Best of March 2014

I touched upon this a little bit in my last 'Best of' post but to reiterate, in comparison to February, March was never going be that great. Because of SXSW, this month was more about album (and gig) announcements, with the likes of Swans, Lykke Li, White Lung and tUnE-yArDs announcing new albums and the one and only KATE FUCKING BUSH announcing a new 22 date tour (which incidentally sold out on 15 minutes). While it was quiet on the album front, there were however so very good songs released. Most excitingly, this month we finally got the record store day release list!

Here are my highlights of the month just gone:

Albums of the month



1. Mac Demarco - Salad Days
It's been 2 years since the Canadian crooner released his critically acclaimed album 2 and he has not disappointed in the slightest. Like Mac's previous material, Salad Days is light and uplifting, yet, the added psychedelia injects some extra darkness into the mix (see 'Chamber of Reflection'). This is easily Mac's most textured and impressive output to date.



Read my full review on Earbuddy here.

2. Real Estate - Atlas
Melody, hooks, reverb, sun drenched guitars; Atlas, the third full length from New Jersey's Real Estate has it all. From the swooning chorus of 'Talking Backwards' to the immense ascending chord sequence of 'Primitive', there's plenty stoner-rock fun to be had here.



3. Frankie Cosmos - Zentropy
The debut album from Frankie Cosmos is an understated affair; at only 20 minutes it is very short, but still very sweet. Despite it's length it still manages to fit plenty of hooks ('Buses') and charming anecdotes ('Sad'). I see no reason why, with the right collaborators, Cosmos cannot become an indie-pop heavyweight in the future.

Read my full review on Earbuddy here.



4. MØ - No Mythologies To Follow
Although I was slightly disappointed at first listen, after listening again today I was pleasantly surprised at how much this album has grown on me. Songs like the explosive opener 'Fire Rides' and the masterful 'Red In The Grey' are amongst the best pop songs I've heard so far this year.




5. Lyla Foy - Mirrors In The Sky 
The debut album from subtle electropop chanteuse Lyla Foy is a stripped back and modest record. There are some excellent moments still, 'Easy' and 'Feather Tongue' show that Foy can write a mean hook when she wants to. 

Read my full review here.




Songs of the month



1. Kyla la Grange - The Knife
I've been 'bigging up' Watford singer-songwriter-come-full-on-pop-goddess Kyla La Grange for a while now and she is yet to put a foot wrong in my eyes. The steel drum-heavy banger 'The Knife' could quite possibly be her best offering to date. Her new album Cut Your Teeth, due on 2nd June (my birthday, just sayin') is a strong contender for album of the year.



2. Fear of Men - Luna
Following the melodic eargasm of recent single 'Alta/Waterfall', Brighton's Fear On Men give us yet another delectable taster of their up-and-coming debut album Loom (as recently featured on my exciting record store day releases post) in the form of 'Luna'. The song is a no nonsense 'straight into the chorus' kind of affair, just how I like it.



3. tUnE-yArDs - Water Fountain
After the immense 'megamix' tUnE-yArDs' forthcoming third album Nikki Nack, I was worried they'd loose the ram-shackle charm which first made me fall so deeply in love with them and their weirdness. How wrong was I? 'Water Fountain' is yet another totally-bonkers yet totally-brilliant slice of 'prazz & jop' goodness. Oh Merril, how I've missed thee.




4. Wye Oak - Glory
Following the wonderfully tame single 'The Tower', 'Glory' is a much more upbeat and instant number. The funky-as-hell production and shimmering chorus make it easily their best song yet.



5. Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked
From the prior buzz single 'Love Me Like I'm Not Made Of Stone', I was worried that Lykke Li might have gone too far to ensure that people stopped labeling her as a 'pop star', abandoning her epic hook-crafting skills in the process. Whilst 'No Rest For The Wicked' is hardly another 'I Follow Rivers'-level banger, the chorus still hits as hard as ever and it is still impossible to get out of my head.



