News Tracks: Veronica Falls,  North Atlantic Oscillation, ‘Allo Darlin’ And More

We know how it is, you’re busy people. And we would hate to think that you missed out on a blistering new track just because life distracted you in some way. So our lovely writers and radio presenters have once again gone on their weekly mission to curate the best of the week’s new music, and without further ado, we present; this week’s Tracks.

Allo Darlin’ – Dear John
As anyone who’s listened to either of their two albums can attest to, Allo Darlin’ seem to have a magic coat that fires joyous, intelligent, unashamedly pop songs out of its sleeves at will. This latest offering, ‘Dear John’ sees them embrace their inner peak-period Jonathan Richman for this infectious, playful number. Relentlessly chirpy, it’s hard not to be won over as Elizabeth Morris urges you “don’t let the evening go to waste”. Be warned though, it also contains one of the catchiest, jauntiest basslines of the year – expect to still be whistling it to yourself as your Christmas dinner gets plonked down in front of you. (Gareth Ware)

wiaiwya049 by Allo Darlin

North Atlantic Oscillation - One Good Reason
Normally more known for ethereal post-rock or angular electronic experimentation, this first public release of a rare vinyl-only b-side confirms the Scottish band’s oft overlooked rock credentials. Last heard on ‘Drawing Maps From Memory’ from their début LP, this kind of pure alt guitar pop bliss seems to come to them naturally, however odd it may seem to long-time fans. Sam Healy’s vocals as usual are on fine form, and the wall of guitars certainly do more than justice to Bob Mould’s 1991 original - but there’s frankly nothing else to say than it’s phenomenal and a must-listen. (Alex Lynham)

One Good Reason (Bob Mould) by North Atlantic Oscillation

Veronica Falls – Teenage
There’s always been an indiepop element to Veronica Falls’ music - they wouldn’t have been invited to headline this years Indietracks festival otherwise - but this teaser from the band’s second album is metaphorically wearing black rimmed glasses and clutching a Sarah Records compilation. Gone is the slightly gothic timbre of their debut LP, replaced instead with 3 minutes of C86 jangle and lyrics about meeting a boy at a party and carving his name into a cherry tree. Roxanne and James’ vocals are lovely throughout, but like a game of ‘spin the bottle’ at a school disco, when it’s all over you wonder whether it actually meant anything… (Rick Skilbeck)



Joyland - Bella The Butcher
There’s not enough visceral post punk in the world right now for my liking. The sort of music that when you hear it, you can almost smell the damp from the basement walls of where it was recorded, and taste the sweat of the band as they performed it.

Set for release on Monday, ‘Bella The Butcher’ is the second single from Northern Ireland three-piece Joyland, who hit that spot perfectly. It’s an enigmatic single with an energised atmosphere from a most intriguing new band. (Ian Paterson)



Angel Haze & Lunice - Gimmie That
If there is one thing that we have come to expect from Angel Haze, it’s that every single piece of music she has put her name to so far has been reliably excellent. ‘Gimmie That’ a collaboration with Canadian producer and one-half of duo TNGHT, Lunice is no exception. The collaboration was organised by US website Yours Truly and it is an intriguing collision of styles. The hard-edged intensity of Angel Haze’s quick fire rhymes are set against the loose insidious groove of Lunice’s beats. Conceived and composed entirely from scratch in one day, ‘Gimmie That’ is the sound of two different artists at the very top of their game utilising their talents to impressive effect. (Martyn Young)



[My Preserver] - Loose Change
Now for fans of the Kent music scene this won’t necessarily be new, but on the week of the band’s debut album release ‘Revolutions In The Head’ I’m hearing some of this music for the first time. Thinking a bit of Kasabian. Muse. And a bit of unique [My Preserver] spin and you’ve got my track of the week that I’ve been playing over on Alive And Amplified on DIY Radio. These guys have just been picked up by Raw Power Management who look after the likes of The Blackout and with a second studio album in the works I can only see these boys going skyward. (Elise Cobain – Alive and Amplified)



The-Dream – AK-47
Ever the populist, Terius Nash - unsung writer of Beyonce’s and Rihanna’s best songs - has penned this ode to the best-selling automatic rifle in the world. Actually, it might be a metaphor for sex or something. It usually is, in his case. This auto-tune-heavy track, from the expanded version of his online release ‘1977’, is a typically falsetto-foul-mouthed, ingeniously constructed pop gem by the R&B love king, with a hint of the bruised ego found on the rest of the infamously revealing break-up album. He’s the R Kelly it’s okay to like more than three songs by. (Tom Baker)