Photo: Press
This week we have a selection of punk, summery pop music, Krautrock, indie, and more to highlight in a more underground selection than ever. These tracks have been the absolute highlight of our sweltering week.
Whilst there are sounds that evoke summer in NoMBe's addictive new single, a lot are of gloomier in feel, but either way they have been completely intoxiicating and instantly drawn us in. We hope you discover a new favourite band below and have a great weekend.
Authors: Jack Palfrey (JP), Nick Roseblade (NR), Cai Trefor (CT), Julian Marszalek (JM)
Fews - 'Metal'
FEWS are slowly becoming one of my favourite bands. Their 2015 debut single ‘ILL’ as part of Speedy Wunderground’s singles club was an instant classic. Its follow up ‘The Zoo’ showed this wasn’t a fluke. Last year they released the album ‘Means’ that was lauded and applauded for their merging of Post-Punk and Motorik and their live shows are incendiary. Now they’ve just released the single ‘Metal’ with which they’ve managed to capture lightning in a bottle, well on tape at least. It’s three minutes of pounding drums, searing guitars, droney bass and their trademark vocals. I think it’s time to start getting excited again…(NR)
Breakfast Muff - 'Feast'
This Girl Band-esque tracks is immediately enthralling. The Glaswegian punk's loop a distorted riff as they hammer the floor tom and bass drum in a simple yet aggressive style. The energy of the track benefits from having been recorded completely live keeping the spirit and ethos of old punk records. 'Feast' is taken from their forthcoming album Eurgh! which was recorded in merely 4 days and is out on 7 July.
Gold Class - 'Twist In The Dark'
Gold Class sound like The Smiths, Interpol and The Cult but with an incredible Post-Punk-Pop sheen. Latest single ‘Twist in the Dark’ is immediate, visceral, brooding and, above all, a whole lot of fun. The song is a call to arms for anyone who is different or fills on the fringes. Frontman Adam Curley recently said it’s about “systematic abuse of vulnerable people and the constant mockery of anyone on the outs”. We need bands like Gold Class. They make quality music and have a strong message of inclusiveness. ‘Twist in the Dark’ is taken from their second album ‘Drum’ which is released on 18th August.
Theo Verney - 'Letter Down'
Theo Verney has returned to save all our summer BBQ’s, beach parties, commutes and drive times with what could be the album of the summer. Since his last release, 2015’s Brain Disease, Verney has thrown off his indie-psych chic and has full embraced 1970’s rock. New single ‘Letter Down’ oozes classic Pink Floyd with hazy guitars, laconic vocals and a heavy dollop of fun, in the best possible way of course. Verney’s debut album ‘One Small Piece’ is released 7th July through Cannibal Hymns. (DG)
Goat - 'Try My Robe (Live)'
Goat are without a doubt one of the most prolific names in the modern psych-rock scene. Shrouded in mystery and hidden behind masks at all times, the Swedish collective make tribal psychedelia that takes influence from all corners of the world – from African afrobeat to Latin American Tropicalia and German krautrock. This week the band announced a new live album - Fuzzed In Europe - which is made up of live recordings from their European tour last year that was in support of their third LP Requiem. With the announcement, they shared the live recording of ‘Try My Robe’ that, although didn’t make it onto the album, perfectly encapsulates the lysergic, world music sounds of Goat in its purest form. (JP)
NoMBe- 'Do Whatchu Want To Me'
"NoMBe makes music for the subconscious with colorful layers and unexpected water slides. He writes and produces dream sequences," said Pharrell. Listening to his latest track I can truly understand why such a musical heavy weight is showering this pop newcomer with such praise. The cut washes over you like a turquoise waters of a calm tropical sea, and as it's such a great summer feel it has racked over 15,000 streams since its release two days ago - great for a newcomer with a debut album on the way. (CT)
Oro Swimming Hour - 'Martial Arts Washing Cars'
Oro Swimming Hour is children’s book illustrator and Lucky Shivers member Nicholas Stevenson and Oliver Wilde. If this wasn’t enough to get excited about new single ‘Martial Arts Washing Cars’ is, as its two minutes of wonky pop, skewed psych and delicate harmonies. Imagine Elliot Smith covering the Incredible String Band and you are on the right tracks. The subsequent album, ‘Penrose Winoa’, was recorded in Wilde’s lounge and this intimate nature comes across, as the songs have a comforting, tea and a chat before bed, feeling to them. ‘Penrose Winoa’ is released on 28th July on Art is Hard. (NR)
Lød - 'Så Blå'
‘Så Blå’ by motorik quartet Lød has all the hallmarks of a dream. It is accepted without question. As soon as ‘Så Blå’ start you are swept up with its hypnotic rhythms. It triggers intense emotions. A wave of happiness, or euphoria, rushes through you from the opening droney notes. Part of ‘Så Blå’ feel disorganized and illogical. Of course, this isn’t true, every part of its epic nine minutes was carefully crafted, but there is an underlying feeling of confusing just lurking below the surface. It contains bizarre sensory experiences. After pressing play time seems to stand still, where as in fact it jumps forward just under 10 minutes with each listen. At the end of ‘Så Blå’ it’s difficult to remember what it was about it that made you fall in love with it. (NR).
Hercules and Love Affair (feat, Sharon Van Etten) – 'Omnion'
You think you’ve got something pinned down when, straight out of nowhere, comes a curveball to knock all your preconceived notions on the head. The disco-house monster Hercules and Love Affair is a case in point. Their previous banger, ‘Controller’, featured the vocal talents of The Horrors’ Faris Badwin and set its sights firmly on the dancefloor. ‘Omnion’ is something else altogether. Sharon Van Etten is on dreamy form here to drive this creamy beauty that’s set to soundtrack a thousand sunrises. A slowburner for sure but stick with it; this opens up like a flower and it’s going to make those comedowns a whole lot smoother. (JM)
