New music guide The Neu Bulletin (26th February 2015)

Talk about a step up. Earlier this week, Spring King went from barmy guitar-huggers to a genuinely massive prospect, the kind of band who could fill arenas at will. New track ‘City’ is a nightmarish, breakneck speed trip through dingy alleyways and scum-soaked backwaters, and it’s the sound of a band beginning to realise their potential. Next step? A headline show at London’s The Lexington, as part of Oya Festival’s new music showcases. Farao and Maya Vik support.

When the “misguided sentimental youth” of our early years disappears, in steps cynicism and grim old clarity. Virgin Kids seem to balance the two - naive excitement and a hapless grasp on reality - on their debut EP. They sing about the former on the opening track, and what follows is a quick-witted, earnest trip through the teens and beyond. The London group’s debut release (out late last year), is a brilliant sign of things to come.

Ariel Pink’s goofy performance art pop seems to be spreading, and who knows - Florida’s CHAUCER might not be an arsehole. On his ‘BUSTED!’ release, this weirdo newcomer goes through emotions like discarded sweet wrappers, lobbing self-insults and moments of reflection into a ghastly void of confusion. It’s a bonkers introduction, the kind that’ll already get the rumour mill going about whether this guy’s genuinely fucked up.

Tags: Spring King, Listen, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin