With a heavy international vibe this weekend we’ve got the new track ‘Our Plans; from Cleveland based Cloud Nothings who will be hitting our shores for the first time in 2013 for Laneway Festival and couple of side shows. A new track from Foals has arrived, a sexy remix for local lass Maxi remixed by Adam Sandlah, something new from London duo Paradise, our first ever feature from Norway; Young Dreams and Melbourne trio Heavy Beach.
Cloud Nothings – Our Plans
Led by Cleveland-based singer-songwriter Dylan Baldi, Cloud Nothings have revolutionized their sound on the bands third record ‘Attack On Memory’, breaking away from previous lo-fi pop sounds and delivering heavier, darker and more intense indie-rock. Album standout ‘Our Plans’ typifies this new sound, with twangy, dueling guitars, driving and eclectic drum beats and hoarse, abrasive vocals. Baldi’s strained, emotional voice suits this newfound direction perfectly, providing the centre-piece for the track. Featuring an infectiously catchy chorus of “No-one knows our plans for us / It won’t last long”, the song is undeniably up-beat and layered, proving that Cloud Nothings definitely shouldn’t be missed at their forthcoming Australian tour, appearing at Laneway Festival, as well as two intimate sideshows.
Foals – Inhaler
Foals aren’t just back, they’re back with a bang. Combining the restless dancefloor vibe of their debut and the atmospheric beauty of Total Life Forever, “Inhaler” will delight fans and impress the skeptics. Frontman Yannis Philippakis’ poised falsetto guides the verses, before an enormous wall of sound emerges for the chorus. A big, bluesy riff collides with pounding drums and desperate plea for “space, space, space!”. If expectations for Holy Fire were high before, they’re through the roof now.
Maxi – From The Start (Adam Sandlah remix)
The breezy indie pop of Melbourne singer-songwriter Maxi gets an infectious re-working in this remix by Sydney artist Adam Sandlah. Intriguingly labelled with the genre ‘Deep Disco,’ the remix layers a foot-tapping beat under the soulful vocals, alongside seventies-sounding synth and refined production. The handclaps and brass of the original are replaced with electronica, to create an interesting take on an already very likeable song.
Paradise – Blue Flower
Paradise (impossible to Google, we know) are a relatively new duo based in London who are producing layered, beautiful songs out of their bedrooms. ‘Blue Flower’ – is the b-side to their debut single ‘Endless Wave’ (which is also fantastic) – is a cover of Slapp Happy’s original and for once does the iconic band justice. Slowed down, heavier and dare we say better, Paradise are definitely ones to watch.
Young Dreams – Fog Of War
‘Fog Of War’ is the first single from Norwegian band Young Dreams who describe themselves as “Symphonic Trance Pop Psychedelia” which is exactly what it is. It’s up there as one of the most interesting tracks of the year, the layering is intricate with harmonies and almost classical moments that weave over the top of a driving electronic synths, a performance that would be great to be seen and heard in a concert hall if the rest of their songs have a simliar sound.
Heavy Beach – Five Days
‘Five Days’ is the first single for Melbourne ‘psych-pop-grunge’ three piece Heavy Beach off their forthcoming EP of the same name. Fronted by woman about town Ali Edmonds (Little Athletics, Damn Terran, Ali E), Mark Renall (Howl at the Moon) and Clayton Pegus (Spun Rivals), the trio blend together their love of 90’s influences with fuzzy grungy guitars, cymbal heavy drums and a little bit of feedback all encompassing the classic sounds of 90’s bands. The EP is out now!
