Attaque – Flow EP

Colchester producer Attaque already produced one of the most scintillating electronic albums of the year with When Light Falls, comprised of ten heads-down, brain-crumpling kinetic electro powerhouses.

Not content with that accolade his brand new EP, Flow, comes hot on the heels of his debut album. While the new EP is not as dark or sinister as what we’ve heard before, both ‘Flow’ and ‘Motion’ are typical Attaque straight-edged techno tunes. The real surprise (a welcome one at that) is second track ‘Envelopes’. It sees him venture into slightly more ‘house’ territory, blending it with his unique style of techno which works remarkably well.

Prolific or what? Check ‘Envelopes’ out below or buy Flow here.

Cloud Nothings – Live @ the Grog Shop (Free 5 Track EP)

Cloud Nothings‘ latest album Attack On Memory has been on of one of the best records of 2012, personally speaking of course. It is a heavyweight and rather muscular record of post-rock, indie, post-punk and pure unadulterated noise. Not quite first thing in the morning material but a terrific album nonetheless. 

The band are offering a free download of five songs recorded live on April 5 at the Grog Shop, a venue in the band’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Just pop over to Pitchfork enter your email address to grab your free copy of Live @ the Grog Shop. It really is fantastic and captures the sound and energy of a band on top of their game, and the essence of why they’ve won me over this year.

The full Grog Shop performance will be released on vinyl-only on July 30th through Wichita and is limited to just 500 copies.

(Video) Candice Gordon | Smoking Like the Barrel of a Gun

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Candice Gordon is back with a brand new video for her latest single ‘Smoking Like The Barrel of a Gun’.

So, we’ve heard the track before but now we have the full sensory experience thanks to this Christian Koll directed video. The South African born, Irish songstress kicks up a hell of a storm, shrieking through an incredible explosion of stomping drumbeats and dirty rockin’ riffs, with more than a fair share of attitude and swagger. 

‘Smoking like the Barrel of a Gun’ is out July 9th via Fauna Records.

Y Niwl – Y Niwl 4

North Wales quartet Y Niwl have returned with a brand new EP filled with instrumental psychedelic surf rock sounds.

The EP, Y Niwl 4, like their self-titled debut album, sounds more like a lost classic from a bygone era than an album recorded an produced in the 21st century. Y Niwl do so while sounding endearingly authentic, carving their own modern day niche with excellently arranged, twangy, breezy and bright instrumental psychedelic surf rock sounds. They have capture the essence, innocence, energy and fun of surf without ever sounding like tame re-hash merchants.

This is a very pure sound. Sit back, relax, switch off and enjoy the timeless, warm and wonderful carefree sounds of Y Niwl. You can stream/buy the EP here.

Introducing: Lethal Dialect

Dublin rapper Lethal Dialect was one of the most impressive performers at Camden Crawl Dublin back in May. Composed, confident and intelligent, there is no bullshit bravado here, just great rap tunes.

Guru once said “It’s mostly tha voice, that gets you up. It’s mostly tha voice, that makes you buck. A lot of rappers got flavor, and some got skills. But if your voice ain’t dope then you need to [chill… chill… ]”. Why mention this? Because Lethal Dialect’s greatest asset is his voice, sailing above beats and samples he utilises every breath to sound his honest and truthful messages.

LD paints an all too realistic depiction of life in Dublin, delving into a whole raft of topics and issues others tend to refrain from. Often cool, calm, sometimes agitated and angry but always passionate. a refreshing and thought-provoking new voice, not only for Irish hip-hop but Irish music in general.

The first two installments of the LD50 trilogy are now available for free download here.

(Video) Eugene McGuinness – Harlequinade

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Forget about Marty and Lizzie, the only McGuinness we need concern ourselves with today is Eugene.

Eugene McGuinness is gearing up to release his brand new album, The Invitation to the Voyage, on the 6th August. He has unveiled a brand new single ‘Harlequinade’, released the same day, it is a rather chipper synth driven track which displays a somewhat fun and funkier disposition to what we’re used to hearing from McGuinness.