6. EMA - 3jane
EMA rules. Nuff said. 




7. Just Friends - Don't Tell Me
There are a lot of things I am thankful to Steven Spielberg for; Jaws, E.T., Gremlins, The Goonies, Back To The Future but most of all, finding the time to make his daughter, Sasha, because without her, this incredible banger would not exist (plus she's great on twitter).



8. Honeyblood - Killer Bangs
Although I am pissed off that Honeyblood's debut album has now been delayed two months to July(!!!), the duo managed to keep me sweet with yet another vicious grunge-pop tune in the form of the excellently titled 'Killer Bangs'.




9. Swans - A Little God In Our Hands
Veteran rock experimentalists Swans have never been my cup of tea, but for some reason, I REALLY love this track. Maybe it's because St Vincent features on it or maybe I'm just in love with their new album artwork, either way it is very enjoyable indeed. 



10. Allie x - Prime
And finally, a bit of pop from up-and-coming pop star Allie X. Following her excellent debut single track 'Catch', 'Prime' is a flashy and audacious slice of electropop which explodes into one hell of a crescendo. WARNING: this is EXTREMELY addictive.

10 Most exciting Record Store Day releases

It's that time of year again; the most important day of any 21st century record collector's calendar, it's record store day!

Now I must admit, though I've been closely following the antics of record store day for years, I am still technically a 'record store day virgin'. But this is set to change this year, I am planning on going all out this year and I shall brave the immense queues of salivating hipsters (and the occasional Directioner and Katycat). Rough Trade East is the Mecca of Independent record shops; whilst it has one of the largest selections it is also the busiest on the day. But it's a risk I'm willing to take. 

(Like me) You may feel overwhelmed by the humongous list of releases this year (the largest yet I believe) so I've made it a bit easier for you, here are my top 10 picks for this year:

Disclosure - Apollo 12"
The Lawrence brothers have sure come a long way since the introducing feature I wrote on them back in May last year. Even I didn't anticipate their runaway success; they have released a platinum debut album which spawned 4 global hit singles, received 4 Brit nominations and even a Grammy nomination. The duo will release a limited edition 12" of the critically acclaimed, previously digital-only non-album single 'Apollo'. It is one of my favourite tracks of theirs and let's face it, I have no change of getting my hands on it.

Fear Of Men - Loom Ltd LP
Brighton based dream folk trio Fear Of Men will release a deluxe edition of their highly anticipated debut album for record store day. Judging by their early singles plus 'Waterfall' and 'Luna' (both of which have featured prominently on my 'Best Of' features this year), this could be one of the year's best debuts. This is probably my most anticipated release and I will fight for it (literally). 

Julia Holter - Don't Make Me Over/Hello Stranger 7"
(Stupidly) I left Julia Holter's Loud City Song of my favourite albums of 2013 list. It is one of the best avant-guarde/experimental dream pop albums I've had the pleasure of listening to. Julia will release an exclusive 7" of her version of Dionne Warwick's 'Don't Make Me Over' with the stunning 'Hello Stranger' as a B-side. 

The Julie Ruin - Brightside/In The Picture
Bikini Kill legend Kathleen Hanna will released an exclusive 7" with her band The Julie Ruin, who released the fantastic Run Fast last year. No fancy vinyl unfortunately but we'll forgive her that.

Liars - MESS ON A MISSION
I'll be honest with you, the main reason why I want this so badly is because it is a clear, string-embedded 12" (yes, I'm that shallow). That aside, the song itself is brilliant too but alas, I haven't got a hope in hell of getting my hands on this.  

London Grammar - Hey Now (Bonobo remix) / Hey Now (Zero 7 remix) 10"
Ah, yet another delicious piece of wax which I haven't got a hope in hell of purchasing. 'Hey Now' was London Grammar's breakthrough single and rightly so, it's pretty wonderful. This 10" consists of two remixes and traditionally, remixes of their songs are pretty epic so I'm sure these'll be no exception. 

Mazzy Star - I'm Less Here
Folk veterans Mazzy Star will release an exclusive transparent blue 7" for the event. I don't know much about it but the artwork is pretty so that's a good start. 

