From the opening few bars of ‘Trouble’ it seems clear that the debut release from King Cole is nothing short of bliss incarnate. The gorgeous vibe that opens the Cold Blue EP seems all the more poignant when you discover that it was woven from a place of heartbreak and suffering, and it is soon tinged with a hint of bittersweet. The darker side of their music is most striking in the throes of ‘Friend Song’ which sits on the opposite end of the spectrum and evokes a keen sense of isolation. This breath-takingly evocative new Americana project is the labour of love of frontman Jacob Cole. Ranging from splendid psychedelica to soundtrack a hazy midwinter morning, to delicate folk so raw and personal it must be played on his own heartstrings, the whole release is permeated with a feeling that Jacob gives a piece of his soul to every song he creates. It defies logic that music so airy and fragile can be so powerful, as though moving a mountain with a gentle breeze. California’s King Cole can make all seem right with the world or bring a tear to your eye depending on whatever mood takes them.
Fans of Keaton Henson, Gavin James and the lighter side of Ryan Adams and The War On Drugs should check out their debut EP Cold Blue.
Judged solely on her gorgeous, silky smooth vocals Mariam is a phenomenally talented artist and certainly one to watch. However look beyond her fantastic voice and you’ll find that this South London based singer/songwriter has a lot more to offer. Songs such as her debut single ‘Be There For Me’ has all the hooks you could want for a big hit alongside meaningful lyricism and heartfelt storytelling. On tracks like the folk inspired ‘Running’ it becomes apparent that she has a way with weaving her innermost thoughts and emotions into a rich musical tapestry, creating a profoundly passionate yet accessible work of art. Musically a diverse and expansive backdrop takes the songs to new heights with all the hints of pop, folk and soul building up to create an inviting and addictive atmosphere. Here we find an artist that can create something truly beautiful that speaks to some deep down part within all of us. I doubt it will be long until Mariam is selling out venues across the country and has Jools Holland rushing to call.
One of the best ways to become a truly influential and captivating band is to master a wide range of styles and genres and flick between them with the greatest of ease. As you can imagine that is a lot easier said than done, but Banana High are certainly on the right track. Their music is the curious lovechild of ska and post-hardcore, combining two very different genres to create something truly unique. The reggae infused tracks like ‘Little Time Away’ and ‘People Make Money (Make The World Go Round)’ have an irresistibly danceable groove and the band’s aesthetic is full of carefree fun. Songs like ‘Still In Disguise’ with it’s gritty yet slick harmonies and ‘All That We Are’ with it’s complex rhythms showcase the band’s darker side. On paper this combination shouldn’t work but yet here we are! It certainly helps matters that the band show a very high standard of musicianship, particularly the virtuoso guitar work that in places has subtle hints of flamenco. With a second EP on the way later this year we can all look forward to more of Banana High’s fascinating musical fusion.
This south London quartet are quite possibly one of the most suave new bands in years. Oozing the kind of effortless cool that most people can only dream of they have tapped in to something that is simultaneously old at heart and invigoratingly refreshing. Tracks such as ‘Dreaming of Another Girl’ harks back to 60s mod legends such as The Who and The Kinks and ‘Long Way Down’ sounds like the curious offspring of The Doors and The Beach Boys. The fuzzy blues stomp of tracks such as ‘Love You ‘Cause You’re There’ fits perfectly alongside garage rock gods The White Stripes and The Black Keys. The fact that Vincent Davies and Ranald MacDonald share vocal duties throws an intriguing dynamic into the mix and thus far the artwork for their singles is nothing short of stunning. An all around feast for the senses Hidden Charms have a fair deal of flair and more than enough talent to back it up. This band are the missing piece of the puzzle that will fill a gap in your life that you never knew existed till now.
There are many ways to make a hit and this quartet from Liverpool have a whole recipe book for weird and wonderful top tracks. ‘We Used To Be In Love’ is a golden 80’s throwback reminiscent of ‘Jessie’s Girl’, ‘Loud Places’ boasts a nerve-tingling bass line, the disjointed fuzz of ‘Vitamin C’ is in a whole different class and the thrilling indie hit ‘Pick Me Up’ is sheer rapturous joy. Clean Cut Kid blend together the best of the indie scene bands such as Vampire Weekend with a dash of deliriously infectious 80s vibes from the likes of Peter Gabriel, Bryan Adams and Bruce Springsteen. If you add into the mix all the little eccentricities that show that they have nothing to fear from forging their own path, you’ll find that you have all you could ever want from a band …and don’t even get me started on frontman Mike Halls’ magnificent beard! Whatever your tastes Clean Cut Kid will assuredly make your life brighter.
Nothing excites me more than a band that pushes themselves to their creative limits, joyfully embarking on sonic adventures with reckless abandon. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, The Skeleton Keys are just such a band. Though they have grown from indie roots, their music has blossomed into a multifarious marvel. ‘Cannonball’ features elements of funk, a dash of Noel Gallagher and some heavy alternative riffs. Tracks like the light and shade of ‘Blue Sky Believer’ and the effervescent ‘Manic Pixie Dream Girl’ boast colourful melodies that are sure to leave a smile on your face, but also contain plenty of complexity to showcase the band’s superb musicianship. To top it all off their debut EP is adorned with some simply gorgeous artwork, which is always a plus! The Skeleton Keys have hit the sweet spot, the perfect mix between innovation and entertainment, and if their first release is anything to go by then we could have an award winning album in store one day.
Belwood Music 