Two Door Cinema Club → Sleep Alone → 3/5
As their much anticipated second album Beacon draws ever closer, Two Door Cinema Club have quite the reputation to uphold. The Co. Down three piece have sky rocketed to success in such a small space of time just showing some of the rest of the Northern Irish music scene how it’s done, with constant airplay on national radio, and soundtrack appearances in both cinema and television shows . Sleep Alone is the first single to be released from the album. Perhaps not as fast-paced as previous hits, the trademark indie pop sound that Two Door Cinema Club still prevails but the band are now showing signs of maturity, giving a sound almost reminiscent of a Death Cab for Cutie song. Produced by the legendary Jacknife Lee, the song has a glossy dream-like polish which surprisingly works well with both the fast paced drums, high-pitched guitar riffs and the vocals of Alex Trimble.
‘Beacon’ is released on the 3rd September.
‘Sleep Alone’ is available to buy now.
http://twodoorcinemaclub.com
Speaking of second albums, the highly-anticipated second album from Fighting With Wire, Colonel Blood is just months away and and for anyone who missed the debut single, sharing its name with the album, you missed out an absolute treat. If one thing’s for certain, the Derry hot heads are back with vengeance ready to reclaim their title as the heavyweight champions of Northern Irish rock. Waiting on a Way to Believe is exactly what you’d expect – feisty, loud and in your face. Cahir O’Doherty’s schizophrenic screaming vocals during the verses perfectly prepare you for the downright catchy chorus, one that has singalong festival quality written all over it. The song is powerful, punchy and packed full of so much energy, that there’s no room for your ears to stop and take a breather.
‘Colonel Blood’ is released on 24th September
‘Waiting On A Way To Believe’ is out now.
http://fightingwithwire.co.uk
Being twenty-something going on forty can be rather complicated these days, so it’s always nice when a band comes along that reminds you of what is was like as a teenager, being unlucky in love and not being able to handle your alcohol intake. To be honest not much has changed, so thankfully Ballymena pop-rockers Sethway are at hand to provide the soundtrack for anyone from the ages of fourteen to forty who like to indulge their sweet tooth when it comes to music. The Constant is the complete pop-rock package with a catchy anthemic chorus and melodic guitar riffs. Loud and angsty track in all the right places and has potential to be a great live song, provided the audiences live up to their part of the bargain. With songs like this, it’s clear that Sethway will make waves on both sides of the Irish sea, as they prepare to tour in September.
‘The Consant’ is released on 24th September.
http://www.facebook.com/sethway
Fantasy Rainbow are a one man/three man/ four man indie troupe (it depends on the day I hear on good authority) from Manchester led by young singer-songwriter Oliver Catt. The name perfectly suits the project with sounds like they’ve been dipped in honey, and served with a glass of cool cider on a warm sunny evening. O, Weirdo lives up to the quirky standards set by Fantasy Rainbow. Similar to the likes of Ben Kweller and Pavement, there is also a hint of Northern Soul in there with Catt’s vocals similar to those of Lee Mavers from The La’s. There’s a real slacker, underdog quality to the song as the song draws to a close with the words “Nobody listens/Nobody cares,” whilst the almost Americana ficking-picking guitar style is surrounded by a warm, psychedelic glow – a nice lazy, summer track if I ever did hear one, albeit one that requires the right atmosphere to fully appreciate it.
‘O, Weirdo’ is released on 20th August.
http://www.fantasyrainbow.co.uk
The British IBM → The British IBM → 4/5
Citing influences such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs in favour of the typical checklist of bands, The British IBM formed in January 2012, combining their love of indie rock and vintage computing. Surprisingly, these influences make perfect sense as much of their music gives of a distinctly retro feel, harking back to a time even before Windows and Apple dominated the computing world. The single, also titled The British IBM was released on the 18th July, a clever nod to the founding of Intel forty-four years ago. Based on the true story of two computer scientists who after working together for years decided to part ways, the plot becomes a double entendre of sorts as singer Aidy paints a bleak picture filled with regret about losing someone close – A clever melancholic track that is both a throwback to vintage computing history and downbeat, apathetic indie rock.
‘The British IBM’ is available now.
http://www.thebritishibm.com
