New Waves.. Lorde - 'Royals'

I featured 'Tennis Court' by Lorde on the July BUZZ a few days ago. I can't recall how I stumbled across her now, but the first song I heard was this song, 'Royals'. 

Surprisingly, yet also unsurprisingly, 'Royals' stormed to the top of the charts in her New Zealand homeland; pretty impressive for a 16 year old, eh? The singer-songwriter - real name Ella Yelich-O'Connor - is fiercely protective of what her label release to the world; as of yet, there are two music videos, one  for 'Royals' and one for 'Tennis Court', and a handful of photos from a single promo shoot, live shots compile the rest. It is refreshing to see such self-guard from a teen in a world over-saturated in the over-sharing of her contemporaries and fans alike. 

'Royals' itself is very subtle, comprised of clicks, beats and vocal layering to create heavenly harmonies, however, it's all about the lyrics. All of Lorde's songs carry a story, as do the accompanying visuals, and it's really this sort of artist that I get excited about.

Her EP, The Love Club is available from iTunes and is on Spotify. For some reason, 'Royals' doesn't seem to be available in the UK yet, and I'm not sure why, although the version of the EP that I bought from UK iTunes has a different tracklisting to the US one. Which is a lil disappointing, as I'm now waiting for 'Royals' to have a presumably massive release over here. Good things come to those who wait...

What do you think of Lorde? Do you like 'Royals'?

http://lorde.co.nz/

https://twitter.com/lordemusic

https://www.facebook.com/lordemusic

https://soundcloud.com/lordemusic

New Waves.. CHVRCHES - 'Gun'

I feel so far behind. I noticed on my newsfeed (Facebook, private) that this - CHVRCHES' Gun EP - was released last Friday. That was definitely sprung upon me, especially as I had never even heard of the song or its impending release (the cave, the cave!).

But anyway, what's important is that I'm listening to it now, and I.M.O it is the best thing that CHVRCHES have released to date. Which is impressive, as I loved their Recover EP when it was released in March (!?), however, 'Gun' ups the ante as they say; it is more immediate, more commanding, though no less sparkling than the electronic alt. pop that the band have become known for. As always, singer Lauren Mayberry's cute voice is on top form, with revenge being a dish best served very cold, it appears, the singer warning 'You better run so, hide, hide - I have burned your bridges; I will be a gun, and it's you I'll come for'.

It's this sort of song that makes me excited for an album - and low and behold, there it one! Their debut album, The Bones Of What You Believe is due September 23rd, pre-order it here (recommended via the band's FB).

If you can't wait that long, you're best off grabbing the Gun EP (remix galore!) here.

Aren't I good to you?

What do you think of 'Gun'? Looking forward to the album? Have Chvrches  hit a sweet spot with their electronic sound?

http://chvrch.es/
https://www.facebook.com/CHVRCHES
https://soundcloud.com/chvrches
https://twitter.com/CHVRCHES
http://chvrches.tumblr.com/

New Waves.. Findlay - 'Off & On'

Hailing from Stockport, singer-songwriter Findlay is a fireball of energy. Her most recent track,'Off & On' is an addictive blues infused riot of a song that manages to bear resemblance to something Jack White would write or approve of.

Introduced by a sultry, seductive guitar and stomping beat, the song slowly intensifies, building into a high intensity laserbeam of sound, with Findlay's bark seemingly grabbing the listener unceremoniously by the  collar and dragging them viciously through the turmoil of the song which, despite being a mere 2 mins 48, is a snippet of time that you won't forget in a hurry.

The 4 track Off & On EP is available on iTunes. You can download 'Off & On' for FREE by entering your email here!

Findlay will also be playing the Secret Garden Party 2013 in Huntingdon from 25-28 July and also Reading and Leeds Festivals from 23-25 August.

http://www.findlaymusic.com/
https://twitter.com/FINDLAYmusic
https://soundcloud.com/findlay-music

New Waves.. LIGHTS - 'Suspension' (Acoustic)

I love me some Lights! I really do.

