This week’s releases include Hatcham Social, The Thermals, CFCF, Navvy, It Hugs Back, Battant, Ice Sea Dead People + much more.

The Thermals – Now We Can See (7″ on Kill Rock Stars)

MP3: The Thermals – Now We Can See

The long, long awaited fourth album from Portland punks The Thermals is nearly ready. It’s their first for the best label in the world – Kill Rock Stars – after three fine albums on Sub Pop, and it’s their biggest-sounding album to date. Hi-fi, almost. Not to worry – this handy 7″ contains two cassette-recorded demos of ‘Now We Can See’ and b-side ‘My World’ as well as the John Congleton-produced (Explosions In The Sky, Polyphonic Spree, LARGE sounding music) studio versions. So all you old skool fans go buy here.

Just Handshakes (We’re British) – Paper Cranes (Self-released CDS)

Just Handshakes (We’re British) are from Leeds and play quirky indiepop similar to Los Campesinos!, Pete & The Pirates + Emmy The Great. Sadly we don’t have any sound or vid to put here – but if it sounds like your sort of thing check out their MySpace where you can grab the lovingly hand-made CD single for just 2 pounds.

Mi Mye – The Last (7″ on Trash Aesthetics)

I love the Scottish voice. Arab Strap, The Twilight Sad, Frightened Rabbit… This is Jamie Lockheart, based in Wakefield, and he’s got a lovely way with words and choruses. A big band sound is conjured up too, with violins and organs filling the space liberally. Lovely. Grab it here.

Navvy – Idyll Intangible (Album on Angular)

Long-time Angular signees Navvy finally drop their debut album – it’s rigidly 80s in a good way. You’ll hear strains of Devo, Pylon, The Fall and Wire in this, but it’s not pastishe and the album has a more modern sound than their previous EPs. There’s an exclusive bonus track too if you grab it from the Angular store.

Hatcham Social – You Dig The Tunnel, I’ll Hide The Soil (Album on Fierce Panda)

Another heavily 80s influenced band here – they’re fast rising to the top of the pile since playing our lovely festival last August. Recently signed to Fierce Panda, today sees the release of their first full-length, “You Dig The Tunnel, I’ll Hide The Soil”. The reviews have been pleasingly breathless – Album of the month in Artrocker, 10/10 in Vice and numerous other publications have fallen in love with it too. Pure Groove are doing a free mixtape with the album – buy it over here.

It Hugs Back – Now + Again (7″ on 4AD)

Another band gently rising are It Hugs Back. I make this their 6th single (+ the split with Ray Rumours) and the last two have been on legendary label 4AD, which seems a natural fit for their woozy, slow-burning songs. There’s tons of natural pop flair in these tracks, approaching the immediacy of best track to date ‘Work Day’. Grab the 7″ over here.

Battant – No Head (Album on Kill The DJ)

Exceptional pedigree on this one – Andrew Weatherall and Ivan Smagghe introduced the group to Chloe (Kill The DJ), who’ve now put out a debut album full of Siouxsie, Young Marble Giants, Suicide + DIY Electro. You’ll love this one. Grab it here.

CFCF – You Hear Colors (7″ on Acéphale)

We’re so in love with this. We blogged about their EP a little while back, and Rough Trade have dug up a few copies of their limited 7″ ‘You Hear Colors’. It’s gorgeous, sweeping stuff – that’s the b-side side up there. Grab ‘em quick here.

Ice, Sea, Dead People – My Twin Brother’s A Brother (7″ on Buyyourself)

This is a vid for their previous single – the new one’s great too though. Taking their influences from the heavier edge of post-punk, they’re an off-kilter joyride smashing through Fugazi and the whole Dischord back catalogue. Immense fun. Enjoy here.