The below (and others) all feature on my new February 2022 playlist
Thrillhouse - Janus
Opening with wailing guitars, and deeply-pounding drums, it's hard to know where this song is going to lead. Give it another 30 seconds and the answer becomes clear: everywhere. There are so many elements to this track that it's hard to process - you've got brass hits, faint organ, a genius pitch-bending synth solo, all kinds of layers of vocal harmony, and a huge guitar solo to round it all out. But it all works - there's unity in difference - musical satisfaction emerges from the disparity.
Brilliant.
The Florentinas - It's Not In Vain This band continue to go from strength to strength. There's loads of energy in this - it has that bright, non-stop feel - but at the same time it doesn't lack that heart-rending emotion that always characterises this band's releases. A lot of this comes from the fabulous vocals. There's also a lot more musical detail in this release, a lovely maturity in the choice of sounds, across the spectrum from drums to guitars.
One of my favourite elements is the exuberant post-chorus section which closes out the track - it's big and full of hope. Great to the last.
Arcade State - Splinter A stunning track (released on Thursday 3rd, but one that somehow seems to sound better every day) from one of my favourite current bands, who have found themselves on a rapid upward ride recently. 'Splinter' has been widely described as their best yet - and I agree.
Those massive drum sounds in the opening bars are inspired, as are the way they're followed by growling guitars which then give way to their more melodic cousins. All the other ingredients that make this band so inspiring and energising are there too: soaring, emotive vocals; heroic lead guitar; and thrummy bass lines. It's a really fulfilling listen.
Cassels - A Gut Feeling [Album] A whole shiny new long-player from the Oxford duo, fond purveyors of "music for misanthropes and malcontents". Think a slightly more grumpy, shoe-gazing, two-person IDLES, presenting cameos of very ordinary British life, and you get some of the idea.
On this record, the band have thrown in lots of cunning pauses, bursts of glitchy effect, and variant beats. The result is something which builds on their already clever, wry song-writing and elevates it further. This is the kind of album which pummels you to the ground, and keeps on going - but you don't mind one bit; it's an enjoyable, novel beating. An early contender for an album of the year.