Hailing from Minneapolis, loonsweatshirt’s debut effort is a piece of muffled beauty. Entering with purpose, ‘it was nice knowing you got to get going’ is buoyed on an emotional bed of piano chords, while lyrically speaking into the heart of every break up that you may have experienced.
While there are limits as to how much one can take from a demo recording, loonsweatshirt’s vocals cut through with a warming tenderness, making it two minutes that you will find yourself playing on repeat.
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New: loonsweatshirt – it was nice knowing you got to get going

If you look closely enough, you’ll see an emblem on the artwork for ‘UNO’ that reads, ‘County of Orange – Haslemere’. It is within this we find begin to find the sinewy essence that links Rex’s connection from his Surrey homestead to the sunny veneer of Orange County, California.
This seeming juxtaposition of locality runs throughout ‘UNO’, built on upbeat injections of keyboard riffs and bursts of buoyant brass while being guided by paranoid, hyper self-aware lyrical lines. In creating infectiously melodic instrumentation, Rex’s superb vocal delivery is further galvanized and the listener remains trapped within the angst pervading through his psyche.
Rex’s totality in his musical ability and razor sharp social awareness makes him remarkably individual, and ‘UNO’ must only mark the sign of exciting things to come as more of his music makes it’s way into the world.
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New: Rex Orange County – UNO

Another striking example of how the Australian music scene remains to be as vibrant and varied as it has been for the past few years, Middle Kids have emerged with their debut effort ‘Edge of Town’ as an instantly catchy gem.
Formed by Hannah Joy and Tim Fitz following collaborations as solo artists, Middle Kids appear to be soaring in a vein of thumping indie rock. Joy’s vocals are immediately striking, and her lyrical melodies cannot fail to hold the attention of the listener.
On tour with Julia Jacklin in Australia after recently selling out a headline show, Middle Kids are certainly a one to watch.
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New: Middle Kids – Edge of Town

As premiered by Noisey, Isaac Lee-Kronick has entered into the ever present fray of new music with a superb debut effort in the shape of ‘Running Man’.
Described by Isaac himself as a representation of a ‘kaleidoscopic confusion’, the track itself flourishes around a bold, infectious chorus amongst a bed of tropical fused percussion and bursts of instrumental sounds. ‘Running Man’ is very much a track that one should allow time to live with and to fully appreciate, and in turn cement your desire for further music from this very promising North Londoner.
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New: Isaac Lee-Kronick – Running Man

After a blistering performance last weekend at Trondheim Calling, it felt like a necessity to share the music of Biru Baby. The band themselves hail from Sápmi, a cultural region which spans across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia, which itself is made up of the Sami people who historically have led a semi-nomadic life living off roaming herds of wild Reindeer.
Positioned in the wilds of the furthermost northern regions of these Fenno-Scandinavia countries, Biru Baby have created a sound and a style that is equal parts bizarre, baffling, and brilliantly unique within the relative isolation of their home. Described to me by a friend as sounding like ‘Babymetal on acid’, you can check out a selection of their tracks and videos below.
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Introducing: Biru Baby

Following on from their striking debut album ‘Mixed Blessings’, Beaty Heart have returned in superb form with their new single ‘Flora’.
Channeling a multitude of instruments and sounds in just over three minutes, ‘Flora’ is a glitchy, sparkling piece of pop. A definite grower as it wraps around your mind’s ear, the track is best described by the band themselves;
‘Flora’ was partly inspired by the Brazilian jazz singer, Flora Purim. We tried to evoke her rich, steamy tones within our own style, as well as exploring improvisational techniques to form the melody of the song. 
There’s a real analogue-y, stacatto energy to it that we all love, as well as just a dash of filthy bastard. We also incorporated a vocal sample from ‘Bad Bad Boys’, a 90s Swedish rap hit by Midi, Maxi & Efti, heard during a Robyn DJ set in Stockholm, which we thought was sassy’.
You can catch Beaty Heart live, along with Makeness in support, on the 13th April at the Electrowerkz in London.
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New: Beaty Heart – Flora

As long term fans of Aurora, and our more recent discovery Hasta, we’re stoked to premiere this superb remix of ‘Runaway’.
Crafting subtle and nuanced shifts from the original track, Hasta captures the key essence of fragility and matches it with galvanising euphoric swells. Given Aurora’s natural vocal strength, the remix focuses more on clever moments of scything synths and smooth percussion lines, resulting in a finished article that is both a testament to the original song and very much interesting in it’s own right.
Aurora’s debut album ‘All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend’ is out on the 11th March, and Hasta has just recently released his debut EP, ‘Bontanique’, on Kitsune.
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Premiere: Runaway – Aurora (Hasta Remix)

After bubbling under the surface for the past few months, Alex Vargas has returned in 2016 with a real impact. Today we premiere his track ‘Ashes’, taken from his new EP ‘Giving Up The Ghost’ which is due out via Copenhagen Records/Locomotion Entertainment on the 22nd January.
A real slow burner, ‘Ashes’ begins with a longing guitar line before Vargas’ vocals enter with a sudden ferocity. Continuing the build, the track climaxes in a series of percussive rises and a repetitive plea from Vargas himself in his line ‘tell me when the love runs out’.
In addition to ‘Ashes’ another EP track entitled ‘Shackled Up’ has been revealed, which itself is an undeniably anthemic piece of pop music. Employing a similar level of production prowess and strong songwriting, these tracks demonstrate this new EP marks a very strong start to year for Vargas.
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Premiere: Alex Vargas – Ashes

As premiered by i-D, Norwegian duo Smerz have revealed their brilliant new single ‘Because’. Entering with a techno spun beat, the track further opens into a smooth, swaying world of crisp vocals and intoxicating synth lines.
We caught Smerz perform at Øya Festival last year and their live show matches their strength on record, which in turn definitely makes them an outfit to watch out for in 2016.
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New: Smerz – Because

In the lull between our festive decadence and the heady heights of New Year we’ve come across a soulful masterpiece, ‘People Say’. There is very little information surrounding the track at this present time, however we know it’s the work of an artist called ‘Seramic’.
Built on a bedrock warbling guitar lines and rising choral vocals, the song reaches out to the listener with a veil of intimacy, while working it’s way through periods of fragility and releases of resilience.
We look forward to hearing more from Seramic in 2016.
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Introducing: Seramic

Following on from the recent release of their debut track ‘Breathing Space’ (of which you can watch the video below), South London’s Little Cub have returned with the equally impressive ‘Intent’.
Delicate and deeply considered, ‘Intent’ is a wonderfully constructed piece of wistful pop music. The production wrapping the track together has beautiful moments of sonic realisation, syncing the longing romanticism of the lyrics with the strong sense of melancholy running throughout.
You can download both ‘Breathing Space’ and ‘Intent’ for free from the band’s <a href="https://www.wearelittlecub.com" target="_blank">website</a>, along with streaming them on <a href="https://itun.es/gb/OFem_" target="_blank">Apple Music</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4jMqVLtqmSgLMJMXm5vuvZ" target="_blank">Spotify</a>.
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New: Little Cub – Intent

Hailing from North London, Fredwave has been on our radar since he dropped his impressive previous offering ‘Change’ earlier in the year. Since then he has received plaudits from the likes of BBC Radio 1xtra, Noisey, and SBTV, and has taken the time to further hone his sound.
With ‘Kno Betta’, Fredwave has provided us with a dark, striking video to accompany the themes of fear and tragedy that exist throughout the track. Directed by Marco Grey, the video touches upon very real issues that exist for young people growing up in London, while intertwining Fredwave’s own worlds of love and regret, leaving the finished product as a must watch from beginning to end.
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New: Fredwave – Kno Betta

Hailing from South London, Jude Woodhead has emerged with his striking debut effort ‘Beautiful Rain’.
18 years old, classically trained on the trumpet and self taught on piano and drums, Woodhead has been working on music for several years prior to his debut offering. Inspired by Congolese and South African records found in his dad’s record collection, Woodhead has managed to blend these influences with the modern production styles of the likes of Four Tet and Floating Points.
‘Beautiful Rain’ has a brilliant simplicity that galvanizes a vibrant and colourful energy that exists throughout the track. Working around a series of strong percussive beats, the nuances in the production and the distribution of sounds allows for a different experience on every listen.
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New: Jude Woodhead – Beautiful Rain

Beginning brightly, Carvell’s debut effort ‘Sway’ ventures its way through a fine blend of classic indie guitar lines and a strong vocal delivery.
There is a lot about ‘Sway’ that feels anthemic, particularly the verses with echoed vocal lines, though in another turn it is these verses that offer other elements of interesting production and arrangement which elevate it much beyond a simple indie track.
There is very little online about Carvell at the moment, but you can check our ‘Sway’ in the meantime below. 
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New: Carvell – Sway

An Australian singer/songwriter based in Oakland, California, Hazel English has been making the blogosphere swoon over the past six months with a series of tracks, beginning with ‘Never Going Home’, moving through to ‘It’s Not Real’, before arriving at her latest effort ‘Fix’.
Embossed with a heavy dose of reverb, English’s most recent musical offering moves in a haze of jangly indie pop. Calling out to the listener, ‘Fix’ is a very warming piece of music, wrapping itself around your mind in a sea of weaving guitar lines and rises of synths. While there aren’t any official release plans detailed as yet, Hazel English is definitely an artist to keep your eye on in the coming months.
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New: Hazel English – Fix

There’s a certain, simple beauty in an upbeat indie track; soaring guitars, a direct vocal line, and a story of unrequited love. Norwegian trio Great News deliver just that in their latest offering, and their second single, ‘Love Her’.
Following on from supporting Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and a series of festivals across their native Norway, Great News are only just beginning to emerge into the spotlight. Carried by their own joyful buoyancy, there is already a strong sense of ability in their music, composed in such a manner that naturally draws in any unsuspecting listener. While ‘Love Her’ may feel like it could be the soundtrack of a summer, there is strong evidence here to support the suggestion that Great News’ music will transcend the seasons.
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New: Great News – Love Her

Arguably one of the strongest new music tracks I’ve heard in 2015, Kamau’s ‘Jusfayu’ is full of charisma, charm, and an unabated joy which is underlined with a sense of playful melancholy.
Captioned with the short statement of ‘A song about one way romance’, the repetitive nature of the track furthers the exasperation held in the lead vocal line that conveys a sense of pleading which is already conscious of it’s own futility. Threading this message together is an undeniably brilliant series of pop melodies and hooks, along with stellar production from New Zealand trio No Wyld. This concludes in tying together a brilliant track that you will no doubt have on repeat for a while.
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New: Kamau – Jusfayu

Taken from Duck House’s upcoming EP, ‘Tether’ has a Balearic flavour while handpicking pop sensibilities as an undeniably catchy chorus is wrapped around a variety of sparking synth sounds.
There is a definite sense of development in Duck House’s sound, especially given this is the first piece of original material to emerge in the past year. In the interim he dropped a superb Ellie Goulding remix of ‘Love Me Like You Do’, and in moving forward with ‘Tether’ there are accompanying <a href="https://www.duckhousemusic.co.uk/shows.html" target="_blank">live dates</a> which help fully realise the potential of this quickly emerging project.
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New: Duck House – Tether

Ahead of the release of his forthcoming Botanique EP on the 2nd October, Norwegian producer Hasta has dropped his most exciting track to date, La Vista.
Originally premiered over on THUMP, La Vista is a swooning, smooth piece of  music, full of undulations and dynamics, guiding the listener through an elaborate electronic soundscape. It’s not surprising then that Hasta has started to develop a strong following, strengthened by swathes of critical acclaim for his own work and his work with his contemporaries, including the likes of Goldlink and Glacci.
You can check out more of Hasta’s work over on his <a href="https://soundcloud.com/thisishasta" target="_blank">Soundcloud</a>, and you’ll realise he is definitely not an artist to be slept on.
Photo Credit – Renate Madsen
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New: Hasta – La Vista

Arriving with her debut track ‘Jesus Made Me Bad’, Lao Ra has made a strong statement of intent.
Sparking with energy and galvanized with a effortless blanket of style, ‘Jesus Made My Bad’ is very much directed from a pop sentiment while remaining entirely personable. Channeling feelings of MIA, and the glitchy pop production of SOPHIE, the track is inspired by Lao Ra’s upbringing in Bogota, Colombia, along with her MTV escapism as she tried to avoid the war of drugs which ravaged the city in the 90’s.
A striking effort, and a piece of music that only furthers the intrigue surrounding this very promising artist.
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Introducing: Lao Ra

I first came across through The Ansah Brothers through one half of their line up, Genesis Owusu, after he made the final shortlist of Triple J Unearthed’s competition of the most promising Australian artists still in High School.
Having released their debut mixtape, which you can access below through their track Intractable, earlier this year, The Ansah Brothers (Genesis Owusu and Citizen Kay) provide a very impressive first offering. Drawing from a mixture of samples and upcoming producers providing beats, the duo have found a natural and endearing balance in their respective lyrical flows. Clever, cutting, and contemporary, make sure to keep an eye on what comes next from The Ansah Brothers camp.
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Introducing: The Ansah Brothers

Matthew James Wilcock, a.k.a., Model 86, has been bubbling under the digital surface for the past month or so, though in that time he has already begun to gain plaudits across the online world and on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6Music. 
Taken from his debut ‘Self Help Dance’ EP, ‘Friend’ is a fascinating insight into Model 86’s world of production. Balance a level of glitchy drive that is far from jarring and much more intriguing, there are a variety of sounds chopped and diced into what is a mesmerizing patchwork of music.
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Introducing: Model 86

Unrelenting, unforgiving, and entirely unfastened, Dilly Dally’s ‘Desire’ has a raw essence that is gilt edged with a purposeful raucousness.
While lodged in a foundation of grunge heritage, there are musical reference points which extend further, including throws to Smashing Pumpkins. Hailing from Toronto, and with their debut album due out on Partisan (US) and Buzz (CAN) on October 9th, we can’t wait for Dilly Dally to cross to the pond.
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New: Dilly Dally – Desire

Previously revealing her debut effort in the form of an enigmatic video, 4AD newcomer Pixx, real name Hannah Rodgers, has now made the track available to stream on SoundCloud. Embedded below, ‘Fall In’ is a beautifully striking entry into the world as it channels sounds of label mates Cocteau Twins and echoes a similar energy to that of Grimes.
Utterly absorbing in it’s soundscape, ‘Fall In’ threads the listener through a journey that gravitates between swirling space, occupied primarily by Rodgers’ warm, hypnotising vocals, before emerging into an all encompassing choral piece of brilliance. ‘Fall In’ feels very much like just the beginning for this very promising 19 year old.
‘Fall In’ is taken from Pixx’s debut EP of the same name, released on August 28th.
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New: Pixx – Fall In

Following on from the release of ALAN.NI’s stunning You & I Summer EP, featured track ‘Suddenly’ undergoes a dark, brooding transformation as Chester Watson crafts his own lyrical sphere. Beginning as a smooth, velvety entity, ‘Suddenly’ in it’s original carnation is a seemingly straightforward, yet beautiful piece of music. However within the depths of the track there is a darker core, and in his remix Chester Watson has unearthed this essence and laid it bare in his own interpretation.
Accompanied by an equally menacing video, you can listen to/watch the remix below.
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New: ALA.NI – Suddenly Remix ft. Chester Watson

You may have already come across Gilligan Moss in the form of one of his many brilliant remixes, with highlights including a remix of Glass Animals’ ‘Gooey’ and Sia’s ‘Big Girls Cry’. His glitchy, shimmering production style makes an immediate impression, and after a period of experimentation Gilligan has announced the release of his debut EP, ‘Ceremonial’, through exciting new UK label AMF Records.
The first track from the EP is ‘Choreograph’, and while a few keen Gilligan Moss fans may already recognise the track, it has now been remastered into a whole new glory, and you can check it out below.
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New: Gilligan Moss – Choreograph

Channeling the sounds of fellow countryman Flume, and those of US duo Odesza, PINES enter the foray with their debut offering ‘All You Need’.
Glitchy, sample driven, and demanding of several repeat listens, ‘All You Need’ sparks immediately into life and find it’s form as the track glitters and shimmers across it’s near three minute duration.
Given the early promise of their first cut, there will no doubt be a lot more to come from PINES in the coming months.
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New: Pines – All You Need

BOYS are from Bracknell, and they’re angling to be the next Killers. Well, not exactly the next Killers, as there are plenty of differences between the Nevada outfit and the subject of this blog post, however BOYS embody everything that made The Killers the undeniably brilliant, anthemic, melody driven entity that a generation of kids fell in love with.
There is little other information around other than the demos presented, however both tracks cannot be seen as anything else other than a striking statement of intent. Highlighted below, ‘Set Me On Fire’ raucously fires an infectious, bracingly epic chorus, and you’ll no doubt find yourself on plenty of repeat listens.
 
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New: BOYS – Set Me On Fire

Having already drawn comparisons to the likes of Sonic Youth and The Jesus and Mary Chain, London’s INHEAVEN have made a very strong impact in a very short space of time. Emerging with the undeniably anthemic  ‘Regeneration’, the band had unleashed a call-to-arms to their peers and a wider youth culture, imploring the importance of the now as an answer to a pervading sense of angst. While ‘Regeneration’ may have been a raucous cry to the world, the band’s sophomore track ‘Slow’ presents itself as a muddier, darker affair, as it is sunk in off kilter guitar riffs and warbling vocals. In presenting ‘Slow’ INHEAVEN demonstrated a more intimate, vulnerable dimension to themselves and their sound, and combined with ‘Regeneration’ it only makes us that much eager to hear their next release.
 
Follow our <a style="font-weight: bold; color: #f8f8fc;" href="https://open.spotify.com/user/crackintheroad/playlist/1UB6gJIZpmiO0H2zmSbg02" target="_blank">Spotify On Repeat playlist</a> for a selection of the current hottest tracks.
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Introducing: INHEAVEN

Following on from their superb debut effort ‘Ladybird’, London four-piece Beach Baby return with the AA side to their debut single, entitled ‘No Mind No Money’. Picking up on the post-punk and 80’s New Wave feelings of ‘Ladybird’, the band’s latest output is a calmer affair as the track rests of a bed of harmonic guitar riffs and woozy melodies. While ‘No Mind No Money’ operates on a hazier level than it’s predecessor, it is as infectious and marks a further evolution in the band’s very promising sound. Beach Baby may well just soundtrack your summer.
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New: Beach Baby – No Mind No Money

Spring King are the sort of that band that make you want to be in a band. Energetic, endearing, and full of passion, their latest offering ‘City’ is a further development of the band’s raucous, uplifting sound. Led by lead vocalist, and drummer, Tarek Musa, the Manchester four piece are very quickly evolving into one of the UK’s most exciting guitar bands.
Out on Handsome Dad Records on April 20th, ‘City’ forms part of the band’s latest EP and has been announced alongside the band’s SXSW attendance and a UK support tour with Courtney Barnett.
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New: Spring King – City

We’ve been big fans of Loyle Carner since he dropped his debut EP towards the end of last year, and the video for his track ‘BFG’ has only further cemented our appreciation and respect for him. Focused around the sad passing of his father, ‘BFG’ holds no punches as it grabs at your heart strings and addresses the listener with a relentless, pained focus.
Following on from recent support shows for Atomsphere, Joey Bada$$, and Kate Tempset, we can’t wait to see what Loyle Carner does next.
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Video: Loyle Carner – BFG

Uplifting, infectiously melodic, and with the driving ferocity of a locomotive, Beach Baby’s debut offering, ‘Ladybird’. is a very strong effort indeed. Channeling influences of British post-punk and 80’s New Wave, ‘Ladybird’ undulates within a fine haze of apathy without ever becoming lost in the sonic mist, taking the listener to moments of reflection before then thrusting them straight back into the unrelenting movement of the current.
Formed as a four piece, and originally meeting at London’s Goldsmiths College, Beach Baby are very much making the first steps in their career, however with their debut single due out on Chess Club Records/B3SCI on March 30th, along with their debut live shows (listed below), they’ve made the prospect of summer that much more exciting.
Sun 29th March – Paris, La Cigale (w/Jungle)
Weds 8th April – Brighton, Prince Albert
Thurs 9th April – Salford, Eagle Inn
Sat 11th April – Cardiff, Dim Swn Festival
Weds 15th April – London, Courtyard Theatre
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Introducing: Beach Baby

There are plenty of guitar bands that are happy to let their music wash over you, existing in an anesthetized state of mind as fuzzy guitar lines and wavy vocals subsist in a perceived sense of style. Upon discovering T I B E T, I encountered a band that was ferociously direct and oozing confidence in their riffs and percussion.
‘She Don’t Know’ is a fast paced, joyous affair; relentless in it’s chorus declaration and unabashed through it’s tumultuous pop melodies. ‘My Girl’ is a less intense cut, and displays it’s strength and ambition in it’s undulating dynamics as anthemic choruses are bookended by phases of contrasting quietness and enveloping percussion.
Listen to ‘My Girl’ and ‘She Don’t Know’ below.
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Introducing: T I B E T

Half Peruvian and half English is about as much information as we’re given when it comes to INCA, along with a misty, ambiguous image that echoes the spacious, enigmatic nature of her debut track ‘Wake Me Up’.
Based upon a pulsating, bass heavy beat bedrock, INCA’s striking vocals soar over the minimalist production as she appeals directly to the listener, forming a somewhat ethereal, repeating plea of ‘I need somebody like you’.
Definitely a one to watch in 2015, check out INCA’s debut effort below.
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Introducing: INCA

