Vasco Da Gama - Brigadiers

If you are a big fan of indie-pop, but think that the genre is too twee and cutesy, then the latest song from Liverpool based quartet Vasco Da Gama might be right up your metaphorical street. "Brigadiers" has a pop feel to it, that's for sure, but there's a feeling of bitterness that underpins the song that seems out of place on a song like this, and  its structure seems more shifty-pop than indie-pop. It's no wonder that they're just as comfortable supporting Los Campesinos! as they are Adebisi Shank.

"Brigadiers" is available as a free download, and is taken from their E.P "Geography", which is released on April 22nd.

Enemies - Executive Cut

Kilcoole based shifty-pop quartet Enemies are gearing up to release their second album next month. To whet our appetite before its release, the band have released the first track from the album, "Executive Cut", which the band have made available as a free download.

"Executive Cut" features Cast of Cheers frontman Conor Adams on guest vocals, and marries the style of two of the best post-rock groups of the past few years with much aplomb - the first half of the track features offbeat rhythms not too dissimilar to some of Battles' later songs, before culminating in an almighty wall of noise that would make And So I Watch You From Afar very proud indeed.

"Executive Cut" is taken from the group's 2nd studio album "Embark, Embrace", which will be released on May 10th.

Eatenbybears - Your Pet Is Dead

Following on from their well received summer single "Simple As Hell", Belfast based shifty-pop specialists Eatenbybears are gearing up to release their next single. "Your Pet Is Dead" is a great follow-up, featuring all the hallmarks of their sound, with the mixing of organic and electronic instruments and rhythmic structures which change throughout the song. It helps to mark them out as one of the most original, forward-thinking groups currently working in Belfast.

The band have also released the music video for the song, which is rather drag-tastic:


"Your Pet Is Dead" is available as a free download.

Cold Hiker - Phosphenes

Melbourne based quartet Cold Hiker's modus operandi is to mix unusual time signatures and chord progressions into an alternative-rock setting. The best example of this sound can be found on their simple "Phosphenes". It demonstrates their shifty-pop styling admirably, calling to mind the work of Radiohead, Alt-J and because of their soaring vocals, Geneva. If you like your guitar music on the esoteric side, then these Aussies are the group for you. 

"Phosphenes" is taken from Cold Hiker's self-titled E.P, which is out now.