King Charles

I first met King Charles in London two years ago, while my brother was playing a gig on the Kings Road. My brother had said, that "some big indie guy" was playing. I didn't think much, and sat next to him the whole gig, until he stood up for his slot. His music blew me away, psychedelic-indie-folk with quick witty lyrics......
King Charles toured frequently with Laura Marling, Noah and the Whale, Mumford and sons, Andrew Balkwill and etc.
At the beginning of the year his debut single of "Time of Eternity" was released and remastered. With added "woohoos" , more instruments and better sound quality this newbie is killer indie anthem.
Time of Eternity:

King Charles recently released his Love Lust ep, a double A-side featuring Love Lust and Mr flick. With awesome lyrics and crazy riffs,
this ep again impresses.
Love lust with an almost spoken word chorus/intro/everything preaches to stay in a relationship, even if you want to be with someone else, as the love you have with the person is everlasting, while lust will fade like anger. Bit cheesy really, but its awesome.
Love Lust
Mr flick is a more punk/indie sounding track with "woohoos" to the extreme, and a larger focus upon synths. RRRock out.

Mr. Fick

take a listen to this psychedelic-indie-folk-punk-rock-god, it's genius.
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Download: Time of Eternity, Love Lust, Mr. Flick and if you can find a recording of it "theif that stole my heart"(thats a goody)

Ambling Alp

- American Band formed in Brooklyn.
- Mgmt used to support them, now they support Mgmt !
- Have released 2 albums
- Are known for their psychedelic performances and unconventional rhythms and sounds used.
I have heard and read a lot about this four piece band, but never got round to actually listening to their music. The other day i was reading about their latest single "Ambling Alp", and downloaded it to finally scope these guys out. "Ambling Alp" is incredible, its a pop song fused with wacky noises, wonky beats and deep whaling vocals. The intro and background noise is awesome, its this repetitive sequence of the noise like you get when your computer pops up with an error window and you continue to hold down enter just for shits. Woohoo. Crazy days.

8.5

Ambling Alp

Egyptian Hip Hop

This unsigned indie band is causing quite the stir. Plastered over blogs and with friends such as Sam Dust from "late of the pier" , and joe lean of .... "joe lean and the jing jang jong" they must be doing something right, or at least their ridiculous name is doing the job. At only 17! these guys are creating melodious indie pop to chill out to. With no official release's the only songs which you can grab hold of are bedroom demo's, such as "Dust" and "Heavenly". They're good, but nothing on the produced "Rad Pitt". The epic harmonious melody, sums all emotions. A happy song, yet a sad song. If i could actually understand the lyrics , i might realize which one its actually meant to be, yet from the tune, it can go either way. its a good thing.

Shit Name, Genius Song.

Download: Rad Pitt, Heavenly

Radd Pitt:

I Lust U

Neon neon has combined with hyped Cate le Bon to form the electro based indie dance track "I lust u". With the sharp synth notes of the base line contrasting with the smooths tones of both Neon Neon and welsh Cate le bon, the track is instantly catchy and will be hitting the mainstream radio oh so soon. Download it while its cool! haha
I Lust Y0u

Under The Sheets

Similar to the Wolf Gang post, I've posted about Ellie Goulding aka "the next big thing" before.
With previous songs such as "wish i stayed" and "starry eyed" , Ellie has made her first official release with the debut track of "Under the Sheets". Its good, but i still thing its no where near as good as "wish i stayed" and "starry eyed". Its got a catchy verse and pre-chorus , but the real chorus , just doesnt really do it for me. When i say Wolf Gang will be big , i say that with confidence, when i say Ellie Goulding will be big, i say that on my life. The force is strong in this one.
Under the Sheets:

8.5

The King And All Of His Men

Have blogged about Wolf gang aka Max Elligot before, so check it out. Do it.
This is his second single, after his debut "Pieces of You" and definitely better, yet not sure if it is better than the demo "Lions in Cages" though.
With military drum rolls scattered throughout, harmonious melodies intertwined with the xylophone?? and of course classic guitar and piano chords. This song is catchy, clever and cool. Wolf gang will be big, join the club.
King and All of His Men

IAMX

quite the poser.

