Track of the Day: Slow Club - Suffering You, Suffering Me

Ever since I first heard the sweet tones of Sheffield-based duo Charles Watson & Rebecca Taylor, aka Slow Club, on the heartfelt indie ballad 'Christmas TV' I absolutely loved this band. There was a hugely likeable style to the band's sound: honest lyrics and a fun and playful nature that made them a favourite with me and so many others.

Their sound has changed significantly over the years; from the twee indie folk of Say Yes, to the electro-tinged Paradise, and now with the release of Complete Surrender, yet another evolution which has moved once more to a classic 50's soul styling.

Sophomore single, 'Suffering You, Suffering Me', features the strongest vocal performance in the band's history, with Rebecca oozing a soaring, smokey tone and a confidence which is truly stunning. Backed up with lines of roaring brass, uptempo percussion and driving melodies, it stands as a real statement for the band's upcoming album, Complete Surrender, which is due for release on July 14th.
 

Track of the Day: Yusuf Azak - Silver Rose

After two albums on the ever-excellent Song, by Toad records, Yusuf Azak has taken his uniquely gruff vocals and off-kilter indie-folk sound across the city to Gerry Loves Records - here he has released his third album Peace in the Underword earlier this month.

His lead single comes in the form of Silver Rose; a delicious piece of slacker rock, awash with leftfield Elliot Smith-esque guitar parts and a lackluster confidence which is effortlessly brilliant.

Anyone who's followed this intriguing talent's earlier work won't be surprised by the quality he delivers on Silver Rose, but if this track sparks interest in the rest of Azak's work, you can find his previous releases available here and his latest record Peace in the Underworld on his Bandcamp here.

Let the musical exploration begin....

Track of the Day: Laurel - To The Hills

Whilst catching up on the last couple of months of Tom Robinson's ever-excellent 'Introducing Mixtapes' I discovered an unstoppably brilliant song which halted me in my tracks. 

After a bit of hunting I discovered it was the work of 19 year old South Coast songstress, Laurel. 'To the Hills' is the title track from her new EP released last month, and is a real statement of intent for what this promising artist is all about. Soaring strings, pulsing base and a towering vocal display (highly reminiscent of Lana del Ray) make for one of the most exciting pop tracks of the year.

Watch the video directed by Ben Newbury, which was inspired by Raymond Carver's short story Why Don't You Dance.  

 

Track of the Day: First Aid Kit - My Silver Lining

In 2012 the Swedish duo consisting of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg released one of the stand out album's of the year, with their Americana masterpiece 'The Lion's Roar'. It was a record which demonstrated the quality of the pair's melancholic songwriting, and, where many other contemporaries have failed, genuinely managed to recapture some of the magic of late 60's folk.

With a new album entitled 'Stay Gold' out on June 2nd on Columbia; they're back with the record's lead single 'My Silver Lining'. Although sonically it's fairly similar to their previous record, it's a really strong track, and a taste of what to expect in the coming months from the hugely exciting siblings.

'I won't take the easy road'

Track of the Day: Sophie Jamieson - Stain

I first heard Sophie Jamieson earlier this year; I came across her stunning track 'Waterloo' which she released last summer on the ever-wonderful Folkroom Records. I was instantly drawn in by her haunting vocal (reminiscent of Daughter's output) and her direct lyric style. I'm delighted to hear that the hugely talented youngster is back with a new track entitled 'Stain' out now on Luv Luv Luv.

Jamieson's vulnerable and emotive vocal floats hauntingly over the spacious, stripped-back acoustic guitar make for a truly absorbing track. It's sparse, destructive, yet oh-so beautiful.

Track of the Day: Eliza and the Bear - Brother's Boat

Today's TOTD is courtesy of the lush sounds of London indie pop five-piece, Eliza and the Bear.

With 'Brother's Boat' official release due on April 28th on Mi Familia Music, they have today released the track's video (see below).

I recently caught the band at St. Stephen's Church on their recent Communion Records New Faces tour and was blown away by their exuberant set; full of youth, energy and harmony.

It's been a big 6 months for the rising with support shows for Imagine Dragons and Paramore, as well as their single 'It Gets Cold' being voted 'Hottest Record in the World' by Zane Lowe, and gaining extensive coverage through it's use in the Sochi Winter Olympics.

'Brother's Boat' is a huge pop track, built around its infectious melodic hook, staccato guitars and a huge rising swell of brass breaking in the track's anthemic climax. According to singer James Kellegher, it's a track about 'growing old too quickly, and feeling that your body and life are getting away from you'.

The band are heading out on tour with AWOLNATION, so you can catch them at the following dates:

May
26th - Trinity - Bristol
28th - Institute Library - Birmingham
29th - Club Academy - Manchester
30th - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire - London
31st - Waterfront - Norwich

Track of the Day: We Came From Wolves - Paradise Place

Mellowed. That's how I'd describe the evolution of my music taste over the past decade. Whether that's a reflection of the way the wider industry has changed over that time, or just me aging ten years from a (mildly) angsty teenager to a man in his mid-twenties is up for debate. However, every so often a more "rock" track comes along and makes me wonder why I ever turned my back on it in the first place. 'Paradise Place' by We Came From Wolves encompasses that.

The Glasgow four-piece write punchy, yet melodic rock; layered with angular guitar parts, huge choruses with lilting accent-ridden vocals and a percussion section which keeps the whole ship on track. Yes, there are similarities to genre powerhouses Biffy Clyro, but when they're widely loved by fans and critics alike, that's no bad comparison.

The band's second EP, also named Paradise Place, was out on March 3rd via Saraseto Records. If you like what you hear you can download it from their Soundcloud here, or go see them on their UK tour - detail are on their Facebook.