Emerging out of the unknown, Lilla Vargen presents us with very little in the way of biographical information. Without the contextual noise of location, age, favourite foods etc, Lilla’s track stands out with an ever greater clarity as a fragile, intimate vocal/piano pairing. Echoing the piano swells found in Rufus Wainwright’s take on the classic ‘Hallelujah’, Vargen has crafted a simple yet beautiful track that speaks directly to the listener and retains their attention throughout the two minute, twenty four seconds duration.
By opening her account with a track that hangs on the bare bones of instrumentation, Vargen has not only allowed herself the space to develop her sound, she has also allowed her very promising vocal talent to be established without question.
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Introducing: Lilla Vargen

Usually as we enter the end of a year, our minds are either focused firmly in a sense of retrospect and evaluation of albums released, or on artists and bands that have spent the year establishing themselves for the forthcoming year. It won’t be long until we have the usual ones to watch lists, however as we stand on that particular precipice we have been stunned by the emergence of an incredibly exciting 18 year old artist from seemingly out of nowhere.
Operating under the moniker Rat Boy, Jordan Cardy originally uploaded his debut mixtape a staggering 7 months ago. For a good while it existed relatively unnoticed, though after a couple of spins on BBC 6Music the awareness has increased and we’ve all started to play catch up. There is an immediate pang of Jamie T in Rat Boy’s music, though you would be very short sighted to end your understanding with such an off hand  assessment. While the comparisons to Jamie T are valid in their shared clever lyricism and raucous energy, after a few listens you begin to hear influences of British punk music, such as The Clash, along with plenty of references to a hip hop narrative in the vein of The Streets and the Beastie Boys, demonstrated through his percussive beats and the ardent use of samples to string together a series of fascinating, and at times contradictory, ideas.
There is far too much to be said about Rat Boy’s debut mixtape to be covered adequately in a modest blog post, so I would encourage you to listen to the mixtape in it’s entirety below. What can be said for certain is that Rat Boy is very much one to watch as we enter into 2015, even if you don’t see him on many of the customary lists.
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New: Rat Boy – The Mixtape

It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from up and coming London producer Mom Tudie, however he has returned today with another sublime cut featuring Giorgia Lo, entitled ‘Nothing More To Say’.
Immediately engulfing the listening with his trademark smooth percussion and soulful transitions, ‘Nothing More To Say’ is galvanised by the warming sounds of a soaring trumpet line, matching the absorbing vocals of Giorgia Lo and her lyrical narrative. It is Tudie’s clever and acutely contemporary production style that stands out in the track, referencing sounds of jazz and RnB while remaining entirely forward thinking in his sonic outlay.
We can’t wait to hear more from Mom Tudie, though in the meantime you can listen to ‘Nothing More To Say’ below.
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New: Mom Tudie Feat. Giorgia Lo – Nothing More To Say

Playing out in an almost cataclysmic mania, Ja_n_et’s latest cut ‘THER,IS’ is a bizarre and striking composition of sounds and samples that immediately grabs your attention. Focusing around a recurring vocal sample of ‘There Is’, the track exists in an hypnotic, dream-like state, underscored by strong, warming bass sounds. With very other little information online about Ja_n_et, you can check out ‘THER,IS’ below. 
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New: Ja_n_et – THER,IS

We’re very excited to premiere ‘About You’, the debut track from brand new London based artist Fine Print.
As is always the way, there is currently very little contextual information surrounding Fine Print, however any lingering curiousity you may have quickly evaporates as you become absorbed within the first few bars of this effortless first cut. Focusing the listeners attention on to his serene vocals, erring on the side of pop without ever over reaching, the track builds with relatively minimal production as Fine Print employs snatching percussion, synth sounds, and an infectious guitar line.
There is a lot in ‘About You’ that you will only truly be able to appreciate with repeat listens, however the concluding sax solo is an element of this tune that immediately resonates and leaves us looking forward to hearing from this exciting new artist.
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Premiere: Fine Print – About You

We love Adult Jazz, and we think their debut album ‘Gist Is’ is one of the best releases of 2014. Therefore when we saw their new video go online, we didn’t even really need to watch it to know it would be at least equal to their previous superb output. Creating a monochromatic representation of the brilliant ‘Am Gone’, we follow the fate of a lone soul trapped in a stock working his way towards his freedom before reaching a rather unexpected conclusion. This video is as clever and surprising as Adult Jazz’s music, and for that reason we strongly advise you watch it.
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New: Adult Jazz – Am Gone (Video)

In the space of nine months Låpsley has gone from a complete unknown to one of the UK’s most exciting new artists, and this excitement is only set to grow with the announcement of her brand new EP.
‘Falling Short’, as premiered by Annie Mac last night on her BBC Radio 1 show, is a magnificent step up while retaining the stripped back, pitched down vocal essence that galvanised her debut effort ‘Station’. Demonstrating not only Låpsley’s strength as a stellar vocalist but also as a soulful lyricist with a clear vision for her production, ‘Falling Short’ is only the beginning of the next stage in what will no doubt be a long and successful career for this young Liverpudlian.
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New: Låpsley – Falling Short

Loyle Carner’s ‘A Little Late’ EP is one of the strongest UK rap releases of recent times, and while this may sound dangerously like hyperbole, we’re not the only ones who are lashing such praise on this young Londoner.
Apparently a year in the making, the EP was delayed at the start of this year by the sad passing of Carner’s father, thus it’s weighty and apt title ‘A Little Late’. There is no doubt the tragic loss of his father had a massive influence on Carner’s debut effort, with the fragile and highly emotional ‘BFG’ opening the EP  with a resilient, raw honesty. The remainder of the EP demonstrates a variety of influences and styles, employing sounds of jazz, blues, and soul, all of which is underpinned by Carner’s smooth and intelligent lyrical flow.
This is one of our favourite EP releases of 2014, and we can’t wait to hear more.
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Introducing: Loyle Carner

Fresh from it’s premiere on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show, Rhodes returns with a emphatic piece of anthemic pop. Entitled ‘Breathe’, the track is the first from Rhodes’ latest EP ‘Home’, due for release on his own Ministry of Sound imprint on the 19th October.
Beginning with a level of fragility, the track suddenly emerges into a flourishing rapture, continuing to build on it’s own effervescent energy. Destined to be a track that many will eagerly await for that moment at festivals, in which the sun is just beginning to set and the night is unbounded with opportunities, ‘Breathe’ positions Rhodes in a strong dynamic for the remainder of 2014.
Details of his upcoming headline tour can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rhodesmusicuk/photos/a.563752736972836.147062.558690077479102/897641876917252/?type=1&theater" target="_blank">here</a>
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New: Rhodes – Breathe

Late night Bandcamp trawling is a safe, if not haphazard, retreat. Perhaps hoping to find something calming in anticipation of heading to bed, I instead found the debut self-titled effort from Nano Kino. As with so many first time Bandcamp uploads, there is little to no accompanying information, however within the track itself is a strong, endearing essence that feels like it is only beginning to emerge. Confident vocals are matched by a driving guitar line, all soaked in a fuzzy lo-fi veneer.
It’s by no means the finished product, but there is something undeniably enjoyable about this early effort from Nano Kino.
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New: Nano Kino – Nano Kino

We’re very stoked to have the premiere on Leeds based producer Favela’s chill take on Lana Del Rey’s ‘West Coast’.
Having first come to prominence last year with the sublime track ‘Easy Yoke’, which will now also be available on Majestic Casual’s upcoming compilation, Favela returns with a remix that demonstrates a subtle yet powerful level of production. Immersing ‘West Coast’ in a further level of melancholy, Favela’s take has only made us more excited for his own future releases.
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Premiere: Lana Del Rey – West Coast (Favela Remix)

Entering in a veil of mystery, Bad Sounds are a brand new duo from London that have immediately impressed with their debut track ‘Living Alone’. Channeling sounds akin to Tom Vek and Metronomy, there is, as you would expect, very little further information about the band currently available. However with the immediate support of BBC Radio 1, there is no doubt that we’re sure to find out more about Bad Sounds as their impact continues to ripple across the blogosphere and beyond.
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New: Bad Sounds – Living Alone

We’ve been avid followers of FAMY for the past couple of years now, so it’s heartwarming to see the London outfit finally reach a position in which they can announce the details of their debut album. Entitled ‘We Fam Econo’, the album is preceded by the fantastic ‘Ava’ and the most recently released ‘Ava Epilogue’. As the titles suggest, both tracks work best in succession and the videos for both provide an essential visual insight into the emotional intensity embedded in the sound of FAMY.
Released on the 8th September through Transgressive Records, ‘We Fam Econo’ is available to <a href="https://www.musicglue.com/famyboys/" target="_blank">pre-order now</a> (check out all those snazzy options!)
FAMY UK Tour
30th July – The Lexington, London
22nd September – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
23rd September – The Louisiana, Bristol
24th September – The Hope, Brighton
26th September – Soup Kitchen, Manchester
27th September – Town Hall Crypt, Middlesbrough
28th September – Portland Arms, Cambridge
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News: FAMY Announce Debut Album

I’m not sure if I could tell you many bands from Harrogate, however if I did ever get asked the question I need now only to remember one name; Litany.
Composed of Jake Nicolaides and Beth Cornell, Litany appear to have been in existence for over a year now, although their latest effort, ‘Slopes’, is a clear development in their sound. A justifiable amount of emphasis is placed on Cornell’s sublime vocals, and Nicolaides accompanying production begins in a subtle manner before building into a smooth yet energising climax.
A promising early effort of this latest incarnation of their sound, and it’ a sound Litany will hopefully continue to explore.

Introducing: Litany

There are plenty of things in life which are deservedly brazen and are all the more fantastical for it, such as the Miley Cyrus show I witnessed last night, however there are also things in life that gain their strength in their subtlety. Mount Weak is one of those things.
The project of Ruthie Zofia Skrytek, ‘Paradise Lost’ is an understated affair of haunting piano, whispering vocals and an engaging yet softening beat. If there is one criticism you could wager against Mount Weak, is that there are no huge shifts in dynamic between the tracks that have been presented. With that said, with each one taken in their own right it is difficult to not get lost within the serenity.

Introducing: Mount Weak

I’ve only recently come across Mizan, however the discovery could not have been timed any better as I enjoy the final few hours of a relaxing Sunday evening and press play on this wonderfully chill new track entitled ‘Thru’.
You’ll be able to find a good biog on Mizan with relative ease, given the fact the likes of Clash, Earmilk, and Wonderland, have already offered kind words, so I won’t go into too much depth here. What you do need to know is that Mizan hails from New York, and this affects her music to it’s very core essence. In a world that has seen the rise of BANKS and SZA, it could very well be this authentic and close connection to her native city that separates Mizan out from the competition.

