Spectre - Radiohead

Spectre - Radiohead

Radiohead were originally asked to record the theme song for this year's James Bond film, Spectre. They were passed over in favour of Sam Smith, but now the song is up online for all to hear.

Radiohead's first release since 2011's The King of Limbs, the song is haunting, showcasing Thom Yorke's ever ethereal vocals. A gentle piano based piece with an epic feel, the song is the ultimate Christmas present for any Radiohead fan, and hopefully points in the direction Radiohead will be heading in with their next album.

Listen to it below.

Loose Tapestries - Can't Wait For Christmas

Loose Tapestries - Can't Wait For Christmas

ft Idris Elba

Loose Tapestries have made a reappearance just in time for a Christmas tune, which is every bit as surreal as you'd expect from a collaboration between Mighty Boosh's Noel Fielding and Kasabian's Sergio Pizzorno.

To sum up Can't Wait For Christmas, it's somewhat like a bizarre, psychedelic mistletoe nightmare. In the opening verse, there's much reference to Christmas stereotypes, before getting downright weird, as one can imagine from the co-creator of beings such as Old Gregg.

Working hard on your body on your new exercise bike, snowball fights with local hard men, rubbing through soot in a naked frenzy, and that's all before Idris Elba joins in with his verse on various undergarments.

Utterly confusing and wonderful, but what else would you expect from Loose Tapestries? A must listen this Christmas season.

TLSP - New Album Announcement

The Last Shadow Puppets - New Album Announcement

TLSP, circa 2008

Seven years on from the release of their debut album, Miles Kane and Alex Turner's collaborative effort The Last Shadow Puppets have finally made an official announcement regarding new material.

Whilst it had already been all but confirmed by the album's producer, James Ford, earlier this year, the teaser video (below) leaves no doubt that an album has finally come to fruition.

A bizarre, technicolour nightmare, the teaser promises to maintain The Last Shadow Puppets retro 60s vibe, but with a decidedly more American feel, much like Alex Turner's own Arctic Monkeys went for a few years back. Will it live up to the standard set by The Age of the Understatement? Only Spring 2016 will tell.

You're My Waterloo - The Libertines

The Libertines - You're My Waterloo

Music Video

A video has been put to once a rarity 'You're My Waterloo', after a revisited version of it was released on The Libertines' most recent album, 'Anthems For A Doomed Youth'. Tears ensued.

Telling a black and white love story, the video looks like a (better quality) musiic video straight out of early 00s British indie music. Full of quick cuts, shaky camera shots, suicide references, fights and making up, it's a suitable video for an ode to seemingly doomed love.

Any self-respecting Libertines fan has to (and probably already has) checked out the video, but if not, you can find it below:

The 1975 - New Single

The 1975 - Love Me

New Single

The 1975 have shed their pretentious all-black wearing image in favour of neon pink in the bizarre neon nightmare that is the video for their latest single.

The song is even more pop than their previous stuff - jarring guitar riffs and catchy choruses galore to be found. Still as mediocre as ever, the lyrics seem happy to embrace and satirise their fame, as Matty Healy cries "We've just come to represent / A decline in the standards of what we accept" Just how low those were standards to begin with, I'm not sure.

The video itself is neon pink and borrows something of 70s excess as the band surround themselves with more scantily clad beautiful women (it's ironic I'm sure) and cardboard cutouts of famous friends and general icons. Striking shades of pink are to be found throughout. It's a weird one to say the least.

Watch the video below:

Foals - Give It All

Foals - New Single

Give It All

Foals released Give It All as a single today (12/10), the latest off their album What Went Down which came out beginning of September.

Slow and powerful, Give It All gradually builds to a grand crescendo at the end, in a style not unlike previous single Late Night off 2013's Holy Fire. The song features Yannis Philippakis' raw vocals in a more tamed manner than other songs off the album, but still delivering an excellent performance. Instrumentation is minimal at the beginning of the song, adding to the final impact of the ending.