Like what you hear? Check out a few other cuts from his forthcoming new record here.

House Of Dolls – Welcome To The Department Of Nuclear Medicine

Welcome To The Department Of Nuclear Medicine is the long awaited Debut Album from Dubliners House Of Dolls.

Taking their cue from the likes of The Chameleons, The Verve, Jesus & Mary Chain and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club; there is no messing around. An attitude emphatically set out by rip-roaring openers ‘Murder Machine’, ‘I Thought You Were My Friend’ and ‘Prostitutes’ . A series of driving bass-lines, dirty rocking guitar riffs and ominous vocals form a fresh rock n roll sound, delivered with both swagger and confidence.

The band are equally adept in the psych-rock/shoegaze department with haunting echoing vocals shining through a haze of noise, demonstrated by the likes of ‘Photograph’ or ‘Into The Void’. It is here where the albums persona lies, flipping seamlessly between the two styles, on the one hand the fired up brutish rock sounds and on the other, the more measured and steady but no less captivating psych-rock sounds. Importantly it works remarkably well.

For anyone who has followed House of Dolls’ progress thus far there are no real surprises here. It is what it is, an album and band which wears it’s influences on their collective sleeves and deliver their sound with impeccable verve and vigor. It is a very good album, one deserving of much greater exposure.

Introducing: S.A.F

S.A.F are brother/sister duo of Marianne Elise and Eat Gas. The duo have a rather unusual sound, a mish-mash of influences if you will, occupying a space somewhere between PJ Harvey and The Kills. 

The duo’s recently released self-titled debut EP, reflects this diversity. It is a  musical patchwork of sounds, from the post-punk grind of ‘Bam’ imbued with an emphatic energy, snarl and blistering intensity, to touching nature of the delicate and subdued ‘I Can’t’, which places Elise’s heartfelt vocals take centre stage. This flipping of styles is knit together tightly by a constant maze of emotions, which no matter what the emotion, it feels very real, true and honest.

A gem of an EP and a band definitely worth keeping an eye on. 

BarryGruff Presents #7: Trap Door, Nathan Conway, Ciaran Lenehan + DJs :: Flanagan’s :: Newbridge :: Sat June 30th

‘BarryGruff Presents’ #7 is here & returns to Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge on Saturday, June 30th. 

It’s going to one hell of a night w/ 3 great live performances from Trap Door, Nathan Conway & Ciarán Lehehan, a bar extension and DJ sets from Cormac Brady (SEBP), Robbie Coffey & Myself,  BarryGruff till 2am.

Dublin trio Trap Door were absolutely brilliant in The Workman’s a few weeks ago. They combine a rich mix of punk, folk, ska and hip-hop with insightful flowing and streetwise lyrics. In a similar approach of one Jamie T, Trap Door take the listener rumbustious rattle through urban life, something borne out on their excellent debut EP, Lata Town, with songs of lyrical depth, plenty of youthful lairiness and rebelliousness (download it here for free).

Accompanying them on the bill are Nathan Conway and Ciaran Lenehan. Since releasing his first album with The Bottlestoppers in 2011, Nathan Conway has been back in the studio developing an ever more sophisticated Soul and Country Music sound. Meanwhile Dublin folk rocker Ciaran Lenehan has played with the likes of Damien Dempsey, Frank Turner and Wallis Bird, brings his engaging and eloquent songs to Newbridge once again for a second BarryGruff show.

Entry is FREE as always and the show starts at 9.00pm until 2.00am in Flanagan’s, Newbridge on Saturday, June 30th. For more &  Facebook event.

(Video) The P Affection – Made Of The Right Stuff

The P Affection absolutely knocked the socks off Flanagan’s at last month’s BarryGruff show. ‘Made Of The Right Stuff’ is the first single to be taken from the Kildare band’s second album Cakes For Occasions. It’s a scuzzy indie number coated with an element of delicacy, warmth and echoing vocals. A top tune and one that sets things up nicely for the new record.

Cakes For Occasions is released through NIPPI Records on July 20th 2012. Check ‘Made Of The Right Stuff’ and the Colm O Rourke directed video above.