them:youth "Bows and Arrows"

Myspace // "Halo" [Audio]

Splitting the difference between bands like Delphic and Doves, London-based them:youth may be young, but they are already creating quite a buzz throughout the capital. John Kennedy and Zane Lowe are already on board, and the band's first single dropped on the uber-hip Another Music=Another Kitchen. The good times for them are only going to get better.

The Rakes New Album Gets a US Release

Myspace // "1989" [Audio]

They emerged at the top of their scene five years ago, and while many of the new wave-redux bands have fallen by the wayside, it seems as though The Rakes have held on with consistently solid material. Their third album, Klang, has been available since March in the UK, but it will get a digital release on 20 October in the US. This will be coupled with a short tour hitting several markets across North America.

OCT 31 - LOS ANGELES, CA - THE ROXY
NOV 1 - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SLIMS
NOV 3 - SALT LAKE CITY, UT - THE URBAN LOUNGE
NOV 4 - DENVER, CO - THE BLUEBIRD
NOV 6 - MINNEAPOLIS, MN - TRIPLE ROCK
NOV 7 - CHICAGO, IL - DOUBLE DOOR
NOV 9 - TORONTO, ON - MOD CLUB
NOV 10 - MONTREAL, QC - PETIT CAMPUS
NOV 11 - BOSTON, MA - GREAT SCOTT
NOV 12 - NEW YORK, NY - HIGHLINE BALLROOM

Chew Lips Get Remixed

Myspace // "Salt Air" (Plastician remix)[Audio]

Last month, London-based electronic popsters Chew Lips released their second single on Kitsune, "Salt Air." It's yet another promising statement from the group who have quickly become one of the in demand outfits in England. Posted below is a remix from Plastician, which is unavailable on this single.

Stricken City

[Photo Credit: Sam Seager]

Myspace // "Don't Spit at Her Face" [Audio]

Whether it's pop or indie, I can't really say, but there is really something effortlessly classic about the tunes that London-based Stricken City create. Their quirkiness rarely, if ever, becomes too obnoxious for their own good, and it allows them to fit in nicely next to bands like Amazing Baby and Land of Talk.

The band are set to release an 8 song EP through Pure Groove on 12 October, a gatefold CD/DVD package in very limited physical quantities. Pre-order your copy now and get a high-quality digital download on 14th September. A U.S. vinyl release will follow on 3rd November through The Kora Records.

Spindle + Wit

[Photo Credit: Luke Thornton]

Myspace // "New Skin of Mine" [Audio]

We know that London outfit Spindle + Wit are active and gigging, but why does their Myspace page go untouched? Do they not want people finding out about them? Maybe they want to remain a secret, but really, that would be just a shame. It appears that the real action is taking place over at their blog, where you can read about recent mentions in The Fly or a brushes with fame with Pixie Geldof.

The band is another folk-pop group to keep an eye on, one that spreads a bit of sunshine on the sound mastered by Mumford and Sons, amongst others. Their video for "Bring Out the Sun" (no word on completion date) will feature Noel Fielding reprising his moon character from The Mighty Boosh.

Lightspeed Champion: New Song

Myspace // "Heavy Purple" [Audio]

Feeling a bit wistful, I decided to browse some of the old Lightspeed Champion videos on Youtube, at least the proper ones, as each one of has something special about it that makes me feel all warm inside. "Tell Me What It's Worth" reminds me of walking around London, and the pure joy that it gives me, while "Midnight Surprise" is one my favorite songs. The concept of the video could easily fall flat on its face, but the finished product works brilliantly.

"Tell Me What It's Worth"


"Midnight Surprise"


Mr. Hynes has moved from London to Brooklyn and is working on his second album. "Heavy Purple" is a teaser of what's to come, and while it may exhibit a bit too much of Prince, it's still a killer song. According to him, it "sounds nothing at all like the album, just a bit of fun..."