MØ - Say You Will Be There (Spice Girls Cover) 7"
Danish pop chanteuse has kept it no secret that she is a huge fan of the Spice Girls. I personally detest them, but hey, this cover makes them (somewhat) bearable. 

Wye Oak - Shriek
Maryland duo Wye Oak will release the synth-heavy follow up to the critically their acclaimed 2011 album Civilian on orange vinyl for record store day this year. Hopefully I can get my hands on this on the day so I don't have to pay the absurd shipping fees from City Slang. I'm sure It'll be worth it though either way.

Various Artists - Non-Violent Femmes
Any compilation which features Speedy Ortiz, Joanna Gruesome, Bleeding Rainbow and Frankie Rose's Beverly is bound to be epic. Plus it's on hot pink vinyl, which kinda defeats the purpose but whatever. 

I will be jumping for joy if I manage to get any of these, may the scramble begin! 

Lyla Foy - Mirrors In The Sky Review

London singer/songwriter Lyla Foy has been slowly preparing for the release of her debut album for a couple of years now, previously performing and releasing music under the moniker WALL. After the pleasant response to her 2012 single 'Easy', it was the release of the wonderful 'Feather Tongue' which made people take notice of her, some even hailing her as 'the new Kate Bush'. Whilst I don't feel that she's quite there yet, with Mirrors In The Sky, Lyla goes to show that when it comes to fluttering indie-pop, less is definitely more.

'Easy' is the album's most prominent 'pop moment'; the pulsating drum beats and the euphoric chorus also make it Foy's most accessible track yet. 'Euphoric' is word I would use to sum up this album as a whole. The light synths, hazy guitar licks and Foy's smoky vocals are wistful and often dream-like. This doesn't always work in her favor though; neither the instrumentation nor the vocals are ever bold enough to really grab me and make this album as great as it could be. There are still some lovely songs on here despite this, such as 'Feather Tongue' with it's throbbing synth-led melody and fluttering chorus, the breathy hook of 'Only Human' and the swooning 'No Secrets'.

Lyla Foy has made an album which is true to her sound and her vision and for that I commend her. Although her production may be a little too subdued at times, there is plenty to love here. At it's most mesmerizing, Mirrors In The Sky recalls early Kate Bush. The potential is defiantly there, it's whether she is willing to scaling the Wuthering heights to fulfill it. 

7.3/10

Key Tracks: 'Easy', 'Feather Tongue', 'Only Human', 'No Secrets'

Metronomy - Love Letters Review

Starting off as a solo project for frontman Joe Mount; Metronomy has since become of the UK's premier bands, mostly down to the success of their immense 2011 sleeper hit The English Riviera. Not only was the record lauded with critical acclaim (most notably a Mercury prize nomination), but by the end of 2011 tracks from the album where pretty much everywhere, from Barclay's bank adverts ('The Look') to various television shows (The Bay). Now, with the spotlight firmly on them, have Metronomy managed to make an equally accomplished follow up?

Stylistically, The English Riviera was much very forward-thinking; the grooves and song structures were fresh and dynamic, where as Love Letters, though equally eclectic, is very much fixated with the past. This works very much to their disadvantage on the resounding dud that is 'The Most Immaculate Haircut', and with a title like that, it's hardly surprising. The production and the chorus are cheesy as hell, the overall feel is completely dated. That aside, this retro style is mostly successful, take the jaunty title track for example, the brassy instrumentation and female backing vocals which deliver the glorious hook being the highlight of the track. Fellow highlights include the sauntering lead single 'I'm Aquarius', the progressive 'Month of Sundays'  and  the funky, pulsating instrumental 'Boy Racers', the absolute standout.

