Watch: Rah Rah – 20s

 

Employing the Blue Peter approach to the pop video, artful indie sextet Rah Rah’s promo for ‘20s’ utilises nothing more than a range of kitsch mail-order ornaments and garish 1970s wallpaper. But tracks that deliver choruses as gloriously contagious as this one don’t need elaborate enhancements. Hailing from Canada’s landlocked Saskatchewan, about as remote a region as can be found on a chartered map, the band have a new album, ‘The Poet’s Dead’, that is instrumentally inventive and pop-hook polished enough to require them to get used to far greater population densities at venues well beyond their native prairies. Single ‘20s’, in particular, has an eerie call-and-reponse vocal crisscrossing the verse, snaring the listener’s attention before exploding into life on that chorus, as multilayered harmonies declare over accelerating guitars: ‘I’ll spend my 20s on rock’n’roll/I’ll spend my 30s feeling old’. As for the charity shop video, well, it was always going to end in tears…

The Poet’s Dead is out now on Hidden Pony.

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Listen: Archie Pelago, Grenier - Swoon

'Swoon' is the first single taken from the collaborative album Grenier Meets Archie Pelago, and it's a beauty. Combining the musicality of the Brooklyn trio Archie Pelago with producer Dave Grenier's skill for digital manipulation, the result has aspirations of Cinematic Orchestra and Bonobo. Sweeping woodwind, horn and strings are set to an exquisite and deeply textured electronic backdrop, with steel drums thrown in at the halfway mark, perhaps a reflection of the hazy warmth of San Francisco, where the record was put together in one week-long session. Completely instrumental, the beat loops through an array of percussive and jazzy notes, with highs and lulls that make for an addictive listen and will have you reaching for replay when it ends.

Grenier Meets Archie Pelago is out now on Melodic Records

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Listen: Wild Smiles - Fool For You

The half-cut Alex Turner may have raised a few eyebrows with his “rock’n’roll will never die” speech at this year’s Brit Awards, but no one could accuse the Arctic Monkeys’ fella of being wrong. Emphatic proof of this comes from new Sunday Best signings Wild Smiles, whose album-taster, ‘Fool For You’, is a lusty two-minute blast of everything that makes the artform rapturous and timeless. Utterly self-assured, the trio’s melange of frantic overdriven guitar, cascading drums, heavily reverbed vocal, sweet West Coast harmonies and the briefest volte-face of a break is one heady defibrillator of Ramones-like punk pop. It’s some distance away from any radical new soundscape, sure, but ‘Fool For You’ is happy evidence that primary rock’n’roll is still in riotous good health.

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Album Review: Glimmermen - I’m Dead

There can’t be too many precedents in pop where the thoughts of the recently deceased (“I’ve never been no goddamn saint/careful of the picture that you paint”) are set to a rowdy blend of angular post-punk and bouncy acoustic ska, but then the quirkiness of the excellent title track on Glimmermen’s debut sets the tone for the whole album, one that rejects the uniform. The pulpy untethered beats, woody stand-up bass and shattered-glass guitar are constants, but enterprising embellishments gleefully shake the norm: a honking sax fattens the riff on ‘I’m Dead’; Mariachi-style horns illuminate the chorus over the earthy dancehall swagger of ‘There Was a Boy’; a flurry of harmonica dissects the ringing harmonics of the driving ‘Peace at Last’. The loose, single-take openness gives ‘I’m Dead’ a live feel, sometimes reminiscent of a mid-eighties Peel session from never-quite-cracked-it acts like Bogshed or Tools You Can Trust, but channeled through songs of far-greater consistency, fronted by Gavin Cowley’s warm, worldly vocal and his ruminations on life, and death. Take ‘Home’, for example, where the bass lays a sparse refrain across a solid soul beat, leaving space for Cowley to opine ‘I came from the country/I made for the city/And I found home’; or the spoken narrative of ‘Angels and Devils’, a leaden-sky of a tune, part Fall, part Bad Seeds, that could soundtrack a vicious Spaghetti Western. There are several highlights. No mere glimmer of something special on this Dublin trio’s debut, then, more an intense glare.

