Modern Rivals - Defenestrate You
Brooklyn quintet Modern Rivals wash you in a wave of psychedelic sunshine with melody and layers that get under your skin and have you helpless to the colours and shapes that tumble out of your speakers.
The combination of Shins-esque vocals with Animal Collective loops and beats on this, the single and lead track on the “Sea Legs” EP, works well and is both uplifting and seductive; as the summery, deeply paletted swirls and hues pull you in to a portal to another reality where we never die, we simply return to where we’ve come from, and everything is eternally fresh, real and invigorating.
“Sea Legs” is out now via the guys’ bandcamp page.
Holograms - Chasing My Mind
A blurred vocal warps out over the frenetic energy that underpins the new single from Swedish quartet Holograms, whilst floating under this foundation is a synth that hints at a certain sheen not normally associated with the beating punk heart of the track. This seemingly strange marriage may appear at first like something that shouldn’t work, like a bumblebee and flight, yet much like our black and yellow friend, not only does it work, it excels.
There’s an immediacy that is layered through the whole track, as both the synths and drums unite to create a single living creation of personality, intent and warmth. The nature of the track is hard to ignore as the melody, drive and lust round the edges so that it becomes more than something that can be as easily characterised as punk or new wave, instead morphing into something that drips with both honesty and desire.
The eponymous debut album is out 10 July via Captured Tracks.
Virals - Green Door Store, 12 May 2012
The sparse, yet wonderfully characterful decoration of the Green Door Store gives no insight into what is to come from Virals as the quartet take to the stage amongst the open brickwork, bare pipes and antlers that seem to sprout from the walls at occasional junctures.
As the four-piece begin their melodic assault on the gathered masses the lo-fi garage fuzz that shines from every bar is reminiscent of a Ramones/Lemonheads hybrid as the slightly incomprehensible vocals and melody rich songs come at you with all the personality and drive you would associate with frontman Shaun Hencher, formerly of Lovvers.
The power and passion of each song is unavoidable as the four piece deliver track after track of hook laden catchy melodies and vocals that sweep you up and in it’s torrent and drop you off on a beach in California with a beer in your hand. This is most evident on recent single “Coming Up With the Sun”, which floods the room with sunshine and the feeling of summer; itself no mean feet considering the night sky staring through the windows.
This cavalcade of lo-fi summer punk leaves everyone in a happy disposition; included in this no doubt are Gross Magic duo Sam McGarrigle and Joe Murphy who are in the crowd ensuring they too get a slice of this seasonal uplift.
Virals work just as well live as they do on record; and whilst some might argue that their songs aren’t terribly far from one another in terms of style, the freshness of their sound and the carefree attitude it intimates shine through. The band continually smile amongst themselves and seem to be enjoying the show just as much as the crowd, which just goes to show you that this band have in bundles what every band should have; namely connection. Their music is more than just heard, it is felt, which poses the question - why listen to something else when you can feel this good?
New Look - Digital, 12 May 2012
Having already played once at this year’s Great Escape Festival husband and wife duo Sarah Ruba and Adam Pavao, (a.k.a. New Look) her wearing a full length mac and him an oversized denim jacket, wait patiently at the side of stage whilst the previous band on tonight’s bill pack away. Ruba’s second profession as a model is evident as her cheekbones and smile shine from the shadows she waits nonchalantly in.
From the darkest corner of the stage appears a huge table of wires and gadgets, so grand in size is this stage upon a stage that its’ positioning has to be carefully navigated so as not to damage the other instruments. Indeed Pavao can only reach the top of it by using a carry case as step to reach the plethora of appliances that rest on top of it.
As the lights go down in a wall-to-wall packed venue the projector that Pavao has carefully spent time and thought setting up and getting just right beams a series of images across the stage, dappling their faces in light.
The set opens with the album track “Numbers”, the bass so heavy my hair rustles in its breeze, whilst Ruba’s vocals counter this depth with airy vocals that seem to float out above the crowds’ heads. The sublime vocal qualities of Ruba are as evident in the live show throughout the performance as they are on the record, nowhere is this demonstrated more that on the next song, “Nap in the Bow” as she wonderful balances power, subtlety and seduction.
This ability to convey something that’s almost tangible is in excelsior once more as the next song, “The Ballad” drips with intensity and emotion, helped in no small way by the loops, glitches and synths that waltz with the stripped down 80’s R&B aura.
After just one more track the lights go up and Ruba announces that they’re being kicked off stage. The reason for this early end is unclear, perhaps a penalty for having a myriad of leads and cables to arrange and set-up.
Despite the ridiculously short set the duo still managed to give a performance of quality, intrigue and allure, and a real highlight of the day. The mystique and calibre of the music that New Look produce enraptures completely, and there is no escaping that, and I for one am a happy prisoner.
