Tara Masterson Hally - 'To The Flame'

"Does he see the girl I'd like to think I am? / Or does he see a fool? I Know I can..." 

It may be only the sixth track she's delivered upon us thus far but Tara Masterson Hally has already carved out an impressively distinct sound for herself. As with previous tracks (such as 'Lingering'), 'To The Flame' is an atmospheric little bundle of wispy instrumentation and yet more affecting introspection. It's meaningful and emotive and though, in times ahead, it would be interesting to see a change in pace/direction, these candle-lit gems sure fit nicely for now.

Tara Masterson Hally plays Dublin Camden Crawl this Saturday.

The Cast of Cheers - 'Family' (Video and JAPE Remix)

Following the whirlwhind success that was Chariots (it has now been deleted for some reason) Cast of Cheers' return with their first single proper and it doesn't diappoint. 'Family' is an another absolute belter, packed with more of the same taut, punchy riffs and ridiculously catchy vocals (familee-hee-hee!), it's the type of track that gets your limbs flailing and lips moving. Having relocated to London last year and having recently received props from Zane Lowe, they're undoubtedly a band on the up and up. 'Family' is released on 20th February on School Boy Error/Cooperative Music and the eye-twitchingly good video - which is directed by Russell Weekes and made up of 5,000 separate photographs -  is available to view below.

Also below is the new Jape remix of the track, which offers a more chilled, elongated take on things.

New Video: White Collar Boy - Capslock (Feat. Gemma Dunlovely)

I loved White Collar Boy's Solar Midnight EP and 'Capslock' - arguably the best track on it - now has an accompanying video. It comes courtesy of the creative types at 1441, a new collective comprised of DIT students, and it features some nice time-lapsed footage interspersed with shots of Gemma Dunlovely, whose sweet vocals are present on the track itself.

Download 'Capslock' and the entire EP for free now from Soundcloud.

You can also catch WCB live on Thursday February 2nd at The Grand Social.

New Music: Solar Bears - 'Alpha People'

Solar Bears' debut release - 2010's She Was Coloured In - was a stylish, artistic piece of work that evoked images of distant realms and cosmic notions, bringing the listener on a colourful, sensual journey. Thus, the return of this Dublin/Wicklow based duo is an exciting proposition and buoyed by the beautiful vocals of Keep Shelly In Athens' Sarah P, their new single 'Alpha People' doesn't disappoint. The track debuted on Pithchfork last week, with Eoghan from TPOE analysing the potential impact the site can have on the success and spread of ones music.

It's initially strange to hear such a dominant focus on vocals in a Solar Bears' track but it soon feels second nature. Solar Bears' have oft spoken about their ties to film (their name is taken from Solaris by Andrei Tarkovsky) and the trend continues here. In fact, as that opening keyboard riff rolls into the opening verse it evokes visions of a rogue female in a futurisitic city a la Blade Runner...or is that just me? Either way, it's a truly fantastic track and one that demands continued listens. Despite this, you also get the feeling that Solar Bears' true talent shines best in a collective piece of work, namely their second album which will hopefully be upon us sometime soon.

STL's Top Songs Of 2012:: Part Three - 20 - 1

>>> Part One: 60 - 41

>>> Part Two: 40 - 21

And now...le finalé.



20) Patrick Kelleher – ‘Broken Up Now’

Patrick Kelleher followed up his stunning debut with Golden Syrup, an album which took him and his Cold Dead Hands in even stranger and more intriguing directions. Some of these new ventures worked and some didn’t. Surprisingly however, the one which made the most lasting impression on me was the most simple one; a short and sweet little concoction that's fuelled by anxiety and unsurity.

05 Patrick Kelleher and his Cold Dead Hands - Broken Up Now by Patrick Kelleher


19) Austra – ‘Lose It'

Flourishing in the wake of last year's SXSW festival, Austra's vocal pirouettes captivated many, including myself. Just listen to that voice.

Austra - Lose It by Annie Mac Presents


18) Dog And Panther – ‘Giant Hands’

This song came out of nowhere, gripped me by the heartstrings and never really let go. A stirring, emotive little ballad full to the brim with romantic grandeur.

