Things What I Have Been Listening To This Week

Because Clearly The World Needs One More Music Blog

Since last October I’ve been helping out at a music venue in King’s Cross – mainly researching bands and assisting with admin and databases.  As exciting as that sounds (and I know you’re already leaning dangerously far forward on that chair, hovering on the edge) that’s not really what this is all about.  Essentially, I spend a lot of my week listening to endless bands, and after a while my brain starts to fizz and overheat, which I’ve been told invalidates the warranty on it.  So to avoid that awkward scenario, I’ve decided to condense and filter the fog of this week’s listening into one place, which has the added benefit of presenting you with a handy list to explore, and hopefully find something you like.

I am, of course, not the first to ‘discover’ these bands or tracks – some have been trumpeted from every blogosphere battlement there is, but that’s not really the point.  I think these are brilliant, and there’s a darn good chance you will too.  There’s video links for them what have moving pictures to go with their stereo sound, and a Spotify playlist for them what are on that magic box.

Tracks of the Week:

Death At Sea - Drag

Lead single from Liverpool based band Death at Sea kick us off – the pedant will argue that it’s yet more of the drawling, sprawling surf rock that’s been racing up the hype charts in the form of Swim Deep et al – but when it’s this good, I don’t really care.  It’s woozy, weird and a little bit mean; ‘The best moments of my life are just me and me’, and that makes me love it all the more.

Jagwar Ma – The Throw

Following neatly in the vein of drawling male vocals, this is the new single from Australian baggy revivalists Jagwar Ma.  Sounding like a lost single from 80s Madchester that’s been left out in the Sydney Sun for too long, it burbles along rather innocuously  until the bass kicks in, at which point it becomes a wholly different beast.  Only the hardiest of souls can avoid swaying and bobbing at that point, and when they drop in the trance synths for the last minute it’s pretty much game over for looking sensible.

Flaming Lips – Sun Blows Up Today

Talking of not being sensible, I present you the Flaming Lips.  I don’t know what there is left to say about this band, apart from the fact they seem to be engaged upon an endless war against our psyches.  Don’t watch the videos if you wish to use your retinas properly for the next week.

Mac DeMarco –Dreaming

Do make sure you watch this one though.  He makes dicking around in a building site in fancy dress, and then getting covered in condiments look like the coolest thing ever.  Which, of course, it is.  The song’s not bad either – think a cheerier Kurt Vile, plus giant wig.

Petite Noir – Disappear 

It’s rare to hear something these days that strikes you as genuinely new, and this is the most recent track to really make me sit up and pay attention.  Admittedly the lead single that this is the B-side too (Til We Ghosts) is more inventive and original, but there’s something about the dark and brooding electronics, with hints of the Cure and Joy Division, that’s straight up delicious. The Guardian New Band of the Day blog discusses it with its usual excellence here, if you fancy a read.

Carousels – Sweet Honey

Like all good tantrums, we’ve had our broody patch, and now we’re going to get a little loud.  Riff heavy shoegaze from Cambridge ticks all the right boxes, even down to a Jesus and Mary Chain reference in the title.  Sugary sweet vocals, screaming guitars and fuzz equals a delicious noise cake.  Come and have a piece.

Joanna Gruesome –Sweater

Along similarly syrupy fuzz lines (Yep. Totally happy with how that sounds) Joanna Gruesome do indie-pop with fury.  Imagine Allo Darlin’ freaking out and setting fire to their ukuleles, and you’re getting there.  Twee ‘til we die.

Dutch Uncles – Flexxin 

Now I guarantee you’ll have heard this one before – it’s been all over the radio, and with good reason.  Whilst it’s a great song, it’s on the list mainly by virtue of its video, which is just plain excellent. I hope against hope that the more people that watch it, the more acceptable that kind of dancing will be to do in public.  Totally engrossed flailing is the future of the dancefloor – sod looking sexy, just waggle your hands like you really, really don’t care.

Thumpers – Dancing’s Done

Let’s keep the joyous vibe going, with the debut single from Thumpers.  Sounding like an extra manic offcut from At War With The Mystics-era Lips, it’s all multi-layered vocals and synths, chopping and changing from arms aloft singalong to wobbly freakout.  There’s a lot to it, and at times it’s too much, but persevere and you'll find a whole bunch to love.

Coves - Last Desire

And finally for this week, it’s the new single from Coves, who are ruddy brilliant.  Lolloping bass and lollipop vocals, it’s a fantastic combination, and they get better and better with each release. I defy you to not have the chorus stuck in your head all week.

Videos of the Week!

Similar to tracks of the week, except you really, really, should watch these videos rather than just let them play in the background whilst reading this.

Cribs – Leather Jacket Love Song 

I’ve loved the Cribs ever since I was lent The New Fellas way back in the heady adolescent days of 2005, and their brand of idealistic but ramshackle DIY rebellion still has a place in my heart, especially when they do things like this. Celebrating 10 years as a band, they super sneakily transpose modern day Cribs onto the prepubescent Crib-lets at their first gig, which is as awesome as it is confusing. It goes to show that those people who video every waking moment of their child’s life might just be playing the long game, waiting for the day they can release a retrospective music video, rather than just being mental.

Embers – Part of The Echo

From the ramshackle to the epic, this one of a series of videos from the enigmatic Embers – a Manchester based band who knocked the long woolly socks off a number of music journalists back in October of last year.  It’s a truly remarkable achievement from such a young and unsigned band, but it does raise a lot of questions.  Did they break in a film it without anyone noticing? Is one of their Dads a vicar? And how come churches don’t always look that awesome?

I also wonder how the hell they go about playing gigs that aren’t in monumental churches.  How do widescreen epic bands like this play in dingy toilet circuit venues? Sigur Ros at the Barfly anyone?

It's also a really quite excellent song. 

Dizzee Rascal – Bassline Junkie

From east London prince of grime to Olympic national treasure to gurning comedy rap simpleton, Mr Rascal’s career is baffling and yet hilarious.  Look out for his sketch/impressions show on BBC 3 any day now.

Well, that's it for this week - keep an eye out for next week's collection, and until then, as always, you can get in touch with me via here or growyoung1@gmail.com if you have any comments, queries or suggestions.  

Or praise.  That would be nice.