Neu This Week In New Music (17th November 2012)

Such is the pace of new music none of the below acts featured in our weekly round-up were familiar names just three months back. The first is a singer songwriter that sprung up on us out of the blue. The second played a select few London shows without ever announcing herself until recently and the last uploaded their first tracks three months ago exactly, before finally receiving the attention they deserved these past two weeks. Goodness knows what we’ll be recommending this time next year.

TRACK OF THE WEEK
Laura Mvula - Like The Morning Dew



One Jools Holland appearance away from superstardom. While we wait for Laura Mvula’s stock to rise, she’s provided us with another sweet taste of things to come. ‘She’ was loaded with strange, eerie choral chants and ‘Like The Morning Dew’ has a similar, fairytale-style beauty to it. It’s both childish in its inventiveness and subtle enough to satisfy an adult crowd. It’s beautiful in the most non-conventional of ways, and it’s the sound of something very special indeed.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Black Gold Buffalo - Cluster



We’re not praising this video for its innovation. Keziah Stilwell circuits the London streets, doing a few twirls, looking a bit too arty and interesting to approach out of the blue. We’re more excited by the fact that this is the first real sign that Black Gold Buffalo are a name to be reckoned with. ‘Cluster’ has the driving beat, reggae style pace and sharp guitar sections that all combine to make it sound somewhat iconic. It’s like a more sedated ‘Paper Planes’ by M.I.A.; instant memorable and brilliantly playful. This London act is one to watch.

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK
Gems



Half of what I’ve read about new band GEMS states they’ve some way to go, that there’s room for improvement and tracks aren’t as fully realised as they could be. Others have joined me on the hyperbole train however, to sing the band’s praises and call them the next Beach House. This probably isn’t particularly sensible. But when a band announce themselves with a string of songs as rapturous and fresh-sounding as these, it’s hard not to assume they’re going to be around for a long, long time.