There’s been a recent buzz about the return to recording of former XTC frontman Andy Partridge who knows a thing or two about writing sharp, pithy, catchy pop as his band’s late ’70s and early ’80s output will attest.
Track of the Day
TRACK OF THE DAY: Margot – ‘Tired’
The gentile nature of this jangling beast whimsically flows throughout my headspace, it is the new single from London-based Margot. The five-piece craft music of sensuality and calmness; permeating their third release is a sleek bed of gossamer synth work and melodic guitars that create an atmosphere of free flowing idyllics and late summertime frolics.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Talkboy – ‘Mother’
The time signature of 7/4 has reputation amongst musos for being the preserve of either prog addled drumheads or jazz elitists, both more interested in showing off their technical prowess than communicating with the listener. Yet when applied tastefully, it enables unexpectedly rhythmic meters to arise in the vocals, which can sound closer to natural […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: Gaffa Tape Sandy – ‘Meat Head’
‘Meat Head‘ is the latest single from Bury St Edmunds’ Gaffa Tape Sandy. This rock track is a driving force and filled with energy as vocalist/bassist Catherine Lindeley-Neilson takes lead vocal, setting the tone with her raw yet empowering voice.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Johnny Kills – ‘Who’s Counting?’
Johnny Kills, fresh off the back of signing to the appropriately named Killing Moon Records, have birthed their latest chaotic hybrid of surf and punk in the form of ‘Who’s Counting?‘. For those of you who are new to them, the trio operate out of Brighton and London, which is quite evident from the mashing […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: The Opera Comic – ‘What Have We Done?’
Another step; another leap. In latest single, ‘What Have We Done?,’ The Opera Comic continue to triumph a progression into the progressive, as they lead listeners through an exhibition of expectations for their forthcoming EP, A Distant Now.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Pabst – ‘Shake the Disease’
Berlin-based Pabst release confrontational visuals for new single ‘Shake the Disease.’
TRACK OF THE DAY: Far Caspian – ‘Let’s Go Outside’
Leeds quartet Far Caspian tap into the sunshine atmospherics of the moment, with new summer tune ‘Let’s Go Outside.’
TRACK OF THE DAY: Junodream – ‘Fire Doors’
“F***ing hell, this is…this is really s****ing good,” was the response of my oldest friend when he overheard me listening to Junodream’s new single. I could just leave it at that, and those words would sum up my feelings equally accurately, but I feel like a band such as Junodream deserve more than to be […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: Dead Naked Hippies – ‘Guillotine’
Hilariously, my first exposure to Dead Naked Hippies came a year ago at Live At Leeds 2017. My friend misread their name on the lineup as ‘Dead Naked Nipples’ and oh how we laughed. Dead Naked Nipples: what does it even mean? However after over a year, having finally got round to listening to the […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: Otzeki – ‘Angry Fix’
I’ve previously had the pleasure of interviewing Otzeki, and so jumped at the chance to review their latest release ‘Angry Fix.’ The track is an excellent example of Otzeki’s switched on and self aware songwriting – hooky enough to get stuck in your head, but with enough depth that repeat listens reveal undiscovered detail and […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: The Family Chain – ‘Catholic’
Fragile power – that’s what I think best describes Brighton band The Family Chain’s new release ‘Catholic‘. The vocal delivery is strong yet wounded, filled with emotion but restrained, matching perfectly with the story of fear and rejection contained in the relatively short lyrics. It’s a story that many people in our progressively more secular […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: Night Flight – ‘God Knows’
Off the back of a great set at this year’s Live At Leeds, Night Flight return with an excellent new single, combining all the charm of their previous material with a grungier instrumentation that’s perfectly primed for the wide arenas of this summer’s festival season. ‘God Knows’ opens with the band’s’ typical immediacy and intimacy, […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: Melby – ‘Reject’
Stockholm quartet Melby bring a shimmering frantic energy to their new track ‘Reject‘. Launching into its main groove with little in the way of pomp and circumstance, the fast bass, erratic shaker percussion and clean guitar lines immediately showcase the track’s simple, no holds barred vibe, a reflective of a band with similar attitudes.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Haze – ‘Ladz Ladz Ladz’
Like a dog chasing its own tail, the guitar lines in Haze’s ‘Ladz Ladz Ladz’ single are constant and repetitive, burrowing into your head. Deadpan vocals drawl over them, mocking toxic lad culture, that alternate between somewhat-excited yelps for the chorus. Mark E. Smith never died.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Oh Joy – ‘Cab Sad’
An expression of rain-hammered window gazes, Irish trio, Oh Joy craft in latest single, ‘Cab Sad’ – a brief moment of the morose, charged by numbed 6/8 lurches and sweeping guitar strokes.
TRACK OF THE DAY: JC Stewart – ‘Medicine’
Gentle piano chords introduce JC Stewart’s latest cut, ‘Medicine.’ His voice is soft – a little soulful – it almost feels like he’s singing directly at you, up close and intimate. It certainly has this (good) weird intensity about it that draws a listener in.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Squirrel Flower – ‘Conditions’
It’s the opening lines, and the way that they’re sung that really gets to you on ‘Conditions.’ Ella Williams (aka. Squirrel Flower) calmly delivers: “I’ll be gentle, and I’ll take it slowly, just as long as you say you don’t need me.” Words imbued with sadness, delivered with a quivering authority.
TRACK OF THE DAY: Bdrmm – ‘The Way I Want’
After the critical success of their single Kare, Hull’s finest dream-poppers appear to be on quite the roll. Bdrmm blend the best elements of cinematic, dream-pop and lo-fi music with ease in this curiously uncanny slow-burner. On the surface ‘The Way I Want’ is a meticulously crafted pop tune. However, it still bristles with bdrmm’s […]
TRACK OF THE DAY: Odina – ‘I’m Not Asking’
The Iberian singer-songwriter Odina presents us with ‘I’m Not Asking‘.