Single// Plan B - iLL Manors

Having accumulated a wide array of critical and mainstream acclaim with his previous album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, Plan B is back and angrier than ever. Leaping away from the soulful backdrop of his most recent material, to return to his harsh grime roots.The new track – iLL Manors is a flippant dose of rebellious angst, purveyed through an aggressive rap that explores the political activist rage of London’s gritty “mean streets.” With digs at the media portrayal of the common man, council estate “scum” and last year’s riots. All accompanied by a stabbing staccato violin, with each bow stroke enveloping an ominous, frightening atmosphere.

iLL Manors is a shocking piece of revolutionary protest song, but perhaps not quite the Common People of this generation, as has been previously cited.

Jonathan Hatchman.

Single// Crocodiles - Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)

Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9) is the first single to be released from the San-Diego outfit; Crocodiles’ third studio album – Endless Flowers, set for release on 4^th June

Sunday presents itself as a sun-drenched slice of American Lo-Fi bliss. Submerged in a continuous driving guitar riff, dripping with fuzz and distortion, accompanied by a rock steady drum beat, battling with Brandon Welchez’s hazy, reverberated vocals, reminiscent of a shoegaze effect similar to Jesus And The Mary Chain’s upbeat numbers.

Breeding immense excitement for the release of the album, set to tie in nicely with the impending summertime.

Jonathan Hatchman.

Download it, for free, here. You won't be disappointed.

Place To Be Tonight// Diagrams, Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen

With their favoured use of geometric forms, notably the triangle - Sam Gedders’ side project – Diagrams has captivated a swarm of indie attention, successive to the release of their eponymous EP back in July, followed by the January of their debut album; Black Light. Having began to build a back-catalogue of quintessentially English Math-Rock gems. Having recorded with an expanding list of big names, the band’s live performances are certain staples of their existence.

Single/ Lethal BIzzle - Not A Saint

Having started his career as a grime musician ten years ago, winning awards and receiving critical acclaim along the way, Lethal Bizzle is back with a brand new single, having recruited Donae’o to help out with the vocal duties.

Ignited by the smooth vocals of Donae’o, the track builds into an electronic, almost dubstep array, as Bizzle’s rapped verses are as strong as ever, introduced by a barking synth breakdown. Dropping into a chorus of R&B vocals overlapping a strong drum and bass style electro intent.

A fine urban track, that will surely be huge, but it’s hard not to feel that Lethal Bizzle’s new direction disappointingly lacks the invigorating appeal of his early singles such as; Fire and Kickback.

Jonathan Hatchman

Track Of The Day// Crocodiles - Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9)

Having recently announced a voyage up the Thames on a boat party to celebrate the release of the band’s third album Endless Flower set for release on 4^th June. A crunchy taster has been premiered, in the form of the next single Sunday (Psychic Conversation #9). Opening with layered guitars, fuzzing their way through the remainder under Brandon Welchez’ reverberating trippy vocals. Manifesting itself into a slice of pure summery lo-fi bliss.

Jonathan Hatchman

Single//Noel Gallagher - Dream On

Having recently been crowned, NME’s Godlike Genius, it gets harder each day to say anything bad about Noel Gallagher’s music. Not that anything bad should ever have been said. Thus the new single contains an acoustic led melody under Gallagher’s quintessentially northern vocals that reign through the arena built choruses, as apparent throughout the whole of his debut solo album, since the media frenzy of a fall out with his brother and co-frontman of Oasis.

The track contains all of the components that an Oasis song should have, especially the band’s later albums. But all the while Noel is doing so well and Beady Eye are letting the side down a bit, you can’t help but wish that the lads would just kiss and make up, then go on to write and record their stadium filling hits of yesteryear.

However, Dream On will do a fine job of keeping us entertained until the apparent reunion in 2014.

Jonathan Hatchman

Up-&-Coming// Drop Out Venus

Hailing from Bulgaria, Drop Out Venus currently reside in the gloomy depths of South East London’s Deptford, using their one-bedroom flat as a transient studio to write and record their compendium of Junk-Jazz Archetypes.

Recently their track; Love in Vein appeared upon the band’s Soundcloud page, gaining an almost instant, grappling appeal. Introduced with staccato, clean guitar chords, leading up to the establishment of Iva Moscovich’s emotive, poetic lyrics purveyed through her bittersweet vocal styling, presenting rapidly recognizable similarities to Nico. Going on to develop Moscovich’s swooning vocals, each line seizing more and more attention, until you delve so far into the twisted balladry that escape seems virtually impossible. Inviting the band’s only available track to a conclusive finale.

Citing influence from a variety of bands – including The White Stripes, PJ Harvey, Thelonius Monk and Flat Duo Jets, the fatal attraction can be found within the band’s live performances, having played shows to compact crowds in South London’s most malodorous venues. The performances purvey the careless punk energy of the 1970’s CBGB scene, reflecting acts such as Patti Smith, Iggy Pop’s solo material and The Cramps in some ways, especially through the sounds created from Zaek Nakrivo’s guitar wielding. Nonetheless, the most memorable aspect of the band’s shows, again, belongs to Moscovich. Adopting a stage presence similar to no other recent front-women, as her careless attitude and frankly terrifying glares make Drop Out Venus’ shows undoubtedly worthwhile.

The band’s track – Love In Vein certainly won’t ascend to the top of the iTunes singles chart, nor will it induce hundreds of sundrenched smiles. However, it will certainly harrow its way into your mind and tightly hold on to your brainwaves for the foreseeable future.

