The fourth album from five man band Mystery Jets was released unto our expectant ears earlier this month. Serotonin is a love letter to indie-pop, no more of the excess and exuberance of their first two albums, this is a finely mastered exploration of synth-induced melodies.
At times sweet and lulling and at others dark and allusive, this is a nod towards their sometimes experimental rationale but with a big dollop of classic pop. Perhaps they are playing it a little safe at a time when everyone is somewhat weary of taking risks. However, despite any proclamations from die hard Making Dens fans (although track ‘Flash a Hungry Smile’ may appease the cynics with its kazoos, bells and declaration that “the birds and the bees have all caught STDs.”) this album is pretty darn good!
The craftsmanship of each track is excellent and the nostalgic whimsy of the album produces an irresistibly retro feel to the whole affair. Produced by Chris Thomas, who has worked with the likes of Pink Floyd and Pulp, this album had good legs from its inception. Mystery Jets are the masters of a hooky chord sequence and catchy melodies that evoke a warm, fuzzy, reminiscent feeling.
Overall, this is a grander affair than their previous offerings, smoothing out the edges to produce a polished formula of pop-centric sounds. Hints of prog-rock and creepy edges add interest to proceedings, and whilst most of the quirks of their earlier work may have gone, this is an upbeat salutation to the summer that will keep many a toe tapping.
Horrors’ frontman Faris Badwan has unveiled a new project, and this time around it has nothing to do with drawings. Like fellow bandmates Rhys and Tom (who gave us Spider and the Flies) Badwan has ventured into new musical territory. It comes in the form of a b-side to the new Black Lips single, Drugs. The track is a cover of Black Lips’ “I’ll Be With You”. It also features Cherish Kaya (formerly of Ipso Facto) and Rachel Santesso, all collaborating under the name Lumina.
There has been no word as to if this is a one-off or something that could potentially appear again in the future.
Pitchfork have posted the mp3 here. The single will be released on 7″ on August 24th through Vice Records.
Talk about an anticipated release. OFFSET FESTIVAL co-headliners The Slits are set to unleash their third album, 25 years after their break-up.
The legendary all girl band had a seemingly short run the first time around. Formed in the late 70s, they released only two albums before disgrouping in 1982. The influence of The Slits however, became stronger with each passing year. After a reunion in 2005, which led to a slew of tour dates and an EP, “Revenge Of The Killer Slits, a full release was only imminent.
The album’s title is Trapped Animal, and the tracklisting has already been confirmed:
The tentative release date is October 6th. If you can’t possibly wait that long, make sure to see what will only be a stellar performance from these legends when they play Offset Festival in September!
The Horrors are announced as the first headliner for Offset 2009, with a performance that will draw upon their critically acclaimed new album Primary Colours – an album you can listen to for free here.
Joining them will be legendary post-punkers The Slits with a rare UK date; Factory Records’ second-ever signing – punk-funk legends A Certain Ratio and forward-thinking artrockers Future Of The Left.
Other stages will host performances from Rolo Tomassi, Architects, Factory Floor, THROATS, Nuke Them All, Maths and a Douglas Hart (Jesus & Mary Chain) DJ Set! Over 150 new and iconic artists are yet to be announced.
Offset Festival takes place between 5th – 6th September 2009 at the beautiful Hainault Forest Country Park – an all ages event just 30 minutes from London on the Central Line.
Following the success of last year’s event, which brought together the likes of Gang of Four, Wire, Metronomy, The Maccabees, Tom McRae and Black Devil, Offset returns to its beautiful forest location on September 5-6 2009.
The first wave of bands will be announced on the Offset website on Thursday April 30th, with tickets on sale the same day.
The event will offer even more than last year and super-earlybird tickets will go on sale from just £35 – for the WHOLE weekend. Tickets at this price will not last long so ensure you’re first to grab them by signing up to the mailing list now.
Yes! After a fantastic first year (if we say so ourselves!) Offset Festival returns to the beautiful Hainault Forest Country Park on September 5-6th 2009.
The event will continue to join the dots between cutting-edge new bands and their influences; with 8 stages, 200 artists and a line-up that offers a compelling alternative to any other UK festival.
Last year’s event brought together the likes of The Maccabees, Gang of Four, Wire, Metronomy, Little Boots, Black Devil Disco Club, Chrome Hoof, Young Knives and Future of the Left, all for just £45 for a full weekend.
Our lovely friends over at last.fm/presents got some cracking footage of the festivities in the Last.fm Presents tent at Offset. If you were there, head on over and relive the best festival of the summer. And if you weren’t, watch them and add yourself straight away to the Offset Festival mailing list so you don’t miss out next year. I hear super-cheap earlybird tickets will be on their way soon…click the image above to watch the video!
We’re really pleased to say that Offset has been nominated for 5 awards at this years UK Festival Awards. The event has been nominated in the following:
- Best Lineup
- Best New Festival
- Best Small Festival
- Best Toilets
- Grass Roots Festival Award
Ulterior’s excellent follow-up single to the mighty ‘Weapons’ came out last week on DiscError, and it’s even dancier and more manic. Check out the official video right here:
Oh, and don’t forget to come to Offset Festival, where you can catch DiscError artists Ulterior, Ipso Facto, Micron63 and S.I.N.S, as well as Gang Of Four, Wire, Metronomy, and a million other great bands. Take a look.
