Anna Calvi’s debut album is flawless. She is one hell of a talent and I think she is here to stay for a while. I am in love with the mixture of sounds, her voice and guitar playing alongside the quirky yet melodic songwriting. So brilliant. This is the last track from the album and its called ‘Love won’t be leaving’.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever written about this band, but a New Treat about them will be coming up. They are call Elephant and there is hardly anything about them on the web, but this is really great. You can download it from iTunes now.
I am a huge Nick Drake fan and after watching a documentary about him, I found out his mother also made rather nice music. This is ‘How Wild the Wind Blows’. It reminds me a lot of Sibyelle Baier who EVERYONE should check out if your not aware of her.
Emily and the Woods is WONDERFUL. She is releasing a new EP and the launch is on May 4th, supported by Samuel Brookes and some special secret guests. This song is going to be on her new EP and its called ‘I Can’t’. It’s extremely lovely!
I have been listening to loads and loads of Jeff Buckley recently (and by that I mean definite obsession). I think posting a Jeff Buckley song would definitely be cheating on the whole ‘new music’ thing, so this is a cover by Holly Miranda of ‘Lover, You Should’ve come on Over’ which is my favourite Jeff song.
This is Rachel Sermanni singing with Admiral Fallow and it is STUNNING. So wonderful, her voice is like heaven and they work really well together.
The new Noah and the Whale album is now out. I’ve heard lots of high praise for it and also lots of criticism. The Noah and the Whale fans from their first album seem to hate it, but people who were not into that twee folk sound love it. Its full of synths and electric instruments, a million miles away from the fun fun fun of ‘Peaceful the World Lays Me Down’. I however, do like it. One thing that hasn’t changed is the strength of songwriting from Charlie Fink and this album has produced some of his best yet. There are a few songs I’m not too keen on, such as the first track ‘Life is Life’ but L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N. as well as others are brilliant. This is Wild Thing.
Noah and the Whale also did a Track in a Box Takeover for a week. I found this through that, I’ve heard of Arthur Russell before but never listened to him, anyway this is a brilliant song.
I saw and loved The Pins when they supported Laura Marling on her last tour. They have now renamed themselves Louise and the Pins, and have also successfully got through to the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition Finals! There music is stunning, a little country, a little folk and a little 50′s girl group but ultimately a great unique sound. I expect an album out around summer but until then this is Louise Hull from the Pins and Laura Marling singing a gorgeous little duet. They are playing Communion on April 3rd, the day after the Glastonbury ETC Finals.
Last Monday I went to see Georgia Bruce at Proud ahead of her playing my Lazy Sunday night at the Roundhouse. Also performing at Proud was O. Chapman, he is a singer-songwriter and performed some stunning duets with a girl called Faith Barker. You can download a song called ‘Morning Song’ from iTunes which I highly recommend and this is a song called ‘Come On Down’.
Josh T. Pearson has just made a very nice album. I don’t really know any of his older stuff, but this album is really lovely to listen to. He played a few of the songs in a church for Cargo sessions and they are stunning. This is ‘Sweetheart I Ain’t Your Christ’.
Found this the other day, its very nice. Taken By Trees playing a cover of ‘My Girls’ by Animal Collective, but its called ‘My Boys’ now.
The Lykke Li album ‘Wounded Rhymes’ is out now and I am liking it a lot. I prefer her first album, there is a lot of stomping percussion on this one which is good in places but I prefer the prettier sounds of Lykke Li. This is my favourite song from her new album, its called ‘I Know Places’. I can’t find the album version on YouTube so this is Lykke performing the song on the moon.
Essie Jain has a lovely voice, her songs are very pretty and this song is called ‘What a Big Wide World’. So sweet!
The last thing I am going to include is something not new but something I have recently come back to. I decided to listen to The Reminder album by Feist the other day and fell in love with it all over again, such a stunning album. This track is my favourite, the mixture between her voice and the male voice is beautiful.
Been finding lots of new things recently, as well as a growing obsession with Fleetwood Mac after a documentary of theirs was on BBC but yes, this is some other lovely new stuff.
