News This Week In New Music (29th September 2012)

These past seven days have followed up a regular pattern. New artists have been exposed for the first time, emerging Neu regulars have gone from strength to strength and those making serious headway have begun to feel the first tiny pinch of a backlash:

Splashh’s new song sounds a little bit like Oasis. And a few previous loyalists who might have seen the Aus via. London band’s first few shows are now turning their backs. Others rejoice in ‘Vacation’ and declare it to be the carefree anthem of choice. This is the part where we sit on the fence and don’t tell you what we’re thinking. But that’s the best part about listening to a new band: Wondering where the hell they’ll end up when they’re exposed to a larger crowd. Look at Alt-J: Mighty popular, poised to win awards, but the cynics have come out of the woodwork all at once.

Here’s a rundown of the best of what new music’s had to offer throughout the past week:

TRACK OF THE WEEK
The latest case in point to the aforementioned intrigue vs. backlash situation is Laura Mvula. She’s sprung onto the scene this week, emerging from thin air into a substantial pop sensation. What with her being signed to RCA, there’s a good chance backlashes will come in formidable waves. But let’s document it here: The first time I heard Laura Mvula, it truly took my breath away. She has a voice like few others and she knows how to use it. So if you ever hear me nattering away about how uncool this multi-million selling artist is, send me a link to the article and make me shamefaced.


VIDEO OF THE WEEK

While we found the whole Skins meets Fresh Meat meets other Student flick theme to Theme Park’s latest video strangely enamouring, and although our premiere of Swimming Lessons’ ‘Hall’ offered up some gorgeous vintage footage, it was all overwhelmed by an obsession with Petite Noir: The new Ben Johnson directed clip isn’t a riveting affair, full of drama and suspense. But it adds to the fever surrounding Yannick Ilunga. Film noir imagery and the rolling up of joints; this guy plays it cool and he’s fully aware of it.

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK
We made note of Isle in Wednesday’s Neu Bulletin. Penascola sounds like a beautiful place. Isle make music there of a gorgeous, aquatic nature, full of gentle lifts and evolving new heights. It evokes a sense of drama and wonder, does ‘Bayview’, their debut track. And for some reason, the fact that these guys are a five-piece makes me all the confident that they’re here for the long run. Far from being a pale, sweaty bedroom producer with no live experience, the full-band can provide so much hope for new music speculators. Expect to hear a great deal more from these guys.
Bayview by Isle