Supersweet

19 January 2009

Franz Ferdinand

Ulysses

Label: Domino

'Ulysses', the new single from their forthcoming third album Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, sees the band's austerity towards creation adapt further with the times. A slow-burning articulated introduction, Alex Kapranos' auspicious vocal deliverance of "I found a new wave" amongst swirls and snaps of electronica will leave opinions polarized as to their change in direction; however, praise must be given for their willingness to further their already alluring sound with the glimmer of a disco ball's radiance. The resulting camp pop is tantamount to their originality, testament to their durability and ability to diversify. - Thomas Ward

26 January 2008

Mike Bones

What I Have Left

Label: Vice Records

With Halloween a long way off, Mike Bones (aka Mike Strallow) isn't half as scary as he sounds. Taken from the forthcoming album (A Fool For Everyone), this first single is in fact indie with a capital I. Filled with rhythmic guitar parts, chiming piano and swooping strings, 'What I Have Left' is a track that builds gradually, driven along by both rhythm and hook. Lyrically Mike's relationship takes the opposite trajectory, worsening as the track steadily progresses. Filled with both honesty and despair, file away under: upbeat track, downbeat lyrics. - Matt Coxon

Sky Larkin

Beeline

Label: Wichita

Immediately catchy and musically brilliant, there is no better way to introduce the newest single from Sky Larkin. The Leeds-based trio have managed to create something that many sub-standard Indie acts attempt through out their short life span. They have crafted a perfect pop song that will grab you immediately by the blazer lapels and shake you around the room. With their debut album, Golden Spike, out in February and plenty of support from the likes of Huw Stephens, they should creep quietly in to your record collection before taking over your stereo with their infectious fuzz. - Chris Ebbs

Pulled Apart By Horses

I Punched a Lion in the Throat/The Crapsons

Label: Too Pure

Current darlings of the Leeds scene, Pulled Apart By Horses have released a single which dragged this writer back to somewhere in the midst of his teenage years when guitars had to emit a certain tone and vocals had to be sufficiently anguished. 'I Punched A Lion In The Throat' is, for want of a better metaphor, a balls out, semi-cerebral post-grunge opus, laying somewhere between At The Drive-In, Rage Against The Machine and Fugazi with a nod to Sonic Youth in the guitar solo. Angry, loud, screamy and actually really rather good. - Steve Gislam

Sargeant Buzfuz

God to Holloway

Label: Blang

The moment you hear 'God To Holloway', the nerves at the base of your brain tingle and your brow furrows in an attempt to work out exactly who it sounds like. There are bits of psychedelic infused pop all over the place, throwing up names as chronologically separate as The Incredible String Band and The Coral. The vocals sound like a hundred Peter Gabriels stuck in a small room, and the general sentiment is like something you could picture yourself wigging out to at Glastonbury '72. Although unambitious, 'God To Holloway' is both intriguing and relentlessly catchy and ultimately comes from a good place. - Steve Gislam

of Montreal

An Eluardian Instance

Label: Polyvinyl Records

Arriving with the tongue-tying single 'An Eluardian Instance', of Montreal returns with limitless vigor releasing this recent track off album Skeletal Lamping through Polyvinyl Records. Questionably supporting Franz Ferdinand, of Montreal maintains their playful diversity in the welcoming brass opening to launch the synth-like vocals of Kevin Barnes. Barnes carries you through a childish adventure with the soothing ahhs and reminiscent lyrics "I remember riding bikes". But despite smooth tones and cheery vocals Barnes leaves us with mature lamenting hooks "To predict the points of thou-shalt-not-return," preserving the band's evolving singularity.  - Gemma Dempster