Jungle
This week’s mixed bag sees Getintothis’ Chris Burgess discuss moustache etiquette, dip a toe into the Hastings fishing industry and refuse to comment on a fat stripper.
Jungle: Julia – Single of the Week
If ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it. Modern soul collective Jungle return with the fifth single taken from their eponymous debut album.
Julia is remarkably similar to their early fare – most notably their breakthrough single Busy Earnin’. That’s not a bad thing however, as their synthy soundscapes are dazzlingly well-produced. Julia washes over you, warming you with its multi-layered instrumentation.
Sadly though, as with any semi-successful single these days, this will probably be massively overplayed and used in a million E4 idents and adverts for TV shows no-one wants to watch.
Jungle are playing the O2 Academy on 22 February – a sold out show, no less.
Bandito Rey: Laag
Writing the Singles Club column is a funny old game. Sometimes you hear pretty poor singles from established acts, sometimes you hear truly great songs from unknown bands. This is a tune firmly in the latter camp.
Liverpool-based Bandito Rey – although relative newbies – have released a magnificent slice of alt-rock in Laag; anthemic and twisting, every part played sublimely. Hopefully a sign of much greater things to come for the band.
The Roscoes: Closer
A pretty soul-filled, rocking record from the Liverpool four-piece here, released on 15 February at a special launch night at The Magnet.
With a distinctly old-school rock feel, Closer could easily have been released any time from 1967 to the present day. Channelling their inner Free, this is a song that sticks with you.
A super-secret private link to the song on Soundcloud is available here
Just don’t tell anyone you got it from us, right?
Gang of Four feat Alison Mosshart: England’s In My Bones
A smart and sleek slice of post punk from the Leeds heavyweights, featuring the vocal talent of The Kills’ Alison Mosshart.
With a pretty funky bass groove, with Andy Gill’s trademark jagged guitar floating in the distance, England’s In My Bones is a stomper of a song – although why an American is singing an ode to our green and pleasant land I have no idea.
This is taken from the band’s ninth studio album What Happens Next, out on 2 March, and is their first without vocalist Jon King. The single drops on the same day.
East India Youth: Carousel
A deeply hymnal affair, Carousel is a moving and emotional track.
Young William Doyle’s euphoric vocals are a perfect match for the church-like organs, soaring away above the rising and dipping sustained notes.
Carousel is taken from his new album Culture of Volume, his first since moving to XL Recordings, released on 6 April.
The Leisure Society: Tall Black Cabins
Let’s all calm down a bit with this gentle rolling folk tune courtesy of Brighton’s Nick Hemming and friends.
Tall Black Cabins is a sea-sprayed song about to the shrinking fishing industry of Hastings. Quite a niche subject matter, perhaps, but The Leisure Society have crafted a beautiful and touching ode here – wistful and reflective without veering into ‘twee’ territory.
Cymbals: Talk To Me
All haircuts, polo necks and ‘on point’ facial hair, Cymbals are back with a rather forgettable 80s-style tune that probably ticks all the right boxes for what ‘cool’ is these days, without ever actually offering anything new or engaging.
It’s not bad, it’s not terribly good, it’s just kind of…well…bland. The band all look bored in the video too – despite doing their best to bop around.
There are flashes of a decent song here – most notably the delay-heavy guitar licks – but just not enough to keep anyone interested. And that moustache is frankly ridiculous. I mean, grow a bloody moustache if you want, but the skinny, pencil-line muzzy just makes a man look like a Texan sex pest.
Jennie Abrahamson: Wolf
My cat’s called Wolf, so I automatically love this song.
Taken from her upcoming LP Gemini Gemini, released on 27 March, Wolf features delicate and heartfelt vocals from the Swedish born Abrahamson.
Yes there are touches of Kate Bush here, and the singer might admit to being heavily influenced by Peter Gabriel’s art-rock sound, but Abrahamson provides enough Scandinavian flourishes to mark herself out as a true original.
Jay Brown: Green
Northampton’s Jay Brown returns with a new single and an EP – My Name Is Her – released on 23 February.
Green is a swaggering and confident tour de force from Brown, whose gravel-tinged voice rings out beautifully against the crunchy guitars and elevated synths and strings.
Sophia Ben Yousef: Too Much
Kids these days, eh? Always on their phones, listening to crap music and…wait…what’s this?
The 18-year old Sophia Ben Yousef, currently studying her A-levels, has released a mesmerising piano-led track showcasing some extraordinary vocals, belying her age.
Too Much is a very strong and accomplished track, suggesting a hugely bright future in is store for the young artist.
You can check her out at The Magnet on 22 February.
Uno Mas: Champagne Headaches
Manchester-based 4 piece Uno Mas have delivered a nicely retro-feeling tune, following on from last year’s Please Make My Day EP.
Singer/guitarist Olly Thornton‘s delicately-wispy vocals are underpinned well by a flowing and free rhythm section and Ezra Koenig-esque guitar lines.
The whole thing rattles along at an anxious pace. It’s a decent enough song, if slightly underproduced. Having said that however, the lack of polish adds a rather charming feel to the track.
Champagne Headaches is out now for free download.
Big Dipper: Da Money
Words literally fail me on this one.
