NEW MUSIC: MAXIMO PARK - BRAIN CELLS

The North-East's finest five-piece Maximo Park are back, burrowing their way into the public consciousness with new track 'Brain Cells', the first offering from fifth LP Too Much Information due for release next February. "Burrowing" is very much the operative word here; 'Brain Cells' is not necessarily what you would expect from a three-minute slice of MP goodness, but it still possesses the far-too-catchy hook quality that the Park have perfected. Perhaps the closest cousin of this track is The National Health's 'Hips And Lips'; murky electronics dominate but unlike 'Hips And Lips' there is no release of pressure here.

Maximo Park

NEW MUSIC: BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB - CARRY ME

Bombay Bicycle Club premiered a brand new track on Radio 1 last night entitled 'Carry Me' and, to use a technical term, it is a stonker of a track. The dancier tendencies present on previous album 'A Different Kind Of Fix' and stand-alone track 'Beg' are explored even further on 'Carry Me', resulting in fragmented yet bouncy rhythms and a central hook that sounds like an inverted, alternate-universe version of 'Glad You Came' by The quartet have announced a new record for February 2014; off the evidence of 'Carry Me', let's hope they start as they mean to go on. 

Check out the interactive video for 'Carry Me' here 

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.

NEW MUSIC: TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB - CHANGING OF THE SEASONS

On the back of announcing a new EP and a headline show at the O2 Arena, Two Door Cinema Club premiered the EP's title track 'Changing of the Seasons' this evening on Radio 1. Produced by electronic artist Madeon, this track indicates a change in direction for the Northern Irish trio, but it is unclear whether this new direction will prove fruitful. All the trademark Two Door elements are here; the lilting guitar riffs and smooth vocals are present and correct, but the electronic presence sounds as if it has been messily placed atop everything else and left alone with an "it'll do" attitude. The attempt to change direction is commendable, but change for the sake of change is not; in this case the phrase "if it ain't broke don't fix it" springs to mind. 

Two Door Cinema Club

ALBUM: OUTFIT - PERFORMANCE

Liverpool quintet Outfit have been on our radar ever since their run of shows supporting the indefatigable Everything Everything on their February UK tour. Since then they have been tantalising fans by uploading album demos for a few hours at a time throughout the spring, and the finished article, in the form of debut record Performance, will be released next week.

If, like us, you’re feeling delirious from the improbable heatwave hitting the UK, this album will not do much to quell the delirium - if anything, it is more likely to enhance it. Performance is transformative in several respects: whether you’re after a bad-dream kind of ambience, some Eastern vibes or party atmospherics, this record will take you there.  Not only does Performance move up and out in this manner, but also forwards and backwards; while ‘Spraypaint’ evokes comparisons with Tears For Fears and company, album closer ‘Two Islands’ could not be more current, sure to be heard in hip high-street clothes stores the world over.

The title track, nestled in the middle of the album, is a refreshing moment of clarity in amongst the madness. A cautionary tale on the now all-encompassing nature of performance, this track has Andrew Hunt mournfully crooning “now everything echoes the same way”. It is clear that to Outfit, the idea of performance is not just a lyrical touchstone but something that permeates the record in numerous ways. “All the world’s a stage” Shakespeare once wrote, and the band have taken this old adage to heart, creating percussion out of DVD drives, snowy footfall and snooker balls among others.

This is a bold debut; Outfit have cultivated a sound borne of confidence and imagination, a combination which many bands don’t manage to achieve this quickly. Performance is a delightfully chameleon record that will, if there is any justice in the world, turn many heads. For those who embrace the adventure on this album, there are many rewards to be had.

8/10

Stream the album here

Outfit

EP: CHVRCHES - RECOVER

After the success of single 'The Mother We Share', CHVRCHES have released EP 'Recover' to tide fans over while the Scottish trio work on their debut album. There is an awful lot of hype surrounding this band, and so far they look up to the challenge of working under such pressure. The title track is, to put it simply, massive; synths soar, as do Lauren Mayberry's defiant vocals. 'Zvvl' and 'Now Is Not The Time' do much to enchant the ears, and while the tendency is to skip past the remixes that so often pad out a single or EP nowadays, both of the 'Recover' remixes are credible listens. With a busy summer schedule and a debut record imminent, CHVRCHES look set to become one of the bands of 2013. 

