Dream Lake - New Music "Introducing"

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Dream Lake's name pretty much gives away what to expect with their music (and you'd be right). A combination of soft, ethereal vocals and luscious soundscapes that fits them in nicely amongst the number of dream-pop bands of today and then if I tell you they are from Scandanavia too, you'd still be getting full marks when expecting to hear a delicious melody and a fresh, alluring voice.

This Stockholm duo deserve their own time though, with the shimmering melody of "In The Lights" taken from their debut self-titled EP serving as an illuminating introduction.

"In The Lights" is beautiful from the get-go with bright piano twinkles complimenting Isabella Svärdstam's breezy vocal whispers and a creeping bass rhythm, it feels instantly refreshing and transports me from a room in an overcast England to the excitement of running through some serene and green landscape. Their Soundcloud gives a handful more tracks to listen to, picking up on a couple of my favourites "I See The Sky" adds in layers of addictive sweetness and nostalgia whilst "Try" is  the catchiest of the lot with an compulsive synth beat and a rich, reliable hook that you'll swear you've heard before.

I couldn't actually track down a link to their EP, I'll update this if I do but suffice to say this, dream-poppers, prepare to full in love.

Hanne Kolstø - One Plus One Makes One Out Of Two

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Although the attached press release to this track by Hanne Kolstø states it's from her third album in as many years, "One Plus One Makes One Out Of Two" serves as my introduction to the Norwegian songstress, a combination of eerie ambient noise, glistening midnight synths and guitar loops which build to the big, booming pop chorus.

It's the repeated cries of the anthemic chorus 'is there anybody out there...'  that you'll have stuck in your head all day, it draws you in and makes you keep coming back to it, that can only be a good thing.

"One Plus One Makes One Out Of Two" is taken from Hanne's album Stillness And Panic which is due for release in the UK on May 7th.

Alice Boman #3 - What

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On 2013's Skisser EP Alice Boman introduced herself as someone to take seriously, armed with a set of bedroom recordings, plaintive piano chords and a beautifully hushed voice she produced one the most beautiful moments of last year with "Waiting". She returned this week with news of her next EP (handily entitled EP II) and the good news is simple for those who fell under her spell (and newcomers too), "What" offers an equally beautiful experience.

The track immediately seduces, a stark and fragile piano-led ballad full of haunting, echoey atmosphere and Alice's sweetly-hushed vocals, the result is an intimate, bare-boned listen capable of bringing you close to tears.

EP II is released June 3rd via Happy Death and there's good news for fellow gig goers too as Alice was announced amongst the latest additions to The Great Escape festival line-up in May. She's on my list of must-sees.

Eliza Shaddad #4 - You For Me

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Last month when I talked about Eliza Shaddad and a live track called "When We" I said this; 'Eliza has perfected this knack of making a beautiful song and singing it beautifully'. There's no further proof of the truth in that statement than this, her new track "You For Me", the first song to be taken from her new EP Waters which is due June 16th via Beatnik Creative on digital/vinyl and is available to pre-order now.

Labelled as a radio edit and yet six minutes in length (that's the same length as Bohemian Rhapsody, a story I'm sure we've all heard) the track epitomises the soft and graceful style of Eliza's music. "You For Me" really is as pretty a moment as I've heard all year, a genuine love song with ringing guitar patterns and a delicate, haunting backdrop which slowly introduces Eliza's stunning vocals, gorgeous and defiant, here coupled with lyrics as optimistic and heartfelt as you're ever likely to hear. "You For Me" is the sort of track that will bring you to a stand still whatever you are doing - simply magical.

Eliza has a couple of gigs in London this very weekend, I'm planning on heading there myself. Details via her Facebook page. The record is super cheap too - you know what to do.

HAERTS #3 - Call My Name

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Time and time again here I've mentioned my love of uber-stylish, sexy-slow jams that could have been released at any point in time since the 80's. Here's another for the collection. The wonderful HAERTS came to my attention in the middle of last year with the stunning "Wings" (if you don't, you really should own their debut EP Hemiplegia) and this track "Call My Name" is taken from their forthcoming (as yet unannounced) debut LP.

The track is instant love, a magical, swooning affair where the gentle pitter-patter of beats and restrained moonlight synths slowly guide Nini Fabi's heart-melting vocals, it makes you want to grab someone you love and hold on tight. Gorgeous.

London Grammar #3 - Devil Inside

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Earlier this week the best TV show on the planet (that's Game of Thrones by the way and will series four please hurry up) unleashed a brand new trailer which closed with the distinctive vocals of Hannah Reid, the track for the uninitiated turned out to be a cover, INXS's "Devil Inside" transformed by the trio London Grammar to a haunting ballad that strips the raw power of the original and in its place added emotion by the truck load.

Emotion is something London Grammar have made their own since the came to the fore in late 2012 and their interpretation of "Devil Inside" is no different, starting serene and restrained with plaintive keys the sole accompaniment for Hannah's haunting vocals, before soon creeping guitars are introduced and the track builds and builds to typically a soaring, dynamic finale. It's bound to be divisive amongst late 80's rockers but I find this to be quite exquisite, a bare and beautiful version capable of touching deep inside. Listen below: