Warm Brains - Let Down (Single Review)

Warm Brains is the new solo project by London based DIY Producer Rory Attwell, who is best know for being a member of Test Icicles and other bands and is now highly sought after as a producer. The 18th July sees the release of his latest offering, a double-A side single ‘Let Down’/ ‘Stone to Sand to Glass’.

Written by: Lee Johnston | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

David Guetta ft. Taio Cruz - Little Bad Girl (Single Review)

With a string of club hits under his belt, it comes as no surprise that David Guetta’s newest collaboration with Taio Cruz and Ludacris – ‘Little Bad Girl’ - follows a similar suit. Kicking off the track with a strong electronic beat, Taio Cruz claims ‘Oh yeah, they tell me I’m a bad boy’...

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

Mona - Shooting The Moon (Single Review)

Nashville based rockers Mona have already got some pretty impressive support slots under their belts, not least playing with their mates Kings Of Leon on their recent arena tour in the UK. Already crowned at the MTV Awards with the Brand New for 2011 title, it seems that the only way is up for Nick, Vince, Zach and Jordan.

Written by: Katie Territt | Date: Thursday, 14 July 2011

Ellwood ‘Lost in Transition’ (Album Review)

If you’re familiar with the ska-infused party anthems of the Mad Caddies, then please meet Ellwood – a vaguely similar-sounding Californian reggae quartet that bear more than just a passing resemblance to said Caddies. And you would be forgiven for thinking that, for Ellwood actually are the Mad Caddies – well, four of them are anyway. Sometime since the Mad Caddies most recent release back in 2007, lead vocalist Chuck Robertson called together three of his bandmates to form this all-new side project. Although Ellwood could be accused of sounding a lot like Mad Caddies in places and therefore calling the purpose of this venture into question, what they have in fact done is removed the hyperactive, beer-soaked and brass-crazy punk rock of their main band and slowed it right down for a somewhat more tempered and easygoing pop-reggae album.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Danny & The Champions Of The World - Hearts & Arrows (Album Review)

It’s always nice to allow a little Americana into your living room. Danny and the Champions of the World, despite being mostly London based, are not releasing music synonymous with our shores, but that’s ok, I can forgive them for that since this offering, 'Hearts and Arrows', happens to be very good.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Guineafowl - Hello Anxiety (EP Review)

The first line claims that Guineafowl “form in our circles to discuss things with purpose, issues to address. problems and their mess. Kids can dance, dance, dance, dance, dance…” which, unlike anything I’ve ever heard, sets the scene for this wonderful five-track more than anything I’ve heard all year. To say that opener 'In Our Circles' sounds big would normally be a lazy and uninspired way of describing it, especially since us reviewer types often to cram as many ridiculous similes in an review as possible, but there is no sound bigger. It’s like walking through ultra-flat Norfolk and smacking straight into the BT tower (whoops, there is a simile after all). Soaring synths dissect some absolutely shuddering bass drum with more melody crammed in than this years Apprentice. Yup. Guineafowl aren’t here to make things boring. They’re here to shake up the “arena rock” sound that Coldplay, Elbow and Snow Patrol have been the kings of and make it something entirely new and exciting.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Broken Cities - Flux (Album Review)

Some critics have argued that post rock/instrumental, or whatever moniker you put on it, has become stale, stagnant and repetitive. And yes, maybe while you do have to wade through the copious amount of Mogwai/ Sigur Ros clones, it is nevertheless possible to find fresh, exciting music still eluding from the void. One such example of this is 'Flux' by Oakland duo Broken Cities.

Written by: Patrick Gormley | Date: Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Wolf Gang - The King and All His Men (Single Review)

There is almost nothing not to like about Wolf Gang’s new single The King and All Of His Men. Following on from previous singles Lions in Cages and Dancing With The Devil, Wolf Gang further demonstrates his talent for writing great pop songs.

Written by: Joe Kinnaird | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

The Voluntary Butler Scheme - Granddad Galaxy (Album Review)

After receiving praise for his debut album At Breakfast, Dinner and Tea, the Voluntary Butler Scheme (Rob Jones) has returned with a second album that offers far greater sonic innovation coupled with the quirky lyricism that characterised his earlier work.

Written by: Joe Kinnaird | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

Maverick Sabre - Let Me Go (Single Review)

Having guested on tracks with Chase and Status and collaborated with several other rappers and Irish R&B artists, it seems only fair that Maverick Sabre would get his time in the limelight now.  

