Come Pick Me Up

I both love and lament the fact that Pitchfork has caught onto Dikembe – my favorite little ragtag crew of melodic punk/emo purveyors. As long as they don’t spoil them for the rest of us. Stream the band’s new track ‘Healer of the Pride’ below from their Tiny Engines/Topshelf split 7″ with the Jazz June. Be sure to explore Dikembe’s debut full-length Broad Shoulders, which is easily one of my favorites from last year.

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Dikembe Bandcamp

Finally. The new record from Glasgow’s Three Blind Wolves has quite easily been my most anticipated record of the past couple of years.  Sing Hallelujah for the Old Machine will be released in physical form later this month, but is already available digitally. You can stream the entire album here  thanks to the fine folks over at Gold Flake Paint. Be sure to get your hands on a copy of the previous singles/EPs as well- which are responsible for launching the band out of regional mini-stardom and into wider critical acclaim.

Oxford’s MMX, a band that rose in the wake of its former self, Francesqa, calling it quits about a year ago, probably won’t be flying under your radar for much longer. The four piece recently released a new track from its upcoming debut EP Child, which will be out on February 3rd. The release of the new tracks are accompanied by a sold out show at London’s Sebright Arms.  Preview the track above, or head to the band’s official page to see their video for “Follow”.

“They say your skills are your incompetence.”

I keep waiting for Big Success to do something more – because they basically epitomise everything I like about music. While I’ve been spinning the same six songs for well over two years now, I’ll never tire of them – though another 1, 2, or 200 Big Success tracks would be well appreciated. The Norwich based three piece is currently recording their debut album at the moment, and it’s sure to be well worth the wait. Acquaint yourself with the band’s six track EP at Bandcamp in the meantime.

Everyone is jumping on this train now. Rightfully so.  Pitchfork and its seeming antithesis, Radio 1, actually seem to agree. In addition to their two recently release EPs, the 1975 is back in March with yet another entitled Music for Cars. Featured above is the new (though familiar to former Drive Like I Do fans) track “Chocolate” – one of my favourites.

Young English – ‘Tonight, Tonight’

Thanks for this, New York.  Although counter-intuitive, a bit of melodic, yet gritty, punk  rock is my jam. When I  stumbled across Young English and their split with Pentimento (another fast favourite of mine) a couple of months ago, more and more and more and more of it was all I wanted. For something familiar to start with, check out the band’s fantastic over of ‘Tonight, Tonight’ – but be sure to dive into their first EP I Hate My Friends and their recently released split.

“I’ve spent summers away, hiding in rivers and lakes.”

London’s Eliza and the Bear have been a longtime favorite of mine, and I am thrilled to see them getting their just deserves in the way of recognition. Preview the band’s upcoming double A-side (‘Upon the North’ and ‘The Southern Wild’), which will be released on 25th February, by checking out their new official video above.  Moreover, head to their Soundcloud page to hear a couple more tracks.

“It’s my party, and I will cry until it ends.”

So, I’m trying this new thing. It’s a novel idea, but I think it might work. Instead of posting a few YouTube videos in the span of six months and pretending like I still write a blog, it seems a good idea to actually just…write my blog. With a helpful nudge (or five) from a friend, I’m back cracking at keys with the 1975 – a Mancunian alt-punk/indie four piece with two immense and recently released EPs. With a more than modest following here in the UK, the band also has quite the chance of breaking in the States as longstanding indie mainstay Vagrant Record’s new signing. While they’ve finally nailed down both a moniker and an identity (formerly known Drive Like I Do and a brief string of at least 3 other names), they’ve also nailed down one of my favourite new tracks of the past few months.

This song makes me want to come out of one of my all-too-habitual blog hiatuses. I have listened to it ad nauseam, minus the nausea. Liverpool’s All We Are have just this past weekend released the video for their new single “Cardhouse” and have, ever so kindly, put the track up for a free download as well. The  highly anticipated new EP entitled We Hunt”, which was recorded in isolation in a small cabin in the Norwegian forest, is to follow shortly after.  If you’re based in London, the band has a fair few shows scheduled throughout the summer…

“All We Are” – FREE DOWNLOAD