Tips for 2012

So, here goes for another year:

Azealia Banks

Recently announced as the opening act on the NME Awards tour at the start of next year Azealia Banks, hailing from Harlem, shows a keen eye for sharp, witty lyrics, which has drawn obvious comparisons to Nicki Minaj. Add to this the tight beats that let her combination of drawling rap and earthy vocal shine and you have single ‘212’, which, when you’re on board with the casual use of extremeties, is a club banger.

Track: 212

Bastille

Originally the name for singer Dan Smith’s solo project, he decided to form a band so as not to just become that; a ‘project’. Having released debut single Flaws on Young & Lost Club, Bastille showcases Dan’s vocal, which subtly swoons over a minimal backdrop of electro-pop synths and beeps and is often double tracked as he harmonises with himself. It’s easily accesible and, to put it simply, really good pop music. Oh and they do a great cover of City High’s ‘What Would You Do’. The lyrics are a little more graphic than I remember.

Track: Flaws

Bluebell

Only one Bluebell song can be found online, but my god, THAT song is easily one of the best songs I’ve heard this past year. ‘ Normal Heights’ combines soaring, looping vocals with big, tribal drums and a swooping orchestral backdrop to devastating affect. It just screams heartbreak. Going on this song alone I can only say that I am more than intrigued to hear more and after hearing there’s a new and improved mix of ‘Normal Heights’ on it’s way to us, I can barely contain myself.

Track: Normal Heights

Dive Bella Dive

Signed by RedOne to Island, back in 2010, this past year has been a busy one for Dive Bella Dive, away a lot of last summer recording their album in LA, before even one note was heard by the otside world. There’s still only one demo up, but it’s a promising one, heavy bass and haunting organ combine to form danceable punk with a theatrical twist. It’s all very MCR, but just look at them, millions of hardcore fans. From seeing the reaction of the teenagers at their first live show, this is going to be much the same.

Track: Multicoloured Nightmare

Dog is Dead

Having just supported Bombay Bicycle Club on their near-enough sold out tour, Dog is Dead are currently holed up in the studio recording their album. You can guarantee a very polished affair with harmonies turned up to the maximum. It’s rare to see vocals so strong in this day and age but their live show, coupled with countless ‘in session’ videos online only showcase just how talented these boys are. They almost make you feel ashamed that you’re not able to harmonise so prolifically. They’re just completely enchanting, literally everything I’ve heard from them has been gold.

Track: Hands Down

King Krule/Zoo Kid

When first presented with his music, the overwhelming feeling is that of disbelief. Disbelief of the fact that this voice is coming out of a body so young, that these lyrics of a broken man, a diminished soul, could come from someone not even yet an adult. Previously going under the name Zoo Kid, Archy Marshall transports and transfixes the listener, his deep, gruff voice, crooning over his self-constructed beats and laid back guitar. In much the same way as Billy
Bragg was/is, it feels that he might just become the voice of a disillusioned generation.

Track: Out Getting Ribs

Lonsdale Boys Club

As weird as this is to imagine, Lonsdale Boys Club could be described as a cross between The Streets and, wait for it, Wham. In some ways, think Five on steroids. On one hand they’re London boys and proud, hence the SB.TV and Notting Hill Carnival appearances, but as anyone that’s seen them live can vouch for, there is a very evident summer/party vibe running through the band’s set. I expect to hear them being used as the soundtrack to many a festival highlights package next summer and all over daytime Radio 1.

Track: Light Me Up

Peace

First and foremost, Peace are my bros. Always will be. If I had to describe them, which I do, then think reverbed vocals, forest beats, acid wash guitars and effortless brilliance. It just exudes confidence. And right now, everything they do is magic. Be prepared for the hype.

Track: Bblood

Polarsets

Been majorly in love with Polarsets for a very long time, so it’s great to finally be able to tip them for next year. Self-described tropical pop, expect cowbells aplenty and pulsating synths that perfectly soundtrack the setting of the sun at a foreign festival. After a pretty much perfect year release wise, first single ‘Sunshine Eyes’ on Kitsune and then ‘Morning’ on Neon Gold, they recently played their first US show for the NG/All Things Go superteam; All Things Gold. Expect an album by festival season and them to be playing everywhere, as their about to take off.

Track: Morning

Tall Ships

Tall Ships do two things very well. Fast-paced looping math guitar lines and slow, heartfelt singalongs. When they combine the two, which they do so frequently, it is to devastating effect, creating a real sense of urgency. I have written about them here before after their first EP and their second only emphasises what was first suspected. Seeing them live is an intense experience as the looped guitars and brash chords collide to build a cacophonous wall of sound, leaving the crowd in a sense of awe and the band in a sweaty haze.