New: Mizan – Thru

Just over five months since Hannah Diamond arrived with the release of her debut track ‘Pink and Blue’, she returns with her sophomore effort ‘Attachment’, and it does not disappoint.
Following on from Josh’s <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/24995-new-hannah-diamond-pink-blue/" target="_blank">brief analysis</a> of ‘Pink and Blue’, Diamond’s extension into ‘Attachment’ is a seamless development of the bubblegum pop aesthetic that is still galvanzied by a wonderful element of satire. With a more extrapolated song structure and a greater vocal range, there are even moments that are reminiscent of Kate Bush’s ‘Wuthering Heights’.
Could this be the greatest example of meta pop yet? We’re still trying to figure it out, however in the meanwhile ‘Attachment’ is an infectious track that will only increase the intrigue surrounding this exciting young PC Music artist.
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New: Hannah Diamond – Attachment

It’s been over three months since we last heard from Edinburgh singer/songwriter Lists (Ali Milesi), with his debut effort ‘Autumn’ completely bowling us over with it’s fragile intensity and dazzling composition.
Returning today with the understated release of his second track, entitled ‘Veil’, Lists has demonstrated his ability to craft his heart achingly beautiful sound into a weave of sorrowful violin, driving percussion, and choral vocals before then climaxing in a striking solo vocal line that will capture your entire attention.
This is very promising work from the young Scotsman, and we can’t wait to hear more.
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New: Lists – Veil

Sophie Jamieson first caught our attention towards the latter end of 2013, with her stand out track ‘Waterloo’, taken from her ‘Where EP’, causing quite a stir among the blogosphere and beyond.
Returning in 2014 with the news that her debut single is set to be released on the evergreen Luv Luv Luv Records, Sophie’s first cut of the year is a sensationally striking example of this young singer/songwriter’s seemingly boundless potential. Undulating in a dynamic galvanized by a new found confidence, ‘Stain’ has an ethereal quality that maintains the listener’s attention in a manner similar to eager attention paid to a well versed story teller.
Filled with impassioned instrumental nuances and a simply beautiful vocal line, ‘Stain’ is one of my favourite tracks of 2014.
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New: Sophie Jamieson – Stain

Talk about two birds, one stone. We’ve featured Mom Tudie on Crack in the Road before, however it’s been a long time coming for 18 year old Londoner Tom Misch to make his way onto the pages of our fair blog.
Two insanely talented musicians/producers, Mom Tudie and Tom Misch joining forces has led to the creation of ‘Waiting On You’, a track that is coated in a Balearic feel and is a guaranteed repeat listen. An enticing vocal line is underpinned by a gorgeous bass line, both of which fluctuate in speed and intensity in a manner similar to the gentle lapping of waves against an Iberian shore.
There is no doubt these are two artists to keep your eye on in 2014.
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New: Mom Tudie x Tom Misch – Waiting On You

In possibly the most remarkable line up announcement of the year so far, Primavera have revealed their full festival bill this evening. Initiated by the screening of a line up announcement movie, along with a live stream for those not lucky enough to find them in a handful of Spanish cities, what Primavera has assembled is an absolute stellar set of artists.
Having already announced Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Pixies, new line up highlights include Queens of the Stone Age, Kendrick Lamar, Disclosure, St. Vincent, Metronomy, Chvrches, Warpaint, Jamie XX, Real Estate, The National, Haim, John Grant, Jagwar Ma, Factory Floor, Nine Inch Nails, Volcano Choir, Mogwai, Foals, Cut Copy, and Ty Segall.
You can read the full line up in the poster above, and you can purchase tickets, in the inevitably short time they’ll be available, <a href="https://www.primaverasound.es/entradas" target="_blank">here</a>

News: Primavera Announces Full Line Up

Nothing quite makes a Tuesday worth working through than a new Future Islands track and video. Taken from their recently announced ‘Singles’ album set to be released on 4AD on the 24th March, ‘Seasons (Waiting On You)’ is Future Islands at their best with vocalist Samuel T. Herring passionately belting out each line with his own trademark ferocity.
The video itself is directed by long time collaborater Jay Buim, and focuses on the lives of a rural, cowboy community, looking in on the moments of calm reflection and counterbalanced by the energy and life that is infused in their environment and the relationships they hold.
Touring later this year, you can catch Future Islands at one of the following dates –
07 London, Electric Ballroom
08 Manchester, Sound Control
10 Brighton, The Great Escape
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New: Future Islands – Seasons (Waiting On You)

It’s been almost two months since we last heard from Nottingham duo April Towers, however with the start of a new year they have returned with possibly their most complete piece of work to date. ‘When The World Screamed’ takes little time in building into what is clearly a wholeheartedly anthemic track, channeling the band’s sound in a direction more aligned with dance music. With that said, there are still the trademark subtleties within ‘When The World Screamed’ that will stir immediate references of Hot Chip in the mind of the listener, along with a plethora of 80’s pop classics. What’s more, you can download the track for free below.
Another positive step forward for an exciting new act, and you can catch them live on the 21st February at Nottingham’s Jam Cafe.
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New: April Towers – When The World Screamed

It was only a week ago that Eaves uploaded his latest heart-achingly beautiful demo, entitled ‘Spin’, and today he has given us another gem in the shape of ‘Timber’.
Notably different in it’s style to ‘Spin’, ‘Timber’ thrusts Eaves further into the forefront, or rather strips back any supportive roles, and allows the listener a truly intimate view into Eaves’ songwriting. Part serenade, part melancholic outcry, there is a strong indication in this latest effort that a step into a more mainstream audience is not only not too far away, but can be made with a confident motion.
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New: Eaves – Timber

We don’t normally do too many news pieces, however when it comes to Primavera Sound we make a very special exception.
Arguably already one of 2014’s best line ups, Primavera Sound have today announced that the Pixies will be joining the recently announced Neutral Milk Hotel and Arcade Fire. Having recently performed sold out shows across the UK, along with dates in the USA, Pixies have returned strongly with the release of new material and the sudden departure of Kim Deal. Their performance at Primavera Sound 2014 will no doubt be highly anticipated, especially in tandem to appearances of both Arcade Fire and Neutral Milk Hotel who both have recently returned to sold out live tours.
If I were you, I’d get your tickets bought now.
More details can be found at <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/news/25080-news-pixies-announced-play-primavera-sound-2014/" target="_blank">www.primaverasound.com</a>
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News: Pixies Announced To Play Primavera Sound 2014

It’s Friday, and while you might be gearing up for a raucous weekend, we have the first listen on a beautiful slow jam by the exciting young producer Mom Tudie.
Featuring the vocals of the supremely talented Nicola Thoms, and the classical piano stylings of Leffeh Man, ‘Sad To See You Go’ is a brilliantly balanced mix of melancholy, soul, and smoothly charged energy. In assembling all of these elements together, Mom Tudie continues to demonstrate his swift rate of creative development. Infused with RnB beats, and a touch of Massive Attack, ‘Sad To See You Go’ is going to be on repeat for quite some time.
You can find out more information about Mom Tudie <a href=" https://www.facebook.com/momtudie." target="_blank">here</a>
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First Listen: Mom Tudie – Sad To See You Go

‘Maybe she’ll sink, maybe she’ll fly, I’ve got a witch that cries all the time’
And so begins this superb gem of a track, created my London newcomers RES. Reminiscent of Local Natives, first album Cults, and even a bit of The Doors, ‘She’s A Witch’ is one hundred and sixty seconds of ceaselessly engaging, upbeat music. The repetitive chorus has a truly addictive quality, and the brief taste of an instrumental section at the end of the track is begging to be further explored and enjoyed. The band have a selection of other tracks available to stream, and they only go further to demonstrate their considerable level of potential.
Very little information is currently available about Res, however I’m in no doubt it wont be long until you start hearing more and more about this exciting new outfit.
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Introducing: RES

I spent a disproportionate amount of my youth listening to the likes of Alexi Murdoch, Elvis Perkins, and Willy Mason. I had grown to assume it had been a passing phase, in which my own teenage angst was translated to lyrical acoustic music, most of which I’d still wager wasn’t too questionable.
However with the introduction to Eaves, I’ve completely regressed. His latest track, ‘Spin’, is a truly beautiful and utterly composed effort that is destined to be adored by an ever growing audience. Finding it’s strength in it’s seeming simplicity, Eaves has created a track that would sink into the heart of even the most stoic individual.
Performing next week at St Stephen’s Church in London, in support of Vance Joy, Eaves is an artist you must see live.
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New: Eaves – Spin

We first featured April Towers back in August, with the release of their fantastic debut track ‘Tel Aviv’ shedding the first light on Nottingham’s newest electronic duo. After a period of radio silence, they have returned to the furor with their follow up effort entitled ‘Marisol’.
Cementing what we believe will become a hallmark of April Tower’s music, ‘Marisol’ begins rather unassumingly with a simple beat and vocal line. Instantly engaging, the track then builds into a blossoming pop frenzy, as additional percussion is introduced and classic pop melodies are translated into infectious piano and synth lines.
It is very easy to imagine ‘Marisol’ as an anthemic hit, cut as a three minute gem that balances a fine set of dynamics that allow for moments of calming rest bite and shocks of effervescent euphoria. Though they may have flown under the radar of most ‘One’s to Watch’ lists, we’ll certainly be keeping an eye on April Towers in 2014.
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New: April Towers – Marisol

An image has emerged on Twitter of a poster stating that The Reflektors, the pseudonym that Arcade Fire have used in recent secret shows, will be performing at the Blackpool Empress Ballroom on the 27th November 2013. There has yet to be an official announcement from the band themselves.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">JUST SEEN THIS IN LIVERPOOL! HAS ANYONE ELSE SEEN ANYTHING?! AMAZING!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23reflektors&src=hash">#reflektors</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23arcadefire&src=hash">#arcadefire</a> <a href="https://t.co/VaM6sxY0cW">pic.twitter.com/VaM6sxY0cW</a> — Kieran Crosby (@keyclevermusic) <a href="https://twitter.com/keyclevermusic/statuses/393749759288410112">October 25, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" async=""></script>If this poster is to be confirmed by the band, this would be Arcade Fire’s first UK show since the release of ‘Reflektor’, which itself was made available to stream by the band only yesterday. Arcade Fire’s last UK shows were in September 2011, over two years ago.
Update: NME have confirmed through Ticketmaster that this show is indeed set to go ahead on the 27th November. Other outlets have also reported that tickets will go on sale on Friday 1st November.
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News: The Reflektors – First UK Date