IAMX, aka Chris Corner.
Lead singer of Sneaker Pimps, turned solo.
Has released 3 albums-
- Kiss and Swallow
- The Alternative
- Kingdom of Welcome Addiction

Been around for ages , and has produced all the "robots in disguise" albums, aswell as being the boyfriend of singer Sue Denim. Used to be a huge fan of his, and only recently got back in to listening to his music , when i saw his fucking incredible gig at KOKO in london. Cant really say theres a happy song on any of his albums...... but this guy is epic seriously, his music is of the incred-ible. Very weird though, alot of electro influence, mostly due to him living in techno capital Berlin. His most recent album , "kingdom of welcome addiction" came out early this year, but its taken me forever to actually go out and buy it. With each of his albums, he creates a huge sound. Many leading songs could be a massive stadium anthems, except not for punters but for alternative indie kids. Really cool/weird fashion sense too, and onstage he becomes this wild alter ego. In interviews he's the most timid and shy guy , though he's stage shows are ridiculous, with thousands of screaming girls(and boys...) crying over him. Is a bit TF. Trust me, at his show, he threw his towel out to the audience and it landed right on me. Had about a billion vampire goth chicks rape me.

Download(from all of his albums): Skin vision, kiss and swallow, the alternative, Kingdom of welcome addiction, My secret friend.

Kingdom of Welcome Addiction:

My Secret Friend Ft Imogen Heap:

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The driving song

Nalepa - Monday (Glitch Mob Remix)

YACHT

PSYCHIC CITY

+YACHT was formed in 2002 as Y.A.C.H.T., “Young Americans Challenging High Technology.”

+New album SEE MYSTERY LIGHTS written and recorded in the far west Texan desert.

+I need to buy the album

+This music is wierd.

+But fucking sick.

wonky beats intertwined with dripping taps and whaling harmonies.
DOWNLOAD: Psychic City, the afterlife, Summer Song

BLUE SKIES(YACHT REMIX)- listen to this twist on the calming folk song of hope, if your intrested.

THE AFTERLIFE

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A Brief History of Love

'Crystal Visions

'Too Young To Love

'Dominos
'Love In Vain

'At War With The Sun
'Velvet
'Golden Pendulum
'Frisk
'A Brief History Of Love
'Tonight

'Count Backwards From 10

The long awaited album of the much hyped "The Big Pink" finally came out... and its genius. With the stand out popular tracks such as Velvet and Dominos, the rest of the album equally lives up to these , each telling a different aspect of love. Crystal Visions and golden pendulum have to be my favorite with a screeching sirens,distorted beats and guitar, the big pink have really created a new sound in these. Take a fucking listen. Dont expect to love this on your first listen, and especially playing it through your laptop. You need to listen to this album live, through booming speakers, or driving in the car at night to do it justice. The tracks i've put up are only to promote yo guys to get this album. Buy it, its amazing. Buy(whole album)/Listen to: Crystal visions, velvet, golden pendulum

9

GRAFFITI ISLAND

the coolest band in london town
3 part band consisting of a monotonous singer, bassist a drummer.
how sick is his jumper?
"sipping hot coco from a human skull" just a casual lyric.
"sing about pet snakes and turtles over beats and baselines delivered with the best of "I don't care" stage presence".
chilled melodicness
these guys are so fucking cool.
the songs are around 2 mins long.
WEIRD.
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download: Head hunters, Wolf guy, Mountain man

WOLF GUY



HEAD HUNTERS





The XX album

- haven't blogged forever. Exams next week.

- The XX released their debut album a few weeks ago.
- The reviews for this album have been incredible.
track-list:

1. Intro
2. VCR
3. Crystalised
4. Islands
5. Heart Skipped A Beat
6. Fantasy
7. Shelter
8. Basic Space
9. Infinity
10. Night Time
11. Stars

This band from the heart of the south London dubstep scene have managed to conjure up a whole new sound of atmospheric indie rock. Almost like the big pink, except calmer, more ominous and melodic. Each song is genius i cant really say there's one i don't really like. "fantasy", " VCR" and "Night time"are my least favorite, this in no way makes them bad. As NME says " Towards the end though, that deliciousness can start to become suffocatingly rich. But that's a little bit like complaining about having too many diamonds". My favorite song has to be "the intro", no vocals, yet ripped with mellifluous guitar and melancholic beats. The howling effects and minimalistic use of instruments give the effect of one big story and soundtrack, not just an album. Self produced by 19 year olds this album is the perfect soundtrack for an overcast day , walking through London Town.