Gross Magic - Queens Hotel, 11 May 2012
Somewhere as austere sounding as the Sandringham Suite in the basement of a seafront hotel may not be your first choice for one of The Great Escape’s standout gigs so far, but Brighton’s Gross Magic had other ideas.
The ceiling tiles and patterned carpet belied the dynamism, energy, creativity and sheer brilliance that bled from the quartet. Their hooky bubblegum grunge may not have deviated particular far from a path, but the fact is what they do they do brilliantly, and it is as engrossing, fun and immediate as anything out there currently.
Starting with last year’s, “Teen Jamz” EP opener “We’re Awake Tonight” , the quartet filled the room with waves of delay and guitar as Joe Murphy on drums pinned the whole thing together. The title track of last year’s EP followed with the assembled masses becoming more enveloped in the sticky, Brighton-rock sound as it gnawed at their gums and by now, had them all completely addicted, with its Ramones, T-Rex, Nirvana and Beach Boys hues. Bridging what would have been a rather awkward silence between these songs and the standout track from last year’s EP, “Sweetest Touch” was “Yesterdays”; a song, you that won’t be surprised to hear is immersed in nostalgia and unrequited love.
Lead singer Sam McGarrigle closed the gig with a frantic song that was bursting with passion; dedicated to guys that push people around, and “treat you like dirt”. This was a perfect way to close, raising the energy of their performance to frenetic levels before disappearing in a cloud of fuzz and pedals.
The EP “Teen Jamz” is out now via Fat Possom.
Com Truise - Audio, 11 May 2012
Com Truise (a.k.a. Seth Haley) appears on stage from behind a ramshackle curtain joined by a slender young man who proceeds to place himself behind the drum kit he has spent the previous 15 minutes setting up.
The preverbal switch is flicked and a relentless march of noise and intent swarms through the crowd as loops of pixelated analogue memories run alongside the pulsing drums creating a world of both minimalist intrigue and depth. This is joined by a series of flashing simplistic kaleidoscope imagery beaming from a projector onto a screen that hypnotises you if the beats and synths haven’t yet.
Detractors mights say this us is just layered loops and echoes of nostalgia, and whilst that might form some of the parts it’s wrong to say this completes the picture. The depth of beats and the way in which they’re structured creates an atmosphere and energy that’s hard to ignore, even harder to escape. Indeed Com Truise is able to leave is peers behind with his intelligent blend of elements that connect straight to your feet and heart; and that’s why Com Truise is so good, heart. His music has it in bundles.
The drums add a real dimension to the show, giving it another layer and a richer texture. The adding of a live instrument is attempted many times by numerous lesser artists, however here Com Truise pulls it off without the usual dirge or cheese that can, if not properly considered accompany the pairing. In deploying this skill, he helps the performance be something more than some dude turning dials into a show of undeniable fun and appeal.
Make no mistake, Com Truise is a man who knows how to put on a show and make the leap from silent knob turner to connecting with his audience. His music unites and excites, and you’d do well to catch him live.
Tanlines - Digital, 10 May 2012
These Great Escape shows fly by, just as you’ve got comfortable the last song gets announced. Despite this, and despite being awake for 24 hours straight New York’s Tanlines’ showed how to make sure the half an hour was left gasping for breath.
Throughout its duration the show was bursting at the seems with all the energy of a tropical storm, as the self proclaimed anger that was fuelling the duo following their day of no sleep transferred itself into the music.
The set which included the stormers “Settings” and “Brothers” also took in “All of Me”, the video for which was filmed by Julian Barrett of Mighty Boosh fame. Have a butchers here:
An exciting and pumping show that had everyone dancing like it was mardi gras. More please!
The album “Mixed Emotions” is out now via True Panther.
Porcelain Raft - The Prince Albert, 10 May 2012
Taking to the stage pretty much bang on the 2:15pm scheduled slot, albeit following a minor earthing issue with the drum pad, Mauro Remiddi and co began their set with album track “Put Me to Sleep” and immediately had the crowd that had assembled in the sweltering room lapping up the beats, loops and dreamy hues that filled the air.
The set also took in album favourite “Unless You Speak from the Heart” and forthcoming single “Drifting In and Out”, both of which were received with all the excitement and appreciation you’d expect from an audience that were being treated to an ace show. The only downside the 30 minutes allotted for the gig whizzed by and was over too soon. Despite the ridiculous heat (I was in danger of evaporating such was the humidity!), I, and the throng of fellow fans, would gladly have remained there in a pool of sweat and continued to listen to Porcelain Raft for however much longer they wanted to play.
The new single,“Drifting In and Out” is released on 11 June in the U.K. and on 26 June in the U.S. via Secretly Canadian.
