NEW MUSIC: NORMAN WISE - COUNTENANCE

Hello again, long time no see. Not a year's absence this time, but another absence nonetheless. I've alluded to creative struggles before on this blog so I won't mention them again here. What I will say is that in the last week I have heard a song that has made me feel something in a way I hadn't done for a long while, and I simply must write about it.  

A hidden gem in amongst a sea of Soundcloud tracks, 'Countenance' by Norman Wise begins shyly; unassuming vocals are laid ever so gently over summery, unobtrusive synths. Just as your brain begins to form any assumptions, however, they are blown away around 40 seconds in when the track bursts into life, driven along by an indomitable beat and the bounciest of basslines. There's a joy to this song that belies its jaded lyrical content, right through to the end of a dreamy-as-fuck coda. It's hard not to be completely enamoured by 'Countenance'. Why would you resist its many charms? 

I may or may not have convinced you to listen to this track with, let's face it, that slightly bland, writer-y last paragraph, so here's my impassioned plea: listen to this song at least twice, while the sun is still out. Give it your full attention, don't do anything else while you listen. Let your mind wander where it may. Whether you're after the joy of discovering the unknown, or the catharsis of expression, there should be something for you here.  

Why do I like 'Countenance'? It doesn't really matter, or at least it shouldn't. Why did I feel compelled to spend an afternoon agonising over a few hundred words to be flung into the ether? Your guess is as good as mine. There's no reason in the world for you to take my word for it, but if you want to take a chance on this song you're likely to be rewarded.  

NEW MUSIC: SBTRKT - NEW DORP. NEW YORK.

Bellow Baritone turns 2 today (!) and what better way to celebrate than with an avalanche of news from the SBTRKT camp. After 'Temporary View' was dropped a few weeks ago, SBTRKT aka Aaron Jerome unveiled 'New Dorp. New York.' with guest vocals from Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig, along with details for new LP Wonder Where We Land, set for release in September. This sparse, beat-driven track is benefited massively by Koenig's idiosyncratic vocals, and when it comes to collaboration the new record is going to be full of it. Sampha continues to work with Jerome to great effect as seen on 'Temporary View' and a plethora of artists have been confirmed to appear on  Wonder Where We Land, including Jessie Ware, Warpaint and A$AP Ferg. Excellent news! Check out the video above, and try not to get too excited. 

NEW MUSIC: 2:54 - ORION

2:54 are back! Over two years after the release of their self-titled debut album and subsequent extensive touring, the Thurlow sisters have signed to Bella Union and released new single 'Orion', with the promise of a new record later this year. One of the musical hallmarks of 2:54 was an intoxicating claustrophobia; on 'Orion' however, the guitars and drums expand out into open air and the track breathes much easier, hinting at a much different mindset. 

Check out 'Orion' here

2:54

MARCH - APRIL: THE BEST BITS

We Are Scientists - TV En Français

It's been nearly 4 years since the release of previous effort Barbara but TV En Français makes it worth the wait (see what I did there?). Cheap WAS song puns aside, this record is everything we've come to know and love from Murray and Cain; sweeeeeeet hooks and not-so-sweet lyrics - "When I said that you were something else/I didn't mean it as a compliment".
Check out: Dumb Luck, Overreacting

Foster The People - Supermodel

Those people that endured the endless airplay of 'Pumped Up Kicks' throughout 2011 will be pleasantly surprised by Supermodel; there is a real myriad of styles here, deftly executed. Let's face it, the world doesn't need another one-hit wonder, and I'm happy to say that Foster The People have avoided this fate.
Check out: Pseudologia Fantastica, Best Friend

Spring Offensive - Young Animal Hearts

Oxford are very excited about their new export; Spring Offensive have been labelled by many as the next Foals. While this comparison is warranted to a point, Spring Offensive have more than enough about them to shrug off the shadow and make their own tracks. There's a subtlety and vulnerability to Young Animal Hearts that makes for an assured debut and hints at great things for the future. 

Check out: Bodylifting, Speak

THE YEAR SO FAR ...

We are hardly two months into 2014 and yet there is already an abundance of new music to be devoured; here is my pick of the year's new releases.

 East India Youth - Total Strife Forever

William Doyle's debut solo effort contains an impressive palette of sounds; it is an ambitious record that almost demands to be heard. 

Check out: 'Heaven, How Long', 'Hinterland'

James Vincent McMorrow - Post Tropical

From the first strains of 'Cavalier' it is clear that Post Tropical is an album that whispers rather than shouts. If you take the time to listen close, you will surely be rewarded.

Check out: 'Cavalier', 'Outside Digging'

Bombay Bicycle Club - So Long, See You Tomorrow

An album borne of travel, with home at its heart. The quartet know a good hook when they hear one, and So Long... is full of them.

Check out: 'Home By Now', 'Feel'

Arthur Beatrice - Working Out

A strong debut album underpinned by intriguing vocal contrasts and a sophisicated sound that usually takes several records to cultivate. 

Check out: 'Midland', 'Carter'

Wild Beasts - Present Tense

Building upon Smother's flirtations with electronica, this record weaves synth upon synth and vocal upon vocal in and out of your ears until you inevitably become entwined with it. 

Check out: 'Daughters', 'Palace' 

NEW MUSIC: WILD BEASTS - WANDERLUST

In a whirlwind 24 hours, Wild Beasts have unveiled a new album, single and a smattering of tour dates around the world. 'Wanderlust' is the lead single and first track on 4th LP Present Tense, and it denotes yet another shift in the Wild Beasts sound. The sonic DNA is at its essence the same; Hayden Thorpe's idiosyncratic vocals stretch out into the lower end of his register while Tom Fleming's soar in the background, and the relentless rhythm section is a comforting ever-present. There is, however, as in the Beasts' whole back catalogue, a sense of the Darwinian to be found in 'Wanderlust'; guitars are shed like a skin in favour of powerful, cutting synths that build to a crescendo as Thorpe warns "Don't confuse me with someone who gives a fuck". Present Tense is, as the band put it, an album about "headspace and consciousness"; 'Wanderlust' is the triumphant cry of one who has mastery of these concepts. These thematic concerns bring to mind a little snippet of Shakespeare:

                "O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell and
                count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that
                I have bad dreams."
                                                                              Hamlet II.II.265-7

It remains to be seen whether bad dreams will appear on Present Tense alongside the infinite space of 'Wanderlust'. 

Preorder Present Tense and check out the new tour dates here

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 

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

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