ALBUM: SKY LARKIN - MOTTO

"Keep it newsworthy" Sky Larkin's Katie Harkin urges us; a poignant message in the information-saturated 21st century, but it remains baffling how Sky Larkin themselves have not attracted such widespread attentions. 'Motto' is the band's third record after the solid debut 'The Golden Spike' and the sparkling 'Kaleide', and while the last few years have seen Harkin lending her talents to the Wild Beasts' live set up as well as some line-up changes, the molten core of the Sky Larkin world is unchanged. 

More than anything else, 'Motto' is an album of imperatives. From the lyrical content ("Keep it newsworthy", "Breathe it in, carve it out") to the relentless ever-present guitars, the record asks the listener to listen, to engage, to do. What is more, however much 'Motto' may ask of you it repays in buckets of heart and charm; the importance of this mutual relationship is keenly felt. Tracks like 'Italics' entice you in initially with killer hooks and in return you get the pleasure of listening to a band who have achieved a harmonious equilibrium; every instrument and voice shines without ever stepping on their neighbours' toes. This album in particular stands out in the Sky Larkin discography because it is, at times, more human and pained than what has come before. While 'Loom' and 'Treasury' collide wistful guitars with odes to loss, 'Overgrown' and album closer 'Que Linda (Wake To Applause)' are the most downbeat tracks on 'Motto', arguably even more poignant than Harkin's earlier pleas on 'Newsworthy'.  

There's only so many times you can knock on a door until you must surely be heard. Sky Larkin have been knocking for a while now, and the irresistible quality of 'Motto' will, hopefully, cause many to open the door, usher the band inside and offer them a cup of Yorkshire Tea. It's all they deserve, after all. 

9/10

Sky Larkin

NEW MUSIC: SBTRKT - IMO

Check out the latest snippet to come from producer Aaron Jerome aka SBTRKT. After the exuberant eponymous debut, this track brings with it a temperance of sorts; the morning after the night before. The effect is one of hypnotic calm, a soothing balm for tired ears. 

NEW MUSIC: ARCADE FIRE - REFLEKTOR

About a month ago, mysterious signs like the one above started appearing in cities all over the world. Many deduced that this was a pointer towards the much-anticipated fourth Arcade Fire record, and this was confirmed last week with a short but sweet trailer indicating some kind of unveiling for the 9th September. This unveiling has since surfaced as new single 'Reflektor' courtesy of a leak on Saturday but the leak by no means ruins today's events; the track can now be heard on justareflektor.com accompanied by an impressive interactive element which turns your smartphone or mouse into a 'reflektor'. This interactive video, directed by Vincent Morisset, is a really interesting vehicle for the imagery of 'Reflektor', even if it induces a kind of motion-sickness at times. It is a fun toy to play with, if you have finished running around your neighbourhood shouting "New Arcade Fire! James Murphy! David Bowie!" at the top of your lungs. The hype that has always seemed to surround this band has always been absolutely proportionate to their music, and this trend looks set to continue. Hopefully 'Reflektor' can satiate our appetites until the 29th October, when LP number 4 is to be released.

Just A Reflektor

Arcade Fire

NEW MUSIC: ONEOHTRIX POINT NEVER - ZEBRA

In anticipation of the upcoming release of 'R Plus Seven' on 30th September, Oneohtrix Point Never has unveiled album track 'Zebra' for our delectation. Unlike 'Problem Areas', the first track to be shared from the new record, 'Zebra' drifts from idea to idea, turning each strand over in its hands before trying something else. While 'Problem Areas' is a river with relentless direction and purpose, 'Zebra' is an ocean, expansive and ready to be explored. Check out the video below and see what you think.

Preorder 'R Plus Seven' here

ALBUM: ARCTIC MONKEYS - AM

It is clear to see from the promotional images for 'AM' how far Arctic Monkeys have come since releasing debut 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' way back in 2006. Gone are the polo shirts and questionable jackets; instead, Sheffield's finest are suited and booted, dressed to the nines and looking serious. The band have embraced the big-time more and more with each new record, and 'AM' seems set to continue this trajectory. 

Indeed, there is something truly big about some of the tracks on this record. 'One For The Road' snakes along, burrowing into the ears and building more and more momentum but never quite overflowing into complete chaos. Although it has been available for consumption for some time, 'R U Mine' still packs the same punch it did on the very first listen. Many dedicate their careers to finding that one magic, earth-shattering riff; few succeed, and even fewer get it so right. Combine such a riff with a drawling, sneering Alex Turner and you've got a bona fide hit on your hands. 

As with previous Arctic Monkeys albums, however, these glowing praises must be tempered with a reluctant but necessary "but ...". In this case, there are some moments on 'AM' that, quite frankly, don't feel like they belong on an Arctic Monkeys record at all. 'Knee Socks' contains a rather strange moment where the band seem to be channelling their inner Justin Timberlake in an awkward acapella falsetto, while 'I Wanna Be Yours' has the cringe-worthy lines "I wanna be your vacuum cleaner/Breathing in your dust/I wanna be your Ford Cortina/I won't ever rust". After the gritty realism of Turner's early lyrics, to hear this cannot be anything but a little soul-destroying.

There is no question that Arctic Monkeys have evolved and adapted their sound, mostly for the better, and their ability to churn out the hits has been a sure and steady constant throughout their career to date. Even so, the experimental urge can lead to failures as well as successes, and no one is immune to this effect. It is an unavoidable circumstance and, in the end, one that Arctic Monkeys will not feel too strongly; their reputation solidified, they have much less to lose now than they once did. 

6/10

Pre-order 'AM' here

NEW MUSIC: WILD SWIM - NEW DAWN

A band tipped for big things in this blog's 2012 review, Oxford quintet Wild Swim have been gathering their creative energies ready for an imminent studio hibernation, the fruits of which will be seen in 2014. In the mean time, the band have given have left a Hansel-and-Gretel-esque trail of aural goodies for fans to feed on. The latest of these offerings, 'New Dawn', follows much in the footsteps of previous singles 'Echo' and 'Another Night', further establishing the Wild Swim sound. The track is characterised by Richard Samson's caramel vocals, effervescent piano and a kind of effortlessness that one does not often hear from a group of lads who have yet to celebrate their 21st birthdays. A triumphant look into the future both lyrically and musically, 'New Dawn' bodes well for the much-anticipated debut album.

'New Dawn' is released on 21st October; check the track out below.