UPDATE: Unfortunately Holychild have had to pull out of our showcase due to unforeseen circumstances, however we’re very excited to announce that the brilliant Saint Pepsi are now joining our bill.  You can find out more information about Saint Pepsi, and the rest of our showcase, below!
We are very proud, and unbelievably excited, to announce that we’re joining forces with our good friends <a href="https://disconaivete.com/" target="_blank">Disco Naivete</a> and <a href="https://www.listenbeforeyoubuy.net/" target="_blank">Unrecorded</a> to present an official CMJ showcase at this year’s <a href="cmj.com" target="_blank">CMJ Festival</a>.
After the resounding success of our SXSW party back in March, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to further our ‘Dark Paradise’ live incarnation, and on this occasion we have Unrecorded on our side to provide a strong grounding in the US. Unrecorded is the new face of Listen Before You Buy, and CMJ will see their official unveiling in their new blog attire. As to facilitate this change, LBYB have a fund raising objective in place, and you can read more about it <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/help-listen-before-you-buy-become-unrecorded" target="_blank">here</a>.
We’re going to be basing ourselves in the legendary Pianos Bar, a venue known across New York for it’s presentation of fresh and exciting music, and a stalwart in the CMJ venue shortlist. This event will be free entry to CMJ badge holders, and $10 on the door to general public.
What’s more, we have the venue from 8pm – 4am, so expect not only a bill of fantastic live bands, but an after party of DJs that includes rising electronic artist Duologue plus more names to be announced.
Our full line up, and other necessary information, can be found below. We’re also NYC newbies, so if anyone wants to take us for a beer, then we’d be more than happy to oblige.
A huge thank you to the irresistible <a href="https://www.feelgoodlost.me/" target="_blank">Feel Good Lost</a> who so lovingly, and brilliantly, designed the poster for our showcase.
Register your interest on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/291239217684187" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://darkparadisecmj.eventbrite.com/" target="_blank">Eventbrite</a> pages and to keep up to date on any developments.
See you Stateside!
Full Line Up so far –
Live
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/juniorprom" target="_blank">Junior Prom</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/babyalpacalove" target="_blank">baby alpaca</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thegriswolds" target="_blank">The Griswolds</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/drinkyoung">Saint Pepsi</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ASTRbook" target="_blank">ASTR</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/panamawedding" target="_blank">Panama Wedding</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/strangetalkmusic" target="_blank">Strange Talk</a>
DJs 
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/duologuemusic" target="_blank">Duologue </a>(DJ Set)
Pogo DJs
Two Dollar Show DJs
—–
<a href="crackintheroad.com" target="_blank">crackintheroad.com</a> / <a href="disconaivete.com" target="_blank">disconaivete.com</a> / <a href="https://www.listenbeforeyoubuy.net/" target="_blank">listenbeforeyoubuy.com</a>
#darkparadise

Announcement: Crack in the Road / Disco Naivete / Unrecorded Presents: Dark Paradise @ CMJ

Who said upper case letters and spaces between each of them was no longer cool?
Cue H A R T E B E E S T, another set of emerging producers/vocalists that joins a stellar cast including the likes of Oceaán, Cosmo Sheldrake, Jungle, and Dornik. Increasingly infectious after each listen, H A R T E B E E S T’s debut effort ‘death.’ is beautifully simple affair, marrying a strong beat to a vocal melody that is reminiscent of a certain Jonathan Higgs, however far less falsetto and perhaps at half the speed.
Melodramatic yet undeniably catchy, ‘death.’ is certainly reason enough to keep an eye on the development of H A R T E B E E S T.
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Introducing: H A R T E B E E S T

This technically isn’t new, especially to Kiran Leonard himself who first wrote Port-Ainé when he was in his early teens. Now at the mighty old age of 18, Kiran is set to release his debut album, Bowler Hat Soup, through the wonderful Hand of Glory Records, and the brilliant Port-Ainé is due out as a single from the album.
Kiran’s lyrical ability is outstanding, however what truly makes his music staggeringly special is his method of weaving precise dynamics into his tracks. Port-Ainé is ideal evidence of this, as the track’s undulating tempo allows for aching moments of emotional fragility to be coupled with thrusts of resurgent percussion.
You can pre-order Bowler Hat Soup <a href="https://handofglory.bigcartel.com/product/kiran-leonard-bowler-hat-soup" target="_blank">here</a>, and we wholeheartedly recommend you do so.
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New: Kiran Leonard – Port-Ainé

Less than a month after they first emerged, April Towers have returned with a new track from their debut ‘Peaks EP’ release.
‘Listener‘ demonstrates another exciting side to this developing two piece, with a lighter percussive base and cleaner, more crisp atmosphere than the industrial edge that pervaded through ‘Tel Aviv‘
While the 80’s pop sensibilities are still very, and brilliantly, present in ‘Listener‘, the chorus has a pang of Hot Chip and the same infectious rhythmic abilities that the British five piece are known for across the music listening world.
If you’re not already, get excited and tune in to ‘Listener‘
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New: April Towers – Listener

April Towers are an electronic duo.
This solitary line of information is all that one is offered, with the duo’s Facebook and SoundCloud as bare as they possibly can be. Whilst the usual drive of curiousity is present, this lack of contextual information does lead the listener directly to April Towers‘ debut effort, ‘Tel Aviv‘.
Beginning with a pulsating beat, the track bursts into life with an instantly distinguishable vocal line and infectious bass rhythm. With hints of Moby and Pet Shop Boys, ‘Tel Aviv‘ produces possibly the most radio friendly chorus of 2013, encapsulating what made the great pop tracks of the 80’s as legendary as they are today. 
I can’t envisage it taking too long for the good folk over at BBC Radio 1 catching onto this, and April Towers are certainly a band to watch for the remainder of this year and beyond.
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Introducing: April Towers

We have a soft spot for Latitude here at Crack in the Road, having now ventured down to Suffolk for a third consecutive year. Set in the truly beautiful surroundings of Henham Park, Latitude followed the same format and layout that had worked so well last year, as, after all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The only changes were a slightly different cast of sponsors, the most notable being BBC 6Music taking over the reigns of the second largest stage from the now defunct Word Magazine.
If we cut directly to the chase, we love Latitude because of the legitimate platform it gives emerging new bands that we often share and promote through our own humble means. There is no ‘introducing’ stage, or anything else so garishly named, instead there is the iArena, tucked away neatly in the woods on the site, and as a new addition this year there was the Alcove Stage. The former has developed a sterling reputation over Latitudes past, and it’s location only compounds the sense of discovery one feels when one watches a band perform there. However the latter, as a new addition, stood up well as the festival’s smallest music-only stage, and saw many wonderful performances, including one slightly bizarre one from Chloe Howl.
I started my own journey to Latitude from Manchester on the Thursday before, which involved a stay at Palmer’s Lodge in Willesden Green (https://www.palmerslodges.com), London that evening. A comprehensive hostel, Palmer’s Lodge provided a clean, safe, if basic, evening, which would be ideal for any eager traveler. The following morning brought the customary pilgrimage route of London Liverpool Street to Diss, however on this occasion a d<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-23434288" target="_blank">eranged Lithuanian man</a> decided to climb onto the roof of Ipswich Rail Station. Severe delays ensued, and I ended up in a mini bus with 7 strangers who had all decided to escape the confines of the stationary train.
Despite a late arrival, I caught a majority of those highlighted on my clash finder, which is always a trusty companion at a festival. Stand out performances on Friday must be allocated to Wolf Alice, Sweet Baboo, and Cat Power. Wolf Alice, having moved from strength to strength since the release of ‘Bros’, commanded the Lake Stage with an unassuming power, delivering their pop sensible melodies and rock riffs to an eager crowd. Sweet Baboo followed later that day, and the Moshi Moshi starlets mixture of folk and pop influences, along with their Welsh heritage, provided a wonderful upbeat soundtrack to the ever increasing amount of sunshine. The largest reservoir of plaudits must be saved for Cat Power, who’s performance on the Obelisk Arena will last long in the memory. Strutting with an awkward self assurance, Cat Power matches an eager crowd’s expectation and as the set draws to an end she throws single flowers into the audience.
With the move of Guilty Pleasures from its traditional slot of Saturday night to Friday night, Saturday morning was a slightly more hazy affair than usual. Many of you may have already seen the photos, however if you haven’t then you will not be able to comprehend the staggering attendance that marked Bo Ningen‘s performance on the Lake Stage. Always a brilliant live act, Bo Ningen were followed later in the day by Jagwar Ma, who themselves put on a lively, engaging performance, though to not quite as many people. However this lesser attendance didn’t stop the Australian outfit from fully embracing the Latitude atmosphere, and plying their psych-rock wares fantastically. Crowd favourites Hot Chip marked another considerable highlight of the weekend, presenting a professional yet entirely fun set that was littered with classics. Reaching the climax of the evening meant the inevitable trip to Kraftwerk, and while they are rightfully heralded for their important place in musical history, I couldn’t help but feel uninspired by their performance. However this was perhaps in great part due to the lack of atmosphere within the audience, and with most of Latitude’s attendees appearing to be 16-19, or part of a small family, this was sadly understandable.
Sunday arrived in its usual glory, presenting us all with the final zap of energy one feels on the home straight. I could barely ask for a better start to a day than to watch Hookworms perform with an angst ridden zeal that spread through all of those who had made the journey into the woods. A slight change in mood as a wander to the Obelisk Arena concluded with a stunning afternoon set from the legend that is Bobby Womack. A complete performer, Womack engaged with his audience like the brilliant veteran that he is, and was simply a genius booking. Temples returned proceedings to a suitably raucous tempo, with a crowd that could barely fit within the woods themselves, never mind the modest tent covering the stage. With my mind and body failing, New York’s Friends produced the ideal pick-me-up with their endearingly fun and energetic set. This renewed enthusiasm lifted me to the BBC 6music stage, skirting around the rapturous Foals crowd, to my own personal conclusion of Beach House. Accompanied by a near blinding light show, Victoria Legrand is as close enough to an ultimate front woman that is necessary, and the band’s set was an appropriate conclusion to our second Latitude weekend.
Whilst we were at Latitude, we managed to have chats with CHVRCHES, Rhye, and Local Natives, all of which will be appearing on the site over the coming week!

