The Tuts #3 - Worry Warrior

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I managed to miss this on release last month, here's an overdue reminder for those of you who might have likewise done the same. The Tuts have progressed leaps in bounds over the past twelve months or so, having seemingly been taken under the collar by Kate Nash (who they've supported around the UK, and are currently doing the same in Europe). The trios brand of catchy, can't but help you feel better power pop is the sort of thing that's made to top the charts in an alternative world.

Their latest track "Worry Warrior" is thankfully more of the same, infectious guitar-led pop with the sort of riffery you'd expect from a Nirvana track wrapped around fiery drums, sharp tongues and gorgeous harmonies. More soon please! You can download "Worry Warrior" (and the excellent self titled debut EP) from the girls Bandcamp now.

Sleep Thieves - New Music "Introducing"

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I'd not heard of Dublin electro-pop trio Sleep Thieves until this track, "Sparks", popped into my inbox earlier this week, the follow-up to a May 2012 debut EP called Islands (available via their Bandcamp) and the first taken from their forthcoming debut album.

"Sparks" combines much of what has become a successful formula this past year with hypnotic, glittering synths and gorgeous, breathy vocals paying a big nod and wink to the sound of the 80's or the recent Drive soundtrack but done with modern technology, slick, shiny tones, full of catchy melody and beats - ultra infectious.

Trick Mammoth - New Music "Introducing"

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Trick Mammoth are a New Zealand based trio whose debut three track demo EP Baltimore highlights for sort of perfect fuzz-pop sensibilities ideal for adding a bit of colour to your day.

I came across the band via Bandcamp's fan collections when someone I followed purchased the EP (as you can on a pay-what-you-like basis from their site) with the title track "Baltimore" instantly raising nostalgic smiles with a distinctly 90's wave of bright, guitar led soundscapes and beautiful, dreamy vocals.

Trick Mammoth don't hide their influences, their lo-fi sound is jangly, smily and upbeat, a dose of fun you can already see fitting in amongst your local indie club night.

"Pinker Sea" is more languid with hazy shimmers and Millie Lovelock's soft, smoldering vocals weaving amongst lead songwriter Adrian Ng's backing harmonies and precise beats, a sweet, wistful gem from a band well worth keeping an eye on.

Isobel Anderson #3 - Gentleman

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It's been a little while since I posted about Isobel Anderson,  September 2011 with a post about her last album Dark Path in fact. So to make up for that, here's a long overdue update about Isobel's new single "Gentlemen", the first single taken from the forthcoming album In My Garden.

The track combines quirky originality with Isobel's warming voice and Ruby Colley's beautifully restrained violin - I don't think I ever recall a song sampling the sounds of a tea shop at its beginning or lyrics such as "pour me another cup of tea" and “load up my scone with some cream" amongst the more traditional leanings of love not yet won.

The result is irresistible in any case as "Gentlemen's" delicate guitar strums and soft melody soothe and charms creating a blissful sound for those of us who perhaps increasingly like the idea of scones, coffee and chess at the weekend. Mmmmm....

You can download "Gentleman" from Isobel's Bandcamp now.

Agnes Obel #2 - Fuel To Fire

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I had the chance to see Agnes Obel play St Pancras Old Church the other week, I'm very annoyed I wasn't able to free up my life sufficiently to make it, it promised to be a spectacularly intimate gig at a beautiful London venue. After recently featuring "The Curse" here I'm following it up with the similarly spine-tingling "Fuel To Fire", the latest track from Agnes' soon to be release second LP Aventine (30th September via PIAS).

The track immediately pulls you in with its beautiful piano led melody and an emotive narrative that is poignant, calming, haunting all in equal measure around a delicate vocal that seduces, you are soon transported to somewhere better for five hypnotic minutes - quite stunning is this.

Agnes plays Union Chapel on October 21st - a sublime live rendition of "The Curse" is certainly enough to tempt me to make up for my recent miss and attend.

PINS #9 - Girls Like Us

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PINS are almost ready to share their debut full length Girls Like Us with the world (released next week, September 30th via Bella Union), it's already been picking up some favourable reviews, 7.5 from TLOBF, 7 from Clash and 7.5 from The 405 to name but three, all three complementary and all three mentioning a Savages comparison, an easy/lazy point based around both bands being made up of four ladies with a visceral, post-punk influenced bite. Things however are never that monochrome...

"Girls Like Us" perhaps sums up the Pins live experience (one I've seen twice in recent weeks at End of the Road and The Social) better than any track that has come before it, a dark, moody intro (backed by a similarly brooding video with the girls piercing stares intimidating) before exploding into life with tribal drums, swarming guitars and a deep bassline all wrapped up around Faith ferocious, tension-laden vocals. "Girls Like Us" sounds a lot more fun than they ever get credit for too, don't miss out.