I’m Dead is out now

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Listen: King of The Mountains - Zoetrope

Those discerning folk at Melodic Records have struck again, here with the debut album from Manchester’s Phil Kay, aka King of the Mountains. Title track ‘Zoetrope’ is a slow-building, six-minute, locomotive-like slab of percussive ambient dance — trancey psychedelic digitalism constructed over a burly two-chord loop. Although a propulsive tune, conjuring visions of hazily watching the landscape drift by from a window seat, and barely an off-peak day return away from The Chemical Brothers’ ‘Star Guitar’, Kay’s inspiration for 'Zoetrope' was rather more static: “There's a similarity in using these really hard-edged electronic materials to try and create something human and meaningful, and the way the brutalists used concrete and steel to do the same. I'm more influenced by architecture than any other art form. When you see a building like Sagrada Familia you realise the sheer potential of the creative mind.” What was that Frank Zappa quote about dancing to architecture? He'd have had to change his punchline after listening to this.

Zoetrope is out now on Melodic Records

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Review: David Ward - Golden Future Time

You’d have to be a hardened popophobe to find nothing appealing about David Ward’s debut, for the Canuck crooner’s magpie-like musical instincts have resulted in him dabbling in a raft of celebrated styles and mastering many of them. From the sinister fairy-tale waltz of ‘Ghost in the Woods’ and the sparse Portishead-esque canvas of ‘Lost’ (literal trip-hop; listen to that stumbling beat), to the shiny, happy, supercheesed disco of the title track and ‘Fly’s woofer-whuppin’, dirty dancefloor throb, Ward comes over as part indie-introvert, part crotch-grabbing lothario. But ain’t we all. The adhesive to this unlikely assemblage is his opulent soulful vocal, a larynx to conquer all variables, sometimes recalling the ethereal fragility of fellow countryman Partick Watson, sometimes a Pharrell were he ever prone to self-doubt. The flipside to this mash-up is that even the most broad-minded music fan might struggle to find the entire package satisfying – everyone will have their favourites. Ours is the opener, ‘Slowly Through The Night’, whose snaking electro bassline introduces some epic, near proggy guitars and keys, and finds Ward gliding from pained, sweet falsetto to sullen rap. Take a listen below, it may not be representative of the whole album, but you’d be hard pushed to find one track on ‘Golden Future Time’ that is.

Golden Future Time is out now on Golden Future Recordings

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Review: Michael A Grammar – Random Vision EP

Swollen with sonic exploration, Michael A Grammar’s ‘Random Vision’ might be projected through a vaguely baggy, psych-rock prism, but its caution-to-the-wind approach makes for a refreshingly genre-bending whole. Blasting off, the bombastic ‘The Day I Come Alive’ recalls heady Madchester euphoria, its Messianic complex not diminished by the opening ‘I’ve been searching for Jesus’ line, and a massive sky-kissing chorus more exaltation of praise than hooky one-liner. It’s an anthem grounded by a supercool shuffle from a rhythm section who also show funky form over the closing bars of ‘Suzanna’, which unpromisingly kicks off like INXS fronted by an Elvis impersonator, but takes a radical turn when a serrated guitar riff sparks like a jump-lead, hot-wiring the track into life. ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ is heavy-duty psych, evoking a reined-in Tame Impala herded on by another fearsome riff, this one chopped out in a stacatto rush as if the guitarist is clasping powder-flecked plastic rather than a plectrum. Threatening to climax in a cacophony of power chords, instead the tune drops easier than Luis Suarez and fades on a cushion of dreamy arpeggios. This predilection for the unpredictable peaks on the EP’s closing number – ‘The Way You Move’ has a driving root-note intro, suggesting a Doves-style pop epic, before it segues into a kind of grungy bossanova, a Bond theme made all the more surreal by the return of those pub singer vocals; the mumbling melody juxtaposed with spectacular fretwork. Even the extended outro is more enervating than indulgent, evidence of a band enthused by the scope of their dexterity. There’s the occasional dizzy spell in Michael A Grammar’s Random Vision, but the overall expressiveness and excitement of this EP are as clear as day.

Random Vision is released on 27 January on Melodic.

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Listen: Alpines - Oasis

Oasis is the first single to be taken from Alphines highly anticipated debut album. Oasis will also be the tile of the album. It's great to see Catherine Pockson and Bob Matthews back in such fine form.

