The Blinders – Ramona Flowers

Anyone who has seen The Blinders recently will attest to the fact that the times they are changing. Fuelled by the political climate, the three piece from Doncaster via Manchester bringing punkadelic toe forefront of the UK scene.

Their latest single, 'Ramona Flowers', is powered by brooding and violent guitars, bridging the gap between psychedelia and Nirvana's 'About A Girl' and 'Love Buzz'. The results are spectacular.

'Apathetic but inviting / She's amazing / You're amazing / Hell raising' drools frontman Thomas. The slow and slightly deranged delivery will lead you down the dank backstreets of the most exciting city.

This year's festival scene has been put on red alert with this single. With their venom and visceral brilliance, The Blinders are going to crash the indie party which, has become far too safe for its own good.

Odina – Why'd You Make Me Cry

The London via Barcelona singer-songwriter is back, and she is on stunning form. This slice of melancholy is as morbid as it is beautiful.

Everyone has questioned the actions of a loved one like this, but, most of mortals have lack the purity of Odina’s vocals.

To date, Odina has written about toxic relationships and depression, and once again the darker aspect of her soul is getting airing here. However, the early Bon Iver guitar style, enriching horns and dreampop production will never fail to raise spirits.

Theatre Royal - ...And Then It Fell Out Of My Head

The Rochester outfit are back with their fourth album 'And Then it Fell Out Of My Head'. They have been a secret for far too long, but, with backing from Steve Lemacq, this record seems set to spread their message far and wide.

Despite their lack of coverage, their confidence has certainly not diminished. It is an album packed with potential singles (if only people bought them). So, its only fitting they lead off with the former single 'Port Bou'. It bristles with their archetypal Mersey-psyche sound and has the feel of a beloved underdog.

'Locked Together On The Lines' recalls the tale of frontman Oliver's Nan finding a dead sailor and prostitute at Chatham's war memorial, The Great Lines. Every facet oozes brilliance. Vocally, the human touch shines through on what is a tragedy. Sonically, the guitars blend the breeziness and haziness of The La's with the pop instincts of The Bluetones.

The real star though is the lyrics. They build the intrigue immediately with brilliant opening ‘did he woo her / did pay her’. Prostitutes are so often viewed as second class citizens which, is deftly portrayed here with anonymity:

‘a sailor lay with a stranger now frozen in time’

This album’s real success lies with 'Standing In The Land'. The bravery alone to talk about fear and confusion over refugees should be applauded. The opening line will stop all in its wake:

“it seems clear to me / how can we be free/ when there is dying in the sea / Because of you and me”

Usually, the social comment is reserved for political angst or sub-cultures in full flow. This goes one further and relays an actual conversation with the accessibility of Gogglebox. It's laced with anguish, guilt, and regret, it is a triumph of inputting pure feeling into a song not seen since Primal Scream's 'Damaged'.

At times, on 'Teardrop' and 'Will Someone Please Write Me A Song', your left with a sense that their magic has waned somewhat. Upon further reflection, it's a testament to how many potential singles they have. Few can deny the brilliance of the harmonica on 'What Has Become of Me', witty lyrics, and the dejected isolation projected in its closing moments.

Theatre Royal may not be new, but with this album, they have certainly arrived.

The album is out now. Find it on their Bandcamp page here:

https://theatreroyal.bandcamp.com/album/and-then-it-fell-out-of-my-head

Kasabian - You're In Love With A Pyscho

Beats and psychedelia pumping out the stereo can mean only one thing, Kasabian are back!

Despite Trump and bitter confusion of Brexit, Kasabian had one hell of a 2016. They watched Leicester City do the unthinkable and Serge got married. The swelling of love in their circles was huge and has oozed seamlessly into this comeback single.

Kasabian’s affinity with Frankie Knuckles’ love drenched house continues as the teeth grinding beat marches on. However, when the bass and guitars chime in, it’s clear they are taking this in the direction of classic Talking Heads singles ‘Pyscho Killer’ and ‘This Must Be The Place’.

No Kasabian track is complete without masterly pieces pf psyche, synth and warped production and this is no different. They are spliced in with the funk of ESG’s ‘Bam Bam Jam’ and the bluesy trippyness of Primal Screams ‘Burning Wheel’.

Much like Primal Scream, Kasabian continue to be ambitious and experiment with clashing sub-cultures and pop music. Crucially, they mesh everything to make the latter, surface level alone, this is a bouncy sing-along, dig deeper and you’ll find many a hidden treasure.

