song of the week: public access tv // in the mirror

I've been keeping my eye on New York's latest and greatest, Public Access TV, for a little while now. They've not quite reached the realms of Radio 1 airplay (thankfully), but they're banging out a succession of cracking singles; In the Mirror being the most recent. 

I can't help but compare their evolution to Circa Waves, who've given us a hefty dose of indie-rock anthems in the past six months, and now it's Public Access TV's turn to put a Brooklyn spin on things. To date, the singles have followed a pattern of off-beat riffs, call-and-response choruses, with a sharp attitude laced through the vocals. Unsurprisingly, In the Mirror fits this brief too.

However, what caught my eye was the B-side Hangin' Around, which nods more to a classic rock sound than the early 2000s British indie scene; straying from the offbeat riffs and throwing in a nifty guitar solo or two. The vocals are still cynical as ever though, in the band's true fashion: "four years at college // and all for nothing" "you're never going to get things right". 

But could this be the band asserting themselves as far more than just another run-of-the-mill, indie-rock-anthem-making machine? Or are they simply trying harder to shake off the Strokes comparisons that they overtly despise? Who cares, because it sounds great either way. 


Written for Post Music Depression

song of the week : craft spells // breaking the angle against the tide

‘Breaking the Angle Against the Tide‘ is a prime example of the more relaxed, less in-your-face approach Craft Spells have taken with their second album, Nausea. It’s refreshing for us as listeners, when Idle Labor felt as though frontman and founding member Justin Vallesteros had a sizeable amount of relationship-induced angst to get out of his system. The guitars aren’t weighed down by loss and longing and sadness on ‘Breaking the Angle Against the Tide‘. Instead, they’re shimmering and sun-soaked, and backed by dream-like string melodies.It’s the perfect first release from Nausea, as it really does feel like there’s a shift in perspective during the song – like a beam of sunlight breaking through the metaphorical clouds of sadness.

But sometimes the best music is made when people are in their most raw emotional state, and that would be true for Craft Spells, because despite their best intentions, Idle Labor will always come out on top.


Written for Post Music Depression

song of the week : palm honey // palace

We're well and truly in the midst of summer here in the UK, although you'd never have guessed, but Reading four piece Palm Honey's track 'Palace' makes up for the summer vibes that aren't being provided by our typically British weather.

The track sits comfortably between the hazy, fuzzy melodies of Tame Impala, and one of By the Sea's dream-pop/rock fantasies. It's early days for the band, who have only got four demos on their Soundcloud page - 'Palace' being the most popular by a long way - but with a bit more confidence and practise under their belts, they wouldn't sound out of place on a label like Captured Tracks.

NME have already cottoned on to their potential, so catch them while you can. 



Written for Post Music Depression

single of the week // telegram

photo: theguardian.com

I discovered Telegram after a recent Temples gig where they supported. 

Personally, I thought it was an unlikely pairing in terms of sound.
They'd have been better suited for a support slot with the likes of Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs,
 (who they're apparently good mates with anyway)..
It's distinctively punk, although there's definitely an element of psychedelia to their sound. 

'Follow' was produced by Dan Carey, and self-released by the band on 10th November.
It's a strong choice to showcase the band's talent, and gives the listener a taste of what to expect from future material.
The b-side 'Under The Night Time' isn't quite as explosive, which is why it's the b-side,
but still carries that brash punk sound, particularly during the chorus.
Both tracks mesh well together, making it a brilliant debut overall.

single of the week // drowners

photo: spin.com

I've posted about Drowners a few times now on here, because they're a band who consistently impress me with every release. 

The story: lead singer Matt Hitt is originally from South Wales, but relocated to New York a few years ago. 

He met a few guys who were into music, and Drowners were born.

Their debut EP 'Between Us Girls' was released in the UK in February, via Birthday Records. 

It featured three tracks, all under two minutes in length, and paints the perfect picture of the band.

Leather jackets, Jack Kerouac, skateboards, New York's East Village. These guys are the epitome of cool. 

It's no wonder they're best mates with Alexa Chung.

Their latest single 'Luv, Hold Me Down' showcases a more polished sound than what we heard on the EP. 

Hitt's vocals are noticeably enhanced, not that he needs them to be, and the guitars are more Smiths-y (which isn't a bad thing).

His writing is still the same though; describing real-life situations, which makes the songs relatable (but not in a Mike Skinner way, a much more refined way..)

He once joked that he doesn't walk around with headphones on, because he'll hear a couple arguing and think 'oh, there's a chorus'.. and to a certain extent I can see this is true. 

Surely this can only mean that the album, which is due for release in January 2014, will be even more impressive.