Surfacing: The Semper Teens [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

It was a huge shame that Sussex's Kill Kenada failed to capitalise on the unexpected hype they built up in the mid-noughties, having worked with the likes of Regina Spektor and producer Gordon Raphael. A few years on, and frontman Tim Smithen (aka Kscreams) has launched a side project, The Semper Teens. Listen to three of their demos below.

Listen: I Am Harlequin - Don't Break The Silence [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

Anne Frier has returned with a new EP, 'Craze', which came out in July. The five track EP continues her emergence as one of the most evocative artists in the UK right now. Listen below to our particularly highlights, namely the dark, Woodkid-esque 'Don't Break The Silence', and the strings-laden 'Because He Loves Them Both'.

BBC iPlayer: Precious (2009)

Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Drama. In Harlem, an illiterate teenager, pregnant for the second time, is invited to enrol in an alternative school in the hope that it will change her life for the better." (bbc.co.uk)

Listen: Everything Everything - Cough Cough [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

"Yeah, so, um, wait a second." No, you're not seeing double. 'Cough Cough' is the new single from experimental Everything Everything. And it is absolutely bonkers. (Maybe a little too bonkers.) Listen to the absorbing 'Cough Cough', and watch its video, below.

Download: Lord Huron - Time To Run [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

LA's Lord Huron are finally gearing up to release their debut album, 'Lonesome Dreams', which will come out in October. We have very high hopes for the record, and rightfully so, on the basis of the magical first taste of the album - 'Time To Run'. Download the track below for free.

DVD Review: Marley (2012)

'Marley' (UK Release: 20 Aug '12) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

With his face emblazoned across t-shirts, posters and countless other pieces of paraphernalia worldwide, Bob Marley is a true icon – one of the few artists in history to transcend his music career to become a symbol of a nation, a genre and a culture. Kevin Macdonald’s biopic 'Marley' aims to delve beneath the surface to deliver an “intimate, human portrait of the legendary singer”, from his early life in Jamaica’s impoverished Saint Ann Parish to the heights of global fame and his eventual death from cancer in 1981.

Film Review: Take This Waltz (2012)

'Take This Waltz' (UK Release: 17 Aug ’12) // Words: Alison Potter

'Take This Waltz' stars Michelle Williams as Margot, a young married 30-something in a relationship that’s going nowhere. Her husband Lou (Seth Rogen) is an unaffectionate chicken chef that can’t face the fact that their marriage is failing. Suddenly a handsome stranger Daniel (Luke Kirby) enters her life and Margot has to decide whether she should stay in her safe marriage or take a chance on this man with whom she feels an inexplicable attraction.

Listen: Muse - Madness [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Okay, I give in. I actually quite like the new Muse single. It shouldn't work - combining influences such as U2 and Queen with a slight dubstep influence. 'Madness' gives me more hope for their forthcoming album, 'The 2nd Law', after the first glimpses were not particularly promising. Listen to the recently unveiled tracks below.

Film Review: Shadow Dancer (2012)

'Shadow Dancer' (UK Release: 24 Aug '12) // Words: Saam Das

British director James Marsh has been heralded for his documentary work, with 2008 Academy Award winning 'Man On Wire' and last year's critically acclaimed 'Project Nim'. Now he returns to feature territory with 'Shadow Dancer', a spy drama based on the tension in early 90s Northern Ireland, which never quite delivers what it threatens.

Album Review: Spector - Enjoy It While It Lasts

Spector - 'Enjoy It While It Lasts' (UK Release: 13 Aug '12) // Words: Saam Das

In 2005, I helped put on Les Incompetents' first live appearance at our school's Battle Of The Bands. When that band ended, there was always a sense of unfinished business. And not just because they came second in that Battle Of The Bands. Fast forward a few years and Fred MacPherson and Christopher Burman reunited musically, culminating in a confident but inconsistent major label debut album - 'Enjoy It While It Lasts'.

Buried Treasures: Contact (1997)

Buried Treasures is a column dedicated to things we feel have gone underappreciated, often both critically and commercially. // Words: Saam Das

Robert Zemeckis is one of the most lauded directors of his generation, helming classics such as 'Back To The Future', 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' and 'Forrest Gump'. Carl Sagan was one of the world's foremost science communicators. When their powers combined, 1997 God-pondering science fiction film 'Contact' came to life with a relatively muted reaction.

Download: The Joy Formidable - Wolf's Law [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

It seems a heck of a long time since The Joy Formidable first burst onto the scene. For two of the Welsh trio, Ritzy Bryan and Rhydian Dafydd, the journey dates back to 2003 and former bands Tricky Nixon and Sidecar Kisses. Their latest track 'Wolf's Law' may just be the moment they move firmly into the mainstream, a Biffy Clyro-esque transition.

Surfacing: Only Girl [New Artist]

Words: Saam Das

Fierce Panda have put together a special covers album, entitled 'The Spirit Of Talk Talk, which features a wide selection of acts offering their own takes on Talk Talk tracks. One such artist is Only Girl, who donates her vocals to Zero 7's demure cover of 'The Colour Of Spring' - an excellent introduction to her own material.