Track: Hit The Floor

Theme Park

It’s easy to write off a lot of indie-pop bands as just run of the mill, but when it’s done right, then it really is something special. Theme Park are one of these bands, more a pop band that are thrown into the indie category because of guitars and the way they look than an indie band with pop tendencies. Light and laid-back, with a Byrne esque vocal, it’s very similar to Talking Heads/Mystery Jets. Come summer time they will be playing at every barbecue worth going to.

Track: Milk

You may have noticed that I haven't included Lana Del Ray in there, well that's because it's way too obvious. And where's the fun in that? But, here's a picture of her anyhow.

Amazing, right?

Peace and love,

Elliot

Tips for 2011

Much like last year, I figured it easiest to put the artists in alphabetical order rather than in a chart as I'm not able to come to a conclusion I'm happy with on that front.


Brother

So apparently Britpop is back, or as they like to call it 'Gritpop'. After breakthrough 'Darling Buds Of May' being regularly plaudited by Zane Lowe they've signed to Geffen and been given the chance to work with The Smiths' and Blur's producer Stephen Street. It will be interesting to see how this relationship will flourish and hopefully it will have a positive affect on their frankly "wanker-ish" attitude. Catch them live in February to really see what I'm on about.

Listen to 'New Years Day'


Dry The River

To put it simply they make truly beautiful music, with layered harmonies and guitars weaving amongst themselves causing hearts to flutter. Being compared to Fleet Foxes and with a voice as soothing as this, it's no wonder they're the most recent in a line of fights between record labels this past year, over who gets to sign the 'next big thing'.

Listen to 'Shaker Hymns'


Dutch Uncles

Throwing out angular guitar lines left, right and centre and with a frontman with some of the best moves in the business, Dutch Uncles are a treat both live and on record. The Manchester band released their debut album on an industrial German label back in 2008 (which I personally love) and have since strengthened their sound and rejuvenated their setlist meaning they will be on many people's lips this coming year and no doubt snapped up by a label.

Listen to 'The Ink'


Funeral Party

So I blogged about these guys back in July and I'm just excited about them now as I was back then:
'the first band I've been this excited about in a long, long while. Hailing from East LA, I caught wind of them after hearing their single 'NYC Moves To The Sound Of LA' and managed to get hold of their EP' and along with that and some other absolute gems I was hooked. They seriously kick so much ass, and after supporting 30 Seconds To Mars on their arena tour they're more than warmed up for their debut UK headline tour in January to support their debut album.

Listen to 'Finale'


Futures

Futures were born from the ashes of Tonight Is Goodbye and gave away their debut mini-album, in the biggest-selling issue of Rocksound in over 2 years, earlier this year. They have since signed to Mercury Records and I eagerly anticipate the new songs, with hints of them changing their sound from a polished pop-punk to go in a softer more piano led style, being fanned by their giveaway of a stripped-down version of their song Thank You and the outline of lead singer Ant West sat at a piano on the posters for their next tour. They're going to be huge either way, especially with the fan base they've already built-up over the past few months of touring.


Listen to 'Sal Paradise'

Mona

Best described as the new 'old' Kings of Leon, you know, before they went all stadium rock and crap. Mona are classic, southern rock & roll and they're debut single on Universal is currently getting a lot of airplay on the radio and music channels. They look set to blow up this year and could easily be following Kings of Leon's footsteps to the bigtime if they play their cards right. I've got a feeling this summer could see them winning many hearts at the festivals.

Listen to 'Trouble On The Way'


Morning Parade

After getting hold of a few of their early demos at the start of this year I've been kept waiting on tenterhooks to start hearing the songs that had been written for their debut album due out on Parlophone. Morning Parade have played the long game and taken the best part of this year to get their act together and write songs that they know will get people listening. Keeping a good balance between synth and guitar, they could just be the new Coldplay.

Listen to 'Under The Stars'


The Vaccines

If you listen to 'Wreckin' Bar/Ra Ra Ra', you can tell that this is a band that means business. At just shy of a minute and a half long it knocked me for six and I instantly clicked replay. But they're no one-song wonders, having seen them live and hearing the rest of the catalogue, I'm very excited to hear more than the handful of recorded songs available on the net, as live they came across much like an early Strokes, with arguably their best songs yet to be heard by those that have seen them live. Basically, they're fucking awesome.

Listen to 'If You Wanna'


Wilder

Disco-tinged and ready for a party, Wilder were snapped up by Rough Trade earlier in the year and really did not disappoint with their debut single on the label. With some of the funkiest basslines that can be heard right now it will be interesting to see if they can replicate the catchiness of early hit 'Girls Vs Boys' in the rest of the songs due on the album.

