Download: Summer Camp - Nobody Knows You [Album Preview]

Words: Emily Solan

Alongside launching their PledgeMusic campaign this week (more on that later), those busy bees that are Summer Camp also released the track 'Nobody Knows You' as a free download. Straying away from their previous releases, yet still unmistakably Summer Camp, the track verges more towards a darker electronic side of the band, rather than their decidedly twee, nostalgia infused offerings.

Album Review: Suede - Head Music

Suede - 'Head Music' (UK re-issue: 20 June '11) // Words: Rajan Lakhani

1999's 'Head Music' should have been the album that saw Suede cement their position as one of the biggest bands in Britain. Instead, the record marked the start of both their critical and commercial decline, which they have only reversed in the last two years.

BBC iPlayer: Glastonbury (2006)

'Glastonbury' (2006) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Julien Temple's acclaimed film celebrating and documenting the history of the Glastonbury Festival. Concert footage, interviews, archive and home video combine to capture the essence and spirit of Glastonbury." (bbc.co.uk)

Playlist: 2011 Mid-Year Round Up

Playlist is a new (largely self-explanatory) feature, curated by members of Team FG. Simon has the pleasure of cutting the ribbon for our first Playlist - tracking his favourite albums of the year so far.

Words: Simon Opie

We’re half way through 2011 and with the Fete de la Musique here in Paris marking the equinox, it’s a great day to be out on the streets. If you’ve never tried it, by the way, it’s a cheap visit as you don’t need a hotel ‘cos it goes on all night – it got me thinking about the albums I’ve really enjoyed so far this year, and (being somewhat obsessive about lists) what my playlist featuring the best of the best of 2011 so far in less than 30 minutes, would look like.

Glastonbury: 2011 Festival Preview

Words: Saam Das

The eager amongst us may already be at Glastonbury Festival but for those who are yet to head to Somerset then these last minute recommendations for bands to see/things to do might come in handy. You may already have seen my guest blog at BBC 6Music and well, this is a variation on that theme. Hopefully with fewer typos....

Album Review: Alain Johannes - Spark

Alain Johannes - 'Spark' (UK Release: 23 May '11) // Words: Simon Opie

Alain Johannes is a seasoned collaborator with, amongst others, Josh Homme, appearing on the famed Desert Sessions series of recordings, as well as playing guitar in Queens Of The Stone Age and Them Crooked Vultures. So a great pedigree, and his live contribution to the latter supergroup, when I saw them in Paris, was particularly sharp. He has also made music over several years with his partner and longtime collaborator Natasha Shneider, most regularly in their band Eleven.

Watch: David Fincher + Christopher Nolan On Terence Malick's The Tree Of Life [Featurette]

Terrence Malick is so revered and respected that even such great directors as David Fincher and Christopher Nolan cite him as one of their inspirations in filmmaking. Fox Searchlight even managed to get the latter directors on camera to briefly discuss their feelings on Malick to promote the release of his new film, 'The Tree Of Life'. Watch the featurette below.

Album Review: Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See

Arctic Monkeys - 'Suck It And See' (UK Release: 6 June '11) // Words: Emily Solan

Having been disappointed by their previous efforts, or what can effectively be titled as everything since 'Whatever People Say I Am That’s What I’m Not', the snippets I heard before the entire album had not encouraged my trust in the Arctic Monkeys. With expectations from Alex Turner’s very impressive soundtrack to 'Submarine' beforehand, 'Suck It And See' is actually everything I’d hoped for and more.

Photo: Not Quite Friday The 13th

Source: Snorgtees

It's not Friday the 12th. But it's not Friday the 13th either. And that makes Jason Vorhees sad. Buy this as a tee from the link above the photo.

Remixed: Alpines - Drive (Skream Remix)

Remixed is a column that will highlight remixes we actually think are worthy of praise, be they old or new. Because most remixes are rubbish. // Words: Saam Das

Skream burst into the wider world with his stunning remix of La Roux's 'In For The Kill' and he's done the business again with one of my favourite bands of late, Alpines. Check out Skream's I Ain't Got A License remix of 'Drive' below.

Listen: Akira The Don + Friends - Living In The Future 2.5

Words: Saam Das

Following his brilliant cover of 'I Am Not A Robot', rapper/producer Akira The Don partially won me over. He's back with another great track - along with some pals - Big Narstie, MC Lars, Eddie Argos and Scroobius Pip. Listen to 'Living In The Future 2.5' below.

Film School 101: The Art Of Foley

Film School 101 highlights overlooked aspects of film and television to enhance your understanding and appreciation of the screen arena. Well, that's the idea anyway.

Words: Saam Das

Watching 'Beverly Hills Cop II' the other night reminded me about a brilliant little video on the art of foley - which is the way sound effects are produced for film and television productions. Watch the video below, which features foley artist Gary Hecker explains the art and runs through examples from the recent 'Robin Hood' and '2012' features.

Surfacing: Retraplayer

Words: Saam Das

We came across Southampton quintet Retraplayer last year but it wasn't till hearing the sparkling electro-pop of glorious new single 'Drinks In Helsinki' that we could firmly lend our support to the band. Listen to the track below.

TV Review: Psychoville (2011) Episode Six [BBC iPlayer]

'Psychoville' Series Two: 'Episode Six' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: Surreal comedy series. The secret of the missing locket is finally exposed and the enormity of what is at stake revealed. But are there enough characters left alive to care?

"All I wanted to do is to come to London to sell a dead Nazi's head but no, it has to be brought back to life first. Nothing's ever straightforward, is it?" Not in the wonderfully twisted world of 'Psychoville' it isn't. But in the finale to the second series, (pretty much) everything came together in a satisfying fashion.

Buried Treasures: Manic Street Preachers - Gold Against The Soul

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially. We encourage you to seek these treasures out.

Manic Street Preachers - 'Gold Against The Soul' // Words: Emily Solan

Amazingly this long forgotten treasure from the Manic Street Preachers back catalogue managed to chart at #8 in the UK chart, amid mixed reviews. But 18 years on, many barely remember this classic, full of raw meaningful lyrics from the Glamour Twins - especially the sorely missed Richey Edwards.

Competition: Win True Grit DVDs, Paperbacks + OSTs

Thanks to Paramount Pictures, we're giving away a selection of 'True Grit' DVDs, Original Soundtracks (OSTs) and paperback novelisations of the film. The Coen Brothers updated Western comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray today in the UK, and details of how to win the prizes are below.

EP Review: Pengilly's - Toby's Hill

Pengilly's - Toby's Hill EP // Words: Kieran Toms

"I came to realise how porous I was, breathing the fumes from a car’s exhaust." Amidst eerie, ethereal harmonies, 'Toby’s Hill' (both the EP name and that of the opening track) opens with lyrics of stark sadness. The EP continues the impressive work laid by previous single, 'Ode VIII', which we featured in my Surfacing feature back in January.

Photo: Predicting The Plot Of The Hangover Part III

Source: Ryan Selvy

The almost inevitable awaits following the success of 'The Hangover Part II'.

Album Review: Battles - Gloss Drop

Battles - 'Gloss Drop' (UK Release: 7 June '11) // Words: Simon Opie

Battles’ 2007 release, 'Mirrored' was something of a sensation. The lead-off single 'Atlas' was an underground (and even mainstream) hit and the album uniquely broke through into dance from math rock. The follow up 'Gloss Drop' has taken four years to produce – a very unusual interval in these present times - and the quartet has become a trio with the departure of multi-instrumentalist Tyondai Braxton, son of a famously musical father.

TV Review: Doctor Who (2011) A Good Man Goes To War [BBC iPlayer]

'Doctor Who' Series Six, Episode Six: 'A Good Man Goes To War' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Science fiction drama. The Doctor assembles an army to face the Battle of Demons Run - and River Song has something to tell him." (bbc.co.uk)

Album Review: Cults - Cults

Cults - 'Cults' (UK Release: 30 May '11) // Words: Rajan Lakhani

Listening to the Cults album, you can’t help but think here’s another band trying to recall 60s girl group drama, drowning their sunny melodies with reverb. Fortunately for Cults, they do it well and just about manage to avoid appearing derivative.

Film Review: X-Men First Class (2011)

'X-Men: First Class' (UK Release: 1 June '11) // Words: Ced Yuen

'X-Men' has been saved. It never quite reached the painful lows of the 'Batman' franchise under the misdirection of Joel Schumacher, but after the last two distinctly average outings, the franchise faced an uncertain future. Not anymore: X-Men has been restored to its former glory. 'X-Men: First Class' is to X-Men what 'Casino Royale' was to James Bond - rejuvenation.

