The Cat Empire are one of the greatest live bands on the planet. Their indefinable sound has earned them a following in many corners of the globe, and their music continues to attract a new youthful following thanks to the vibrancy in their percussive songs.
They made their mark with their first record in 2003, which includes the songs 'Chariot' and 'Days Like These', and since then they've consistently put out great music. 'Sly' from their second album, Two Shoes, and 'Cities' from the album of the same name are just some you should check out if you don't already know them or revisit if you're a huge fan.
Most recently, they've been recording their album Rising With The Sun in their hometown, Melbourne. It's one of their finest efforts yet and has a strong Cumbia influence among other myriad ideas and styles that play into making this perfect festival music. It's set for release on 4 March.
But for now, we asked frontman Felix Riebl to review the biggest new tracks to have emerged in the last week - taking on everyone from The 1975 to James Blake.
The 1975 –‘Somebody Else’
"Earfuls of panning, revolving synths, and a milky low end… The 1975’s ‘Somebody Else’ seems to be about being high and jealous at the same time, and speaks for those who spend their weekend feeling just like that…"
Gwen Stefani - ‘Make Me Like You’
"Honey dripping, disco nostalgia by pop-rock stayer Gwen Stefani. ‘Make Me Like You’ starts un-remarkably, but has a melody that hooks you unawares, then goes round and round and round til you're wondering whether you could roller skate backwards... The video is hyper energetic, and has enough set changes through Marilyn-esque clichés to keep you there until the glittering end."
James Blake – ‘Modern Soul’
"A fragmented new soul hymn by understated trailblazer James Blake. It’s as nonchalant as it is grand, and harmonically it’s properly interesting. The production feels daring, immediate, almost unfinished, and creates a sense of beautiful uncertainty. ‘I want it to be over’ echoes over the outro, 'but I'm not sure I do."
Public Access TV – ‘On Location’
"Public Access TV’s ‘On Location’ is a low-fi, NY guitar band, playing a low-fi, NY guitar band song. It’s about as simple as that. The video, with an intro by the band's off-kilter hostess, packs a nice, low budget, band in the back room kind of punch."
Sweat – ‘Tambourine'
"Psychedelic life advice in ‘Tambourine,’ a long electric shuffle by South London synth-pop outfit Sweat. The falsetto vocals are recorded so close, you could stick the syllables on the wall. There’s an acoustic edge that rambles under the synthesphere, and a looseness that gives the feeling of a real band and its personality. Not my cup of tea, but there’s a surely a room full of fans who’d disagree."
Animal Collective – ‘Golden Gal’
"Trippy and weirdly joyful, ‘Golden Gal’ by Baltimore experimental pop group Animal Collective has a layered percussive synth bed, a loopy video that plays out like a bizarre kids show, and a chorus major enough to hint distantly at the beach boys. Unsettling, but strangely mesmerizing."
Jake Bugg – ‘On My One’
"There’s a restraint in ‘On My One,’ and an easy authority in the performance that belies Jake Bugg’s 21 years. He’s got pipes to burn, and vulnerability underneath that clear strength, but he sings with a rareness that puts the song first. A real natural. As an aside, the kick drum is its own laidback feature."
Catfish & The Bottlemen – ‘Soundcheck’
"There’s a non-pretentious, almost conversational romance that comes across in this straight 8ths rock song ‘Sound Check’ by Catfish and The Bottlemen. Listen out for the build up and then the rhythm change in the outro, that’s the payoff."
Haus – ‘Blinded’
"High strung vocals, echoing, distorted guitars, synthetic hats and keys, a love-wounded boy sprinting along the fluorescent underground, while his love-crazed girlfriend smashes a kind of pinyata voodoo doll with a baseball bat and knocks him down."
Polica – ‘Lately’
"The song ‘Lately’ by Minneapolis synth-pop quartet Polica, asks if its love has become too comfortable. The safety of the production answers the question, yes. A few welcome haunted and bent sounds in there, but otherwise soft-synth-pop about as straight as it gets."
The Cat Empire's upcoming tour dates are as follows. For tickets and more information, visit here.
30 March Concorde 2, Brighton
31 March Pyramid Centre, Portsmouth
1 April The Pavillion, Bath
2 April The Institute, Birmingham
3 April Tramshead, Cardiff
6 April 02 Ritz, Manchester
7 April 02 Academy, Leeds
8 April 02 ABC, Glasgow
9 April The Queens Hall, Edinburgh
12 April The Junction, Cambridge
13 April The Waterfront, Norwich
15 April Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, London
