The Music Carousel

Noah And The Whale - There Will Come A Time

They are back! Heart Of Nowhere, the band’s fourth studio album, will be released on May 6th 2013 and this is the track they are leading with.

To me the video highlights exactly what makes Noah And The Whale such a glorious band. Stunning cinematography, atmosphere and narrative come as standard when Charlie Fink is involved and in my opinion it makes them more than a music act. They are the complete package and There Will Come A Time is as grand an offering as any NATW fan could hope for. Delightful.

SOAK - Fingers Crossed

I’m a sucker for an understated acoustic guitar backed song with raw vocals and lyrics leaning towards internal conflict and intense emotional drama. When it’s coming from someone of 16 years old it makes me feel even more impressed. And old.

SOAK is Bridie Monds-Watson from Derry, Northern Ireland. She has recently signed with Universal Publishing and is already making waves across the BBC radio stations.

This video reminds me of the very first clip I saw of Laura Marling, back when she was in her teens and performing in a pokey little pub somewhere. I’m getting the same “one to watch” vibe with SOAK…

Laura Mvula - She

I keep coming back to this track. I first heard it as part of the Sound of 2013 list and every time I hear it I get absorbed by the stripped back production and the way it builds and layers, all with absolute unashamed focus on those vocals. Just a really great sound.

James Blake - Retrograde

James Blake finally returns with a second album! Yes it’s not until April 8th, titled Overgrown, but it means we begin to get more new stuff coming through from him like this little gem.

I like music that sounds like an experiment, that shakes things up a little and makes people ask questions, and for me James Blake is pretty much the epitome of that ethos. Every track he makes is rich and quirky and complex whilst at the same time seeming so simple you wonder why you didn’t just knock that up on your computer.

And the bass… ohhh the bass!

The Return Of The Postal Service

I’ve not posted anything on this blog for months. Which is terrible and against all my best intentions. But I have been stirred our of Tumblr hibernation thanks to some hugely exciting news - the return of The Postal Service.

I was giddy when, completely unexpected, The Postal Service announced they would be performing Coachella. California is a long way to go though… I had to keep my fingers crossed for a UK date… and lo and behold, this morning it came. Tickets to see The Postal Service in London in May.

The significance is pretty huge - this is a band that I genuinely never believed I would get to see perform live. Formed as a side project, limited touring back then, one studio album, and no live shows since 2003. That’s 10 years ago. 10.. whole.. years. The last time The Postal Service were stood on a stage I was 14 years old. That makes May’s gig pretty damn special.

I’ve taken the opportunity to post a clip of Ben Gibbard at is finest. Granted not a true Postal Service performance, but I like the cyclical scenario of Gibbard playing Such Great Heights in this acoustic style - a cover of a cover of a side project as played by the original artist. It all comes back around…

A$AP Rocky - Goldie

I love this - so much lazy cocky attitude laced over a beautifully simple-yet-heavy beat. And I can’t get enough of his smooth style of rap; there’s a rhythm in his music that feels very natural and free flowing.

I’m sure there is also some sort of rebellious streak that makes me love music that talks of a lifestyle so vastly different from my own - escapism I guess. But Mum, if you’re watching, don’t worry; I don’t plan on emulating this video. Apart from the money bit. That could work… 

Plan B - Lost My Way

Every generation has a handful of artists who have a profound and lasting impact on popular culture and I really believe that Plan B is a member of that club. He seems to be at his peak at the moment and everything he touches breeds success.

Ever since his debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words (and probably for years beforehand) Ben Drew has been re-defining genres, mixing styles and producing bold and confident music. Mix in political astuteness and a gift for capturing ‘street culture’ he is one of the stand out talents of our current era.

I struggle to think of a single thing Plan B has put his name to that hasn’t been ground-breaking, striking, original, or just damn exciting, and this new track from his upcoming album iLL Manors is no different. It is bold attitude, strong lyrics and musical class all rolled into 3 minutes 38.

The xx - Coexist (new album launch)

Apparently album announcements are like buses. I am still jittery at the almost imminent (and now pre-ordered) prospect of new Bloc Party music when today’s stellar chunk of music news promises brand new material from The Xx before September is out. Oh I have been waiting to hear this for so SO long now.

The band’s long awaited second album has been titled ‘Coexist’ and will be released  on 10th September. And this demo is a little treat from the trio - something they did whilst creating the album and wanted to share with us all.

Bloc Party - ‘Four’ (new album launch)

Everyone has that one band that really made them fall in love with music in a whole new way. That one band that made you suddenly realise how obsessed it is possible to become with an artist, album, lyric or sound. For me that band has, and always will be, Bloc Party.

Imagine my giddy excitement then at yesterday’s news… their fourth studio album, the first since returning to the studio after individual exploits, will be released on the 20th August this year. The album has been titled, with an air of nostalgic wisdom, ‘Four’ and the announcement was accompanied by this rousing blog post from lead singer Kele. I have never been more in love with Bloc Party.

And yes, I have already pre-ordered it. Of course.