Neu This Week In New Music (8th December 2012)

After the end of year round-ups come the new band tips, and DIY’s gone ahead with naming its favourites in this month’s magazine. But beyond the AlunaGeorge’s and Peace’s, the most exciting part of 2013 is knowing that some newcomer, maybe even unbeknownst to us right now, is going to spring out of nowhere and steal the year’s plaudits for themselves. Alt-J were being spoken of in parts around this time this year, but not on an “oh yeah, dead certs for the Mercury Prize, that lot” kind of way. Maybe below we’ll find 2013’s equivalent of those triangle-adoring triumphs.

TRACK OF THE WEEK
Twigs - Weak Spot

Weak Spot by Twigs

London artist Twigs took some impressive first steps a few months back with two Grace Ladoja-directed videos; one a minimal, cheeky visual piece, the other a Bane-from-Batman-channelling claustrophobic juggernaut. The contrast between the two helped define Twigs before we even knew a single thing about her. Her music caresses a careful divide between intoxicating experimentalism and straightforward, simple pop. ‘Weak Spot’ and its accompanying video is one step further: It’s a masterfully crafted, exceptional work. A whole LP of this and we will indeed be hailing Twigs as one of the stars of 2013.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Gambles - Trust



Matthew Siskin’s got some stories to tell. You hear it in every smoke-coated lyric, every huff and howl and cry emerging from his dark abyss. His songwriting is stark, plain and uncomfortably candid. If you’re not ready to welcome in such honest storytelling, you’re going to find it intrusive. But immerse yourself in ‘Trust’ and all its rough-edged wistfulness and you’ve got one of the year’s finest songs.

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK
Two Jackals



These Brighton friends have been playing shows across the capital, impressing heads of some of biggest independent labels, for some time now. So it’s with some shame that it’s only now that we walk into their path. ‘Arrows’ is the kind of song to stop you in your tracks regardless of what else might be distracting you or absorbing your attention. It is an unpredictable, unrestrained debut track, laying claim to an xx-style intimacy; all reverb-ridden guitars and dark, honeyed vocals. Within the passion exists a whole heap of potential. You’ll be hearing a lot more from Two Jackals: We’re sure of it.