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Track of the day!

DARLIA - STARS ARE ALIGNED

After a busy summer of festivals, Darlia have returned with arguably their best track to date. Lead singer Nathan Day has made clear that he worked hard to get this track in particular released, and it is obvious why. Riff-heavy, thrashing rock’n’roll and Day’s unmistakeable growling vocals combine to deliver an explosive tune.

And let's not forget the witty lyrical stabs at Birmingham's Peace and Swim Deep (e.g. "I'm swimming deep again") - Nathan Day has made clear his dislike of especially the latter band, by once stating that if he could join any band it would be "Swim Deep so that I could quit" (see http://www.rawmeatmusic.com/features/interview-darlia/).

 Having already achieved acclaim from the likes of Zane Lowe and the NME, and with an album due for release early next year, 2015 is looking huge for the Blackpool trio.

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Track of the day! Wolf Alice – Heavenly Creatures Wolf Alice have delivered a delicately stunning track which showcases Ellie Rowsell’s superb vocal ability. “It’s time to die, time to kill” sings Ellie, her lyrics juxtaposing her elegant, soft vocals. “Was it never enough that we should simply want to be together?” asks Ellie longingly in the chorus. The ‘Creature Songs’ EP is released on the 26th May, including on 500 limited 10” vinyls – see wolfalice.co.uk for details.

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Darlia – Team (Lorde Cover)

                It’s a sign of a good band when they can make a song sound their own. This is exactly what Darlia have done to Lorde’s ‘Team’. Performed as part of BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, Nathan Day’s unmistakeable growling vocals open the song; and after singing the lyric “send the call out” several times, he bursts into a roar. The Blackpool rockers maintain a crashing high-paced tempo which twists the pop song into dark, grunge-like track, with the electrifying guitar riffs we all know so well now. 

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Biffy Clyro - "The Vertigo Of Bliss" (2003) - 2012 remaster on double orange marbled vinyl

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Track of the day! Circa Waves – Stuck In My Teeth Circa Waves are an indie-pop quartet from Liverpool. A lot of hype has been surrounding the band recently, and “Stuck In My Teeth” – an infectiously catchy track guaranteed to make its way onto plenty of playlists this summer – shows why. The band will be playing at several festivals this year, including the infamous Reading & Leeds, so make sure you check them out!

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Track of the day! Darlia – Blood Money I keep going on about Darlia, but for good reason: they are truly brilliant. I cannot recall the last time I found a new band with such raw, explosive and dynamic talent. ‘Blood Money’ is the third and final single to be taken from the ‘Candyman EP’ due out later this month. Check it out.

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Track of the day!

Peace - World Pleasure

'World Pleasure' is our first taste of Peace's new material being produced for their 2nd album. Thankfully, Peace have tried something a little different. With the introduction of strings, and a funky bassline reminiscent of a 90's disco, 'World Pleasure' is sweet on the ears. Harrison Koisser's somewhat pretentiously self-assured lyrics - "I'm too good looking" - are delivered with a swagger that turns the song into an irresistible finger-clickin' groove. The song is completely different to the rest of their previous work, which can only be a good sign, showing the band are moving forward and experimenting with new sounds. After all, despite the brilliance of 'In Love', Peace could of easily just made a similar record for album two. 'World Pleasure' suggests otherwise.

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Track of the day!

Darlia - Animal Kingdom (2014)

The Blackpool trio have done it again. ‘Animal Kingdom’ delivers a slightly sweeter tone to that of lead single, ‘Candyman’, ironically. “Tiger in my arms should I be alarmed should I freeze?” growls Nathan Day’s Kurt Cobain-esque vocals on the opening line. Another example of Darlia creating more brilliant lyrical imagery. If we learn one thing from this EP, released on 31st March - it is that the album is going to be huge when it drops sometime around September. The 7” vinyl is available for pre-order now. www.darlia.co.uk

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Track of the day!

Wolf Alice - Blush

This band are sure to be big at the festivals this summer. This track has a delicate start, with Ellie Rowsell showing off the best of her vocal abilities. At the halfway point, “Blush” kicks off into a powerful ballad-like track, ending where it started off.

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Check out Darlia's new video for their latest single due out March 31st, "Candyman". This song featured as my 'Track of the day' a few days ago. This a well paced video, despite being a little gory!

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TRACK OF THE DAY!

Purity Ring – Fineshrine

Purity Ring are an electronic witch-house duo from Canada. “Fineshrine” is a deep, dark, hiccupping track. Megan James’ somewhat twisted imagery provoked through evocative vocals are displayed throughout – “Cut open my sternum, and pull, my little ribs around you.” This track is taken from Purity Ring’s debut album “Shrines”, which was released in 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqw4wo8vdY8&feature=kp

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TRACK OF THE DAY!

DAMON ALBARN – LONELY PRESS PLAY

“Lonely Press Play” is the latest taster of Damon Albarn’s new solo LP, “Everyday Robots”, due out in April. This track has a haunting intro, followed by the delicate backing of piano, building up to Mr Albarn’s melancholy, gravelly vocals. The track comes to an abrupt end, but as with most of Albarn’s music, it is slightly quirky. If you enjoyed Gorillaz's 2010 album Plastic Beach, or any of Blur’s slower tracks, this is definitely for you. Oh, and did I mention Damon filmed the entire video on his tablet?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9MMJgFKv24

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TRACK OF THE DAY!

DRENGE – FUCKABOUT

Drenge. The marmite of modern music - you either love them or you hate them. I admit it took me a while to grow fond of the two brothers, but after seeing them support Peace last year, I was an instantly converted to a fan. Their self-titled debut album is incredible – it’s loud, innovative and fantastically unique. “Fuckabout” sums up the album well; Eoin Loveless’ sighing vocals sing over an almost half-arsed  jam – this is the closest Drenge are going to get to a love song. But this is what makes the song brilliant, and arguably the best on the album. Both the single and album are out now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZ7EFJaO_8

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TRACK OF THE DAY!

THE FAMILY RAIN – VULPICIDE

The Family Rain are three brothers from Bath, whose debut album, “Under The Volcano”, landed last month, and I have to say it is the most exciting album to be released in 2014 so far! ‘Vulpicide’ can be found on the Spotify edition of the album. ‘Vulpicide’ is a powerful track with an explosive riff and dark vocals sung by William Walter. The video was made by the band themselves, check it out!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9JODSARWjU

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Treated myself to Biffy Clyro’s ‘Joy.Discovery.Invention’ single. This is a rare CD single from 2002, released back in the days of Blackened Sky. This is my oldest piece of Biffy Clyro memorabilia.

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TRACK OF THE DAY!

JAWS – GOLD

                Jaws have been around for a while now, and have just announced their biggest tour to date across the UK (I will definitely be seeing them when they visit The Unit, Southampton!). ‘Gold’ is the B-town band’s best track, and it could easily be the soundtrack to your summer this year. Like a mixture of Peace and Swim Deep, catchy riffs and a heavy-hitting chorus mean this track should certainly be on your playlist. ‘Gold’ is available for download right now. Tour dates can be found at jawsjawsjaws.co.uk.