the only new sounds you need to be tuned into this February

As usual, last Sunday, the first Sunday of the month I dropped by Rick Witter's #discodown show on @minsterfm to share my three favourite albums being released in February.

Whether you tuned in or not, here's a reminder of some cracking tunes to beg, borrow or stream this month.

One to stream - Yuck - Stranger Things (album out Friday 26 February)

The band Yuck return later this month with a new album called 'Stranger Things'. This is the third major outing for the band who I fondly remember released their self-titled debut album back in 2011. Five years on and they've changed their lead singer and their sound is also less experimental than on their earlier music. That's not to say they haven't completely lost that raw, spiky edge to their sound.

 

Guitarist Max Bloom described a sadly all too familiar scenario for a lot of bands in modern Britain when he says "[The band] basically spent no money on the record and it was a really relaxed way of doing things by recording the album in my parent's house'.

Fans of Yuck may have already heard the singles 'Cannonball' and album opener 'Hold Me Closer'. We'll all have to wait until February 26th to listen to the full album in all its glory and if you're down in that there London village you can celebrate the album release with a live show on the same day when they play the Moth Club. Yes you heard that right, that's Yuck playing the Moth Club. Sounds like the sort of place you want to take your valentine this February. I guess Yuck really are proving their are 'Stranger Things' in life. I hope you enjoy my one to stream this month - Yuck with the single 'Hearts in motion'

 

One to borrow - Sunflower Bean - 'Human Ceremony' Album available now
 

 

 

 

Sunflower Bean are the latest New York band to come armed with a heavy weight of expectation ahead of their debut album. NME have already described them as one of the bands to watch this year and on the evidence of the 11 songs making up the album Human Ceremony, they're destined to deliver on bigger stages in 2016.

Sunflower Bean is made up of Julia Cumming, Nick Kivlen and Jacob Faber. On first listen I was hit by the strong female vocal which took me back to the glorious days of the mid-90s when we were spoilt for choice with singers like Justine Frischmann and Sonya Aurora Madan brightening up our airwaves. While some reviewers have tagged the band in the Brooklyn DIY scene, I actually think the album owes much more to the British sound of the mid-90s.

Most of the tracks will grab your attention and demand to played loud and proud from your stereo system of choice. Particular highlights for me include lead track 'Human Ceremony', the ode to that distant year '2013' and the lyrically brilliant 'I Was Home' where they make profound statements such as 'I was home and then I wasn't'.

 

Human Ceremony is a record that will make you want to hit repeat as soon as the final track ends. It's lively and entertaining and I think everyone should look to add this to their music collection.

 

You can catch the band in Edinburgh, Manchester and London in 2 weeks time but for now I'll leave you with the addictive sound of Sunflower Bean and 'Wall Watcher'.

One to beg - DIIV - 'Is the is are' Album available now
 

 

 

Like a parent trying to choose their favourite child (which I warn people at home to never try to do), I really struggled to pick my favourite album this month. In the end I settled upon DIIV's 'Is the is are' for my one to beg this month. Another band to come out of New York, this is DIIV's second album and the band have been on a difficult journey since 'Oshin', their debut release.

 

Frontman Zachary Cole Smith was charged with drug possession and briefly jailed, he retreated from the spotlight, went into rehab, and began putting his life back together. Smith worked on songs alone in rehab, before getting together to rehearse the ambitious, emotional album with bandmates Andrew Bailey, Devin Ruben Perez, Colin Caulfield, and new drummer Ben Newman.

 

The result is 'Is The Is Are' - a sprawling double LP that reflects the darkness of their past few years. The influences of bands such as The Pixies and in particular Sonic Youth are soaked in many of the 17 songs on offer here. If you're interested in destroying the mood next Sunday night I'd recommend playing the song Valentine to your loved one. Other standout tracks include the lead single 'Dopamine' and 'Blue Boredom' where Smith is joined by Sky Ferrara.

If this album had been released 20 years ago when all I did was listen to music 24/7 I can guarantee I would have struggled to kick it off my stereo. The album is a grower and as I've listened more this past week I have no doubt it will feature highly in my albums of 2016.

You can catch the band live when they play Heaven in London next month.

My one to beg this month is the outstanding sound of DIIV and 'Is the is are'. Here's the album opener 'Out of mind' to whet your appetite. Happy listening!

the only way to celebrate surviving your first day back

Happy new year and it's times like this we should all remember that a blog is for life and not just for Christmas.

Kicking off the new year, I'm sharing my #begborroworstream selections for January as you may have first heard last night on Rick Witter's excellent #discodown show on @minsterfm 

Beg, borrow or stream 

STREAM

Damien Jurado - Exit 353 

Single available to stream now

We kick off another new year in music with the promise of new albums from some big artists including Bowie and Suede, but a relatively unknown artist has grabbed my attention for my first selection of 2016. Damien Jurado is described as a lo-fi folk singer songwriter and returns in March this year with the final album in a trilogy of musical stories. This gives you all plenty of time to catch up with the story so far. 