My main issue with Love Letters and the band in general is Joe Mount's vocals, some find his voice emotive, but I for one just find them pitchy half the time. This problem only surfaces when he goes into falsetto, primarily on the opener 'The Upsetter', which is otherwise an excellent track. This probably explains why my favourite tracks  here either feature female vocals ('Love Letters', 'I'm Aquarius') or no vocals at all in the case of 'Boy Racers'. The latter in particular being a testament to Mount's phenomenal production. The track 'Monstrous' is one of Metronomy's most innovative yet, the medieval organ-led melody is best described as 'Dracula-funk'. Filler aside, this album is predominantly killer.

After crafting a modern classic, making a follow-up that makes the same impact was always going to a nigh-on-impossible task. Though Metronomy do have a pretty good stab at it; 'I'm Aquarius', 'Boy Racers' and 'Love Letters' are among the best tracks they've produced so far. And whilst Joe Mount isn't the most gifted vocalist, he is one hell-of-a producer and this could be his greatest masterpiece yet.

6.0/10

Key Tracks: 'I'm Aquarius', 'Love Letters', 'Monstrous', 'Boy Racers', Reservoir'

Best Of February 2014

I know I say this a lot but February 2014 has truly been a spectacular month for new music. Not only have we been teased by tantalizing future releases from the likes of Lykke Li, Sharon Van Etten and Lana Del Rey, but last week we were treated to one of the strongest single weeks for new releases in recent memory.  Now that Spring is upon us, lets look back on the month that has just passed, starting with the best albums:

Albums of the Month

1. St Vincent - St Vincent



Following the immaculate Strange Mercy with a record even better seemed like an impossible task, but fortunately Miss Clarke hasn't let us down in the slightest. St Vincent is a funky, melodic, eclectic and endlessly innovative record. Here we see Annie further expand her creative palate; from the horn-laden 'Digital Witness', the avant-garde 'I Prefer Your Love' and the charming indie-rock of 'Birth In Reverse', there is no ground left uncovered. Fundamentally, St Vincent has soul, she manages to go full on pop ('Psycopath', 'Every Tear Disappears') whilst still maintaining her credibility and most importantly, her charm.

Read my full review here.

2. Angel Olsen - Burn Your Fire For No Witness
After her slow burner of a debut album, 2012's folk gem Half Way Home, Missouri's finest Angel Olsen returns with her stunning new album. Far more eclectic than her debut; the styles here range from the skeletal ('White Fire', 'Enemy'), the erratic ('Forgiven/Forgotten') and the ethereal ('Windows'). Her ability to overcome the crippling loneliness which clouded her debut makes this album reflective and uplifting.

Read my full review here.

3. Neneh Cherry - Blank Project
With the help of cutting-edge producer Four Tet, early 90's hip-hop/pop siren Neneh Cherry returns with one of the most audacious comeback records in years. From the trip-hop recalling 'Weightless', the souring pop of 'Out of the Black' (featuring fellow Swede heavyweight Robyn) to the immaculately sharp 'Blank Project', this album is bold, masterful and effortlessly cool.

Read my full review on Earbuddy here.

 4. Wild Beasts - Present Tense
Whilst Hayden Thorpe's androgynous vocals are an acquired taste, you cannot fault that this album is bloody excellent. From the emotionally tender 'Sweet Spot' to the euphoric synth laden lead single 'Wanderlust' this album is easily the Kendal four piece's best offering to date. My early tip for this year's Mercury prize.

5. Katy B - Little Red
Whilst I feel this is an excellent record, it doesn't feel neither as innovative nor as accomplished as her debut. That being said, Little Red does feature some of the best songs Katy has ever produced ('Next Thing', '5AM', 'Everything', 'Still'). 

Read my full review here.

6. Marissa Nadler - July
Whilst Marissa Nadler's previous efforts didn't really catch me attention, July certainly made me take notice. Tracks like the stirring 'Was it a dream', 'Holiday In' and of course the stunning 'Dead City Emily are easily some of her best songs to date. Despite the lack of diversity between the tracks, I feel that Nadler has really mastered her craft here and this makes it her most satisfying release to date.

Read my full review on Earbuddy here.

