PINS #7 - Stay True

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There's more news and exciting bands than I can keep up with at present, my draft folder has gone up by some twenty (potential) posts this week alone, partly thanks to a post Great Escape catch-up from my inbox and also because of fantastic new songs like this, "Stay True", the first song from Manchester's Pins since last years brilliant LuvU4Lyf.

Taken from a forthcoming double A-side single released 22nd July via Bella Union and backed with fellow (as yet unheard) new track “Get With Me”, "Stay True" sounds distinctly Pins too, with Faith's trademark vocal drawl transfixing you whilst darkly rhythmic drums, throbbing bass and howling guitars echo with more menace than in your typical film noir, combining obvious post-punk influences with a poppy hook, “Stay True” is only going hasten the love passed on to this wonderful band.

Your next chance to hear the tracks live is next Thursday when when Pins play London's The Lexington - details.

There was further great news on the press release for the track, Pins are releasing a September Girls tape on their own Haus of Pins label. I can’t wait for that one either...

Rayys #2 - Beautiful Friend

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Rayys recently featured here at the start of last month with debut track “I’m Coming Home”, a song I called a “wholesome, spiritual number that soothes, calms and enchants from the first listen”…

That’s been quickly followed with another new track “Beautiful Friend”, equally intoxicating it swirls around with celestial atmosphere thanks to Rayys’ beautifully ethereal vocals and subtle, exotic instrumentation which washes over you and takes you off to somewhere infinitely more rewarding than the damp early Summer of 2013.

“Beautiful Friend” is available via bandcamp for a nominal price now.

The Graphite Set - New Music "Introducing"

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The Graphite Set is London based Lily Buchanan, her debut four track EP These Streets will be released on 3rd June and is available to pre-order on bargain priced 12" via Rough Trade now – after listening below, you might want to do just that…

The title track merges dark, worldly folk with a more unhinged, powerful pysch-rock sound, a cross between Smoke Fairies and the Banshee's, the former reference is pretty apt too as the distinctive guitar work of Katherine Blamire makes an appearance throughout the EP. "These Streets" is killer too, with Lucy's commanding vocals slowly but surely entwining around hypnotic beats and raw, jagged guitar riffs to a finale of howling, twisted noise.

There's something pretty unique in the subsequent tracks, it's the same song twice. "I See No Lies" and "In Your Eyes" might have different titles and sound nothing alike yet the lyrics are one and the same. "I See No Lies" is most like the lead track, with dominate beats echoing around chiming guitars while “In Your Eyes” takes away the psych melody and instead hits you in the guys with a haunting, beautiful combination of lonesome guitar and Lucy’s hardened vocals – a rocking beat becomes a sorrowful lament – just gorgeous.

ForgetMeKnot - New Music "Introducing"

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On my last post I was talking about having a penchant for 'Old American West' soundscapes, well perhaps even higher up on my infatuation stakes are glorious, soft harmonies and understated, comforting instrumentation. Here to give me just that is the Bristol based ForgetMeKnot, a septet led by a quartet of female vocalists, I'm almost hooked before I even press play.

Thankfully I'm not disappointed. Everything about their four track debut EP Dust is unfailingly lovely and given their name I'm going to chuck the old pretty-as-a-flower superlative in here too, it is though, "Monsters" combines subtle guitar plucks and divine vocals, it tugs right at your heart-strings as the entwining vocals blend around each other in a beautifully captivating way. "Footprints" is slightly more expansive, slowly weaving a piano-led tapestry with lovelorn words, goosebumps soon follow.

You can download the EP via Bandcamp now.
 

Saint Agnes - New Music "Introducing"

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When you describe your sound as American Old West you can guarantee I'm going to be listening to you, it's a sound I'm an absolute sucker for and as I've just returned from seeing Widowspeak (awesome), who perhaps have the style perfected, I'm ripe in the mood for more, all I'm lacking right now is the whiskey and the cowboy hat but London's (yep) Saint Agnes are here to transport me further to dusty, desert plains with their debut four track EP The Good Fight.

The feeling is never more apparent than on the woozy come down of closing track "Roadhouse Blues", with harmonica and bluesy guitars combining with lyrics of "Keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel // We’re going to the Roadhouse we’re gonna have a real good time", close your eyes and you'll almost be in a spaghetti western movie, aside from hitting a soft-spot of mine, it's a killer track too, all sultry, vocal drawl and psyche  mood - things which combine throughout the EP.

"Tower Falls" swirls with quivering, ominous organ, rolling drums and the twang of guitars, you can almost sense cold-blooded murder, add to that an addictive chorus hook and you might just have the EP's finest moment, that is until I work backwards to "Old Bone Rattle" which kicks off the EP with pure rock and roll fun times, with fuzzy guitars and stomping drums leading to sinister organ and a wonderful sprawling guitar solo to end the track - love it, a brilliant, polished debut is found.

Saint Agnes are a duo comprising of members from other London based bands, Jon (The Lost Souls Club) and Kitty (Lola Colt) and you can get the EP via  Bandcamp now, pay what you like - yes free - but perhaps a couple of quid to pay towards recording the next one....

Cassolette #2 - Return To Sender

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Although a relatively new label Minnesota’s Manic Pop Records already have an extensive release catalogue behind them, one of their latest is this wonderful tri-coloured vinyl by Florida Indie-poppers Cassolette.

A-side Return to Sender” is a perfect continuation of the sun-splashed sound I introduced here a good while back, an urgent and delicious fuzz-pop beauty where jangle guitars and cascading drums combine with sugary vocals and re-collecting lyrics conjure up images of days gone by. Similar things could be said to the flip side, their ode to “Ricki Lake”, a reverb-heavy nod to 60’s pop complete with bright and breezy hooks and candid story-telling words, uncomplicated, unfussy and completely infectious – add it to the sexiest looking vinyl I've seen in recent times and “Return to Sender” becomes an essential purchase.

You can get one via the Manic Pop! Store now.