Track Review: Hum Fuzz - 'Girl from the Bend'

Hum Fuzz are an indie band hailing from the southwest of England. Leo Nathan (vocals & guitar), Alex Watson (lead guitar), George Lappin (bass), and Ollie White (drums) are self professed best mates and from the sound of their debut single 'Girl from the Bend', they sound like they 're having the time of their lives.

For a debut single from a very young band, 'Girl from the Bend' is fantastic. There's no messing around here as the band are all introduced as soon as the song opens. Nathan's brilliantly soulful vocals are complimented by a tight rhythm section with walking bass-lines, soft, jazz influenced guitar chords and the light touch of a Mac DeMarco-esque lead guitar section.

It's in the choruses where things become more straight-forward. Hum Fuzz's indie influences take centre stage here as the tempo is raised and the band blast through the choruses with contrasting tones to the verse. This shift in atmosphere is well implemented and the tight transition doesn't make it feel forced.

Unfortunately, there are moments in the track where it seems like the band lose focus. Clocking in at over 5 minutes long, it feels as if the overall vibe of the track is calling out for a more concise and focused structure. However, this is just a small criticism as the band are clearly still developing and this will come in time.

With their first single, the Hum Fuzz lads have created a unique sound with Leo Nathan's brilliantly passionate vocal sitting at the helm. Keep your eye's and ear's on Hum Fuzz, we definitely can't wait for what's next.

Listen to 'Girl from the Bend' below.

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Track Review: Slow Blood - 'Prayer'

Slow Blood are an Edinburgh based trio exploring the boundaries of alt-rock, noise, goth and pop. The band have developed their intense sound over two singles, with debut 'Demon Speed' and their most latest offering 'Prayer'. Consisting of Gregor McMillian (bass & vocals), Gareth Anderson (drums) and Mike Bryant (guitar & vocals), the band have worked closely with Rod Jones of Idlewild fame to build a distinct musical identity.

'Prayer' opens with a distorted soundscape before booming drums are introduced. The production of the track is dark and ominous and the simple guitar riff shows this. Its fair to say that the Slow Blood lads know exactly what they're doing here. On 'Prayer', the experimentation is plain to see and this only adds to the character of the track as a whole. The chorus transitions from double time to half time over the space of two bars giving the tune a sense of urgency that could have been lacking without. The six beat drum break in the second verse is a touch of class giving the track a much sought after groove element. It's on these little musical phrases that Slow Blood thrive. The song finally builds to a distorted, riff heavy middle eight before crashing into the final chorus.

Slow Blood have created something unique here by coupling anthemic choruses and bone-crunching riffs to achieve a brilliant second single. The groove laden, dark instrumentation works well with the high pitched harmonized vocals making 'Prayer' a tune to wrap your ears round right now. 

Check out the video for 'Prayer' below.

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The Worst and Best of New Music Friday (24/11/17)

It's New Music Friday and we're here to guide you through the worst and best tunes released today. Click the titles to listen!

Worst

Craig David & Bastille - I Know You

The man with the most annoying comeback in pop music teams up with the most annoying band in pop music to deliver this paint-by-numbers, trap infused, EDM, R&B clanger. This track is the perfect embodiment of how awful pop music is today and the reason why we're all going to hell.

Farruko, Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, 21 Savage & Rvssian - Krippy Kush (Remix)

How many artists does it take to create one of the worst songs of the year? The answer is five. Krippy Kush was, for some reason, originally a Spanish trap hit and now 21 Savage and Nicki Minaj have jumped on the westernised remix. The "krippy, krippy, krippy, krippy, krippy, kush, kush, kush, kush, kush" refrain is probably the most annoying thing to come out of Spain since Enrique Iglesias.

BTS - MIC Drop Feat. Desiigner (Steve Aoki Remix)

Steve Aoki has put his very terrible Dubstep/EDM spin on an already pretty terrible song. Now with added Desiigner, the track sounds like a mash-up of all our nightmares especially when that inevitable 'drop' come into play.

Matt Terry - Got You

"Who's Matt Terry?" we hear you cry. Well, after a quick Google search, apparently this kid won the X-Factor in 2016, scoring a number 3 hit with 'When Christmas Comes Around'. He returns today with his debut album 'Trouble'. 'Got You' is a dull, 90s influenced pop track with the worst grammar we've seen in a chorus for a while. 'But it doesn't make sense if I don't got you.' - Seriously now, these songwriters are taking the piss.

