If you’re still recovering/drying out from Harbour Festival this weekend, then boy do I have a treat for you. If you didn’t go to Harbour Festival, I also have a treat for you. Both treats are this list of great songs from last week, so go listen now:
Pelorus – Perfect Storm
This is the first single from New Zealand-born, Bristol-based artist Pelorus, and it reveals instantly why his debut EP, out in September, could be a pretty special one. His beautifully versatile voice sits alongside lush, shifting layers of electronics. The chorus explodes out of the swirling layers, providing a twinkling, uplifting counterpoint to the sparse, murky verses. A real special talent.
Shock Machine – Unlimited Love
With his debut solo album out at the end of August, ex-Klaxon James Righton has shared a captivating new video for his ‘Unlimited Love’ single. With thumping disco drums and stabs of soft synths, the track has the feel of an 80’s new romantic hit. Also the video features James in a fantastic collection of suits, so at the very least you’ll pick up some style tips.
Soccer Mommy – Inside Out
Another charming song from 19-year-old Soccer Mommy. Beginning with the chiming, mournful guitars that seem to define her sound, the track quietly grows, synths fading in and out, whilst her vulnerable vocals spell out her uncertainty. It’s getting increasingly hard to not be excited about her new Collection mini-album.
Rain – Petrichor
As if you couldn’t tell from the phased, fuzzed chords that open ‘Petrichor’, Rain are a shoegaze band. You’ll realise as well when the drums come in, that Rain are not just any shoegaze band; no, their sound is is written for big spaces. Just listen to those snare hits. I genuinely don’t believe anyone has ever hit a drum that hard. Combine this driving, space-filling sound with the an anthemic chorus, and it looks like Rain are onto a winner.
Goat Girl – Crow Cries
London four-piece Goat Girl have made a name for themselves in recent month, becoming one of the most exciting new bands around despite only having one single to their name. ‘Crow Cries’ gives us another taste of what the band is about. Though not as overtly angry or visceral as their previous effort, the song still packs a menacing punch, combining a twanging country guitar with a rumbling post-punk bassline and husky murmured vocal. ‘Crow Cries’ will only make you want to hear more from the band.
Fake Laugh – As I Get to Know You Better
Another breezy, joyous single from London’s Fake Laugh. “As I get to know you better,” Fake Laugh croons in his Brian Wilson-esque voice, “my respect for you declines.” Despite this, the rest of the song finds him professing his love, over beautifully melodic guitar.
A. Savage – Winter in the South
The first solo cut from Parquet Courts frontman Andrew Savage sounds exactly how you’d expect it to. With rumbling ‘Rawhide’ drums, and spaghetti western guitars the song is a homage to the America’s southern states in more than just name, but with his deadpan vocals and dry lyricism the song is more than a simple re-hash.
Morning Wood – Itsy Bitsy
This beautiful first collaboration between Morning Tourist and Ead Wood (see what they did there? With the name? You see that?) was recorded in an AirB&B in Wales over four days. It’s a charming lo-fi acoustic number, full of energy heart and some wonderful harmonies. Keep your eyes peeled in the video for some famous Bristol sites as well.
SLØTFACE – Pitted
Norweign punks SLØTFACE are back with their heaviest riff yet. Crushing and dense, it breaks away quickly however, to reveal another fist-pumping banger from the group. “Those nights, where I’d rather stay home but I make it out the door” Haley Shea sings on the chorus, in yet another brilliant hit from the band.
The Cribs – Rainbow Ridge
By the sounds of this, and other singles from Wakefield legends The Cribs, their new album, is going to be their most stadium-ready yet. This doesn’t really come as any surprise however considering a) it’s was produced by Steve Albini and b) it is called 247 Rock Star Shit. Yes, actually. Rainbow ridge sounds clean and bright, but is devastatingly heavy when it wants to be, and despite the rock-anthem sound, still manages to have a reference to Wakefield in.
Check back next week for more hits.
