FOREIGN BEGGARS – Seven Figure Swagger
Dented
With grime vocals bolted unceremoniously to beats that I can only assume were designed to blow holes in your sub-woofer, this is a classic British slice of rap/hip-hop with a refreshing electronic edge. If this isn’t already blowing away dance floors on underground club nights then there’s something seriously wrong with the world, and if this is your kind of tune then go ask for it!
TWIN ATLANTIC – What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?
Red Bull Records
Twin Atlantic are, quite possibly, one f our discoveries of the year here at Call Upon The Author, their Biffy Clyro meets 30 Seconds To Mars sound is fresh and engaging and this is another example of how well they know their way around a song. Seriously, if you haven’t heard this band yet then you’re missing out, so get googling now!
BLACK SOUL STRANGERS – Lies
Squeek Records
This Irish quartet have taken up residence in London to try and bring their indie tunes to the masses. They aren’t bad either, though this is certainly not groundbreaking stuff. In fact, if I’m honest this is almost a throwback to the latter days of the Britpop era with it’s singalong chorus, good fun then, in a throwaway fashion.
RUFFNECK ‘09 FT. NAVIGATOR – Ctrl Z v Freestylers
Never Say Die
Furious electro punk anarchy is the recipe of the day here. If you pogo’d round the dance floor to early Prodigy you’ll be right at home here. Having been the subject of a master class in Computer Music on how to remix (and of course, featured in a video here at Call Upon The Author), give this a spin and we defy you not to be dancing around the room!
BAD FOR LAZARUS – Old Rats On A New Ship
Shit Chic
Like the grubby rocker stood in a crowd of pristine skinny jean clad indie kids, Bad For Lazarus doesn’t quite fit. Somehow that makes this single all the more endearing. The screeching vocal and stomping beat, all drenched in distortion, hark back to the grunge era. Do yourself a favour if you get this disc and check out the B side too. ‘Kemptown Animals’ comes on like a prowling animal being sound tracked by The Fratellis, and it’s a gorgeous mix!