7. Patten - Estoile Naiant
Patten was never going to put out a straightforward record, was he? Whilst Estoile Naiant is a difficult listen, it eventually does reep some rewards. Tracks like 'Drift', 'Agen' and the epic 'Key Embedded' are all brilliant examples of wonderfully weird off-beat IDM. 

8. Sun Kil Moon - Benji
Despite the heavy critical acclaim (most prominently the staggeringly high 9.2 score from Pitchfork) I find this album ridiculously dismal and depressing. By the sounds of it, Mark Kozelek has had a pretty rough deal; one family member burning do death from an exploding aerosol can is bad but TWO, wow...This aside, there are some sublime moments on here; 'Dogs' is a masterfully written account of pretty much every sexual encounter Kozelek has ever experienced and the horns towards the end of the closing track 'Ben's My Friend' is one of the best musical moments of 2014 so far.

EPs of the Month

1. LAW - Haters & Gangsters
There is no one making music like LAW. No one. This is probably because not many people have voices like she does. Her vocals possess a timeless quality and I'm sure any Brit School Amy Winehouse wannabe would kill for her soulful twang. Her style isn't just restricted to soul though, her production is very much abstract hip-hop-infuse electronic which lifts her gorgeous tone wonderfully. The EP is currently available on her Soundcloud page for FREE! I suggest you download it immediately. 




2. BROODS - BROODS
This was never gonna be anything less than excellent. Hot on the heels of their singles 'Bridges' and 'Never Gonna Change', Auckland's BROODS released their lovely debut EP this month, which features some of the best electro-pop of the year so far. With Lorde and Dan Smith already tipping them for big things, I'm sure 2014 will be their's for the taking.




3. Yumi Zouma - Yumi Zouma
The Kiwi's have really been knocking it out of the park lately, haven't they? New Zealand youngster Yumi Zouma released her debut EP on Cascine records to critical acclaim. This is no surprise really, her ethereal vocals and dreamy production make this a captivating and entrancing listen. 





Songs of the Month

1. St Vincent - Psycopath/ I Prefer Your Love/ Huey Newton

Let's face it, Annie Clarke wins life. February might as well be renamed 'Annie Clark Month'. The best songs I heard this month were all on her latest album and these three were the standouts. They all embody why St Vincent is awesome; she is badass ('Huey Newton'), she is an excellent vocalist ('I Prefer Your Love') and boy, she can write a mean hook ('Psycopath'). Prepare to fall in love with the wonder that is St Vincent: 

2. Neneh Cherry - Weightless

I've already explained why Neneh Cherry is great. But this song sums it up pretty well; the muddled riff, the nonchalant vocal delivery, the trip-hop beats in the chorus and that cowbell. On her phenomenal comeback record Blank Project, he truly proves that age is just a number, mostly because she blows all her competition out of the water, with such confidence and prowess; she isn't only Weightless, she is untouchable. 

3. Hockeysmith - But Blood

If you've been keeping up with earlier posts, you'd know that Cornish sisterly duo Hockeysmith were one of my tips for 2014. Good call right? Their latest track 'But Blood' from their debut  EP of the same title is an absolute corker. With it's prowling bassline it's their heaviest track to date (not difficult bearing in mind they only have four so far). Their ethereal vocals juxtapose the blazing riffs wonderfully. Seriously, if these guys weren't on your radar before then this is surely enough to make you sit up and pay attention.
  

4. Jungle - Busy Earnin'

Another band who I reckon are truly gonna take over pretty soon are Jungle. The London duo kept refreshingly coy despite the immense hype around them at the moment. This track further cements my belief that their debut album will be a classic. Believe the hype.



5. Indiana - Solo Dancing
Nottingham's Indiana was being tipped for 'Big Things' since early last year and has been slipping out some pretty good tunes (and a baby) in the meantime. 'Solo Dancing' for me is her big 'Popstar moment. It's big, flashy and very audacious, startlingly so. However, this is also one of the classiest electropop efforts since CHVRCHES came on the scene with 'Lies' back in 2012. This probably won't scale the charts, but who cares? It's too good for that anyway. 