The video was directed by NABIL, who also directed Foals' videos for Bad Habit and Late Night, as well as music videos for other artists including Arctic Monkeys, Alt J and Kanye West.

Watch the video below:

Peace - Perfect Skin

Peace - New Single

Perfect Skin

Peace have released a music video for their latest single, Perfect Skin.

Featured on their album Happy People, released earlier this year, the song is a catchy piece of indie pop with lyrics describing dissatisfaction in one's appearance. Drenched in angst and one of the album's undoubted highlights, it was only a matter of time before it was released as a single.

The video itself involves couch bouncing, a wind machine and a rather gaudy purple tracksuit. Like Peace themselves, it's kind of cheesy, but you love it all the more for it. Viva la angst.

Watch the video below:

Bloc Party - New Single

Bloc Party - The Love Within

Bloc Party return with a new single and new line-up

Last night (5th October) Bloc Party released their first new music in three years, single 'The Love Within'. With a whole new line up behind lead singer Kele Okereke, this is pretty evident in the sound of the new song.
A fairly uplifting chorus, lyrically one can't help but be reminded of their 2007 single 'The Prayer' by opening lines "Lord, give me grace and dancing feet". Key changes galore, the song is almost reminicinet of Kele's solo work.
A departure from Bloc Party's previous sound, the electronic influence is more prominent than ever. The jury is still out on what to make of their new direction.

Bloc Party's as of yet untitled fifth album is expected to be out in early 2016.

Listen to it yourself below:

Mothers - Swim Deep (Album Review)

Swim Deep - Mothers

Album Review

One Great Song And I Could Change The World opens Swim Deep's second venture, introducing us to their new, re-imagined selves, followed by To My Brother still sounds as fresh as it did upon first release last March.

The singles sound as good as ever on the album, but they aren't the only standout tracks.Third track, Green Conduit softens things up slightly and slows down the pace before hitting a thumping chorus and an ending of pure distorted pandemonium, reinstating that the indie pop days are over for Swim Deep, just in case there was any doubt.

Forever Spacemen is definitely on the more out there side of things - drifting and melodious, it gives off a certain sci-fi vibe that works in its favour. Namaste is really the only song that yearns back slightly to Swim Deep's previous sound but doesn't hold the album back, instead adding a more pop-y relief between the distortion and meandering ways of Heavenly Moment and Is There Anybody Out There.

Fuehio Boogie closes the album on an uplifting eight minute sprawl of frantic and dreamy sounds, bringing to an end what is undoubtedly a far more solid effort than Swim Deep's first album, Where The Heaven Are We, back in 2013. While the album does have some slightly weaker moments, the overall impression is a seriously favourable one, and shows a more grown up and evolved Swim Deep

9/10

Lana Del Rey - Honeymoon (Review)

Lana Del Rey - Honneymoon

Review

Lana Del Rey's efforts in Honeymoon are far more impressive than that of previous album, Ultraviolence.

With a self acknowledging opening line (We both know / It's not fashionable to love me), Lana welcomes us into her Honeymoon - a brooding but uncaring affair, that sounds effortless. Even in songs like God Knows I Tried, Lana still sounds as cool whilst expressing disdain and tiredness.

Still holding that ethereal air to her, Lana has managed to produce an album that sounds rooted in her 50s/60s aesthetic that flows perfectly as a solid body of work.

Album closer, cover of the Nina Simone classic Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, is a particular highlight, which seems to surmise the albums mood as a whole.

Whilst still not quite as strong as her debut album, Lana Del Rey has managed to produce a solid album that is more than worth a listen.

8/10

Too - FIDLAR (Album Review)

FIDLAR - Too

Album Review

FIDLAR's second album is like the morning after of the party that was their first album. The drugs and alcohol are still as omnipresent as ever, but now the consequences are there to be seen.

40 oz On Repeat opens the album with a bang and introduces you to the roller coaster that is Too. Album highlights include Overdose, a far softer song than FIDLAR have ever produced before. Inspired by lead singer Zac Carper's experience of overdosing three times in a month, the song is probably the most obvious example of the darker undertones now present in FIDLAR's work.

