IndieLondon gleefully checks out the cream of the week’s singles.
SINGLE OF THE WEEK: COLDPLAY – MAGIC: Coldplay warm up for the release of their sixth album with the sudden release of new single Magic. And, as if by magic, the quality remains high. A slow-burning effort that is much more understated than the material on Mylo Xyloto, this finds Chris Martin almost whispering the vocals at points, while subtle electronics and guitar licks accompany him. Yes, it does build to an epic high – but even then, the song strips itself back down to the more intimate sound of the beginning for the finale and it somehow feels perfectly realised. True, this one may take a little longer to warm to as a whole. But Coldplay have been doing this kind of reinventing for so long now that they’re past masters at delivering what fans want, while experimenting with their sound to create something capable of winning even wider appeal. Magic is a good starting point for the next chapter.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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THE VOLUNTARY BUTLER SCHEME – HONEY IN THE GRAVEL MIXTURE: Following the release of quirky Christmas song Quinzhee back in December, The Voluntary Butler Scheme (aka one man band Rob Jones) now releases second single Honey in The Gravel Mixture ahead of the release of his third full-length album, A Million Ways to Make Gold on March 24 through Split Records. Recorded in Rob’s home studio, it’s a sunny, upbeat record that finds The Voluntary Butler Scheme offering a mix of classic songcraft and intrepid sonic experimentation. It’s lively and so, so happy that you almost have to be in a happy mood to properly appreciate it – otherwise it might even irritate. Nevertheless, Jones knows how to put a smile on your face even if the track itself doesn’t quite rate among his best work. The album is dominated by brass instruments – trumpet, tenor sax and baritone sax – all if which Rob taught himself to play by watching tutorials on YouTube. First evidence of that is also apparent on the new single, with the trumpet providing a big brass riff.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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GOLDFRAPP – THEA: Goldfrapp release another striking slice of haunted pop in the form of Thea, the latest offering to be taken from their new album, Tales of Us. A lusty, longing track that proclaims “I wanted you so bad”, this finds Alison Godfrapp dropping sensual, seductive vocals over atmospheric synth and beat arrangements, before unleashing a sweeping chorus. It’s evidence of why this act continues to be at the forefront of the UK pop scene. Thea also comes with a stellar remix package, including brand new mixes by Twin Shadow, Blood Diamonds, WAWA and Red Top. Goldfrapp have also undertaken their most ambitious project to date, in the form of the Tales Of Us cinema event – a worldwide screening of the stunning film Tales Of Us, which was followed immediately by an exclusive dramatic live performance transmitted into cinemas from the magnificent surroundings of the legendary Air Studios in London. This state-of-the-art experience was shown at packed cinemas across the UK, Europe and North America on the evening of March 4, 2014. Repeat performances are scheduled for late March/early April in Australia, New Zealand and additional cinemas across Europe and North America. Inspired by Goldfrapp’s latest album, Tales Of Us, the striking film is a 30-minute journey through five of the individual stories featured on the album. Stranger, Laurel, Jo, Drew and Annabel interconnect subtly, sharing themes of love, loss, madness and identity, taking the viewer on a unique musical journey.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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Watch the making of The Tales of Us
SAM BROOKES – JAMES: Having established himself as part of the burgeoning acoustic music scene, Sam Brookes now self-releases his debut album, Kairos, and showcases one of its highlights in the form of new single James (released on the same day). The track actually exhibits a breezier, more pop quality than some of the album’s more sombre moments that shows why Newton Faulkner recently chose him as a support act for his UK tour. There are comparisons with Faulkner in terms of delivery, where the acoustic licks are brisker and more cheerful, but so too are there comparisons with contemporaries such as Josh Pyke and Jose Gonzalez. The song itself has a warm, reassuring feel that only comes from the best songwriters.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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RAMS’ POCKET RADIO – LOVE IS A BITTER THING: RAMS¹ Pocket Radio is the alias of Northern Irish performer Peter McCauley. A multi-instrumentalist, RAMS¹ takes inspiration from sources as varied as Beethoven and brutalist architecture to construct smart pop songs with a sharp progressive twist. His debut album Béton ¬ (French for concrete) ¬ is a solid statement built on several years writing, performing and growing. The first single is Love Is A Bitter Thing and it’s an epic power ballad that really grows into something special. At first sombre and pensive, the track eventually expands to incorporate lush piano chords and sweeping string arrangements that provide a cinematic accompaniment to McCauley’s aching vocals. It’s evidence of why Rams’ Pocket Radio is beginning to garner such widespread support. Heck, you can even expect it to be gracing a soundtrack soon. It’s effortlessly emotive.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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ANGEL HAZE feat SIA – BATTLE CRY: There’s no messing around on this latest Angel Haze record, which chronicles battles against loss of faith, depression and wrist-cutting despair (as evidenced in the hard-hitting video). Sia drops her intense vocals over the start of the track to lend it extra gravitas, before Haze raps hard about overcoming life’s turmoils (“sometimes you have to hurt”/”I woke up one morning and stopped believing in Jesus”). The pianos are melancholy, the beats powerful and there’s a very serious undertow. You could argue it’s overcooked but it’s also compelling.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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NINETAILS – QUIET CONFIDENCE EP: Liverpool three-piece Ninetails are set to release the cathartic Quiet Confidence and have already garnered rave reviews from The Guardian. Described as “a strikingly dense and ornate EP,” the music is designed to expel great weights of euphoric release in its wending, intricate arrangements. The songs’ sinuous structures are tied together by various melodic and lyrical motifs and mantras; the songs’ narrator uses them to “frequently remind themselves of their devotional cause and self-soothe in the face of opposition and doubt. (Sanctus Lux Aeterna Aria, Covered in a shell of light I push forth golden Aria, Aria.)” Jordan Balaber explains: “Aesthetically I was inspired by really grandiose and romantic images and music. The creation sequence in The Tree of Life was an aesthetic reference point, and Requiem by Gabriel Faure.” The result is progressive and most definitely an acquired taste. There are lulls between the euphoria that could test the patience. But when the tracks burst into life, as they do on An Aria at several points, there’s no denying there’s a beauty to them too. They are well worth checking out for music lovers who are seeking something different. As a further example of this, check out the cracking opening to O For Two, another of the EP highlights.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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Watch the video to Hopelessly Devoted:
Ninetails – Hopelessly Devoted (EP Teaser) from Ninetails on Vimeo.
