Shock Machine

Jamie Righton, one half of the pioneering Klaxons, has launched his new project Shock Machine. The first song available on Spotify is of the same title and will appear on the EP ‘Open Up The Sky’. 

The laissez faire opening channels the Electronic classic, ‘Getting Away With It’ via prog. It’s lightness of touch and angelic vocals thankfully, keep this away from the banal end of prog. 

Righton’s new moniker poses two questions within the song: 

  1. Will follow you me to the Shock Machine?

  2. Do we need the Shock Machine?  

In short, yes and no. The Klaxons' genre busting nu-rave anthems in ones life was so necessary it felt worthy of dying for. It was something Righton should always be proud of. However, now, he is just making good music to be enjoyed. It sounds like a come down, and in essence, it is. Nevertheless, Shock Machine are something to be curious about and shall be watched with great anticipation. 

Ocean Flaws

Ocean Flaws are a four piece from Brentwood in Essex. Forget the connotations this may bring, they are a band of substance.

They released their debut EP 'Dancing To The Fear' this year and here is our take on it:

Intro

Any intro or opening track should lay the ground work for what is to come and this does just that. It might only be a minute long but the indie-pysche of The Verve circa 'Storm In Heaven' shines through and establishes what Ocean Flaws are about.

Mojo

Singer Callum Quirk lays down a solid marker for iconic frontman vocals here. The angelic nature of Liam Gallagher combines with slight spikiness of Cast's John Power. Like John Power, Quirk is key to the melody which allows guitarists Hamish Monk and Sean Heaney to take us on a trip.

The main guitar riff loops through 'Mojo' inspired by a young Nick McCabe. It has a perpetual feeling which swirls its way to euphoria during the chorus. Not content with this, there are sublime slices of bugged out guitar parts throughout this track. They give this anthem a depth and prove this is not a band looking for a quick and shallow route to the top.

Like A Fool

Much has been made of Aussie band The DMA's evoking the spirit of Britpop lately, well, 'Like A Fool' falls into this category too, for all the right reasons.

There is an honesty and earnestness to the vocals which will allow this track to succed in a pub or an academy venue. The big singalong moments in the chorus are set to unite all those that listen at their gigs.

Again Monk and Heaney combine to take this track from Radio X filler to something more interesting. The big riffs are in place to reel in the masses but, its in the quieter guitar moments and the lyrics, that a level of self-doubt and fragility emerge. This keeps the band interesting and human, not everyone can or should have Oasis levels of confidence (if only someone told Menswear).

Dancing To The Fear

The early spaced out vibe of The Verve is on show once more, whilst Quirk's vocals sit somewhere between Miles Kane and Blossom's Tom Ogden. This blend builds slowly to deliver a storm of aggression, psyche and pop music. Ocean Flaws have the Echo & The Bunnymen knack of pulling together dangerous and accessible sounds all at once.

Silver Screen

'Silver Screen' feels like an anomaly sonically. It has a great Foals groove to it but lacks the edge of the previous tracks. 'Mojo' and 'Dancing To The Fear' work because of the pop sensibilities clashing with the creative guitar parts. Here however, they feel a bit one dimensional and it's a humbling you wont be expecting.

Nevertheless, these are fledgling days for Ocean Flaws and they have an EP under the belt of significant quality.



Skinny Girl Diet

Skinny Girl Diet are a 3 piece from south London who look set for a breakthrough year in 2016. The family outfit are made up of Delilah (singer / guitarist) and Ursula Holiday (drums) and their cousin Amelia Cutler (bassist).

They have harnessed a visceral sound with roots in Siouxsie Sioux, Hole and the ‘Riot Grrrl’ scene from the 90s. However, listen to their podcast with Radio X’s John Kennedy and their wit, charm and intelligence give them far more dimensions.

https://player.fm/series/john-kennedys-x-posure-podcast/episode-187-skinny-girl-diet

They released the EP ‘Reclaim Yourself’ in October last year to critical acclaim and its not hard to see why. ‘Fix Me’ is an onslaught of grunge and punk rock telling the tale of someone piecing their life back together.

Their punk rock ethics and sound are to be seen in all their glory on the ferocious 'Silver Spoon'. It’s a polemic we have heard before but sadly, in today's society its one that's needed more than ever. Attacking a Tory government maybe easy pickings but offering hope to those who think a dead end job awaits should be lauded. 

The She Devils

Audrey Ann & Kyle Jukka form this exciting band from Montreal. Their new EP is just under a week away from release and here is TT's take on what they have done so far.

Come

The Bo Diddley riff in a warped My Bloody Valentine style is both hypnotic and disturbing which adds to their ever growing mystique.

Ann's vocals are a more sexually charged Nancy Sinatra on 'Bang Bang' crossed with the power and alluring charm of Nico on 'Femme Fatale'.

 

Where There's No One

Procol Harum's classic Hammond hook on 'Whiter Shade Of Pale' can clearly be heard on this simple two chord gem. The fuzzed out guitars and the swirling production give this track a depth and richness which you wont want to end.

The pain and anguish Ann lays bare about her insecurities to her loved one is as beautiful as it is brutal. This is a remarkable feat of of song writing for people so young. The world is theirs to be conquered.  

https://she-devilsinc.bandcamp.com/releases