That's not to say it's all miserable now - songs like West Coast and Sober give the album the same level of life as their self titled debut, if more well-produced.

The final song on the album, Bad Habits is a perfect closer to summarise the sentiments of this album, with a catchy guitar hook and a chorus anyone can scream along too.

9/10

The Libertines - Gunga Din

The Libertines - Gunga Din

Single Review

Over ten years has passed since The Libertines last released a song, but was the wait worth it?

The short answer is - yes.

Lyrics as sharp as ever, Gunga Din is classic Libertines. The song ambles along for each verse before hitting its sing-a-long chorus, one that one can imagine an arena of people roaring along to. Doherty and Barat have proved once again how well they work as a song writing duo. The Libertines are back in fighting form with this promising lead single before the release of their album this September.

Listen to the song below:

Foals - What Went Down (Single)

Foals - What Went Down

Single Review

What went down indeed? Foals' lead single off their fourth album was played on BBC Radio 1, 16th June. The reaction? Overwhelming.

The song more than manages to live up to Foals' excellent discography. The song is an epic, primal journey, in a similar vein to 2013's Inhaler, that builds up to a frantic, fanatic finish. The song is a wild, untamed beast, with Yannis Philippakis' vocals give the song that extra, raw edge, sealing the song as an instant classic. What Went Down looks to be a highlight at future concerts, a truly epic number.

What Went Down does not disappoint in the slightest, and has managed to raise all expectations for the album of the same name, due out end of August.

Listen to the track below:

Foals video - 2015

Foals Upload A New Video

-and everyone looses their mind

Last night Foals uploaded a 13 second long clip simply entitled '2015'. The video shows the band performing, with sound muted followed by the band's name appearing onscreen. A brief two seconds of a song can be heard following that. Safe to say, Foals fans everywhere have gone a bit insane.

The short clip seems to indicate that Foals are headed in a heavier, more rock orientated direction. This was previously hinted at in 2013's Holy Fire.

However, worth noting is the fact Edwin Congreave is missing from the lineup in the video. Nothing has been mentioned of this by the band themselves, but questions are being asked as to whether the keyboard player is still with the band.

Watch the video here:

Drenge - Running Wild Music Video

Drenge - Running Wild

Music Video

Drenge have just released the video for their newest single, Running Wild, one which feels more like a short film than a music video.

The video connects rural life to the raw, primal feel of the song, merging perfectly together. An ode to the Britain of the past, the song is a constant build to roaring finish, fitting perfectly with this artfully shot music video.

Breathtaking shots of the English countryside fill this 5 minute masterpiece, with interjections from The Richardson family discussing the endless circle of life and death within their family and farming. Whilst shots of the band themselves sometimes feel a little out of place in this short film, this is probably still the best music video I've seen so far this year.

Watch it here:

Danger In The Club - Review

Palma Violets

Danger In The Club

Despite having two songs referencing America in their title, Palma Violets have never sounded more English than they do on this album. Hollywood (I Got It), the first full track on the album, is a brash unkempt sounding tune, one made to be roared along to. 

From there, the album fully kicks into gear, with loud, shouty, slurred vocals galore from Sam Fryer. Highlights from the album are undoubtedly the two already released singles, Danger In The Club and English Tongue, the former being a particular stand out track. The Jacket Song adds a nice change in tempo to the album as the whole, working well at the midway point of the album. Chilli Jesson's bass playing comes to the forefront of such tracks as Gout! Gang! Go!, a fun and upbeat song with some rather interesting lyrics such as "Don't destruct my menopause", the meaning behind which I'm still trying to decipher. Matador stands out from the rest of the album with its far darker and more sultry air, with some glorious tempo changes throughout and a truly melodious guitar line. 

The album slows down a lot for its latter half, showcasing that Palma Violets don't always have to be loud and fast to sound good, with tracks such as Walking Home and Peter And The Gun. Overall, their isn't much progress in terms of sound, but the album is still and incredibly enjoyable one. Danger In The Club runs far better as an album than 180, lacking any filler songs and feeling far more thought through.