Review: Latitude Festival 2013

Now that we’ve all calmed down, a bit, from the Warehouse Project Announcement, you can all get excited again as we have a pair of tickets available to win for the fantastic Festival No. 6
Festival No.6 is a pioneering festival concept bringing together music, arts and culture in the most incredible festival location. Festival No.6 takes place over the weekend of 13-15 September, 2013 in the eccentric surrounds of Portmeirion, Wales, home of the cult TV series The Prisoner.
The line-up already includes Manic Street Preachers, Chic Ft Nile Rogers, My Bloody Valentine, James Blake, Frankie Knuckles, Carl Craig, Gilles Peterson, Greg Wilson, Everything Everything alongside CitR favourites MONEY, Laura Mvula and London Grammar, and many more as well as a diverse range of arts and cultural happenings. There will also be high quality food, late night ghost walks, secret parties, torch lit processions and more.
For your chance to win the pair of tickets, all you have to do is one of the following –
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686326551394372&set=a.186589161368116.52794.114090381951328&type=1" target="_blank">Share our facebook post of this article</a>
</li>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/crackintheroad/status/360344742036389888" target="_blank">RT (and follow) our twitter post of this article</a>
</li>
</ol>
<
p>The winner will then be chosen at random, and informed via facebook or twitter. This competition closes at 11:59pm on 28th July, 2013
To buy tickets or for more information please visit <a href="https://www.festivalnumber6.com/">www.festivalnumber6.com</a>

Competition: Win Two Tickets to Festival No. 6

With the imminent arrival of Glastonbury, one would be forgiven for believing that the UK only has one major music festival worth visiting. The preview coverage has been unrelenting, and the tweets of those fortunate enough to buy tickets, boasting of the most seismic set time clashes imaginable, have certainly made for one tormenting week.
However there is hope for those of us who will have to be contented with the indoors and the sterile comfort of the red button, and that is Latitude Festival. In it’s 8th year, this Suffolk based festival stands out as a gem in Britain’s summer festival schedule as an event which caters for a huge range of audiences, without alienating any one from another. Set across the beautiful grounds of Henham Park, Latitude Festival is renowned for it’s exemplary line up history, which last year saw the likes of Elbow, Bon Iver, and the great Paul Weller join its ranks. However Latitude doesn’t just ‘do’ music, rather, serious care and consideration is given to the assembly of some of the finest minds and performers from the worlds of comedy, theatre, dance, and literature over the course of the weekend.
After the bright memory of Glastonbury starts to fade, and you just begin to miss waking up sweaty in a tent-cum-sauna, or a mud bath, Latitude will come to your aid and provide another fantastic festival experience. If you’re not convinced already, we have assembled a selection of our must see acts across the festival below.
For all other festival related information, and ticket purchase links, head over to <a href="https://www.latitudefestival.com/">www.latitudefestival.com</a>
Cat Power – Obelisk Arena
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Jessie Ware – Obelisk Arena
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Local Natives – Obelisk Arena
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Everything Everything – BBC Radio 6 Music Stage
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Purity Ring – i Arena
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Deptford Goth – i Arena
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Hookworms – i Arena
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M O N E Y – i Arena
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S O H N – i Arena
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Jagwar Ma – The Lake Stage
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Wolf Alice – The Lake Stage
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Preview: Latitude Festival

There is nothing quite as satisfying as the moment in which a piece of music matches a situation absolutely, and today Eaves has found himself in the intersection of my ‘Music vs Life’ Venn diagram.
Apparently the solo project of Leeds based Joseph Lyons, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this music had been created in the wilds of a rural abyss, or across the journey of a weary, world hardened life time. Drawing immediate comparisons to the likes of Villagers, Alexi Murdoch, Eddie Vedder, and the great Jeff Buckley, Eaves’ small collection of demos are achingly beautiful.
Little Rock is full of enlightening subtleties, completely capturing the listener’s attention and covering itself over their mind as a healing rub. If this is the quality of a demo, we cannot wait to hear this potential realised in a fully fledged release.
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Introducing: Eaves

Kudos must be credited to our bro ShinyShinyNew, who has tipped us off yet again on another cracking new talent.
Luxury, as far as we can tell, is the creation of Andy Smith, who is based in West London. Other than that, very little is known about Luxury, however for what we lack in biographical information, Smith has not left us short on music, as his Soundcloud boasts of five full, equally exciting tracks.
Ranging through a whole range of tempo, Luxury’s musical output is incredibly engaging and intriguing. Transcending periods of electronic haze and blistering moments of clarity, we await an official release from Luxury with eager anticipation.
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Introducing: Luxury

It may be less than 90 seconds long, but Rejjie Snow and Sun Patzer’s ‘294’ more than makes up for it’s short duration with it’s outstanding quality. Having announced his debut EP ‘Rejovich’ will be released in June through independent label Kaya Kaya, Rejjie Snow continues to demonstrate his significant MC abilities on ‘294’. Rapping over beats produced by unknown entity Sun Patzer, apparently a member of the elusive Electric Ark, you can watch the video to ‘294’ below.
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Stream / Download the track here –
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New: Rejjie Snow x Sun Patzer

Credit to Shiny Shiny New and Song, by Toad for bringing this to my attention; it’s safely one the best new tracks I’ve heard in 2013.
LAW, otherwise known as Lauren Holt, hails from Edinburgh and appears to have connections with fellow Scottish act, and Anticon signings, Young Fathers. Deep, dark, and brooding, LAW’s debut track ‘Hustle’ fuses primal, pervading bass lines with a driving percussion. The video for ‘Hustle’ is as menacing as it is brilliant, projecting an insight into the troubling, warped subject matter of a track that is very cleverly presented in a shroud of pop sensibilities.
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Introducing – LAW

Not known is much about Mom Tudie, other than he’s a 17 year old producer based in south east London, and he’s called Tom. Since the rise of J£ZUS MILLION, Disclosure, and Happa, it’s now slightly easier to digest that producers tend to be incredulously young and talented, and Mom Tudie will no doubt join that list.
With a few tracks on his soundcloud, which you can check out <a href="https://soundcloud.com/momtudie">here</a>, it is Tudie’s latest effort that stands out the most; a re-work of Nicola Thoms ‘Make Up Your Mind’. With influences ranging from hip-hop to garage, and an underlying sense of chillstep, this track has certainly made me excited for what Mom Tudie comes out with next.
Thanks to our friends at Music Broke My Bones for the tip! Check out Mom Tudie <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-Tudie/435356323220282">here</a>
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Introducing – Mom Tudie

The end of a melody is not its goal: but nonetheless, had the melody not reached its end it would not have reached its goal either. 
I remember reading the above quote during a less than inspiring A Level Philosophy class, in which the tiny window of light provided a teasing prospect of an afternoon better spent than pouring through 19th century literature. However this particular quote stuck with me, so much so that I scribbled it down on the same small notebook that I use today, though thankfully it’s use is no longer embedded in cursory A Level anecdotes. While I’m sure Nietzsche meant this as a pragmatic demonstration of a parable, I call upon it here not only for it’s connection to music, but to mark the end of a much loved Manchester institution – Underachievers Please Try Harder.
For those of you unfamiliar with Underachievers, it is a regular gig and club night based in Manchester that is set to conclude with two much anticipated events, one of which marks the night’s 5th birthday. However Underachievers is much more than a simple listing on Manchester’s monthly events calender, rather over the course of the previous five years it has built itself as an integral pillar in Manchester’s music scene. From the moment I arrived in Manchester and began to work my way into the plethora of gigs and nights on offer, Underachievers appeared to have a cult status. It’s guarantee of quality new and exciting bands transferred to the development of a loyal audience, who would turn up in their numbers and remain for a club night with a huge range of music that created an atmosphere second to none amongst other Manchester club nights.
With that all said, Underachievers is not disappearing completely. They are still promoting a stage at the evergreen Sounds From The Other City Festival, and we’re assured there will be occasional gigs still to come. Although that provides a welcome consolation, the regular nights will be dearly missed, and Underachievers have made a fantastic playlist to commemorate the countless number of acts that have passed through the doors of Underachievers and plied their trade to an awaiting audience. It will be made available in two halves on CD at the two remaining gigs due to take place this month, both of which will no doubt be very special indeed. Therefore consider this article the beginning of a goodbye, as opposed to the final words of a farewell, and make sure to come down to the nights listed below –
13th April – Patterns // 5th Birthday Special – Roadhouse, Manchester – https://www.wegottickets.com/event/208178
26th April – Ghost Outfit // Last Ever Underachievers – Roadhouse, Manchester – https://www.wegottickets.com/event/208179
A huge thank you to Dave and Kirsty for all their hard work, and to all of those who have ever supported Underachievers in the past five years. To conclude, here are some words from Dave about the Underachievers Playlist –
Underachievers Please Try Harder (2008-2013). This compilation is to be released in two halves on the final two nights. The theme of this mix is championing the underdog. In times where everyone is chasing the next buzz artist, barely digesting an album before rating it in an end of month poll, this should hopefully show why you should always listen with your ears. Great music is always being made, you just have to seek it out. All of these bands played Underachievers clubnight at some point over the last 5 years.
It contains everything from the best of new Manchester bands like Patterns, Young British Artists and Ghost Outfit, to further afield with people like younghusband, and US bands Schwervon! and So Many Wizards. All of these bands are what I would call DIY (hence the underdog theme), and not backed by big labels or management.
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Finale: Underachievers Please Try Harder (2008-2013)

Premiered over on Gorilla vs Bear, Gambles has revealed the first track from his debut EP ‘From Your Arms’ which is due for release on May 7th.
Hauntingly beautiful, ‘Far From Your Arms’ may be found by many as lying between cliche and sincerity. However the cliche is an unfortunate factor outside of the control of Gambles himself, and rather it is a symptom of what has been a relentless emergence of male (and female) singer-songwriters in the past few years. In this haze of a plethora of shaky vocals and plucky guitars, Gambles stands above with a humble mastery that sparks thoughts of Crack in the Road favourites M O N E Y. While Jamie Lee employs a more poetic vernacular, they share a galvanizing vulnerability that immediately strikes and remains with you in a resonating emotional echo.
You breathe my lungs, you keep me strong
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New: Gambles – Far From Your Arms

Whilst I sit here, inexplicably cold, as we go into April over the course of this bank holiday weekend, it is only the debut track from new Manchester outfit Hanna Cash that is keeping me even remotely warm.
Fuzzy, melancholic, and ultimately infectious in it’s tempo, ‘Worst Birthday’ is a track wrapped around a pervading melody that guides you through an emotive narrative. Hanna Cash draw upon influences from yesteryear Manchester, though while it would be easy to draw the typical 80’s pop comparisons, this duo have added their own guilt edge to the sound that makes ‘Worst Birthday’ stand out from a great number of other reverb drenched bands.
Hanna Cash will keep the warmth until summer, whenever that may arrive.
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Introducing: Hanna Cash

