Do you want to hear what the joint offspring of The Horrors and Kraftwerk would be? I thought you would. Give Glove a try. This is such a track for an alternative weekender. Dark and synthy, it channels the dark 80s tracks that you think of but can never actually find. Echo and the Bunnymen would be proud I think. Considering their pretty short existence, this is a fully formed solid single that really should see them getting far more plays. Good news if you are in the UK, they have gigs lined up in Manchester, London, Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle in June. I’m going to have this stuck in my ..read more

This year, we made our way back to The Great Escape in Brighton. I have been going there since 2008 and it is so much bigger than it was when I saw The Rifles, Ida Maria, Young Knives, The Answering Machine and such. It’s grown and evolved with independent music and, as much as I miss the days of The Rakes and Kate Nash making debuts at the festival, it is still a great showcase for new bands. The venues this year were eclectic as usual and in a way, were actually easier to get into (last year there was a minor issue with an over zealous security guard at Zahara but thats in the past), the Bea ..read more

I think that you have to like a song that is inspired by “the idea of hexxing an ex-boyfriend and causing him to start balding”. Kitty has been called a “Disco Cowgirl”, I totally get it. The electro draws you in but you stay for the low key country vibe that you have hidden here. You get hooked and it’s pretty intense, from the initial solo vocals which have a pretty amazing hypnotic vibe to the slow burning guitars and the drum machine like beat theres so many layers to this track, you’ll need a few listens to dig down. Reminds me of Black Keys. The best tracks have a personal emotional core ..read more

In the vein of a fuzzy Maximo Park, The Fiends have released their latest track for Valentine’s Day. A track that speaks to us all at one time or another, the conversational lyrics are like talking to your mate. Theres a laid back cynical edge to the track thats off set by the energy of the lead guitar work with a massive mid 8 that’s a massive stand out. Hoping that the guys get onto the festival circuit as this is something that’ll go down a treat in the sunshine ..read more

Mighty Magic Animal are from Salisbury. Home to a Cathedral and famously stacked stones. I lived there for a while. This EP is not from that place, this EP is at home in the 1990s in Seattle. It is a solid mass of noise and energy, opening on ‘Run’ with its stop/start but constantly kicking beat it really does hit you. Theres a lo-fi homemade edge to this that really draws you in, you need to have this played loud in a dark bar where you can just go mental. I think there will likely be pits forming for this. ‘Line’ reminds me of Pavement or Flaming Lips. Filthy bassline with daydreaming vocals ..read more

I love Sweden, there is something beautifully chilled and mysterious about it, to me at least. That feeling of quiet intricacy and darkness has been captured perfectly by Matilda Mård as Many Voices Speak. Layers and layers of vocals, chilled as f— drums (which I love) and the organ like keys merged in synth. Nothing fights for your attention as everything is so well balanced. This is one that you will want to leave on repeat. It almost feels like a lullaby for those days where you just can’t relax and forget the day. Check Want It Kept too, her previous release. It’s incredible. The new album ..read more

Each time I listen to this track it buries itself in my mind. I think the OPD really have a knack for crafting real earworms. This is another synth-tastic rabble rowsing anthem, if you need to feel better about how life is going, smash some OPD on close your eyes and dance like no one is watching. Unless you are an extravert and dance like everyone is watching. The OPD fall somewhere between Pet Shop Boys and Citizens! Trevor has a real energy and presence about him and his vocals are enough to grab your attention and force you to listen to his seminars on personal development. The trio are fl ..read more

If you like crunchy, bouncy indie that reminds you of giddy summer evenings then you’ll probably absolutely love this little gem. It’s like the soundtrack to a drunken Greek holiday, brilliant. So there are a few things here that I’m reminded of but by and large The Official Secrets Act/Citizens!, Gang of Four and Millburn spring to mind, I miss all these bands and to me, this mix is genius. It’s like if they all just took the best parts of each and became a supergroup. The track is organised and perfect chaos with spiky guitars over a bouncy rhythm section which on paper sounds like it should ..read more

Something different now! Totally going to have to mention the Soundgarden edge because it’s going to hit you pretty hard. This is just like a brick of energy hitting you. I think I must be a huge sucker for the huge vocals and dirty guitars, pulsing drums and the tight as they come bass/drum combo (especially during the mid-8) because this just made its way into my mind on a loop. Intense. Considering this is a 3-piece and this is a debut, I’m pretty astounded. There is a definite Ozzy vibe being channelled here and I can’t wait for the album ..read more

Do you, like me, have a real soft spot for slightly spooky, verging on dark, cabaret type tunes that leave you feeling that there must be something more than just catchy lyrics? This is for you! From a haunting keyboard to a driving bassline and powerful vocals, there really isn’t anything to dislike. This is my first experience of Minerva Daisy but she has been making waves with BBC Introducing recently and is competing in ‘Alpha Unsigned’ to grab herself a record deal – vote here! I can hear a certain amount of London Grammar and Unknown Mortal Orchestra but mainly a more poppier Dresden Dol ..read more