Is Tropical

Myspace // "I'll Take My Chances" [Audio]

London trio takes the sound that Metronomy mastered and runs with it in new and strange directions. Over the course of one song the band comes off as both creepy and precious, which is perfectly fine for a night out at the club. This is electronica that is more concerned about hooks and melody than your local popster, but the band isn't afraid to throw you for a loop either -- they don't want you getting too comfortable.

While their tunes on Myspace are merely just a start, it seems to be a pretty damn good one to me.

Babe Shadow

Myspace // "Heart" [Audio]

When a band provides no information about who they are, what they do, and how their sound came about, then what am I supposed to write? Where do I fill in the blanks for the reader?

London's Babe Shadow is this sort of beast, a band that leaves just the tunes and nothing more. While the music may not fit the hustle and bustle of the city, they are not necessarily out of place either, especially with the advent of such new folk stars like Johnny Flynn, Mumford and Sons, and Noah & the Whale. While this may be a lazy comparison to make, it's a fine place to start, although the band will likely show us that they don't quite fit in anywhere.

Bombay Bicycle Club "Dust on the Ground"

Myspace

I love the new Bombay Bicycle Club because not all of it is what I'd expect of them. Take this latest single for example, as it is truly a shining example of the amazing voice Jack Steadman has, and despite the fact that he resembles Max Fischer, he has the confidence and ability to continue leading this band in the right direction. While it may be easy to compare the band to Interpol (and by extension, Steadman to Paul Banks), this is yet another reason why journalists are lazy. While their tone may be similar, Steadman and Banks are barking up two totally different trees, as the former has the heart and voice of a poet.

Alan Pownall

Myspace // "Love Lockdown" (Kanye West cover) [Audio] // "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)" [Video]

Jumping feet first into the burgeoning and crowded new English folk scene, Londoner Alan Pownall has already made a name for himself via his unique takes on pop hits from Kanye West and Beyonce, but come 22 June, listeners will be able to look past what some may call gimmicky moves when Young and Lost Club releases his debut single.

You can hear "Clara" now on his Myspace, an engaging tune that is flush with an enigmatic quality that brings to mind Johnny Flynn. Pownall is currently at work on his debut album, which has a tentative release date of early 2010, and as well, he'll be playing select dates this summer.

22 June @ Ronnie Scott's / London (single launch)
18 July @ Latitude Festival sunrise arena
19 July @ Love Box Victoria Park
24 July @ Secret Garden Party
16 Aug. @ Bloom Festival / Bristol

(Additionally, I have added a number of new sites to the blogroll -- they're sites I've been reading for quite some time, but I haven't had the chance to give them their due yet)

Jamie T "Sticks N Stones"

Myspace

What an absolutely brilliant tune! This could be the track of the summer. It's quite the triumphant return for Mr. Treays, the first single off of his Sticks N Stones EP that is out on 29 June. A UK tour started yesterday in Leeds and concludes in London on 24 June before appearances at Glastonbury, T in the Park, Reading, and Leeds.

Chew Lips "Solo"

Myspace // "Solo" [Audio]

I didn't know what to make of Chew Lips at first -- they seemed to be more style than substance, so I wanted to go running the other way. Luckily I gave the band a chance, as "Solo" is shaping up to be one of the best single of the year. It's minimal dance pop with just enough backbone to keep you involved for the entire song, and lead singer Tigs is smart enough to never take it over the top. Their debut single is out now on Kitsune.

Perfect People

[Photo Credit: Neil Horne]

Myspace // "Took a Ride" [Audio]

Things have been rather hectic of late, which is something I feel like I've been saying a lot. I spent a week in England going to gigs and attended the Great Escape. Last year I saw the Clik Clik, and this year the band that rose from their ashes played, Perfect People. Now, I am not going to bore you with stories about how hardcore I am and how I stayed up to all hours of the night because basically all of that will be a lie. I had a chance to see Perfect People, but their 12.30 am set time not only conflicted with the end of Pulled Apart By Horses's set, but also my bed time. Next time, yeah?

