Lovelife - El Regreso

After hardcore band Wolf Am I went down the gutter, the group was reincarnated as obnoxious Britpop (or Gritpop) quartet Viva Brother. Getting a various number of their songs played on ITV and scathing album reviews, you would've either have loved or hated them. After recording their second album, the group unexpectedly called it quits on April Fools day. However, former front man Leonard Newell has relocated to New York and has recruited synth hero Ally Young of Mirrors to form R&B synth group Lovelife. Shortly after forming, the duo have managed to release their debut six-track EP El Regreso ('The Return' in Spanish).

Written over a period of four months from April to August, it's been time well spent. Speaking about the treacherousness of relationships and love it echoes similar vibes from synth-duo Hurts. First track on the EP is I'm No More, an RnB influenced opener which gives us an idea of their new sound and what is to come. Newell speaking of his broken relationship with his assumed ex girlfriend singing "no amount of money will bring me back in to that house where you live with that other man" in an almost falsetto like chorus sung brilliantly, it's hard to think he once fronted a hardcore band. Second track on the record is She Makes It Looks So Easy where again he shows his loathe for his cheating ex-missus in a more upbeat groove compared to previous track I'm No More, stating "I've not even been gone that long, about a week, a little more." Suggesting her promiscuous ways in the chorus singing  "No, no, no don't try and explain. I saw you with him in the bedroom doing cocaine." on top of a brilliant RnB groove produced by Young.

Highlights of the record include Love Rush. Again reaching for the high notes, it's almost falsetto like chorus sung by Newell shows how he's turned a total 180 degrees from his previous work. Similarly, Young has also changed direction compared to his previous project Mirrors by allowing more genres to influence his production work in Lovelife. As the track is carried on by a great group of samples and 'wooshing' synth, it's chorus lyrics shed a more darker light as he sings "If this is suicide, then this is the best day of my life". As the track descends into it's second section, harmonising vocals echo over a dub influenced bass line finish off the track. Another highlight is Tonight (We're Taking Our Lives) with a catchy synth led riff with a four to the floor drum beat drawing influence from dance music, it managed to feature on a 7 for all mankind jeans advert. It's lyrics possibly influencing a suicide pact between his ex-girlfriend who he claims still loves him "If you love me then let's go to bed".

The album in itself is nothing new. As mentioned, it's sound similarity to Hurts is apparent from the offset. A recurring thing displayed with Viva Brother and Lovelife is Newell's ability to dwell on the already done, however he does it so well you just can't help but fall in love. 

7.5

Daniel Mburu

NEWS: Futures Break Up

After three years, Buckinghamshire quartet Futures have decided to call it a day.

The news was broken via a lengthy letter on Facebook directed to their fans. The letter starts off with:

"To our fans & friends, the time has come for us to make the incredibly hard decision to bring Futures to an end. We've been playing music together for over 3 years now and have had some amazing experiences that we never thought could happen to us as people and as musicians, working with and meeting some great people who have made us the band we are today. We remain great friends and nothing will change that."

The announcement comes only a few months after the release of their debut full length album 'The Karma Album' which they released independently after leaving Mercury Records in April this year.

The reason for the break up was explained as: "There comes a time for everyone  when truths have to be faced and new routes need to be taken to stay happy"

The band then conclude the letter by thanking their fans "Thank you for being as much a part of Futures as we have been, for a band is not a band without it's fans."

Head over to their Facebook page to view the whole letter.

The band have announced a farewell show to take place on Wednesday 12th December at the London Garage. Tickets for the show go on sale at 9am this Friday.

Alt-J (∆) - An Awesome Wave

From Leeds University's list of alumni, Alt-J are a quartet whirlwind of folk hooks, sub-bass synths and intricate percussion grooves you can only imagine. It's hard to call.

From the offset, the name doesn't do them any favours. Bleeding slight pretentiousness and falling into this sudden cultural fascination with triangles, it would've seen them as just another hipster clan trying to make it big. But given the chance, they do surprise.

