The Virgins – Rich Girls

It doesn’t make sense that a band masquerading as rock stars should sound so very much like some kind of 70s funk, but if there’s one thing The Virgins do really well, its taking the concept of sense and giving it a good hiding. Its completely irresistible and should get the most stubborn of people on their feet and dancing like nobodies watching, doing things with their hips they never even knew were possible. There appears to be a complete disregard towards any of the inhibitions that hold back too many of their peers, and in ‘Rich Girls’, this is replaced by a simple desire for music that both they and us can have ourselves a bit of fun to.

Review by Rob Sellars

Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This

It seems so long now since the four boys that make up Bombay Bicycle Club took their turn on the pedestal as the saviours of British indie music as mere secondary school kids, that the fact they still haven’t released an album might leave some worrying it all got too much. This single, a taster to their debut album which will finally be released in June of this year, shows they haven’t lost any of the charm and energy that first saw them so hyped, and should banish any such fears. With ‘Always Like This’, they have developed their raw energy and sound and the result is a tantalising four minutes of perfect indie-pop that gets the feet moving and the head nodding, and promises a sunny summer indeed for Bombay Bicycle Club.

Review by Rob Sellars

Red Light Company – Fine Fascination

The debut album from the five piece that is Red Light Company shot straight to number one in the UK album charts and has received so much time on the radio waves of late that you could be forgiven for thinking it was a new government proposal to have them played after every other song on every station. However it would seem that recently, neither conquering the charts or the radio is a particularly good indication of a half decent album. As with many bands these days, there was a load of hype, then a load of counter-hype where all those people “in the know” decided it was cooler to slag them off after one song, so there are few who will head into this album with an open mind. The truth is its not spectacular, but neither does it deserve to be put in the toilet with the last Razorlight album. They have developed an energetic and pulsating brand of music that your foot will find hard to resist a sly tap along to, and songs which will cement themselves in your head for a good few days. It might be a bit samey, but songs such as 'Words of Spectacular', 'Scheme Eugene' and 'Meccano' do provide highlights, and they have created a decent album which while it may not set the world alight, will at least keep the flame burning a little longer.

Review by Rob Sellars

The Kills – Black Balloon E.P.

Anyone who wanders into this new E.P. by The Kills, a follow up to recent album ‘Midnight Boom’, expecting more of the same needs to take a serious step back and one hell of a deep breath. It’s as if the two of them suddenly got together and decided the world deserved to see their sensitive side, the fragile interior that has been hiding behind the thumping beats and manic choruses they’ve hit us with before. And in all truth, its glorious. Title track ‘Black Balloon’ is an eerie and tantalising number that sounds like it belongs in some dingy little bar with all the other misunderstood but ultimately cool songs of the world. But when ‘Crazy’ begins you have to wonder who the hell the husky and alluring voice that is coming from the stereo belongs to. It’s a heartbreaking and gentle track which speaks volumes for the range of musical talent this band possesses. ‘Kissy and Kissy’ and ‘Sour Cherry’ do not let down the side either, with the former showing their raw talent at its best, while the latter returns to more typical Kills style complete with throbbing beats and fiery vocals. In the space of just four songs, the two-piece display their impressive range and smash down all inhibitions in the process.

Review by Rob Sellars

The Maccabees – No Kind Words

At last The Maccabees return, and with ‘No Kind Words’, they do so in quite some style. Those expecting the return of the arty romantics that delighted so many last time may be taken off guard by the dark and angry five-piece that has returned in their place. The pulsating guitar and fist in the air choruses are still there, but with them comes a new-found frustration at the world, and instead of singing about swimming pools and toothpaste kisses, lead singer Orlando laments about being alone and general bad stuff. But the quality of the tunes has not deserted them, and No Kind Words pulses with energy and a fiery determination. It promises much for the return of The Maccabees and sends out a certain warning to their pretenders.

Review by Rob Sellars

Just Jack - Embers

Some good beats mix with a half decent set of melodies in Just Jack’s new effort ‘Embers’, but in all honesty it doesn't add up to a whole lot and it just feels like a couple of minutes of build up which is going no where in particular. It never advances past the mundane and Just Jack becomes just another average artist aiming far behind his talents.

Review by Rob Sellars

Flashguns – Locarno

There’s a certain irresistible charm about Flashguns. In a world where bands seem more and more ready to forgo the melody and a decent tune for some other-worldly synth beat or a guitar riff that rips your ears to shreds, the atmospheric and soothing nature of ‘Locarno’ is a sudden moment of relief. They show that maybe a couple of guitars, a drumkit to bash and some half-decent vocals are enough after all. It won’t take you to far off worlds but it reminds you this one isn’t so bad itself.

Review by Rob Sellars

Red Light Company – Arts & Crafts

There is the sneaking suspicion that Red Light Company should never have started out as a small venue kind of band, but that their soaring epics have always just been waiting for the arenas to come calling. Arts & Crafts only reinforces that, with obligatory piano intro subtly opening the door to crashing crescendos, massive choruses and thundering melodies. This is a song that is fully committed to the anthem blueprint, and it must quite literally be knocking walls down in venues across the country, searching for the crowd figures it yearns for. That Red Light Company continues to support such a claim with tunes likes this however, is the real trick.

