Cougar Microbes

I’ve been constantly humming Telstar‘s “Karate Luv” since it was first played to me at a particularly intoxicating desert jam session back in April.

The trio recently unveiled their DIY video for the track and which immediately brought to mind the humor and creativity of the Beastie Boys‘ “Sabotage” video; not a bad thing at all.

Telstar will be playing some sporadic shows this summer so be sure to check out their site.

TRACKS:

Following the demise of London squat rockers The King Blues it was clear it wasn’t going to be the last time we’d hear from them. Jamie Jazz was first off the mark with his new band Bleach Blood.

The guitarist turned frontman joined forces with drummer Invisible Frank, bassist Charlie Elliot and guitarist Paul Mullen to produce a fine mix of pop, post punk and electro.

BB has already released ‘The Young Heartbreakers Club‘ EP at the end of last year and have embarked on a couple of UK mini tours.

With no plan to rest on their laurels the band has followed this up with new single “Anything Anything“, featuring guest vocals from Linda Harrison.

I can’t wait for my next Bleach Blood transfusion.

TRACKS:

London based collective KINGS OF THE CITY (yeah, that’s all caps) could only really hail from the Big Smoke. Fusing elements of rock ‘n’ roll, blues, hip hop and grime to create a sound that is both accomplished and crucially relevant.

With shows at legendary London venues such as Jazz Cafe and Cargo, plus airplay on the likes of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, already under the belt it’s only a matter of time before they’ll be taking their live show somewhere near you.

Their latest video for the track “Please Tell Me” acts as  a perfect calling card for what the band does so well.

TRACKS:

For a band based in Birmingham, an hour and a half away from the nearest beach, there is an uncanny undercurrent of connotations relating Swim Deep to water, as their recently released video shows.

The flickering of the bands logo ‘≈’ (yet another mathematical symbol embraced by a band for its aesthetic appeal) appears before establishing shots of the two characters, in a restful, safe state on a tube home where the boy seems to be reflecting on the mesmerizing contortions in the allure of the water, where anything was possible, yet also there seems to be an trace of melancholia as if what has happened, won’t happen again due to a breakup. For a few brief moments, the band appear as delicate forms in the pool, neither sinking nor floating, simply existing in the empyrean water, before the ‘≈’ once again appears to signify yet another switch into the unknown.

The video has been released at an important time in Swim Deep’s career, just weeks after good friends Peace released “In Love” to massive critical success, showing what is possible for the new age of bands from Birmingham, or B-town as they call it. The video also comes just weeks before Swim Deep set sail on their trans-European headline tour which will quickly be followed by a flotilla of festival appearances during which their debut album ”Where The Heaven Are We” will be released in late July.

As the sign gradually fades, an epic instrumental intro builds anticipation whilst cinematic shots depict a life of discontent and restlessness in a world full of industrial estates and grey and brown bleak backdrops. A deep longing for the soothing blue water is characterised by savouring the times spent making ripples in puddles and long wistful stares out to the river. When the boy makes his way to the pool the girl is already in it, and when the boy jumps in there is a brief sense of serene happiness, yet the girl then looks away simultaneously crushing the boy’s spirit and suggesting that maybe the water is not the idyllic heaven the boy had been expecting. Such subtle moments with big implications reflect the nature of teenage relationships and the angst of categorising life into boxes, a sentiment that has been portrayed well by Georgia Hudson, the video’s director.

The ending shots comprise mainly of the girls figure being blurred by swells in the pool, drawing neat parallels with the idea that the boy was unable to clearly see what was going on in the relationship, the camera then cuts to a shot of the devastated boy lying down as an image of the blue pool fades over the top of him, representing how enticing the sea can be, even if one of the fish were not right for you.

The final image of the video is of the ‘≈’ symbol reaffirming the connection to the water and the waves but also ensuring the image has been burned to the back of your retina so many times that you won’t forget Swim Deep, as if that was at risk.

—–

Post by Sam

—–

TRACKS:

Last week we featured Lucille and their single ‘Deep In Da Mudd‘ on these pages. It’s worth mentioning I caught the 9-piece live a few weeks back and it was excellent and almost spiritual; as the above video shows.

While the collective may call Tel Aviv their home there is a sense that they could easily be transplanted anywhere in the world and still be killing it live.

Check out these other tracks from their previous EP as we await the results of the album they are currently in the process of recording.

TRACKS:

As reported by our friends over at Fried My Little Brain (as well as pretty much everyone else with an internet connection) Daft Punk dropped a couple of teasers on us both on SNL as well as during their Coachella set.

the robotic French duo are revealing just enough to keep us all on edge without actually showing their cards yet. Still, interest in ‘Random Access Memories‘ continues to reach new heights as guest spots by the likes of Pharrell, Julian Casablancas, Nile Rodgers, Panda Bear and Giorgio Moroder (!!!) have been revealed.

‘Random Access Memories‘ is out in May… we want it now!

TRACKS:

Whether it is solo or as part of his Odd Future it seems Tyler, The Creator is unable to sit still for a minute. In the buildup to the recently released ‘Wolf‘ album Tyler dropped a video for “IFHY“, continuing his streak of ludicrously brilliant vids.

Having just proclaimed (rightfully) to be “dope as fuck” on last year’s “The OF Tape Vol.2” it’s exciting to see what the talented LA madman will pull out of his magic hat next.

TRACKS:

Glass City Vice are a bunch of sharply-cut chaps from Britain‘s ever-trendy boho seaside town, Brighton. Their clean cut Alt-Rock sound will appeal to fans of The Xcerts , Canterbury, Twin Atlantic and the likes.

Make no mistake though, these handsome young gents have a certain ‘I dunno what’ which sets them apart from their genre contemporaries. Their sound’s not groundbreaking in itself, but there’s a real urgency and hunger coming through in the music and lyrics which urges you to get amongst it.

They’ve been approached by big name producers, and the video is top quality showcase of why the band are starting to turn heads.

Without further ado, merry Easter and get yer lookin’ gear round this exclusive first video play.

TRACKS: