Tracks Of The Week, 08.09.14

‘Beware The Dog’, the first song that Australian band – The Griswolds – wrote together, has lately been receiving much acclaim and heaps of airplay from a variety of US radio stations. Now in the Top 40 on the Spotify Viral Charts, charting in the indie top ten in Aus and approaching a million streams for the single, it would certainly seem as though The Griswolds are ones to watch.

Inspired by the loss of a close friend, vocalist Chris Whitehall explains that ‘Beware The Dog is “about the journey – the good times and the bad.” An emotive and moving pop song, this track is also suprisingly light and upbeat, considering the subject matter; oozing an exuberant buoyancy with a euphoric buzz, reminiscent of kings of indie geek-chic, Vampire Weekend, ‘Beware The Dog’ is a sparkling slice of indie pop that will have you bouncing off the walls with all the energy of a child post-sweetshop.

‘Be Impressive’, the debut album from The Griswolds, is out 15th September.

 

Shiny Darkly are a Danish Trio who dress all in black and create suitably dark tones. Having already released an EP back in their native Denmark and played Roskilde and Reeperbahn festivals, as well as SXSW, they’re now set to make their mark on the UK.

Taken from their upcoming debut album, ‘Soft Skin’ is filled with haunting synth drones, eerie whirring guitars and the powerful, rasping vocals of Kristoffer Bech. A song that will leave your spine tingling and blood curdling, this psychedelic post-punk offering contains traces of the darker side of the Horrors and even the discordant charm of legends Jesus and Mary Chain.

‘Soft Skin’ is out 6th October with Shiny Darkly’s debut album to follow early next year.

Catch Shiny Darkly live:

6th October      Sebright Arms, London

7th October      Cookie Jar, Leicester

8th October      Nice n Sleazy, Glasgow

 

Following our love for Sundowners a couple of week ago, we continue our love for all things Skelly-related with a new track from Stockport band, Blossoms. Apparently the Coral frontman saw the band perform one of their early tracks and instantly knew they were “f***in’ boss”; he immediately invited them to the studio and has produced their debut single.

Yet another band who would appear to have a fondness for dark-coloured clothing, Blossoms’ influences range from Arctic Monkeys and The Smiths to Abba and The Doors. With a definite ‘60s vibe, ‘Blow’ is filled with grand upbeat melodies,catchy psyche-pop riffs and faint dark undertones. However, the band stress that their dark exterior is not how they “feel on the inside”. They are, instead, intent on uplifting and appealing to anyone who will listen.

With an art-house video, shot on a budget of £60, ‘Blow’ is indeed an upbeat and addictive offering. Take a listen for yourself here:

 

Having first heard Oklahoma trio – Broncho – on 6Music, as Tom Ravenscroft described their new album as “…impossible to listen to just once”, I immediately found that I felt the same about their current single ‘Class Historian’. An addictively bright, upbeat slice of geek-pop, this is a track that will indeed provide extremely enjoyable listening.

Having started out back in 2010, Bronhco started to receive widespread acclaim after their single ‘It’s On’ was used in HBO’s hit TV series ‘Girls’. Developing their garage-rock sound, Broncho’s latest release is a glistening, catchy offering that will have you singing along in no time, whilst dancing around the kitchen to the cheery beat and retro hooks. With shades of French psych-pop kings, Phoenix, ‘Class Historian’ is a definite must-listen, to brighten those impending short autumn days.

Broncho’s new album Just Enough Hip To Be A Woman will be out 16th September on Dine Alone Records.

 

Mari Lane

@marimindles

 

 

 

 

Mari Lane

Mari Lane

Editor, London. Likes: Kathleen Hanna, 6Music, live music in the sunshine. Dislikes: Sexism, pineapples, the misuse of apostrophes.