ALTHOUGH we may have been warned of an impending ‘polar vortex’ or a mythical sounding ‘Beast From The East’, it’s highly unlikely that any of us had rationalised just how much the country would grind to a standstill over the course of the past two days. With the vast majority of workplaces closed due to a perceived ‘risk to life’ and with many seeking the warmth and comfort of a spot of alcohol fuelled revelry, this is an opportune moment to acquaint yourself with the very best new music that’s sprung into the public domain this week with our latest New Music Radar.
The Vegan Leather- I Take American
With a sought-after place on the The Great Escape bill secured and an impending support slot alongside their self-professed heroes Phoenix at The Barrowlands illuminating the way towards a massive year for thia ambitious four piece, TTV were delighted to bring you the exclusive first listen of art-pop outfit The Vegan Leather’s new single ‘I Take American.’
Built around fluorescently vibrant synths and the sort of formidable display from the rhythm section that has gradually become a calling card of their sound, their newest release sees the band take aim at the enroaching and beligerent nature of stateside ideals and the nation’s power to all but homeogenise western culture at every turn. Featuring charismatic vocal interplay from Gianluca Bernacchi and Marie Collins, ‘I Take American’ is a masterful example of delivering a profound message without any trace of preachy heavy-handedness whilst retaining the key tenets of their brand of idiosyncratic dance-pop escapism that they’re now so widely adored for.
The Ninth Wave- New Kind Of Ego
The Ninth Wave have unveiled the first track to be taken from their upcoming EP Never Crave Attention.
Marking the beginning of an exciting new period for the band, the release of ‘New Kind Of Ego’ is the first piece of new material from the outfit since last year’s outstanding Reformation EP and sees them continue to forge out their dark gothic sound with increasing confidence.
Propelled by that all-important dual vocal dynamic that has become such a striking feature of their sound, the track acts as a dialogue between two people and their distrust for one another. Running to over five minutes in length, a spiral of charged guitars, fast rhythms and stabbing synths come together to create one of their most formidable cuts to date.
Man Of Moon- Interlude (Live at Electric Circus 2016)
As a precursor to their monumental tour with Django Django beginining in earnest, Man Of Moon provided fans with a riveting time capsule back to when they initially came to the fore with a special limited edition live album recorded from the sadly departed Electric Circus in 2016. With the physical copies only available over the course of their upcoming dates, TTV were all too happy to unveil the first glimpse into what awaits those that make the purchase by giving you the exclusive first listen to ‘Interlude.’
Stirring and atmospheric from the outset, this atypically resonant performance attests to the duo’s innate ability to use minimalism and restraint to truly engrossing effect. Led by a poignant and untampered vocal delivery from Chris Bainbridge whilst Mikey Reid coyly teases with percussion in order to signify the pay-off that’s to come, the excerpt’s incendiary conclusion accurately distills the palpable sense of hypnotic wonder that has became so synonymous with their live shows since they rose to prominence in 2015.
Before what was an enthralling performance at Ignite 002, Acrylic divulged a tantalising taste of things to come on ‘In Here/Tonight’.
With an underlying sense of anguish and brimming with atmospheric guitars, the track is a sharply defined return to the poignant alt-rock sound for which they have become known. Cleverly shifting between charged choruses and more complex interweaving melodies, the band frequently lull you into a false sense of security before pulling you back out again. Led by the frontman’s distinctive brogue, there is an inherent Scottishness that emanates from Acrylic’s emotive alt-rock and thoughtful lyricism.
Edwin Organ- Missing The T
Purveying a sound that is as beautifully bizarre as it is utterly mesmeric, it wouldn’t be too hyperbolic to suggest that creative ingenuity emanates from every fibre of Edwin Organ’s being. With an insatiable ability to create something entirely bewitching out of the seemingly mundane, the inspiration for his latest single ‘Missing The T’ is as unique as the track itself.
Infuriated by show-off drivers pulling stunts in the car park outside his flat window and interrupting his viewing of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Organ decided to pile his frustrations into three minutes of glitchy and off-kilter electro-pop. A highly unique and infectious amalgamation of fidgety rhythms, wobbly synths and Organ’s deep vocal stylings, the colourful backdrop is offset by his decidedly deadpan lyrics.
Young Fathers- ‘Toy’
Indisputably one of the most incendiary and boundary-pushing groups of the decade thus far, that palpable sense of wonder and astonishment that is so readily attributed to Young Fathers’ material is present and correct on new single ‘Toy.’
Taken from their forthcoming record Cocoa Sugar, the latest excerpt sees them fuse pop, hip-hop and neurotic electronica to create something that is frenzied yet still allows for moments of beautiful levity. Hinging on the contrast between their unshakeable self-belief and the words of detractors that aim to limit their scope or curtail ambition, there’s no telling what delights await us on their upcoming LP but if ‘Toy’ is any indication then their vitality remains firmly intact.
Declan Welsh & The Decadent West- Shiny Toys
In what was a huge weekend for Scottish music as a whole, one of Glasgow’s finest up and coming bands Declan Welsh & the Decadent West have expanded their increasingly impressive and varied repertoire with the release of a brand new track called ‘Shiny Toys’.
Revealing on Twitter that the song “is a wee fictional story about two childhood friends born into different lives who drift apart” and “about being a wee guy mostly”, Welsh is effortlessly cool over the steady verses, punctuated by stalking rhythms; oozing a bold and confident swagger as he ruminates over an old friendship before delivering yet another clearly defined, formidable chorus. A swirling headrush of a finale ensues as an onslaught of crashing drums, heavy riffs and scorching guitar lines see the track out in style.