Theatre Royal - Port Bou

Sometimes, bands can play but lack the human touch and vice versa. Theatre Royal have both, what they’ve lacked is just that little bit of luck. With their new single ‘Port Bou’ though, they have got their breakthrough on day time BBC6.

Its blend of the Paisley and Medway scenes is far more revitalising than rehashing. It injects them with an ‘us vs the world’ spirit that makes you want to ride into battle with them. It’s the immediacy of the opening riff which fires everything up, much like The Jam’s ‘Running On The Spot’ or ‘The Gift’.

‘Port Bou’ is not solely about its chest out bravado. Far from it. This is pop music! The jingle jangle guitars shimmer throughout which simultaneously, conjure visions of hope and loneliness. Couple this with an early John Squire solo and a final third which has a brief, but glorious Ian McCulloch vocal drag, you clearly have one of 2017’s (grandchildren) nuggets of gold.

Antisocial - Attention

Ben Kingwell’s one man army Antisocial have returned with another punk banger, something must be in the water in Plymouth.

Kingwell has nailed his Billie Joe Armstrong vocals here which serve the simplicity of this song well. It snaps at you from the first second and demands your attention, which, is handy because it’s exactly what the chorus is professing.

Like previous singles ‘I Wanna Get Drunk’ and ‘Feel Alive’, ‘Attention’ gets away with the basic structures by having such an infectious carefree spirit coursing through its veins.

Kevin Pearce - Heartbeat Mind

The Essex singer-songwriter returned last autumn with the sublime single ‘Jump’. Pearce’s new release ‘Heartbeat Mind’, again showcases his ability to push the boundaries of folk and electronica.

‘Heartbeat Mind’ is a slow building affair, with Pearce singing over the top a disconsolate heartbeat drum loop for most of it. Like Leonard Cohen’s ‘You Want It Darker’, it has the ability to sound warming and otherworldly simultaneously.  

Vocally, Pearce has often been compared to Turin Brakes’ Olly Knights. Here though, Pearce adopts a deeper and smokier tone not a million miles away from John McClure. This allows Rebecca Hammond to sprinkle a lightness on the backing vocals, which, immediately prior to the songs euphoric conclusion are nothing short of beautiful.

The closing moments of ‘Heartbeat Mind’, are beset with the hallmarks of a Hollywood hero going through hell to save the world and get the girl. The strings and piano soar with such majesty, it defies belief that Pearce isn’t a global phenomenon.

Engine - Truth Be Told

Engine recently told the excellent http://www.theskinny.co.uk/: 

"The song was conceived and recorded at our respective home studios in the Leeds suburbs; the inner heart of Burley and the outer ring of Headingley. A patchwork of sketchy samples and reverberated live recordings, we built the track up over several weeks.”

The results of this DIY effort are remarkable. Put Steve Mason's vocal on this and you have a Beta Band classic on your hands. The drums cascade their way through an array of synths and bleeps to conjure images of an aimless dissident.

 This is apt as lyrically, ‘Truth Be Told’ details the confusion of what is real in this politically moribund era. The glorious reference below to the advocators of “post-truth” could only be topped by a GIF of Farrage and Trump flinging their own shit at walls until sticks:

"Say what isn't seen and / Then it's seen / Then it's meant to be"

Three quarters through comes a guitar part so sublime it offers up hope in its purest form. This supplemented with the lyrical call to arms at the songs conclusion:

"No more dreaming, no more respite / No more sleeping, no more respite"

Echobelly – Anarchy and Alchemy

Echobelly will forever be tagged with Britpop, but with albums released in 2001 and 2004, they have already proven they can outlive that bubble. They return with their first single in 10 years after successful acoustic and full band tours in recent times.

With the use of a stand up bass, 'Anarchy and Alchemy' takes on a distinct jazz foundation. Meanwhile, Sonya's vocals add a sense of anxiousness, particularly within the abstract chorus. It's a terrific reflection of the times, the chemical sense that things are going nowhere or often backwards looms larger all the time.

Sonya's chief partner in crime, Glen Johansson, is also on fine form too. His guitar playing stokes the fires and provides the anarchy to Sonya's alchemy on this subdued yet raw single. What a pleasure to have them back once more.

