Various Artists - Gruff Trade

‘Gruff Trade’ is the adorably-titled new compilation from London’s indie stable of goodness Fierce Panda. Yes, they are the people responsible for releasing the second smash single ‘Latchmere’ by The Maccabees (good stuff) and, ermm, the first Coldplay single (bad stuff). Quite obviously Fierce Panda have an immaculate eye for spotting the next big thing. On ‘Gruff Trade’ seven up and coming indie outfits are trying to become exactly that – the next buzz band. And some serious contenders are certainly amongst them.

Fuzz-rockers Wild Palms shine with their rumbling smasher ‘Deep Dive’ on which lead singer Lou emotively proves that his band are mastering big ambitious 80s leftfield pop with a hint of angular rock. It’s an absolutely marvellous and undeniably epic single, which should see Wild Palms effortlessly climb the throne of London’s indie wonk-popsters.

Further additions to this heroically ramshackle assortment of bands, are gloom-poppers Hatcham Social, who have already released their debut album ‘You Dig The Tunnel, I’ll Hide The Soil’ to great acclaim. On ‘Gruff Trade’ Hatcham Social present us with a brand new song, which combines the dark broodiness of a certain band called Joy Division with the energetic swagger of Orange Juice. A glorious and gloomy track with singer Toby’s haunting voice serenading you to come to the dark side, Hatcham Social’s ‘New York Girl’ is equally entrancing and eerie.

Further additions to the EP that stand out are haze-pop-chillwave lovers Still Corners, who do what they do best: being epic and dreamy and slack-rockers Not Cool, whose contribution to the EP thrives on noisy grunge-punk with loads of shouting and being angry and being emotional and all the things kids do these days.

Fierce Panda promise that ‘Gruff Trade’ focuses on the mavericks of the metropolis, the craftily creative characters of the cockney manor and with this collection of innovative and ingenious bands; they have surely kept the promise.