This is Sibylle Baier, I found her on For Folk’s Sake and it was love instantly. She recorded a number of songs between 1970 and 1973, in Germany where she grew up. She never released them and instead focused on having a family. Then, in 2006, now living in America, her son got hold of these recordings and sent them to some family friends, one of which passed it on to a record label and so the album ‘Colour Green’ was made. And what a stunning collection of songs it is. Delicate, emotional and stunningly beautiful, I hope after so many years she will finally receive some well deserved recognition. This is Tonight, which is the first track from the album, but I recommend it all, especially ‘I Lost Something to the Hills’ and ‘The End’.
Alpines have been causing a bit of a blogging stir recently. Their song Drive was played on the Zane Lowe show a while ago but this is my favourite song, ‘Ice & Arrows’. They describe their music as Night-Pop and echos of Zola Jesus, Lykke Li and Bat for Lashes certainly shine through, really looking forward to whats next.
I saw Matt Corby at Communion last week and was blown away. His voice is incredible live and his songs are also very nice, this is My False. I think he might have a good year, so keep an eye and an ear out for more.
Lykke Li’s next album ‘Wounded Rhymes’, an excellent album name if I may say so, on Februay 28th. A few of the songs from the album have already emerged and all are wonderful, this is one which surfaced the other day, its called ‘Love Out Of Lust’ and she has said it is one of her personal favourites from the album.
James Blake has covered one of my favourite songs ever, Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You. When I heard he had covered it I was a a little apprehensive of what he would have done with it, but then I heard it and was blown away. His voice is crystal clear and he has kept the song incredibly simple. Beautiful beautiful.
I also saw Nathaniel Rateliff at Communion, who was also wonderful. I have just got a copy of his album which I will review soon, but this is my highlight of it at the moment.
This isn’t exactly new but I would like to mention it as I haven’t really talked about Villagers. I went to see him at Concrete in Shoreditch last week, the sound quality in that venue is unbelievable. It made me realise how important that is for a performance and how all venues should really sound like that one does! Villagers were wonderful too, his voice is flawless, every song was note perfect. This is a lovely version of ‘Set the Tigers Free’.
In case you haven’t already heard, Laura Marling won a Brit! I was really shocked but also really really pleased, real talent finally being noticed. Arcade Fire also won two awards and Mumford and Sons won best album for ‘Sigh No More’ so overall it was a very very good night for good music. This is a new Laura song which she performed at the Folk Awards a week or so before the Brits, its wonderful, ringing sounds of 70′s folk and clear Joni Mitchell influences in the voice.
Not done one of these since before Christmas! Too long, so I hope some of this lovely stuff makes up for it! First, Noah and the Whale are back and better than ever in my opinion. A few of the songs are floating round YouTube and the best one is this one, L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.
Rachel Sermanni is one of the artists being pushed by Communion at the moment. When she appeared on the compilation back in April I didn’t think she stood out but after giving her a second listen, I think I have fallen in love with her melodies and sweet voice. This song is called ‘Song for a Fox’ and I also recommend you to check out ‘My Friend Fire’.
Roo Panes was my new treat a while ago and since then I am forever going back and listening to his lovely songs. A few new ones have appeared recently, you can have a listen here. I recommend ‘Thoughts for an absent friend’.
I found this lovely song a while back, perfect and summery. Its a very nice video too.
Got a copy of the new Marcus Foster EP yesterday. It is rather good, he is very very talented. I will write a review of it in the next few days with details of when it is going to be released. But until then, enjoy this, the second track called Tumble Down.
Bat For Lashes is one of my all time favourite artists. She’s had a bit of a break since her 2009 album ‘Two Suns’ and I am hoping she will return in 2011. I found this song the other day, its old but stunningly beautiful.
I like this band a lot. This song is wonderfully catchy and has a lovely summery, 60′s feel about it. Can easily see this becoming the soundtrack to the summer.
And lastly, Laura Marling. Yes, I know I write about her way too much, but this is a brand new song and I think it might be one of her best yet.
Coming soon- Marcus Foster review, brand new Festival News feature, New Treats, lots of New Bands and the best of some of the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition entries!
Hello I’m back! It’s been a long time since a proper post I know, but hopefully this lot will make up for it. First Deerhunter and this very lovely song which Lauren Laverne chose as her song of the year!
Next James Blake, one of the hot tips for 2011 and will certainly be appearing on my list. A lot of people are referring to him as being a result of the XX effect. Its more pop than the XX, but still brilliantly good.
Justin Vernon pops up in many forms, maybe non as great as Bon Iver but, still, their is some pretty beautiful undiscovered songs out there.