You Can purchase this now via their Pledge Music page here:

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/anarchy-and-alchemy

Listen to the new single and Sonya in conversation with BBC6's Stuart Maconie here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b088nkyy

Elbow - All Disco

Oh Guy Garvey, that voice, from the first word it instantly feels like your best friend has come home from a long spell away.

‘All Disco’, inspired by an interview Garvey did with Pixies legend Frank Black, details how he learned to let go of his ‘be all end all’ attitude towards his songs. This seems odd, as Elbow have always sounded at their best when their mind body and soul have been left out there for all to hear.

That said, fans should rejoice at Garvey’s new reflective stance. The world lost too many heroes last year and to have another one slide into murky waters trying to be perfect would be a tragedy.

Elbow’s archetypal sound is out in full force here, lending itself to all things beautiful in the world. So, to combine it with a wise message of letting obsessions will hopefully have a positive effect on the simplistic dialectical discourse the world has adopted of late. 

Temples – Strange Or Be Forgotten

A great pop music return for the Northampton psyche band.

James Bagshaw vocals beautifully borrow from Mercury Rev’s Jonathon Donahue and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. Sonically, this is similar to their Aussie peers as well, however, it’s a four minute pop song. The conciseness of this record proves that pop music doesn’t need to boring.

Lyrically, this is the most symbolic to date. Questioning the necessity to be so individualistic that no-one cares about you is one all bands could heed presently. Identity is great, but, if you cannot make it tangible to something real and make fans feel anything then what is the point?

The way Temples have driven their love of psyche and prog into the realm of pop music is remarkable. It feels the right time Tame Impala to become path makers and allow Temples’ pop majesty to flourish.

Ocean Flaws - 20:22

What a remarkable step up in class from one of 2016's most promising bands. Previously, they have touched upon The Verve circa ‘Storm In Heaven’ and ‘A Northern Soul’ but, here, they take the genius of Nick McCabe and spliced it with their own magic.  

The throbbing riff that pulsates throughout is a demented heartbeat in this slow building epic. It could, trip along like this and be fine but, the addition of Olivia Russell on dual vocals allows them to expand their sound monstrously.

It would be remiss not to mention the insatiable bugged out psyche via rock n roll solo in this song. As brilliant as Tame Impala have been in the past decade, this solo is serving notice on them and all prog-psyche, it’s time for psyche to get dangerous once more.  

British Sea Power - Bad Bohemian

BSP guitarist Martin Noble recently told the NME:

“It was made to a background of politicians perfecting the art of unabashed lying, of social-media echo chambers, of click-bait and electronic Tonka Toys to keep us entertained and befuddled. All this can easily make the individual feel futile. But I think we’ve ended up addressing this confusion in an invigorating way, rather than imprisoning the listener in melancholy.”

Noble’s sentiments are clear from the off as their archetypal wistfulness soars all around you. In the early days, there was a sense of trying to two foot the doors of hinges with ‘Apologies to Insect Life’ and ‘Favours in the Beetroot Fields’. The charm still remains intact but, it comes with a wisdom and a loving arm around the shoulder. In such a divisive world, BSP’s alternate reality of love and hope is needed more than ever. 

Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angles - Advent Beard

With Christmas fast approaching, the will inevitably be a slew of shite Christmas songs being released. This is not one of them!

Holy Orders frontman Matt Edible has taken time out from the band, and served up what a Christmas classic. It’s a raucous and funny pop song that should be echoed around pubs for the following days of Advent.

Edible's infectious nature is larger than ever and the love just oozes from him. Not even the shit stain Teresa May could fail to feel a bit happier after this jaunt. The bass stomp invokes Slade whilst the backing vocals provide a drunken sense of fun to be shared by best friends.

If you make one Christmas single purchase this December, make it this. 

Luna Bay - Smoke & Mirrors

London four piece Luna Bay have been making solid inroads in 2016 but, they have saved the best till last. Their new single ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ is going to announce themselves as serious players for 2017.

The gorgeous opening will transport people back to those closing moments of a great party in the sun. The dreamy riff just floats about, almost touchable but always out of reach. It feels like a big ecstatic release is coming but, never quite does. Nevertheless, The Maccabees and Foals to find that magic formula and Luna Bay are inches away from it already. 

High Hazels - Joined At The Lip

Sheffield's heir to the Dreampop throne, High Hazels, are back with their new single 'Joined At The Lip'. Small steps are made away from their wistful roots but, their ability to produce beauty remains strong.