THE TRAPS – MY GRIP: The Traps are from Birmingham, Midlandshire. They consist of brothers Jamie Berry (vox / guitar) and Nick Berry (bass / vox) as well as James Minhas (guitar) and Daniel Webb (drums), and have done so since 2011. Together, they make alt.pop music which is described as muscular, intelligent, throbby, beefy, frequently dominated by Jamie’s mightily deep vocals and occasionally accompanied by trumpets. My Grip is part of a double-A side single (with Imposter) that does rather underline these credentials. A metaphorical track, My Grip is from the acclaimed Calypso album and emerges as a big and impassioned blend of New Order synthetics and towering Scott Walker-esque vocals. It takes a little while to warm up, but the chorus is rife with ear-pleasing melody and is big enough to be worth getting behind, especially on a bright sunny day.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
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N-A-I-V-E-S – WIGO (WHEN I GROW OLD): N-A-I-V-E-S release their debut single W.I.G.O. (When I Grow Old) and quickly lay down credentials as purveyors of quirky electro-pop. Featuring slick beats and wishy-washy, computer blip-like sounding electronic layers and euphoric vocals, this is a livewire track in all senses but one that is also annoyingly catchy. There is that nagging doubt that it could well outstay its welcome and grow old itself quickly… especially when the band start chopping up the sound and ruining the flow of the track completely. But once the central chorus kicks back in, there’s something toe tapping and infectious. A mixed offering, then. Hailing from different corners of Europe, N-A-I-V-E-S formed in London and started playing together less than a year ago. They kept themselves busy from the start by playing shows with some of today’s hottest artists (Icona Pop, We Have Band, Is Tropical, Slow Magic, Friendly Fires & Tesla Boy). W.I.G.O. (When I Grow Old) is, in their own words, billed as a multi-coloured audio sensation, with a sound that tips its hat very gently in the direction of Phoenix but with the pure instinct of Prince. Hmmm, not sure if that’s all entirely true!
Rating: 3 out of 5
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LIFE – MONEY/CRAWLING: Hull punk poets Life return with their new double ‘A’ side release Money and Crawling. The former is a brash, lively, punk-rocker that laments the need for money in this day and age. It almost carries an indie vibe, too, with tight melodic hooks that make it easy to get behind, especially in llive form when fans will doubtless be singing along to its sentiments. Crawling has a more classic sound that explains why they have garnered comparisons with both The Strokes and The Ramones. With that in mind, they’re best suited to the punk crowd. But they carry it off with aplomb. Formed just a year ago, the last twelve months have gone by in a bit of blur for the Hull quartet, whose punchy guitar hooks and pop-poem lyrics have already garnered love from Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy, The Fly and NME Radar, and bagged them airplay on 6Music, XFM, Radio 1 and Amazing Radio for their infectious debut single I Wanna Forget. Brothers Mez (lead vocals/guitar) and Mick (guitar/vocals) bring their self-confessed love of pop culture (everything from Steinbeck and Breaking Bad to Disneyland), DIY punk and the dirt of the city into their funny, frenetic, lovelorn, f**k-you word plays, whilst Loz (bass) brings the hot rhythm and Rich (drums) the relentless punk kick that you would expect from a man who can rip an apple clean in two.
Rating: 3 out of 5
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DAMN VANDALS – TWIST UP AND TANGLE: London’s Damn Vandals thrash and crash their way through another riotous single in the form of Twist Up And Tangle. The track, as volatile as ever, sees Jack Kansas’s raw, ragged vocals duel with Frank Pick’s guitars and a killer rhythm. But it’s a little over-cooked and a little shambolic to really appeal. Better is the B-side I Bring You Love, which morphs from a swampy blues stomp to a slide fuelled beat of raw power. The first half of the single is gritty and bearable. The second half could almost be a new track. It’s a potent combo and the sound of the Vandals at their best. Alas, it’s not enough to save the single release as a whole.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
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