tUnE-yArDs 'Nikki Nack'

Never one to do things by halves, the irrepressible Merrill Garbus has created in ‘nikki nack’ about as individualistic an album as you could hope to find, every facet of every track shot through with her utterly unique, and completely zany, musical identity. But, as they say, just because something is unique doesn’t mean it’s good, and armed with this truism it’s time to dive into the cartoon reality of tUnE yArDs’ latest creation…

Haunted Hearts 'Initiation'

Initiation is a long overdue longplayer collaboration between Dee Dee Penny, beguiling front woman of Dum Dum Girls and Brandon Welchez, her guitarist husband and founding member of California surf-poppers Crocodile - aka Haunted Hearts. Born of winter nights in their NYC home surrounded by the rich harmonies of Motown, and recorded in sun-drenched San Diego, this album is eight songs of lofi pop perfection.

Opening track Initiate Me begins with what sounds like a literal klaxon, heralding an unassuming start that would be underwhelming if it didn’t provide a subtle platform from which the rest of the shoegazey majesty launches. By the time second song, the Siouxsie Sioux-esque Up Is Up (But So Is Down) reaches the halfway point, it all begins to make sense.

Win 2 Tickets to Camden Rocks Festival!

Taking place on Saturday 31st May, Camden Rocks Festival has some amazing artists from the world of punk, rock and Indie playing across twenty different venues, in the world famous rock and roll town of Camden. The Subways, Reverend And The Makers, Nine Black Alps, Turbowolf, The Blackout and many more well-known names join an army of emerging talent which totals more than 200 artists in one day - Including God Damn, Slaves, Bleech, Baby Godzilla and Vuvuvultures.

We are giving you the chance to win a pair of tickets (to be collected at the event on the day)...

RULES

1. You must be over 18 to enter. ID will be required on your collection of the tickets on the day.

2. Follow the instructions on the rafflecoptor below, and come back each day for extra bonus entries.

3. The competition is open to UK entrants only.

4. The competition closes at 6pm (18:00) GMT on Wednesday May 28th. A winner will be picked that evening at random via Rafflecopter and notified via twitter. If a response is not received by Thursday May 29th at 18:00 hrs, another winner will be picked at random

5. We will monitor and verify all entries - any found to be inaccurate or duplicates (apart from where the rules allow), will be disqualified.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To keep bang up to date with all the happenings, keep an eye on Camden Rocks' Facebook page, Twitter or download the App.

Sharon Van Etten 'Are We There'

We haven’t seen her since her third album Tramp in 2012, but Sharon Van Etten is back with her stunning new record Are We There. The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter is famed for her intimate vocals and poignant lyricism, which won her unmatchable praise in Tramp, and propelled her break-through into the industry. The Sunday Times labelled the songstress’ third LP ‘one of the first indisputable masterpieces of 2012’; Are We There will undoubtedly follow this precedent.

Falls 'Dirtbox'

EP Review

Fuck Rock – that’s what this review is about. It is the genre-label under which raucous Welsh foursome Falls choose to file the music they make; elsewhere they call it Gash Pop and Sasscore. Well then. If any of this offends you, you’re really not going to deal well with Falls, but don’t worry, Coldplay are still making music. The chances are, though, that if you’ve kept reading even this far you’re intrigued, if nothing else, and oh, how richly rewarded you will be…

Live At Leeds 2014 Review

"...Leeds' streets, pavements and venues are buzzing with passionate music seekers on this first Saturday of May. Live At Leeds has returned in a blaze of glory for its 8^th year..."

Photos: Andy Benge, Tracey Welch, Benjamin Paul Smith

Leeds' streets, pavements and venues are buzzing with passionate music seekers on this first Saturday of May, all eager to celebrate their first festival of the year.  Live At Leeds has returned in a blaze of glory for its 8^th year, with a stellar line-up (including a few last-minute 'big' names), that has an army of wristband-wearers hopping from one venue to another in the sunshine. 

The Flight 'The Sinner Inside'

EP Review

Henson and Smith go right back to 2005, which saw them collaborate on the production of an album for Joe’s then band Seventhsun. Since then, the pair has been producing, composing, song writing - you name it. They have worked with music industry giants including Lana Del Rey and newcomer Chloe Howel, and even composed soundtracks for some of the game industry’s biggest titles, namely Alien Isolation and Assassins Creed. The duo encountered well-earned success with the release of their debut record entitled ‘Hangman’, which featured guest vocals from Keaton Henson, and landed a top 10 place in the Hype Machine ‘Popular Chart’.

Then Thickens 'Death Cap At Anglezarke'

Album review

Who says a leopard never changes its spots? In 2009 Jon-Lee Martin hid himself away behind a pseudonym and a nightmarish translucent mask as he let rip one of the most psychotic albums of the noughties with cult act KONG. That album, ‘Snake Magnet’, remains, for better or for worse, a force of nature, absolutely essential listening to a certain breed of self-flagellating hardcore fan, but it also represents a musical territory almost antipodean to ‘Death Cap at Anglezarke’, the frank debut album from his new project Then Thickens, which may just be one of the most important records of the year.  

Shonen Knife - live review

Leeds Brudenell, May 1st 2014

Although not part of Live at Leeds, this gig did feel a little like an unofficial curtain raiser for the city's annual music showcase. Fitting then, that it took place at the Leeds music scene's spiritual home, the Brudenell, which proved to be the perfect match for Shonen Knife's infectious power pop-punk. In fact, what band doesn't seem to revel within the famous venue's walls?