[LISTEN] Bloc Party - The Love Within

Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack are back with some new members, Justin on bass and Louise on the drums! Still Bloc Party, and this is still great. Their new song "The Love Within" was premièred on Annie Mac's BBC Radio 1 tonight (5/10) and it's a song I've been waiting to hear for a long time, ever since the acoustic demo of "Exes" was played out on Triple J.

The song's lifted from their new album "Hymns" which is due out early 2016.

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Chvches streaming new album 'Every Open Eye' ahead of release

Scottish electro-pop trio Chvrches are streaming their sophomore album 'Every Open Eye' ahead of its official release this Friday 25th September. The much anticipated album is undoubtedly a perfect follow up to the band's debut 'The Bones of What You Believe,' consisting of catchy hits such as 'Clearest Blue' and a punchy opener 'Never Ending Circles.'

Chvrches are celebrating their album release week with an intimate show at The Dome, Tufnell Park on 23rd September, following with a UK tour in November including a headline show at Alexandra Palace.

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Check out the stream below:

[LISTEN] CHVRCHES - Clearest Blue

"Clearest Blue" is the latest tune from the Glasgow based electro-pop band and shows off why loads of people are hugely excited for their new album. We first heard a version of this song at Pitchfork's festival earlier this summer but the full studio version is something else!

The band's début LP "The Bones of What You Believe" came out in 2013. "Every Open Eye" is set to be unveiled on 25th September through Universal but in the meantime you can soak up "Clearest Blue" just below.

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[LISTEN] AFFAIRS - Brothers

Growing and growing in stature, AFFAIRS have carried on the electro pop train they boarded years ago and are moving through the carriages swiftly. Bigger, Bolder and sounding more polished than ever, 'Brothers' hits me as being a perfect soundtrack to a closing summer season.

Following 'Blood Science' I think the lads are well on their way to building a sound basis of tunes to hit audiences with in the coming months!

'Brothers' is the latest single offering which is available from the 4th of September.



Highly recommend searching through their Soundcloud whilst you're there.

A video for this will shortly follow and the band are streaming some of their next gig (FRIDAY 4/9/15 - Manchester, Night and Day cafe) straight to their FB page around 9:30pm.

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JaseHare

[TRACK OF THE WEEK] ZIBRA - Paris

It's safe to say that we're huge fans of Zibra's, and we're loving the trio's brand new track, the single is released via Epic Records on September 7th, and the band have also announced a September tour with Rat Boy. After a successful performance at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing Stage the band have now unleashed "Paris" on their fans, and it's one of their most infectious tracks to date!

The track is a stand-alone single and is going to be pushing the band to new heights, especially after they were playlisted by BBC Radio 1 a few weeks ago. The track has a slick abundance of glitchy electro samples, funky cowbells and with a bassline that will get any disco lover grooving and lyrics that'll be lingering in your head all day - Zibra have done it again!

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[TRACK OF THE WEEK] Frett - Drop Of Starch

Frett have been steadily on the up for a few months now, and since they had a track on the Killing Moon album they've got a whole new bunch of fans to showcase their music to, and today sees "Drop Of Starch" get the 'track of the week' treatment. It's got a very steady start to it with an intro that can be instantly compared to Mansionair, with the duel vocals from Elliot and Simon going on it creates a even bigger sense of atmosphere from what already is a very laid back but very spacey track. 

Frett seem to be step by step getting better and better, it'll be time soon for them to sign a deal with a major. The ever growing duo have now played one of the biggest festivals in the UK - Latitude - which is right in their backyard, and that in-turn earned them rave reviews amongst fans and critics alike! Frett are playing at Barfly in Camden this week - on the 22nd of July - supporting Lisbon for The Hyve's showcase event. 

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[Read more about FRETT on It's All Indie]

[LISTEN] Zola Blood - Play Out

Last year Hackney 4-piece Zola Blood set online tastemaker tongues wagging with their acclaimed début EP release 'Meridian' becoming the #1 most blogged abut artist on the Hype Machine. Now they're back with a great new track called 'Play Out'.  Produced by Richard Formby (Wild Beasts, Ghostpoet, Darkstar), this song showcases an evolution to a richer and denser sound utilising an array of vintage synthesisers. 

The result is a silky and softly driving electronic soundscape which provides the perfect backing for singer Matt West's ethereal vocals. The vibe of the track fits in very well with the burgeoning London electronica scene, yet it still stands apart with its own distinguishable sound, which appears to be down to a conscious effort from the group: “We wanted every sound on the tracks to be totally unique – we even put the drums through a modular synth.”

Zola Blood however do not simply rely on forging a unique sound as some acts seem to, for all the brooding atmosphere and pulsating rhythms there are the hooks to match.Owing to this the band sit comfortably with comparisons to hip producers like Rhye or SOHN, or to alternative pop acts like Years and Years or HUNTAR. 

