LISTEN: Everything Everything - 'Get To Heaven'

https://www.facebook.com/EverythingEverythinguk

A couple of weeks since its release, I'd hope that anyone and everyone would have bought and listened to the latest offering from Everything Everything already. In case you haven't I thought I'd write a little post encouraging you to. This year's Glastonbury coverage reminded me of where I first listened to the band, trawling the online streams of the festival in 2013, where I was impressed by the band's set. I shortly bought their second record Arc which became one of my favourite albums for a while, followed by their debut Man Alive. 

The latest record, Get To Heaven, features the singles Distant Past and Regret, and is an absolute triumph. Barely off of my turntable for the week following its release, the record was worth the wait, and captured the energy and talent of the band, held together by the unique lyrics of the band's main songwriter and frontman, Jonathan. Back in April I saw the band play a relatively small comeback London show at Oval Space, where they premiered many of the new tracks (as well as playing the hits such as My Kz Ur Bf, Photoshop Handsome and Kemosabe.) Live, the tracks sounded fresh and exciting and gave me really high hopes for the record, which have most certainly been realised. Highlights of the record for me include the title track, and the almost chant-like Spring/Sun/Winter/Dread, as well as No Reptiles for its quirky lyrics, but there isn't a single track on the record that I'm not enjoying. 

To summarise the record is definitely, in my eyes (and from what I saw of its reception on Twitter, those of many others) worthy of a nomination for the Mercury Prize, and one of my favourite's of the year.

GIG NEWS: Fred Abbott (31st July 2015)

With the impending release of his solo record, Serious Poke, through Lojinx, Noah & The Whale guitarist Fred Abbott has just announced an album launch show at The Borderline in London on 31st July. The show will be the first outing of the new record, with Fred and an 'all star band' playing tracks from the record. I've heard the record and will be writing a review of it in the next few days, it's a brilliant record featuring a superb bunch of musicians, I'd highly recommend getting along to the show if possible!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/fredabbottmusic, photo by David Secombe.

You can find the Facebook event for the show here, and buy tickets through Ticketweb here.

WATCH: Charlie Fink - 'My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm'

Premiering yesterday, watch the fun new video for the first solo single from Noah & The Whale frontman Charlie Fink, My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm'. After a few more listens I'm loving the track and finding it difficult to shake its catchy lyrics, and I can't wait to hear more of Charlie's solo work. 

WATCH: Dawes - 'All Your Favourite Bands'

Released a few weeks ago, the latest Dawes records is probably my favourite of theirs yet. One of the highlights for me is its title track, All Your Favourite Bands, which highlights not only the band's great skill musically but the fact that frontman Taylor Goldsmith is one of the best songwriters out there at the minute. I love this wonderful session performance of the track live at WFUV Radio.

In other news, Dawes recently added some dates to their European tour, including a date at London's Oslo Hackney, which you can buy tickets for here. After seeing the band support Mumford & Sons at an arena show I can't wait to see them again in this intimate venue!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/Dawestheband

WATCH: Fred Abbott - 'Adrenaline Shot'

Previewed a couple of days ago, here is the video for Adrenaline Shot, the upcoming single from Noah & The Whale guitarist Fred Abbott, taken from his solo record Serious Poke. The performance video features Fred's Noah bandmates, Urby and Michael, as well as singer songwriter Tom Figgins, and was filmed on the roof of Wax Studios in Dalston. 

Serious Poke is set to be released through Lojinx on 20th July, its trackless is as follows -

Adrenaline Shot
Funny How Good It Feels
Awake
Honey
Hollywood
One Hot Night
Learn About Love
Don't Look Like Him
Still Told A Lie
Lucky People

You can preorder the record here.

WATCH: Jack Savoretti - 'Written In Scars'

Following from the announcement yesterday of an October UK tour, check out the new video for the title track of the latest record from Jack Savoretti, Written In Scars. A different, slightly more upbeat version of the track than that on the record, the energetic, choreographed video reflects this. Worth a watch and a listen - I'd also recommend catching Jack on his tour if he's playing near you, a brilliant performer playing with a great band too.

Check out my post about Jack's upcoming UK tour to see dates and more info here.

LISTEN: Charlie Fink - 'My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm'

Following my recent flurry of post-Noah & The Whale related posts, with solo projects from guitarist Fred Abbott and bassist Matt Owens, today comes news of the first solo offering from the band's frontman, Charlie Fink. The track, entitled My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm features Charlie's brother Doug Fink on drums. With his vocals and lyrics such a prominent feature of Noah's music, the track is naturally going to remind listeners of the band's work, but the sound showcases an extension or slight departure, whilst keeping the catchy charm of the band's music. The new track is certainly fun, though lyrically the opposite, and leaves positive promise of Fink's further solo work.

In other news, Fink is also composing the score for an Old Vic production of Dr Seuss's The Lorax, with more information about the production, and tickets, here.

You can download My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm and keep updated on upcoming music on Charlie's site here.

GIG NEWS: Half Moon Run at Oslo Hackney (21st September 2015)

Source: https://www.facebook.com/CommunionMusic

The past couple of days have been awash with brilliant news relating to some of my favourite artists and this evening is no exception. Canadian band Half Moon Run, have a new album coming later this year, the follow up to the stunning first record Dark Eyes. I've been wanting to see them live since first hearing them, and now (providing I get a ticket successfully) I'll be able to, as they've just announced an intimate show at Oslo Hackney on 21st September. If you need persuading that they're any good, check out this video of them performing track Call Me In The Afternoon in a session for BBC Radio 1.

TOUR NEWS: Jack Savoretti (October 2015)

Source: Jack Savoretti mailout.

The incredibly talented and charming singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti has this morning announced a UK tour for October of this year, taking in cities up and down the country and a huge show at London's Roundhouse on the 15th. The tour follows the release of Jack's fourth album, Written In Scars, earlier this year - one of my favourite records of the year and definitely worth a listen if you haven't already heard it. I'll be happy to finally see a gig of Jack's, though I was lucky earlier in the year to see Jack perform an instore at HMV Oxford Street, read my post about it here.

You can buy presale tickets for the tour here.

ALBUM NEWS: Spector - 'Moth Boys'

Source: https://www.facebook.com/spector

Following some teaser videos, indie-rockers Spector yesterday announced details of the follow up to their beautiful 2012 record, Enjoy It While It Lasts. The new record, entitled Moth Boys, is to be released through Fiction on 21st August 2015. Featuring a mix of previously released and unheard tracks, the track listing is as follows: 

All The Sad Young Men

Stay High

Believe

Don't Make Me Try

Cocktail Party/Heads Interlude

Bad Boyfriend

Decade Of Decay

Kyoto Garden

West End

Using

Lately It's You

In support of the record, the band head out on a UK tour with support from from Bill Ryder Jones and Spring King. The band will be starting off in Bristol and taking in cities around the UK (luckily for me they're playing Oxford when I'm back there for university - will be great to finally get to see them live), with the tour culminating in a London show at Heaven. 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/spector

You can find out more info about the tour and pre-order Moth Boys through Spector's official site here.