Review by R. Sellars

The Virgins – Teen Lover

At last, The Virgins may break through that unruly barrier that has been diverting their sound from the ears of the deserving public. ‘Teen Lovers’ is the epitome of cool, there’s no two ways about it. Its like a blend of 60’s groove, 80’s funk and modern rock, like if John Lennon played with MGMT, or Barry White guesting on a Flaming Lips record. The intro only hints at what is to come, but instantly captures the ear, sending a message to your legs to get off that chair and cut some shapes. It’s addictive melodies and thumping beats combine with searing vocals to form a package that at once gets you up on your feet, and at the same time makes you want to find a strangers bed to lie down in.

Review by R. Sellars

Innerpartysystem – Don’t Stop (Mixes)

With this release of remixes, Innerpartysystem have created a tasty package that bodes well for the dancefloors and festival fields of the future. With heavy beats and some stunning melodies, each remix has its own distinctive vibe that challenges the last for which most gets the heart beating in whole new ways and bringing all kinds of shapes out of those hips. The energy flowing through the veins of this collection is rivalled by few, and 2009 promises to be a huge year for Innerpartysystem.

Review by R. Sellars

Sportsday Megaphone - Meet Me In The Middle

The first time I heard about Sportsday Megaphone, they were being compared to Hellogoodbye. Please, for your own good, for the world of music and for Sportsday Megaphone, banish such a damning comparison straight away. SM are original, fresh and exciting, treading the line between alternative, dance and drum and bass to some effect. ‘Meet Me In The Middle’ is a glorious explosion of DIY-style synths and beats, that stops just before its get annoying but pounds away just enough to make sure it stays firmly in your head. Sportsday Megaphone are a very exciting new prospect and ‘Meet Me In The Middle’ is a perfect way to get to know them.

Review by Rob Sellars

White Denim - Let's Talk About It

It’s dirty, its raucous, and it’s everything White Denim are about. ‘Let’s Talk About It’ sees White Denim in fine, chaotic mood, thrashing their instruments to the extreme. Sounding like it was recorded in someone’s garage on a cassette player, and with the vocals apparently coming from a different room just adds to the songs charm. Its raw and powerful, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

Review by Rob Sellars

White Denim - Shake, Shake, Shake

Raucous and chaotic, White Denim seem to be trying to soundtrack drunken nights and fist fights. The fact that any trace of vocals are kept to an absolute minimum is almost incidental, with a heavy drum beat and guitar lines that are at times mind-bending and at others just plain foot-tapping catchy. And when vocals do kick in, and I hesitate to call it singing, it is almost like a bunch of friends chanting the words of their favourite song to each other, but it sounds ideal over the frenetic music. Sound-tracking your whisky fuelled evening, and it works perfectly.

Review by Rob Sellars

General Fiasco - Rebel Get By

General Fiasco have achieved what very few bands do; they have managed to take their youthful passion and raw power, and have mixed it with a competence and ability far beyond their tender years. Rebel Get By thunders into life - no drawn out intros for these boys - and it rarely slows down from then on. Catchy riffs play perfectly over a powerful drum beat, all fitting nicely with lead singer Owen's vocals, a voice which sounds like it has lived through punk even while in primary school. This song will sound perfect on the airwaves and dance-floors alike, and you should expect to be hearing much more from General Fiasco.

Review by Robert Sellars

Cut Off Your Hands – Happy As Can Be (EP)

Cut Off Your Hands, four lads from the distant shores of New Zealand, have released this EP as a precursor to their debut album You and I, with Happy As Can Be the first single. And it has to be said, if they can replicate the ambitious and heartfelt beauty of these five songs on the album, then we should be looking forward to it with great anticipation. They manage to combine the epic with the plain catchy, mixing their signature pop hooks with an energetic and powerful edge that Arcade Fire would pride themselves on. Happy As Can Be is a feast of heartfelt and powerful lyrics, pounding drums and frenetic rhythm. These are pop songs with depth, recalling the likes of The Flaming Lips, with deceptively dark lyrics soaring over an uplifting base. The five songs sit happily together and make the album a tantalising prospect, and one everyone should hope comes as soon as possible.

Review by Robert Sellars

Team Waterpolo - So Called Summer

So Called Summer quite literally overflows with sun-filled passion bursting out amongst the darker parts of the song. It’s hard to resist the vibrant, fast-paced choruses, and the dramatic pace changes between verses work perfectly to create a sing-along anthem. The song slowly builds into a frenzy and rarely drops a gear once it has, and when it does do, it’s to dramatic effect. It’s a summer song for the wettest of English summers, and should brighten up airwaves and dance-floors alike. Listen out for Team Waterpolo bringing a little more light into your life a lot more very soon.

Review by Rob Sellars