Features The Neu Bulletin (29th January 2013)

Every day of the week, Neu gives you a choice show and a selection of new music tips, all in the name of exposing you to something new and exciting.

If there’s a gig that’s worth heading to, we’ll tell you all about it, and if there’s a song you need in your life, we’ll make sure it doesn’t fly under the radar. It’s the Neu Bulletin.

THE GIG
Mykki Blanco - Birthdays, London
We are really, really excited about this one. New York’s Mykki Blanco (pictured, above) places himself in London’s stuffiest venue for a showcase set that’ll doubtless write his name in stars. Everything on the ‘Cosmic Angel: Illuminati Prince/ss’ mixtape looks set to make an appearance. It’ll be like nothing you’ve seen before.

While you’re at it, watch this recent documentary from Emily Kai Bock that showcases the Brooklyn hip-hop scene from its underground core.

THE SONG
Sivu - Better Man Than Me


Newcomer Sivu’s found a route into Charlie Andrew’s studio (the producer who we profiled last year, at the desk for Alt-J’s ‘An Awesome Wave’). Andrew’s been tasked with something a little different this time round. Sivu applies a more glossy touch to progressive pop, neatly adding a Wild Beasts’ style of intimate delivery to a sweet, swelling track. ‘You’re such a better man than he’, he repeats with cutting conviction. Some might suggest he’s addressing himself. Sivu is quite the talent.


OTHER NEU BUSINESS
Caandides - Sphinx


Seemingly mustered out of the remnants of this new French group’s toy collection, ‘Sphinx’ is a joyous, ragged number that could easily be fusing a ‘demo song’ on pocket a Casio keyboard, with jagged, Black Lips-style vocals, right under our noses. If that’s the case, we don’t even care. ‘Sphinx’ is the best track these guys have put their name to, to date. Atypically Parisian, it’s a playful, delightful little gem.