Azealia Banks // 1991 / Van Vogue

Since 212, Azealia Bank's pre-album output has been a bit mixed in our view, but these new Machinedrum produced tracks from her 1991 EP are evidence of what she's really capable of, melding 90s dance and hip-hop beats with her slick, aggressively alluring vocal.

 

 

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Field Day 2012 playlist

Despite the inevitable rain, toilet queues and frustrating clashes, Field Day 2012 promises to be the best yet. Besides, you wouldn't get clash-fury if the line-up wasn't as top draw as it is this year. Although choosing between Grimes, Chairlift and Metronomy among others at about 7 is going to be mind-meltingly impossible. Perhaps this Field Day timeline playlist below will help you make that call.



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Traams // Traams

Traams first came to our attention a few months back when supporting Brown Brogues at Shacklewell Arms and, given that they are now the subject of a post in their own right, shows what an impression they made.

Grungey garage with a lithe groove and art-punk, spite-filled vocals is Traams' thing, as evidenced on their Bratwell produced and released, self titled EP from January. Flowers and Demons have a hint of The Cribs' whiskey fueled, line skirting punk-pop immediacy, Grin has a Santana-esque blues swing, while closer Klaus is a menacing, cholstrophobic, creeping blast of post-punk.

Expect a lot more from the London trio in coming months, and if you want a real good time, catch them at the Old Queen's Head on 14th June.
 
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Peace // L'il Echo

Brummie foursome Peace have just signed to Columbia and have just completed a sadistically monstrous 'Supertour', which saw them support both Mystery Jets and Manic Street Preachers as well as squeezing in some headlining dates of their own. They also took out a gratuitous billboard ad (above) to celebrate their newly penned deal and announce themselves in 6 foot lettering to the second city commuters.

In what's been a busy week for the band, they've also just posted up L'il Echo, the B-side to their recent single Follow Baby and a track which combines the pop harmonies and lithe baselines of their recent tour mates, as well as the epic, fractured grandeur of Wu Lyf.
 
 
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Novella // He's My Morning

With the release of their new self-titled EP on Italian Beach Babes but 4 days away, Novella have released this little video from the second track on the record He's My Morning.

The track is typical of the girls' shimmering, lovelorn pop, darkly measured until the 2 minute mark, at which point it takes off in a Sonic Youth blitz of rolling drums and scuzzy guitar. A cut above anything they've done previously, and with many bands offering a similar sound, a further step towards the top of the pile. Tracklisting for the EP and video are below.

1. Eat Yourself
2. He’s My Morning
3. Don’t Believe Ayn Rand
4. Strange Things
5. You’re Not That Cool

 

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Milk Music // Out Of My World

Sometimes, all you really need is a monstrous, tinnitus inducing riff. I give you Milk Music's Out Of My World.

 

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Julio Bashmore // Au Seve

Matthew Walker (AKA Julio Bashmore) currently has a lot of fingers in a lot of pies. The Bristol based DJ has been freshening up Radio 1, helping turn Jessie Ware's tracks into filthy dance grooves and has recently launched his own label Broadwalk Records.  

Au Seve is the first track from his new record due on the label in the summer; bright, bounding house which by the end leaves us aching for a smooth segue into the next track. Sadly it doesn't come, so you'll just have to hit repeat.
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I Ching // It's Me

London foursome I Ching were garlanded with the honour of having their debut single It's Me / Drive be the first pressed on TLOBF's record label Best Fit Recordings. A couple of fine sounding tracks they are too, arching pop with the ear-worm insistency of Here We Go Magic and, in It's Me, a cymbal-driven track with warm synth interludes that would fit comfortably between New Order and Wild Beasts. Sample their wares below.
 



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