There's something about this torrential rain that makes you want to curl up inside with a nice Starbucks Hot Chocolate (which you had to go outside for, so you are saturated now. Life is cruel), a good book (Becoming Nancy by Terry Ronald is both a hoot and touching, in oh so many ways :D) and some amazing new music from promising new artists playing in the background. And i'm not talking Carly Rae Jepsen. Here are three that are getting my juices (oo-er, steady on, etc) going this very week:
There is something ethereal and otherworldly about the appropriately named band The Ghosts. Led by Alex Starling (the "secret" fourth member of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool), they have created a sound that is full of dreamy synths, pounding beats, scintillating guitar and a distinctive vocal style that deftly holds each tune together. They quite rightly created quite the buzz last year with their stunning track, Enough Time, with it's captivating chorus, bitingly insightful lyrics and fantasy-drenched video. Now they're back, previewing their new album with a track that's not quite eponymous entitled Ghosts. Set over a darkly dirty pulsating electro groove, there's a relentless energy driving the verses forward before the glorious chorus erupts in a cascade of synth sounds and impressive vocal delivery from Alex. Lyrically it's a devastating parallel to the isolation life sometimes brings that is gutwrenching in it's stark honesty ("When you were much younger you would always keep the lights on/ But now there's only darkness and loneliness and waiting for the...ghosts") Add to this the inventive video (above) and you've got a compelling pop tune that will stick with you for months. Buy it here...
Score one for High Heels and Low Lifes because at least they can spell (L.U.V Madonna?!) The appeal doesn't end there because they have managed to successfully fuse together elements of indie, pop and rap in a way that feels both fresh and engaging. L.O.V.E. is set over a percolating, bouncy hip-pop instrumental with a genuinely exciting vocal trade-off between rapidfire female sung lyrics (bringing a sickening Neneh Cherry But Now vibe to the proceedings) and the cool as fuck, cheeky chappy charm male rap (loving that howl by the way!). The blistering verses are a nice juxtaposition with the sweetly sung chorus that just seems to fly each time I hear it. What I really like is that the musical chemistry of the duo means that the fusion of styles works so very well and their enthusiasm radiates from the song. Absolute earworm, this is one song that will set up camp in your brain, leaving you singing L.O.V.E. incessantly for days. And ain't nuffin' wrong with that. Buy it here...
Currently busking their way across Wales (in this weather?!), the Lilygreen and Maguire boys have not only undertaken some major support slots (uh, the Westlife farewell tour, Olly Murs, etc) but are busy preparing for their next single (Ain't Love Crazy, out in June, pre-order here) and debut album. To get you all up to date in anticipation of nationwide adoration of the fellas, check out their most recent single, Come On Get Higher. It's all strumming guitars, exquisite melodies, deliciously romantic, hopeful lyrics and some very sweet vocals, particularly when the lads gently harmonise together on the chorus. It's like an aural work of art. Instantly accessible as a pop song, there's also something very likeable about the boys that's more than evident in their collection of you tube videos. It's incredibly important these days not to come across as too aloof and be appropriately engaging with fans - something label mates The Overtones have all but perfected. Fascinated to see how L&M do over the next few months. Rooting for big things :)
There is something ethereal and otherworldly about the appropriately named band The Ghosts. Led by Alex Starling (the "secret" fourth member of Ou Est Le Swimming Pool), they have created a sound that is full of dreamy synths, pounding beats, scintillating guitar and a distinctive vocal style that deftly holds each tune together. They quite rightly created quite the buzz last year with their stunning track, Enough Time, with it's captivating chorus, bitingly insightful lyrics and fantasy-drenched video. Now they're back, previewing their new album with a track that's not quite eponymous entitled Ghosts. Set over a darkly dirty pulsating electro groove, there's a relentless energy driving the verses forward before the glorious chorus erupts in a cascade of synth sounds and impressive vocal delivery from Alex. Lyrically it's a devastating parallel to the isolation life sometimes brings that is gutwrenching in it's stark honesty ("When you were much younger you would always keep the lights on/ But now there's only darkness and loneliness and waiting for the...ghosts") Add to this the inventive video (above) and you've got a compelling pop tune that will stick with you for months. Buy it here...
High Heels and Low Lifes ~ L.O.V.E:
Score one for High Heels and Low Lifes because at least they can spell (L.U.V Madonna?!) The appeal doesn't end there because they have managed to successfully fuse together elements of indie, pop and rap in a way that feels both fresh and engaging. L.O.V.E. is set over a percolating, bouncy hip-pop instrumental with a genuinely exciting vocal trade-off between rapidfire female sung lyrics (bringing a sickening Neneh Cherry But Now vibe to the proceedings) and the cool as fuck, cheeky chappy charm male rap (loving that howl by the way!). The blistering verses are a nice juxtaposition with the sweetly sung chorus that just seems to fly each time I hear it. What I really like is that the musical chemistry of the duo means that the fusion of styles works so very well and their enthusiasm radiates from the song. Absolute earworm, this is one song that will set up camp in your brain, leaving you singing L.O.V.E. incessantly for days. And ain't nuffin' wrong with that. Buy it here...
Lilygreen and Maguire ~ Come On Get Higher:
Currently busking their way across Wales (in this weather?!), the Lilygreen and Maguire boys have not only undertaken some major support slots (uh, the Westlife farewell tour, Olly Murs, etc) but are busy preparing for their next single (Ain't Love Crazy, out in June, pre-order here) and debut album. To get you all up to date in anticipation of nationwide adoration of the fellas, check out their most recent single, Come On Get Higher. It's all strumming guitars, exquisite melodies, deliciously romantic, hopeful lyrics and some very sweet vocals, particularly when the lads gently harmonise together on the chorus. It's like an aural work of art. Instantly accessible as a pop song, there's also something very likeable about the boys that's more than evident in their collection of you tube videos. It's incredibly important these days not to come across as too aloof and be appropriately engaging with fans - something label mates The Overtones have all but perfected. Fascinated to see how L&M do over the next few months. Rooting for big things :)
0 comments:
Post a Comment