Cougar Microbes are marching in like army ants…

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

23-year- old Brighton-born artist Teej has combined Deadmau5 sounding dance melodies, vintage synths and repetitive bass lines to produce a new wave of Synthtronica.

His debut EP ‘I Got Electrocuted‘ was written post -emergency room after he, err… got electrocuted trying to fix his faltering keyboard. The very literally-named track had me worried his music would be similarly straightforward but with scratchy guitar pieces and gloomy bass lines, the track’s dense texture was anything but linear. At only 1:54 of airplay, however, the track builds but doesn’t quite reach a crescendo.

In contrast ‘Heart Timing‘ is more complete. Its glistening keyboard melodies are strongly glued together by a heart beat bass line that pulses through the track. The resulting sound is like a primitive version of Sigur Rós with a dash of depression from the Antlers’ Hospice.

Despite tracks like ‘Flying Deep‘, Teej‘s ode to snowboarding, feeling largely unfinished there is something exciting here and with some more craftwork and a live gig under his belt, he may provide a few more surprises yet.

The debut EP ‘I Got Electrocuted‘ is out now on Make Mine

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Post by the proficient Ruby

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TRACKS:

Teej – I Got Electrocuted

The Amplifietes can be considered a sort of supergroup having shared production work for the likes of Kelis, Madonna, Grandmaster Flash and fellow Swedes Peter Bjorn and John. It is on their own effort that the 4 piece have successfully married up a skilful blend of electro pop and punk that will have you flocking to the chapel this year.

At first play the electro popiness of ‘Something New’ , clearly the stand out track, draws comparisons to Miike Snow‘s dynamism whereas ‘Whizz Kid’ manages to drive through both Elvis Costello and Kraftwerk in just over 3 minutes. Their debut single ‘It’s My Life’ has an element of Gorillaz production to it and boasts a freaky robot tripping chorus that would lead any hedonistic urbanite to the dancefloor.

With a happening sound and lyrical wit The Amplifetes are a true delight so be sure to expect more and more of them this year, in the meantime wrap your chops around their latest EP, ‘Somebody New‘, out now.

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Post written by the patient Ruby

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TRACKS:

The Amplifetes – Somebody New

Londoners The Brute Chorus have been pitched as a UK version of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and whilst a parallel can be drawn to their theatrical story telling their musical stamp is more old time blues and surf rock than alternative folk.

Frontman James Steel brings out a smorgasbord of references showcasing the swagger of Chris Isaak, the cockiness of a young Bruce Springsteen, the clarity and slight twang of Johnny Borrell and, in tracks like ‘She Was Always Cool‘, an occasional whiff of Pete Doherty.

The guitars are razor sharp and the choruses are brash enough for you to envisage an over excited mosh pit of fans bouncing out of time.  They’re playing smallish festivals and UK venues this summer and with a following of bar room brawlers I have no doubt they will graduate to larger London venues very soon.

The album ‘How the Caged Bird Sings’ is released on Tape next month

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Guest post by the miraculous Ruby

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TRACKS:

The Brute Chorus – Could This Be Love?