On the whole I give the album a well deserved 8/10.

Swim Deep - One Great Song And I Could Change The World (Review)

Swim Deep

One Great Song And I Could Change The World - Review

To be perfectly honest, when I first heard Swim Deep, I didn't think much of them. I mean, they had one or two singles that I thought were pretty catchy and relatively enjoyable, but apart from that they stayed fairly off my radar. I figured after the release of their mediocre first album, 'Where The Heaven Are We', that was the end of them, and they'd disappear into the masses of bland indie bands to come before them.

However, I couldn't have been more wrong.

On their most recent single, One Great Song And I Could Change The World, Swim Deep have swapped their carefree generic indie summer-y sound for a far more mature, synth based sound, sounding more like an amalgamation of Jagwar Ma, Tame Impala and The Horrors than their previous selves. The result is a wonderful concoction of Austin Williams high vocals over a seriously groovy drum beat with an overall more psychedelic feel.

This is a track that truly showcases how much Swim Deep have grown as a band in the past two years, and has successfully managed to make their second album one of the most thoroughly anticipated of the year in my books.

Listen to the single here:

Top 7 BBCR1 Live Lounge Covers

Top 7 BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Covers

I have a deep set love for Live Lounge covers. I've always thought it to be such a genius idea, pushing bands out of their comfort zones by covering songs you'd never think they would. I've often thought pulling off a cover to be an artform in it's own right, setting apart decent bands from those who can make the cover their own, the ones who are truly great. Here are seven of my absolute favourites in no particular order, feel free to agree or disagree. (Click on the links below each song to listen)

1) Arctic Monkeys - Love Machine

A classic really, Arctic Monkeys take on Girls Aloud's Love Machine is a fun, light heart, thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Arctic Monkeys - Love Machine

2) London Grammar - Wrecking Ball

A haunting take on the Miley Cyrus number, Hannah Reid's soaring and pure vocals take this song to a whole new level.

London Grammar - Wrecking Ball

3) The Horrors - Best Thing I Never Had

The Horrors covering Beyonce is something I never believed I'd live to see, but here it is. A strange, synth-y take on the song, you'll either love it or you'll hate it.

The Horrors - Best Thing I Never Had

4) Lana Del Rey - Goodbye Kiss

Lana Del Rey is one of my absolute favourite singers, and Goodbye Kiss one of my absolute favourite Kasabian songs, so I think my love for this one is a given. Lana's deep, haunting vocals suit this song to the core, adding a new dimension to this tune.

Lana Del Rey - Goodbye Kiss

5) Biffy Clyro - Umbrella

Biffy Clyro are the undisputed kings of Live Lounge covers in my humble opinion, with their covers of Diane Young, Love Sex Magic and Take Me Out being particularly noteworthy. However, there's just something about this cover of Rhianna's classic and the way Simon Neil pours his heart into it that puts it above the rest.

Biffy Clyro - Umbrella

6) Peace - Doing It

Even Charli XCX herself admits this cover is better than the original. PEace are at their best covering pop.

Peace - Doing It

7) Foals - Hollaback Girl

Of all Live Lounge covers, this is my number one. Foals covering Gwen Stefani, what's not to love?! Rather a lot of lyrics from the original song missing, but the Oxford boys more than make up for it in pure passion. Yannis ain't no hollaback girl.

Foals - Hollaback Girl

Peace - World Pleasure (Live) / Since I've Been Loving You 12"

Peace - Record Store Day 12"

Review

Packaging looking slightly
worse for wear today...

Having laid my hands on one of the 1,000 copies of Peace's release for Record Store Day yesterday, and having played it nearly to death since, I feel it my solemn duty to review it.

The A side greets the listener with a live performance of World Pleasure - one of the clear standout tracks from Peace's 'Happy People', released earlier this year. Harry Koisser's playful vocals if anything sound better live than any studio recording could have captured. The bass solo outro sounds as funky, groovy and indulgent as ever, solidifying World Pleasure as one of Peace's best tracks, and one that works incredibly well live.

