The XL Recordings signed Friendly Fires have released their latest track online and the electrodance outfit from sunny St Albans don’t disappoint to impress. The single, the first taken from their soon to be released album ‘Pala’, was premiered by Zane Lowe on his Radio 1 show on Tuesday. Making a firmer foray into the world of dance music this is a club ready track that is sure to fill dance floors across the country with hip young things ready to get their party on.

The Friendly Fires boys will preview tracks from their new album at a one-off gig at London’s XOYO with the album set for release on the 16th May.

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.

Catch Mystery Jets at this years Offset Festival: http://offsetfestival.co.uk/

London’s so-trendy-it-hurts Hoxton Square played host to what was expected to be a small Local Natives gig last night. The California rockers had reportedly only expected a minimal crowd, and as such had proceeded to bring along a bunch of acoustic instruments for what they thought set to be a cozy open air affair.

No such luck I’m afraid boys as this corner of the East End quickly packed out with excitable revelers, all wanting a piece of Local Natives action!

The impromptu gig was announced by the band on Twitter only hours before it started and consisted of a ramshackle track list, picked at random from their debut album ‘Gorilla Manor’, throwing in a cover of the Talking Heads’ ‘Warning Sign’ for good measure.

Somewhat lacking in amps, due to their presumption that they would be playing to a limited audience, the group soon found themselves asking the crowd to shuffle closer together so they could better hear the set. At the end of the gig, front man Taylor Rice invited the audience to drink with the band into the wee hours, to celebrate the success of their pop-up performance.

Local Natives will be playing the Summer Sundae Weekender, as well as Leeds and Reading Festivals this summer.

Posted by Claire Davies