Something a little different but I think Jamie XX is gonna be massive in 2011. And here is a glimpse at why.
The Black Keys are appearing on quite a few album of the year lists. I’ve never listened to them before and don’t own there album but I thought I’d check them out to see what the buzz was about. I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought it was gonna be another Foals-type indie band but they are something very very unique.
A little while ago, Elena Tonra appeared on the Communion record. I had a little rant about her and wrote a new treat on her and then she seemed to disappear. But now she’s back, under a new name, Daughter and with the same stunning voice and sweet songs. This is a nice video of the song from the Communion record that got me raving a bit.
Norah Jones has released an album of collaborations. I always think Norah Jones is a little dull but this album is actually full of very very nice things. There is a song will Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Dolly Parton, Ryan Adams and lots more. This is my favourite, its with the gorgeous Belle and Sebastian.
For a bit more of the Justin Vernon input, this is from Hadestown which is Anais Michell’s folk opera album, released this year. A lot of the album is very weird, I think a lot of the songs need to be listened to in context of the album, but this song is very very nice.
And one last thing, addicted to this Crystal Castles song.
Ok thats all folks, but here is what is going to be coming in the next two weeks or so…
My 10 albums of the year
Songs of the Year
Review of the Year including EP’s, live acts and whatever else I feel like
Its been about a month and a half since i’ve done one of these so I have lots of very nice things to post about! The first thing is ‘Your Song’, an Elton John song which has been covered by Ellie Goulding. It is going to be on the John Lewis advert so I expect it to get pretty big. Its produced by Ben Lovett of Mumford and Sons and the video is stunning. It’s wonderful to see the old, stripped back Ellie again.
Ray Davis has just released a new album collaborating with many artists including Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Paloma Faith and Mumford and Sons which of course is the video I am going to post. I love this song and the Mumford sound really suits it.
I Blame Coco’s debut album came out on Monday and my favourite song from the album is the cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’, its not on YouTube but you can watch it if you click here. Below is another cover of the album of Neil Young’s ‘Only Love can Break your Heart’, this is an acoustic version performed with Fyfe Dangerfield.
Next for a lovely lovely band called Dark Dark Dark. There album ‘Wild Go’ is apparently very good so I may have to invest in it. This is a song called ‘Daydreaming’, the video is lovely too and also check out a song called ‘Bright Bright Bright’.
Lykke Li has just released a new single ‘Get Some’. Its a really really good dancey song but what I love most about the single is the b-side. The reason I love Lykke Li is for songs like ‘Possibility’ and ‘Tonight’ and now this, ‘Paris Blue’.
I have written about The Mariner’s Children many times before. They have just released their first EP on Broken Sound records and I found this video and thought it was rather beautiful.
Mountain Man are really good. I don’t listen to enough of them, this will have to change soon. I really like this song, I think the way they harmonise is really clever.
And lastly for something very different. My brother showed me this and although its not the sort of this I’d normally take to, I think Magnetic Man are really exciting and Katy B is an excellent vocalist. I cannot fault anything in this video. It makes me much happier to think pop music might head in this direction than the direction of the Jason Derulo’s.
I have been a very bad blogger recently, I haven’t been going to too many gigs which is a shame as its one of the reasons I moved to London, but still, this is some of the lovely things I have been listening to recently.
I went to Rough Trade record shop last week and was pretty much memorised by it. Brought a fair few CD’s too, including the Glasser album, Wairpaint EP and a few other things. Warpaint seem to be everywhere at the moment, they are on the front of The Fly this week and they have already received a lot of very good reviews for there new album ‘The Fool’ which is released in a few weeks. This is a new song, you can see the video now but this is an acoustic version.
Beth Jeans Houghton has also been on my listening radar since seeing her at 6fest. Her music is wonderful and quirky, although she probably is better live. This is her best song for sure.
I found Hey Rosetta yesterday, they are Canadian and you can hear a lot of Arcade Fire in them. This is a quieter song but its rather lovely.
I have just written a review of the Agnes Obel album for the 405, its a very nice album and I gave it 8/10. This is one of the highlights.