Dog And Panther - Giant Hands by French Kiss


17) Tandem Felix – ‘Canyons’

Another of my favourite home-grown bands to emerge this year and one deserving of much greater exposure. Taken from their Tweedledee collection, ‘Canyons’ is the pinnacle of a band whose hushed, sweeping sound came to dominate many of my late nights in 2011.

Canyons by Tandem Felix


16) Outfit – ‘Two Islands’

The debut single from this Liverpudlian lot is a dense, enthralling affair, laden with gothic touches and an absolute belter of a refrain. More please.

DD007 A1: Outfit // Two Islands by Double Denim Records


15) Tara Masterson Hally – ‘Down We Lay'

One of my favourite finds of the year. A fledgling Irish songstress whose minimal acoustic laments were lined with cathartic rumblings and a beautiful, soul-stirring voice. On first hearing I described it as “music for the late night walk home, with only shadows for company” and nearly a full year on I still feel this sums it up best. 

  Down We Lay by Tara Masterson Hally


14) Hush War Cry – ‘Lily’

With nods to both the brooding work of Echo and the Bunnymen and the playful duo-vocals of Wild Beasts, the first track from this Cork outfit is incredibly accomplished. A tantalising debut effort.

  Hush War Cry - Lily by echoparade


13) James Blake – ‘The Wilhelm Scream’

Blake’s debut album and I never fully meshed, and only certain tracks did I truly get what all the fuss was about. None more so than on the spectral and haunting ‘Wilhelm’s Scream’. As it transpired this track was in fact a re-working of James Litherland's 'Where To Turn', which Blake's own Father produced back in the day.



  James Litherland - Where To Turn by abeano 


12) - The Gorgeous Colours – ‘Chopped Heart’ / 'It's OK To Be Normal'

With two fantastic singles this year it was a difficult choice of which Gorgeous Colours’ track to include...so much so that I decided to join them at the hip. ‘Chopped Heart’ is sprightly and warming, while ‘It’s OK To Be Normal' is mournfully beautiful. Enjoy them both, according to your current mood. Needless to say - I'm looking forward to that new album immensely.

  Chopped Heart by The Gorgeous Colours

It's Ok To Be Normal by The Gorgeous Colours


11) M83 – ‘Midnight City’

Euphoric and intoxicating; this is music made for the late night dash into town, the city lights luring substance-lined veins closer into its jaws. 
   Midnight City by M83 


 10) Tieranniesaur – ‘Sketch!’

If there was an award for the funnest album of the year (and there should be) then Tieranniesaur’s debut effort would snap it up easily. Bursting at the seams with super vibes of the funk, pop and disco variety, it bounced out of the speakers with a strut and a swagger and on ‘Sketch'  head honcho Annie Tierney delivers the sassiest of put-downs. God help that person in question.


  Sketch! by fihyde


9) We Cut Corners – ‘Go Easy’

'Go Easy' arrived in a year which saw We Cut Corners finally deliver their debut album, winning over many with their melodic and powerful tones in the process. Not bad for a pair of school teachers. 

  We Cut Corners 'Go Easy' by The Delphi Label


8) Lana Del Ray - ‘Video Games’
 
Hard as it may be, if we ignore the hype (and the subsequent backlash) then what we are left with is a beautiful track from a beautiful singer. That's good enough for me.

  Lana Del Ray - Video Games by editradio


7) The Drums – ‘Money’

Effortlessly simple indie-pop that sticks to your synapses. Not every track on this list is going to alter your perspective on life; some – like this one - just make it a lot better for a few minutes.

  The Drums - Money by orchardmktg 


6) Spies - ‘Barricade’ 

Following up on last year’s top notch debut EP, new single ‘Barricade’ (and its accompanying B-Side ‘Weaker Body’) brought more of the same compelling tightness, gushing riffs and startlingly mature lyrical capacity from the Spies lads. New to the fore on this occasion however, was a far greater appreciation for an anthemic chorus - an attribute that should hold them in good stead for a prosperous 2012 and beyond.

