EP Review: Mt. Wolf - Hypolight

'Hypolight' EP (UK Release: 8 April '13) // Words: Saam Das

London's Mt. Wolf released their impressive debut EP, 'Life Size Ghosts', toward the end of last year, and have seen their stock rise considerably since. Recently announcing a new headline show at London's Union Chapel, alongside a slew of festival appearances, they've unveiled another set of enrapturing dream-folk songs with the 'Hypolight' EP.

Download: BASTILLE - Other People's Heartache Part 2 [New EP]

Words: Saam Das

I found it slightly perplexing that BASTILLE failed to make it onto either the BBC Sound Of 2013 longlist or the Blog Sound Of 2013. With a debut album set to drop next year, rave live reviews and a following numbering 50,000 Facebook fans - it seemed inevitable. Regardless, BASTILLE are giving us the gift of a new film-inspired mixtape/EP. Sample it below.

Surfacing: Ninetails [New Band]

Words: Simon Opie

Liverpool band Ninetails are Ed Black, Jordan Balaber, Phil Morris and Jake King, and we featured the excellent video to their song 'Rawdon Fever' recently. They are back here because their first London gig is tonight at the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town, ahead of their debut EP, 'Slept And Did Not Sleep', out on December 10th. Listen in full below.

EP Review: Mt. Wolf - Life Size Ghosts

Words: Saam Das

We realise that no-one really cares who posts what first but on the rare occasion when we probably have been the first to post something, we might as well pipe up about it. Such is the case with Mt. Wolf, who we wrote about back in February, declaring their song 'Life Size Ghosts' as "one of the most hypnotic tracks of the year". It spearheads their debut EP, which you can listen to in full below.

Download: 65daysofstatic - The Last Dance [Free EP]

Words: Saam Das

Sheffield's 65daysofstatic are often described as post-rock and while that may be true, they wear many other hats thanks to their strongly electronic and experimental leanings. For those who are unaware of their brilliance, the band are giving away a free EP of collected works from their back catalogue. Download 'The Last Dance' below.

Download: Erika Spring - Hidden [New EP Preview]

Words: Jack Thomson

Some of you may remember us featuring the debut single from Erika Spring last year. '6 More Weeks' was a beautifully constructed, joyful pop song that was a strong first outing for Spring as a solo artist. Having had formidable success as one-third of Au Revoir Simone, a Brooklyn based dream-pop outfit playing upbeat keyboard-based electronic music, Spring returns with the launch of her self-titled debut solo EP.

EP Review: Blowgoat - Blowgoat

Blowgoat - 'Blowgoat' EP (UK Release: 16 April '12) // Words: Simon Opie

Until their untimely demise, Goatboy were my favourite Welsh band. Now Blowgoat have taken that honourable position in my affections. I don’t believe they’re related, other than through an obvious liking for goats, and Blowgoat have a more vicious streak than their predecessors that runs right through their punk/metal fusion music.

EP Review: PJ Harvey - iTunes Session

PJ Harvey - 'iTunes Session' (UK Release: 9 Sept '11) // Words: Kieran Toms

This set of PJ Harvey songs is mainly just PJ Harvey doing what she does best which is make lovely, atmospheric, slightly mysterious music. Perhaps there’s a little bit more swagger, with the live spontaneity, but these are pretty faithful interpretations. The differences are subtle, and perhaps most appeal to the loyal PJ Harvey fan rather than a casual listener. Though PJ Harvey is good, so perhaps most casual listeners will soon become fans.

EP Review: Mogwai - Earth Division

Mogwai - 'Earth Division' EP (UK Release: 12 Sept '11) //
Words: Simon Opie

Mogwai really are busy just now - touring, recording and exploring. Last year’s 'Special Moves' was absolutely one of the best live albums of all time, and this year’s 'Hardcore Will Never Die But You Will' was a truly excellent album from a band on top form. Now they have released 'Earth Division', a 4-track EP which explores some quite different avenues.

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.

EP Review: Alex Turner - Submarine

Words: Emily Solan // Alex Turner - 'Submarine' EP (UK Release: 14 March '11)

After last week’s ridiculous Arctic Monkeys announcement, this solo EP from the main man is a wondrous surprise. More reminiscent of his Last Shadow Puppets work than anything the Monkeys have done, this is the perfect platform for him to demonstrate a newfound maturity to his voice.

EP Review: Howlin Rain - The Good Life

Words: Simon Opie

Howlin Rain - 'The Good Life' EP (Release: 26 Nov' 10)

This swoops out of the sky like a sparrow hawk, grabs you by the throat and carries you into the clear blue yonder. Title track 'Good Life' is an absolute belter that’s followed by a funky cover of the Jimi Hendrix tune 'Burning Of The Midnight Lamp' before 'Hung Out In The Rain' concludes proceedings with a fried gospel workout. Sounds weird? Well it is, but then Ethan Miller’s side project (alongside Comets On Fire) has never been easy to classify.

The ingredients are fairly simple – rough and ready (but expert) guitar, swirling organ, rock steady rhythm section, occasional horns and a raw tho’ classic American blue collar vocal. But the end result takes retro and fits it with a jet engine that fires it way into the distance.

EP Review: Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea - I Watched It From The Roadside

Words: Simon Opie

Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea – 'I Watched It From The Roadside' EP

Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea hail from Brighton and a music scene that has consistently produced great bands from The Levellers and Clearlake to The Kooks and Brakes. So they have a lot to live up to. 'I Watched It From the Roadside' is the band's new EP and has already attracted some deservedly good reviews. Whilst it’s clear that the Crooked Mountain, Crooked Sea sound is still developing, the foundation - which reminds me of And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead... - is hook-laden storytelling overlaid with an alt-rock sensibility.

EP Review: Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukelele

Words: Simon Opie

Amanda Palmer - 'Amanda Palmer Performs The Popular Hits Of Radiohead On Her Magical Ukulele'


Amanda Palmer, of the on-hiatus Dresden Dolls and following a long struggle, formerly of Roadrunner Records, has released a new EP featuring Radiohead covers played mostly on the ukulele. So is it a novelty record?