Track of the Day: The Belle Game - River

Today's Track of the Day is courtest of Vancouver five-piece, The Belle Game. The orchestral, chamber pop sounds of their previous EP's have subsidded on this track, in favor of a darker, grungier, indie vibe; reminiscent of Yeah Yeah Yeahs or PJ Harvey.

Having toured with The Zolas and Hey Ocean late last year, the band increased their already fast-growing fan base with a well received slot at everyone's favourite musical supernova, South By Southwest. Having signed to Boompa Records (Woodpigeon, The Salteens) in 2012, the band planned to release their debut record late that year, however, this was delayed to allow time for a partnership with indie powerhouse Bella Union, who would be jointly releasing the album internationally.

The Belle Game's debut album 'Ritual Tradition Habit' will be out tomorrow (April 16th). Listen to the fantastic lead single 'River' below.

'There's a place that I've found,
Full of sins that you've drowned,
I've been your river,
I've been your river since we were kids

There's a rhyme and a case,
For the things you've misplaced
I've been a giver,
I've been a giver since we were kids

Take a little more,
Take a little more, take a little more from me

Do you feel me at your side?
I've been filled with all you've denied,
Even a sliver of your cry,
Could make a river against my pride,

Take a little more,
Take a little more, take a little more from me'

Review | Annie Dressner - East Twenties

There is a conversational ease to Annie Dressner's new EP East Twenties which makes for truly compelling listening.

The young singer-songwriter moved to the UK from New York last year, and it seems that she's carried more than her share of baggage over with her. On her 2011 debut EP, Strangers Who Knew Each Other's Names, she opted for a downtrodden, personal tone, and she continues these themes on East Twenties, featuring a deeply personal collection of stories of love and loss. However, in the years which have passed between these efforts she has evidently matured, covering these same issues with increased context and composure.

'Heartbreaker' kicks off the record, re-calling the nostalgia-rich tale of her relationship with an ex. The events are described in incredible detail - from experimenting with alcohol, family dinners, and the breakdown of their relationship ('you took my love and tore me down') - making the characters feel rounded, and giving it a really rich, lived-in feel. On 'I Can't Forget' she takes a reflective look at the loss of a loved-one, hopelessly questioning its occurrence and hypothesizing the effect that this has had on her life. Accompanying her signature singer-picking guitar are the gorgeous sweeping strokes of a cello, adding to this stunning track.

'Flame' is arguably the EP's highlight. The verse's melodic hook sweeps around a playful guitar part, before rising into the song's chorus. Lyrically it's a coming of age story in about losing your innocence and testing the boundaries of what has been set out before you ('I saw all the things I thought were bad, and now I know'). Unfortunately the EP ends on its weakest track, 'Lost In a Car'. On this song the guitar part has a pedestrian tone, and the unambitious tone of the vocal in the verse makes for a rather damp squib of a climax.

In spite of the slight slump on its final track, it remains a very strong and accomplished sophomore EP from Annie Dressner. Her greatest talent is in her beautifully descriptive story-telling and her evocative use of language, and on this record she lays those strengths out in abundance.

If you like what you here below you can buy East Twenties (out April 8th) here

Track of the Day: Misty Miller - Anything For You

There is something exciting about Misty Miller. In an age where the popular theme of current music is to be 'stripped back', and where lo-fi indie and acoustic music litters both commercial and indie music alike, it's really refreshing to hear a young songstress come along with something as in-your-face, raw and gutsy as 'Anything For You'. 

From the plaudits she's been gaining it's clear that I'm not alone in this view; Zane Lowe made her track 'Girlfriend' his 'Next Hype' record, Steve Lamacq named Misty his 'New Favourite Band' on 6Music, and her cover of The Turtles 'So Happy Together' was chosen by Burberry to open their London Fashion Week.

The fuzzy garage rock gem 'Anything For You' is set for release on Misty Miller's sophomore EP Next To You, due out May 12th on Sony offshoot Relentless. Listen below:

Track of the Day: Rae Morris - From Above

Today's Track of the Day, 'From Above', comes courtesy of 20 year old Blackpool-based songstress Rae Morris.

Following a hugely successful year touring the UK and Europe, including support slots for Tom Odell, Lianne La Havas, Noah and the Whale and Bombay Bicycle Club, Rae is out on a UK wide headline tour throughout February and March - which draws to its climax with a show at Village Underground in London on March 27th.

This exceptional talent will be releasing her new EP From Above, which is due for release on 22nd April on Atlantic Records, which is available to pre-order from her website.

Rae has just released the video for the EP's title-track which can be seen below. Fusing delicate vocals and stunning piano arrangements it truly is a stunning piece of work, and an exciting sign of things to come.

Friday March 22^nd - St. Philips Church, Salford, UK 



Tuesday March 26^th - The Marlborough Theatre, Brighton, UK 



Wednesday March 27^th - Village Underground, London, UK

Track of the Day: Daughter - Tomorrow

To mark today's release of Daughter's exceptional debut record 'If You Leave', my Track of the Day is the beautiful, yet bleak 'Tomorrow'. An ode to the singers realisation of an impending future without her love by her side.

Daughter, which originated as the solo project of London sing-songwriter Elena Tonra, have been well known in the independent music scene for quite some time. Releasing their debut EP 'His Young Heart' in 2011, they built momentum with 2012's 'The Wild Youth', which garnered huge acclaim with fans and the industry alike. This wave of momentum culminated with their signing to the hugely prestigious UK label 4AD, and it is with this indie music powerhouse's backing that today's full length debut record was released.

'If You Leave' is a truly remarkable record, pairing strong melodies, bleak, affecting lyrics and skilled musicianship. Without doubt this is an early contender for album of the year.
 

Track of the Day: f y f e - Solace

Today's Track of the Day is something a little bit different. This blog usually covers things in the vein of indie, folk and americana, however, I like to think that my tastes are far more varied than that, and today's TOTD is testament to that.

f y f e is the moniker of 23-year-old musician Paul Dixon. Having made waves in his previous outfit, David Lyre, Paul Dixon was dropped by his label (Mercury) despite receiving  positive reviews for his debut 'Picture of our Youth'. Well now the Manchester-based musician is back with an EP entitled 'Solace', due out on April 7th. My TOTD is the EP's beautiful, synth-laden title track which has already been getting a lot of traction on Hype Machine - to find out why, have a listen below. 

Track of the Day: Dropout Dan - Oh, Little Red

Today's TOTD is the courtesy of Cambridgeshire based folk-punk troubadour Dropout Dan. 
'Oh, Little Red' comes from his sophomore EP 'Forever, Instead', which is due out today, and will be monitored closely by the legions of fans he secured with his acclaimed debut, 'Do You Remember', back in 2011.

'Forever, Instead's Valentine's Day release is no coincident, and the five-track EP is rife with mentions of love, and particularly to the darker sides of human emotions. Watch the video to the rousing lead single 'Oh, Little Red' below, If you like what you hear the EP is available to buy here.