SCOUTING FOR GIRLS: This Ain’t A Love Song.In 2008 Scouting For Girls became the biggest-selling new British band of the year after toiling for 10 unsigned years. And then they sold almost 1m copies of their debut album and were nominated for three Brit awards. Certainly a tale of a never-say-die spirit – and this triumphant new single, complete with soaring anthemic feel, is the best they’ve done so far. And, of course, it’s a love song really.
STATES OF EMOTION: Fight Them On The Beaches.The Essex quartet set off with the famous Winston Churchill quote and then veer off into shuffling indie rock pop set against an eerily optimistic backdrop. The boys’ done good.
CRAZY ARM: Still To Keep.It’s hard not to ponder the likes of the Clash when listening to this crunchy punky monster that considers a world where positivity and a keen prevailing spirit can ultimately triumph. Makes you wonder what world they live in.
SARAH BLASKO: We Won’t Run.She’s big in her native Australia, but this simple folky musing could come from anywhere in the world. The tender drum tumble is quirky enough, but she’ll be hard-pushed to break into the mainstream.
WE HAVE BAND: Divisive.The London trio’s minimalist synth pop sounds like they’ve come straight out of the early 80s. They haven’t.
THE FLOE: No Looking Back.There’s a cracking tale behind this album – the boyfriend of singer Sarah Springett needed a kidney transplant to save his life and she donated one of hers to him. The band has emerged stronger from the experience and no doubt that has given the lyrics a sharp, extra meaningful edge. There are some great lines in there such as “it’s not what knocks you down, it’s how you get back up’’ and the whole album is riddled with songs of love, heartache, longing and hope. There’s a folky feel in there, but it’s always well in the mainstream and the acoustic version of the classic (Love Is Like A) Heatwave is simply stunning.
THE BUTTERFLY EXPLOSIONS: Lost Trails.The Irish band are masters of hazy, sonic ebb and flow rock complete with soothing vocals and long, meandering instrumental breaks. The kind of ultra soft ethereal dream rock you’d listen to in a spa.
