Strangers - Something New

It's always the case that when an artist from an under appreciated genre breaks out into the mainstream unexpectedly, it triggers a feeding frenzy both among record labels and among music fans to uncover the next Band X. For example, the success of Bastille in 2013, with a massive selling album and an ubiquitous radio hit, has sparked the question as to who will follow in their footsteps. One group that might just step up to the mark are London trio Strangers.

Having released a few EPs in 2012, as well as enjoying support slots for Grimes and Nikki & The Dove, the group are gearing up to release their debut single, "Something New". The song does call to mind Bastille in several regards. Firstly, the vocals of David Maddox-Jones bears an uncanny likeness to that of Dan Smith. The song is also stylistically similar, as it has a sleek, contemporary pop feel to it, with some futuristic synth parts. And finally, like Bastille, there is not a single guitar in sight.

The song might not be exactly be "Something New" (pardon the pun), but it is definitely a song worth listening to. Of any of the acts that could benefit from an increased public appreciation of credible synth-pop, Strangers stand as good a chance as any of making the breakthrough.

"Something New" will be released on May 13th.

Seasfire - Oh...Lucifer

Bristol based quartet Seasfire have built up a loyal following over the past 12 months, and have become something of a darling for music blogs through their nomination for the Blog Sound of 2013. Following a low-key re-release of "Falling" earlier this year, the band have announced the release of "Oh...Lucifer"

The song continues the band's penchant for taking a contemporary rock structure and augmenting it with electronic beats and production. It is perhaps their most accessible track to date, with a clear verse/chorus structure and some trance inspired synths. Stylistically, it is a song which isn't a million miles away from the sound that Hurts have moved into recently, albeit one which is a lot rougher around the edges.

"Oh...Lucifer" is the sound of a band who are trying to win over new fans simultaneously attempting to please those people who have already fallen under their spell. Only time will tell if this pays off.

"Oh...Lucifer" will be released on 1st July.

The 1975 - The City

Well, knock me down with a feather. I knew that Manchester based quartet The 1975 would have a rather fine 2013 indeed, but if you'd have told me after playing in Belfast to just a handful of people that within three months they would have a UK Top 40 hit single with "Chocolate", a track which hasn't seemed to have left the airwaves since February, as well as selling over 150,000 copies of said single, I would have been very sceptical indeed. Now it looks like the band are well on their way to being the most successful new band of the year so far. The members of the group also seem to be becoming something of a pin-up favourite for their growing teenage fanbase, which isn't surprising given how photogenic the boys are.

Of course, this blog cares more about great songs than image, and The 1975 have announced the re-release of "The City", a song which originally surfaced on their debut E.P "Facedown" last year. The track is a much darker affair than "Chocolate", with impossibly deep drums (last seen on "Sex"), sinister keyboards, and lyrics about the dark underbelly of inner city life. It's a rather brave choice of follow-up single after their last radio-friendly affair, but so far it seems that people are really warming to it, as well as to the band itself. Let's hope the next time they visit Belfast, they'll be playing it to an audience of hundreds. Mandela Hall, anyone?

"The City" is the lead single from their E.P "IV", which is released on May 20th.

Rhodes - Always

In the past few days, quite a few people on our Twitter feed have been ranting and raving about folksy singer/songwriter Rhodes.  Tidbits of information about him are rather sparse at the moment, but after a brief sweep of the interweb, this is what I know:

1. He is from Hitchin in England, which is where the inventor of the jet engine, Frank Whittle, was born.

2. His real name is David.

3. According to his Facebook profile, he is a fan of SOAK. This is very good indeed.

4. He counts Mr Radio 1 himself, George "guitars are back" Ergatoudis as one of his admirers

5. He recently spent some time in Norway writing and recording music.

6. His music is rather good indeed.

So here's "Always" for you, a lovely acoustic track with sumptuous Bon Iver inspired harmonies.

Sion Russell Jones - So Long

"So Long" is a song so drenched in the American folk tradition that its somewhat hard to believe that the song's performer, Sion Russell Jones, is actually from Cardiff. The track combines elements of Elliott Smith, Bon Iver, Radical Face, and a little bit of Paul Simon to create a song with gorgeous harmonies, unconventional rhythms, and a chorus that veers firmly into uplifting territory.

"So Long" is taken from Sion Russell Jones' self-titled E.P, which will be released on June 10th.