8.5

Download: Crystalised, Islands, Basic Space and The Intro

Intro:

Islands:

Ellie Goulding

- Ellie Goulding
- Born in wales . Lives in london.
- Was at college, and overheard a friend playing some frankmusik. The next thing she's emailed frankmusik and they're writing songs together.
- Frankmusik introduced her to starsmith, and from there ellie has been rocketed into fame.
- With an incredible cover of Bon Iver and co-writing with Frankmusik , ellie had really made her self known.
- A cross between Marina and The Diamonds, Polly Scattergood and Laura marling... kinda.
- Folk/dubstep.
- Unsigned!
8 Download: Wish i stayed ( ft Frankmusik), Starry Eyed, Wolves ( Bon Iver cover)

Wish i stayed

Starry Eyed

marnie

CHEW LiPS

"minimal dance-pop

"coupling techno beats with smart-mouthed edgy vocals"

• London electro pop trio, formed in spring 2008.
• the release of the killer single solo really got these guys into the industry.
• each song formed around the most simple chords and synthesizers, yet catchy as hell.
• both singles, "solo" and "salt air" released through kitsuné.

SOLO:

SALT AIR:

Frankmusik - Completed.

-FFFFfrankmusik, aka Vincent Frank has been a favorite for a while now, through discovering the songs , "In Step" ( still his best) and "3 little words" last year, i have come to appreciate.

-His long awaited debut album "complete me' was released last week in england, with some crappy review by NME. They haven't really being reviewing well recently, giving florence and little boots a 7 seven and old mystery jets album a 6 !

-NME gave 1 with the witty comment of " NO FRANKS!" haha no thanks.....

- So tracklisting( their are so many different ones, but this one has all the good songs).

1. In Step
2. Better Off As Two

3. Boyfriend

4. Confusion Girl

5. Your Boy

6. When You're Around
7. 3 Little Words
8. Wonder Woman
9. Complete Me
10. Vacant Heart
11. Time Will Tell
12. Done Done
13. Run Away From Trouble

- The track names give , a pretty shit impression as, pretty much every song you can relate to a girl/ relationship.
- The three singles, "three little words", "better off as two" and "confusion girl" arn't really the songs i would choose.
- The rest of the album is quite the good. Some of the songs are straight up shitty-pop, ie "Boyfriend"(not a fav) and "Your boy".
- Alot of his songs are way better acoustic, like the "L-gaga".
- I would give this a 7 bordering on 6, yet there are some ridiculously good songs.When your around is genius, probably the best beat/tune, with wonder woman following (though the gay name kinda lets it down). And then "complete me" the slow emotional one with the catchy chorus.
- GET this album, listen to it driving in the sun , and love life.

8
download: WHEN YOUR AROUND, WONDER WOMAN, COMPLETE ME AND CONFUSION GIRL.

Yep, just so warn you, this album is POP at the max. Yet if your able to slide round your the alternative indie mindset you might just see some genius.

When your around:


Wonder woman:

b l u e s k i e s a r e c o m i n g

you don't know why your crying. everything just seems a blur, like your walking through a thick fog. you miss your closest friend who is yet so far away. nothing seems to have a purpose, and who knows what you'll be doing next. where can, where should you be. you haven't found what you've been looking for, and needing to change. now talking to your talking to strangers, not your friends. but blue skies are coming

blue skies:

Noah and the whale- first days of spring

they dont love you like i love you

Maps:

yeah yeah yeahs.

A Breath of Fresh Air.

I never wanted anything form you except everything you had and what was left after that too

- This has taken forever.... but here is Florence and the machine's debut album...

LUNGS

Tracklist:

1. Dog Days Are Over - 8/10

2. Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)-8/10

3. I'm Not Calling You A Liar-7/10

4. Howl-9/10

5. Kiss With A Fist-7/10

6. Girl With One Eye-7/10

7. Drumming song-9/10

8. Between Two Lungs-8/10

9. Cosmic Love-9/10

10. My Boy Builds Coffins-8/10

11. Hurricane Drunk-7/10

12. Blinding-8/10

13. You've Got The Love-8/10

Raised with no musical training except a few singling lessons it would seem hard for a south-london girl to crack the charts. By the age of 12 Florence Welch had already formed her own punk band, "The toxic cockroaches" with only a drummer and her voice. Upon leaving school and joining art college, Florence became involved with the punk band , "the ludes". This was the trigger that started her musical career and soon rocketed her in to stardom winging the critics choice award.