Listen to 'Skyful Of Rainbows'


Yuck

Having only recently listened to Yuck for the first time after being badgered to do so by a friend for the most part of this year, I was pleasantly surprised by warming fuzz of guitars that greeted me. If you're looking a for a band of pretty boys to put up on your wall then they aren't for you, they are frankly weird looking. It's fuzzy and grungy as hell, the bass plods on through the noise and distorted guitar leads carve through the fog of reverb. Yuck just might prove that being uncool is cool.

Listen to 'Get Away'


Oh and a shout-out to Willow Smith for one of the catchiest tunes this year, 'Whip My Hair' is insane. She's probably going to be bigger than all of these artists combined, that family is just way too cool.

Well, here goes nothing.

PEACE,

Elliot

Has anyone died?

Funeral Party are the first band I've been this excited about in a long, long while. Hailing from East LA, I caught wind of them after hearing their single 'NYC Moves To The Sound Of LA' and managed to get hold of their EP. It blew me away at first listen, with second song 'Chalice' drawing me in with the sample intro then blowing my head off when the band kicked in.



Now, as much I'm loving the recent abundance of surf-pop bands coming out of the US, being a big fan of Surfer Blood and with both Best Coast and Wavves getting increasingly more airplay on my iPod, it's safe to say I've always preferred something with a bit more intensity to it, and that is what these guys are, intense. They are practically all I've listened to for the past few days, after finding a few non-EP gems online.

I seriously recommend that you check them out, they kick ass. If you want to see them live, they've only got one UK date lined up, Old Blue Last in London on August 26th.

Ps. I want to be in a band that sounds like this.

Stay peachy,
Elliot.

And I will sink for you.

Ever since I recieved Tall Ships EP last weekend I have continued to go back and keep listening to it again and again, each time appreciating it much more than I did before.


At first the EP's opener 'Books' took me aback with the way it contrasts between almost techno synths in it's initial build up followed by a calmness provided by the vocals and then back to the synths again, it just made me stand up and take notice.

It wasn't until the past few days that I really began to appreciate just how good the EP's final track 'Vessels' really is. I really love the opening lines especially, the first two minutes just seep regret and sorrow, it just takes me away, it really is outstanding. It's up on the myspace so I suggest that you give it a good thorough looking at .

You cand ownload 'Beanie' off the EP for free!

You really should check this lot out, the EP is available to pre-order through Big Scary Monsters and limited to just 250 hand-printed copies, get to it, totally worth a listen!

Keep your heads above water people!
Elliot

This is meteoric right here.

The Laureates combine many things that are good about music right now, atmospheric backdrops, interesting contrast between a full sound and empty space, strong use of the bass, crooning vocals and keys that are audible above the other instruments and not just lost in the crowd.

Oh and to go with that the songs are pretty damn good as well.



Not a bad looking bunch of chaps either.

So with all these things in hand, I for sure am gonna be keeping a keen eye on these lot as I've got a sneaky eeling that they're on the rise.

What are you waiting for?

Move your fine behinds to their myspace and check them out, especially 'You Can Stay', it's pretty darn sweet.

Oh and heads up to Aaron from Young Vinyls for this!

Keep chirpy,
Elliot

Just don't open your eyes yet.

There's a band called Polarsets from the North-East of the UK and they make very nice, catchy pop songs, this is them playing in the snow:



I wanted to tell you about them as since I first heard it back in autumn last year, their song Just Don't Open Your Eyes Yet has been flitting in and out of my mind on a daily basis. Some might see this as a hinderance, not me though, as it always manages put a grin on my face.

"I want a grin put on my face, to get me out of these January blues" I hear you cry?!

Well, you're in luck, Polarsets are giving away their 3 track EP as a free download!

Go get it here.

Now get that in your earholes and smile people.

Get grinning,
Elliot

next thing, we're touching.

So if you didn't know already, I'm a pretty big fan of a certain Miss Ellie Goulding and can't wait for her album Lights, which is due out in March.

She's just about to release her first 'proper' single, under her label Polydor, in the form of Starry-Eyed, the song that got everybody talking about her last year. For the single release Starsmith has worked his magic on it and you can just tell that it's going to be everwhere. Basically it's going to be massive, here it is.




Not only this, but as well as the amazing Jakwob remix that was done of the song last year, there are a batch of new ones coming out around the same time of the single, the best of which is Russ Chimes re-working of the track, which is funky as anything and I guarantee will be played in any club that has sense in the next few months, if it hasn't already!



Free download of the remix here.

Enjoy!

Stay fresh,
Elliot