Year In Review: Tips For 2014 Revisited

Words: Saam Das

We delivered our tips for 2014 in a fashionably late manner at the end of February, and now we've deemed it a suitable time to reflect upon our choices. If anything, it was our additional tips that really hit the heights - with Jack FG suggesting Jungle and Royal Blood, while I also tipped George Ezra. Check out how our main ones to watch did below.

Year In Review: Simon Opie's Top Twenty Albums Of 2014 [Part Two]

Words: Simon Opie

10: Pink Mountaintops - 'Get Back'

We reviewed this one in springtime and it has remained a firm favourite all year. Stephen McBean’s side project exudes freedom and this loose format conveys a wonderful sense of friends together making the kind of music they really like to hear. Borrowing from a host of influences it’s just so, well, unpretentious. Best cover art of the year too.
Buy only one track: 'The Second Summer Of Love'

Buried Treasures: Toys (1992)

Words: Saam Das

The passing of Robin Williams earlier this year shocked the world - he was the most searched trend on Google in 2014, above Ebola and the World Cup, a testament to the quality of his work. One of his final films, 'Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb' is in UK cinemas this week but we'll instead reflect on one of his earlier, and most underrated works, Barry Levinson's imaginative 1992 film 'Toys'.

Year In Review: Simon Opie's Top Twenty Albums Of 2014 [Part One]

Words: Simon Opie

20: Slipknot - '.5: The Gray Chapter'

After the death of Paul Gray, Slipknot’s future seemed unsure and when Joey Jordison, their talismanic and talented drummer, was fired, well the game seemed up. But '.5: The Gray Chapter' shows enormous resolve in the face of adversity and whilst it may lack some of the sheer bombast of previous albums it is undeniably a fine effort and a very fitting tribute to a fallen comrade. Buy only one track: 'The Devil In I'

Year In Review: Rajan Lakhani's Top Ten Albums Of 2014

Words: Rajan Lakhani

10. Popstrangers - 'Fortuna'

'Fortuna' is a fantastically ambitious, graceful record, with the band’s pop sensibilities coming through to the fore to create their most engaging album to date. The album's hazy atmosphere provides the perfect backdrop to their romantic tales.

Surfacing: Chris Cookson [New Artist]

Words: Saam Das

There's something deeply nostalgic and elegant about Chris Cookson's debut solo track 'Pillow Talk' - qualities that we don't usually associate with new artists, yet ones which work perfectly for Cookson. He's also just come under the wing of Laissez Faire Club, who have worked with plenty of strong acts in the past few years. Which bodes well, one would say. Judge for yourself below.

On Camera #12: The Imitation Game / Hello Carter / Goodbye To Language / The Congress / Golden Globes

Words: Saam Das

In Cinemas: 'The Imitation Game' (2014) + 'Hello Carter' (2013)

Listen: Purity Ring - Push Pull [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Canadian electro twosome Purity Ring made an unexpected yet welcome return last week, with new single 'Push Pull' - and quite frankly, we haven't heard enough good things said about it. So here we are. The newest effort is their most "pop" track to date, while sparkling with the same vibrant and off-kilter energy that characterised their initial success.

Listen: HATS - 6 Words (Wretch 32 Cover)

Words: Saam Das

We last caught up with HATS under their previous moniker of John And Garry, the sibling duo from Ayrshire. The Kerr brothers seem to have moved slightly further south now, to sunny Manchester, while still retaining the emotive spirit that saw me originally compare the band to Idlewild and Biffy Clyro. Even on their latest track, a cover of Wretch 32's new single '6 Words'.

Surfacing: Casper Cult [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

An 'Endless Nightmare' opens the debut EP from Aussie duo Casper Cult but an endless nightmare, their music is not. Instead, Dylan Hill and Alisha Lindell opt for something dreamier and electronic-based - a move which pays dividends, as you can hear by streaming the 'Domesticated' EP below.

Download: Gold Spectacles - Lately [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

British duo Gold Spectacles have been on our radar for a while, but as we have a bit of a thing against "mystery" bands, we've held off posting until they'd delivered something that truly wowed us. And with the laidback yet layered 'Lately', they've done just that. Download for free via the widget below.