Every Wednesday on Radioaktiv I put together a show based around new music releases. A few of these are only available via soundcloud, ahead of any physical release, so I hope to regularly bundle them together in a blog post every few weeks. If you wish to submit any music for review or for a play on the show, read this. Old shows can be found over here.
'Sunday Owls' by Fenster
From the new album by the this Berlin-based quartet, this is an atmospheric and moody piece of work.
'Boy Sweet Boy' by Las Kellies
An Argentinian band who have been compared to everyone from the Raincoats to Bananarama, which basically means that this is post-punk with hints of dub reggae and strong tunes. From last year's album Total Exposure.
'Radiant Hex' by Ninetails
It's hard to believe that there are only three people in this Liverpool band, their sound is so rich and ambitious, incorporating a huge range of instruments, with some arresting field recordings and samples in the mix as well.
'Slow Breath' Farewell J.R.
A beautiful piece of music from this Cambridge-based musician, which sounds more like it was fashioned from the landscape and music of Iceland.
'Eruption (Gonna Get My Hair Cut at the End of the Summer)' by Tobacco
I guess they are perhaps too well established for the new music page, but this is a helluva tune. Album dueon May on Ghostly.
'Marshall' by Wonder Villains
Another great pop song, this time from this relatively new band from Derry, there is an album due in June.
'Touch the Leather' by Fat White Family
Ok, they've been lauded as the best new band around, quite a live experience, etc, this lot have had some serious acclaim so far. 'Touch the Leather' has an edginess and danger sadly absent from most new music these days.
'Devitalise' by Chain and the Gang
The return of Ian Svevonious (the Make-up, Nation of Ulysses etc) and it is a welcome one. New album Minimum Rock n Roll due in April.
'Hudson' by Amatorski
Atmospheric taster from the forthcoming album 'From Clay to Figures'. I can't quite decide whether this Belgian duo are dream pop or post rock, but at least you can make your mind up with this clip.
'Love is Above All' by Plastic Flowers
This band are described as a dream pop project from Greece, and for this tune from their just released album Evergreen they are joined by New Yorker Ed Askew, whose laidback vocals suit the mood perfectly.
Embedded: slowthrills.com no.7 for Radioaktiv
A few people messaged me to ask where the show was this week. It actually moved forward a day this week, and was broadcast on Thursday (not the usual Wednesday). In fact it ended up being re-run on Friday as well, but neither edition stuck to the archiving software, so it isn't in the regular showreel. Instead I have uploaded it to mixcloud, and embedded it below. Enjoy!
Slowthrills.com Show no.7 for Radioaktiv by Slowthrills on Mixcloud
The best new albums of the month, February 2014
I heard a lot more albums in February than I did in January, probably down to the release schedule more than anything else, but it makes whittling down to ten that little bit harder. There were 25 contenders this time, the only one I didn't get around to hearing was the new Guided By Voices, which is annoying as there will be another along in a minute (or mid-May if you are being pedantic). To aid my decision making process, I gave Beck's 'Morning Phase' a bye-ball. It's currently number one, and even though it's good, there is little point in me highlighting it here if most of you are already aware of it. Anyway, on with the ten...
Sun Kil Moon 'Benji'
my review (the 405)
My most played album of 2014 so far. "In nearly every song on Benji, someone dies. Family members, friends, celebrities, people in the news; they all pass away. This album packs a huge emotional punch as it tells its stories, often solely through Mark Kozelek's baritone vocal and his skilful yet gentle guitar playing. It moves, entices and, in some places, even amuses..."
Wild Beasts 'Present Tense'
An immediate inclusion for Wild Beasts fourth album, underlining the fact that they are one of the finest bands in the land. Familiar themes return from their previous albums, and although much has made of the fact that Present Tense was written more on computers than through traditional instruments, it doesn't sound remarkably different. They are still stretching and progressing.
Cheatahs 'Cheatahs'
my review (the 405)
"At times it seems to be too much under the influence of My Bloody Valentine – even the cover art evokes them – and their contemporaries, yet it does what it does very well and it would be harsh to overlook the fact that this is a strong debut in its own right."
