drenched vocals, it's the very definition of gorgeous indeed.

If you are new to HBD there are bountiful treasures to be found on their Bandcamp.

Anika #4 - Love Buzz / EP

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I fell pretty hard for Anika right at the end of 2010 but as someone who rarely plays live in the UK my only time seeing her to date was at Field Day 2011, a performance which brought to life her debut full-length, predominately a covers LP where Anika morphs some pretty well known tracks with her unique 'blend of 60's dub and early 80's post-punk'.

After a seemingly quiet year she returns with a new EP, likewise self-titled, containing a couple of tracks we already know, "I Go To Sleep" from the aforementioned album and "In The City", a cover of Chromatics track which was originally shared on her label's Invada Sampler 2012 release.

Fear not though, there are also a few new tracks (both covers) and we've been treated to a stream of one to whet the appetite, her take of Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz", a track already pretty twisted and dark, here Anika adds her trademark vocal drawl, nonchalant and detached and her mysterious arrangements, where rat-a-tat beats and throbbing bass combine to trippy, almost lifeless ambiance.

Anika EP is due for release April 19th on CD/Vinyl/Digital via Stones Throw.

Alice Jemima #10 - Nightcall (Kavinsky Cover)

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Hello April, no April Fools here, hope you had a good Easter. I ran 20 miles and took the weekend offline. Now I return with a post I meant to do on Friday when Alice Jemima released a little, intimate cover version of "Nightcall" by Kavinsky (famous for its placing on the Drive soundtrack - something Alice has seemingly found herself listening to recently).

Her version, just like earlier takes of Lana Del Rey's "Million Dollar Man", a seasonal cover of "Driving Home For Christmas" or Strangers' "Safe / Pain" strips the track bare, gone are the originals distorted / alluring vocal duet and cool retro-synth melody and in their stead Alice replaces them with a comforting fingerpicked waltz and a caressing vocals which reveals the tracks beautiful inner heart and takes you to the softest, sweetest place imaginable.

Lana Del Rey - Chelsea Hotel No 2

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Guaranteed to polarise opinion, Lana Del Rey bridges the gap between last years debut (as LDR nay-sayers) and her forthcoming second album with a faithful cover of Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel No 2".

Stripped back of all the associated glitz and glam, a softly played acoustic guitar is the sole accompaniment here, putting the focus onto her voice, I'll let you decide if it works for you, I'm sure it's not going to for some Cohen fans who'll say the meaning of the track is lost here but as this is a blog about music I like and after I (and I still stand by it) chose Born To Die as my number one record of 2012 you might be guessing I'll be using words like, beguiling  beautiful, haunting and timeless to describe this.

Form your own opinion below: