The Aquadolls - Girl Riot SCS

SoundCloud Song

This new track from The Aqua Dolls sounds so much like a lost punk rock track from an early 80's Blackhearts album it is really surprising that it was released just slightly earlier this month. With clear links to earlier genre defining sounds, it is great that The Aquadolls are bringing the sound back around for the latest generation to fall in love with all over again. I love this track because the use of catchy, short verses and repetitive without being tiresome guitar lines which makes for a song that hasn't left my head for a long time and I wouldn't want it to for the foreseeable. Plus promoting rebellion is always fun (for the right cause) Enjoy!

The Wild Reeds - NPR Tiny Desk Concert YTV

24/11/15 YouTube Video

What better way to bring Autumnal cheer than this three song concert from The Wild Reeds. They visited the NPR space and performed a great acoustic set featuring a track from their début album and a couple of new ones which equally kill it. The thing that I loved the most about this video is that it is rare to see bands with multiple lead singers that have such a high standard of vocals that they could easily front the band by themselves. I think The Staves are similar but The Wild Reeds just have an edge over them with their multi instrumental-ism. It is also nice to hear the harmonica being used not just by a grizzled old man sitting on a wooden crate. Enjoy!

Aftershokz Bluez 2S Headphones DOTM

Design Of The Month

I always have an ear out for interesting audio technology and recently I heard about this new headphone product from my girlfriend. The Aftershokz Bluez is an open ear wireless headphone system that uses bone conduction technology to deliver sound through the users cheekbones to the ear drum. This may seem to some people that they are changing headphones for no real benefit but as a cyclist who likes to listen to music when riding, these headphones allow me to hear oncoming cars and other possible surrounding dangers whilst listening to music without the two interfering with each other. It is also a great all round sports headphone product or just for lounging around the house in your pyjamas. Really smart idea!

Phoenix - Lisztomania YTV

17/11/15 YouTube Video

Well it was my graduation yesterday and it was a long time coming but I am glad I ended up going to the ceremony. It was good to celebrate the 3 years of working hard and even better to see my class mates. And in the spirit of graduation, I wanted to share the song that soundtracked my first year and holds many great memories. Lisztomania by Phoenix was used as the backing track to a presentation about design created by other members of my class whilst advertising their brand. It fit the emotion that they were trying to achieve of being a fun and upbeat company and much like the track, hasn't seemed to age to this day. Enjoy!

Green Buzzard - Hollywood SCS

SoundCloud Song

Boom! Yea this is the second post in one day, ain't no big deal. Great musical releases don't sleep so why should I. Today has been a day of blitzing my SoundCloud feed and there have been loads of great releases including this Tobias Jesso Jr cover from the Green Buzzard boys. The thing that I like the most about this version is how they up the pace of the song, making it slightly more frenzied track (compared to the slow ballad style of the original) whilst keeping the sound as a whole, lo-fi and mellow. I also think the addition of guitars really adds to the overall piece, making it more hooky. Enjoy!

Laura Stevenson - Jellyfish YTV

11/11/15 YouTube Video

I am ever so behind with my posts but here I am, making up for it. This is a perfect slice of indie pop from Laura Stevenson. I recently went and listened to her entire back catalogue, well all that I could get off of Google Music, and I find her progression in her sound a truly great thing. Her earlier stuff has a lot more of a straight up pop vibe reminding me of artists ala Paloma Faith etc. And in her later stuff she is embracing the guitar as more of a rock n roll instrument as shown in the video below. Just scuzzy enough to be exciting whilst keeping the beautiful vocals that she has always had. Enjoy!

Swim Deep - Mothers OA

October Album

October has been a long month, with plenty of good music coming from Wavves, Born Ruffians, The Enemy, Cheatahs and more. But my favourite has to be the latest from Swim Deep called Mothers. A bit of a change up from their previous album which I can do nothing but praise. Nothing against their debut, I mean I love it but some bands stay too comfortable releasing the same kind of music. The thing that puts Mothers above the rest is how the band have used synths and electronic sounds to create songs that have clear retro influences but still sound impressive against anything else released currently. Below is the single Namaste with one of the best videos I have seen in a long while featuring Paul Daniels. Enjoy!

Car Seat Headrest - Something Soon YTV

03/11/15 YouTube Video

Car Seat Headrest have a crackin' new album Teens Of Style and this video below is one of the singles off of it. What I like most about the track is how the vocals are sung in such an intense manner but because they are coupled with a poppier sounding instrumentation it lifts the mood to a light-hearted level and gives the song a fresh almost sing-along sound. Enjoy!