Listen: Hilang Child - Thule [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

It was about a year ago at Brighton's Great Escape that we caught the majesty of Ed Riman and his Hilang Child outfit. Alas, there wasn't many people around that day but we're glad to say there's more of the same sound on atmospheric new single 'Thule'.

Surfacing: FACE [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

'Devil', the glorious opening salvo from London trio FACE emerged earlier this month. There's been surprisingly little coverage of the track thus far, considering just how impressive it is. Dare I compare the anthemic 'Devil' to Embrace's 'Ashes'? I dare. (I still think that is a genuinely top notch song.) Check out the new track below, along with their cover of Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt'.

Listen: Shannon Saunders - Bodies & Beats [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

Shannon Saunders rose to prominence at the end of last year with the dancey 'Sheets' and the wonky pop of 'Silly Little Things' but it's her latest track 'Bodies & Beats' that has really caught my eye/ear. The track appears on her forthcoming debut four track 'Instar' EP, alongside 'Silly Little Things'. Listen to both tracks below.

On Camera #22: The Falling / Avengers: Age Of Ultron / Peter Kay's Car Share / Galaxy Quest / Black Mass

Words: Saam Das

In Cinemas: 'The Falling' (2014) + 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron' (2015)

Listen: TLC - Waterfalls (AOSOON Cover)

Words: Saam Das

We only just wrote about London twosome AOSOON (AlotOfSomethingOutOfNothing) in our tips for The Great Escape 2015, but they've only gone and covered RnB legends TLC, who we've always had a soft spot for. (One of our posts is even cited on a TLC Wikipedia page, which is obviously a career highlight.) Check out the acoustic cover and the original track below:

Remixed: Spector - All The Sad Young Men (Fairewell Remix)

Words: Saam Das

Spector's 2013 debut album 'Enjoy It While It Lasts' was reasonably well received - a breezy indie record. Their ambitions have since increased, as demonstrated by the moody 'All The Sad Young Men', the first single from their follow up album. We particularly like the atmospheric Fairewell remix of the single, which you can listen to below alongside the original track.

Festival Preview: The Great Escape 2015 @ Brighton [Fifteen Bands To Watch]

The Great Escape Festival @ various venues across Brighton (14-16 May '15) // Words: Saam Das

Festival season is upon us, and we have a special place in our heart for the increasing number of multi-venue offerings placed in a more urban setting. The Great Escape is arguably the best of these festivals in the UK, and seen as a worthy contender to America's ever popular industry shindig SXSW. We've been running around Brighton's plethora of venues as much as possible since the very first offering back in 2006, and here's some recommendations for its tenth edition:

Surfacing: Little White Things [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

Emerging toward the end of 2014 before taking some time out to recruit new members, London's Little White Things are back and ready to attack 2015. Listen to other-worldly debut single 'Step Back', whose rousing nature is evocative of the likes of Of Monsters And Men and Mumford & Sons.

Review: Are You Listening? Festival 2015

Are You Listening? Festival @ various venues across Reading (18 April '15) // Words: Saam Das

Reading's Are You Listening? Festival entered its third edition in 2015, one of an increasing string of urban-based multi-venue festivals. With dozens of acts playing across more than ten venues, there was plenty on offer - and better still, everything seemed terribly well organised. A worthy counterpart to the established Reading Festival.

Telly Text #38: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt + Lip Sync Battle

Words: Jordan Andrew

'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'

I feel a bit behind talking about 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt', it premiered last month on Netflix however whenever I think about it the show I have the theme tune stuck in my head. I would even say it is arguable one of the best television theme tunes of 2015 so far. Starring Ellie Kemper as Kimmy Schmidt - a naïve woman who escapes from a doomsday cult and decides to adjust to a life in New York City.

On Camera #21: John Wick / While We're Young / Daredevil / Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Words: Saam Das

In Cinemas: 'John Wick' (2014) + 'While We're Young' (2015)

Listen: K.I.D - Bong Song [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

I didn't quite "get" Canadian twosome Kids In Despair aka K.I.D until their melodramatic recent track 'Stoned On The School Bus'. New song 'Bong Song' is an obviously titled companion piece, but with a significant burst of pace and added energy - watch the suitably rough-around-the-edges video below, which also segues into the aforemention 'Stoned On The School Bus'.