Insert your own star wars music here as you read the next paragraph - The first album Maraqopa introduced a character deliberately unnamed who gets into a car crash… a riveting subject for any album. Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son picked up the narrative after the accident, in a commune inhabited by random characters all named Silver 'Something'. So you'd be called 'Silver whatever' etc. The last album coming soon is called Visions of Us On The Land and journeys further into the subconscious mind, a symbolic road trip spotlighting the people and towns that our central figure and his travelling companion, Silver Katherine, encounter upon leaving the commune.

Regardless of the random storyline and narrative, you'll be pleased to hear the music is well worth a listen, The lead single 'Exit 353' is my one to stream this month and I'm confident that fans of Fleet Foxes and Midlake will appreciate what they're about to hear.

You can catch Damien Jurado live in April when he tours the UK including Leeds Brudenell on April 17th. For now, I strongly recommend starting your new year by streaming the delightful sound of Damien Jurado and the single Exit 353

 

BORROW

Cage The Elephant - 'Tell Me I'm Pretty'

Album out now

Cage The Elephant have returned with a fourth album full of songs that make you wonder why they've never received the commercial success their music deserves. Listeners may remember the band from when they first came on the scene back in 2008 with songs like 'Ain't No Rest For The Wicked' and 'In One Ear'. They trailed the second album with the stunning single 'Shake Me Down' in 2010 and all seemed rosy for the band. Since then they've released a third album that went pretty much unnoticed but the American indie stars are now back and sounding more grown up and self-assured on the album 'Tell Me I'm Pretty'.

I've spent the last week listening to this on repeat and it's a grower that rewards you on repeat listens. They've dropped their earlier career punky sound and now craft some really intelligent songs. For an American band they have a strong British sound and this is evident on album highlights 'That's Right' and 'Sweetie Little Jean'. I was lucky enough to see them play York's Duchess in 2008 and I'd strongly recommend seeing them on their UK tour in February, calling lots of places including The Unity Works in Wakefield on 19th February.

I've chosen Cage The Elephant as one to borrow but after a few listens I reckon you'll be wanting to buy it to kick start your 2016 collection. Their lead single from the album 'Mess Around' should whet your appetite for more.

BEG

Hinds - 'Leave Me Alone' 

Album out next Friday 8 January

If anyone was worried about the future of music in 2016, you only need wait until the 8th day of this new year before you can get your hands on one of the most exciting, fun and interesting debuts I've heard in quite a while. Rewind a year and things didn't seem like they'd turn out as well for the Spanish quartet as they were forced to change their name from Deers due to legal action from a band with a similar sounding name. Fortunately for us, this hasn't stopped them from spending the last year touring and recording their debut album 'Leave Me Alone'.

Hinds are an all-female band from Madrid and the glorious Spanish accent complements a very fresh and raw instrumental backing sound heard throughout each of the twelve tracks. In one of the warmest winters in years, it almost feels appropriate to be able to listen to the sound of summer in January. Songs like 'San Diego' and album opener 'Garden' long to be played in large fields of festival revellers later this year.

I can't wait to see the band live when they hit these shores next month. I'd recommend you checking out their website to see where they're playing close to you. For local listeners, they're supported by another great band, Public Access TV, when they play Leeds Brudenell on 22 February. Definitely one not to miss.

For now, I'll leave you alone to listen to 'San Diego' from my one to beg this month. The album 'Leave Me Alone' is quite simply an enjoyable listen. 

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 24

Hands down winner of single of the year, 'Let it happen' opens Tame Impala's third album and for this reason alone I think you need to celebrate Christmas with a copy of the album 'Currents' in your household.

The only problem with opening the album with one heck of a tune like that is it leaves the listener wondering where you're going to go next. On first listen, the rest of the album may not grab you as instantly as Let it happen does, but trust me when I say it's worth sticking with. Other stand out tracks include Eventually - a hopeful ode to overcoming the break up of a relationship and the delicious sound of 'Cause I'm a Man'.

Over the past few years, Australian artists have been coming up with some massive musical highlights. If the ashes in cricket were played on a turntable, us brits would be wondering what we'd need to do to win back that little urn, So, while you're making your last minute Christmas preparations, let's raise a glass to the excellence of Kevin Parker's creation Tame Impala and make it the soundtrack to your festive season.

