Video: Lie Ins - We Were Born Into Corduroy

Popical Island beat-folksters Lie Ins have released a video for We Were Born Into Corduroy ahead of the release of their debut album 'Death To Lie Ins' which can be downloaded for free Here.

Remix: Nanu Nanu - Pocket Of Gold

Alien -pop duo Nanu Nanu have released some remixes of their single Pocket Of Gold via soundcloud
You can also download the original version for free

Video: Eric McGrath - Always The Same

When we first came across Eric McGrath's 'My Demo' several years ago we thought it showed a lot of potential. McGrath's acoustic crooner-jazz has come along way since then and his potential is finally being realised on tracks such as his latest single Always The Same.

 

Video: Riot Tapes - The Key

Indie popsters Riot Tapes return with new single The Key. it's radio friendly from the first beat to the last and you can expect to hear it on national radio in the near future as a result.

Video: Nanu Nanu - Pocket Of Gold

Nanu Nanu's latest single Pocket Of Gold is a delightful slice of dark electro pop reminiscent of 'Ultra' era Depeche Mode. A simple yet riveting bassline propels the track as Sc- Fi strains and swirling drums create an alien disco soundscape. However, it's Laura Sheeran's vocal that really sets this track alight. The video is suitably trippy and reflects the alien electro pop perfectly.

Video: Solar Taxi - Parcels

Solar Taxi are back with their latest single Parcels which is a blend of soft mournful piano chords and soulful vocals which suddenly morphs into an uptempo funk power ballad. It's an unexpected change but it works well.

Video: Percolator - Album Teaser

Waterford noise merchants Percolator have released a fascinating glimpse into their fortcoming album via an extract from a track called  Sad Alien Thing.. It looks like the log awaited debut album may actually see the light of day in 2013, well lets hope so.

Video: Kodaline - High Hopes

You know your band is on the up when you have Hollywood actors gracing your music videos; but that's just the way it is for Kodaline these days. The Dublin groups latest video High Hopes features legendary Irish actor Liam Cunningham in the leading role. The groups star will rise further still in March when their long awaited debut album ‘In A Perfect World’ is released

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E4povfmX144" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Review: New Order - Lost Sirens

The latest release by seminal indie/dance act New Order is more than likely the last material the band will release with former bassist Peter Hook following an acrimonious split. Hook upset his former New Order / Joy Division alumni by amongst other things performing Joy Division material with his new band The Light, meanwhile New Order hit the road with new bassist Tom Chapman stopping off at the Forbidden Fruit festival in Dublin last summer.

‘Lost Sirens’ songs were originally recorded during prolific writing sessions for 2005’s ‘Waiting For The Siren’s Call.’ At the time the band intended to add several songs to the 8 remaining songs which now appear on ‘Lost Sirens’ and release a quick follow-up album. 8 years of record company wrangling and almost comical inter-band spats later, the quick follow-up is finally released.

 I’ll Stay With You momentarily suggests it’s about to become a Faithless-esque floor-filler before the classic combination of Bernard Sumner’s fragile vocals and angular guitar melodies and Peter Hook’s swaggering high-end bass riffs enter the fray; ironically conjuring a radio friendly tale of never-ending friendship.

Sugarcane has more of an electronic (Sumner/Marr supergroup) feel to it mixing jangly, funk guitar stabs with Key-bass through the verses while a Motown girl group vibe permeates the sugary chorus of “Wake up right now, stop what you’re doing you’ve gotta be true, you know you don’t live forever…” It’s a purposefully saccharine and throwaway piece of fun.

Recoil is a more mature, slow burning piano based offering. Sumner’s vocal fits the jazzy, lounge soundscapes perfectly, but at just over five minutes Recoil almost outstays its welcome. Thankfully Californian Grass raises the pace somewhat “Give me all that I ask, some Californian grass, bring it over to me, I want everything that I see” gushes Sumner through its chorus. It’s by no means a classic New Order track, but it’s the sound of a band thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Like opening track I’ll Stay With You, Hellbent displays contemporary influences from the period of recording; In this case there’s an obvious nod to The Dandy Warhols and Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) who collaborated with New Order around this time, throughout the verses. Hellbent juxtaposes fluttery electro with squealing guitar licks; it’s not a wholly successful experiment, but once again New Order produce a decent chorus to tie the track together. Indeed, almost every song on ‘Lost Sirens’ has a vocal hook, most bands would be envious of. It seems incredible that some of this material was overlooked for the initial album release

