Daughter - Youth

Indie/Post-Rock

This song is very simple, yet haunting and moving. The heavy Post-Rock influence really makes the song powerful, with no snare to speak of, there is just powerful tribal toms. The lyrics are surprisingly dark for such a beautiful song, making them even more affecting. "Setting fire to our insides for fun". 

Stunning.

Spring Offensive - Speak

Indie/Rock

My favourite Indie band, Spring Offensive deserve to be huge. They have sound very different to most British Indie at the moment. Quirky singles with quirky videos, all of their songs are great but what sets this new one apart is the production. By far the best sounding of their songs so far, its layered and dynamic, fitting the song perfectly. Pulsating drums with tropical guitars and killer harmonies. Just need a album of tracks like this.

TesseracT - Of Matter - Resist

Progressive Metal/Djent

After having so many lineup changes in a short time there was a worry that TesseracT wouldn't be able compete with their impressive debut but they have completely blown that away with this new record and their new singer.  This album is a masterpiece. The vocals are clean throughout this record yet avoid becoming cheesy like many other Progressive Metal bands, really setting them above any other in the Progressive Metal/Djent scene. This album really needs to be listened to in its entirety because its like one long song, so just posting one song isn't a fair representation of the album. This track is a slight break from the loudness of the first 2 songs before building to a soaring chorus. Production is also perfect. Otherworldly stuff.

letlive. - Banshee (Ghost Fame)

Post-Hardcore/Rock

This upcoming album has been a long time coming. They made a lot of waves with their debut album and their intense live show, so everyone has been eagerly anticipating new songs. It looks like we won't be disappointed. This track is even more crazy and all over the place than before, samba like rhythms, almost rap-like verses, pop punk choruses and frantic screaming. The production has been stepped up big time and sounds amazing, apart from the overly loud kick drum. The passion and wild energy of their performances have been successfully captured in the recording. Looking forward to the album. 

Charlie Simpson - Down Down Down

Acoustic/Indie/Folk

One of the silliest mistakes I made in the past was writing off Charlie Simpson and his band Fightstar because he came from Busted but I have now been well and truly converted. He has a great voice, very dynamic. One of the things I love most about in this track is the harmonies, they are very complex and well thought out. The song constantly builds and nothing is repeated in the same way, the arrangement is perfect. Lyrics are also great, "We send people into space without even really knowing, if their ever gonna come back down". Ideal for summer.

The Dillinger Escape Plan - One Of Us Is The Killer

Mathcore/Metal/Hardcore/Progressive Rock

These guys man, these guys. They have been going for such a long time and they just keep getting better. This track starts quietly, with an almost western sound and sultry falsetto vocals before smacking into an awesome chorus. The song is littered with strange drum beats that first confused and bewildered me but I grew to enjoy them. The bridge is huge, the guitar riff is so loud and compressed it sounds on the edge of clipping the whole track. This is probably the slowest and tamest track on the album but fits in brilliantly, was hard to choose just one track from this album. Would have chosen their latest music video but it disturbed me. Such an odd combinations of genres, so abrasive and insane, utterly unique.

James Blackshaw - Fix

Modern Classical/Fingerstyle Guitar/Folk

This track is like some kinda spiritual journey. The continuous driving rhythm of the guitar is hypnotic as well as beautifully melodic. As the song progresses more classical instruments are added as well as choral parts, embellishing the track brilliantly. All of James Blackshaw's songs take me to a unique place that I haven't experienced with any other artist and this track is no exception.

M83 - Oblivion feat. Susanne Sundfør

Soundtrack/Electronic

I got very excited about this collaboration when I heard about it, I have always enjoyed M83 and Susanne Sundfør is one of my favourite singer-songwriters. What a voice, she makes this track completely her own. You can still hear M83 but Susanne's voice and her choice of melodies just make its sound like one of her songs, she is too unique to just feature. This track is so huge, amazing.

Ryan Hemsworth - Charly Wingate

Instrumental Hip-Hop/Electronic/Trap

Been looking for some interesting Instrumental Hip-Hop for a while and this guy is on another level. Like a more dark, expansive Clams Casino, he utilises a whole host of enthralling samples. There is something poignant about the juxtaposition of the lyrics "Only money, music and family important to me." against the pounding, forlorn backdrop of the track. 

Bring Me The Horizon - Shadow Moses

                    

Metalcore/Progressive/Hardcore

Its taken 4 albums to truly convince me but this song has done it. Finally the vocals on this track are sounding good, doesn't even sound like the same band. The production and arrangement sounds great, all the electronica and classical parts really give them a different sound, so many layers. The guitars have so little high end on them but they sound huge. They really are pushing the boundaries of Metalcore which not enough bands are doing. 

Moddi - House by the Sea

Norwegian Folk/Singer-Songwriter

This is a beautiful warm simple song that sounds so organic, just all natural instruments and great players, the best kind of folk. Whilst not reaching the emotional heights of my favourite track of his, Ardennes, this is a sweet single for a sweet new album. Really has that Scandinavian vibe that just makes you want to move to that Norwegian house by the sea he is talking about. Love the lyrics, "They say home is a place you can choose to be, and I have decided to carry home inside me."

Keaton Henson - Sweetheart, What Have You Done To Us

Singer-Songwriter/Folk

This is an emotional one, just listen and watch.

So fragile and raw, Keaton is so heartfelt, almost to the point of uncomfortable listening/viewing. His first album Dear, done in his bedroom with just an acoustic is really moving. The orchestral flourishes at the end of this song, a first for him are just magnificent. He doesn't like performing live and I understand with songs as personal as this. Try and stare him in the eyes the whole way through, I can't.

Oceana - Joy

Rock/Post-Hardcore/Indie/Post-Rock

This band used to be a metalcore band then they came out with this EP out of nowhere, alienating most of their fanbase but gaining a new one. They have that sincere american Indie/Post-Hardcore sound, like As Cities Burn. The vocals sound so fragile, really unique. Production is great as always with Matt Goldman. Heartfelt stuff, just brilliant.

James Blake - Retrograde

Downtempo/Soul/Future Garage

This track only debuted this evening and I already know its my favourite James Blake song, have already listened to it about 20 times already. No one sounds like James Blake and he just gets better and better. Just in constant awe of his sound and the production. Mournful, overwhelming, enthralling - utterly unique. Check out the song somewhere else, the video sounds a bit rough.

Psalters - Hosanna

Folk/Hymn/World/Tribal

If that intro doesn't give you the shivers, I don't know what will. This track is a frantic mix of various cultures, transcending any particular religion for the sake of being purely spiritual. Super raw and unique. 

Last Dinosaurs - Zoom

Indie Rock/Power Pop

Infectious Australian Indie. 4 minutes of great vibes. Like a super catchy Tokio Police Club. Sweet polished sound, super sunny music for the winter months. The bridge caught me completely by surprise, massive huge sounding section out of nowhere. Don't be put off by the drummers haircut. 

Destiny's Child - Say My Name (Cyril Hahn Remix)

Dance/Electronic/Deep House/Remix

This shouldn't be this good. Why is it this good. Its the same chords throughout, 4 on the floor beat with super pitched down Beyonce vocals. Yet its sublime and uplifting. Beyonce should be forever pitched down. Cyril Hahn has picked some of the most unlikely hooks from the original and they are gloriously layered together. Really simple but beautiful.