First single(s) Matilda/Fitzpleasure displays their sounds from both ends of the spectrum. Matilda's sombre guitar ballad is mile's away from Fitzpleasure's synth like vortex introduced by an acapella build up, carried out by Joe Newman's slurred almost unintelligible trance like vocals add a whole new take to the norm.

Breezeblocks brought them to attention, granting them their first taste of chart success. Also becoming a festival favourite as they played across the UK during the summer, it's folk influenced rhythm eventually getting lost in the mass layers of vocals as they finish off the song.

Interludes I, II and III do that exactly, allowing the listener a break from the complex drum grooves and booming synths. Interlude I is a poetic acapella of group vocals singing in alternate octaves. The second is a sole calming guitar melody that bleeds with the sounds of a busy street in the background. Finally, the third is an eerie mix of vocals worked behind a piano synth.

Taro is the last track on the album. It's Eastern influenced riff rings well among the works of string instruments. Referring to the death of photojournalist Robert Capa and his re-union with war photographer Gerda Taro, the song shuns those who believe that the album has no meaning.

At-J have failed to stick to the rules. By not submitting to a genre, they have managed to fall into their own, branding them pioneers in a way. Managing to break from the norm, not everyone will find it appealing. It's taken the group five years to make this record and it's fair to say - it's been five years well spent.

8.1
Daniel Mburu

Futures - The Karma Album

So more than two years after the release of their debut EP 'The Holiday', completing it over a year ago and dropping their record deal with Mercury records, the quartet from Bucks have finally graced us with their first full length album. What are you saying?

The Karma Album in a whole, heads in a completely different direction in comparison to their old material. Leaving behind the infectious hooks, amazing breakdowns and under produced simplicity that made you double take when listening to them. After heading into the studio with big time producer Gil Norton (Jimmy Eat World, Feeder) although is a once in a lifetime opportunity, could be a decision unwise.

Opening track Start A Fire is the band's first single and is somewhat reminiscent of 2008 Snow Patrol. It's predictable and humdrum structure hinders the impact of the song and the odd guitar hit during the verse can become tiring as it rings on throughout the track. What's so disheartening is that the chorus has so much potential yet it's over production makes it so confined and restricts it from reaching it's pinnacle. Eighth track in the album is a new version of 'The Holiday's' first single'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'. Chucking out all the brilliant aspects of the original out of the window such as the bouncy rhythm, tom filled intro and four chord verse makes this quite a downer of the album.

However all is not doom and gloom as the album has it's highs. Tracks such as single 'Karma Satellite's sentimental piano melody and vocals and it's Coldplay like "Oh-ohhhh" driven sixteen bar bridge just echoes brilliance. 'Indigo' is another highlight in the album. It's tranquil finger plucked rhythm and choir sung backing vocals which then crescendo into an uplifting chorus makes this a definite keeper. Similar serene track is most anticipated 'Million Lights'. It's stripped back production technique replacing what would be guitar
melodies with backing vocals sung like a chorale is definitely a breath of fresh air.

The Karma Album is a good record, don't get me wrong. However, it's not what we all heard when Rocksound released their first EP. Over production doesn't work well for the band and that lies down to Mr Norton's production tekkers. Singing to a major label has seemed to change all that made us fall in love with them. Hopefully from now on, after leaving Mercury, they'll go back to releasing material similar to what we first heard.

6.1

Daniel Mburu

Hugo Meredith-Hardy - Gamble With The Upper Hand

After wading through videos of 'Hey Ya' covers, I stumbled across Hugo Meredith-Hardy's page. Rather impressed, I took interest and delved deeper into his youtube account which subsequently led me to this Cambridge A2 college student's independently recorded EP. Best thing I've done in a while. Not knowing barely anything about him, I felt just a sudden NEED to write this review on his six track EP.

Drawing influence from Laura Marling among other acoustic musicians Meredith-Hardy's artist stimulus is evident. Even without 'big band production' the atmosphere created is of similar calibre. Tracks such as 'Tedium (In my bones)' resonate something from The Zutons' earlier work with haunting yet brilliant distant backing vocals, quick shuffle drums along with a funk like bassline ring nostalgic vibes. 