Hounourable mentions

blackbear - anxiety Feat. FRND

Ricky Blaze & Dolapo - Give It To Me

HRVY - I Won't Let You Down

All Tvvins - Crash

Best

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - The Man Who Built The Moon

The Chief is back with his brand new album and this is best tune by far (if you don't count the bonus track). With all the talk of 'cosmic pop', Noel really delivers here. The heavy drums, layered vocals, and sweeping strings all gel together to form a sound big enough for those upcoming arena shows. It's good to have you back Noel.

Poppy Ajudha - Tepid Soul

UK singer Poppy Ajudha returns with her fourth single. Blending elements of jazz and soul, Ajudha has created a unique sound that's challenging as well as groovy. The 21 year old has a bright future and after 'Tepid Soul' we can't wait to hear what's next.

Jadu Heart & Mura Masa - U Never Call Me

The mysterious Jadu Heart have teamed up with pop wonder kid Mura Masa to create a weird and wonderfully chilled out electronic piece. Released on Mura Masa's own Anchor Point Records, the heavily percussive track marries beautiful sound design and vocal harmonies to devise a track of pure pop brilliance.

Sports Team - Stanton

We reviewed this earlier in the week and we're VERY happy to see it featuring on Spotify's 'New Music Friday UK' playlist. 'Stanton' is a punky, raw and witty tune from a very promising band based in London. Their live show is seriously something else too. Don't sleep on Sports Team!

Honourable mentions

Björk - Arisen My Senses

Ebenezer - Survival

Drahla - Silk Spirit

 The Rolling Stones - Roll Over Beethoven (Saturday Club/1963)

LUCA - Wales

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Track Review: Sports Team - 'Stanton'

The elusive Sports Team have released their debut single 'Stanton'. You may be asking "Who the fuck are Sports Team?". Well, we don't really know a great deal. Hailing from Harlesden in northwest London, the six-piece have been spinning the rumour mill for a while, gaining a rather large live following around London. They sold out Birthday's in Dalston last month without having a single tune online. Pretty good going that. Their live performances are becoming the stuff of legend. Front man Alex Rice combines baggy, linen suits with Jagger-esque dance moves to keep audiences coming back for more.

'Stanton' opens with chugging guitars and sludging drum beats. The accentuated tambourine adds an element of groove to a simple rhythm section. There is a sense of darkness about the instrumentation and this becomes more apparent when the vocals are introduced. Rice's vocal sounds like a young Jim Morrison with added lyrical wit. It's not long before the song intensifies with the line 'I wanna buy you a flip screen Motorola'. From here on in Sports Team bring the noise.

Recorded at an old timber yard with Dave McCraken (Ian Brown, Depeche Mode), there is no set BPM as the tempos fluctuate. The rawness of the production is the most endearing quality here, and you can really tell what the band were going for. With such a great live presence, its paramount for Sports Team to inject that live energy into their recordings and this is exactly what they have done. The way the track builds to all out chaos towards the final moments is a stroke of genius.

Released through Nice Swan Records, 'Stanton' is a fantastic debut from a band with huge potential. We can't wait to hear what Sports Team have in store for us next.

Listen to 'Stanton' below.

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Track Review: Sleepovers - 'Good Sides'

Sleepovers are main songwriting duo, Alfie Smith and Elliot Crabtree (formerly of indie darlings Skallywags), brothers Tom and Ed Reynolds, and drummer Ashley Hodge. The London based five-piece arrive with their first single 'Good Sides' off the debut EP 'Heartbreak High'.

The slacker rock influences are plain to see from the start as Mac DeMarco-esque electric guitars open the track. This isn't a bad thing, the pretty guitar tones set the carefree, indie vibe of the whole track. Alfie's strong, cockney vocal is introduced in the verse which contrasts well with the US-indie influenced instrumentation. The attitude in his voice is excellent, especially in the choruses where reverbed guitars sprawl around in the background to add more sonic contrasts.

Overall the production of the track is well done. The sound compliments the aesthetic of Sleepovers, but there are moments when that reverb knob could have been turned down a little. The lead guitar parts are sometimes lost in the instrumental and could have done with a little more cleanliness and bite.

The music video has been collated using front man Alfie's actual phone camera roll over the last year, charting an ended relationship and the writing/recording of the debut EP. Alfie says, ''we chose to use the camera roll idea because although there may be a few bad photos, you never capture a negative moment for Instagram if you're miserable. Only the good sides make the story".