“Play Out” will be released on Pond Life Songs on the 4^th of September.

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[ALBUM REVIEW] Everything Everything - Get To Heaven

Get To Heaven finds some of Britain’s most off the wall eccentrics on their third mission to conquer the indie universe. It may well be third time lucky. Their previous two albums, e-number packed debut ‘Man Alive’, and the beautifully neglected ‘Arc’ are polar opposites but it finally feels like Everything Everything have found their feet.

With ‘Distant Past’ the Manchester outfit are at their finest with one of their catchiest hooks to date and lyrics like, “Soon I’ll be the best around”, they could stake a claim as producing one of the albums of the year. Amongst the batshit crazy commotion though ‘Get To Heaven’ sometimes feels like it’s been dragged through gritted teeth in ‘Regret’ and ‘Spring/Sun/Winter/Dread’. The careless, experimental, cogs flying everywhere type approach feels a bit forced half a decade on from ‘Man Alive’. 

The quartet may just have stepped down on their stubbornness for variety and gone for more recognisable melodies. Bring in escalating synths, and a Bloc Party style thrashing of a riff and now we’re talking in the case of bold opener, ‘To The Blade’, which flickers with the intensity of ‘Suffragette Suffragette’. ‘The Wheel’ on the other hand, is Two Door Cinema sun kissed chords galore before taking a tumble back down to Jonathan Higgs reality with dread-filled lyrics, “Do you wanna know how far you’ve come?” being regurgitated back to himself like he’s watching his own twisted version of ‘This Is Your Life’. No lyrics raise an eyebrow quite as much though as “It’s alright to feel like a fat kid in a push chair, old enough to run, old enough to fire a gun” in the verging on trance ‘No Reptiles’. 

Higgs distinguishable falsetto and rapid fire syntax are at the core of the quartet once more. ‘Fortune 500’ is a berserk flood of synths which pumps him with power as he chimes “I’ve won, I’ve won, they’ve told me that I’ve won”. In glitch-ridden ‘Zero Pharaoh’ he’s ready to put a full stop on things with commands of “Give me the gun, give me the gun, give me the gun”.

At other points he’s mad with science, probability and castration in ‘Blast Doors’, “Give me a lobotomy and I can be a tutor, open up the blast doors then we can be neutered”. It’s Everything Everything at their finest, firing nonsense from every orifice at full speed, whilst maintaining the high-pitched wailing poetry from ‘Arc’.

The whole thing is a bitter-sweet nightmare in which Higgs and co are left blurry eyed and dizzy. It makes sense though, and despite all its faults and quirky misplacements, on the third time of asking, Everything Everything have found their utopia.

'Get To Heaven'
Out of 10: 7/10

Introducing... Folly Rae

On a relatively quiet day at the iAi HQ, an email popped into my inbox from one of my favourite PR companies introducing me to Folly Rae. Like artists such as The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club and Ed Sheeran, Rae has come up through BBC Introducing and gets a lot of love from the likes of Huw Stephens. Her track 'Free Your Mind' was made BBC Radio 1's 'track of the day'.

Now, Folly Rae has just released her new single 'Someone I Don't Know' in the build up to her E.P 'Run For Cover' that is released in March 2015. 

'Someone I Don't Know' is nothing short of beautiful. Rae's soft voice is accompanied by a powerful beat and melodic pianos. Listening to it for the first time my head was nodding and I was trying to work out how to make my words give the song the justice it deserves. With lyrics focused on love, "I'm falling, for someone, I don't know", 'Someone I Don't Know' has been released to perfectly fit Valentine's Day. 

Have a listen below and let us know what you think!

Check out her Facebook below.

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- Nathan (@nxths)

Cathedrals share new track "In The Dark"

The San Francisco band have uploaded a brilliant anthem that can easily make you turn up your speakers, even in the middle of the night! With some great guitar hooks, deep bass and stunning vocals, it looks like things for them are going to turn good!

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Daily Download... Terrapin - To The Lions

For anyone who has been keeping a close eye on the progressive UK electronic scene, Terrapin are a new Bedfordshire duo consisting of two members of indie band Ego Trip. With their music described as a cross between Friendly Fires and Disclosure, 'To The Lions' is the first single to be released with more tracks in the works.

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Daily Download... Alpines - Survival

Alpines are from Kingston-Upon-Thames in London, their music can be described in a few ways. Indie-Dub-Step would be a lazy way in putting them into a pigeon hole but Electronic synths, wobbly bass and thudding drum lines is what they are all about. We've previously mentioned the electronic duo before and now they have an amazing free download to give away, all they need is a 'like' on the facebook site and it's yours!