Vocally, James Leesley gives a nod to Fury and Como’s crooning skills here, but via his Sheffield roots, much like his great peers George Waite (The Crookes) and Richard Hawley. Lurking lazily in the background is Lou Reed circa the Velvets, which, lends the song an aloofness not yet witnessed from the band.

The closing moments of this song are a thing of majesty. The gorgeous licks on Scott Howes’ guitar float by carelessly, whilst, the synths and faded vocals conjure a gentile haze.

The Academic - 2003 Mixtape

As a generation of Olympic heroes like Bolt and Ennis are reaching the end of their careers it’s impossible to not feel nostalgic for their glory days. Sound tracking this feeling, is The Academic's '2003 Mixtape'. 

Musically, its indie-rock drowning in sunshine and so carefree. However, can a tale of nostalgia ever truly signify happiness? Despite its unrepentant feelings for yesteryear, you wonder hurt has hit the pause button on this part of their life.

As with all their previous singles, The Academic have produced great riffs and euphoric vocals but, the highpoint emanates from Craig Fitzgerald’s delivery of the chorus:

“You and your mistakes / Me and my mistakes / Nothings gonna change the way I feel” 

Fitzgerald cuts a British version of Julian Casablancas in despair and, for anyone hung up on missed chances, well, expect to feel forlorn afterwards.  

Man & The Echo - Distance Runner

Fresh from playing Billy Bragg's curated Leftfield Stage at Glasto this year, the Warrington four piece recently released the single 'Distance Runner'. 

It has the drum roll hallmarks of Milburn's 'What You Could Have Won' and vocal cadence. However, this is just a small part of what makes this cracking single. The Northern Soul swagger radiates from every pore and is certain to have audiences both young and old clamouring for more.  

As with all their work to date, ‘Distance Runner’ is blessed with a warmth which feels cathartic and has the ability to unite. Now more than ever, we need Man & The Echo.

Hello, World!

King Creosote - Wake Up To This

Fife’s Kenny Anderson, has become best known for his experimental work of late, including the bad ass Mercury nominated collaboration with Jon Hopkins. On ‘Wake Up To This’, he has returned to his intuitive pop sensibilities which saw him rise through the ranks of folk royalty during the late ‘00s.

His trademark electronica combining with his infectious acoustic melodies and Celtic vocals is joyous and evokes memories of ‘You’ve No Clue Do You’. The use of strings is a no brainer for Anderson’s brand of melodic folk but, not one we’ve seen a lot of. When you revisit classics like ‘Marguerita Red’, ‘678’ and ‘Home In A Sentence’, thoughts of a full orchestra and the Albert Hall become a burning desire

Whatever it is KC is striving to achieve, surely lies within this single. The combination of folk traditions and electronica offers everything that’s ever been great about him and still finds space for innovation.

Heyrocco - Waiting On Cool

North Charleston's Heyrocco are back with a new EP. Here's our track by track on the three pieces new offering:

Yeah

The EP opens with this single friendly gem. Sounding like Harvey Danger's cult hit 'Flagpole Sitta' via Grandaddy, it offers a lyrical nugget to why punk is a style, it’s a state of mind: 

“when everything stays the same I go insane” 

For anyone bitter with politics at the moment, don’t sulk, get mad and get even. 

 It’s Always Something New  

Across the pond lies a glorious alternative indie/punk tradition of male and female dual vocals. Yo La Tengo, The Rosebuds and Sonic youth to name but three. They are big shoes to fill but, if Heyrocco can maintain this standard for a decade, they might themselves in the mix.  

What’s really admiral about this song is the ending. Just when you think the inevitable guitar solo is coming they just reign everything in let it fade away gently.   

 Slice of Life

The most stripped back affair on the EP. For the most part this song is filler but then, emerging from the wilderness comes a sublime guitar part. Slightly warped and full of emotion, it says in 20seconds what the rest of the song doesn’t quite do. 

 Build It Up

‘Build It Up’ is an emotive version of Weezer’s ‘Beverley Hills’. Whereas Weezer build and build the humour, Heyrocco use the stop start riff to lead up to a heart wrenching release.  

Venice Beach

Heyrocco get in touch with their love of the Eels here as they combine hip hop, indie and odd ball production. There is a lot going on in this strange affair which makes us wonder, could they combine some these styles with the punkof ‘Yeah’ to create something truly unique?  

 Perfect World

A great stripped back riff loops in the verses that would make Beck proud. The subsequent eruption is as joyous as Weezer's 'Photograph'. Well played.