Perfect People blazes similar sonic trails as the Clik Clik, but with more Ben Folds-inspired pop and less electronics. It's excellent stuff though and a great start for these music vets that are still quite young.

The Joy Formidable "Whirring"

Myspace

This London by way of Wales outfit's next single, "Whirring," will be out on 25 May in the UK. You can pre-order the single and get extra stuff including a chance to win free entry to every The Joy Formidable headlining concert for the rest of your life. Find out more info here. Their mini LP A Balloon Called Moaning is available now via CD.

New Black Light Machine

Myspace // "Light Burns Black" [Audio]

London group New Black Light Machine has done their studying, falling in line nicely with contemporaries like These New Puritans. They're just as good, but not as pretentious -- always a good thing. Young bands tend to show their influences a bit too much, and this outfit is no different, but the best thing about them is that they look forward as much as they do to those that laid the groundwork for them. With one promising demo collection under their belts, the band should continue marrying the early sounds of Idlewild with dark romanticism for years to come.

Golden Age

[Photo Credit: Marc Hibbert]

Myspace // "Machine Music" [Audio]

I returned from SXSW today after a night of no sleep and although I spent some time napping today, I am still exhausted and have no time to put together my "best of" list.

Until then, we have London group Golden Age to check out, a band that strikes all of the right post punk chords with driving guitars and deep, memorable vocals. The one thing they do fail at though is providing any bio information, instead letting the music speak for itself. Not a bad move, but it would be nice to write a bit more about these guys.

Favours For Sailors

[Photo Credit: Lucy Johnston]

Myspace // "I Dreamt That You Dreamt That I Loved You In My Dreams" [Audio]

Favours For Sailors may hail from London, but it's obvious that they were raised on American indie rock. Their tunes recall the likes of Pavement or Weezer, but with a penchant for big pop moments. It's music that's made for playing at top volume on the motorways at the height of summer. The band's debut EP, Furious Sons, was just released last week on Tough Love Records. Keep an eye out for the band on XFM later this month, as well as several dates with Dananananaykroyd.

The Lea Shores

Myspace // "Fear SOS" [Audio] // "Guillotine" [Video]

Not too sure about this, but we might be the throes of a psychedelia revolution right now as there are a glut of great bands on both sides of the Atlantic producing some pretty mind-blowing music, including the Brothers Movement, the Black Angels, Sweet Jane, and Darker My Love. Add the Lea Shores to this list, a band that I neglected to check out until Friday.

The band has been hailed by the likes of the NME and Andy Bell (of Oasis/Ride), while they have supported the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Kasabian, and the Dandy Warhols. The band's debut EP, Butterfly, is out now.

Jamie T "Fire Fire"

Myspace // "Fire Fire" [Audio]

Jamie T will be back with his follow-up to Panic Prevention later this year. More details will follow, but the first track from the disc, "Fire Fire," is now up for free download on his Myspace page. Many of you will be taken by surprise with this track, but give it time. Like most of his music, it doesn't hit you at first, but a few listens later, you'll be hooked.

The Joy Formidable "Cradle"

Myspace // "Cradle" [Audio]

Hailing from North Wales, The Joy Formidable now reside in London and have been gaining quite a buzz lately, with The Guardian citing them as "one to watch" and NME describing their music as "Epic, melodic, hand-shandy pop from a band who understand the true joys of life."

The band's second single, "Cradle," will be released next month in the UK, while an 8 track mini album, A Balloon Called Moaning, is slated to be released in Japan shortly as well. Pre-order here from Pure Groove. It is limited to 500 special edition copies with a screen-printed cover.

Tracklist:
01 The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade
02 Cradle
03 Austere
04 While The flies
05 Whirring
06 9669
07 The Last Drop
08 Ostrich