Rachel Mason releases an eight track album that lands at a short and perky sub-thirty minutes, but what there is there is involving and evocative. Coming across as somewhere between Florence and the Machine and Kate Bush, opener 'Roses' is atmospheric and a smooth and sweet introduction to her music before the chorus kicks in with much more energy. 'Heart Explodes' has a fun stuttery feel in its delivery, whilst 'Sandstorm' channels Phil Collins in its slower deliver. Lead single 'Tigers in the Dark' is characteristically eccentric whilst 'Marry Me' feels like the piece's standout number, with its mixture of electronica and repetitive of the title in various styles. 'Queen Bee' continues the vibe whilst 'Cancer' is faster and more drum-and-bass than the title would suggest. Proceedings wrap up with the Marina and the Diamonds-feeling 'Heaven', it's 'You and I are getting high' hook the centrepiece, cementing 'Das Ram' as an eccentrically produced and sung yet involving release that has plenty of good musical cards in its hands. (6/10)
You get a lot of bang for your buck with Kristin Hersh's 'Wyatt at the Coyote Palace' with two discs of music (though it comes in at 2 minutes over a CD's capacity suggesting some trimming could have cut it down). The album is rather similar affair with all twenty-four tracks downbeat, drawly numbers sounding like Macy Gray on a gloomy day. Tracks like the perkier 'Bubble Net' and 'Wonderland' and single 'Soma Gone Slapstick' stand out thanks to more prominent riffs and styles, otherwise the tracks tend to merge into one another. In a solid and accomplished dual disc album but it lacks the spark to really grab you over its considerable run time. A stronger edit down to 12 or 13 tracks might have made this a more concise listen. (5/10)
Our regular look at new releases we're sent or find for your listening and viewing pleasure! Anton Ewald - Devil
With pop-rnb influences, 'Devil' channels Michael Jackson and Usher into a funky number that gives Akon a run for his money in vibe. The verses are perhaps not as big as the chorus, but it's a memorable little number with plenty of attitude. (7/10) A Tree Grows - Wau Wau Water A smooth, jazzy instrumental number that doesn't really make much progress over its four minute running time in terms of development but is a calming, laid-back listen with enough positivity to hold together (6/10) Coco feat. Shola Ama & Deep Green- Waters Run Deep
A great balance of the poppy vocals of the chorus and the grittier rap verses, with lyrics that for a change from recent releases in the genre manages to avoid the usual distasteful tropes. A strong mid-tempo fusion of hip-hop and more balladic moments. (7/10)
DiRTY RADiO - True Love
Hailing from Vancouver, DiRTY RADiO hit out with 'True Love', a funky, hand-clap driven rnb track that rolls along with energy and power and builds to a catchy, radio-friendly chorus that will get you humming along. It does struggle with some of the familiar dance production cliches but shines through them. (7/10)
Flora Cash - Sadness Is Taking Over
With shades of 'Oh Wonder', this is a delightfully downbeat number with a haunting instrumental and a beautiful dual vocal style. Hauntingly dark, but hauntingly good. (7/10)
Hello Casanova - I'll Be Waiting
'I'll Be Waiting' is like Blink 182 with a better producer. It's a fun, catchy punk-rock number with a sing-a-long chorus and a solid production backing, mixing in shades of Kasabian and Kings of Leon into the pop-punk mix. (7/10)
Hollis Brown - Run Right To You
'Run Right To You' is a retro-sounding number with hefty production and over-produced instrumentation, but the throw-back vibe really works and the sixties-styling suits the lead vocalist and the song. (6.5/10)
Mila Falls - Guilty Pleasure
'Guilty Pleasure' is a quickly catchy funky and soulful number. Mila Falls' vocals are a delight to here and the production, instrumentation, lyrics and flow all work together to create a delightful four-minutes of music. (8/10)
Ms Henrik - Banshee
This falsetto-led indie hit feels like it's ripped directly from an advert that would become better known for its music than its actual product. The lead vocals are slightly wacky but work and the stripped back, funky music, really suits it. Gentle, yet strong, with a fun electronic instrumental break-down half-way through. (7/10)
White Eskimo - Game Time
The new single from Manchester-based 'White Eskimo' is a Green-Day-esque toe-tapping indie number with a simple yet engaging drum riff, fast-paced guitar and a building verse that gets you pumped for the catchy chorus. (7/10)
The Divine Comedy-sounding The Permanent Smilers are prepare their debut album 'One Real Big Identity Crisis' and have featured one of the thirteen tracks on their Soundcloud page, which you can hear below.
English alternative pop band 'The Hallows' have launched their new single 'Cardboard Love, taken from their debut album 'Of Time and Tides'. The song, which we think sounds like a little like a modern Bangles, is well worth a listen thanks to its atmospheric and smooth indie feel. You can hear it here.
The the music video for ‘Cardboard Love’ is due to be released on Friday 2nd December. The single was recorded at Riverside Studios using a vintage calrec desk that used to be stationed at the Royal Opera House. The band are also performing a series of live dates which can be seen below. For more information find the Hallows on Facebook.
4-piece Leeds-based rock band Late Night Legacy have released an exciting new single, which we love, and you can hear it below as part of their video launch.
The band also have live dates coming up:
Double Denim live @ Verve Bar - Leeds- 12th November Music lounge - Stockton - 19th November
The Packhourse - Leeds - 2 December The Rocking Chair - Sheffield - 3 December