Oasis is set for release on March 3rd via Untrue Records and if you want to catch them live they will be playing at The Basement on Thursday 27th February in London

Watch: Folie Ordinaire - Chez Folie

'Chez Folie' is the addictive new track by Folie Ordinaire, taken from their second EP. Infused with a new-wave disco beat, the bassline, synth, guitar hook and falsetto vocals defy you not to dance. Treading the line between electro, rock and pop punk, there's a hint of The Cure about them (as well as an affinity with the likes of MGMT), and a similar sexy abandonment. The video follows suit, dripping with sequins, disco balls and glitter. But what shines the most is their energy, led by frontman Antoine, which spreads across the dance floor and out of the speakers. It's a great advert for their live shows, and a sign that these lot are more than just festival scenesters, where they've been making a name for themselves since 2010. And if you don't want the party to stop, the remix by Robin Twelftree takes the track into the realms of clubland, driven by the distinctive beat and manipulated vocals. This is an infectious tune that's difficult to shake; trust us, you'll be singing it to yourself later.

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Download: Bad Life Records Xmas Giveaway

Bad Life Records are being extra nice and have decided to giveaway loads of tracks! In their own words below

Featuring Petite Noir, Fé, D/R/U/G/S, Qtier, Astro Zu, Arnaud Rebotini and Attaque - Click for the download

"3 years in, and we've still clearly not quite got this record label lark. As to celebrate our 3rd Birthday this week, we've decided to give all our favourite releases of 2013 away completely for free. Featuring music from Petite Noir, Fé, Astro Zu, Qtier, D/R/U/G/S, Blatta & Inesha, Arnaud Rebotini, Mason and Symmetry, it's a chronicle of our best, most eclectic year yet.

Moreover, to show that our love for our dance floor roots is as strong as ever, our new bright hopes of techno Raving George, Symmetry and Henzel and Disco Nova have served up three killer mixtapes to fill those transitional hours until 2014.

Love to everyone who bought a track, went to a show, wrote a blog, danced at a party or felt something when our records played"

Listen: Plank – Aphidelity

Plank – Aphidelity

If John Carpenter had commissioned A Certain Ratio to perform his score to an early Eighties sci-fi flick, the result may have sounded something like Plank’s instrumental new single, ‘Aphidelity’ - all oscillating loops, clumping bass, casually paced four-to-the-floor disco beats and astral synth runs. The Manchester band’s joyous outpouring of loosely funky futurism, taken from their upcoming second album, is wilfully cinematic, so clamp on those headphones, close your eyes and cast yourself as the lead battling intergalactic ne’er-do-wells in the Big Apple or saving humankind on the streets of San Francisco. You’ll be sporting wide collars, aviators and platforms as you do so, mind, but I guess that has a certain hipster cachet…

Aphidelity is out on Akoustik Anarkhy Recordings now

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Review: Turtle - Who Knows EP

Fast gaining a reputation as a rising electronic star, Turtle, aka Jon Cooper, has released his debut EP, 'Who Knows', and it’s an expertly executed medley. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Radiohead and contemporaries Jon Hopkins and SOHN, Turtle has forged his own minimalist, layered landscape here. The title track encompasses stunning synths and a slow beat that builds through a piano crescendo, and is addictive listening. The accompanying video, produced by Simone Smith, captures the dreamy trip-hop nature of the track, with a series of disparate flashing images that gradually connect, creating a haunting nostalgia mimicking Cooper's lyrics. The rest of the EP continues in the same vein, with ‘Compartmentalisation’s more uplifting guitar glitches, and some breathy, manipulated vocals and driving, heavy bass on ‘Opposite of Low’. It’s the first release from new label Beatnik Creative, and these guys are on to something pretty special. And just in time for Christmas, the EP is available on limited edition 12" white vinyl. Festive.

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Listen: Glass Caves – Summer Lover EP (Tri-Tone)

Barnets vast and unkempt, beards borderline, threads monochrome and strides super-skinny, Yorkshire’s Glass Caves certainly look the part of a widescreen alt-rock act with arena-sized intent, and in ‘Summer Lover’ they have a single to live up to the signifiers. A soaring tune, bouncy and bracing, it is a reflection on lost sunny days, capturing the feelgood essence of the moment rather than the memories. The tremulous guitar licks, awash with reverb, form a harmonic cloud around a deftly crafted offering where not only is the “Free to be a Fool” chorus damn catchy, but the pop credentials shine throughout, right down to the smart key-change that announces the bridge. Elsewhere on the EP, ‘Throw Down The Pistol’ doffs its cap to AM-period Arctic Monkeys, and it’s not just the regional vowels; some sleaze-rock guitar riffs and upper-register oohs and aahs cement the likeness. They make a decent fist of it, but ‘This Road’ is a return to what the band do best, accessible midtempo anthems. This one has a bold group-hug of a chorus holding firm against that ethereal reverb. Closing track ‘Safety Man’ initially threatens to be the sort of over-earnest rock ballad you may fear from a group of this ilk, but its twists of tempo and style save it from filler. Shimmering production aside, Glass Caves may not be breaking any boundaries, but theirs is a chart-friendly sphere and ‘Summer Lover’ is a sharp enough song to give them a crack.