 

As I round off the #indieadvent24 featuring some of my favourite songs of 2015, I think it's apt that on this the 24th day of the advent of indie music, my gift to you is my single of the year, Tame Impala - Let it happen

 

BONUS CHRISTMAS TRACK

 

 

Like all good advent calendars, the 24th door always offered something a bit more than the usual daily chocolate, or in this case, a cracking slice of indie music.

 

I'd like to thank all of you who have followed this advent reflection of the year in music, especially @musicnostalgic and @theedgeofthesea who have helped spread the word and offered helpful support and advice along the way.

 

I'd like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and leave you all with my favourite Christmas song - the phenomenally talented Sufjan Stevens with his melancholic masterpiece - Sister Winter

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 23

As we get closer to the end of the indieadvent24# I'm aware today's choice could be met with a fair amount of surprise and dismay from some of the indie crowd. However, I'm sticking to my guns and coming out in support of arguably the most surprising album of cover versions we've seen in a long time.

Earlier this year, the excellent Ryan Adams bizarrely took the decision to cover Taylor Swift's 1989 album. Instead of the radio 1 live lounge-esque car crash many might have expected, Adams took each song and reinvented them in a way your ears will actually appreciate.

I was lucky enough to witness Ryan Adams perform live at the Sage, Gateshead about 10 years ago and I learnt that night he isn't one to play by the rules. He didn't have a set-list, just a book of 120+ songs that he chose to pick from at a whim. He annoyed punters by voting for a smoking break mid-set and generally crawled around the piano, smashed off his face. Despite that, it remains one of my favourite gigs as I witnessed a modern day musician not afraid to do things his way and when he sang, his voice was outstanding live.

Adams brings a touch of Jose Gonzalez Heartbeats to his version of Swift's Blank Space, and he slows the tempo down on Shake It Off in a way that Johnny Cash's great American albums would be proud of. But it's on the less famous Swift single Style, that he adds his trademark sound, many fans of the classic Gold album will undoubtedly appreciate. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but get past your Taylor Swift prejudices and open your ears to another great Ryan Adams creation - you might just enjoy it.

At this late hour on the 23rd day of the advent of indie music, my gift to you all is the enlightening sound of Style by Ryan Adams. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 22

At the start of this indie marathon all the kids are trending as #indieadvent24 (honest) I said these tracks were in no particular order. Proof of that was the very early inclusion of the excellent Jasper by Hooton Tennis Club but now we're into the final three days I can safely say today's track by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard would always be near the top of any favourites list.

You can now listen to the full album Paper Mache Dream Balloon. It was the second album to be released by the band this year. While some may see this as a sign that they're willing to throw out any old rubbish - think again. Fans of this blog and regular listeners to Rick Witter's #discodown will have already heard the lead track Paper Mache Dream Balloon. As the weather stays nice and warm this December it remains the perfect soundtrack to a sunny walk in the park.

The standout track from the album is today's pick of the day. It's a song that demands repeat listens and has a flute solo that will stick in your head for the rest of the day. So, my gift to you on this 22nd day of the advent of indie music is the spellbinding Trap Door by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 21

'If it ain't broke don't fix it' seemed to be the game plan for CHVRCHES' second album Every Open Eye. Their debut album remains one of my favourite albums of the last few years and while their latest release doesn't possess the full impact of its predecessor, it certainly deserves a mention in any positive look back on the music of 2015.

Mainstream radio stations were quick to play Leave A Trace back in the summer and it feels like the band are getting some of the recognition they deserve. They even have the Royal Albert Hall in London on their schedule for the end of March - no mean feat for a band still relatively in its early years.

I'm a sucker for a good female vocal and Lauren Mayberry has one of those voices I could sit and listen to for hours. Throw in a decent electronic sound and it's no surprise I'm hooked. If you have the time give Never Ending Circles a quick spin. Otherwise enjoy a few minutes in the company of one of the best things to come out of Glasgow in years. On this the 21st and shortest day of the advent of indie music, here's the delightful sound of CHVRCHES - Empty Threat. Happy listening!

the only indie advent calendar worth opening - Day 20

One of New York City's best kept secrets, Public Access TV joined the 2015 party late this year with a cracking double A side single (apparently you can still do this in the digital world) In Love And Alone and Patti Peru.

In a similar way to how The Strokes set the music world alight in 2001, we can have a lot to look forward to in 2016 when Public Access TV finally release their highly anticipated album. It would be lazy to suggest the two bands sound the same while they hail from the same place, but on the basis of the tracks here it would be equally remiss of me not to acknowledge that there is a heavy influence to their sound from some of NYC's finest. I'll leave it to you to make your own judgement.

On In Love And Alone, we find the band offering up a future indie disco floor filler. It's not too late to add it to your final Christmas party playlist of the year. On this the 20th day of the advent of indie music, here's the next big sound from the big apple, Public Access TV - In Love And Alone. Happy listening!