News This Week In New Music (18th August 2012)

This past week has seen some of DIY’s favourite new acts going from strength to strength; from the releasing of potentially career-defining tracks to signing up with a big-name label for a forthcoming release. Pins signing to Bella Union for an EP release felt like a match made in heaven, and the fact that Double Denim are showing continued faith in Amateur Best for another release speaks volumes. It’s all bright and rosy in the world of new music, with the exception of one quite striking loss:

Mammal Club were a band who brought a whole new dynamic to the math-rock/indie aesthetic, fusing Battles’ experimentation (something particularly crucial when you saw them live, which was like seeing a predator in its element) and a veritable feast of melodies; it’s hard to see why they didn’t catch on to such a grand stage. A very honest post on their website signalled the end of a special - unfortunately unsung - band.

DIY spent another week searching for fresh new acts with limitless potential, and this week Ian Paterson stumbled upon Farewell J.R., a natural extension from Bon Iver’s wood-cabin lustiness. Meanwhile Wayne Flanagan waxed lyrical about new Double Denim recruit Mind Enterprises: New track ‘Summer War’ was labelled “A real masterful medley if ever we’ve heard one.” And this fickle writer here branded hype act of the moment Twigs as headed towards “a soon to be astronomical level of fame”. Talk about getting carried away. She’s very good though. Check out her superb two videos to date.

TRACK OF THE WEEK
The UK’s Nu-garage revival - for that is what it’s being quite accurately labelled as - has taken another glorious turn this week, with the emergence of Syron and her ‘Breaking’ track. Everything Katy B’s pedestal set out to welcome in has arrived in full flow; Syron being perhaps the high-point of the past two years’ worth of garage outpourings. Superlatives were in full supply upon the song’s emergence on Wednesday. Stream it below and download the rest of DIY’s Neu mixtape while you’re at it: Syron features.



- Maigret Jnr - another newcomer to these pages - has also been up to his genre-fusing tricks with ‘Sick Friends’. DIY said the following: “Occasional funk shreds of Bowie a la ‘Fashion’ and ‘Let’s Dance’ permeate a genre-fusing mesh of influences.” Needless to say, it’s superb.

- While the average Maigret Jnr listener strokes their chin while pondering the range of instrumentation; your average connoisseur will be far more enamoured with Drenge, who don’t go about casting veils over their influences. This is down and dirty, grubby and despicable. Like DZ Deathrays and The Black Lips trading blows. Check out ‘Dogmeat’

VIDEO OF THE WEEK>


From the permissibly psychedelic visuals of Regal Safari, to the archived skateboard footage of chillwave artist Blue Boats’ first video, there was enough visually to bask in for weeks. But instead we were sent into an entranced state by MYPET’s new video. They’ve a single out on Luv Luv Luv Records, don’t you know. So if you’re expecting catchy synth pop of a tastemaker-brow disposition, that’s exactly what you’re going to get. But the video reached into previously unfounded depths, revealing a dark side to the ‘not-so-glossy’ L.A. duo. Stream it above.

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK

Maigret Jnr and Farewell J.R. both stole the hearts of DIY’s new music section this week, both with their similar “prouda you son” titles and their sheer knack for adventurous songwriting. Check them both out, or risk a life of regret.

- But outside of DIY, the act that truly set our pulses racing was Astronauts, Etc. Anthony Ferraro fuses the tenderness of an Antlers song, with the pop-gloss of early Passion Pit. Debut track ‘Mystery Colors’ is serene and eerie, awash with a gorgeous coat of musical textures and dreamy patterns.