If you’re after a fresh slice of garage rock, then you should let your ears feast on a bit of Hanni El Khatib. His current single is probably the track of the week. Produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, ‘Pay No Mind’ comes from El Khatib’s second album, and is a real piece of dirty rock. With inspirations ranging from blues, early r ‘n’ b, and even a bit of punk, Auerbach’s influence is evident, but not overpowering. Reminiscent of early White Stripes material, ‘Pay No Mind’ is a perfect stripped down rock song, full of grit and vigour, thrashing guitar and an incessant pumping beat. Although El Khatib apparently describes his songs as being for ‘anyone who has been shot or hit by a train’, I really like this, despite not having the misfortune of having either of those things happen to me. And you will like it too, if you fancy a good old bit of rock n roll (and you’ll like the video, if you fancy cheerleaders…)
London and Manchester 7-piece Los Porcos, release their debut double A-Side single ‘Sunshine’ / ‘C.F.W’ on 15th September through Caledonia Records. ‘Sunshine’ is the second half of the forthcoming double A side, and – as the name suggests – is a pleasant, summery piece of uplifting electro-pop. With a nod toward St Albans’ contribution to electro-dance-pop, Friendly Fires, ‘Sunshine’ is an upbeat, floaty summer anthem with cheerful guitar-filled melodies with a climatic build up to an elevated chorus. Although, on listening to this track, I can’t help feeling a little like I’m in some sort of Euro-Disco, it does indeed make me feel… alright.
http://soundcloud.com/losporcos/sunshine-mix-3
‘Why’d you only call me when you’re high?’ is the Arctic Monkeys latest offering from the forthcoming ‘AM’ album. With a Nabil-directed video, featuring a wasted and hallucinating Alex Turner, The Monkeys’ latest song appears to be a straightforward story of intoxicated man making failed booty call, with simple, conversational lyrics. However, this predictable storyline is accompanied by the dark undertones of Turner’s paranoid hallucinations as he wanders the streets alone at 3.30am. And, whilst the title may be self-explanatory, and the story simple, the musical inspirations for this song are characteristically complex – “We took a Dr. Dre beat from like 2001, gave it like an Ike Turner Beatles bowl cut and then set it off galloping along on a Stratocaster into a liquid live show” Turner has told Rolling Stone. The Arctic Monkeys, therefore, have succeeded yet again in creating a modern-day masterpiece – so simple it’s complex, unpredictable in its predictability. And here lies Turner’s genius; in creating something confounded and awe-inspired out of the humblest of beginnings.
Moodoid is an experimental outfit founded by Pablo Padovani from Melody’s Echo Chamber. The new single ‘Je Suis La Montagne’ is mixed by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, and provides psych-pop melodies interspersed with undertones of jazz and alternative world music. Multi-instrumentalist Padovani has succeeded in creating a cheerful piece of art-pop, fusing together trippy repetitive melodies with atmospheric eastern-inspired chants. And, whilst one could say it’s all a little eccentric– the video being a visual feast, full of trees in odd places and glittery ice cream – the track as a whole is pleasingly uplifting and chilled out, like some hallucinogenic-inspired dream on a summer’s day.
Moodiod debut EP, is out September 9th on Les Disques Enterprise as a limited 12″ and download, and – if it takes your fancy – you can catch Padovani and chums at Ooh La La Festival in London on 21st October.
http://youtu.be/qKvLr3Xwd10
Unsigned Tip of The Week: The Savage Nomads – Jaded Edges.
The Savage Nomads’ new single appears to signal a change in direction, as well as line up, for the South London band. ‘Jaded Edges’ seems catchier and more spirited than past material, though retains trademark complex riffs fused together by multiple guitars and atmospheric interludes. Less rocky, and more poppy, ‘Jaded Edges’ nods towards inspiration from rebellious indiesters such as The Libertines, with deep, drawling vocals reminiscent of the rather less raucous, Editors. However, I am reluctant to pigeon hole The Savage Nomads into one particular genre, as – whilst this song catches the band at a more cheery moment, their creations have been so eclectic thus far, that they could easily turn chameleon on us again and come up with something completely different next month. Personally, I am a fan of the current sound, and would be quite happy to hear more of this cool, catchy Indie-pop, though – equally – the heterogeneous nature of the band is what makes The Savage Nomads so exciting, and therefore I will most definitely be keeping my ears pricked in anticipation of what they might surprise us with next.
‘Jaded Edges’ is out in mid September via bandcamp.
Mari Lane
@marimindles