Preview: Are You Listening? Festival 2015 [Ten Recommended Bands To Watch]

Are You Listening? Festival @ venues across Reading (18 April 2015) // Words: Saam Das

We've never been to Reading's Are You Listening? Festival but we've heard good things from our contemporaries, and as a bargain-tastic £12 for a day of live music, we've taken the plunge in 2015. Not to mention that proceeds go to Reading Mencap and the festival has a grassroots policy of supporting local music. Take a look at some of our recommended acts to see:

Remixed: Elliphant - Never Been In Love (RAC Remix)

Words: Saam Das

There are some acts that you simply look forward to hearing anything new from - Andre Allen Anjos's RAC project is one such act. His 'Strangers' double album last year was a magnificent collection of summery synth-pop, and his latest effort continues that strong work. Check out the glorious remix of Elliphant's 'Never Been In Love', and download the original for free thanks to Sony imprint Kemosabe Records.

Listen: Mt. Wolf - Burgs [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

One of the most pleasing things of 2014 was the return of Mt. Wolf - even without former lead vocalist Kate Sproule, their comeback track 'Red' felt as naturally Mt. Wolf as any of their fantastic previous tracks had ever done. That song leads their newly released EP of the same name, and you can listen to the sprawling closer 'Burgs' below.

Listen: Black Gold Buffalo - Penkenna [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

I'll admit that London trio Black Gold Buffalo have completely passed me by - and it's certainly been my loss. There's a tinge of Warpaint about the work of Hannah Holland, Joy Josephs, and Keziah Stilwell, as you may extract from their first official single 'Penkenna'. Listen to that track and more, below.

Surfacing: Mt. Doubt [New Act]

Words: Saam Das

Edinburgh-based Leo Bargery has been quietly going about his business for the last few months, putting out a handful of tracks to introduce us to his Mt. Doubt project and his forthcoming debut album. Mainly receiving praise from Scottish blogs and following in the footsteps of fellow emotive Scots such as Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad, Bargery will be hoping to widen his reach as those bands have managed.

Listen: Port Isla - A.L.I.V.E. [EP Preview]

Words: Saam Das

Port Isla cry "we never look back" on their new track 'A.L.I.V.E.' but really 2014 was a good year for the Norwich/London outfit, who not only delivered one of the best songs of the year in the rollicking 'Steamroller' but also signed to Parlophone Records. Their latest track 'A.L.I.V.E' continues their anthemic trend, and could fill the unfortunate gap that the recently disbanded Noah And The Whale are leaving.

Listen: Matt Woods - Leaning Towers [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

Cornish solo artist Matt Woods moved to London three or so years ago, and has been honing his sound since, re-emerging with a string of tracks to kick 2015 off with a bang. Settling on "future soul", driven by Woods' heartfelt vocals, the latest emotive track 'Leaning Towers' suggest he's onto a winner.

Download: Team Me - F Is For Faker

Words: Saam Das

A bountiful Sunday it is, what with Jesus and his Easter eggs, as well as Norwegian outfit Team Me giving away some of their excellent tracks in celebration of their forthcoming UK tour dates with The Wombats. Familiarise yourself with the band below.

Listen: Shy For Shore - One More Life [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Following up 2014's CHVRCHES-esque 'Steal My Car', the opening to Shy For Shore's latest synth-pop gem 'One More Life' is the most sparkling intro we've heard for quite some time. And importantly, it's backed up by the rest of the single.

Surfacing: haux [New Band]

Words: Saam Das

Listening to Mt. Wolf's latest track led me onto newnewnew band haux, with a grand total of 22 Facebook likes at the time of writing. As it happens, we picked up on Mt Wolf similarly early, so the parallels aren't simply in their shared atmospheric folk sounds. Quietly emerging at the end of last year, the New York-based trio also evoke the likes of Daughter and early Bon Iver, as displayed by the tracks below.