New Releases - 26th July

LCD Soundsystem – I Can Change
DFA

Another beauty from LCD 'can do no wrong' Soundsystem. The synth-pop awesomeness just keeps on coming. James Murphy proves he can sing again with this poetic, love-tronic ode to men who claim they can change "if it helps you fall in love". (Yeah. Right.)

It gives me tingles. And every time I hear this I fall in love just a little bit more. 4.5/5
LC

Violent Soho – Jesus Stole My Girlfriend
Static

This sounds like The Pixies with a bit of Weezer thrown in, and whilst it's not exactly ground-breaking, I think it's brilliant. The lyrics are witty (tell me you don't want to listen to a song called 'Jesus Stole my Girlfriend'), the vocals are great and the riffs are going to be in my head for days.

The lyrics aren't exactly apt, but 'Jesus Stole my Girlfriend' sounds like it should be playing at the end of a zombie film, when a horde is attacking the survivors as they're about to make their escape. Listen to it, watch the video, and imagine zombies in the mix. You'll know what I mean. 4.5/5
LBH

Plan B – Prayin'
679/Atlantic

This Plan B fella's a catchy little twonk ain't he. This song could well be the first step on a long road towards Shawshank Redemption: The Musical. Check out the video to be further convinced.

'Prayin'' is a lot less pants than 'She Said' and reminds me of Madcon's 'Beggin' You'. Haunted by his badness, Plan B's beggin' and prayin' cos he's got guilt all up in his head and stuff and he does it in grand fashion. This is a big tune – we'll see this at the top of the charts before long. 4/5
NK

Swedish House Mafia – One (Your name)
Virgin

In my opinion 'One' is one of the best house tracks of all time: it's hard hitting and intense, and when it's dropped into live sets the whole place goes nuts.

I don't think it was necessary to rope in Pharrell to mutter pointless things for this version, but I guess it helps them sell a few more records. The epic original instrumental scores 5/5, but this version loses a mark. 4/5
CW

Bear Driver – Wolves
Animal Farm

Bear Driver's first single appears to sum up the dreamy, pop style of their début EP 'Paws and Claws'. 'Wolves' is an easy-listening track with good lyrics and backing melodies that inject a dose of life into the song.

The group somewhat fails to create their own distinctive sound and can easily sound like any other indie band. Nonetheless, for their first release 'Bear Driver' have done well in producing a catchy pop number which is definitely radio-friendly. 3/5
AA

Violens – Acid Reign
Static Recital

This New York band's name is actually a compound of the words “violence” and “violins.” Not. Even. Kidding. It's the kind of name that might sound good on a drunken club night in New York, but in the cold light of a sober day it's really quite naff.

That's the general feeling about 'Acid Reign' as well. The single has a jittery, ready for the dance floor, drum beat behind it but the high-pitched, straight out of a musical, chorus gets teeth grindingly annoying on repeat listens. 2.5/5
JG

The Cavalcade – I'm Like A Ship Trapped Inside A Bottle
Pebble Records

The Cavalcade are supposedly trapped like a ship in a bottle. Now I like ships in bottles – they're cute, and kind of fun to imagine tiny pirates inside – but these guys are seriously trapped, trapped behind the glass of their boring pop/rock style.

With the vocalist's gentle voice, this song remains a mundane, annoying tune which is possibly blasé enough to become successful – to middle aged people that think they like indie. Please get this song in a bottle if it means I never have to hear it again. 2/5
LD

The Wanted – All Time Low
Geffen

While I cringe at pointing out the obvious joke here, I'm afraid I am going to have to due to the absolute truth behind it; the title says it all, this is an all time low.

It is telling that the only comments on YouTube are from teenage girls saying how fit the members are. I'm afraid that this is all there is to recommend this piece of badly put together electro pop, as these young boys are shepherded towards inevitable teeny bopper stardom.

Oh, and the video is awful. 1/5
LG

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