With 'Good Side' Sleepovers have delivered a fantastic tune full of catchy hooks, infectious lyrics and sing-a-long choruses. With the anticipation growing for their debut EP, the time of Sleepovers is now.

Check out 'Good Sides' below.

Sleepovers support Average Sex at The Shacklewell Arms in London on 20/11/17. GO!

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Track Review: Sauce - 'What Feels Better (Than You And I)?'

Hot off the heels of a run of successful live shows up and down the UK, the Sauce boys return with their massive third single 'What Feels Better (Than You And I)?'. Based in Manchester, the band have gained a strong live following and from listening to the new single, its easy to see why. Band members Dean, Henry, Lewis and George took the short trip to record the new tune with Alex Quinn (Blossoms, The Coral) at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios garnering impressive results.

'What Feels Better...' opens with distorted amp noises before the drums blast through, bringing the rest of the instrumentation with. It's here that the groovy nature of the track really comes to prominence. With group backing vocals and distorted guitar riffs, the opening few bars are enough to make anyone wake up and pay attention. In the verse we are introduced to Dean Molyneux, this time taking lead vocal duties from Henry Lewis. The chemistry of both Dean and Henry (now on backing vocals) is excellent, creating a catchy 'call and response' sound which will be more than enough to get the fans singing along. The chorus is where Dean really comes into his own. His vocal is carefully controlled, but also shows a raw passion that is sometimes hard to find in rock music today. 

The instrumentation throughout the tune is heavy and noisy. Compared to Sauce's previous two singles, you can really hear their musical progression. The sound of 'What Feels Better...' is more mature, with a clear song structure and consistent, well-rounded vocal melodies. The band's psychedelic sound is brought to the forefront in the middle-eight with warped, swirling guitar riffs and a booming drum section which builds to one final vocal part from Dean.

Sauce have come through with a fantastic, sophisticated and catchy third single here. It will only be a matter of time before the word spreads about the psychedelic rocking lads from Manchester.

'What Feels Better (Than You And I?)' is out on all good streaming services on 17/11/2017.
In the meantime, listen on SoundCloud below.

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Track Review: Average Sex - 'Ugly Strangers'

'Ugly Strangers' is the new single from indie noise-rock outfit Average Sex. 'Ugly Strangers is the first release off their debut EP 'Ice Cream', which arrives on the 1st of December through Tim Burgess' (The Charlatans) own label, OGenesis Recordings. Hailing from London, the five piece consisting of Laetitia Bocquet (vocals), Sam O'Donovan (guitar), Louise Earwaker (guitar), Jamie Graeme (bass), and Finnigan Kidd (drums), incorporate heavily distorted guitars and high tempo beats to create an edgy alternative sound not too dissimilar from 'Blue Album' era Weezer.

The track opens with clean guitar stabs before harmonised vocals are introduced and it's not long before the rest of the band kick in. The intensity of the track is instantly increased with added drums and distorted guitars. The charm of the tune comes from the production value. The rough and ready guitar tones coupled with distorted, double-tracked vocals give the track a 'Wall of Sound' feel to it, but the band equally know how to utilize dynamics, allowing the track much needed time to breath in the verses. Lyrically, the song shines. 'Ugly Strangers' is about using alcohol to escape real life problems. The choruses focus on Laetitia's efforts to bury her mental health issues before getting treatment by drinking most nights at the Victoria pub in Dalston, where the rest of the song is about life being shit, hence drinking to 'be happy'.

'Ugly Strangers' is a gem of a track leaving us wanting to hear more. We can only hope the debut EP delivers on the 1st of December. 

Listen to 'Ugly Strangers' here

Be sure to catch Average Sex on tour in the next few months.

Headline show:

20th November - The Shacklewell Arms, London

Tour (All dates supporting The Charlatans):

29th November - Rock City, Nottingham

30th November - O2 Academy, Sheffield

1st December - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

2nd December - O2 Apollo, Manchester

4th December - O2 Academy 1, Glasgow

5th December - O2 Academy 1, Newcastle

7th December, O2 Academy, Leeds

8th December - University Great Hall, Cardiff

9th December - O2 Academy Brixton, London

EP Review: Tempesst - 'Adult Wonderland'

Tempesst are fronted by London based, Australian-born twins Andy and Toma Banjanin. After breaking into the psychedelic rock scene in 2015 with a string of brilliant singles, they have arrived with their debut EP 'Adult Wonderland'.

