Mystery Jets

Mystery Jets are back! After the success of 2010's Serotonin, the Twickenham five-piece have returned with  new song Someone Purer, a preview of LP number four. Opening with a melancholic guitar line and lyrics to match the mood, the song tells a tale of childhood fear "I was scratching at my skin / Hoping changes would begin". Soon follows a catchy chorus echoing that of Serotonin from the band's third album of the same name;  with Blaine Harrison's emphatic vocals gliding over a collision of fuzz guitar and crashing cymbals and drums. "Give me rock'n'roll" Harrison cries out, voicing the needs of a generation whose guitar bands have been replaced with 'dubstep' and X Factor boy bands.

The band set up a home recording studio in a country house by the Colorado river in the Westlake area of Austin, Texas where they spent two months writing and recording songs for the new record.  Two other confirmed tracks are Radlands and Sister Everett. Lead singer Blaine Harrison traveled to California in early July to get inspiration and imagery for the songs with Sister Everett based on the band's experience in meeting a nun from the Church of Latter Day Saints on their journey over to Texas. Blaine says she was trying to convert guitarist William and handed him her business card as they landed, from which the title of the song was taken.

Mystery Jets announced that a tour will start on 28th March, continuing through April with a final gig at Brixton Academy on the 18th May.

The band's new album, Radlands is released on 30th April on Rough Trade Records.

Buy tickets here
Pre-order the album from Banquet Records here
Pre-order the album from hmv.com here

Mystery Jets Website here
Mystery Jets Facebook here
Mystery Jets Twitter here

NME: 8/10

Spector

BBC Sound of 2012 nominees Spector are vocalist Frederick Macpherson's (formerly of Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man. and Les Incompetents) electrifying new project. As a London-based indie pop band easily comparable to bands of a similar stature such as Pulp, the excitement surrounding the band was inevitable. Spector compromise of Macpherson (vocals), guitarist Christopher Burman, bassist Thomas Shickle, Jed Cullen playing synth and guitar and Danny Blandly on drums.




Having already released 3 singles Never Fade Away, What You Wanted and Grey Shirt and Tie on London's very own indie label Luv Luv Luv Records, Spector are set to release their debut album later in 2012. New song Chevy Thunder is the band's latest offering, a pumped up adrenaline rush of a song that hit the decks of various DJs immediately. Receiving airplay from XFM, the song is this week's number 2 in the XFM Music Response chart. Critical praise from NME magazine has boosted Spector's following in recent months, backed up with a live performance on Later...with Jools Holland back in November, playing two songs with a great reception from audience and critics alike.


With a headline UK tour including two sold out dates at the legendary 100 Club beginning in two weeks' time and a confirmed support slot for Florence and The Machine's March 2012 tour, it looks like we'll be hearing more of Spector very soon...


Keep your eyes peeled for more news on Spector, more details on the album to follow.

Tour Dates:


February

 8th Manchester - HMV Ritz
11th Coventry - Kasbah
14th Newcastle - The Cluny
15th Glasgow - King Tuts
16th Leeds - Cockpit  [SOLD OUT]
17th York - The Duchess
18th Manchester - Deaf Institute [SOLD OUT]
21st Oxford - Jericho Tavern [SOLD OUT]
22nd Liverpool - The Kazimier
23rd Birmingham - The Rainbow
24th Bristol - The Louisiana [SOLD OUT]
25th Brighton - The Green Door [SOLD OUT]


March


1st London - The 100 Club [SOLD OUT]
7th London - The 100 Club [SOLD OUT]


Tickets

Band Website
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
MYSPACE
YOUTUBE

Luv Luv Luv Records

Buy Never Fade Away on iTunes here
Buy What You Wanted on iTunes here
Buy What You Wanted on 7" vinyl here

Alabama Shakes

 Formed in Athens, Alabama in 2009, Alabama Shakes are one of Rough Trade's most recent signings. With an eponymous EP already to their name, the band are well on the way to establishing themselves as one of the powerhouses of fiery southern blues-rock. Fronted by the unique Brittany Howard, the band have gained comparisons to the likes of the Black Keys and the Drive-By Truckers in both their vocal and musical styles.



The album is jam-packed with 11 songs of pure blues inspired rock, opener Hold On sets the tone for the rest of the record., with it's soulfulness ripping up any modern pop song, with infectious rhythm and a bass line that'll have your head nodding. Brace yourselves for a revolutionary record.

Alabama Shakes' debut album  Boys & Girls will be released on 9th April internationally and on 10th April in the US. Pre-order the full length on iTunes here.

Tracklisting:

1. Hold On
2. I Found You
3. Hang Loose
4. Rise To The Sun
5. You Ain’t Alone
6. Goin’ To The Party
7. Heartbreaker
8. Boys & Girls
9. Be Mine
10. I Ain’t The Same
11. On Your Way

Jack White - Love Interruption

Since the White Stripes disbanded last February, Jack White has been writing new material for a solo record due for release this year. The first single to be aired online is Love Interruption, a beautiful acoustic duet with wonderful harmonizing from his backing singer. White's debut album Blunderbuss (Third Man Records / Columbia) is out on 24th April.



 According to the former Stripes frontman, the songs from the new record were "written from scratch", describing the album as "nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colours on my own canvas" Jack White is prepared to let loose his solo material. Both recorded and produced by White at his own label's Third Man Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, the LP is set to be an exciting one.

Third Man Records will release the single on 7" also featuring non-album B side Machine Gun Silhouette on 7th February. It's available for pre-order here.

Listen to Love Interruption here, exclusively and for free!

Let's Go Surfing - The Drums

Here's another cover of a song that I love. I wish it was summer.

Howler - America Give Up

Howler's stunning debut album. Raw rock'n'roll. Listen to it right here, for free.

Q – ‘Irresistible’ 4/5
NME – ‘An effortlessly brilliant debut from one of the best new guitar bands on the planet’ 8/10
The Observer – ‘Desperate for a real rock band? Howler are just the thing’ (Album of the week)
The Fly – ‘America’s next great guitar group’ 4/5

On The Stereo!

What I'm listening to this week.

1. Given To The Wild - The Maccabees

London five piece The Maccabees released their third album entitled Given To The Wild on Monday. A wonderland of guitar pop with echo effects. Joining the dots between second full length Wall Of Arms, Foals' Total Life Forever and Bombay Bicycle Club's A Different Kind Of Fix; Given To The Wild is certain to be one of the albums that define 2012.

2. Helplessness Blues - Fleet Foxes

Beautiful sophomore LP from everybody's favourite American indie folk icons. The follow up to Fleet Foxes' eponymous debut record, the melodies keep on coming from songwriter Robin Pecknold. The way that the band harmonize is astounding, easy listening all round.