Lungs is mainly about the break up of Florence and her boyfriend from 'the ludes". Songs such as 'drumming song' are about the frustration and emotions felt upon seeing him. Each song seem very emotional and you can almost imagine someone screaming them out upon a cliff. With opening single of "dog days" followed by the second single " rabbit heart", the album begins with a strong opening. Tracks such as "I'm not calling you liar" and "hurricane drunk" might not be as powerful as other tracks yet show a more melodic simplistic side contrasting with the more violent "kiss with a fist" and " girl with one eye". Each song is built upon the simplest chords and patterns, "my body builds coffins" is only based round three chords while the self-devised song of "between to lungs' florence describes as just banding around on the keyboard one night. My 3 favorite songs off this album are, Howl, Cosmic love and Drumming song. Howl being the probably most powerful song with great lyrics, Cosmic love with a mystical harp, being the most atmospheric song and Drumming song, a catchy tune rippling with rhythm, something Beyonce would die for.

NME MUST HAVE BEEN SMASHED OF THEIR FACES TO GIVE THIS 7.

9.5

DOWNLOAD: HOWL, DRUMMING SONG,COSMIC LOVE AND MY BODY BUILDS COFFINS.+ THE WHOLE ALBUM.

Drumming Song Howl:

Micachu & The Remixes.

MICA LEVI.

Have blogged about her debut album 'Jewellery' before. A part time classical composer, creator of new wacky instruments and highly acclaimed by thousands of artists. In summary she is a musical genius creating indie pop with a twist.

--> stumbled across some of her songs i'd never heard before, as they were only featured on the promo of "Jewellery". I love them though i cant believe they weren't on the final album.

Worst Bastard.

Wrong

As much as I don't really like remixes these two Micachu related one's are incredible. The first being a remix by my new favorite "We Have Band" and the second, a remix by Micachu. Enjoy and appreciate, hopefully this will get Shakira out of you head.

Lips (We Have Band remix)

Radio Ladio (Micachu Remix)

WE HAVE BAND

WE HAVE BAND. give me some indie!

i.e

DARREN BANCROFT:

Vocals/Drums/Percussion/Sampler

DEDE WP: Vocals/Percussion/Sampler.

THOMAS WP: Vocals/Guitar/Bas

s/Programming.

( last two are married).

- London, England .

- Formed after meeting in the london offices of EMI.

- Debut album is currently being recored.

- They describe them selves as a 'disco rock trio' yet i think they fit a " indie dubstep jumble of noises'.

- First heard about them a year ago with their demo of "you cam out". Didn't really grip me though. It was the single OH! which really got me.

- Their music video's are incredible. Really wacky though.

- Their remix's are even better.

- All three equally create the music with Darren primarily on percussion, Dede on sampler and Thomas on guitar. All three sing too.

- This band is my favorite at the moment.

Their tracks are pure indie genius. Each structured differently with wierd noise and synth effects, all together creating a noise you've never heard before.

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Download: Oh!, Honeytrap, You Came Out

Oh!

honeytrap(live recording,un-released)

Szeppy Birthday to You.

SZEPP.

Synthesized "alice glass -esk"vocals from friends ,plutonic sonic beats leaked

from the pale finger tips of 'The Count' and the dark revolutionary look are only a few aspects that make up of the eponymous electro indie fusion band. Fronted by the multitalented goth-mod Greg Szep or 'The Count', might just be the next best thing to hit your local punk club.

Only a few songs have been released with the rare like acoust-uke recordings. According to my sources the album should be released through pop mogul label 'Electro Police' with a possible album tittle of "For Russia".

Debut single, Come Get High With me, feel free to

download:

Come get high with me:

Watch out Ethan Kath, you've met your match.

Lady Gaga + Shakira. ( FOR TASH)

Some straight up pop.

>So everyone knows who these guys are, from Lady Gaga's overproduced/overplayed poker face to your young memories of chanting Shakira's "whenever wherever" in the back seat of the car.
But never have i really been a fan.
I've always thought of Lady Gaga as being a vacuous Britney Spears, ' doesn't write her own songs, have no talent' sort of artist, with some irritating overproduced electro-pop. Until i was just browsing the YouTube and stumbled across an acoustic video of lady gaga. I was just expecting it to be some guy with a guitar and her lipsyncing. But oh no, it was just Lady Gaga and a keyboard, and she is fucking amazing. I never knew she could actually play and write her own songs. It was this acoustic version of poker face that's swayed me. I researched her and apparently she taught her self piano by ear and now i think she sick. Just shows context does matter.