However, the real highlight of this album is its B side, a live cover of Led Zeppelin's Since I've Been Loving You. A Led Zeppelin cover is always a pretty daring thing to do, as nothing will ever really compare to the original, but Peace manage to pull it off with great success. Whilst shorter than the original, the cover really shows off Peace at their best, with Harry Koisser's singing  doing justice to Robert Plant's in the original, and brother Sam Koisser providing utterly excellent work on bass. The true highlight of this track however is the unexpectedly soulful guitar solo. This is a cover that truly shows off Peace's talents.

Record Store Day

Record Store Day 2015

This year marks my second year traversing into Dublin city in the early hours of the morning for Record Store Day. The build up to it is excruciating, dissecting impossibly long lists of releases to figure out:
1) What records I want
2) What records I desperately want
3) What records I will actually be able to afford

Starting off with a wishlist of thirty records I felt I needed in my life, I eventually managed to narrow it down to three - Temples/Fever The Ghost split 7", The Wytches/Hooton Tennis Club split 7" and whatever it was Peace were releasing. I really knew nothing about what Peace had decided to put forward for RSD, but Peace are Peace so I knew it was a necessary purchase.

I had my alarm set for 6am, yet managed to wake up a whole half hour earlier than that. I downed a cup of coffee before running to the bus stop, with only my iPod and a biography of Leon Trotsky to keep me company for the hour or so I knew I was going to be queuing.

I had decided that Freebird Records was to be my record store of choice this year, having made the mistake of queuing outside Tower Records last year, only to find by the time I got in that everything I wanted was already sold out. Upon arriving outside Freebird, I found myself to be the seventh person in the queue, and a good ten years younger than everyone there, not to mention the only female. With only a denim jacket to shield me from the cold, I set in for the long wait.

It was whilst I was reading of Trotsky being sent off to Siberia when a certain frenzy grew in those queuing alongside me, as doors were finally opened at 8am. Upon entering the shop, I had to fight my way through a group of middle aged men squabbling over the only two copies of U2's Songs of Innocence in stock to get to the 7"s. After hurriedly flicking through just about every 7" on display, I finally located the Temples/Fever The Ghost single, as well as The Wytches/Hooton Tennis Club one. Empowered by my success in locating two out of three of my desired purchases, I  wrangled my way back through the pandemonium over to the 12"s, determined to locate whatever it was Peace had released.

It was with a sense of pride and glee I lay my hands upon the last copy of Peace's picture disk, with two live recordings - World Pleasure on the A side, and their superb cover of Led Zeppelin's Since I've Been Loving You residing on the B Side. Overjoyed at finding the final copy inside Freebird, I ducked through the masses to the counter, ecstatic to have somehow succeeded in securing all three of the records I desired.

Record Store Day has proved to be an interesting, if slightly stressful experience both times I've engaged in it. Whilst the records are definitely on the overpriced side of things,  I still find the novelty of the whole thing to be thoroughly worth while, and the ridiculously early morning worth it.

Undertow Review

Album Review

Drenge - Undertow

I fell in love with Drenge's debut album upon first listen. Nothing quite appealed to my fifteen year old self as the unbridled angst and anger of it. With two years elapsed since then, I must admit I had developed some skepticism regarding Drenge. I was worried they'd be a one trick pony, but to say Undertow did a away with my fears is an understatement.

Opening with the slow building Introduction leading up into the growling unbridled beast of Running Wild, this is an album that is a new breed of animal. Highlights of the album definitely include the impossibly fast and rowdy Favourite Son, as well as the drudgy, heavy The Woods. Standing In The Cold's air of desperation crafts it into a perfect ode to messed up love. Eoin Loveless' vocals have never been more on point, and the addition of Rob Graham on bass has pushed Drenge to unparalleled levels of excellence. While there may be no single song to rival, say, the majesty of Let's Pretend, the album as a whole works far better as a unit than Drenge's debut.

On the whole, I'd give this album a solid and well-deserved 10/10.