  Barricade by spiesdublin


5) Moths – ‘<3’

There’s not much else to say about 18-year-old Jack Colleran, that hasn’t already been said. His homespun electronic beats have been written about and digested the world over and if recent developments are anything to go by, big things lie ahead. 'Blisters' is among my most played tracks of the year but '<3' and it’s chilled, summery vibes are the standout. Exciting times.

  <3 by MMOTHS


4) Clock Opera – 'Belongings'

This delicate, piano-led lullaby surges, morphs and blossoms into a mesmerising  rhythmic flurry…and then you realise you haven’t blinked in 3 minutes. Such a beautiful track.

Belongings by clockopera


3) The Horrors – ‘Still Life’

The sound of a million epiphanies played out by way of a warped, yet euphoric beat. A seminal and life affirming piece of music.

The Horrors - Still Life by The Recommender


2) Wild Beasts – ‘Reach A Bit Further'

The pinnacle of an album where Wild Beasts confirmed their status as one of the most interesting, unique and quite simply best bands in the world. The manner in which the twin vocals tease and toy with each other is simply magnificent. For full effect savour the acoustic version from Paris, c’est magnifique.

Wild Beasts / Reach A Bit Further by Constellations Festival


Wild Beasts, garage session from Télérama on Vimeo.



1) Jape – ‘The Oldest Mind’

The most pertinent example yet as to why Richie Egan is among our most talented and treasured artists. Lyrically it is astute and cerebral, musically it is inventive and challenging. I ached over how to do an album like Ocean Of Frequency justice; re-writing and re-formatting the review numerous times before leaving it in a regretfully growing 'to-do' pile. In short OoF is incredible. It is a bold piece of work that stretches the Jape modus operandi in captivating new ways and rewards the earnest listener with an array of intriguing and absorbing sounds and textures. This track, and this record, mark a magnificent pinnacle in Jape's evolution, and you get the feeling that yet more exciting experimentation and barrier breaking work lies ahead. When you consider the group's humble, acoustic-centred beginnings such an evolution is all the more commendable. In saying that, they can still do the simple thing well – check out the superb 'Lying On A Deathbed’ as reference.

  Jape - The Oldest Mind by theyounglion

STL Top Songs of 2011:: Part Two - 40 - 21

Following on from Part One - here's the second batch of my favourite tracks of the year - enjoy! 


40) Jerome's Law - 'Albedo'

  07 Albedo by jeromeslaw 


39) Last Days of 1984 - 'River's Edge'

  Last Days of 1984 - River's Edge by echoparade 


38) Love Inks – ‘Blackeye’
 
Love Inks - Blackeye by WorkItMedia


37) Bright Eyes – ‘One For You, One For Me’




36)  The Dying Seconds – ‘Mora Minn’
 
Mora Minn by thedyingseconds 


35)  Come On Live Long – ‘Elephants and Time'

Elephants and Time by Come On Live Long 


34)  Squarehead – ‘Axes Of Love’

07. Axes Of Love - Squarehead by Republic of Music


 33) Goodtime – ‘Behind This Sun’

Behind This Sun by GOODTIME


 32)  Radiohead - 'Codex'




31) Summer Camp - 'I Want You'

I Want You by Summer Camp

  
30) Gotye – ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’

  Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra) by Gotye


29) PJ Harvey – ‘The Words That Maketh Murder’
 
PJ Harvey - The Words That Maketh Murder by Vagrant Records 


28) Bombay Bicycle Club – ‘Shuffle’
 
Bombay Bicycle Club "Shuffle" (radio edit) by GrillMarketing 


27) Wu Lyf - 'Cave Song' 




26) Hello Moon – ‘The Calculus Affair’

The Calculus Affair by Hello Moon


25) Land Lovers – ‘The Cinema Bell’

02 The Cinema Bell by LandLovers


24) White Collar Boy – ‘Noah’

  Noah by White Collar Boy 


23) Tune-Yards – ‘Bizness’

BIZNESS Tune Yards by CristinaBlack 


22) Cashier No. 9 – ‘Goldstar’

