New music guide The Neu Bulletin (Future Jr, Lokki, Nervous Conditions & more)

Mixing together elements of indie, electro-pop and even a faint touch of ambient, 23-year-old Matt Nainby – better known as Future Jr. – is forging a tapestry of sound that’s all his own on his new track ‘Tell Me That I’m Wrong’. By combining hushed twangs of guitar, snapping beats, airy vocals and glacial yet soaring synths, it’s a compelling cut that builds to a climactic crescendo. As a taste of what to expect from his upcoming debut EP ‘Vacancy’, the future (jr.) looks bright. (Eugenie Johnson)

Bounding onto the stage at this week’s DIY Hello 2018 gig at The Old Blue Last - all seven of them - Nervous Conditions proceeded to absolutely smash their opening set, with more grandeur than ever expected at such a sober hour. Debut track ‘The President’ is just as striking; complete with artwork that sees Donald Trump playing solitaire on an iPad, the track sees barked vocals reminiscent of The Horrors’ Faris backed by fidgety, intense strings. A hell of an introduction, we’d say. (Will Richards)

An anonymous new London-based project, Lokki’s debut track ‘I Catch You’ is a gorgeously calming first step. Vocals take melancholic nosedives at unexpected moments, recalling Elliott Smith, while strings quietly but firmly put their stamp down in the background. As satisfying as the painting slowly unfurling in the track’s video, this is one of the most effortlessly great things we’ve heard so far this year. (Will Richards)

“I got visions, man, but not a single plan”. London-based ISADORA delivers a forthright, honest narrative on her new track ‘Visions’, but it’s delivered with a stuttering sheen and pop sensibilities. Her earnest lyrics are delivered over echoing, skittering drum clashes and pulses of reverberating bass with a few breezier, lighter synth swoops in the mix. It’s a pulsating cut from her upcoming, debut ‘Battle Royale’ EP that might help put some bigger plans into motion for ISADORA. (Eugenie Johnson)

Estonia’s Holy Motors describe themselves as being cowboys at heart who come off as shoegazers. Perhaps that’s why ‘I Will Try’ sounds like if Ennio Morricone decided he wanted to stop scoring spaghetti westerns and join My Bloody Valentine instead. Fuzzed out and reverb-laden but with a distinctive twang, it’s dreamlike yet psychedelic, meditative yet somehow also urgent and direct. The band straddle two seemingly very different worlds, and blend them both into their own haunting, downbeat landscape. (Eugenie Johnson)

Scandinavia’s been getting sassy of late. From the ballsy strut of Charli XCX collaborator Alma to the bouncing tropical beats of MØ, there’s been a notable shift away from the glacial Scandi-pop beginnings that the area used to be known for.

Swedish born Alice Boman, however, is bringing the softly sweeping sounds of trad Scandinavia back with style. With the gentle sadness of early Lykki Li, ‘End of Time’ is a beautifully forlorn thing that dances over spacious, echoing vocals and a chorus built for meaningful walks through the biting, bracing cold. Poignant stuff. (Lisa Wright)

Yes, this week’s Neu gig pick is on a Sunday, but new London-based promoters Spirit Ditch are putting on an absolute cracker to help those Yorkshire puds go down. Headlined by intense Amsterdam-based punks Blue Crime alongside UK DIY starlets Witching Waves and Amsterdam’s Spill Gold, it’s the buzziest end to the week you could hope for. Oh, and it’s free entry.

More info here.

Tags: Lokki, Listen, Features, Neu, Neu Bulletin