Ed's Note: In Memoriam - Tony Scott (1944-2012)

Words: Saam Das

As much a reference to one of his best loved films as it is an appropriate descriptor, British director/producer Tony Scott was something of a maverick. This cigar smoking, fast car loving personality brought a vivid, energetic style of filmmaking to the big screen. The news of his suicide, leaping off a Los Angeles bridge to his death, was shocking. It's still not clear what drove him to such a decision but here, we'll celebrate his work.

Listen: Daughter - Smother [Album Preview]

Words: Raman K

What a difference 4 months can make. Daughter are now deservedly signed to a prominent independent label (4AD), they have collected sparkling reviews from selected festival appearances across the UK and US. Their newest release, 'Smother', signals the widening of Daughter’s catalogue of stunning alt-folk to flesh out an anticipated debut album.

Listen: Frightened Rabbit - State Hospital [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

Rightfully so, Scottish outfit Frightened Rabbit have been one of the most critically revered acts to come from our fair isles in the past decade. Sometime recently a major label cottoned onto that fact - and now Atlantic UK will be releasing their 'State Hospital' EP next month. Listen to the title track below.

Film Review: The Imposter (2012)

'The Imposter' (UK Release: 24 Aug '12) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn

Based on a remarkable true story, 'The Imposter', directed by Bart Layton, is a gripping – and by turns chilling and morbidly fascinating – documentary about notorious identity thief Frédéric Bourdin, and one particularly audacious case of impersonation that took place in 1997.

Listen: HAIM - Hold Me (Fleetwood Mac Cover) [Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

We're eagerly anticipating some more original material from our favourite trio of sisters (and their gentleman drummer) but in the meantime, we have HAIM's cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Hold Me'. The track is part of 'Just Tell Me That You Want Me: Tribute To Fleetwood Mac', which came out this week. Listen to the HAIM cover below.

Listen: Casablanca - Yes [Debut Single]

Words: Saam Das

I'm pretty sure Casablanca just got their A level results today. Maybe you did too. Hopefully it will have been good news all round. In other good news, the boys of Casablanca are releasing their debut single, 'Yes'. Listen to their cowbell-infused guitar pop below.

Competition: Win A Pair Of Tickets To London Mexfest Closing Film

London Mexfest is a brand new festival, which arrives at Rich Mix in Shoreditch on Friday 17th August before concluding on Sunday 22nd. We're lucky enough to be giving away a pair of tickets to the festival's closing night film, 'Daniel y Ana' (otherwise known as 'Daniel & Ana'), directed by Cannes Film Festival award winner Michel Franco. Enter below.

Surfacing: Heavy Heart [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

It's rare to find a band whose internet presence seems to extend to two YouTube videos and a Soundcloud page. Seeing as that Soundcloud page reveals that London's Matthew Proctor is involved with Heavy Heart, I presume he/they are just being lazy rather than deliberately obtuse and mysterious like many acts these days. Beautifully crafted electronica awaits below.

DVD Review: This Must Be The Place (2011)

'This Must Be The Place' (UK Release: 13 August ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

'This Must Be The Place' follows Sean Penn as Cheyenne, a former rock star with a penchant for cherry red lipstick, black eyeliner and impressive jet-black bouffant hair. Living out his retirement in a grand Dublin mansion with his wife (Frances McDormand), he’s suddenly dragged out of his stupor when his estranged father in New York passes away.

Film Review: Brave (2012)

'Brave' (UK Release: August 2012) // Words: Saam Das

Set in the Highlands of Scotland in the tenth century, with a female protagonist, 'Brave' is, in many ways, one of Pixar's most pioneering films. In other respects, it is one of the most derivative and unimaginative. The result is inevitably mixed yet as with any Pixar animated feature, there is plenty of charm and sentiment to be enjoyed in 'Brave'.

Listen: Alpines - Chances [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

London night-poppers Alpines probably should have released an album by now. Of course, my impatience is possibly clouding my judgement here. Instead, it looks like their debut record won't be out till early 2013 considering their forthcoming release, a new EP, entitled 'Early Hours'. Listen to the first track to emerge from the EP, the hauntingly understated 'Chances'.

Watch: 2012 Olympic Games Closing Ceremony [BBC iPlayer]

Words: Saam Das

The 30th modern Olympic Games came to a close last night and London has been suffering a rather dampened post-Olympic mood. It was a really fantastic couple of weeks, with any sceptics steamrollered from the very beginning, with Danny Boyle's fantastic opening ceremony. Could the music-centric closing ceremony reach similar heights?

Listen: Matt & Kim - Let's Go [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Little bit behind the times on this one but what better time to write about a song called 'Let's Go' than during the Olympics? "Let's go GB, let's go!" *clap clap clap-clap-clap*. I think you know where I'm coming from here. Perhaps it's a tenuous link but I do believe, in their own way, Matt & Kim have unintentionally captured the uplifting spirit of the Games.

Remixed: CURXES - Spectre (Soil In The Synth 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

I can't say I've heard of Soil In The Synth before. Thankfully, my ignorance is limited in that respect as I'm much more familiar with CURXES, a South coast duo whose coming of age is encapsulated by their latest stormer of a single, 'Spectre'. Download the riot grrl-esque Soil In The Synth remix below.

Surfacing: Cinnamon Girl [New Artist]

Words: Saam Das

We're big fans of anthemic electro-pop here at FG, and Camilla Roholm is one of the newest proponents of this genre. Emerging at the start of 2012 as Cinnamon Girl, her tracks haven't quite clicked with us until now - her pulsating, hook-led new track 'Devil In Me' can be downloaded for free below.

Film Review: Offender (2012)

'Offender' (UK Release: 8 August ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

'Offender' is a hard-hitting British thriller, from first-time director Ron Scalpello. His brutal debut is set in a young offenders’ institution at the time of the London Riots and stars young 'Skins' actor Joe Cole as an underdog possessed by the need to exact his own personal justice on those that have ruined his life.

Download: Bordeauxxx - The Beach Girls And The Monster [Mini-Album Preview]

Words: Saam Das

It's been almost a year since we last caught up with indie-pop upstarts Bordeauxxx but they've unveiled some rather splendid news. They will be putting out a mini-album, 'Only Fiction', at the end of September. To celebrate, they're giving away an appropriately joyous free download of 'The Beach Girls And The Monster'.

Film Review: Truth Or Dare (2012)

'Truth Or Dare' (UK Release: 6 Aug '12) // Words: Saam Das

Anecdotal evidence suggests that university students going anywhere near a spinning bottle and playing a game of truth or dare is suspiciously unlikely. Yet these are the foundations of 'Truth Or Dare', a curious British horror-thriller, that never quite thrills nor quite scares.

Surfacing: Saint Lou Lou [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

Another day, another mystery band. Although this duo is a little less mysterious than usual, with an ACTUAL PROMO PHOTO. Unless they're pulling a Milli Vanilli. Saint Lou Lou are twin sisters from Sweden and/or Australia. Their debut single, 'Maybe You', comes out on Kitsuné later this month - listen to it below, and download a free minimix.

Competition: Win Chance To Direct Short Film With £1000 Production Budget

Director Tom Shankland recently won a BAFTA for his excellent TV series, 'The Fades' and he's teamed up with O2 to curate their O2 Guru TV: Six Degrees Of Summer project. Six Degrees Of Summer is a short film made by award-winning British directors, shot entirely on smartphones. But the project is split into six different parts and you can get involved and possibly even direct part four of the film, with a £1000 production budget.

Film Review: Undefeated (2011)

'Undefeated' (UK Release: 3 August '12) // Words: Saam Das

Having won the 2011 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, 'Undefeated' has finally arrived in UK cinemas, perhaps to capitalise on the increased interest in sports with the Olympic Games ongoing in London. The documentary is a moving portrait of a Tennessee high school football team and their passionate volunteer coach, a well deserved Oscar winner.

Watch: Olympic Games Opening Ceremony 2012 [BBC iPlayer]

Words: Saam Das

Last Friday saw the opening ceremony of the thirtieth modern Olympic Games, aka London 2012. Directed by Danny Boyle, the extravaganza saw James Bond interact with the Queen(!) and Paul McCartney see us out for the evening. This is your last chance to see the acclaimed ceremony in full for free via BBC iPlayer.

Cinema Preview: Six Films To See In August 2012

Words: Saam Das

There are some extremely dubious releases coming out this month from 'Keith Lemon The Film' (24 Aug) to 'Cockneys vs Zombies' (31 Aug), by way of 'The Expendables 2' (16 Aug). But we've already caught some good films, and you have the likes of 'Undefeated' and 'The Imposter' to look forward to.

Film Review: Searching For Sugar Man (2012)

'Searching For Sugar Man' (UK Release: 26 July '12) // Words: Saam Das

Mystery and anonymity in contemporary alternative music is something of a fad, an ill-advised marketing move. But forty years ago, American singer-songwriter Rodriguez embodied a more organic mystique. Despite acclaim from some corners, his two albums failed in his home country, only finding belated success abroad, following a disappearance into obscurity.'Searching For Sugar Man' uncovers the height of his fame and the man behind the music.

Month In Reviews: July 2012

A slew of film reviews this month, including some appropriately super superhero outings by messrs Batman and Spiderman, as well as some fine returns in the music world from Liars and Twin Shadow album-wise. For those reviews and more, keep reading below.

Film Review: The Flowers Of War (2011)

'The Flowers Of War' (UK Release: 3 August ’12 // Words: Alison Potter

Billed as ‘an epic tale of love and war’, 'The Flowers Of War' focuses on the brutal Japanese invasion of the Chinese city of Nanjing in 1937, at the start of the Sino-Japanese war. Although the events of this massacre are little known in the West, the extensive civilian suffering surrounding the occupation of Nanjing is still a controversial and incredibly sensitive subject for both the Chinese and Japanese.