Yesterday there was a lovely lovely thing on Radio 1. First a 3 hour programme called ‘Mumford & Sons and friends’ featuring live performances from Laura Marling, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Maccabees and of course Mumford and Sons as well as collaborations between some of these artists. You can listen or watch it back online now, its highly recommended. After this there was a 1 hour programme called the Folklore of Mumford and Sons in which they talked about there influences and some of the people that inspire them as well as there friends who are making music today. It was brilliant and I also recommend listening to that. They talked about lots of lovely bands, some which I wasn’t too familiar with, including Gillian Welch and this song particularly caught my attention. I love the line ‘She said I wanna do right but not right now’, I think thats very clever. She now plays in the Dave Rawlings Machine band, who are also good and very country.
This is the 10th New Music post which is jolly exciting! I really like doing these and I hope people enjoy looking at them and you find some nice things you like whenever I do them. The first band up this week is Glasser who I found in the NME. I love what I hear so far, its a little Bat For Lashes, a little XX, and a little gothic which is rather wonderful. This is Tremel and check out the Jamie XX Remix of it which is maybe better than the original track!
And speaking of Remix’s, this is the Basement Jaxx remix of Vampire Weekend’s ‘White Sky’ which you can download from their website at the moment. It’s good.
This is a beautiful band called Gypsy and the Wolf. There music is folk but its much more upbeat and catchy than some other folk music, the Mumford influences can definitely be heard.
I heard Lettie on a BB4 Glastonbury show on the Glasto night. Her songs are very sweet and remind me of Alessi’s Ark. Her voice always sounds nervous but it gives the music a lovely dreamy factor.
Now for two bands which are definitely not new but which I have been listening to a lot recently.. First Cocorosie. If you haven’t heard of them there music is dreamy, alternative and often a little weird but overall very beautiful. They have recently done a Daytrotter session which is how I discovered them and its beautiful (and free!) so go and have a listen!
The last song has been one of my favourite songs for years and years but I have never posted it before which is a massive shame. This is Don’t Panic by Coldplay and its featured in the film Garden State. Garden State is my favourite ever film and the soundtrack too is brilliant (The Shins, Zero 7, Nick Drake etc.). I re-watched it the other day and remembered how much I love this song. Hands down best Coldplay song.
Tomorrow is Mercury Prize day! Follow me on Twitter for a running commentary of my opinions of it all and the day after there will be a post about my happiness or sadness of the winner!
A few nice new bands for you. Best Coast first, a band who NME go on about A LOT. But maybe its justified (unlike most bands NME go on about a lot) as they are actually pretty amazingly good.
After seeing them at Big Chill I am really liking the new Mystery Jets stuff. This is my favourite one, the melodies are so catchy.
This is another band who are quite similar to Best Coast but a little more chilled out. They are called Real Estate and this song is Beach Comber.
I don’t think I’ve written about how much I like the new Arcade Fire album, but its brilliant. So many good songs, I can’t decide which is my favourite but this one will do. Just over a week until I will be seeing them live at Leeds Fest!
Warpaint were included in my New Music 6 post, but I like them a lot a lot. I might have them as a New Treat in the next few days. All their songs are pretty beautiful but since I already posted the video for Stars, this is a live version of Billie Holiday. They have just announced that their debut album called ‘The Fool’ is to be released in October.
And finally Matthew and the Atlas. I’ve gone on about this band a lot, they are really really good. Their EP is brilliant, I would definitely recommend it. This new video has just come out for ‘Within A Rose’ and its beautifully shot.
I get my A-Level results tomorrow so their may or may not be a depressing post. Enjoy this lot
I’ve been listening to a lot of Joanna Newsom recently, but here are some other things I have been listening to as well. I love I Blame Coco at the moment. I think she might be the next big thing. She is the daughter of Sting and you can hear his influences in her voice. Her single ‘Self Machine’ is out next week but this is her last single with Robyn and its called ‘Caesar’.
I got the Caitlin Rose album in the post the other day, its very pleasant and I shall do a review of it. My favourite song is ‘Sinful Wishing Well’, I can’t find a good video of the album version so here is a very old version which is quite different, but you get the idea.
Mark Ronson is back and better than ever. His single ‘Bang Bang Bang’ comes out next week and is one of the best dancey songs I’ve heard in ages.
I’ve listened to Devendra Banheart for years but I’ve had a bit of a revisit to his music recently. This is my favourite I think, its lovely and summery. Check out the Fanfarlo and First Aid kit cover on Vimeo, very very nice!
And another more electronic song to end, this is Clock Opera. I’ve never heard of them before but I came across this song and I think its good.
