Videotape / Impulsive Hearts - Split Cassingle

videotapenoise.net /
impulsivehearts.bandcamp.com

I think this only the second time I've ever done two bands in one post but given my discovery to both bands comes through the same split release, it only seems fair... Chicago bands Videotape and Impulsive Hearts each add a track to a new cassette singles club by hometown label Impossible Colors, it promises a very reasonable priced series of singles (12 tapes for USD20 + postage) over the next year and the first is a absolute belter...

Starting with the a-side, Videotape's "Salty" combines beefy guitar riffs with snarly vocals and big beats. As well as the whole heap of nostalgia crush there's much to like on top, with dreamy harmonies colliding perfectly with the piercing melody, full of the right mixture of menace and warmth throughout.

I am completely in love with the flip-side by Danielle Sines' Impulsive Hearts, "MDB" is an immediate jangle pop hit in the making, propelled by an infectious drum march and jagged, cavernous guitar patterns it recalls long lost summer days, you'll soon find it swirling around your head leaving you giddy for more, a repeat play will suffice nicely.

You can subscribe to the series of tapes via Impossible Colors or if the price of postage puts you off (and as a label myself, postal charges can most definitely do one), download the release for just $2 via Bandcamp now.

Deers #2 - Castigadas en el Granero

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Since I talked about Madrid's Deers back in May they have become one of the most talked about new bands of 2014, with a promptly sold out debut 7" Demo catapulting them to full page spreads in NME and equally sold out shows in London town. The now expanded quartet return with their first new tracks since "Castigadas en el Granero" to fully justify the hype...

The track combines the free-natured ramshackle spirit of their debut with the same boundless enthusiasm and spirit but also manages to sound tighter and more polished, thanks in no part to the tracks fantastic rhythm section and the infectious dual vocals, which sees Anna and Carlotta's words bouncing off each other, the result is sure to see live audiences do the same.

"Castigadas en el Granero" is the lead track to Deers' second release Barn, available to pre-order on 7" ahead of a 10th November release date via Lucky Numbers now.

Bed #2 - Wayward

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Since I caught up with bed almost half a year ago the Portland band (led by the husband and wife pairing of Alex and Sierra Haager) seem to have gained a member and added some grit and scope to the lo-fi fuzzed up sound introduced on "Bother".

New track "Wayward" immediately pays off, with a big beat, chiming guitar and jagged bass rhythm swarming around Sierra's gritty vocals, "Wrong, fucking wrong" she snarls at one point, yet it's impossible to be wrong when it sounds so right.

Sounding so perfectly tense, crisp and catchy too, it's one of the finest grunge pop tracks of the year. Go and download it now via Bandcamp.

Jodie Goffe #4 - Pavements

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During my catch-up post on Jodie Goffe last month I adhered to a soon to be released EP from the young London singer-songwriter, we've now been treat to the first glimpse from it in, the form of the beautifully pure title-track"Pavements".

Jodie possesses this warm, timeless tone which is capable of making the hairs on your neck stand on end. her comforting vocal is joined by additional guitar lines here, adding a rich, breezy layer of melody to her gentle finger-picking acoustic and beautifully captivaing voice.

I've had a sneaky preview of the rest of the EP, more emotive, story-telling lyrics, waltzing guitar lines and some subdued percussion await. A talent surely on the verge of breaking out.

The EP is launched tomorrow with a show at Tooting's The Antelope - details.

Kate Miller - Collar Up

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If you're as unfortunate as I am to have two Frozen obsessed children then it's likely the only songs you have stuck in your head on permanent rotation are "Let It Go" and "Fixer Upper" or if you're really lucky "Do You Want to Build a Snowman". So I'm glad that Kate Miller came along last night with the infectious and immediate "Collar Up" to give my mental jukebox a welcome change of pace...

The track introduces a gorgeous breathy vocal and a funk-laden guitar pattern that has you tapping along with the groove before the chorus fully entwines itself into your conscious at around the minute mark, afterwards you're hooked and hitting the repeat button soon after. I don't quite understand why it's not got another zero on the play count already (it soon will have with my plays alone).

There's a slightly older track, the ambient warmth of "Fortify" too (both taken from Kate's forthcoming debut EP Neophyte, due September 29th via Karma Artists) which has the same richness to it with exotic synths and another smouldering guitar line.

All that and still only a teenager, a new name to watch is found.

Slow Motion Picture - New Music "Introduction"

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Here comes the most aptly titled band I've heard for a little while (on the basis of one track anyway). New York's Slow Motion Picture introduce a wonderfully dense but controlled cinematic sound on their beautiful debut" Hideout", a track available via their Bandcamp page now.

The track is an exercise in the loud/quiet dynamic, starting softly with widescreen guitars textures soon joined by a devastatingly pretty vocal before brooding, atmospheric soundscapes rise into focus, simmering with intent, they threaten to fully explode but remain restrained, perfectly suiting the understated feeling of glorious melancholy that runs throughout. It's a compelling start for sure.

Slow Motion Picture's debut album In Memory Of… is due October 28th.