I’ve Got A Feeling screams radio friendly unit shifter, thanks to its big melodic sing-along chorus, while Shake It Up complete with Austin Powers segue, was built for an indie-disco dance floor. It’s a pity that New Order couldn’t stick to their plan, as the creative juices were clearly flowing in the right direction in 2005, but the idiocy of ego scuppered them just as they were getting back into their stride.

Video: Liza Flume - What We Called Love

What We Called Love is the first track to be taken from Liza Flume's debut EP 'Full Steam Ahead.' It's a beautifully sombre, yet uplifting, post break-up tail of hope, regret and anger.

Video: Low Profile - Perfect Portrait

Perfect Portrait is the first single to be taken from Dublin outfit Low Profile's debut album ''Similar, But So Different.'' The band mix rap with melodic radio friendly acoustic pop. Lyrically Perfect Portrait charts the struggles of a young girl neglected by her drugged up parents. It's a sad reflection on modern Ireland, but thankfully Low Profile aren't afraid to tackle challenging issues and it's refreshing to hear an anti drug stance without a hint of dogooderness.

Video: Windings - Something Outnumbered

Something Outnumbered is the latest single to be taken from Windings' album 'I Am Not The Crow' which was one of the finest Irish albums of 2012. Something Outnumbered echoes early Doves in places as its sweet mid tempo melody washes over you.

Review: Le Galaxie - The Workman's Club

2012 was a bumper year for Le Galaxie with the release of the critically and commercially successful  ‘Fade 2 Forever EP’ and a string of festival appearances; each seemingly bigger and more outrageous than the last, Forbidden Fruit being especially memorable for the introduction of the Dead Presidents facemasks for the first time.

Le Galaxie’s popularity has grown so much in the last twelve months that they sold out The Workman’s Club; not once, but twice, a phenomenal achievement for an Irish band. Their two-day mini residency dubbed Workmania saw them up their game once again.

Last Day of 1984 warmed up the crowd with an emphatic performance of songs from their début album ‘Wake Up The Waves.’ The bands sprawling electro sound features high energy radio friendly tracks such as single Rivers Edge, brooding Eno-esque instrumentals and blissed out indie-comedowns. Last Days Of 1984 have a secret weapon in their quest for electro perfection, a Ukulele; which, when combined with Afro Beat drums creates an infectious electro Graceland vibe. With new material in the pipeline expect big things from Last Days Of 1984 in 2013.

The room went dark and a hail of glow-sticks rained down on the crowd as Le Galaxie took to the stage in front of a capacity crowd of festive revellers. Heat City instantly set the tone for the high octane performance that was to follow. The energy on stage was mimicked, if not surpassed by the crowd who danced and cheered relentlessly; the sight of a cowbell drawing the kind of reception normally reserved for superstars.

Le Galaxie have honed their live performance into a breath-taking spectacle with frontman Michael leading the charge, while the band deliver a carefully crafted mix of live instruments v’s synth trickery. We Bleed The Blood Of Androids is an early highlight thanks to its seemingly endless crescendo of guitar and drums.  Breakthrough single Midnight Midnight’s gritty synths and “Woo” chorus  makes for a perfect slice of electro pop. Orion takes it one step further with sleek bass powered verses juxtaposed against a chorus of duelling guitars and synths. Nightcrawler showcases the group’s progression. The sampled vocal allows frontman Michael to perform some of his signature dance moves and engage even more with the crowd.

Just when it seemed the crowd couldn’t get any more responsive Le Galaxie play Love System featuring Elaine Mai. The response is astonishing; and a true moment of unity is experienced throughout the venue. Beyond Transworld closes the show in some style before the band receives a rapturous, hands in the air farewell to the strains of the Jurassic Park theme tune.

Le Galaxie never fails to entrance a crowd with their high energy retro leaning dance music. They are simply one of the finest acts in Ireland today. Unfortunately for us it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the world catches on.

Photo: Kieran Frost