After Hours

We Are Scientists have a new song. Its very refined, just a couple cords all the way through. My excitement in finding it wasn't matched on my first couple listens. But I'm hoping its a grower.

[mp3] We Are Scientists - After Hours

Miss Marling and Friends

The picture is a bit serious but thankfully its not all doom and gloom. As if recording with Noah and the Whale and releasing and promoting her debut album "Alas I cannot Swim" isn't enough, Laura Marling has teamed up with The Mystery Jets in their new single "Young Love". Marling has a great voice for pop and its nice hearing alongside the bigger sound of Mystery Jets rather than just over her solo stuff. This is definitely feel-good material.

[mp3] The Mystery Jets - Young Love (feat. Laura Marling)

Alongside Marling, there's a whole load of other female musicians making headlines. The whole world seems to be going mad for female voices and happy-go melodies. Duffy and Lykke Li are a just a couple of those with things happening right now.

[mp3] Duffy - Mercy
[mp3] Lykke Li -Dance. Dance. Dance
[mp3] Lykke Li - Complaint Department

Here's a nice little indie-pop number from Mae Shi, taken from their latest LP "Hlllyh". They've been dubbed experimental but with the proliferation of electronica outfits these days, they're nothing too edgy. This song is a lot of fun though.

[mp3] The Mae Shi - Run to Your Grave

Crystal Castles self titled debut is out this month and I am very much looking forward to seeing them in March. Thrash-electro? Here's one of the more tame numbers....

[mp3] Crystal Castles - Vanished

Dance in March

The release of 2008's "it" band, Foals debut LP "Antidotes" is drawing closer. So you don't have to wait so long to catch a listen, here's a little sample. Their style doesn't really exceed that demonstrated in their singles "balloons" and "hummer" - lots of thudding drums, really sharp and shimmering dance melodies and bloc-party-esque wails.

[mp3] Foals - Heavy Water (link removed)
[mp3] Foals -Red Sock Pugie(link removed)
[mp3] Foals -Two Steps Twice(link removed)



March also sees the release of another ever anticipated Kitsune compilation. A little strapped of big names and with too many remixes - another Teenagers' Homecoming remix (really?) - its not as good as the last couple. But hey its still Kitsune.

[mp3] Late of the Pier - Broken (Fairy Lights Mix)
[mp3] DATA - Aerius Light (Kitsune DJ Friendly Edit)

Grand Archives

The Grand Archives are Mat Brooke's ("Carissa's Wierd", "Band of Horses") latest project. Their self-titled debut will appear on shelves from the 19th February and its rather good. A more upbeat and optimistic affair than any of Brooke's work with other bands, the album is genuinely warming. Grand Archives employ the southern twang of Band of Horses (just listen to those harmonicas and steel pedal guitars) but add that little bit more through a whole load of studio experimentation which included using cellos for bass lines, violin bows on guitars and more percussion than you could possibly fit in an 11 track LP. Plenty of overlapping vocal harmonies and simple acoustic guitar chord progression mean this is accessible as indie comes.


[mp3] Grand Archives - George Kaminski
[mp3] Grand Archives - Index Moon