When I first came across the intergalactic sounding electro-pop of The Listening, I admit, it took me a while to warm to her; her voice came across as nasally through the auto-tune which, whilst used for effect, she definitely did not need. Since then, we have had her second album, 2011's Siberia, which saw the singer-songwriter get more experimental and eclectic, switching the previously sugary sounding keytar for crunchy synths, however prior to that we had the LIGHTS Acoustic EP where - stripped of all distractions - Lights' voice truly had a chance to shine on delicate reinterpretations of her debut album (plus a cheeky cover of Rancid's 'Fall Back Down' to boot!).

Now, Lights is back with Siberia Acoustic, a project she has been working on since the inception of Siberia itself - one which many of her many fans had been anticipating, myself included - and which was finally exposed to the world in late April. Whilst LIGHTS Acoustic was merely an EP, Siberia Acoustic is a full album of re-compositions which show the songs in an entirely different, er, light. It highlights the potential diversity of the songs, indeed, there are a number which sound superior to the originals in their new guises, instead of merely 'different' in their new interpretations.

My favourite just so happens to be 'Suspension' - a song that also happened to be my favourite from the original album (listen to the original here)! So, here's some Lights at 30,000 feet :)

Enjoy!

Are you a LIGHTS fan? Do you prefer her electronic or acoustic music? What did you think of her cover of Rancid's 'Fall Back Down'?

PS. Here's the making of Siberia Acoustic.

Lights is currently doing an acoustic tour through the US and Canada.
Siberia Acoustic is out now.


http://music.iamlights.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lights
https://twitter.com/lights

Rapid Review.. Chvrches - Recover EP

Glaswegian band, CHVRCHES (that's a more Google friendly "Churches" for the uninitiated) are gearing up to release their debut EP, Recover on 25th March (UK) and have let the lovely folk over at Pitchfork stream it for free - there's no harm in trying before you buy after all, check it out here!

The formerly mysterious trio, who emerged out of the blue in May of last year with the moody electro single that was 'Lies' - read and listen here - were made a part of the BBC's Sound of 2013 Poll at the end of last year, and have since released second single, 'The Mother We Share' and now, the Recover EP. The title track, 'Recover' is a much lighter affair than the aforementioned 'Lies', in fact, it positively sparkles, and I can only describe it as warm electro akin to that of Swedish duo The Knife. The voice of singer Lauren Mayberry is rather inviting, resonating in a childishly innocent manner through the 3 tracks (the additional remix is a treat too), and juxtaposing nicely with messrs Iain Cook and Martin Doherty on the darkly throbbing 'ZVVL', before coming back to the forefront of the poppier 'Now Is The Time'.

Though short, Recover really is a treat of an EP, the high quality electro smothering your brain in a manner akin to dripping treacle, and whetting your appetite for an album release (hopefully) later in the year. If not, more EP's will surely have to tide us over. Get on it now; it's worth all of your attention!

Recover EP is available via iTunes.

The band are touring the US in May/June before hitting the festival circuit later in the summer.

North American Tour - May/June 2013

5/27 — George, WA — Sasquatch Music Festival
5/28 — Portland, OR — Wonder Ballroom
5/29 — San Francisco, CA — Rickshaw Stop
6/1 — Los Angeles, CA — Troubadour
6/2 — Solana Beach, CA — Belly Up Tavern
6/5 — Austin, TX — The Mohawk
6/6 — Dallas, TX — Granada Theater
6/7 — Lawrence, KS — The Granada Theatre
6/8 — Minneapolis, MN — Fine Line Music Cafe
6/10 — Chicago, IL — Lincoln Hall
6/12 — Toronto, ON — The Hoxton
6/15 — Montreal, QC — Le National
6/16 — Boston, MA — Paradise
6/17 — New York, NY — Webster Hall
6/21 — Washington, DC — Black Cat
6/22 — Dover, DE — Firefly Music Festival
6/23 — Philadelphia, PA — Union Transfer

http://www.facebook.com/CHVRCHES
https://soundcloud.com/chvrches
http://chvrches.tumblr.com/

New Waves.. Charli XCX - 'You (HA HA HA)

I started writing this a few weeks back when the video first premiered, but alas here it is, late as is so often the case these days! Fortunately, it's not been so delayed as to have been deemed irrelevant - not that that's ever stopped me before.

