THE STRANGE DEATH OF LIBERAL ENGLAND – Flagships
tsdole.com
Magisterial, strangely timeless, this track from TSDOLE comes on like the national anthem of a small but very cool country that you’ve not come across before. As always Adam Woolway’s unique vocal is right up front, but there’s instrumentation aplenty, before the track breaks down into a slightly more mellow refrain before fading out. Overall, a strange little tune at first listen, but one that grows and grows… grab it while you can!
BUKOLA – Make Your Move
Slip Disc
Make Your Move has surprisingly subtle instrumentation for an R&B track, but it really works, letting Bukola’s voice lead, and the girl certainly has some good pipes! The only let down here are some really weak synthesised beats, but as they’re hidden pretty low in the mix you probably won’t pick up on them anyway!
NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION – Drawing Maps From Memory
Kscope
This is a curious song, starting abruptly as if you’ve dipped in midway through the track, it throws you off a little. From there it’s difficult to get into the swing of things. This is a step up from their EP though, and definitely has a bit of momentum about it.
NEVER MIND THE STARS – Holiday
All Seeing Eye/Strfckr
Underground heroes in The Netherlands, Never Mind The Stars cite Hot Chip, Daft Punk and Ultravox as influences, and each is writ large on this tune. Nevertheless it’s a catchy track with a big fruity bass beat and a tune that’s all too easily sucked into your subconscious… I’ve been humming it for a week!
NOISIA – Machine Gun
Essential Music
More music from Holland, this time in the form of ace remixers Noisia who are now beginning to take the spotlight in their on right with some brutal drum & bass attack! This is an anthemia beast and almost feels like the missing soundtrack piece from an action movie set in Eastern Europe!
BERTIE BLACKMAN – Black Cats
Forum5
Described as The Australian Florence, Bertie Blackman reminds these ears more of Ladyhawke, which is no bad thing. A very eighties sound, coupled with Blackman’s sultry and sexy vocal has created a rather special track that we cannot urge you stongly enough to seek out!
ALBERTA CROSS – Old Man Chicago
Ark Recordings
This song has probably been around as long as any from this band (it was on the EP of theirs I bought a few years back when I caught them supporting Scott Matthews) and, to these ears, it’s their best. Unlike other parts of their album, this doesn’t feel like it’s apoing anyone else, instead the languid blues seems natural and organic.
SOUND OF GUNS – Alcatraz
Distiller Records
Pounding drums, riffing guitars… we sometimes forget there are still bands writing back to basics rock music. It tends to be Sound Of Guns who remind us, and Alcatraz is another example of why, even though this band aren’t doing anything new, they bear further investigations. The song is catchy as hell, with a chant along chorus that’s clearly been written with hopes of a future playing stadiums…. Follow the dream guys!
MCLEAN – My Name
Asylum records
The synth heavy production here is immediately off-putting, I can’t help but suspect this will be cookie cutter R&B and I’m gonna hate it. Thankfully though, McLean has a smooth and sophisticated vocal that helps this track rise above the crowd. Stripped down to basics, this would be a great tune… less is more folks!