6. Brody Dalle - Meet The Foetus/Oh The Joy
Ex-frontwoman of the Distillers and mother of Josh Homme's children; Brody Dalle is back with the lead single from her debut solo album Diploid Love. The song begins a fairly straightforward rock song before exploding around the three minute mark into a massive melodic chant (featuring vocals from Garbage's Shirley Mason) and dirty-as-fuck guitar riffs. Yep, Brody's back. 




7. Fear of Men - Atla/Waterfall
Brighton bliss-poppers Fear On Men have been putting out rich and elegant folk-tinged dream pop for a while now and I've always wondered why less interesting acts like Daughter and Arthur Beatrice have been hogging the spotlight. But if this is anything to go by, their debut album Loom will ensure that everyone finally takes notice of their craft. 



8. EMA - So Blonde
Past Life Martyred Saints pretty much soundtracked my existence for a while so I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when EMA announced the release of her second album The Future's Void. 'So Blonde' is a grungy guitar-laced tribute to LA slackers and valley girls who are 'SO BLONDE!' Despite being her most commercial track, it is no less genius than the more experimental 'Milkman' or 'Satellites'. The giff-tastic video is well worth your time too.




9. The Horrors - I See You
I'll be honest, I was never really a fan of The Horrors prior to this but they've really outdone themselves here. 'I See You' is a psychedelic, mid-tempo epic which, at 7 minutes 30 seconds, never outstays it's welcome. 



10. Honeyblood - Choker
Here's yet another delicious taste of Honeyblood's debut album (out May 19 on Fat Cat records), Choker is yet another hazy, sugar-coated grunge-pop delight with the added bite of slightly violent lyrics which add a pinch of spice. I'll stop the food puns now. 




11. Cousin Marnie - Cain
Another I Plug To You tip for 2014, Cousin Marnie's latest track 'Cain' is a dark, nocturnal electronic masterpiece. It starts off as a creepy, skeletal piano ballad before growing into a post-dub beast which recalls FKA Twigs' 'Papi Pacify'. Whilst the biblical reference to Cain and Able adds further intensity. Expect her to blow up at some point this year (much like the chorus on this track).



12. Real Estate - Primitive
The standout moment on their wonderful album Atlas. The ascending chord sequence on this track explains why they are one of the most skillful indie bands around.



13. Wild Beasts - Sweet Spot
One of my favourite tracks from their excellent LP Present Tense; 'Sweet Spot' is a swooning, synth-laden ballad. The subtle beats and gentle guitar licks complement Hayden Thorpe's quivering falsetto beautifully.  




14. Frankie cosmos - Birthday Song
Indie-pop chanteuse Frankie Cosmos' recent album Zentropy is one of the most satisfying power-pop records I've heard in a while. Here she manages to fit a hell-of-a-lot of angst, misery and fun into 69 seconds of excellence. It's short. It's sweet. It's essentially the musical equivalent of a hi-five.




15. Tweens - Forever
Following the excellent 'Be Mean', here's yet another batty thrash pop gem from Cincinnati punks Tweens. I seriously recommend you to check out their self-titled debut (due next month) it's irresistibly fun and full to the brim of excellent punk-pop hooks.  




16. Then Thickens - Tiny Legs
Male/female vocals are brilliant in an indie band format. Fact. So if you're into that sort of thing, here's the latest track from Then Thickens, taken from their wordy debut album Death Cap at Anglezarke. Nice.




17. Florrie - Sea Shells
I've said this before, but when pop is done well, it can be one of the most magical and glorious genres around. If you don't believe me, here's the latest track from Florrie. She's been experimenting with different styles and formats for the past three years and is finally back with a new EP Sirens. 'Sea Shells' is easily her most experimental track yet; it's Bollywood recalling meshed sample backdrop and Spanish guitar-led bridge prove why she's at the cutting edge if pop music in 2014.



18. Betty Who - Heartbreak Dream
Speaking of excellent pop, here's a new track from Betty Who. I rest my case.



19. Wye Oak - The Tower
Changing your sound is always a tricky business. Veering away form the crisp folk which dominated their last LP Civilian and into more synth-heavy territory, Wye Oak return sounding better than ever. 



