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Scruff Of The Neck Presents ... - 20160822

 

For your entertainment during another working week here's five more hand-picked delights from the Scruff Of The Neck stable.

The Real Cool – 'Bed Hair'

Hailing from Birmingham, indie-pop three piece The Real Cool relish in their own brand of rich, yet paradoxically understated tropi-pop. The band's most recent single 'Bed Hair' is no exception. Lush sounding but sporadically delivered guitar lines entwine with chunky bass rumbles, creating something both modern, but entrenched in pop traditions.

 

Jellyskin – 'She Sung Oceans'

Sounding like a more contemporary Slowdive, Leeds-based shoegazers Jellyskin take understated to new, staggeringly pretty levels. Even without a gig under their belt yet, the three-piece have began to make quite an impression with latest single 'She Sung Oceans' providing a wistful and hazy first impression of the trio. Beautiful.

 

The Chadelics – 'Mexico'

Harbouring all the energy of a pre-drugs Libertines, Barrow's The Chadelics may be familiar to those who were at this year's Kendal Calling. 'Mexico' might not be the band's most recent offering, but it's rakish charm, jangling guitars and straight up indie-oikishness is utterly infectious. Expect big things from these guys. Expect them soon.

 

Kyngs – 'In the Moment'

Arguably the heaviest track on offer this week thanks to it's propulsive guitar grooves, 'In The Moment' is the first track from Manchester four-piece Kyngs, and sees the band building on the established rock tropes of the '60s and '70s while absolutely making them their own. Not quite breakneck but rarely relenting, it's a statement of intent from a band who know what they want.

 

EARTHS – 'Kangerlussuaq'

Given that this song's over a year old, we might be cheating a little bit by including it, but after seeing EARTHS live iteration on Saturday, it just felt wrong not to. Beginning with an ethereal and haunting vocal melody, the track soon blossoms in to lush alt-rock; the frenetic percussion and rolling rhythm section providing the perfect backdrop for the rich Scottish vocal lilt. Exquisite.

 

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The Weekly Froth! - 20160819

 

The Weekly Froth! A weekly take on six tracks, most of which have recently popped up somewhere in the blogosphere. Bit of a mixed bag with a slight leaning towards house, disco, and remixes, but generally just anything that for some reason tickled the writer’s fancy.

Track of the Week: ‘Wash My Chaka’ Jacques Renault’s Adesse Versions (Kon edit)

It is an edit of Jacques Renault (one of my favs) for Local Talk, which Kon thought he’d sprinkle some Chaka vocals over. No complaining here, as after thirty seconds this one gets into gear in style. There’s a lovely house feel to the dance stuff, and Chaka is strutting her stuff right on top over it, singing that she.loves.you. There’s a slight hold at about 1;45, but Renault really wastes no time keeping the energy up with this one, firmly asking the dancefloor people to keep working it as he just goes on. Those vocals, meanwhile, indeed do fit, giving it a high nrg vibe to go with dat house music. At 3:20, then, the beat gets drawn away for a moment, keeping a deep synth sound and some hi-hats before Chaka comes in singing that she thinks she met you Somewhere in my dreams, immediately signalling the return of the beat as well. It’s a dance dance dance thing, with the House music of Renault combined with the disco up vocals by Chaka, giving the dancers this goodie of a track.

 

‘Believer’ by Dam-Funk (Fingers Deep - Funk remix)

I love the cheeky way the percussion starts. so funky and sexy, it already tells you to huddle up and get down. At about the forty second mark the synths and piano come in, giving it some lounge vibes. It settles the track down a bit, and the lads ride that vibe for a long while. The first major new shift comes at 2:50, where some stabbing synths are introduced, which then get a deeper sound underneath. I love how the soft piano comes floating in at points, providing a nice contrast to the percussion elements that keep on moving down below. At about 5:20 the bass rolls in, giving a bit of that boogie to work up to the next time that piano arrives. Dam-Funk released an excellent album last year, I saw him give an entertaining trip through House music history at Primavera Sound this year, and then there are the tracks he made with Nite Jewel as well. So the man is keeping busy, and busy churning out quality stuff at that. Released by the !K7 label, which knows its good music.

 

‘Rescue’ (Rayko Boogie Summertime Dancer re-edit)

Rayko, from the get go, gets those summery sounds in for this disco boogie. Soon he adds the percussion and bass as well, and half a minute in it all collides for what really only can be described as good vibes. Then, after a minute, the vocals, lovely cutting through that harsher synth with that honey suckled sweetness. After the first chorus Rayko brings it down, stripping more and more instruments until you basically have a single percussion, the vocals, and a little guitar riff left. At 3:20 the boogie returns, replacing the vocals for a moment before they come back with the chorus line. Everything underneath keeps on rolling as the vocals draw out the plea to Saaaave me longer and longer, before the chorus girls start singing the title line of the track. Just a lovely disco edit, a task which is in safe hands with Rayko for sure.

 

‘You’re Gonna Love Me’ by B & The Family

Apparently, this is an actual track from the '80s, but never released. The B in the band is Brian Morgan, who recently remembered he had some tracks shelved somewhere and thought, lets give it a whirl. Et voila, here it is, a catchy soul number also thanks to the drums that strut their stuff nicely. Then, the old school R&B vocals, which are helped out by the girls in the back on occasion as she sings that Oeehh, you’re gonna love me. The bass makes sure to be in there to provide some of that base rhythm, and there’s also a bit of that guitar riffing going around (he is, after all, a guitar player, so yeah). But mostly this is a catchy R&B track ol’ style, giving you all those good vibes at that summer cook-out of your dreams.

 

‘Taking Libz’ by Patrick Topping

Patrick Topping makes sure the beat is understood by all, giving you the marching orders from the get go on this house tune. Then the bass comes in, though it’s the higher pitched sound that dictates this one before it makes way for other fast moving percussion strikes. At the 1:50 mark the beat is taken out for a moment, with the percussion and the frantic synth sounds keeping that punching going on. Then, some deep, male vocals come in to do some talking, though most attention will most likely go out to the return of that beat that immediately follows. Again, at 3:20, a bit of a rest for the beat, and the dancefloor, though there is still the dulled thud of the drum that keeps them hardcore dancers involved. And it is a fast hitting track specifically aimed at that, the 3AM drug infused going of the body, released on the always partying Hot Creations label.

 

‘Divina’ by Lane 8

Lane 8 starts this one out with a nice main sound which, as the synth atmospherics come in, change to a deeper, more insistent tone (going from an almost guitar sound to a more key heavy feel), basically preluding the beat that is sure to come in. And there it is, after the first minute mark, nice and deep to juxtapose the synths. And this way, a dance feel develops, going for that pandemonium-in-front-of-the-stage feel with this one. A bass sound is added to give it some more rhythm flavor as the drums keep hitting it. Until the third minute mark that is, where only the hi-hats survive to go with the riffing keys and the atmospheric floating sound, which is a bit deeper than the other remaining instruments to provide a nice canvas there. Though that one is an almost tranquil presence, the other sounds keep a certain restlessness in them, signifying that yes, there’s some more dancing to come. And sure enough, at the five minute mark, lets go dancing for one more round.

 

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Scruff Of The Neck Presents ... - 20160808

 

For your entertainment during another working week here's five more hand-picked delights from the Scruff Of The Neck stable.

Cessna Deathwish – 'Jensen'

Kicking things off this week are Brighton's Cessna Deathwish and their most recent single 'Jensen'. Propulsive and somewhat brooding, it rumbles towards its conclusion with quiet determination and a sense of understated menace. Entrenched more in the college rock of the States rather than the British indie-pop of their home-town, their emotionally-charged transatlantic-indie is a breath of fresh air.

 

The Claremonts – 'You're Not There'

Manchester's most promising indie-upstarts The Claremonts are rapidly making a name for themselves thanks to their anarchic live shows and frenetic garage pop. Latest track 'You're Not There' is built around clattering percussion buzzsaw guitars that culminate in a quick-fingered solo. Definitely a band that are going places.

 

Graces – 'Amber'

A band that some might be familiar with, Graces have shared stages with the likes of Funeral For A Friend and The Xcerts before finding a new sound and vision at the tail end of last year. Taken from the first EP since their change in direction 'Amber' is encompassing and massively pretty; rich walls of noise, more comforting than cloying, form a warm palette on which subtle vocals are delicately layered. Gorgeous.

 

Small Victories – 'House Not A Home'

Featuring a former member of IC1s it goes without saying that Small Victories are a band worth paying attention to. 'House Not A Home' is the band's most recent track and is built around a rolling drum beat and perfectly matched clean guitars, creating both a sense of space and constant forward momentum.

 

DECO – 'Apollo'

Notts/London-based DECO are a band that may need no introduction. Bridging the gap between indie and electro, the four-piece peddle both floor-fillers and more delicate pop. 'Apollo' is the band's most recent track, successfully balancing the two; one part straight up banger, one part emotionally delicate. Either way, it's as uplifting as tracks come, making it easy to see why DECO are one of the UK's fastest rising acts.

 

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The Weekly Froth! - 20160805

 

The Weekly Froth! A weekly take on six tracks, most of which have recently popped up somewhere in the blogosphere. Bit of a mixed bag with a slight leaning towards house, disco, and remixes, but generally just anything that for some reason tickled the writer’s fancy.

Track of the Week: ‘Peace’ by Kenton Slash Demon (Lone remix)

I like how this one starts with that deep synth riff, that then gets juxtaposed by the higher pitched pianos. Then, at 25 seconds, the beat, the bass sound that reminds me of something but I don’t know what (do tell in the comments if you do have it) giving it a bit of that funky, R&B feel. I love how that slower bass gets mixed with, alternately, the piano and the beat, the latter giving it a bit more punch. At 2:20 Lone almost goes full piano for a moment, before the beat comes in to help that out, moving a bit more to the dance side of it. At the three minute mark that bass comes back in to give it some attitude, which it does crazily effective. The mixture of these elements, and also knowing when to put them on, when to turn them down, and when to slow down the pace entirely, is what makes this track so good and great to listen to. After slowing it down the bass comes back one more time, before clearly working it down to a close at the five minute mark.

 

‘Since You’ve Gone’ by Loframes feat. Anoraak

Loframes start this one with rhythmic vocals, under which melancholic tones emerge. At the 18 second mark we get the drum and a little guitar riff, as the male voice sings that the doesn’t know How to feel at times, as, apparently, someone has left. Slowly a more rhythmic undercurrent is put in (as the original drum sound didn’t have that particular function), as the vocals go from higher pitched to a bit deeper voiced. At the 1:48 mark there are some catchy synths as the track builds towards a moment where they pick up the pace, in the mean time the singer sings that he wants to close his eyes. It’s a lovely track, catchy in the right places, a nice build-up, but also a tad melancholic, not forgetting the emotion already alluded to by the title. Loframes get a bit of help from Anoraak, who I rate highly always, so that’s a sign of quality right there.

 

 ‘Come Back Lover’ by Fresh Band (Alkalino rework)

Alkalino takes on the Fresh Band, and it is clear where Alkalino is heading from the twenty second mark on, putting that frenetic guitar riff in on top of that steady dancefloor beat. More percussion at the fifty second mark, so that there’s really no mistaken that, yes, this is for the dancefloor, with Alkalino keeping the pace up on this '80s tune. Just after the 1:30 mark we get a nifty bassline in there as well, giving you more to do that boogie to. This is balanced by the horns, first rearing their heads around the two minute mark or so. Three minutes in they go a bit piano on us as well, letting that celebrate some freedom, and thirty seconds later the vocals come in for the first time. And they are singing, nay, pleading, Come back, lover, come back. The vocals, at all times, keep that distant feel, with the instruments remaining the center of attention. Only late, after the six minute mark, we hear a more forceful, less edited vocal sing Come on baby, in a more urgent manner than before. In the mean time the bass keeps rolling, the drum keeps hitting, and the piano/horns/guitar keep providing us with all that goodness to have that dancefloor boogie going on.

 

‘Set Fire To Me’ by Willie Colon (SanFranDisko mix)

SanFranDisko immediately pumps this up, indicating dance dance dance from the get go. The pace is real high, getting a bit juxtaposed by the synth sound that comes at about 50 seconds in. At 1:10, the vocals for the first time, with at 1:20 Willie Colon entering the verse as he sings that You’re the one for me, take control of me. The percussion and the rhythm of the vocal give it a Caribbean slant for me. And the trumpet at 2:45 as well, which is real fun, because you don’t quite hear that kind of horn sound very often in there. In the mean time the vocals keep imploring to set fire on them as, at 3:35, the piano comes in, which then slides into a bit of funky rhythm with the bass and the percussion. SanFranDisko deliver again on a funky remix that, through its original, gives it a particular slant to get on the noise, get on the funk.

 

 ‘Chemical Love’ by Animal Feelings feat. Nomi Ruiz

Animal Feelings recently released an album, with this cut being a slowed down electronical track with a steady, low-paced beat on top of which the keys provide the feel for this song. Which is helped by the dreamy, wispy vocals of Nomi Ruiz, which at the minute mark get a moment sans the beat and with some backing vocals as she sings she Can’t resist it. Then Animal Feelings pick it up again, giving both a steady groundwork for Ruiz as well as some additional help with the synths in terms of evoking the right feel. At 2:20, again, the beat gets tuned out, with just the vocals and piano doing some work as, first, the synth is added to Ruiz’ vocals before everything else is added again. At the end, as Ruiz has clocked out, the drum gets a tad more forceful, though the piano balances it out again. A nice, dreamy track, helped in part by the Ruiz vocal turn.

 

‘Heads’ by Bob James (George Kelly mix)

George Kelly starts with the percussion and a bass underneath, before diving into the beat a little while later. At the 35 second mark we get some higher pitched sounds in, and at about the 50 second mark we get into funkier territory right there and then. He establishes a nice groove, mixing all the parts smoothly, giving you this understated disco vibe to be dancing to (look at, for example, the change-up happening at around 1:55). He throws in some solo piano to boot, giving you something to marvel at as well. By switching and tuning in and out all these sounds Kelly crafts a smooth disco ride from this 70s Bob James track, going all instrumental on us for us to sway a bit in the discotheque.

 

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The Weekly Froth! - 20160729

 

The Weekly Froth! A weekly take on six tracks, most of which have recently popped up somewhere in the blogosphere. Bit of a mixed bag with a slight leaning towards house, disco, and remixes, but generally just anything that for some reason tickled the writer’s fancy.

Track of the Week: ‘Heat You Up, Melt You Down’ by Shirley Lites (Juan Soto edit)

Juan Soto gives us the bass and the beat from almost the get go, making sure there is no mistaken about the disco & funk intentions for the dancefloor with this one. At the minute mark he picks it up a notch, going a bit R&B Outkast-like on us right there. In the mean time the bass is keeping it all working down there as, at 1:40, we for the first time here Shirley Lites, doing that disco thang. Juan Soto lets her work it, belting it out on two occasions, as he first adds some of that funky guitar at 2:20 before inviting her back in at the three minute mark. I love the funky vibe that runs through this, also thanks to the bass obviously, and then the contrast with the female vocals to give it some of that emotional punch. Also a free download by the way, if you are in the mood for some of that dancing (yeah).

 

‘What Do You Really Want’ by Luxxury

Luxxury goes for a summery slow jam, low burning little bass running underneath the high pitched vocals to dictate the pace along with the drum sound in the back. The vocals sing that Nothing is working without you (believe me, I tried) as it moves like an '80s romance flick soundtrack, even to the What do ya-ha-ha lines in the chorus. There is some fun synth work, and just before the three minute mark we get a nice little solo riff in, which a little while later gets accompanied by the synths and, shortly after, the vocals. The hashtags used in the SoundCloud link are #slowdisco and #yachtfunk, which are surprisingly accurate, one of those to bop your head to at a beach somewhere as the sun slowly is lowering its weary head.

 

‘Camille 2000’ by Fouk

Fouk gets going with some percussion sounds, at the 18 second mark adding the bass to bring in da funk. More percussion elements are added (even some understated cowbell so it seems), and in the background the female vocals seem to enter the fray slowly but surely, doing that diva Oooohh-hooo-hoo thing. First a full stop at 1:30 though, with the pace upping a bit afterwards as they enter some synths. Then another stop, and another change in sounds thereafter. I love the dial down at 3:40, that is really sweet, getting almost jazzy there. The female vocals, by the way, never really arrived, Fouk instead focussing on that instrumental downtempo funk feel they’re going for. The bass and the aerial synth sound both adding much to that, I reckon.

 

‘Call It Love’ by Sara Garvey

Sara Garvey is debuting with this downtempo, downtrodden electro track, putting the moody in there. The drum only comes in after around twenty seconds, before which she has already started singing, contrasting the clarity of the vocals nicely against the shimmering synths. Just before the minute mark the vocals are traded in for some deeper synths, only lasting for a few seconds before Garvey herself comes back in. At 1:40 there seems to be a tad of guitar there, which fits really well. That sound is pulled through a bit further on, as the track manages to keep that clear sound despite adding all the previous sounds together later on. She manages to set the tone well, and the clarity of the voice and how everything is minimally build around that is pretty well done I reckon.

 

‘Choreogragia’ by Youthfaire

The cymbals get some understated work at the start, then the cowbell comes in, before at the thirty second mark we get a piano sound that sounds like it is taken from piano class 101. Doing those notes, eh. Then, with the beat underneath it, suddenly it makes more sense, and then at 1:20 the bass is added and some of those disco vintage sounds really start making it sound like a burner for the dancefloor. And those core sounds keep on running and running as the track somehow manages to mix a sense of the mechanical with some more earthy tones. At 3:20 we get that piano in again, first almost by it lonesome, but then as part of the whole dancing machine that they’ve been building up. Bit of an offbeat dancer this, but all the more welcome.

 

‘Destroyer’ by Audion (FOLD’s Lean Tape Version)

This one starts as a track in a Berlin dance club, hitting the pads and the cymbals relentlessly, asking that underground crowd to work it like they’ve got a day off the next morning (and who now has that these days, eh?). At the minute mark we get some synths in, giving a slight reprieve from the menacing pace the rhythm sounds dictate, one which gets slightly changed at the 1:30 mark. After two minutes, a real rest, with the beat being shut out in favor of the synths and some pad work. At 2:30 though, it’s back again, in that relentless fashion we’ve come to understand from this track. It’s a real club thing that Matthew Dear has made under his Audion moniker, not pulling any punches, not holding anything back. There are some moments where he withdraws slightly, but just to load up a while later, like when he comes back at 3:55, giving you plenty to work with yet again (albeit on a slightly softer sound than before). As the track goes in, it does move to a more House sound. Apparently the relative softness in some stretches is thanks to FOLD, taking on remix duties of a track by a guy with an ear for music second to none as far as I’m concerned.

 

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Scruff Of The Neck Presents ... - 20160725

 

For your entertainment during another working week here's five more hand-picked delights from the Scruff Of The Neck stable.

Cellars – 'Night Until Noon'

Opening proceedings this week is the majestically meandering latest single from London's Cellars. A melodic and somewhat psychedelic foray that feels more brooding the band's previous singles, it snakes its way towards its conclusion; an almost androgynous vocal draped lazily across the nuanced instrumentation.

 

Surge – 'Lemonade'

Harbouring the indie oikishness of '00s bands such as The Libertines while providing it with a distinctly contemporary twist, Essex's Surge are a band who possess charm and swagger in equal measure. The band's latest single 'Lemonade' is as infectious slice of summery jangle-pop you're likely to here this week and is the perfect accompaniment to the current weather.

Tibican – 'Your Kisses Work'

Taking the driving indie of bands such as Wolf Alice and combining with a heavier emphasis on shoegaze, the latest single from London's Tibican is a hazy and uplifting track built around a rolling bassline and euphoric walls of noise. Not only is it a straight up anthem, it's a charity release with all proceeds going to three Lupas charities, as if you even needed an excuse to buy it.

 

GANA – 'Vitamin D'

Yet another band from the capital, GANA are a four-piece that make wonky and off-kilter pop music. 'Vitamin D' is the band's first official single, released by 25 Hour Convenience Store it's a perfect introduction to the bands warped riffs and chaotic vocals. Weird it may be. But then it wouldn't be GANA if it wasn't.

 

Second Hand Guns – 'Light Brigade'

The only band not from the south of England this week, Manchester's Second Hand Guns make straight up decade-spanning rock and roll. Latest cut 'Light Brigade' is a frenetic and biting affair, built around driving percussion and a snarling vocal delivery, it's easy to see why people are  excited about them.

 

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