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Alpines - Survival

Track of the week... Chaser - Somebody Else

We have only just featured this band in our 'Introducing' section, but there is a great reason why we would be pushing them upon you. Their track called 'Somebody Else' is up on their Soundcloud page and it pushes all of the right buttons for us!



With the right amount of guitars, vocal attitude and synths they've created an anthem that'll get them the recognition they deserve. This REALLY can be a future hit as it's got everything a great track needs, and that's something most other bands haven't got, a niche. With Piano keys, warming synths and ice cool vocals, this track is just irresistible!



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Introducing... Chaser

Not much is known about Chaser, but let me shed some light upon that. They're a four piece Electro-Rock band from London, they infuse Piano and Synths with Guitars and stunning vocals. They currently have one track up on their bandpage on facebook and I must say it's a great track to get you hooked onto!



We can't wait for that one! With just this one song (below) doing the rounds, they're keeping me in suspense as I know for a fact that there live show will be fantastic to watch! They're playing mainly London based shows at the moment and one next month will be at Heaven, they'll be on first as they're supporting Morning Parade. I'd keep a close eye on this band as I can see them progressing really far!

For fans of // Get People, Delphic, Fenech-Soler



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Gig Review... Friendly Fires @ The Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 21st November 2011

Friendly Fires cancelled some of their tour dates due to singer Ed having laryngitis, there was a big worry from local fans if they would play or not. Thankfully they would never let SPC down - SPC being the live promoters who put them on way back even before Friendly Fires had an EP out! I got to the venue at around 8:15pm and didn't realise I missed the first support act, still, I was there to see Friendly Fires so it wasn't a problem.


image (c) SPC, SPC Cambs, SPC Live

One thing I do love about seeing them perform is Ed's crazy hip dancing that could easily rival Beyonce! The lights on the stage were fantastic with the Pala Parrot flying around on the neon displays during 'Hawaiian Air' and 'Pala'. The crowd went mental for nearly every song, especially 'Jump In The Pool', 'Live Those Days Tonight' 'On Board' and 'Lovesick'! This was the second time I've seen them and the first in their 'home territory' of the Western part of East Anglia. You would never of assumed that Ed even had an illness with that level of energy and tight skills from the other members. Please please please do see them, you won't regret it!

Friendly Fires - Hurting (Dezlin Rework) by DEZLIN

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News: Waylayers finish pledge

after 2 months Waylayers have now completed their Facebook pledge (writing, recording, mixing and posting a new track to their Facebook page every week) and have compiled all of these pledge tracks on to a session on Soundcloud for their fans to enjoy.



As a bonus they have added a 9th track we have called 'Less No More'. The tracks wont be up for long, so enjoy.

Remaining tour dates:
09.12.2011: Dortmund FZW
10.12.2011: Magnet Club - Berlin
12.12.2011: Molotow - Hamburg
16.12.2011: Amp - Münster

8 New Waylayers Songs in 8 Weeks by waylayers

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News: Is Tropical video and live dates

Is Tropical are set to release a new single on KITSUNÉ /CO-OP on the 31st of October 2011, the song is called 'Lies', and it's already got us in a daze! We will have a review up of that song very soon! 'Lies' is the follow up to the recent 'The Greeks' single with its now legendary video and is the third single to be lifted from the band's début album 'Native to', which was released in June this year.



The video is directed by Jonathan Leder, the creative director of 'Jacques' Magazine which is America’s only new luxury erotic magazine.Formed in 2009, the IS TROPICAL line up of Gary Barber (Vocals / Guitar / keys), Simon Milner (Vocals / Guitars / Keys) and Dominic Apa (Drums) have developed a worldwide reputation for their stunning live shows.

Taking to the stage in their trademark masks, and cloaked by self-made video projections, they improvise constantly changing soundscapes, effortlessly swooping from raw pop anthems to lo-fi dance songs with fantastic results.

Remaining tour dates:
10/20/11 New York, NY, Good Units (Kitsune' Party) - 8.30PM
10/21/11 New York, NY, Santos Downstairs - 8.30PM
10/21/11 New York, NY, Brooklyn Bowl - 12AM
10/22/11 New York, NY, South Paw - 8.30PM
10/22/11 New Work, NY, Cameo - 12AM
10/24/11 Vancouver, BC, Fortune Sound Club
10/25/11 Los Angeles, CA, House Of Blues
10/26/11 San Francisco, CA, Mezzanine
10/27/11 Los Angeles, CA Echoplex
10/29/11 Mexico City, Pasaguero (Kitsune' Party)
03/11/2011 Holland – Amsterdam - Paradiso
04/11/2011 Belgium - Brussels - Botanique
06/11/2011 Germany - Hamburg - Molotow
07/11/2011 Germany - Cologne - Gebaude
09/11/2011 Switzerland - Lausanne - Bleu Lezard
10/11/2011 Switzerland - Zurich - Stall6
11/11/2011 Italy - Milan - Plastic
17/11/2011 Germany - Berlin - Magnet
18/11/2011 Denmark - Copenhagen - Rust
19/11/2011 Sweden - Stockholm - Debaser Slussen
20/11/2011 Norway - Oslo - Venue TBC

LIES (Leopard Of Honour RMX) by ISTROPICAL

Track of the week... I Heart Sharks - Neuzeit

Unlike many other bands in their genre, I Heart Sharks insist on playing everything live, and are celebrated for spearheading a new Indie music scene in Berlin and Germany. We have previously featured them on the blog and this time round they have a single and an album about to be released. A song that'll be on both is called 'Neuzeit'.



They've certainly come a long way since I heard their demos around a year ago. They have grown up with the song boasting some German lyrics as well as English - they are a Anglo-German band after all. The guitar rush in the middle of the chorus is simply amazing as the band embrace their influences and create a track that is set for the dance-floors. They've also recently supporting Friendly Fires in Germany, if I were them I'd be trembling, why? Because 'Neuzeit' is one nugget of Electro-Indie perfection.

I Heart Sharks - Neuzeit by UMusicPub_Germany

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EP Review... Trophy Wife - Bruxism EP

The brand new Trophy Wife five-track EP 'Bruxism' is released on the 17th October via Blessing Force (although I got told it got pushed back to the 31st). With the 'Bruxism EP' Trophy Wife have taken an experimental approach by using a different producer for each track. They travelled to Berlin to work with acclaimed electronic artist/producer Ewan Pearson, then collaborated with Oxford acolytes Yannis from Foals and Andrew Halford.

Canopy Shade:
This is the opening track from the EP and it bounces all over the place with lots of great riffs, samples and drum sections. It does delve into the Dub-Step sub-genre towards the latter half of the song, but that's fine, getting more of a demographic right? Correct, I can see this being remixed and ending up to be a proper club track. Trophy Wife have laid down such a solid foundation for the rest of the EP.
Out of 10: 8.5/10

Bruxism:
The title track here, so big expectations. This is the James Yuill produced track, and you can hear it clearly here with such a clean production. My favourite bit about this track is the sample pads/synths combining for some weird and wonderful effects, accompanying that with the guitar that seems to be in tandem with the vocals of Jody creating a wonderful verse. The whole song slowly stops and you are left breath-taken by the sheer beauty of the song.
Out of 10: 9/10



Seven Wakes:
From the off it sounds like this has been either recorded on tapes, or ripped from a vinyl, you can hear crackling in the background. A slow start here, but the vocals of Jody are draped all over the backing vocals and synths. A darker track from the Oxford 3-piece. The track picks up body towards the end of the song, it's fabulous, this is why Trophy Wife are going to take 2012 by the horns!
Out of 10: 8.5/10

Sleepwalks:
The shortest track on the EP and it goes back to the Trophy Wife their fans know and love, fast energetic 'Ambtionless-Office-Disco'. Quick bursts of guitar, smooth samples and synths all coated with the wonderful vocals. The chorus is what this song is all about, this is one of my favourite tracks by this band. You can tell the track has Ewan Pearson producing it can't you, it oozes danceability. And when they play this track live it's on another level. Wonderful stuff!
Out of 10: 9.5/10

Wolf:
The track that has had all of the Foals-convert-fans dribbling over is here, a slightly minimalistic take to their music. This track seems to be a lot darker than every other track Trophy Wife have put out there, I don't mind it as they are trying to find their own little niche to work with. One thing is for sure the production is quite good considering I wasn't expecting Yannis to be this good at doing it! I am now really looking forward to my 10" dropping in the post!
Out of 10: 8/10

Trophy Wife - Bruxism EP
Out of 10: 8.7/10

Trophy Wife - Canopy Shade (Produced by Plaid and Trophy Wife) by trophywifeband

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Trophy Wife - Microlite

Track of the week... Waylayers - Hear No Lies

Fusing elements of Electronica and Indie-Rock with epic and melodious vocal lines and stunning hooks. They instantaneously caught the attention of the legendary Steve Lamacq who has already touted them as ‘unsigned band of the week’ on his 6music show.



No track sums up Waylayers’ huge ability more than début single ‘Hear No Lies’; its haunting, layered synths and driving melody make it a reflective and powerful statement of intent for a band who look set to do big things fast. Considering this is their début single they seem to be really great at projecting their musical abilities. With a new era of Dance-Rock beckoning in 2012 Waylayers are going to be at the forefront of the revolution judging by this track.

Hear No Lies by waylayers

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