New Releases - 5th July

New Releases - 5th July

30 June, 2010
by: Music Team

More musings from music land.

Florence and the Machine – Cosmic Love
Island Records

Yet another release from the same year-old album does lead one into a little annoyance at Island Records who won't stop until they've bled all the revenue they can from 'Lungs'. But then that's not Florence's fault.

'Cosmic Love' is an epic pop ballad, perfectly balancing luscious harp with proud and powerful vocals, hammered home with lashings of orchestral timpani drums. It's fantastic but maybe it's time to get back in the studio Florence. Capiche? 5/5
RS

Mazes – Go-Between
Suffering Jukebox

OK, almost there. The sun is shining? Check. Shorts are on? Check. The BBQ is all fired up? Check. Cool, all we need now is an awesome lo-fi jam and I can declare summer 2010 officially open.

Good one Mazes – this’ll do the trick nicely! 4/5
DH

Betty And The Werewolves – Paper Thin
Damaged Goods

Betty And The Werewolves’ new single off their album, 'Teatime Favourites', is deliriously airy and sweet. It's the kind of song which could induce one to frolic in parks or walk hand in hand with some divine individual.

Light and seemingly lazy vocals fall down like sun kisses through dreary English clouds. It's far more indie-pop than their occasional punk and a joyous little cupcake covered in colourful sprinkles. 3.7/5
SC

Personal Space Invaders – Take the Fight
Unsigned

London-based three-piece Personal Space Invaders follow up debut single 'Not My Boyfriend' with a track that perhaps more clearly signals their true intentions. Ting Tings-esque staccato vocals have been replaced by something closer to Klaxons-style euphoria.

But this is several years later, and without the youth and innocence that Klaxons got away with. Darker, louder and grittier – perfect for a paranoia party in a Dalston basement. 3.5/5
TJ

3oh!3 ft Ke$ha – My First Kiss
Photo Finish Records

What the mother hell name for a band is this!? Others have described 3oh!3 as having “more party than a Bolshevik Revolution” and based on this song, I would agree.

WINS: Rhyming candy with panties, the oooh oooh oooh oooh bridge. It's proper head thumping fun reminiscent of Offspring and there's a fleeting moment of hilarity in the video when two old folks feel each other up. FAILS: It features Ke$ha- who not only as a $ in her name but also needs a wash! 3/5
NK

Society – The Rules Of Attraction
Asphalt Duchess

‘Future Days’, London-based duo Society's breakthrough tune, stood out thanks to its psychedelic electronics and its sordid-but-attractive atmosphere.

In comparison, the lead-track of their first EP ‘The Rules Of Attraction’ sounds more like an entertaining juxtaposition of hipster indie-electro-rock's most heard gimmicks, from the Bret Easton Ellis-borrowed title to the arrogant/casual Bobby Gillespie-style vocal delivery. But as both tracks feature on the record, you can't be disappointed. 3/5
TC

Foals – Miami
Transgressive

On first listen, this latest Foals track isn't as hyper or agitated as my memories of those frantic, synth-laden numbers from a while back would suggest. I hazily recall sweaty dance floors where revellers would go berserk and totally spazz out to ‘Cassio’.

Then again, admittedly this is just normal, indie-poser, night-out in Leeds behaviour. By comparison 'Miami' is positively chilled out - relaxing even - with its pleasantly wavering, layered melodies. Not the most exciting or frenzied dance-worthy track but it's definitely a grower. 3/5
LR

Bear Driver – Wolves
Animal Farm
 
Imagine you're walking through a forest and get attacked by a murder of singing crows, whilst a fox nibbles at your ankles and an owl keeps hooting in your face. Now while this may be Bill Oddie's regular Saturday night, this is also a bit like what Bear Driver sound like.

There is a lot going on in this debut song and luckily for Bear Driver that includes a dreamy power pop chorus that would make a cracking indie Springwatch soundtrack. 3/5
TT

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Music Team