Cashier No.9 - Goldstar by Pachinko Records 


21) Active Child – ‘Hanging On’

Active Child: 'Hanging On' by Ragged Words

Free Download: White Collar Boy - 'Solar Midnight'

My how time flies. I first introduced White Collar Boy back in January of this year but quite a lot has changed since then. What began as a one-man show has now evolved into a duo, with fledgling beatmakers Gavin White and Mark Cummins teaming up having met at the Primavera festival in Barcelona. It may be a result of the pair's natural synergy  - or even just an inevitable refinement of the original sound - but these latest tracks glisten with confidence; feeling fuller, more assured and more complete. The loose, flowing rhythms and funky finale of 'Noah' make it an obvious standout but the real pinnacle is 'Capslock' - as Gemma Dunlovely's super sweet vocals do battle with some assertive beats. It's really promising stuff overall and there's enough clever ideas on show here to mark the pair out as a very exciting proposition.

Download the tracks for free now from Soundcloud and find White Collar Boy on Facebook.

A first single is pencilled in for early next year but for the moment you can catch them every second Thursday in Pygmalion, where they host live shows and DJ sets.

Their next proper live show proper is a headline slot with Bouts, Futures Apart and Ginnels in Crawdaddy this Sunday (December 18th).


  Solar Midnight by White Collar Boy

Free Download: Squarehead's Christmas Present

They say Christmas is a time for giving and Squarehead certainly aren't ones to break with tradition. As a thank you to all those who "came to the gigs, bought our album or just 'liked' our Facebewk" the lads have covered Darlene Love's festive classic 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' and made it available to all (good or bad) as a free download. Complete with backing vocals from the newly enlisted 'Squarettes' - Saileóg O'Halloran and Lucy Smyth - it trumps any Lynx boxset or last minute Kris Kindle gift that's for sure...

On a similar note The Gorgeous Colours also posted a cover this week - trying their hand at John Lennon's 'Real Love' on the anniversary of the great man's death. A fitting tribute.

Squarehead - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by Richter Collective

Real Love by The Gorgeous Colours

Free Download: The Gorgeous Colours - 'Chopped Heart'

Their last single - 'It's OK To Be Normal' - was something very special indeed and Dublin outfit The Gorgeous Colours have only gone and bettered it. 'Chopped Heart' is as delightful as it is uplifting - the kind of song that you'll like immediately but will then spend a dozen listens trying to figure out exactly why. In short, this is perfectly constructed, joyous pop music and if the scene was an overdue reunion with your closest mates this would be the ideal soundtrack.

Download it now for free from Bandcamp. 

  Chopped Heart by The Gorgeous Colours

New Video: Hello Moon - 'Sievehead' (Directed by Myles O'Reilly)

Taken from their hugely enjoyable debut album Only Count The Sunny Hours, here's the official video for Hello Moon's 'Sievehead'. Directed by the inimitable Myles O'Reilly, the video is a continuation of the album's sleeve with O'Reilly citing Spike Jones' Where The Wild Things Are as his main inspiration for the piece.

Treat yourself to Only Count The Sunny Hours now from Any Other City Records.

New Video: Tara Masterson Hally - 'Lingering'

When I introduced Tara Masterson Hally back in April, I was captivated by the contrast between her standout voice and the spacious, minimal arrangement. Since then anything she has put out has only heightened such admiration. The latest example is a basement shot video by the creative types over at Havagawk which captures the barren beauty of the original track perfectly. The video was directed and edited by Finn Keenan.

Find Tara Masterson Hally on Facebook and listen/download her music on Soundcloud.

New Release: Patrick Kelleher and Squarehead Split 7" Collaboration

What do you get when two of our most exciting and promising artists come together for a collaboration? A smashing split 7" and a stupidly funny piss-take video it appears. Both Squarehead and Patrick Kelleher have been constants on these pages since it started so to have them bash out some tracks together is rather exciting. I was expecting something a bit more manic but the resulting tracks - 'Just A Tragedy' and 'Attention To Detail'  - go down easy and are both breezy, laidback tunes with neat 80's/doo-wop inspired touches.

