Music of 2015 Part 1

Albums can age well, others can't. Depending on your taste you can come across music from years ago and it still be as good today as it was back then. Take Jamie T's first two records for example. Panic Prevention (2007) and Kings and Queens (2009) are still as listened to today as they were when they were released, maybe it has something to do with the release of his long awaited third album, Carry On The Grudge, that listeners have this inner need to rediscover his back catalogue.

Music in 2014 and even the beginning of 2015 has seen the emergence of great brand new defining artists, Royal Blood, Catfish and The Bottlemen and Slaves to name a few. Heres what I'm listening to:

(Okay so this is my first time actually physically writing my thoughts about music, usually my thoughts progress into passing speech and then lost forever.)


ALVVAYS 

The Toronto based bands album had been lurking around me for a while when I decided to finally give it a go and buy it. Having not seen any music videos, I came to the music blind, which was a breathe of fresh air for me, it wasn’t until last month that I watched the band perform live that I finally aligned the voice to the face.

Bursting with songs that will be the soundtrack of your summer, the bands debut album doesn’t fail to impress and if you like the likes of Best Coast, Alvvays is the next step. Front woman, Molly Rankin allows one to drift endlessly between the end of one song and the beginning of the other with her addictive monotone voice. ‘Archie, Marry Me’ the song now used at your local indie night between bands is probably the most recognized song of the album. But to me the stand out song is ‘Party Police’. Anyone who earns for someone else will automatically fall in love with this song. 

https://soundcloud.com/alvvays
https://twitter.com/alvvaysband
https://www.facebook.com/ALVVAYS

SLOW CLUB

Now I’m only going to talk about their third album, Complete Surrender, as that’s the only album I have been listening to of Slow Club. Now I am a bit of sucker for joint vocals between men and women (can never get enough of Blood Red Shoes), and this album impresses. Some critics have said that it is the Sheffield’s attempt at mainstream but I actually I think it defines there sound more. A few tracks on the album including ‘Not Mine To Love’ which is reminiscent of 60’s heartbreak pop in fact alerts that Slow Club are not defined to a genre. And I have to say that I absolutely love Rebecca Taylor’s charismatic voice. The album is almost that of a melodramatic musical with some you want to dance to, ‘The Pieces’ and others you want to cry to ‘Number One’. With tracks that feel like they have the ensemble of Arcade Fire, I am eagerly waiting to see them perform them live.

https://soundcloud.com/slowclub
https://twitter.com/slowclubhq
https://www.facebook.com/slowclub




HONEYBLOOD

Honeyblood’s debut album was featured in both NME’s and Rough Trades Albums of the year lists and I don’t disagree. With the gurllll power on there side and the attitude to kick every guy in the balls. With its grunge sound and fiery lyrics the band would appeal to every angry teenage girl who hates the world. Honeyblood’s feistiness oozes from beginning to end. The album begins with anger and everything GIRL but somehow by ‘Braid Burn Valley’ turns itself into a reflection and narrative of a girl who’s lost her love. Recorded in just ten days, the album feels raw and personal. Genres that this band can fall into from pop punk to grunge, you’ll find youself in love with the secret track at the end of the record with Stina’s voice coming from a smile. I would call it Hole of the new generation, with ‘Choker’ sounding uncanny to Holes debut album Live Through This. 

https://soundcloud.com/honeyblood
https://twitter.com/yumhoneyblood
https://www.facebook.com/honeybloodeatitup





SLAVES

Slaves are probably one of the bands that’s gained most attention this year with Zane Lowe making there last 2 singles his hottest record in the world, there’s nothing stopping them from being music’s dark princes in 2015. I’ve been following this band for a while after listening to the catchy ‘Debbie Where’s Your Car?’ And soon bought there Sugar Coated Bitter Truth EP without hesitation. Without a doubt one of the best songs being the 14 second track Girl Fight. Short and snappy, entertaining and funny, when preformed live its part of a 2-minute story of the lead singer/drummer Issac Holman whose vocals stink of Johnny Rotten. The sarcastic attitude the duo bring to there music proves a breathe of fresh air. With there most recent single ‘Feed The Mantaray’ having the build of ‘Rock the Casbah’ and the attitude of Sex Pistols, Slaves are successful are bringing back the punk that has been missing in recent years.


https://soundcloud.com/slavesband
https://twitter.com/slaves
https://www.facebook.com/slaves

Other artists to mention are DEERS/HINDS, COURTNEY BARNETT, WARPAINT, GIRLBAND, SUPERFOOD, HAPPYNESS and BABY STRANGE.