Summer Lover is out on Tri-Tone on 2 December

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Introducing: Christian Gregory - Count on You

Checkout Christian Gregory's 'Count on you' which is the debut single on Michael Kiwanuka's brand new label Movement Records

'Count On You' is set for release on Dec 9th

Listen: D/R/U/G/S - You Are Everywhere

Check out the new track from D/R/U/G/S

'You Are Everywhere' features vocals from Rebecca Rivers (her debut release). The track is available to buy digitally via Bad Life and will be followed by an EP, which will be dropping before the end of November.

Listen: Buzzard Lope - Amazing Radio Sessions + Album Launch

You can catch Lost in the Manor's very own Buzzard Lope live in session with the wonderful Ruth Barnes on amazing radio.

The shows are aired from 10am - 1pm so make sure you tune in.

Buy Buzzard Lope tickets for their Album Launch on Nov 21st at the Servants Jazz Quarters - Tickets

Listen: Patterns - This Haze

A potent attention-grabber ahead of the band’s debut album, ‘This Haze’ is evidence of Manchester quartet Patterns’ drowned-in-sound approach. Trembling guitar arpeggios ring out from great washes of feedback and keyboard sustain, bolstered by pounding tribal toms. Blissed-out vocals deliver a final layer of irregular melody, the lyrical unintelligibility just adding to the hallucinatory whole. As if Bloc Party dropped acid at a Baggy revue and cranked up the fuzzbox, ‘This Haze’ is more intriguing soundscape than instant smash, but is certainly satisfying enough to flag up that January album as one of 2014’s early essentials.

Patterns’ Waking Lines (Melodic Records) is out on 6 January

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Listen: Nuns - I Don't Know Where I Stand

I can't really give you any info on the band as they are so new and fresh. This track is a blinder Please do share this with your friends. Lets just hope they come over soon to the UK from the states. We at Lost in The Manor would love to house Nuns for a show!

Listen: Tristesse Contemporaine - Fire

Here you can catch a little taster of Tristesse Contemporaine's new album

Mysterious Paris based trio Tristesse Contemporaine are set to release their 2nd full length ‘Stay Golden’ on 25th November through Record Makers. It follows the release of the ‘Woodwork,’ EP, which marked the start of their collaboration with the label, also home to Kavinsky, Sebastien Tellier and Hynolove amongst others. Inspired by the ghosts of shoegaze, krautrock and Madchester, the album was produced by the band themselves and continues their quest to soundtrack an era lost to the night.

Made up of Japanese ex-punk singer Narumi, Swedish hockey player turned guitarist Leo and Maik, a British hip-hop fan known for his role as the lead singer of Earthling, Tristesse Contemporaine embodies the concept of a melting pot. Their unique blend of brooding indie and minimal electro pop is equally diverse, effortlessly combining sparse dance beats with bouncy bass lines and providing a fitting backdrop for the more ethereal elements of the new album.

From the uplifting pop of album opener ‘Fire’, abrasive rock of ‘I Do What I Want’ and precise house sounds of ‘Going Out,’ ‘Stay Golden’ straddles a plethora of genres whilst maintaining a signature sound that is undoubtedly their own. It can also be considered as a collection of poetry dedicated to eternal youth.

‘Stay Golden’ is set for release on 25th November through Record Makers. The eye-catching album artwork was designed by Elisabeth Arkhipoff from an illustration by Guy Peelaert.

1 – Fire 2 – Stay Golden 3 – Waiting 4 – Going Out 5 – I Do What I Want 6 – Can’t Resist 7 – Burning 8 – Pretend 9 – Most Times

Have a listen to Fire, it sounds ace!

Listen: Fé - She Came + Live Dates

Fé announce ‘She Came’, the band’s second single and the follow up to ‘Time’, an inspired debut which caught the attention of BBC 6 Music, The Guardian and reams of flattering blogs. It was a flawless signal of intent from Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan, a band we consider to be an extremely significant new discovery.

Fé play London Kings Head Members Club on 23rd & 30th October 2013 Get on the guest list here

Release date: Monday 25th November 2013