Poker Face (acoustic)


Here's her Coldplay cover. Most will hate it but i reckon the way she plays it and adds a sort of different melody to the song makes it so good. Listen for the different lyrics too.
Viva La Vida (cover)


> I heard about Shakira releasing a new song but didn't think much off it until i heard it is also doen in Spanish. Me espanol is currently shit, so what better way to learn through a song. It doesnt really help at all , exept i've leart to say " SOS she's in disguise" " And theres a she wolf in the closet". Gotta admit though, the tune's a good'n. + good excuse to post the hot single artwork

She Wolf:



Loba: ( Spanish Version)


Right click on the link and and select 'save as' to downloadd.

((Un)) Dan Black

- Dan Black, Was front man of british alternative band "the servant", after they split he went solo.
- England//Paris - Black recently moved to Paris and recorded the whole album in his bedroom.
- His big break was the song "HYPNTZ", a mash of Notorious B.I.G's "hypnotize" with the drum sampling of Rihanna's "Umbrealla". He's a smart one. "HYPNTZ" has now become "Synphonies" on his album UN. But take a listen.
- Hotly tipped by BBC sound.
- His debut album "((Un))" was releasedon the 13th of july through polydore.
- Nme did not give him the best review though... he got a 5 with the witty comment of
" UN-CONVINCING".
- Personally i dont think he is amazing, but he can whip up some decent pop.
- "U + Me =" is the track which eventually got me after hours of listening on the bus.
6
Download: U + Me =, Synphonies, Alone ,Yours.

U + Me = :


Synphonies:

The Big Pink

One of the most blogged about bands, somethings gotta be good.

-Dalston, London.

-Hotly tipped by Nme and the BBC sound list

- Consists of Milo Cordell and Robbie Furze, Milo running record label 'Merok' relaseing bands like Crystal Castles and Klaxons, and Robbie ex-guitarist to electro-punk artist Alec Empire.

- Live drummer "Keex" of Comanechi, Close friends with lilly allen, Florence and the machine, The big pink are one of the most conneted bands.

- As described by BBC , This London duo use gritty beats, droning guitars, abstract effects and dreamy vocals to create a soundscape that is arty yet tuneful"

Atmospheric psychedelic indie rock.

ecoute.

7

download: Velvet, Stop the world, Dominos.

Stop the World:

Velvet:

AUDACITY OF HUGE

- New single by Simian Mobile Disco.
- When i first heard this song, i didn't really like it and didn't seem like anything special.
- I heard it again , and i think its great. Trust me, it'll grow on you.
- Directed by the incredible KATE MOROSS and JO APPS.
- This video is genius. It's awesome directing and styling.
- Just watch the video and then tell me it's not the best music video youve seen for years. Look at all the detail and colours used!
- The video is the best bit. x

La Roux

Its all false love and affection. You don't like me you just want the attention.

>So I brought the debut album of the Electro-pop duo La Roux, expecting it to have the few good singles and the rest dull 80's synth.
+ >Not only are there a 1 or 2 good songs, but a 8 possible singles. The first 7 songs and then 'fascination' are all so strong and could easily be released as singles.
>This album is such a surprise for me , i had no idea la roux had it in them. Also watching backstage video's and acoustic performances it's great to see Elly can actually sing and Ben is incredible on the synths. >'Tigerlily' demonstrates another side of La Roux. Its a much more agressive track, with a little less synths. It also has a ghostly spoken voice part at the bridge, by Elly Jacksons dad. Contrasting with this is the love ballad of 'Cover My Eyes' where Elly suposidly cryed during recording as of the personal attachments with the song.
> The use of the london comunity choir really adds to the songs , particularly in ' Cover My Eyes'.
--
Many of the tracks do sound the same. Especially at the opening in tracks such as 'in for the kill' 'tigerlilly' + 'colourless colour'. This is really due to the same synth noise/effect and chords being repeatedly used.

01. In For The Kill

02. Tigerlily

03. Quicksand

04. Bulletproof

05. Colourless Colour

06. I'm Not Your Toy

07. Cover Your Eyes

08. As If By Magic

09. Fascination

10. Reflections Are Protections

11. Armour Love

+ Growing pains (bonus track )

9

Download: Tigerlilly, Bulletproof, Cover My Eyes and my favorite, 'I'm Not Your Toy'

I'm Not Your Toy:

Tigerlily:

Wolf Gang

- WOLF GANG
+ aka, Max Elligott
- new upcoming act.
- hasn't even been signed yet.
- I think this guy could be big money.
- Debut single "Pieces of You" is a sick, but the demo
of the song "lions in cages" is a real tune and would
be the tune of the summer, if it was summer here....
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download: Lions in cages, Pieces of You.
Lions in Cages: