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Scruff Of The Neck Presents ... - 20160808

  • Published in Columns

 

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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Scruff Of The Neck Presents ... - 20160711

  • Published in Columns

 

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

Semantics – 'Ocean'

Kicking things off this week are Birmingham-based post-punks Semantics.Taken from the band's recent debut EP, 'Ocean' throbs with an understated menace typical of the genre; a rumbling bass and baritone vocal only adding to the track's ever-increasing sense of menace. Darkness never sounded so good.

 

Aurora Macabre – 'Anchor'

“It seems like everyone is more and more intent on skipping stones, but I'm making waves” croons Aurora Macabre vocalist Nick Hibbert on 'Anchor'. It's a telling lyric. Hailing from Sheffield the band are immersed in a scene that largely rests on its laurels, yet Aurora Macabre instead create a brand of hazy and wistful indie-pop that sets them apart from their contemporaries.

 

Cessna Deathwish – 'The Bends'

Arguably Brighton's answer to Death Cab For Cutie, Cessna Deathwish subscribe to a brand of transatlantic indie that's a far cry from the working-class colloquialism of the distinctly more British equivalent. 'The Bends' is both self-deprecating and simultaneously uplifting while bringing to mind the likes of Manchester Orchestra in its use of dynamics and melodic meandering. Exquisite.

 

We Came From Wolves – 'Cope'

It wouldn't be a Top 5 of late without the inclusion of a Scottish band, but Perth's We Came From Wolves are far from a token inclusion. 'Cope' is the title-track from the band's latest EP, and is nearly six minutes of anthemic alt-rock. Staggering in its ambition and surprisingly tender despite a tour de force delivery, 'Cope' is just one example of why We Came From Wolves are going places.

 

The Society – 'Begging'

Arguably the poppiest track featured this week, 'Begging' comes from Manchester four piece The Society. Tropi-pop guitars run riot while an almost club-like synth and bass drum provide a frenetic and upbeat melody. Though little else is available online currently, one track's all it needed for a buzz to mount.

 

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