We don’t normally run features like this here at CITR, however I’ve been a long term admirer of the Sofar Sounds crew and felt that they may work along the same ethos that we adhere to in our relationships with artists and new music. After working my way through the huge range of fantastic gigs and sessions Sofar have amassed, I spoke to Rafe from Sofar to shed a little bit more light in the history of his project and what is in store for the near future.
However before we get to that, for those of you who are unaware of Sofar Sounds, often referred to as ‘Sofar’ online, it is an organisation based in Bethnal Green which curates secret gigs in volunteers’ living rooms in more than 30 cities across 6 continents.
In 2009, marketing consultant Rafe Offer and singer-songwriter David J. Alexander met whilst watching St. Albans-based indie band Friendly Fires, soon establishing some common ground in that both were of the opinion that the state of music, in particular the live music scene, was not in a good way. As a result, Offer and Alexander organised a gig of their own – Dave was to play some new songs in front of a select few of his and Offer’s friends, the venue being his own living room, with only the music doing the talking. The night was a grand success, and thus Sofar Sounds was born.
Another friend – marketing consultant Rocky Start joined the three and hosted the next one in his flat.   Rocky is still involved today, while Dave took a permanent break to work on his music.
With the scene set, can you tell us the primary focus of why you started Sofar?
Each gig was all about the musician – there was no talking during the performance – always in a house (which was so intimate and warm) – and the audience being comprised of genuine music lovers.
It was only a matter of time before the movement went international. New York City was to be the city that made Sofar Sounds truly global – upcoming singer-songwriter (and now Sofar veteran) Marcus Foster was friends with Alexander and the two went about making “The Big Apple” the second city Sofar had a presence in. The evening was a roaring success, thus confirming the Sofar philosophy and concept could be translated across seas. The movement has not looked back since.
What makes Sofar unique?
Living room gigs are nothing new but what makes Sofar unique is we don’t announce who is going to play until the night nor where the gig will be until the day before….and we connect our audience – so it’s like one big Global family.   The policy of not announcing the line-up is a bit of fun – but also because we believe all musicians are equal – and that having a headliner for new music gigs encourage people to show up late / not respect the other acts performing.
How do you curate the bands that play the shows?
We have a team of 10 reviewers of all ages and nationalities.  Bands have to get ‘three Yes votes’ from the community.  We ask people to be critical – so that only the best new acts get to play Sofar.  We turn down 30 acts for every one we select.
How did it become an international event?
I knew people in Paris and New York and asked if we could try the concept in those cities.  It worked the same ‘magic’ so we continued.  Then people started to get in touch with us after seeing the videos we created….asking if they could start Sofar in their cities.  It just kept mushrooming from there – always with passionate music fans, coming to us….
What does the future hold for Sofar?
We’d love to be able to break a band from one gig – from our growing Global network, via the videos we produce and other forms of artist support through music synchronization (placing music in ads, games and films).  And to keep growing – moving from the current 30 gigs a month to 50 gigs a month, and beyond.  Ideally we sustain ourselves with funds earned from helping less known but really talented artists – get heard.
There seems to be a real interest in maintaining and building a community, is this an important element of Sofar?
Massively.  We are united by love of music and helping new acts succeed.  We connect through social media but also many of us travel and meet each other in living rooms around the world.  We also support acts in touring as much as we can.
You can subscribe to the Sofar Sounds Channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/Sofarsounds" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and you can stream CITR favourites No for their Sofar Sounds session below.
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Feature: Sofar Sounds

On the final day of SXSW, I’ve had a brief opportunity to look back on what has been a thoroughly fantastic and utterly exhausting week. There is time yet for a proper debriefing to be pondered and crafted, a task reserved for our trans-Atlantic flight home, however in the interim there is an opportunity to talk about my favourite discovery of SXSW – Mary Lambert.
Performing under the shade of a small white tent in a corner lot in downtown Austin, Mary Lambert and her band begin unassumingly, slowly drawing in the handful of people who are also in attendance. Lambert’s EP ‘Letter’s Don’t Talk’ gives an insight into the beautiful and absorbing nature of her performance, demonstrating very strong vocals and a keen observance of engaging and galvanizing instrumentation, surrounding what are very personal, and raw, themes and emotions.
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Introducing: Mary Lambert

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Echopark, though you won’t be for much longer, it is the new project of Italian musician Antonio Elia Forte. Born in what is apparently the ‘California of Italy’, Leece, Forte’s journey through life has now found him in Whitechapel and it is here that he has recorded his debut album almost entirely through the use of only a handful of microphones.
Entitled ‘Trees’, Forte’s debut album is out on 15th April here in the UK and the following day in the US, and if ‘Teleportation’ is anything to go by, then it’s going to be an absolute cracker. Infectiously upbeat, you can almost feel rays of  sunlight pervade through the driving percussion, however Forte takes great care in never letting you rest in a bored comfort, rather you’re kept in a state of an enjoyably intriguing flux.
Download ‘Teleportation’ for free <a href="https://soundcloud.com/enclaves/echopark-teleportation-1/">here.</a>
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New: Echopark – Teleportation

With thanks to our good friends over at Music Broke My Bones for this tip, Vancouver based outfit Bliss Club have followed up their much hyped ‘Breeze Punk 2’ with the dreamier, more serene ‘Isabeau’. A greater clarity of vocals allows ‘Isabeau’ to be more directly engaging than their previous effort, however the track enterprises upon the same electronic melancholia which provided such a firm, and interesting, base for Bliss Club’s sound.
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New: Bliss Club – Isabeau

My oh my, a full 24 hours after we announce Pacific Air on our SXSW Stage, which you can RSVP to <a href="https://darkparadise.eventbrite.com/">here</a>, they only go and release a brand new track, entitled ‘Lose My Mind’.
A full three minutes that transpires into a beacon of hope for those of us currently stuck in the miserable climes of Winter, ‘Lose My Mind’ is Pacific Air at their best, and it will leave you thinking forward to the wonders of Summer.
For those of you fortunate enough to be heading to SXSW, and in doing so temporarily skip over Spring, Pacific Air will be performing 3-3:30pm on March 13th at B D Riley’s.
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New: Pacific Air – Lose My Mind

It feels like barely any time at all since we first discovered The Death of Pop, however they’ve  been very industrious since and had made four very promising and varied tracks available for all to hear, and seemingly for plenty of other blogs to lavish praise over.
However today The Death of Pop have made yet another new track available to stream – Laugh Now I’m Weak.
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Following in the same vein as their previous recordings, ‘Laugh Now I’m Weak’ suggests an increasing confidence within the band, demonstrating their canny mind for a cracking melody is reaching further clarity. A casual listener may term it as ‘Dream-Pop’, but there are plenty of very real and classic 80’s pop influences woven within ‘Laugh Now I’m Weak’, and I really can’t wait for the opportunity to see The Death of Pop perform these tracks live.

New: The Death of Pop – Laugh Now I’m Weak

If 2012 taught us anything, it was to expect more vocal reverb and fuzzier guitars in 2013. Well the prophecy is very much baring out into reality, and for our latest discovery I couldn’t be happier. Meet Dead Dreams, a duo from France who appear to have only formed and released their first demo EP in the past week. However despite coming to the surface in a staggeringly quick succession of events, the music itself does not suffer and instead it’s a blistering combination of emphatic guitar melodies and driving percussion. I’m sure there will be a plethora of comparisons to acts of yesteryear, but there’s no point in listing them here when you can listen to the whole EP for yourself below.
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Introducing: Dead Dreams

Birmingham rather inadvertently marked itself on the map in 2012, with the near simultaneous rise of new band trio, Peace, Swim Deep, and Jaws grabbing many of the new music headlines. However as we now head into 2013, Victories at Sea provide a sign that perhaps there is a new wave of music to come out of B-town, though for the time being I’m more than happy to enjoy ‘Stay Positive’ in all its euphoric glamour. Having created a track with boundless energy, a relentless beat, and plentiful transcending synths, Victories at Sea are certainly a band to watch out for this year.
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New: Victories At Sea – Stay Positive

Business as usual here at Crack In The Road now that we’ve started to calm down after the excitement of our award at the Record of the Day awards. I’d briefly like to reiterate our thanks to everyone for your continuing support and, in keeping with what we do best here, introduce an exciting new act; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soft-Continent/128686440534397?fref=ts" target="_blank">Soft Continent</a>.
Composed as a double A side single, which you can download for free over on the band’s <a href="https://softcontinent.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">bandcamp</a>, I’ve decided to focus on ‘Scars’, as I believe it stands as the stronger of the two tracks.
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Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it would be unwise to pigeon-hole this emerging trio at this early stage. However in ‘Scars’, Soft Continent have produced a track that immediately instills a sense of intrigue into the listener, evolving into a sultry, intimate experience that is guided by the softened, warming vocals of Jess Jones. There is a classic sense of drama within ‘Scars’ that draws influences from the musical tradition of the band’s location, while making sure to balance this carefully with a modern ear in mind.
As is the case with most of the bands we feature here on Crack In The Road, this is a very promising first step that should be appreciated as such. If the next release from Soft Continent manages to galvanize and develop the essence of ‘Scars’, then expect to see them around these digital parts again.

Introducing: Soft Continent

Hailing from Sheffield, Blessa differ greatly from some of their more well known city-bound peers, however the release of new demo, ‘Open Fields’, feels like a statement of intent from this engaging 5 piece. An instant comparison can be made to Let’s Buy Happiness, insofar as a sound in which a strong female vocal leads undulating and interwoven instrumentation. While the lovely folk of LBH have plied their trade for longer and honed their sound with more clarity, there is a pulsating core of potential in ‘Open Fields’ that can be heard in the confidently controlled changes in tempo, along with the backdrop of echoing guitars and loose percussion.
There is an undeniable listenability to ‘Open Fields’, and I look forward to hearing the next demo to make it’s way out of Blessa HQ.
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New: Blessa – Open Fields

If you’re a regular reader of Crack In The Road, you’ll be very familiar with the name KRAKEN. Using this alias, M O N E Y‘s Jamie Lee has previously uploaded raw, incredibly emotive demos, and I’ll Be The Night is no different. Lee’s poetic lyrics echo the era of romanticism, with his intimate pastoral detailing and impassioned dealings with personified ideas of nature surely given foundation from the works of Blake and Wordsworth. However it is Lee’s vocals that lift the lyrics from the page and breathe the fragile sense of endearing life into what ultimately makes his tracks just so staggeringly beautiful.
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New: Kraken – I’ll Be The Night

If you’re a regular reader of Crack In The Road, you will have become more than aware of my love for the music of young Manchester outfit Châteaux. Without wanting to make this post too personal, this week has thrown up a rather testing event that has thrown my life a bit out of kilter, so the uploading of a new Châteaux track could not have come at a better time.
‘Everything Seems Better’ is a slightly more abstracted effort by the band, beginning with a series of shouts and throngs of percussion, before slipping into the same insanely catchy melodies that their previous two demos have thrived upon. With an added intensity, this latest effort rests upon a structure similar to the plot of it’s lyrics, with the references to the sea and the beach providing an ideal image to emphasize the wave like motion of the track, with each frenzy of emphatic vocals and splashes of guitar punctuated by periods of retreating calm.
Melodically beautiful, with instrumentation that is as interesting as it is fun. This is going to be on repeat for quite some time.
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New: Châteaux – Everything Seems Better

