MGMT without a doubt gave us 2008's summer soundtrack. Most skinny jean clad, eyeliner wearing youths spent many a night on the dance floor, snake bite in hand, swaying to psychedelic floor fillers such as Electric Feel and of course, the timeless Kids. It then comes with no surprise that they're back, just in time for the summer of 2010, with a barrage of welcoming fans awaiting them.
Flash Delirium is MGMT's latest offering. It's with a certain degree of regret that it's not of the same calibre as Kids - certainly no catchy hooks. And I doubt "Chiddy Bang" will attempt a remix of this one. But that's a good thing, right? Oozing Bowie like vocals, the track surprises you more with each listen, it's even perhaps a tad theatrical.
This may not be one for the dance floors just yet, however, it's definitely one to look out for. Put your snake bites down, swap your skinny jeans for a kaftan and opt for a more chilled approach;if you catch my drift. A track with potential and perhaps a little more to it than originally thought, this one's a winner.
Laura Marling's transformation from a shy, bewildered adolescent into a bold, accepting young woman stares us in the face with "Devil's Spoke"; the latest single to come from her much anticipated second album - "I Speak Because I Can".
We are presented with an ensemble of well written lyrics and a stronger, mature set of vocals as Marling describes the peculiar grip of admiration and love. It's fast paced and has a strength to it that comes as a slight surprise in comparison to earlier works. Despite her new found back bone, there are points at which the music softens, the pace slows itself and Marling shows her tender side, a side that I momentarily thought had been left back in 2008's "Alas I Cannot Swim".
If this single is anything to go by, it looks as though Marling's new album is going to be a treat, with an electic mix of both her previous and now new and ballsier style, with the same thought provoking, lingering lyrics I have become fonder of with each listen.
And for those interested, here is the track in question:
OK, so sticking with the recent rabbit theme, Scottish group Frightened Rabbit have come to my attention, with their heavy riffs being far from timid, as their namesake may suggest. It shocks me somewhat that I've never come across this band before, with Scott Hutchison's piercing vocals and well thought lyrics being a winning combination.
Their most recent single, Nothing Like You, was actually released back in March, from their album "The Winter of Mixed Drinks". In my opinion, Nothing Like You was not their strongest offering, with other tracks such as The Loneliness and the Scream grasping my attention. However, with the recent addage of a new member to the team, it seems as though the only way is up. Hutchison recently released the following statement:
"A lot of the new record is heavily layered and it felt like too much for the four of us to do. We need another member to get them at their full impact. I dunno, we're kind of bored of each other. We just need to add some fresh meat."
Well, let's hope the "fresh meat" will be an end to their boredom, as we look forward to hearing a lot more from Frightened Rabbit - everything that fellow Scots Glasvegas failed to achieve. And to get your eardrums going, here's a taster:
White Rabbits are most things that you'd come to expect from a Brooklyn based Indie Rock outfit. With catchy hooks, a fast paced beat and the odd strategically placed scream from lead singer Alexander Evan, their most recent track "Percussion Gun" is one to welcome with open arms. (Or should that be ears?).
Despite their love of Ska music and bands such as The Specials, this influence only rears it's head momentarily during a rather impressive drumming solo from Jamie Levinson. It's no surprise that the sound of drums overbear the track and previous works, due to there actually being two drummers in White Rabbits - that's got to be a good thing, right?
Overall, despite being fairly generic, something sets the White Rabbits apart from other bands. Are they going along the same path as the Arctic Monkeys with their vicious yet catchy beats or are they set to be "just another Indie band". Personally, this is a tune I've not been able to get out of my head for a little while, and I think it will be there, (if not on my Ipod), for a little while longer.
I will happily admit to being an avid Kate Nash fan, back in 2007 when her album "Made of Bricks" was on the top of most adolescent girl's Christmas lists. However, long gone are the colourful days of quirky lyrics and stitching leggings with her latest contribution "I Just Love You More", from her long awaited second album, (due 19th April).
It appears Kate has taken a new direction, with strong influence from bands such as The Long Blondes. Swapping her awkward but lovable accent for a string of post-punk screams, the outcome is interesting to say the least.
It may be slightly repetitive, (OK, so perhaps overly repetitive), and marginally trashy, but Kate has come back with a feisty track that I'd compare to Marmite - you either love it or you hate it. Although it seems I haven't made my mind up just yet.
Being an avid fan of Blocparty, it's not often I allow anything but their masterpieces to grace my Ipod. However, although they have a long climb before they are as prestigious as Blocparty, Two Door Cinema Club utilises their inspiration effectively, resulting in a catchy and energetic Indie dance floor filler.
With echoes of The Foals, furious guitar riffs and an overall energetic feel, it becomes increasingly difficult to pigeon hole the band. Despite drawing from various influences, Two Door Cinema Club are able to cross creative barriers, creating their own addictive persona.
In my opinion, "I Can Talk" is set to be a staple part of any Indie play list, with other like minded tracks such as "Costume Party" also worth listening to.
I first discovered Caribou in 2007, after hearing "Melody Day" on an eclectic mix a friend had lovingly put together for me. The CD in question was soon banished to the bottom of the pile, and let's face it: music programmes such as Spotify soon diminished my needs for a CD collection. However, much to my joy, I came across their most recent offering, "Odessa", whilst trawling through various tracks on YouTube.
"Odessa" is a psychedelic mix of instruments and sounds. Teamed with the soft vocals of Daniel Snaith, it's a track that entices you to listen further. It's almost disorientating, and with each listen you're able to notice something else; whether it's another instrument or jungle like sound.
With a solid beat and a hint of house, "Odessa" is intriguing and somewhat takes you over, leading you to the dance floor in a drunken haze. Although perhaps very different from their previous tracks, Caribou have pulled through with this majestic number.