Listen to: Love In Vein

For Fans of: Nico, The Velvet Underground, Iggy Pop

Jonathan Hatchman.

Single// Wild Nothing – Nowhere.

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It’s pretty cool and incredibly commendable that there are so many one man band’s around nowadays, not the sort that parade around carnivals attempting to play a ridiculous amount of instruments, but those that spend a little too much time alone, churning out layer upon layer of music that flowers and develops into a vivacious single.

However, some are evidently better at it than others, one of those is Jack Taturn, much better known as Wild Nothing. Now with the wheels in motion for the follow up to the Golden Haze EP of 2010, his latest single comes across as a delicious slice of nonplussed, hazy dream-pop. From the swooning strings to the layered vocals, purveying a distinctly moody, yet undeniably beautiful melancholia. If this doesn’t breed excitement for another full length, then God knows what will?

Jonathan Hatchman.

EP//Crowns - Crowns

Having secured a slot alongside Sharks on their March/April tour, the lads from Crowns will have a set of new tracks from their new EP, set for release on St Piran’s day.

The six-track adopts a sound that could, perhaps, be described as Frank Turner’s Treasure Island, with a sestet of acoustic led and vocal harmonies that wouldn’t be out of place at a good old fashion smuggler’s pub sing-song. Tracks such as Kissing Gates and Full Swing purvey the atmospherics of traditional, jaunty folk songs with a categorical punk energy, virtually invisible upon today’s folk scene. Not to forget the great drinking songs, Whose Pint’s Whose and She Swears Like A Sailor, still conforming to their shanty-esque energy.

Summing up a shashbuckling jamboree bag of folk-punk finery.

Jonathan Hatchman.

Live// Electricity In Our Homes, Electricity Studios, London. 1/3/12

Electricity In Our Homes are a band that we have been following for quite a while now. With tonight marking the official launch party of their recently released debut album – Dear Shareholder. Set in the unassuming backdrop of Electricity Showrooms’ basement, equipped with a mirrored ceiling and illuminated Disco 2000 dance floor. Resembling what probably used to be a 1970’s Pulp Fiction sleaze bar.

Taking to the make-do stage, in the midst of an electric atmosphere before a reasonably vast crowd, clattering through a set of soulful post-punk – incorporating a variety of tracks taken straight from the brand new album. Including the almighty Oranges, Nothing If Not Lovely with it’s jangly guitar and soothing vocals, as well as the closest thing to a ballad to come from the band’s back catalogue, the bass heavy Appletree, witnessing Bonnie K taking the lead vocal duty.

However, the high points of tonight’s show were the penultimate duo, firstly, a sped up cover of Al Green’s Here I Am Baby, engendering a bit of a balls-up at the beginning resulting in having to start over. Leading into the finale, their latest single; Aching, Breaking, Shaking For You, Provoking an interesting variety of dance moves upon the hypnotic dance floor as well as a genuine punk-rock ending of Paul Linger’s drum kit taking an unexpected flying lesson, followed by a strong case of instrument abuse, resulting in a bass drum obliteration caused by a few stomps and jumps.

Electricity In Our Homes haven’t quite excelled to destructive rock star status yet, but if they uphold this performance standard, it doesn’t seem too far away.

Jonathan Hatchman.

Single// The Maccabees – Feel To Follow

After wowing the masses with their latest studio effort, The Maccabees are back with the follow up to Given To The Wild’s lead single; Pelican. It’s clear that the band have matured significantly as musicians and even as people. Combining a wide array of unexpected sounds throughout their new material.

As Feel To Follow builds gradually, led by Week’s wispy vocals, it’s not until the second half that an explosion of anthemic synth and guitar interplay arises, leading the a stroll into Iron Maiden territory – dual guitar shredding. A quality completely absent upon Colour It In or Wall Of Arms.

Surprisingly this cacophony of merged sounds works terrifically, although the childhood nostalgia has sadly vanished, their new album has provided the success and status that the band have worked so hard for

Jonathan Hatchman.

Album// Ceremony - Zoo

Having wowed just about everybody with their Hevy Festival performance, the CA Hardcore giants; Ceremony are back with their latest long play effort. Gaining a controversial approach from fans and journalists alike, claiming that Zoo has witnessed Ceremony “going soft”.

Indeed, Ross Farrar’s brutal vocals have been replaced with a type of American drawl, but the aggression is still present, not to mention the thrashy guitar riffs and ferocious bass lines. Especially through tracks such as, the album’s opener and lead single – Hysteria, from the drumstick count in to the ominous guitar riff that could suit a Master of Puppets B-side, pulsating over Farrar’s gnarly vocals. As well as, Citizen with the plodding bass line, power chords a plenty and a soaring solo.

However, aside from the stigma that goes with the slight mellowing, it is evident that Zoo is an experimental album, enveloping an element of psychedelica to accompany the raging riffs. For instance, Nosebleed descends into a swirly haze of distortion and reverb that wrestles with the slurred vocals. Drawing similarities to the style of their label contemporaries; Fucked Up, especially taking their latest effort – The Year Of The Tiger into account.

With standout points Community Service and Repeating The Circle, the first mirrors a sound similar to Minor Threat’s traditional hardcore approach. Yet Repeating The Circle abides to an almost lo-fi haze with a creepy guitar that could be compared to a modern day version of The Cramps. Showing that the mass of covers from their previous EP release is still evident on their latest album.

So, apart from the fact that major fans may be disheartened by the imposed lack of raw brutality, however Zoo certainly proves that Ceremony are not a one trick pony. As song-writing goes, it may well be their best release to date.

Jonathan Hatchman.