Tracks Of The Week, 21.07.14 - GigslutzGigslutz

Whilst Lucky Elephant are a pretty international collective, new single ‘Old Kent Road’ focuses on the dying working class culture of South East London. Perhaps inspired by keyboardist Sam Johnson’s roots in Deptford, the single forms part of Lucky Elephant’s forthcoming album, which is to act as a belated companion for the 1972 TV drama ‘We Was All One’ – an unusual source of inspiration for an LP forty years later, but one whose theme of the changing nature of the London landscape still rings true today.

A bittersweet depiction of the traditional Cockney way of life being dismantled, ‘Old Kent Road’ comes accompanied with a stop-motion style animated video that successfully encapsulates the song’s fusion of nostalgia and anticipation of a changing society. With folky melodies spliced with elements of Tom Waits-esque darker rock, musically it’s a lilting ballad whose acoustic nature matches the homemade feel of the video.

An inspired creation, ‘Old Kent Road’ is most certainly worth a listen – and watch – and will leave you anxious to hear the album in full. Produced by Paul Butler (Michael Kiwanuka, Devendra Banhart) The Rainy Kingdom will be out on 8th September, so not too long a wait…

Following up from their 2013 album Sunken, Twin Peaks are back with a vibrant new single – ‘I Found A Way’. Filled with retro riffs and Clay Flankel’s rasping vocals, this is an energy-filled blast from the past, harking back to the likes of The Kinks or the The Stones, but with an edgy, contemporary attitude. A perfect slice of garage-rock that remains strikingly authentic whilst sounding reassuringly familiar.

Wild Onion, the upcoming album from Twin Peaks, is out 5th August – a must have for lovers of all things rawk.

Having already topped the US billboard alternative chart, and about to support Kings Of Leon on tour, it would seem that things are looking pretty good for Kongos right now. And, upon listening to their latest single, it is easy to understand why: ‘Come With Me Now’ is a powerful anthem that successfully binds together the traditional and experimental.

As the accordion blasts out and stomping beats resound throughout, ‘Come With Me Now’ could be described as a folk song but – amongst the intimidating growling chants and sweeping slide guitar – there are gentler, melodic interludes strewn with emotion.

Having been likened to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Killers, Kongos have succeeded in delivering a raucous debut; one that will capture your attention at first listen and cease to vanish from memory in a hurry.

‘Come With Me Now’ is out 18th August via Epic.

About to release their fourth album, Jessica Larrabee and Andy LaPlant – aka She Keeps Bees – are back with a hauntingly beautiful new single, ‘Is What It Is’. Whilst Larrabee’s smooth, captivating alto flows with ease, a sparse beat echoes throughout, resulting in an enchanting and sombre creation. And, with the additional vocals of the consistently captivating Sharon Van Etten, it is impossible not to be utterly spellbound by this track.

Reminiscent of the likes of the melancholy emotion found in ‘90s favourites, Everything But The Girl, as Van Etten and Larrabee repeatedly harmonise ‘You are worthy/I am worthy’, it would indeed seem that ‘Is What It Is’ is a song worthy of your attention.