Photo: Press
Another Friday, another dose of new music. This week we introduce a new song from an artist making waves over in Montreal Jazz festival this week, a band our Polish music expert Julian Marszalek recommends, and an array of underground bands that Nick Roseblade knows, largely from having his finger on the pulse in the live Brighton scene. Familiar or unfamiliar, one things certain: there's definitely some exciting music to dig into below.
Stars on 45 authors: Nick Roseblade (NR), Cai Trefor (CT), Julian Marszalek
Busty and the Bass - 'Common Ground'
Hip-hop and soul combinations are fairly common but when they're done this well they've got to be treasured. The lead vocals are sufficiently heartfelt, don't lack punch and the sax accents the piece in all the right places without being over-bearing. Meanwhile, wah-wah guitar and silky bass grooves add to the heady feel you get from hearing Busty and the Bass' incredible new single. The Montreal-based band, who have burgeoning local following, make a perfect support band for Anderson .Paak's free gig tomorrow night, which celebrates the end of Montreal Jazz Festival 2017. Get there early for these. (CT)
The Cult of Dom Keller - 'Hate is On Repeat'
Opening with what sounds like a reversed sitar slowly imploding, 'Hate is on Repeat' is a slow burning swath of broody psych that envelopes you in the musical equivalent of mushroom. Which is apt as The Cult of Dom Keller once said they wanted their music to “sound like a volcano giving birth to an atomic bomb”. Hyperbole aside, The Cult of Dom Keller are a band that mean business and anyone who has witnessed their incendiary live sets can attest to this. 'Hate is on Repeat' might not be the song of the summer, but it has the possibility to be a contender for song of the year!(NR)
Mr Yote- 'Bukubru'
Yoteland just got another inhabitant. Kinda. Yoteland is the place where all musical avatars that Mr. Yote creates live. Previously he has introduced us to Frank and Stein, Scurvy Jones and Count Torro and now it looks like Yote is going to introduce us to some more. But all that really matters is that Yote has returned with another slice of skewed, concept heavy, hip-hop called ‘Bukubru’. Yote has the ability to mix narrative based lyrics with beats that are playful, but aren’t throwaway.
The Death of Pop - 'Breathing'
The Death of Pop show off their softer side on their new glorious single 'Breathing'. Instead of coming out of the tracks like a deranged greyhound, as they usually do, 'Breathing' takes its time to slowly build exquisite layers of 80’s drenched guitars, until an impeccable catchy chorus of “I know this isn’t right, I could wake at any time” washes over you. This change in pace is a subtle touch, but telling touch. 'Breathing' shows that TDoP can do more than the savage sonic assault we have been recently used. Instead they’ve wrapped the melodies in a gossamer filigree that hugs us like a long lost friend, even though we’ve just met.(NR)
Catholic Action - 'Propaganda'
Catholic Action are a breath of fresh air. Their brand of breakneck art-rock is peppered with sardonic charm and catchy melodies that oozes fun and should be immediately included on all your BBQ and summer playlists. It shouldn’t be a surprise to find out that 'Propaganda' was inspired by a hellish night out. Frontman Chris McCrory recently said the night was ”Spent up to my neck in landfill indie and cheap pints. A drunken epiphany on the dance floor, when you realise you’re very, very lost”. We’ve all been there but Catholic Action make it sound more fun than it has any right to be! (NR)
Du Bellows - 'Luminaire'
Du Bellows run the musical gauntlet between Country, Folk, Blues, Gospel and Rock, however with vocalist Jade Williams, she conjures up and evokes the spirit of Janis Joplin, Sandy Denny and Joni Mitchell whilst sounding modern and with contemporary tales of urban living. ‘Luminaire’ is business as usual. They’re still making euphoric and anthemic driven rock, think Fleetwood Mac with Geezer Butler and Richie Blackmore and you’re close. Bu it’s heavier and far more rhythmic than anything they’ve committed to tape before, it essentially smoulders with passion and intent. (NR)
Haters - 'Chronic'
Weren’t the 90’s great? MTV still showed music videos. The internet was an unregulated space where like-minded people shared ideas and band suggestions and film soundtracks were generally flawless. Brighton’s Haters clearly feel the same, as new track ‘Chronic’ could have been released anytime during this period. It has a classic 90’s feel to, big guitars and bigger choruses that conjures up the brash fun and playfulness of the 10 Things I Hate About You, My So Called Life and Clueless soundtracks. The rest of their new EP is filled with this wild abandon. This might be your new favourite band, or an addition to a retro themed playlist, either way Haters are hard to ignore! (NR)
Fertile Hump - ‘Goodnight, Goodbye’
Thanks in part to the turgid fretworrying from tedious bores like Joe Bonamassa and his ghastly ilk, the concept of blues-rock these days illicits a chilling of the blood and an involuntary shudder in the same way that mere mention of jazz-funk does. And yet it shouldn’t be that way; given that so many clichés are sign posted like directions to the North along the M1 at Watford Gap services, only the creatively lazy would want to repeat them over and over again. (NR)
Ghostpoet - 'Freak Show'
There's definitely not as much hype surrounding Ghostpoet than in 2011 when the freakily good single 'Survive It' seduced the entire nation. This track, 'Freak Show' is easily one of the best we've ever heard from him and is perhaps an important reason to start turning our attention to Ghostpoet again. It's bustling with energy featuring psychedelic/shoegaze guitars that wouldn't feel ill-fitting in a Dandy Warhols or Duke Spirit track, funky bass, a peppering of random effects, visceral drums and Ghospoet's cool-as-hell London drawl. Lyrically and visually Ghospoet seems to take a haunted view of the fear that pervades people's minds and then manifests in their body language in big cities like London. Good stuff. (CT)