Mister Lies - Cleam
It’s 5 o’clock in the morning, after a long night out with friends you walk home along the promenade, past the pier and the sheen of the hotels’ windows reflecting the sunrise that is accompanying you on your journey home and glistens on the lapping waves below. Gangs of laughing friends spill out of club doors, a solitary figure lies asleep in a bus shelter after one too many shots. The breeze is both warming and refreshing, that kind of breeze that is only familiar to sunrise and sunsets, and your hair is gently caressed by it as it rushes past. You pause momentarily, taking in the dappled peace that surrounds you at this most innocent of times, before any of the worlds’ ills and trials has diluted the hope and possibility of the day.
Slowly you meander through side streets and over cobbles, past bakers preparing for the day, and newsagents taking deliveries of the daily papers. You arrive at your front door and slot the key into the lock, in what seems like one easy breath you are inside and lying flat on your bed. Your star-shaped position and the downtempo track that floats from your stereo hypnotise you into a state of oneness, connection and peace. You suspend in this state of tranquility for a moment, and then sleep takes its’ hold and you drift away.
The debut LP from Mister Lies (a.k.a. Chicago’s Nick Zanca) will be out via Lefse in the autumn. In the meantime you can download a collaborative EP he has done with Different Sleep for free (yep, I said it - free!) here.
Sailor & I - Tough Love
The strings that open this track from Swedish outfit Sailor & I and the soft, warm vocals that accompany them would suggest that this is a track full of fuzzy sentiment and heartfelt love. There are indeed emotions on display here, but they are not as noble as the grandaddy of them all; hope, resentment, melancholia, and angst are chief amongst them, yet this is a track of reality and of charm.
The message that resonates through the lyrics is that maintaining a relationship is a hard thing, love is indeed tough, but listening to this track over and over is anything but.
The forthcoming EP of the same name is out later this year.
Tomas Barfod - Broken Glass
Despite the title of the track, this is far from being an ode to anarchistic tendencies. Indeed it is something quite beautiful and delicate, as the auto-tuned, sampled vocals blur through the ethereal guitars, building, pulsating beats and sun-drenched synths.
The images of stone throwing from the video’s femme fatal act as the the only dichotomy in this affecting, wonderfully built, rounded techno number. The over-riding feeling is one of lush, emotive layers that moves over you like spring sunshine or connection to another.
The track is taken from the forthcoming EP, “Salton Sea”, which is out on 22 May via Friends of Friends.
London Bridges - Together
A syncopated love song that mixes nostalgia with an ambient aura, dub beats, and an inter-weaving heart that fizzes with charm.
The opening keys drip like melting stalactites before the downtempo beat drops and the track starts it’s journey. Each stage of it’s progression is considered and executed well, the subdued nature creating a feeling of melancholy, regret and longing. Despite the technological elements of the track it is one of the most human you’ll hear in a while, as the lyrics repeat themselves like thoughts buzzing through your head after a heartbreak.
You can get your digital mitts on “Together” via the London Bridges bandcamp page.
Lower Dens - Propagation
This new video from Baltimore quartet seems them glowing against the black sky as the rolling soundscape breathes in and out around them. The dreamy quality of the track transcends the aural world and permeates the visual as the four-piece glide, bounce and even lick in a state of slow motion and pause.
The new album, “Nootropics”, is out now via Ribbon Music.
Virals - Coming Up With the Sun
Attempting to combine the vibe of the U.S. sunshine states with something quintessentially English has the potential to blow up in your face. Fortunately Virals (a.k.a. Shaun Hencher, formerly of Lovvers) snatches victory from the [potential] jaws of defeat. And oh, how he snatches it.
This, the title track from the forthcoming EP shines with incandescent indie power pop majesty. Telling a tale of the many avenues and pitfalls the heart travels down, the wonderful blend of an east coast summer with the melody (as infectious as the name Virals suggests) and tone of Hencher’s voice results in something that can’t help but put a daft grin on your face that you just can’t hide, and nor should you. This is just what you need, regardless of whether you’re in a sunshine state or under an English slate grey sky.
The EP, “Coming Up With the Sun” is out on 7 May via Tough Love Records.
Virals at The Great Escape: 12 May, 21:45, at Green Door Store.
Jayyeah - Ritual
The loops and glitches on the opening track of the new Jeayyeah album, “Drown” seem to echo in a world between life and death. A mystical code of nature unlocks the inner heart of the layered beats, capturing a sense of new beginnings. Much like a bud in spring the track opens gently before filling the space around you with subtlety and character; the haunting vocals hanging like an early morning mist, whilst dew shines in dappled sunlight.
Overflowing with grace, beauty and finesse, this track embodies perfectly the connection between humanities hopes and loves with its darker aspects, and its interaction with nature.
You can download the album, “Drown” for free via the ubiquitous bandcamp page.
