Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants…

Schaatz‘s purported backstory is so far-fetched that it deserves to be posted in full here:

“We are a french duo based in Paris, they grew up in a german hippie community in Grasse on French Riviera where they lived many love stories with several german naturist ladies, sadly the ladies left France when they had to get back on Germany to study something serious. Convinced than love is something serious to study, Mat and Tonio of Schaatz have lived for many years alone in the mountains of Alps and founded Schaatz“.

We have not yet decided if we are going to take the above statement at face value but what we do know is that, whether they are producing their own mixes or remixing other, we like Schaatz.

TRACKS:

After hinting at what they were capable of with their 2008 release ‘Ahead Of The Rain‘ London three-piece The High Wire reappeared earlier this year with the ‘The Sleep Tape‘ LP.

While their luscious pop landscapes bring the likes of My Bloody Valentine, MGMT and Asobi Seksu to mind, there is an underlying dream-like quality to the tracks that will leave you warm and fuzzy.

highly recommended!

TRACKS:

The High Wire – Sleep Tape

Spanish five-some We Are Standard, are adding some anthemic head -wobbling indie pop to their second and self titled album this year. The nine track LP is crammed with post- punk nuggets such as ‘Don’t Give Up’, ‘The First Girl Who Got a Kiss’ and ‘Other Lips’.

Their trademark sound displays startling similarities to the likes of Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads, Young Knives and, with the production help of Andy Gill, obviously Gang of Four. In an attempt not to be labelled a one trick pony they’ve added an electro- dance pop feel to many of the tracks too.

If you’re looking for rebellious guitar solos, a cutting falsetto vocal, and a whole lot of snare drum, then this album will have you working yourself up into a delightful sweat.

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Post by the rule breaking Ruby
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TRACKS

We Are Standard – Don’t Give Up

We Are Standard – Don’t Give Up (John Talabot Slowing It Down Remix)

God this is good! Trying to sum this record up is almost as challenging as to listen to it without having to stop what you are doing, stare gleefully at the speakers & uncontrollably bob your head to the groove.

‘Omni‘ the bands first full length since 2007′s “Planet of Ice“, finds Minus the Bear in what feels & sounds like effortless full flight. It is this effortlessness, to this humble reviewers ears, that makes this album a marvel onto itself.

This album is detailed: Cascading soundscapes litter the “sometimes simple, sometimes progressive“ song structures. Every bleep, guitar chord or drum loop so carefully placed & with such precision you would think this was crafted by machine. Alas, it wasn’t, and thus like any art in the hands of master craftsmen is injected with as much soul as accuracy.

Trying to pin down the band’s sound as they march through the 10 cuts on offer here is a hard one. A vast array of influence come to mind when listening to the album in its entireity (as a side note, this album should be enjoyed as a total) but never do the band sound like they are struggling for a voice.

The locked but joyous chemistry between the drums and bass (Erin Tate & Cory Murchy respectively) provide such a solid platform that the rest of the band are allowed to inflect the Jimmy Eat World esque Indie rock with The Police inspired guitar lines & Daft Punk synth lines without tredding on the songs. There is even room for nods to early 70′s soul and aphex twin style broken beats creating something quite unique.

This is all stitched together magninificently by Joe Chiccarelli‘s (The White Stripes, My Morning Jacket) big yet airy production and Jake Sniders
understated yet hook riddled vocals.

Minus The Bear have managed to create something quite special with this record. Go. Listen!

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Post by the Dusseldorf bound Warren

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TRACKS:

Minus The Bear – Summer Angel

Kopparberg and VICE Magazine have been hard at work this last couple of months trying to spot the new wave of talented bands, stylists, photographers and filmmakers.

This Wednesday will see the finalists come together for the “Kopparberg Klash Final” at The Queen Of Hoxton for what promises to be a great event. This will be a good chance to see the next big thing to come out of London and I’m sure there will be plenty of cider to go around!

TRACKS:

Ray Dar Vees only started out last summer and despite falling short of your standard four piece line-up their sound is bigger and more anthemic than you’d first expect. The youthful South London trio create melodic rock pop which attempts the same anticipation and build up that Arcade Fire are capable have shown over the years.

Debut single ‘Heart Attack‘, showcases the bands strong song writing skills as swirling tones are driven through with strong percussion to meet a very catchy chorus. More haunting than heartbroken there’s almost an Ian McCulloch quality to the vocal delivery. ‘One Day‘, another stand out track, cashes in on the formulaic pattern of a humble ambient start building to a wailing end. Some 80′s inspired guitar solos break up the track before you get lost in the reverb-echo vocals and wizardry production. In a nutshell, it is White Lies meets Coldplay; still dark and earthy but very pop accessible.

It’s an impressive start for the band and with such a comprehensive and full sound they are ripe for radio and set to infect airwaves.

Ray Dar Vees is out now on Pure Groove and Seven Sevens Recording

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Post by the insurmountable Ruby

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TRACKS:

Ray Dar Vees – Heart Attack

Californian-born sextet Fol Chen have combined a quirky strain of electro- art –pop which is so deliciously off quilter it’s hard not to be impressed by it.

They were first brought to my attention via their single ‘In Ruins’ whose intro bears brashness akin to Sleigh Bells’ ‘Tell’Em’ but quickly softens up with some Arabian Nights-like extracts to reveal a Of Montreal set up.

Elsewhere dulled percussion and low -impact vocals ground the tracks whilst gentle tinkering from the resident Xylophone proves the band aren’t taking themselves too seriously.

Fol Chen will offer your ears some rare and welcome confusion so prepare for an auditory curve ball and take a listen.

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Post by the referencing Ruby

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TRACKS:

Fol Chen – In Ruins

Remember we raved about those guys Wolf Am I and Screaming Maldini a few months back? Well record label Alcopop have only gone and unearthed another gem.

The Attika State hail from just down the road and around the corner; Sicily, Malta, Sri Lanka and Wisbech to be specific. ‘Celebration?’ is the first single from their upcoming album ‘Measures’ and by golly gosh does it a pack a power-pop-punch. Rammed full of noodly guitars, driving rhythms and the obligatory anthemic chorus this track suggests these guys know how to write a hum-dinger of rock tune.

If b-side ‘Recycle’ is any indication, I strongly anticipate a hum-dinger of a rock album to follow.

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Post by the bothersome Kenny

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TRACKS:

The Attika State – Celebration?