St Vincent 'St Vincent'
Annie Clark is back to steering her own ship after last year's well received collaboration with David Byrne. Channelling Prince, Abba, and the inevitable Talking Heads along with her own sound 'St Vincent' took a couple of listens for me, but I'm now convinced it is one of her best records to date.
Angel Olsen 'Burn Your Fire For No Witness'
Her voice is pure country, but it collides with an indie-rock fuzz with impressive results. Another album that I have played a lot this month.
Marissa Nadler 'July'
Marissa's releases are often beautiful and this is no exception. with a collection of memorable, melancholic tunes, and a vocal delivery which is second to none.
SUNN O))) & Ulver 'Terrestrials'
A collaborative album in which the loudest band I have ever seen (SUNN O)) prove they can work with much lower volumes with their friends Ulver. The familiar doom-laden progressions collide against a blissed-out, almost desert-like ambience, where distant mariachi trumpet pierces the wall of sound.
The Notwist 'Close to the Glass'
The first thing that struck me about 'Close to the Glass' was how good it actually sounds, it is brilliantly recorded. There are tunes as well of course, ranging from the fantastic indie-rockers 'Kong' and '7 Hour Drive' to the Eno-esque 'Lineri'. A welcome return.
Death Vessel 'Island Intervals'
Another long awaited follow-up, the enigmatic Death Vessel takes his haunted yet uptempo Americana and gives it a bit of an Icelandic make-over, complete with Jonsi from Sigur Ros sharing vocals on one track. Delighted to see DV return as I had almost written off the chance of another album.
Lost in the Trees 'Past Life'
A smoother, less bleak release than its predecessor 'The Church that Fits Our Needs', this has some lush songwriting and some moodier pieces as well. Another grower.
my review (the 405)
My most played album of 2014 so far. "In nearly every song on Benji, someone dies. Family members, friends, celebrities, people in the news; they all pass away. This album packs a huge emotional punch as it tells its stories, often solely through Mark Kozelek's baritone vocal and his skilful yet gentle guitar playing. It moves, entices and, in some places, even amuses..."
An immediate inclusion for Wild Beasts fourth album, underlining the fact that they are one of the finest bands in the land. Familiar themes return from their previous albums, and although much has made of the fact that Present Tense was written more on computers than through traditional instruments, it doesn't sound remarkably different. They are still stretching and progressing.
my review (the 405)
"At times it seems to be too much under the influence of My Bloody Valentine – even the cover art evokes them – and their contemporaries, yet it does what it does very well and it would be harsh to overlook the fact that this is a strong debut in its own right."
Annie Clark is back to steering her own ship after last year's well received collaboration with David Byrne. Channelling Prince, Abba, and the inevitable Talking Heads along with her own sound 'St Vincent' took a couple of listens for me, but I'm now convinced it is one of her best records to date.
Her voice is pure country, but it collides with an indie-rock fuzz with impressive results. Another album that I have played a lot this month.
Marissa's releases are often beautiful and this is no exception. with a collection of memorable, melancholic tunes, and a vocal delivery which is second to none.
A collaborative album in which the loudest band I have ever seen (SUNN O)) prove they can work with much lower volumes with their friends Ulver. The familiar doom-laden progressions collide against a blissed-out, almost desert-like ambience, where distant mariachi trumpet pierces the wall of sound.
The first thing that struck me about 'Close to the Glass' was how good it actually sounds, it is brilliantly recorded. There are tunes as well of course, ranging from the fantastic indie-rockers 'Kong' and '7 Hour Drive' to the Eno-esque 'Lineri'. A welcome return.
Another long awaited follow-up, the enigmatic Death Vessel takes his haunted yet uptempo Americana and gives it a bit of an Icelandic make-over, complete with Jonsi from Sigur Ros sharing vocals on one track. Delighted to see DV return as I had almost written off the chance of another album.
A smoother, less bleak release than its predecessor 'The Church that Fits Our Needs', this has some lush songwriting and some moodier pieces as well. Another grower.
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