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: