Throwing Up – ‘Big Love’

We had a quick glance at London punk-rock trio Throwing Up last year, when they released 7″ Mother Knows Best.

They are back this time with a brand new single Big Love. You would be hard pushed to find another song that manages to cram so much noise into two minutes. This is a racket with style, thrust by deep bass-lines, distorted chugging guitar and energetic drumming, allowing Camille Bennett’s vocals to soar above the clamor.

You can download ‘Big Love’ below. It will be joined by ‘Red Ribbon’ on the 7″ release, set to come out on 12th March.

Download: Throwing Up – Big Love

Spiritualized | ‘Hey Jane’ & Album News

Has it really been four years since Songs in A&E? Good news then that Spiritualized have announced a new and seventh album Sweet Heart Sweet Light will be out on Friday April 13th.

The first taste off of the album is single, ‘Hey Jane’, an almost nine minute shimmering gem. It begins steamrolling through psych rock before disappearing into a slight freakout before emerging the other side with a rousing Kraut rock-inspired finale that builds too an epic climax. I was already eagerly awaiting new material from Spiritualized but ‘Hey Jane’ has ratcheted things up a notch or two. All that’s left to do is to press play again.

The band play Vicar Street on March 24th and will be on the new series of Other Voices on March 28th on RTE2.

 Spiritualized – Hey Jane

Gorillaz featuring Andre 3000 and James Murphy – ‘DoYaThing’

‘DoYaThing’ is the latest in a string of ‘3 Artists 1 Song’ campaign from Converse. They have facilitated impressive musical collaborations from the likes of Hot Chip, Santigold, Graham Coxon, Bill Ryder-Jones and Paloma Faith in the past.

This time it is the turn of Coxon’s Blur colleague and Gorillaz frontman, Damon Albarn, to team up with James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and OutKast’s Andre 3000. The mere thought of this trio working together in a studio is in itself a cause for excitement.

Thankfully we’re not left short changed. This is by far the most impressive recording from the campaign to date. Put simply, ‘DoYaThing’ blows everything else out of the water. It is an upbeat, lively and giddy track with a distinctly Gorillaz vibe to it, just wait till 2.15 mark for everything to kick in gear and you will be convinced at it’s awesomeness.

Rumour has it there will be an extended version released later in the year. For now you can stream the track below or pop over to the Converse website to download it for free.

 Gorillaz featuring Andre 3000 and James Murphy – ‘DoYaThing’ via LBYB

Willy Mason – Restless Fugitive

It really seems like an eternity since Willy Mason was procliamed the ‘next big thing’. Despite a lack of releases since 2007 he managed to retain a certain level of interest, increased of late through a wonderful duet with Lianne La Havas.

Mason is set to return with his first album in over five years later in 2012. There’s no major surprises from ‘Restless Fugitive’, the first taster from the album. The track trots gently by, evoking images of dusty trails of the old frontiers, accentuated by the reverberating guitars, a steady percussive rumble and his distinctive chalky drawl.

You can stream ‘Restless Fugitive’ below or pick it up from his website gratis.

 Willy Mason – Restless Fugitive

DJ Yoda | Bestimix 85: ‘Million Dollar Flavour’

There’s a few DJ’s in the world which continually excite me. DJ Yoda is definitely in this category. Ever since hearing his How to Cut and Paste, Vol. 1 I’ve been in awe, smitten some might say, of the London DJ’s turntable wizardry.

Anyway, he has just released Bestimix 85: Million Dollar Flavour, a free 30 minute mix for Bestiblog. Hip-hop is at the heart of this one, as well as funk and soul as he shots through a whole host of samples and mic legends, including Missy Elliott, Nicky Minaj, KRS One and MF Doom. Yoda is no ordinary DJ, prepare yourself for a masterclass and get ready to bounce.

You can give it a spin below and head over to Bestiblog for the download. The tracklisting is after the jump.

 DJ Yoda | Bestimix 85: ‘Million Dollar Flavour’

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Santigold – ‘Disparate Youth’

I must confess, I have never really got  the fascination with Santigold (or Santogold), no matter how many people raved about the greatness of the music.

Despite this, ‘Disparate Youth’ has me hooked with its bedazzling splendor. It is drenched with indie, reggae and dancehall influences, add a chorus hook recalling The Joy Formidable’s ‘Austere’ (Thanks Nialler) and you’ve got one smooth song. 

‘Disparate Youth’ is the first single proper from Santigold’s forthcoming new record Master Of My Make Believe. One thing is for sure, I will be paying attention to the new album when it arrives later this year. Hopefully this is one of numerous future treasures.

The single will be released as a 5 track EP in April with remixes from Switch, The 2 Bears and Amateur Best.

 Santigold – Disparate Youth

Tom Williams & The Boat | My Bones

After releasing Too Slow in 2011, Tom Williams & The Boat are back with new single ‘My Bones’. 

Album number one displayed an obvious talent for folk rock, with storytelling at its core and a willingness to embrace it. ‘My Bones’, a song of sadness and sorrow, a mournful cry from a jilted lover, continues this trend. Yes, we heard it all before but this succeeds where it may have failed through a combination of witty lyrics, fine song writing and emotion, augmented by an extremely sorrowful violin.

The band’s second album, Teenage Blood, is expected later in 2012.

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 Tom Williams & The Boat – My Bones

Introducing: Simon Bird

Originally from West Somerset but now Dublin-based, Simon Bird produced five EPs in the last 12 months touching on a host of genre’s including; hip-hop, noise, post-rock, ambient and electronica along the way.

His fantastic V EP is a relaxing, thought provoking and engaging release. Through a series of complex layers and rich ambient sounds it creates a really tranquil mood, like gazing into a free flowing flowing river as it passes you by. His live shows have come in for particular praise, while I have yet to witness one myself, I have heard only good reports. Bird is a prospect, no doubt about it. It will be exciting to see what he comes up with next.

His V EP is available from bandcamp below, just name your price, a limited run on vinyl will follow soon.

Simon Bird – Xerox Waveform Godless Ocean

Simon Bird – Stillborn In Autumn

Graham Coxon – ‘The Truth’ | New track & album news

If there’s been an artist over the years who never let me down, it would have to be Graham CoxonHis time with Blur is well noted but Coxon has been consistently knocking out quality solo records for the over a decade now.

Anyway, back to the here and now. Coxon has debuted a brand new track, ‘The Truth’, taken from his forthcoming new LP, A+E. It is certainly a lot different to his last effort, the acoustic driven The Spinning Top and most of his previous work in general. ‘The Truth’ is a sinister sounding one, revolving around an usual (for him) industrial synth beat with the chugging guitar giving off a dark shoe-gazey vibe. Different it may be but Coxon sounds in fine form and with A+E out on April 2nd, surely it’s time to get excited?

You can get ‘The Truth’ for the price of an email on his website or listen to it below. Also check out ‘Advice’, which debuted on Jools Holland’s BBC show in the latter part of last year.

Graham Coxon – The Truth 

Cheap Freaks – ‘Bury Them All’

Do you like your garage rock trashy, with a dash of chaotic fury? Well then, you’re going to want an introduction to Dublin’s Cheap Freaks.

Formed in 2009, Cheap Freaks recorded their debut album, Bury Them All, over a few days in late 2010 and early 2011 with Sean Coleman. On listening to Bury Them All you get the feeling you’re rifling through a record collection of the finer moments of rock n’ roll. It channels inspiration from a host of blues, country, classic rock, punk and indie stalwarts into their very own muddied sound through a haze of powerful vocals and guitar riffs.

From the foot stomping and fist shaking tenacity of ‘No Where To Go’, ‘1984’ and ‘Cryin’ Shame’ to the Them-esque ‘I’m Coming Home’ and the apocalyptic ‘Asahara’s Nightmare’, this album grunts along wildly with the ferocity of a live set. In keeping with this there are softer moments too, breathers fif you like, most notably the stirring renditions of the more downtempo ‘Cruel World’ and ‘Free Of You’. what makes this collection of garage rock jams stand out is the execution, the exceptional creative talents continually shine through the haze of raucous fury.

There is a deep sense of familiarity to this record, like meeting an old friend for the first time in ages and as with all good garage punk, it is best played loud.

Cheap Freaks – Cryin’ Shame

Cheap Freaks – I’m Coming Home