In a week where the UK has seemingly gone mad for petrol and pasties, we've been keeping guard by the stereo and making sure that the David Cameron and co. get nowhere near the best new music.
This week has seen returns to form for a couple of old Gigwise favourites, the first taste of an eagerly anticipated Summer album and interesting new projects from the frontmen of two big bands. Read on to get the lowdown on all of that and more now.
Best Coast - The Only Place
Taken from the forthcoming second album of the same name, 'The Only Place' has soundtracked an unusualy glorious week of hot weather perfectly. It seems that Bethany Cosentino has managed to bottle the spirit of fun and freedom she made sound do good on Best Coast's debut and recapture it at will. Having heard the new album already, we can confirm that 'The Only Place' should become an essential Summer purchase.
Maximo Park - The National Health
In a week where we learned that Jet were still together as recently as last year (but have now, sadly, split up) you would be forgiven for thinking that Maximo Park may well have gone to the same indie graveyard in the sky. Alas, no,as Paul Smith and his high kicking escapades are back for 2012 and sounding, well... like they always did. Apply some pressure to the play button below to catch up with the band now.
Damon Albarn - The Marvelous Dream
Continuing his quest to try out each and every genre of music, Damon Albarn debuted the first song from his Dr. Dee opera this week. Andrea Bocelli can sleep easy tonight though as this is no ordinary operatic outing. 'The Marvelous Dream' is a hypnotic acoustic moment of introspective beauty - if you can't see Blur in a field this Summer make sure you catch Damon in a grand theatre instead.
Sigur Ros - Ekki Mukk
Sigur Ros announced their new album 'Valtari' on Monday and, despite having a title that sound like a Northener getting annoyed, Ekki Mukk is sure to be featuring on every atmospheric TV advert and movie for the next few months.
Azealia Banks - F*ck Up The Fun
Azealia shows her love of rapping very quickly and swearing even faster on this hook up with producer Diplo. Likely to feature on her forthcoming EP '1991', F*ck Up The Fun is yet another example of why Banks is one of the most refreshing talents to emerge in the past few years.
Young Colossus - Franky
Orlando Weeks of The Maccabees strikes out on his own under the name Young Colossus and provides the soundtrack to a book of the same name. Taken from a six track EP, 'Franky' is like hearing the final echo from the back of the arenas The Maccabees are surely set to fill later this year. Intimate and small, there is magic in every second.
The Streets - Weak Become Heroes (King Krule remix)
It's ten years since The Streets released 'Original Pirate Material' in 2002. King Krule's Archie Marshall was only 8 back then but nevertheless adds a melancholy edge to a song that already captures the comedown from a big night out.
Chairlift - Met Before (Illum Sphere remix)
Chairlift's brilliant second album is already a favourite of 2012 and this new remix courtesy of Illum Sphere breathes new life into its stand out track. A full 12" of Chairlift remixes by the likes of Martyn and John Talabot is due out on Young Turks later on this year.
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