20. Cate Le Bon - He's Leaving
Hot off the heels of her incredible LP Mug Museum, Wale's finest Cate Le Bon treats us with a lovely new/old track from the recording sessions of said album. It's pretty much business as usual and I don't think it would've really made the album any better (not like it needed to be improved) but it's lovely all the same. 



Beat that March! 

Albums To Look Forward to - March

Whilst January (as usual) wasn’t up to much, February was a cracker of a month for new music; albums from the likes of St Vincent, Wild Beasts, Angel Olsen and Neneh Cherry all putting out album of the year material. It is now March and, judging by the records in this list, this will be another excellent month:

Real Estate - Atlas (Released March 3)

Following their breakthrough album Days, New Jersey indie-poppers Real Estate will release their new album Atlas early this month. Early reviews have both praised and criticized the album, saying that their sound hasn’t changed since their last album. As far as I’m concerned, if you’ve already mastered your sound (which real estate have), there is no need to change. The excellent Talking Backwards and Crime prove this. Expect an album packed full of melodic, sun-drenched, stoner-pop perfection. 

Linda Perhacs - The Soul Of All Natural Things (Released March 3)

Forget Bowie! This is what I call a comeback. Veteran folk singer-come-dental hygienist will release her first album in 44 years(!) this month. Despite her debut album Parallelograms being widely ignored upon it’s release back in 1970, it has become a cult hit over the years and has been named as an influence to artists such as Sky Ferreira and Julia Holter (the latter featuring on a couple of tracks on TSOANT). Now with fresh hype and a crowd of new fans, will this will finally Perhac’s time to shine? I hope so, this album is timeless psychedelic folk at it’s best.

Frankie Cosmos - Zentropy (Released March 3)

Quirky pop chanteuse Frankie Cosmos only came to my attention a couple of weeks ago when her track ‘Birthday Song’ was awarded ‘Best New Track’ by Pitchfork and I’ve been hooked ever since. Much like the song itself, Frankie’s debut album proper Zentropy is short, sweet, punchy and full of excellent hooks and witty lyricism.

Metronomy - Love Letters (Released March 10)

Joe Mount and co are set to follow up their critically acclaimed 2011 album The English Riviera with the highly anticipated Love Letters later this month. any are saying this is their best album to date, judging by the two tracks which have already surfaced from this record (‘I’m Aquarius’ and ‘Love Letters’), they may well be right.

MØ - No Mythologies To Follow (Released March 10)

Whilst MØ certainly isn’t the only female artist making hip-hop tinged electronic music in 2014, she is in a league of her own. What sets her apart is her inability to be defined by one genre; her sound ranges from horn-laden hip-hop beats (‘Pilgrim’) to full on balladry (‘Never Wanna Know’). Whether or not this is a massive commercial success, MØ is undoubtedly a much needed breath of fresh air to the currently dull pop landscape.

Perfect Pussy - Say Yes To Love (Released March 17)




DC punks Perfect Pussy *sniggers* are following up their angsty EP I Have Lost All Desire For Feeling with their debut album Say Yes To Love later this month. Lead single 'Driver' is a loud, punchy, fun and aggressive slice of punk. Their most recent cut ‘Interference Fits’ shows a different side them, instrumentally it’s a lot more modest than previous material, although the mastering of Meredith Graves’ vocals is still rough as hell. This should be very interesting indeed...

Mac DeMarco - Salad Days (Released March 31)

Goofball singer/songwriter extraordinaire Mac Demarco will release the follow up to his excellent second album, the aptly titled 2 with Salad Days later this month. After dropping the glorious lead single ‘Passing Out Pieces’, I was pleasantly surprised with his new, jazzier direction which came complete with a floating organ line which indicates that Salad Days could join Atlas as the soundtrack to my summer. I also recommend watching the insane video for fellow album cut ’Let My Baby Stay’.