You should all know by now because I say it so often that I am a mahusive Charli XCX fan! The single, 'You (Ha Ha Ha)', is the first new song to be revealed for her forthcoming, as-of-yet untitled album. The song samples Gold Panda's 'You' which, whilst being a great instrumental in it's own right, gains a new lease of life with the addition of Charli's lyrics. That being said, Charli's 'You' feels a tad repetitive and not as strong as some of her previous singles. I feel like a broken record in that I've said this on my previous few posts - however, both the 'SUPER ULTRA Mixtape' and especially 'Cloud Aura (feat. BROOKE CANDY)' have grown on me immensely, I'll eat my words! I think that for me, having been impressed with the lyrics for her first couple of singles, 'Stay Away' and 'Nuclear Seasons', I am always looking for such standards of brilliance. That being said, it's still a great pop track, and I'm still beyond excited for the album. I genuinely don't recall the last time the prospect of an album release has whet my appetite so much, I seriously can't wait! It will be on repeat for months!

The 'You (Ha Ha Ha)' EP is out on February 10th.

http://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic
http://charlixcxmusic.com/
https://twitter.com/charli_xcx

New Waves.. Peace - 'Wraith'

I know, I know, the latest Peace single has been floating around the blogosphere/cyberspace since approximately November, but it finally got its official release last Sunday, and having it ready for my repeatable disposal has left me suitably obsessed enough to write a review.

'Wraith' itself is a beaut of a tune. I admit, a had practically dismissed Peace after hearing the opening of 'Bloodshake' - I did not require a new Friendly Fires! - but upon seeing the accompanying video for 'Wraith', I turned back and scouted out all of their other songs.

It's official; I love them! The only downside to finding a new band to fawn over (I've been lacking a new favouritist band ever for what feels like, well, forever), is the lack of material to satisfy my appetite  but alas, an EP and 2 singles shall have to suffice til the album is out later this year, and Peace are in my opinion, unlike NME's chosen flavour of the year; Palma Violets, worth all the fuss.

Peace manage to straddle the pop vs. indie crossover fence perfectly, and 'Wraith' encapsulates this, and with a video odd enough to keep you watching til the end, albeitone that is totally and utterly sexist and objectifying (TWERK GALORE!- yes, you read right). I can't help but value the song 10,000x more than the video itself. Despite this, make sure that you check it out above, they're gonna be huge :)

'Wraith' and last  year's Delicious EP are both available now.

http://peaceforeverever.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/peaceforeverever
https://soundcloud.com/p-e-a-c-e

Rapid Review.. Kate Nash - 'Deathproof EP'

Old Kate Nash and New Kate Nash are two different entities - let's treat them as such. One day, New Kate Nash had a humdinger row with Old Kate Nash and took the candlestick, from the library, and proceeded to beat the utter shit out of Old Kate Nash until, as a battered bloody pulp, she was unceremoniously dumped in 6 ft of dirt under the rose bush.

Or so it may well have been, for there's really not much connecting the music of New Nash to the Old, for example, New Nash is pretty much devoid of a cockney accent! Oh - don't get too excited - it's still there to an extent, but it's nowhere near as aggrivating as 'You-ou've gon an' got sick on myy train-errss, I on'y got theez yes-ter-day/ O-mah-gosh, I can-not be bovvad wiv thisss'. This Nash swaps her 'Mouthwash' piano for big bass riffs and whoops, growls and squeaks through  four out of five of these new songs, although it's worth noting that none of them are as screechy and strangled as previous song, 'Under Estimate the Girl' managed to be. It's still in the same grungy, new-wave vein however; the title song (single?) 'Deathproof' has a lazily cute vocal, as does 'Fri-End', and the whole EP sounds distinctly retro. 'I Want A Boyfriend' is particularly catchy and edgier, with the shrieking making an appearance, whilst 'May Queen' ends the EP on a softer note. There's even a surprisingly good cover of The Kinks 'All Day And All Of The Night thrown in there too!