CHVRCHES

VIDEO: VUKOVI - THICK SKINNED

After the release of latest EP 'Sweet Swears' last October, Scottish quartet Vukovi have dropped a video of 'Thick Skinned' live in session for our delectation. 'Thick Skinned' is arguably the strongest track on 'Sweet Swears' and this video showcases not only the track's irresistible appeal but also the raw energy that has earned the band such a positive reputation on the road. This is nearly four minutes of indefatigable and chameleon-like rock; the band cite such disparate influences as Florence Welch, Deftones and Foals, and all of these influences can be located within the many layers of 'Thick Skinned'.  With a new live session soon to be unleashed, don't expect Vukovi to run out of steam any time soon. 

Vukovi

ALBUM: VILLAGERS - {Awayland}

There’s not a lot to say about Villagers that hasn't already been said. A subject of much well-deserved gushing from music critics and musicians alike, Conor O’Brien and co had the task of converting the hype generated from a Mercury-nominated debut album into a second effort that would solidify their status as one of the most exciting and interesting acts around. The result of this endeavour comes in the form of ‘{Awayland}’.

Debut album ‘Becoming A Jackal’ was a slow-burner, and ‘{Awayland}’ has the same sort of feel about it. ‘My Lighthouse’ doesn't quite carry the weight of previous album opener ‘I Saw The Dead’, but despite this it is no less poignant. ‘Nothing Arrived’ is pleasant enough but ultimately feels as empty as the non-arrival it describes. ‘Judgement Call’ has potential but in the end just feels like a poor man’s ‘Ship Of Promises’. Holding ‘{Awayland}’ up to the light of ‘Becoming A Jackal’ seems a little obvious but it is a necessary exercise, and in parts the second record does not reach the heights of its elder sibling.

There are treasures to be had, however, and what treasures they are. The title track makes for a perfect interlude midway through the album; its simplicity is devastating and one wishes only that it could have been longer. The closing trio of ‘Grateful Song’, ‘In A Newfound Land You Are Free’ and ‘Rhythm Composer’ beguile, console and charm in equal measure. Slithers of electronica can be found snaking through such tracks as ‘The Waves’, tentative yet successful experiments. Where Villagers get it right on ‘{Awayland}’, they really get it right, and if the record ages as well as ‘Becoming A Jackal’ then who knows what heights the band will reach. 

7/10

Villagers

ALBUM: EVERYTHING EVERYTHING - ARC

After what seems like an age since we first heard lead single ‘Cough Cough’, Everything Everything’s second album ‘Arc’ is here for us to devour, and there is certainly plenty of meat on these bones. After such a promising debut effort in ‘Man Alive’ there has been so much attention on the Manchester-based quartet that they could well have buckled under the pressure; instead, they have held strong and created another brilliant album.

What is perhaps most striking is that this time around, the cerebral pop that is integral to the Everything Everything sound has a more human edge to it. There aren’t quite so many metaphors to unpack; the listener already has some of the touchstones for themselves. This brings a softness that tempers the more frenetic moments on the record, and nowhere is this marriage of the smooth and the rough more evident than in ‘Armourland’, the closest the band get to a love song of sorts. The sharp-edged verses give way to choruses that yearn and serenade like a warped cabaret crooner. Elsewhere, ‘The House Is Dust’ shows a preoccupation with the future of mankind, and ‘Feet For Hands’ couples a quasi-flamenco sound with a particularly eloquent monologue of despair and depression.

As well as these interludes of introspection, there are the flourishes and sonic spectacles that we have come to expect from Everything Everything. ‘Torso Of The Week’ works its way up from just voice and drums to an explosive chorus that cannot fail to get your feet tapping, while ‘Radiant’ is sculpted around a guitar hook so catchy it may never leave your head. To follow up a Mercury-nominated debut album is undoubtedly a tricky task, but with ‘Arc’ Everything Everything have made it look stupidly easy.

9/10

Everything Everything