New Bodies of Work Video: "Better Sorry Than Safe"

While we featured "Flyers" from London-based Bodies of Work on our most recent digital compilation, we wanted to talk about this great video and song as well, which was released as a single back in May. Those of you following UK music might recognize this band under their former name, the Far Cries, but under this new guise, they move into darker territory, not unlike the Fear of Flying to White Lies transition. This is yet another band that is due for a meteoric rise.

[mp3]: "Flyers"

New Bombay Bicycle Club Video: "Magnet"

I just watched this video two times in a row. This is the third single off of Bombay Bicycle Club's debut album.

The album still has yet to be released in the US. It's off of their debut album I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose, and it's one of my favorite songs off of it.

Chew Lips Remixed

Last month, London-based electronic popsters Chew Lips released their second single on Kitsune, "Salt Air." It's yet another promising statement from the group who have quickly become one of the in demand outfits in England. Posted below is a remix from Plastician, which is unavailable on this single.

[mp3]: "Salt Air" (Plastician remix)

Mumford and Sons Sign to Island UK

It was a rainy day in London in May '08 and I had just returned from a short pilgrimage up North (Leeds, to be exact) and I was wedging in a few meetings before heading down to Brighton for the Great Escape. One of the meetings was with Laura Marling's management, who insisted that I see Mumford and Sons that night.

I made it to Sallis Benney Theatre just before the band was to go on, and honestly, it was love at first sight. By the end of their first song, I was sold -- the music was enrapturing, and I've been an obsessive ever since. First it was "White Blank Page," then "Little Lion Man," then "Sigh No More," and now "Dust Bowl Dance." The band has s many songs to love, which is why I am ecstatic about their debut album, which is called Sigh No More, and will be out in October on Island in the UK.

No word on a US label, but like most bands like this, the album will likely see a release here early next year with a lukewarm promotional push. Let's hope that doesn't happen -- this band deserves better.

[mp3]: "White Blank Page" (BBC Radio Session)

Lightspeed Champion: New Song

Feeling a bit wistful, I decided to browse some of the old Lightspeed Champion videos on Youtube, at least the proper ones, as each one of has something special about it that makes me feel all warm inside. "Tell Me What It's Worth" reminds me of walking around London, and the pure joy that it gives me, while "Midnight Surprise" is one my favorite songs. The concept of the video could easily fall flat on its face, but the finished product works brilliantly.

"Tell Me What It's Worth"


"Midnight Surprise"


Mr. Hynes has moved from London to Brooklyn and is working on his second album. "Heavy Purple" is a teaser of what's to come, and while it may exhibit a bit too much of Prince, it's still a killer song. According to him, it "sounds nothing at all like the album, just a bit of fun..."

[mp3]: "Heavy Purple"

Noah & the Whale: New Album

Noah and the Whale are set to release their second album, the excellent The First Days Of Spring later this year. It hits UK shelves on 31 August, while the US will see it on 06 October.

US dates forthcoming.

September
3 London ICA - SOLD OUT
4 London ICA - SOLD OUT
27 Gateshead The Sage
28 Leeds The Cockpit
29 Manchester Club Academy

October
1 Oxford O2 Academy
2 London Koko
4 Norwich Waterfront
5 Cambridge Junction
7 Brighton Concorde
8 Derby Rockhouse
10 Exeter Phoenix
11 Bath Komedia
12 Falmouth Princess Pavillion
14 Sheffield Leadmill
15 Glasgow Oran Mor Auditorium

The album will also be paired with a film, available as a DVD the same day.
You can see the film at the following.
7th + 8th August - Belladrum Festival (Read Bed Stage) - Inverness
9th August - Big Chill Festival (Film Four Tent) - Malvern Hills
10th August - Cameo Picturehouse - Edinburgh*
30th August - Watershed - Bristol*
31st August - Cornerhouse - Manchester*
1st September - Film Theatre - Glasgow*
2nd September - Showroom - Sheffield*
4th September - ICA - London*
* = includes Q&A with Charlie Fink

The track heard is "Blue Skies" and will be the first single off of the album.

[mp3]: "The First Days of Spring"

The Great Escape Preview (The More Assured)

When a band comes along that shakes up a music scene, they are always followed by a ton of imitators, some bad and some that are good. The Libertines brought about a lot of copycats, but London's The More Assured fall into the latter group, also being part of a larger network of capital area (post) teenage bands that are starting to garner international notice. Among these are Kets, FortyFives, Lo-Fi Culture Scene and former band of the week, Pull in Emergency. The band has just a few singles out, all of which are out of print except for the latest one, "I Wanna Be a Sex Offender." Their next show will be a slot at this year's Great Escape in Brighton (England) on May 15th.

Download: "Zones" [mp3] // [Buy Here]