Shrag -” Tendons In The Night”
British art-pop five-piece Shrag’s third album Canines will be released in May via Fortuna POP! and WIAIWYA. “Tendons in the Night” recalls the strident melodies and edginess of bands like the Au-pairs and Delta 5 . Within a musical landscape that embraces “the new boring” (see The Brits) Shrag’s presence is not only welcomed but very much needed. They describe the song as “a voyeuristic ode to the pursuit of gymnastic perfection, but we doubt very much it will be sanctioned by the IOC.” So now you know 
Here’s another fab track from the forthcoming album entitled “Chasing Consummations”
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Hollowmoon.
Combining the dark lyricism of Nick Cave with the visceral passion of early Waterboys’ albums, Brighton’s Hollowmoon explore the darkness of the human condition with intelligence and compassion. Themes such as love, isolation, loss (of self) , the dying of the light are amongst the subjects explored and its safe to say if you like your music happy and clappy you may wish to look elsewhere. But if being lobotomised by inanity ain’t your thing then you will find Hollowmoon have much to offer. After releasing a critically lauded début album ‘Closer Than The Blood’ the band are set to record their follow up album in 2012. In the meantime check out this rather excellent track
And here’s the video which appears to feature a nice young lady experiencing the deep joy that only a pony ride can induce.
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Kids On Bridges – “Check Your Head.”
We first came across Kid On Bridges when they released “Pop Star” complete with a viral video attacking the X-factor with the message “Its a show that has nothing to do with music, just people desperate to be famous for the sake of being famous and one greedy man draining every ounce of credibility out of the UK music scene, it must be stopped” We of course wholeheartedly approved. Since then they have been busy boys, drawing comparisons to Daft Punk, Phoenix and Basement Jaxx amongst others. “Check Your Head” is one side of a Double A side single” which also features “This Is Widescreen.” If it’s filthy dirty electro pop you’re after then look no further.
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Adventure Galley
Imagine Alex Kapranos on a sugar rush, imagine The Killers before Brandon Flowers disappeared up his own fundament, and imagine if MGMT hadn’t let those funny little pills mess with their heads, man. Then imagine hooking up with a producer who has also been working with the wayward genius that is William Reid Of The Jesus And Mary Chain. Well imagine no more because Post-Punk/Synth-Rock sextet from Portland, Adventure Gally, have all these elements in place and sound like a band on the cusp of acquiring “TNBT“ big thing style tags on the evidence of the songs below.
“Weekend Lovers.”
“Addict”
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Novella – “Don’t Believe Ayn Rand”
Objectively speaking , never judge a book by it’s cover, Novella may look all sweetness and light, like butter wouldn’t melt, but by Jove, live they are very LOUD. We caught them some months ago opening for Veronica Falls and Dum Dum Girls and our ears are still reverberating from exposure to their sonic goodness. Their latest track “Don’t Believe Ayn Rand” is a wonderful melodic shoegazey affair conjuring up the ghosts of Lush, Belly, The Breeders and MBV. Its from their latest EP released 19th March and can be pre-ordered HERE
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Amongst The Pigeons -” The Inherent Racism Of Doves “
Best title of the week? Check, oddest song of the week? Check, yet another avian musical moniker? Check, but is it any good ? Check! Amongst The Pigeons apparently, “is a place inhabited by soaring loops and the beating of electronic wings” Furthermore gigs apparently feature “dance floors flocked with people wearing pigeon masks.” “The Inherent Racism Of Doves” sounds rather like The Orb and Belle and Sebastian chillin’ during the “post rave come down.” The single is out on the 5th March and also boasts another gloriously titled track -” The Return Of The Red-Eyed Raver” which sounds like a diary entry from my youth
Nice!