Metronomy- The Look

The Look is the second release from the follow-up album "The English Riviera" which is due to be released on April 11th, 2011. This has elevated Metronomy from a middle of the road, nothing special group to a top notch, headliner act. As typical, the music seems to flow effortlessly, the melodies are particularly joyous and the lyrics are as soft as ever.

This album is a must hear!

A combination of stop frame animation, bemused pigeons and dodgems make the video equally as captivating.

Frank Turner - I am disappeared

Frank Turner has released “I Am Disappeared,” one of the first tracks to hit the airwaves from his upcoming album, England Keep My Bones. His new album will hit stores June 6, 2011.


As always Frank stays true to his origin as a singer songwriter in this lyrically driven masterpiece. His instrumentals may be simple but with lyrics of this strength, it would be only disappointing to draw the listener away from the message he is trying to get across. 


He yearns to escape from the hard days, the days in which he feels trapped and lost;


"And come morning
 I am disappeared
 Just an imprint
 On the bed sheets"

Check Frank out at: http://www.frank-turner.com/

Wild Beasts- Albatross

Following on from their critically acclaimed and Mercury Prize nominated second album Two Dancers, Wild Beasts are back with another album release (Smother)  slated for May 10th. The band have released the first single from the album, “Albatross,” a track washed with sonic layers 
and textures of abstract sounds combined to form something typically bold and unique


This is the first piece of the Smother puzzle which has been laid out for us and reminds me a lot of TalkTalk. I really believe that in Smother we may be in store for something spectacular from Wild Beasts. 


Check them out here: .http://www.wild-beasts.co.uk/

Cults- You know what I mean

Cults were undoubtedly one of the breakout bands of 2010 and are destined for even greater heights this coming year. They just dropped this track "You know what I mean" and sources confirm that it will feature on their debut album due for release in May. 


The song itself is a joyous up tempo ode to confusion and loneliness. Madeline Hollen's unique (As always) voice brings a real presence to the song and in the last verse when she riles her voice up to an octave she truly brings the song to a crescendo. For a band who made its name with a happy-go-lucky summer pop song, it's a bold move that hints at longevity some might not have expected. 


Check them out at: http://cultscultscults.com/ 

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean

Since the blogosphere is starting to buzz in a major way about Fleet Foxes impending album release "Helplessness Blues", I decided to upload this track which will feature on the album. Since their self titled debut back in 2008, Fleet Foxes have been placed firmly at the driving seat of the indie-folk movement. They describe their music as "baroque harmonic pop jams" which alone shows us the creativity within this group. Their album is due to be released on May 3rd, 2011. 


The whole album has (unsurpisingly) leaked online already and for me, this track was my standout. It stays loyal to the beautiful harmonies and acoustic nature with which we all associated Fleet Foxes. This track alone should shelve any doubts about their sophomore album not living up to the hype. 


Enjoy!


Check them out at: www.fleetfoxes.com  

The National- Think you can wait

This sleepy new song from Tom McCarthy’s new film Win Win is as with anything from The National a lyrical delight. My favorite line being; "I'll pull the devil down with me one way or another." This tune features an exquisite, gentle but brooding melody and guest vocals from Sharon Van Etten supporting Matt Berninger's typical oak-infused crooning.


Check The national out here: http://www.myspace.com/thenational

Elsinore- Chemicals

Illinois pop quintet, Elsinore bring upbeat, catchy melodies fused with evident rock influences. The lead singer reminds me of the vocalist from The Editors, not a bad comparison to have. He has a very classy, sombre tone which i thoroughly enjoy. The video to Chemicals is quite funny and creative. It is done in black and white and features just manic actions and crazy occurrences which keeps the whole thing quite lighthearted considering the song is undoubtedly about trying to figure out the mentality of a person to whom you have become attached.

Elsinore are a charismatic, enigmatic outfit which having stumbled across this tune earlier have me hooked.

Check them out here /http://www.elsinoremusic.net/

Currently their only scheduled to play in the Illinois area but hopefully they will start to venture further afield in the near future- they certainly have the talent to do so.

Arctic Monkeys - Brick by Brick

Sheffield's finest export are back with a BANG! This track randomly appeared on their website last Friday and its a serious tune. It brings the usual witty lyrics from Alex which as always go straight for the jugular with constant success. The song itself possesses low registering harmonies combined with some delightful guitar riff's which keep the tempo of the song stomping along with utter delight.


The arctic monkeys seem to have abandoned their analytical approach to "Humbug" and reverted back to their who gives a fuck, its rock 'n' roll methodology of producing music! I for one welcome this ode to their earlier work with open arms and am thoroughly excited to see what their album hits us with when it drops in May.


Bring on "Suck it and See" on June 6th, 2011. I have great expectations for this record. 


Check the lads out at www.arcticmonkeys.com