I'm a bit late to the game on this one so the launch party has been and gone sadly. However, you can still get your mitts on the limited edition vinyl (via Popical Island) from selected record stores or alternatively, you can stream/purchase it online here. The aforementioned mockumentary is also below.

New Music: Jape - 'The Oldest Mind'

As posted last week Jape's eagerly awaited new one Ocean of Frequency is out on September 30th and here's a new track from it to whet your appetite even further. 'The Oldest Mind' is a slow-building gem of two halves; one part fragmented, solemn reflection and the other a euphoric little burst of realisation and acceptance. And all this before the memorable refrain of 'Celebrate What It Is To Be Young' plays us out. Kids - listen to the man.

via No Fear Of Pop 

  THE OLDEST MIND by Jape

EP Review: The Eulogys - Ambergris and Tiger Blood

Of the mountain of new music emerging from Ireland not so much of it is of the piano-led variety. It's refreshing therefore to sample The Eulogy's debut EP Ambergris & Tiger Blood, comprised as it is of three orchestral-tinged laments with talented pianist Kenny Hyland at the helm. Each of these tracks is excellently crafted and bears some truly beautiful flourishes, with Hyland's voice successfully reaching for the stratosphere throughout. In parts it reminds me of Mercury Rev but there's no denying that this is entirely it's own beast and for that, you have to give Hyland credit. A thoroughly enjoyable debut offering. 

Download Ambergris and Tiger Blood for free from Bandcamp now.

Find The Eulogys on: Bandcamp // Soundcloud // Facebook // Twitter //

  Bouquets by TheEulogys 


  Trees in the Painting by TheEulogys  


  De Profundis by TheEulogys 

New Video: The Gorgeous Colours - 'It's OK To Be Normal'

Directed by Bob Corish (who taught in my old school for a short time incidentally) and produced by Tidal, here's the official video for The Gorgeous Colours' latest single 'It's OK To Be Normal'. I loved the track when it emerged recently, and the excellently crafted video only adds to its splendour.

The band play the Body & Soul main stage at this year's Electric Picnic festival.

New Release: Jape return with Ocean Of Frequency on September 30th

It's hard to believe that it's 3 years since Jape's third album Ritual first leapt into my consciousness. It's also a testament to its invention and quality that it still sounds as vibrant and fresh to this very day, and it remains one of the best Irish releases in recent history. Since then, Richie Egan and his Jape ensemble have crafted and perfected a dozen songs for the eagerly-awaited follow up - Ocean Of Frequency. The album, Jape's fourth studio release, is out on September 30th through music/is/for/losers. 

I've heard just over half of the songs through live appearances and they make for an interesting listen, with Richie pushing the sound in some bold new directions, while still showcasing his penchant for a killer hook. I'm particularly excited about 'The Oldest Mind'; an entrancing ode to embracing your youth and the soothing acoustic number that is 'It's Shadow Won't Make Noise'. When you can afford to leave tracks like 'Hands Of Fire' and 'Lying On My Deathbed' off your new record you know it's going to be something special.

The first single, 'You Make The Love', is released on the same day.

In Richie's own words:

“I had thought that the follow up to Ritual was finished about three times so far, but I kept getting drawn back to writing more and more songs, trying to push my songwriting
as hard as I could and see how many different styles and moods I could try out, to feel
out the album. Eventually, I realised that you could just keep on doing that forever so I
decided it was time to start letting these songs go for a walk around the place 

The idea for the title, Ocean of Frequency came from an interview I saw with Michael
Talbot. He was an American author who wrote some books linking science with
mysticism. I feel the answer to religion lies somewhere in science and I like to think that
we all float about in an ocean of frequency that we can't understand. People always go
on about the difference between science and religion, in my opinion there is an unending
spiritual beauty in the order of science.”