The four-track EP kicks off with the dreamy 'Waiheke'. Lazily played drums lay the ground work for a song with layered vocals and swirling, reverberated slide guitars, not too dissimilar from an early Fleet Foxes track. This is a perfect opener for the EP and sets the relaxed tone for the whole record. Second track 'Tidal Wave' cranks up the momentum without deviating too much from the bands overall sound. The lead vocals are brilliantly backed by falsetto harmonies in the chorus before developing into a Beatles-esque middle-eight. The guitar solo towards the end of the track is a welcome addition, with dirty 60s tones and blues inspired licks. 

Though the two opening tracks are equally great, it's on 'Feel Better' where Tempesst really come to life. This song has some serious #riffs. The guitar break before the first verse kicks in is a real 'fist pump' moment. Banjanin's vocals in the verses are reminiscent of Kurt Vile, but those trusty vocal harmonies return in the chorus to great effect. There are added moments of magic here with female backing vocals that could have come straight from 'Gimme Shelter' by legendary The Rolling Stones, and a developing guitar riff that builds throughout getting more distorted as the song goes on. The EP closer 'God Knows I Need A Muse' see's Tempesst crooning away to a 60s inspired psychedelic backdrop. The arppegiated synths and experimental guitars build to a noisy crescendo giving the EP the perfect ending.

With this debut EP, Tempesst have really set the bar high. A must listen for any flare-wearing, psychedelic-loving rock fans.

Listen to 'Feel Better' here

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The Worst and Best of New Music Friday (03/11/17)

It's New Music Friday and we're here to guide you through the worst and best tunes released today. Click the titles to listen!

Worst

Sia - Santa's Coming For Us

How anyone can enjoy listening to Sia's voice is a total mystery. The harsh sounding sleigh bell's coupled with Sia's whining vocal tone make this a Christmas song to forget. It's also November remember, November. By far the worst tune to come out this week.

U2 - Get Out Of Your Own Way

The 3rd single off U2's upcoming 14th studio album was clearly written for one thing, to tick that 'stadium anthem' box. Opening with sequenced drums and gang vocals, the track is clearly pandering to the massive live audiences U2 have accumulated over the years. The song isn't terrible, it just doesn't show much imagination or grit. Bizarrely, Kendrick Lamar pops up at the end to shout a speech about how blessed superstars are. No, we don't get it either.

Robbie Williams - Run It Wild

Your Dad's favourite pop star is back with another classic stinker. Admittedly, 'Run It Wild' isn't as bad previous single 'Go Mental', but it gives it a run for it's money. By now Robbie has clearly run out of ideas both lyrically and musically and this latest offering cements the fact. Robbie sounds like he's phoning his vocal performance in and the song structure leaves a lot to be desired.

OneRepublic & Kygo - Stranger Things

We're convinced this is just a marketing ploy to cash in on the success of Netflix's extremely popular TV show of the same name and the song bears no relation to Eleven and the gang. Kygo's signature cheesy EDM leads pop up in between a lazy vocal performance from One Republic's Ryan Tedder with generic chord progressions that sound like they have come from the Chainsmoker's School of Writing An Uninspired, Drab Pop Banger.

Honourable Mentions

Maroon 5 - Wait

David Guetta Feat. Charli XCX & French Montana - Dirty Sexy Money

Best

RAYE & Mr Eazi - Decline



RAYE is back with another pop banger. The London based singer-songwriter has teamed up with Nigerian singer Mr Eazi to deliver a dance hall inspired R&B tune that's sure to get people grooving. Produced by Fraser T. Smith (who's credits include Stormzy's 'Blinded By Your Grace'), 'Decline' is an interpolation of Ja Rule's 'Always On Time' making the song feel like a throwback to the simpler times of the early 2000s.

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - Spray Paint Love

The ex-lead singer of Gallows and garishly amazing suit wearing gentleman, Frank Carter has returned with a riff heavy, slow rocker titled 'Spray Paint Love'. The song sounds like a mix between an 'AM' era Arctic Monkeys track and Brighton rock duo Royal Blood. Carter's vocals get better by each release and it's in this song that his range really steps up a gear. A must listen for fans of hard rocking anthems.

Feist - Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye

Feist originally performed this Leonard Cohen cover during the 2017 Juno Awards and is also set to take part in the upcoming Cohen memorial tribute held in Montreal on the 6th of November. Feist's take on the Cohen classic is respectfully charming, building slowly with layered backing vocals and beautiful lead melodies.