Châteaux featured on Crack In The Road a little while back when they uploaded their first demo ‘It’s Magic’, a track which was full of raw energy, crafted with a young spirit that had the ability to embed the track in your mind after your first listen. They’ve now returned with their new demo ‘Oh, Darling’, which is a slightly more controlled and honed affair, demonstrating the band’s ability to create a track which is more intimately written, with additional pieces of instrumentation and a greater confidence in their vocal performance. Definitely a track that will demand more than just one listen.
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New: Châteaux – Oh, Darling

As more and more musicians and producers discover and sign up to bandcamp, it has become more of a rarity that on a casual trawl through the listings you will find something that sticks with you. While this can make for some disheartening moments, I certainly don’t want to be seen as complaining, instead the more you have to search through means when you do find a gem of a track it is that much more satisfying. And that is exactly what happened to me this afternoon when I stumbled across the beautifully atmospheric ambient electronica of Kadugodi.
Beginning with an infused hip hop beat, Kadugodi’s debut EP then moves into more chilled territory, enterprising on clear, crisp percussion and feathered touches of piano. It is this confidence from it’s minimalism that is particularly striking, with each track allowed to resonate in a similar pattern to waves lapping against a tranquil shoreline. I could not be any more relaxed.
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Introducing: Kadugodi

Exactly how the Mayans predicted it. The world would come to a crashing end as the year 2012 drew to a close, but not before a festival to trump all other festivals would burst into life and soundtrack the apocalypse and our collective demise. This festival would be the resulting efforts of an international collective force of the finest promoters and festivals currently plying their trade, housed within the beautiful setting of Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. As Kevin Costner once prophetically stated, ‘Curate it, and they will come’.
It may seem a bit decadent to list every single collaborator in this endeavour, however each participating festival/promoter is more than worthy of the page space we hold so dear here at Crack In The Road. Set over the 8th and 9th of December, the festival will be structured by the following forces:
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Field Day, Oya Festival, Melt!, Kendal Calling, Glastonbury Dance Village, Electric Elephant, End of The Road, DFA Records, SWN Festival, The Warehouse Project, Now Wave, Free Rotation, Eden Sessions, Fiber Festival, and Shambala
Across the weekend these organisations will be charged with bringing the finest collection of artists and musicians from their own respective backgrounds, calling upon their years of experiences and countless contacts. While there have been no official announcements of acts as of yet, there is no doubt, even through sheer odds of probability, that this firm foundation will throw up at least two or three very special performances indeed.
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Ruth Daniel, Promoter of One Of These Days, is quoted as saying, ‘We were going around the world to many different festivals seeing really unique ways of doing things. We decided to invite these wonderful festivals to the party. Our vision is to have one site where each space within it is filled by a micro-version of each festival, not just musically, but visually – capturing the essence of each festival. We aimed high and asked the festivals we love to come to Blackpool. They said yes…’
Excited? Imagine how Blackpool must feel.
For further details, head over to www.oneofthesedaysfestival.com

Announcement: One Of These Days Festival 2012

Latitude Festival is upon us once again, and it stands as bright as ever as one of the glowing gems in Britain’s crown of world class music festivals. This may sound a tad sycophantic, but  this suggestion would be surely eradicated once you realise the sheer range and quality of the line up Latitude has brought together for 2012. Below is a list of acts, in day order, that we at Crack In The Road are looking forward to seeing at the festival this year:
Friday: 
Bon Iver: 
A much anticipated headline act, Justin Vernon’s Bon Iver have come a long way in their five years of existence. ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ is a record that still rings clearly in the minds of many, apart from those who responded to Bon Iver’s Grammy Award for Best New Artist with exclamations of ‘Who is Bonny Bear?!’ Ridiculous ignorance aside, readers of Crack In The Road will hardly need to reminded of the many successes Bon Iver has since achieved, along with high profile collaborations, but it is Bon Iver’s output of a beautiful filmed session which has got me personally excited for their performance at Latitude.
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First Aid Kit:
I remember interviewing First Aid Kit at Kendal Calling in 2010, relatively early in their blossoming musical career, but even then I was struck by the clarity and purity in their passionate conviction for their craft. Musically they were very precise on the folk inspired tracks they were both playing and recording, and since then they have worked with the likes of Jack White and Bright Eyes, with their sophomore album ‘The Lion’s Roar’ receiving critical acclaim.
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Chairlift:
Finding first success through their track ‘Bruises’ being used in an iPod advert, Chairlift returned to the furor with their sophomore album ‘Something’ which demonstrated a development of maturity in the band’s sound. Along with the album receiving many plaudits, singles ‘Sidewalk Safari’ and ‘Amanaemonesia’ lodged themselves into the playlists of DJs and bloggers with ease. If the band’s video for ‘Amanaemonesia’ is anything to go by, their performance is set to be pretty special.
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Saturday:
SBTRKT:
Another act on the Young Turks roster, SBTRKT, a.k.a. Aaron Jerome, rise to critical acclaim has been a sudden jolt for both Jerome and the listening audience. Remaining behind a veil of relative anonymity, SBTRKT’s sound has been described as everything from ‘2step to UK Funky to Chicago House’. Whatever you want to call it, we here at Crack In The Road can’t wait for the follow up to Jerome’s self-titled debut 12″.
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Josh T Pearson:
Josh T Pearson is an artist who’s backstory would struggle to be covered in even the most comprehensive of previews, however the release of his debut solo album ‘Last Of The Country Gentleman’ coincided my first chance to see Pearson perform live in the atmospheric surroundings of Manchester’s Deaf Institute. A striking, bearded figure, Pearson’s music is riddled with stories from his own life, battling with alcohol addiction and the effects it had on his relationships. Totally absorbing, his performance at Latitude is not one to be missed.
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I Break Horses:
Hailing from Sweden, I Break Horses played their third ever show at Manchester’s Soup Kitchen and it became very obvious very quickly that they were a special act. Performing with an ethereal zeal, I Break Horses’ sound is an invigorating, textured soundscape. With their debut album ‘Hearts’ receiving many positive reviews, their performance at Latitude may give a good indication to what we can expect from the band in months to come.
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Sunday:
Paul Weller:
What can I add about Paul Weller that you couldn’t possibly already know? With his place already booked in musical history through ‘The Jam’ and ‘The Style Council’, Paul Weller continues to be a major force in music, continuing to write, record, and release his own solo material, with his latest album ‘Sonik Kicks’ released in March of this year. While many people may not be as well versed on Weller’s latest material, an opportunity to see such a musical legend cannot be missed.
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St. Vincent:
Originating as a member of Polyphonic Spree and of Sufjan Stevens’ touring band, St. Vincent existed within the conversations of music journalists and bloggers for several months towards the end of 2011 after the release of her third album, ‘Strange Mercy’. Noted for it’s fantastic use of a wide array of instruments and arrangements, Annie Erin Clark a.k.a. St. Vincent, stated ‘I don’t think it’s the best record I’ll ever make, but I think it’s a good record’. A staggering level of modesty, which can only leave us more excited for album number four.
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Perfume Genius:
Perfume Genius’ performance at this year’s Great Escape Festival still burns brightly in my mind. Set within the confines of an ornately beautiful church, Perfume Genius set about his set with the same quietly shy, but intensively powerful aura that had transcended his show a year earlier at Salford’s King’s Arms. Many readers of Crack In The Road will already be very familiar with the intimate music of Perfume Genius, however it was inspiring to see his performance retain the same fragility while becoming more matured and developed. A must see at Latitude Festival.
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In addition to these specific highlights, there are a plethora of other fantastic artists playing over the course of the weekend we’ll be planning on catching, including the likes of Los Campesinos!, Alt J, Apparat, Gross Magic, Kwes, Policia, Theme Park, and Walls.

As Savages continue to develop a sterling reputation for their live performances, it won’t be long until they finally release some recorded material for all of us to marvel over. In the meanwhile you can listen to an interview I did wit the band prior to their Manchester show, and watch a video of that very same performance.
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Interview: Savages

If you’ve been an avid follower of Crack In The Road over the past few years, then you will have notice that I have something of a penchant for indie-pop outfit Dog is Dead. I first saw the band play at Dot to Dot Festival way back in 2010, and it really has been a staggering experience watching the band go from strength to strength in the development of their sound, and their confidence in themselves. In fact a lot of the core characteristics of the band, which impressed me so greatly during their first gig, still remain, and the past two years have been spent simply galvanizing the inherent level of talent they already possessed and turning it into something truly special.
Currently concluding their first UK Headline tour, Dog is Dead arrived in Manchester after a sizable absence, and set up their wares in the wonderful surroundings of the Deaf Institute. Despite initial concerns, the venue was bustling and very respectfully filled, with row after row of wide eyed girls stood staring at their five idols. Entering their set with their normal youthful charm, the band looked entirely comfortable on stage and projected an image of an outfit that knew exactly what their strengths were, and how they were going to play to them. Performing a fine strata of material, ranging as far back as ‘Young’ to their latest offering of their second single ‘Two Devils’, each track was played with an enthused and powerful spirit, with lead vocalist Rob Milton looking endearingly self assured.
A particular highlight was the band’s new track ‘Ricochet’, which demonstrated a real development in their sound, making it clear that the band’s confidence isn’t simply resting on it’s laurels, and instead vigorously charging a determined forward march in creative development. An expertly conducted show for an audience that will surely only increase over the coming months.
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Review: Dog is Dead 13/03 (Deaf Institute, Manchester)

Only days after originally posting about Châteaux, this Manchester based outfit have returned with a new track entitled ‘It’s Magic‘. Available for free download, ‘It’s Magic‘ presents the listener with another aspect to the band’s reverb infused lo-fi pop sound, as the track fluctuates raucously in tempo and ultimately concludes in an emphatic vocal chorus and crashing percussion. A very promising development that, if nothing else, provides another three and a half minutes of infectiously upbeat music to be absorbed by. 
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Crack in the Road

loonsweatshirtit was nice knowing you got to get going

Rex Orange CountyUNO

Middle KidsEdge of Town

Isaac Lee-KronickRunning Man

Introducing: Biru Baby

Beaty HeartFlora

Premiere: RunawayAurora (Hasta Remix)

Premiere: Alex VargasAshes

SmerzBecause

Introducing: Seramic

Little CubIntent

FredwaveKno Betta

Jude WoodheadBeautiful Rain

CarvellSway

Hazel EnglishFix

Great NewsLove Her

KamauJusfayu

Duck HouseTether

HastaLa Vista

Introducing: Lao Ra

Introducing: The Ansah Brothers

Introducing: Model 86

Dilly DallyDesire

PixxFall In

ALA.NISuddenly Remix ft. Chester Watson

Gilligan MossChoreograph

PinesAll You Need

BOYSSet Me On Fire

Introducing: INHEAVEN

Beach BabyNo Mind No Money

Spring KingCity

Loyle CarnerBFG

Introducing: Beach Baby

Introducing: T I B E T

Introducing: INCA