            Tracklist             

1. An Hallucination
2. Please Don’t Turn The Record Off
3. The Oldest Mind
4. Too Many People
5. One Of Those Days That Just Feels So Long
6. Borrowed Time With Peace
7. Scorpio
8. You Make The Love
9. Internal Machine
10. Its Shadow Won’t Make Noise
11. Na Niotancullah
12. Ocean Of Frequency

Here's a rough demo of 'Its Shadow Won’t Make Noise':

  Its Shadow Won't Make Noise by Jape

New Music: Nouveaun - 'Believe'

Last year's 'Cinnte' was one of my favourite tracks of the year and now Dublin beat-crafters Nouveaun have uploaded a brand new track, which you can also download for free. As with all of the duo's work it's brimming with neat ideas and invention, as a complex smattering of sounds and samples are carefully intertwined before building up to a female-led chorus-of-sorts. Nice.

The track is taken from Nouveaun's upcoming new EP Sequence Consequence, a sampler for which is also below.

[Edit: Apparently the lads stripped their name back from Nouveaunoise to just Nouveaun...interesting!]

  Believe by nouveaun

  Nouveaun - Sequence Consequence EP Preview by nouveaun

Free Mixtape: The New Wave Vol.1 - The best in new Irish music

The general consensus regarding Irish music is that we've entered something of a golden period and I'm in full agreement. In fact, I find the music to be that consistently brilliant that I want to do all I can to spread the sounds of this new wave to as far as possible. Hopefully my scribbles here do that a bit but I feel a collection of free-to-download mixtapes - each packed with the best Irish artists of late - are an even more effective way to invade your ear canals and convince you of their worth.

This first volume probably falls under the general indie tag but within that is a broad range of styles, such as Spies' brooding undertones, We Cut Corners' powerful melodies and Jape's synth-fuelled splendour. 

Enough talking - more listening. Click the small downward arrow on the right hand side below for your free download of the mix and keep an eye out for another volume next week...

________ Tracklist_________
 

1) Spies - 'Liars Call Me King'
2) Jape - 'Hands Of Fire
3) Squarehead - 'Axes Of Love'
4) Land Lovers - 'Cinema Bell'
5) Hello Moon - 'Vanity'
6) No Monster Club - 'A Morbid Fascination'
7) Kid Karate - 'Feel For You'
8) Come On Live Long - 'Animal'
9) We Cut Corners - 'Go Easy'
10) Leaders Of Men - 'Up Against The Wall'
  

  STL: The New Wave: Volume 1 by StopTheLights

STL: The New Wave: Volume 1 by Stopthelights on Mixcloud

* Disclaimer: This is all being done on a goodwill basis and if you like what you hear please try and support the artists involved by buying some of their music/going to a gig of theirs! If any of the artists featured would rather their music was not involved just get in touch.*

New Video: This Club - 'I Won't Worry'

Attention: the feel good hit of the summer has just arrived. This Club (formerly Hoarsebox) have rebounded from their name-change with debut single 'I Won't Worry' - a colourful, carefree and blindingly upbeat indie-pop anthem.

An effervescent chorus, hooks-a-plenty, handclaps and funky arrangements - this insatiable debut offering has the lot and the video is just as high-spirited, showcasing the cheeriest bout of busking I've ever seen. They'd make a fortune on Grafton St. that's for sure.

'I Won't Worry' is available now from iTunes, while their debut album - recorded with producer Dennis Herring at Sweet Tea Studios in Mississippi - will follow in 2012. By that stage you're likely to have heard much more about this track...

Introducing: Tandem Felix

I first caught Tandem Felix when they supported Spies in Whelan's in May and was immediately impressed by just how accomplished they were. There's a definite sense of the otherworldly about this gang and the similarity with fellow newcomers Cloud Castle Lake is undeniable. Expansive and astral, every track here flickers beneath the surface in its own peculiar manner, with each listen revealing another intriguing layer and moment of interest. 'Canyons' in particular is a solemn bundle of brilliance with more than a hint of Thom Yorke off the vocals, while the excellently titled 'The Sky Looks Like a Sheet of Sugar' - and its triumphant horns - is another highlight. The band insist that these set of tracks - dubbed Tweedledee - do not form any semblance of a proper release but whatever they may be - they sound great to my ears. 

Download Tweedledee for free now from Bandcamp.

Find Tandem Felix on: Facebook // MySpace // Bandcamp // Breaking Tunes