The Maccabees // Pelican

The Maccabees gear up for the release of their third album, Given To The Wild, next year in pretty much the same way they left us. Pelican has all the usual Maccabees hit-making features (earnest harmonies, repeated lyrics, surging new wave riffs and cloud bursting choruses), while building in some African rhythms and spectral production occasionally hinted at on Wall of Arms.

While it doesn't quite thrill me in the way No Kind Words did, the unfettered enthusiasm that spills from everything the band do is enough. See what you think below.



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Spectrals // Bad Penny

Spectrals
Bad Penny
Released: 17th October
Wichita

Great name for an album that isn’t it? Whether it’s self referential relating to the well known phrase or saying ‘bad pennies always come back’ or ‘there’s two sides to every coin’, whether it’s satirical commentary on our current economic strife, or whether it’s a nod to Steve Albini and Big Black’s fiery Chicago punk track of the same name all adds a curiosity to the record, a trait all record names should have as far as we’re concerned. Knowing Louis Jones’ aka Spectrals’ previous output and propensity for melding sonic ingredients, all three are likely to have figured somewhere down the line.

As for the content, fewer questions are asked. Since the early and wholly justified buzz of 2009’s Leave Me Be and 2010’s ‘Extended Play’, backed up by multiple split 7”s, extensive touring and support slots, the influences of 60s pop, soul and doo wop, plus the occasional garage smack, have been worn firmly on the sleeve. A trait often criticised, but one which if done well and with ingenuity is to be admired. The high points on the record take these touchstones and buff them into something beautiful. Lead single Get a Grip’s driving pop provides a plucky undertone to Jones’ lovelorn, meanderings as he confides “I find it hard to get my head out of the right side of the bed”, while the jangling lilt of Jones’ guitar on Doing Time has a timelessness that may sound simple but is missed so often by others attempting a similar feat.

Spectrals - Get A Grip by Slumberland Records

Unfortunately, there are aspects of this debut that drift without making much impact, which is perhaps where the delving into multiple musical pots makes for an inevitably mixed whole. Where Spectrals’ live shows and Jones’ charisma conjure a fuzzy warmth and throwback atmosphere, at times the record is a tad mundane and predictable, making its low ebbs such as Many Happy Returns pass almost unnoticed compared to the earlier teenage crush and garage blast high of Big Baby. Confetti has the lyrical intricacy and pop playfulness of Alex Turner or Paul Weller over classic 60s beat pop, however its peak is followed by the easy listening snooze of Luck Is There to be Pushed, which is reminiscent of Simply Red and is rendered impotent alongside the far superior tracks Jones is clearly capable of. Two sides to the coin indeed, but on one there’s plenty to admire.

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The Black Keys // Lonely Boy

The Black Keys' records are the perfect travelling companion; occasionally ragged, often loud, but always with a determined urgency. Much like Dan's own beard experimentations and Patrick's drumming. As if to acknowledge this, the band's new record is entitled El Camino, and was announced earlier this month accompanied by a brilliant trailer.

El Camino is available from December 6th, while Lonely Boy is our on November 25th for Record Store Day's "Back to Black" Friday.

The Black Keys - Lonely Boy by ListenBeforeYouBuy

 

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Summer Camp // Down

Summer Camp's Elizabeth Sankey and Jeremy Warmsley have released a timely video to Down for two reasons: Firstly, it's almost Halloween and the annual excuse to dress up, bite people's necks and stick your hands in jelly is upon us, while secondly, I've been lustily admiring the works of Gif animators already this week, such as this.

Great video, excellent pop song, and very much looking forward to their debut record.



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Friends // I'm His Girl

This is a mighty, mighty baseline, and with vocals reminiscent of early Gwen Stefani, if Friends keep producing tracks this infectious there're going to be all over 2012 like a rash.


Friends - I'm His Girl from Lucky Number Music on Vimeo.

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'King DJ // U Gon And Dun It

Brown Brogues' Mark Vernon has been pushing the pseudonym 'King DJ for a while, and now he's rubber stamped it with the demo release of the sludgy, growling U Gon And Dun It. Sounding much like his aforementioned duo project, minus the primative, thunderous drums but with added 6am regret, the King is promising a demo release per week all the way through to Christmas.

Download the first taste below, as well as Don't Touch My Hair 7" release from earlier this year.

U gon and dun it (demo) by kingdj666

 

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Video Games // Lana del Rey (Balam Acab Remix)

There's a hell of a lot of vitriol flying around about Lana del Rey, largely focusing on claims of style over substance / more press shots than songs / manufactued indie-doll fakery / who the hell does she think she is anyway.

With this incredibly sublime remix, Balam Acab may have done little to halt the del Rey media train, but at least she'll be getting the odd positive mention in the blogosphere, even if it is by association. Listen below, and to the original here.

Video Games (BALAM ACAB Remix) - Lana Del Rey by BALAM ACAB

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Nurses // Fever Dreams

While the video to Nurses' Fever Dreams looks like something even Klaxons rejected in their most 'enlightened' state of minds, or an outtake from a Skins in which those pesky kids take too much acid and Harry Enfield shows up at the end looking disgruntled and comic as he struggles to act disgruntled and comic, the actual song is way beyond such lowly comparisons.

Kinder links can be made to Yeasayer and Animal Collective, as the Portland trio of Aaron Chapman, John Bowers and James Mitchell conjure a dream-like strangeness in their tribal pop. The album Dracula is out now on Dead Oceans.



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Blouse // Videotapes

While the opening sounds of Videotapes recall a stretched cassette tape you just know is going to be trapped insight your stereo forevermore, 13 seconds in everything changes, as Portland trio Blouse, compliled of Charlie Hilton, Patrick Adams and UMO’s Jordan Portrait, open up a world of woozy 80s synths and troubled nostalgia. It's a confusing yet enigmatic experience, one they'll hopefully continue on their forthcoming debut, out in November on Captured Tracks. Listen and download below.

Blouse, "Videotapes" by The FADER

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Local Favourites // Shells

It's been a while since our last local favourites, but a return was inevitable once we heard the Balaeric pulse and crystalline beats of London's Shells. Following his Pastels EP earlier this year, electronic producer Shells' (Khalid Rafique) Arctic is so clean and crisp it's making us feel decidedly grubby on this dull autumn evening, a feeling that is only intensifying with multiple, multiple replays. Go enjoy it for yourself below.



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Jessie Ware // Strangest Feeling

We've been in love with Jessie Ware for a long time thanks to her various collaborations, not least the beauteous Valentine with Sampha, and 2010's Nervous with SBTRKT. Strangest Feeling, released on limited edition 10" vinyl on November 28th via PMR Records, is the perfect showcase of her sensual, layered vocal over minimal beats, and a tasty teaser for the debut LP to come.



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The Maccabees // Given To The Wild

The Maccabees keep getting better and better, which bodes well for the release of their next record Given To The Wild, due for release on January 9th. The accompanying teaser trailer sees the band in the studio, as well as suggestive existential imagery which may, or more likely may not, be a clue to the new album's subject matter.

Check out the video and tracklisting below.

CHILD
PELICAN
FEEL TO FOLLOW
AYLA
GLIMMER
FOREVER I'VE KNOWN
HEAVE
GO
UNKNOW
WENT AWAY
SLOWLY ONE
GREW UP AT MIDNIGHT



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