Download: O'Death - Bugs [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

I hadn't heard much about O'Death until this year but it appears the Brooklyn band will be homing in on ten years in the game within the next couple of years. They stand apart from fellow Brooklyn bands such as Vampire Weekend and TV On The Radio with their immersive country-folk sound. Download a taste of their forthcoming new album ('Outside') below.

TV Review: Psychoville (2011) Episode Five [BBC iPlayer]

'Psychoville' Series Two: 'Episode Five' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Surreal comedy series. With danger mounting and few witnesses left, Tealeaf (Daniel Kaluuya), with the help of Peter Bishop (Jason Watkins), tries to solve the mystery of the locket. Things don't quite go to plan." (bbc.co.uk)

Singles: May 2011

Words: Saam Das

Now that I'm in substantial employment, I have a reasonable excuse for the delayed collating of May's finest singles but I apologise nonetheless. The battle for Single Of The Month came down to Clock Opera and Charli XCX. To find who won and plenty of other brilliant singles, simply read on.

Listen: Antlered Man - Outrages 1 Ta 3 [New Single]

Words: Simon Opie

Following swiftly on from the really excellent debut single 'Surrounded By White Men', newcomers Antlered Man, from London, are set to release 'Outrages 1 Ta 3' as single number 2. So "could 17 be the new 27?" - well I don't know truth to tell, but Antlered Man could definitely be my new favorite band.

EP Review: Tribes - We Were Children

Tribes - 'We Were Children' EP (UK Release: June 6th '11) // Words: Emily Solan

In 'We Were Children', Tribes have created that once a year thing of a summer time anthem, and then spread that euphoric, reminiscent feeling across the entire EP. The most anthemic of all being title track 'We Were Children'. Steeped in the current grunge/American revivalist sounds, and the inclusion of the original demo really highlights how with the right production anthems are made.

Month In Reviews: May 2011

Below lie the remains of our May reviews, which you can reanimate simply by clicking on the links. Strong showings this month from Fleet Foxes and EMA on the album front - one just pipping the other to album of the month, as I went a bit Simon Cowell and made the casting vote.

Film-wise, theatrical release of the month goes to 'Attack The Block', while the choice DVD from May has to be 'The King's Speech'. All those and more are below...

TV Review: Queen - Days Of Our Lives [BBC iPlayer]

'Queen - Days Of Our Lives' // Words: Paul Dean

SYNOPSIS: The story of British rock band Queen, formed in 1971. The band members reveal how four strong-minded individuals worked together so successfully for four decades. (bbc.co.uk)

I love Queen. Since I was young they've been a defining part of my life and they're so totally infused with the rest of my being that it's impossible for me to even begin to describe the influence they've had on me or the depth of emotion that they inspire in me.

Stream: Tom Vek - Leisure Seizure [New Album]

Words: Saam Das

Almost out of nowhere, Tom Vek returned in April with 'A Chore', six whole years since his debut album, 'We Have Sound'. His follow up album, 'Leisure Seizure' arrives next week but the good folk at The Hype Machine are letting us stream the album in full below now.

TV Review: Psychoville (2011) Episode Four [BBC iPlayer]

'Psychoville' Series Two: 'Episode Four' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Desperate measures are called for as Jeremy Goode (Reece Shearsmith) searches for the missing library book. Mrs Wren (Vilma Hollingbery) is in peril and only one man can save her. But will he be bothered?" (bbc.co.uk)

'Episode Three' of 'Psychoville' proved disappointingly lacklustre but normal order was restored with 'Episode Four'. The episode had an excellent mix of wit, creepiness and (comedic) twists but notably, also gave us further insights into the overarching plot.

Surfacing: KNESSET

Words: Jack Thomson

Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, KNESSET (pronounced Ka-Ness-Et) are not to be confused with the legislative sector of the Israeli Government. They are in fact a four piece band that fuse towering shoegaze textures with energetic pop hooks and honest lyrics, to produce tracks that wouldn't sound out of place on Sofia Coppola's 'Lost In Translation' soundtrack.