Other tracks include 'Pickpocket' It's down tempo muted acoustic riffs ring well in the track along with the incorporation of Noel Gallagher like guitar solos. Lyrics referring to a 'pickpocket living under your feet' who 'holds no sympathy // just does what must be done."

I went through a stage of frustration when I first heard this EP wondering why he hadn't received as much as attention as he deserved and without sounding like a 52 year old talent show judge, this is brilliant. A very refreshing out look on acoustic music as he strays away from the normal and mundane acoustic vibe and it damn well works.

Daniel Mburu - June 2012

Futures - The Holiday (2010) - Re-issue

After the sudden crash and burn of Buckinghamshire's own 'Tonight is Goodbye', three members out of the quintet carried on with thier passion for music. Ant West kept the position of vocals and took on rhythm six-stringer, the band took on new-comer Christian Ward on bass and Casey Roarty and George Lindsay resumed their previous posts from TIG as lead guitarist and drummer. Thus, 'Futures' was born. A hard rocking, alternative pop-rock four -piece, with the similar banging riffs and breakdowns as Tonight is Goodbye but with a more "mature" sound to it.

Within less than eight months of the band's formation, we saw the release of their debut album: "The Holiday". With some tracks intended to be released in TIG's upcoming album.

The seven track album opens with the great, melodic riff of "16", which was originally set on being released on the TIG album. Catchy hooks and lyrics about growing up already gives off a nostalgic vibe. "It's not where I've been, it's where i'm going to go" shouted by the band like an orchestral choir sends chills down spines. Carrying on with the catchy hook phase, second single "Sal Paradise" shows that feel good music is what these guys are about. Best played roof down in a half broken Chevy, speeding down a U.S highway. Failing that, in your back garden during a BBQ would suffice. "If you just take me by the hand and talk about our souls" isn't always interpreted as such. Maybe a more mindful selection of lyrics wouldn't go a miss.

Other tracks include album-titled "The Holiday" which screams summer with a belter of a chorus and album finishing track: "Thank You" It's lyrics thanking the band's family, friends and fans signifies how far the band have come, and will go.

All in all, this is a brilliant debut and sets high hopes for the band. This should definitely be part of everyone's summer soundtrack collection, just goes to show good music isn't that hard to find. The future looks very auspicious for Futures...see what I did there?

8/10

Daniel Mburu - March 2010

Max Raptor - Portraits (April 2011)

From the Midlands hail Max Raptor and no, it's not a new toy. Bringing back energy filled performances, in your face attitude and ballsy riffs - these guys prove that punk isn't dead.


Opening track 'The King is Dead' is packed with a driven bass line and that just want to make you kick things. It's fast paced lyrics cried out by front man Wil Ray really sets the tone of what's to come from these boys.
'The Great and the Good' gives you all you need to know about Max Raptor. It's energetic attitude makes this one of the favourites. The rallying cry "I pin this badge upon my chest" shows the band's defiant attitude which is an occurring theme throughout the album. Similar to the "Carolina-na-na!" chant in their fourth single 'Carolina' The 'Woah-oh' sung backing gang vocals finish off the belter of a track.
Other tracks include 'Beasts' which is like the kid who still carries a packed lunch, as opposed to the other tracks who head over to Maccy D's for lunch time. A more melodic track which cuts back on the shout vocals and energetic lyrics and points in quite an obscure direction compared to the rest of the album. It's overlaying lyrics and alternative yet still heavy riffs show that the band aren't just stuck down one path. Although, maybe a few more tracks of that variety would've ensured packed lunch kid wouldn't have been so secluded.


All in all, this is a lively and energetic punk debut. They execute the album with brilliance live, spending half the time touching the roof, and spurring on everyone to just go mental. This album is definitely worth a buy for all you punk lovers, even for those not.


6.9


Daniel Mburu