Author Archives: Cletus Philips

Charley Bickers – Built To Last

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 29, 2012

For the past five years, Brighton-based songwriter Charley Bickers has been slowly recording his debut album, backed with an all-star cast of musicians including members of The Verve, The Guillemots, Saint Saviour and Goldfrapp. The first single to be lifted from the project, “Built To Last” is a sweeping guitar ballad that reflects on lost childhood and the inevitable passing of time. It’s been produced by Nick McCabe from The Verve and delivers a tender introduction to the album, hinting at the expansive vision behind Bickers’ collaborative spirit.

’Charley Bickers – Built To Last’

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’Charley Bickers – Three Little Words feat. Si Jones’

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Alternative/Rock

Everything Everything – Cough Cough

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 29, 2012

Yeah, so, um, wait a second … last night Radio 1 welcomed the return of Everything Everything as they unveiled their comeback single “Cough Cough” on Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 show. A triumphant return to form, “Cough Cough” is a powerful, genre-defying introduction to the Manchester band’s second album that goes a long way to answering any questions regarding a possible sophomore slump. The single is accompanied with a black and white video which was shot by Jonathan, Everything Everything’s multi-talented lead singer.

’Everything Everything – Cough Cough’

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Alternative/Rock

[Folk] Marika Hackman – You Come Down & Mountain Spines

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 23, 2012

Instead of treading the now familiar ‘new folk’ path, this two-track introduction to Marika Hackman is closer aligned to the colorful psychedelic streak of the sixties. Spiraling around her delicate fingerpicked guitar, Hackman’s vocals have a haunting, timeless quality to them, recalling The Velvet Underground’s Nico at her most wistful and demonstrating first signs of a captivating new British talent.

’Marika Hackman – You Come Down’

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’Marika Hackman – Mountain Spines’

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Marika Hackman’s debut AA single “You Come Down” and “Mountain Spines” will be out on ParadYse on September 3rd.

Folk

[Experimental] AlunaGeorge – Your Drums, Your Love

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 21, 2012

AlunaGeorge continue to impress with their shimmering “Your Drums, Your Love” single. Delivering a textbook lesson in bass-heavy pop, this new single further reinforces the promise that AlunaGeorge are one of the UK’s brightest hopes.

’Your Drums, Your Love’

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“Your Drums, Your Love” is out October 8th, preceding the duo’s debut album which is slated for an early 2013 release.

[Indie Electronica] Mr Fogg – Tightrope

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 21, 2012

Oxford’s Mr Fogg returns with “Tightrope,” the third single to be lifted from his sublime second album, Eleven. A densely layered, slightly un-settling single, Mr Fogg takes every opportunity to confound his fans with a heady mix of jarring beats and suspenseful atmospherics which ultimately add up to a very rewarding listen.

’Tightrope (single version)’

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“Tightrope” drops October 1st but if you’re quick you can grab a limited free download from his official website now …

[Synth Pop] Pennybirdrabbit – Treehouse EP

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 21, 2012

Having previously collaborated with Skrillex and Porter Robinson, Pennybirdrabbit has already demonstrated to the world the power in her voice but with the release of her debut Treehouse EP we get a captivating glimpse at another side of the Californian’s songwriting ability. Released as a free download, this new EP is a perfect introduction to Pennybirdrabbit’s solo material which reveals a shimmering mix of electro-pop influences that sit closer to leftfield quirkiness than any of the EDM artists she’s previously collaborated with.

pennybirdrabbit - treehouse

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Synth-pop

[Folk] Fossil Collective – Free EP

Posted by Cletus Philips - August 16, 2012

Whilst in the studio recording the follow up to their Music Ninja approved debut EP ‘Let It Go’, Leeds-based folk outfit Fossil Collective recorded a second EP, which they’re offering fans as a free download off their website to keep them tided over until their second official release, On and On, scheduled to hit record shelves on October 22nd.

’Outliers’

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’Throwing Your Voice’

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’Theres a Light’

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’Call My Name’

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Check out Fossil Collective’s video for “Let It Go” to remind yourself of its brilliance, before heading over to the band’s site to grab yourself a copy of their free EP.

Alternative/Rock