The Underground Stage
An absolutely captivating record. Gordon Koang is originally from South Sudan, and I have absolutely no idea what language this track is sung in, what it’s saying, or even what instruments are being used. It is utterly brilliant though, hypnotic, filled with groove and despite the sparse arrangement is deeply atmospheric. A wonderful piece […]
Fast becoming a firm favourite around here, the preposterously-named Sophisticated Dingo have been serving up track after track of glorious fun times. This latest, off their ‘How’s The Carry On?!’ EP slots neatly alongside the rest of the recent releases, overflowing with high spirits and bubbling away like crazy.
I’ve been digging along to Step-Panther’s deeply stoned bangers for ever, but this is the most Malkmus-ish one yet. Although it sounds like it’s just one loose thread from falling apart completely, like a drunk Dinosaur Jr, the lyrics in particular are worth paying attention to – there’s a whole verse about losing an eyeball […]
Straight from a box full of B-52s-ish wonkiness, The Goldhearts groove through a track that’s a lot angrier than it sounds. The cheery shuffle of the music somehow emphasises the satire though – it’s like hearing a child swear. A crackling little song, with big thoughts on its mind.
Sweater Curse take perfectly good pop songs and then strategically hit vital parts of them with hammers. It leaves it in a shape that’s just about recognisable as a song with a tune and a structure, but you need to duck a few times to avoid the sharp bits that break off and fly at […]
Wearing its best arched eyebrow and its finest tailored trouser, Salarymen’s third release is another high-shine jaunt into 60s-inspired art-pop, and it’s another well-crafted piece. The slightly psychotic jaunt of the organ parps around in your mind while the rest of song swirls around in a cloud of suspiciously sweet-smelling smoke, sounding shiny new and […]
Subcult offer up their debut release damn near fully-formed, playing with a confidence and swagger that a new band really shouldn’t possess. This is big and shiny alt-rock, with some extremely well-constructed songwriting threading through the whole thing. There’s also the occasional sweary word too which – regardless of what anyone else tells you – […]
I love this record! That staccato intro drops you straight in the deep end with no warning, just a straight plunge directly into the fun and games. Even though you don’t get a chance to even warm up, you’re off and running alongside them, dancing like a goon and sputtering for breath. If you can’t […]
If the The Pinheads were Primal Scream, this is the bit where they can do stuff like “Rocks”. It’s a cover of an Elvis Costello track but it’s a huge shift from that where-the-fuck-did-THAT-come-from stage into the part where we all end up dancing to them without realising it’s the same band. The horrorshow keyboards […]