pop
Track: Squeeze – Happy Days, plus new album details
With the exception of Then Jericho (no, I don’t expect you to remember) the only band of any note that I can remember playing in the close vicinity during my earlier teenage years was Squeeze. Purveyors of pop at its most perfect for some time even at that juncture, the band had found its way …
Track: Låpsley – Hurt Me
With her debut album scheduled for early 2016, Southport-raised, London-based singer and producer Holly ‘Låpsley’ Fletcher has revealed Hurt Me, out now on XL Recordings. Flipside Burn has already seen the light of day and provoked something of a reaction from those in the know, while Annie Mac premiered Hurt Me as her Hottest Record …
Not Forgotten: Sparks – Balls
One of the great things about Sparks down the decades has been their innate ability to innovate and inspire those that follow in their wake. The fact that those that follow in their wake have their own disciples and, somewhat frustratingly, bigger sales, only adds to the lure of Sparks for me. Having made great …
Not Forgotten: Kirsty MacColl – Kite
I find it impossible to dislike any aspect of Kirsty MacColl. She was a trier, tirelessly honing her craft, refusing to sell herself short or compromise her material for anyone, be they record companies, her expectant fans or her father. Sadly for all her obvious talent and verve, she struggled to record a consistently satisfying …
See: Jess Barlow releases new visuals for ‘Someone Else’s War’
Sung with a beautiful honesty, ‘Someone Else’s War’ from Jess Barlow has quickly become one of my favourite songs of the year. On top of a simple and elegant musical construction, Jess’s voice presents the emotions behind the songs meaning and brings it all to life. It’s a song that expresses the inner emotions of a …
Track: Danny McLauchlan – Enough
Taken from his forthcoming EP, due for release early next year, comes a new song – Enough, from London producer/singer-songwriter Danny McLaughlan. From the beginning’s gentle electronics it’s slow, delicate and very beautiful songwriting. Blessed with simple but lovely lyrics and similar synth lines that give it this innocence, it meanders along. As it does …
Album Review: Tame Impala – Currents
Okay, so I’ve listened to Tame Impala’s excellent new album Currents several times now. Like everyday, twice a day, since last Friday. I can say very confidently that it’s a masterpiece. Kevin Parker has finally decided he no longer has to make albums that sound like they’re being performed by a crusty crew of long-haired, bearded psych …
Tracks: Shannon And The Clams – Corvette
Corvette is the first single from the forthcoming Shannon And The Clams album Gone By The Dawn, due for release on 11 September. This is a song that begins sweetly with Shannon Shaw’s vocals a deep purr. As the lyrics turn sour she starts to growl and you realise that this one will have a …
Album Review: Act – Love and Hate – A compact introduction to Act
One of the blink and you’ll miss it bands from the time of synth-pop revolution, Act flashed and burnt out, pretty much before anyone noticed. The duo, Thomas Leer and ex-propaganda singer Claudia Brücken, convened after Propaganda fell apart over their contract with label ZTT, the band and Brücken (then Mrs Paul Morley, ZTT co-founder) …
Track: Department M – Bleak Technique
Initially the project of Leeds’ Owen Brinley, Department M has developed into a growing concern, a full live band in fact that includes Tommy Davidson from Pulled Apart By Horses. They’re a creative bunch too, having already released record owns the Too Pure singles club and Fierce Panda in the last two years, and now …