I have to say, as a person who has never loved Nash outside of 'Foundations', 'Birds' and 'Pumpkin Soup', I really liked this EP and it will no doubt grow on me as I listen to it more; I may even delve into her second album, My Best Friend Is You a la 'Do Wah Do', which passed me by completely.

Nash has stated that her third album, Girl Talk is due in early 2013 and you can pre-order it and  get access to other content via her Pledge project.

Deathproof EP is out now on iTunes and her Pledge project.

Have you listened to the songs? What do you think? Do you prefer Kate Nash's new sound or do you prefer her old music?

http://www.myignorantyouth.com/
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/katenash
https://twitter.com/katenash
http://www.facebook.com/katenash
http://katenash.sandbag.uk.com/Store/

New Waves.. Charli XCX - 'So Far Away'

At last, I can post this! I first wrote it when Charli XCX's You're the One EP came out in the UK last month and contained the full version of 'So Far Away'. It's been on loop on my iPod since, and now it's got it's own video (after waiting a feed that I could link in this post'.

'So Far Away' made its debut on the Charli XCX mixtape, 'HEARTBREAKS AND EARTHQUAKES', and was easily one of the standout tracks for me! It's a moody lament to love and it ebbs and flows darkly. It was highly addictive and Charli's spoken word/semi-rapping segments have a greater outing here, taking up the verses - and it's a rather unique quality that I've not found under her contemporaries.

The track made a full length appearance on the You're the One EP, and judging from her posts on he Facebook profile, will be accompanied by a music video in the upcoming months!

Charli XCX is still on tour, currently with Coldplay (!) and will then undertake her first UK headline solo tour in November! Another outing I need to be at!

With Coldplay – 19/09 - Warsaw

With Coldplay – 22/09 - Hannover

Parklife – 29/09 – Brisbane

Parklife – 30/09 - Sydney

Parklife – 01/10 - Perth

Parklife – 06/10 - Melbourne

Parklife – 07/10 – Adelaide

- - -

UK Tour

- - -

Headline Tour - 05/11 - Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds

Headline Tour - 06/11 - Stereo, Glasgow

Headline Tour - 08/11 - HMV Institute, Birmingham

Headline Tour - 09/11 - Shipping Forecast, Liverpool

Headline Tour - 10/11 - Bodega, Nottingham

Headline Tour - 11/11 - Deaf Institute, Manchester

Headline Tour - 13/11 - In:Motion, Bristol

Headline Tour - 14/11 - Green Door Store, Brighton

Headline Tour - 15/11 - XOYO, London

https://www.facebook.com/charlixcxmusic

https://twitter.com/charli_xcx

http://charlixcxmusic.com/

New Waves.. Sky Ferreira - 'Everything is Embarrassing'

This track from Sky Ferreira reminds me of upcoming UK singer, Charli XCX, and as the two share the skills of producer Ariel Reichtshaid and Blood Orange's Dev Hynes in their recent output, it is hardly surprising.

The addition of the production duo gives the track a chilled out electronic vibe that I'd previously thought Ferreira was straying away from with her previous rockier single, 'Red Lips', however I'm pleased that she has embraced electronic sounds once again, as in my opinion her voice suits such music far, far more! Her sullen vocal suits the understated vintage electro-pop of the song, and brings to mind a wistful insight into young love.

I can already tell that I will become addicted to this song! I was largely indifferent towards her debut single 'One' back in 2010, I didn't investigate further into her music, although I will definitely be paying more attention this time around!

Her Ghost EP is due for October 2nd.

https://twitter.com/skyferreira
http://www.skyferreira.com/
http://www.facebook.com/skyferreira