Written by: Emma Newlyn | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

The Vertigos - Rubix/Saint (Double A-Side Review)

Remember The Pigeon Detectives? You know the ones? They were a spangly dancey pop rock band that some people called “indie” for a short while. They sort of sung badly, but it was all part of the charm layered between layers of noisy, frenetic, frantic guitars and catchy choruses that could cause the dancefloors of 2007 to erupt with guitar music.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

The Beekeepers (f/t Mystro) – Queen Bee (Single Review)

Hip Hop is often (and I will make this point bleeding obvious right now that I’m not talking about ALL hip hop here) a conglomerate of the single biggest collection of overused ideas fused into a song. A bunch of people just shouting about how shitty their lives can be but how they’ve also got a Bentley, guns, bitches and sweet dollar dollar pouring from every orifice. Life is so incredibly tough, and pimpin’ ain’t easy. Too many rap artists get bogged down in what their music should sound like before going and having a war of words with another dude about something pointless. Not only that but a lot of artists make themselves out to be a lot tougher than they really are, especially when it comes to physicality with other human beings. I have no time for people who glorify mindless violence on someone else because it’s got crunk bass and a catchy hook. So, thank all that is holy for this offering from the Beekeepers and UK maestro, Mystro.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Monday, 11 July 2011

Hop Farm Festival - July 1st - July 3rd 2011 (Review)

"We got so many hits we’ll be here ‘til this time next year," roared self-styled funkster PRINCE as he reached the climax of an unforgettable two and a half hour musical marathon at Hop Farm Festival on Sunday evening.

Written by: Mark Molloy & James Conlon | Date: Thursday, 07 July 2011

The Suzukis ‘The Suzukis’ (Album Review)

Following in the footsteps of Northern Soul, The Verve and, uh, Starsailor, indie rock quartet The Suzukis are pressing forward to carry Wigan’s music scene further into the new decade. After a few singles, a handful of well-received live shows and an increasingly loud buzz, which has been surrounding the band like a swarm of flies in recent months, The Suzukis are finally here with their eponymous debut album. Unlike their Wigan predecessors though, these four young hopefuls have been turning everything up, putting the edge back on and generally shrugging their shoulders at anyone that likes things a bit too nice. Yes, The Suzukis are here and they mean business.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Wednesday, 06 July 2011

Liam Bailey ‘It’s Not the Same’ (EP Review)

While Amy Winehouse continues to keep us in suspense during her prolonged absence, the path remains relatively clear for a contender to the contemporary soul music crown. Although Adele is sitting comfortably ahead of the game as the current queen of British soul, Nottingham’s Liam Bailey is stepping in to take his position as a suitable king. Not in a literal sense, of course, but as you will discover upon first listen of his new EP ‘It’s Not the Same’, Bailey provides more than enough reason to stand out amongst the handful of good male soul singers around at the moment.

Written by: Rob Sleigh | Date: Wednesday, 06 July 2011

Cars 2 - Original Soundtrack (Album Review)

Often the best thing about a soundtrack is the variation it gives you. Different artists with different styles but all following a similar theme, that theme being the film. Of course there is such a thing as too much variation.

Written by: Craig Willis | Date: Wednesday, 06 July 2011

Goodluck Jonathan - This Is Our Way Out (Album Review)

With a name like “Goodluck Jonathan”, I partially want them to deliver a terrible album, just so I can use the finisher “because you’re seriously going to need it!” Sadly, however, that’s not going to be any likelihood as, for all intents and purposes, this album’s pretty damn good.

Written by: James Ball | Date: Tuesday, 05 July 2011

CATS AND CATS AND CATS - Mother Whale (Album Review)

Cats and Cats and Cats are one of those bands that it’s genuinely quite hard not to like. There’s something rather endearing about their unique spray of infectious math rock. Not ones to shy away from the more unusual, 'Mother Whale' sees Cats and Cats and Cats throw everything out of their palette and onto the canvas.

Written by: Ben Bland | Date: Tuesday, 05 July 2011

Joel Sarakula - Bohemian (single review)

Sienna Miller sort of dressed like one in 2007. The Dandy Warhols wanted to be one, like you. They’ve even got their very own rhapsody. Now Australian singer-songwriter Joel Sarakula has written a song about bohemians, and a fine little song it is too.

Written by: V O'Hagan | Date: Monday, 04 July 2011

Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday (Album Review)

It’s been rather a tumultuous time in Taking Back Sunday as of 2010. With the unexpected departure of both Matt Rubano and Matt Fazzi, fans were left pondering where the band would go from there. In an even more unexpected twist, John Nolan and Shaun Cooper from the band's ‘Tell All Your Friends’ era returned to the fold and now the band are back on top form. Does this reunited line-up mean their latest, self-titled release is a sequel to the album they worked together on all those years ago? Not in the slightest. In fact, this album is a breath of fresh air.

Written by: Heather McDaid | Date: Monday, 04 July 2011