While Jaguar Love might still feel the weight of their former glories, forthcoming record ‘Hologram Jams’ sets them apart from their past projects. While Blood Brothers had been a ferocious assault on the senses, Jaguar Love feels almost like that band’s trendier younger brother; all lively synth melodies and drum machine beats.
While this approach is likely to be divisive among Blood Brothers fans, at its best the record is a contagious electro-pop triumph. Single “Up All Night” is a great example, with its thumping chorus and boundless energy. While vocalist Johnny Whitney has tamed his vocal screech, he remains as distinctive as ever as his new found restraint allows for more melody. If it’s melody you’re looking for, however, then this isn’t the place to look. Like much of the record, “Up All Night” feels loud and garish, feeding the riotous punk energy you’d expect from the pair into a pop format.
This aesthetic also translates into the song’s music video, with a budget cut n’paste style that flashes with colour and enthusiasm. Like the music itself, the videos separate parts make little sense on their own, but have somehow been chopped up and rearranged into something oddly captivating.
Supporting his upcoming album Be Set Free, he will play the following dates:
7th May – Freebutt, Brighton
9th May – The Cluny, Newcastle
10th May – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
11th May – Bodega, Nottingham
12th May – The Borderline, London
13th May – Louisiana, Bristol
You can check out what to expect with the video below, featuring the track Cinderella, taken from the album:
Pretty sweet line-up tonight. It’s not all that often you genuinely want to be at a gig from the moment the doors open but tonight there is a punk-rock trio to be reckoned with in the form on Cancer Bats, Trash Talk and Chickenhawk. Even the band names seem to go together poetically. Chickenhawk get proceedings off to a loud start and it’s clear the evening will progress in a similar fashion. Their hook-filled, dirty-ass rock sensibilities go down a treat with the slowly filling Garage. They actually provide some of the most tuneful snippets of music this evening despite hammering the PA hard and heavy and rocking out with no hint of pretence.
And so to Trash Talk.Fresh from a play on DAYTIME RADIO 1 that day, this band just don’t give a shit. Well, that’s not entirely true. They definitely give a shit about putting on a good show and everyone having a good time. The band thrash about on-stage and off, reeling off punchy song after punchy song (some of them are barely even 30 seconds long).
The crowd is rapt and the band give it their shouty, frenetic all but some sort of altercation which involves venue security calling the Police whilst they are still on stage (did vocalist Lee kick someone in the head? Did he?) means their set is cut rather short. Still, these are almost ideal conditions in which to experience such a band. Trash Talk are short, sharp and not exactly sweet, but seriously exhilarating.
Cancer Bats are of course the main event tonight and there is no doubting this as they take to the stage and The Garage erupts. Full to the brim, this venue is packed with fans – old and new. This is somewhat of a record release party as the band have just released third album ‘Bears, Mayors, Scraps & Bones’ having slowly chipped away at the UK market and diligently put the work in to become a success story which this gig proves they are.
A blaze of riffs, vocals and crashing drumbeats does not let up throughout their set. It’s a barrage of most welcome noise as the band put in an energetic performance. This is an exciting show to be at and the consensus is that it’s pretty much their best to date. Old and new songs seem to be equally well received for the most part but the Cancer Bats’ somewhat-surprisingly-amazing version of the Beastie Boys’ Sabotage is a definite highlight as is the band’s own classic-in-the-making ‘French Immersion’ which rears its head towards the end of the night. It’s a loud, passionate whirlwind of a set and there is no doubt that Cancer Bats are becoming a mighty force in the UK.
Outkast’s Big Boi has announced the release date of his new, and brilliantly titled LP, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.
The album is set to be released on July 6th through Def Jam, and will include high profile guest spots from the likes of T.I, Jamie Foxx, Lil Jon and bandmate Andre 3000.
Big Boi has already previewed a couple of tracks from the album online which have been warmly received, one of which was Fo Yo Sorrows featuring George Clinton. Check the video below!
Canadian indie collective Broken Social Scene have revealed details of a new 10 track EP that will be released digitally next month.
The band is set to release their long awaited fourth album, Forgiveness Rock Record, on May 3rd, and pre-orders of that album will come with a free digital copy of Lo-fi for the Dividing Nights.
Meanwhile the band is set to play ATP festival curated by Pavement, as well a string of UK dates in May and June.
May
13th – London, Brixton Academy
14th – Minehead, All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival
15th – Brighton, The Great Escape Festival
17th – London, Heaven
June
26th – Birmingham, Academy 2
28th – Manchester, Club Academy
29th – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
30th – London, HMV Forum
Pixies have announced two shows in London this June, which are expected to form part of a more extensive tour.
The reformed band will play “special” shows at The Troxy on June 3rd and 4th, while also confirming these would be the “first of many” dates to be added.
While Jaguar Love might still feel the weight of their former glories, forthcoming record ‘Hologram Jams’ sets them apart from their past projects. While Blood Brothers had been a ferocious assault on the senses, Jaguar Love feels almost like that band’s trendier younger brother; all lively synth melodies and drum machine beats.