Young Fathers - Lord

2014s Mercury Music Prize winners Young Fathers arrive with their new single 'Lord'. Gospel choir inspired vocals start the song, before low bass drones are introduced. Vocalist Alloysious Massquoi sings over a heavily distorted instrumental, contrasting with the light touch of the lead piano section. 'Lord' is the first single from their latest album.

Honourable Mentions

N*E*R*D & Rihanna - Lemon

Goat Girl - Cracker Drool

Wiley Feat. JME - I Call The Shots

The Staves & yMusic - Toruble On My Mind

Twin Peaks - With You
alt-J - Adeline (Shade/Code Orange Remix)
Tom Misch - Movie
Turnstile - Real Thing

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Track Review: The Incarnations - 'Love Drugs'

Scottish four-piece The Incarnations arrive with their debut single 'Love Drugs'. Formed in 2014, the Aberdeen-based, guitar driven band consists of Fraser Bateman (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Ian Hay (lead guitar), Jamie Thomson (bass and backing vocals) and David 'Deco' Smith (drums). Released through Sound Hub Records, the track draws influence from both The Small Faces and 90s Britpop legends, Dodgy.

'Love Drugs' opens with a vintage sounding guitar riff not too dissimilar to 'Passenger' by American punk legend Iggy Pop. It's not long before the rest of the band kick in with an upbeat, groovy rhythm. The fuzzy guitar riffs, driving tambourines and walking-blues bass lines give the single an uplifting tone. Bateman's double-tracked vocals cut through the energetic beats, but it's in the chorus where the vocals really shine. The layered harmonies from both Bateman and Thomson compliment each other well. With 'Love Drugs' The Incarnations wear their influences on their sleeve, but for a first single the Scottish outfit have done more than enough to get their audience's feet tapping.

Go check out 'Love Drugs' here

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Live Review: SCARLXRD @ Camden Assembly, London (23/10/17)

Marius Listhrop aka SCARLXRD (pronounced Scarlord) is a trap rap artist hailing from the UK. Formerly a YouTube blogger known as Mazzi Maz, Listhrop had over 600,000 subscribers when he transitioned into his SCARLXRD alter ego. With three albums released this year already and with such a massive online following (he's also ranked up more than 50,000 followers on SoundCloud) there is an inevitably large amount of hype surrounding the young 23 year old.

The Camden Assembly show was a sell out, which is an incredible feat considering it was a Monday and also his first solo London show under the SCARLXRD name. The young, diverse crowd arrived in droves and there was an air of excitement around the room as SCARLXRD's DJ and hype man took to the decks. From here on in, the crowd were bouncing and the anticipation was growing. When SCARLXRD finally arrived on stage, the audience literally lost their minds. With seriously heavy trap influenced beats and distorted, warped production throughout, SCARLXRD's music is refreshingly original. His flow is odd, and sometimes he sounds like a young Oli Sykes (never a bad thing) but the passion SCARLXRD shows on stage is breathtaking. His energy throughout the extensive 90 minute set never dropped and this clearly infected the audience. With mosh-pits, crowd surfing and the metal genre stalwart, the wall of death, there was barely time for anyone to take a breather. At times you could have been forgiven for thinking you had walked into the wrong gig, especially when SCARLXRD tore through 'Lies Yxu Tell' with its heavy guitar riffs and screaming vocals, not too dissimilar to a Ho99o9 track. On break out track 'Heart Attack' the ex-YouTuber's rapping prowess really came to the forefront. The speed of his delivery on parts of the tune were fantastic and without taking a breath, he showed real control. The biggest highlight of the night came when SCARLXRD played '6 Feet'. The crowd went crazy as soon as the opening bars blasted through the speakers. This went down so well, SCARLXRD played it twice.

There were moments on the night that left a little to be desired. Unfortunately SCARLXRD performed along to the main recordings of his original tracks, which felt a little lazy at times. There were times when he was putting all his energy into his stage presence and sometimes this meant SCARLXRD's actual musical performance suffered - occasionally he seemed like a hype man for his own tracks. Focusing on how to distribute energy to both his vocal performance and stage presence is a must, and this will definitely come in time.

For a debut London performance, this was one of a kind and with a little more attention to detail when it comes to the live instrumentation, the young rapper's performances will have people queuing up to see him in droves. Watch out 2018.

Listen to 'Lies Yxu Tell' here

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