Chip's Blips - June 2011

Balls. I'm one minute late with no time to write blurbs.

I will write some tomorrow evening!

In the meantime, here is my wonderful June playlist, full of summer delights.

Enjoy

1. The Sea And Cake - Covers

2. Boards Of Canada - Roygbiv

3. Geographer - Original Sin

4. Little Dragon - Blinking Pigs

5. Hypnolove - Holiday Reverie

6. Destronics - Symptom (From The Crisis)

7. Radiohead - Separator

8. Bibio - The Ephemeral Bluebell

9. Fleet Foxes - The Shrine / An Argument

Crikey there are some good ones in there!

Adam's Blips - June 2011

Evening all and welcome back to another Guest edition of Chip's Blips. The days are long and the nights are heavy, so what we all really need are some real summer bangers to get those juices flowing. Well, it's no coincidence that this honorary Blipper is bringing you just that. Sit back and relax. That is, sit back until you are forced out of your chair by an uncontrollable urge to dance.

"Because All The James Blake Songs Were Taken"

1. Sebastian – Embody

Most folk will remember him for embodying the big French distortion-house "movement" of 2006-2008 with huge tunes like 'Ross Ross Ross' and 'Dog'. For reference see: Justice. Big Seb's debut LP 'Total' is out in the next few days on Ed Banger and this is the first single. It's got all the hallmarks of a SebastiAn record - chunky slap bass and cut-up samples, but it's learnt a few new tricks along the way. Namely vocals, and soul. Cracking video, too.

2. Woodkid – Iron

I have no idea who this guy is or where he came from, but he's produced a big, beautiful track with absolutely flawless production. Can't get enough of the drums in particular. Quite mournful in a lot of ways, but puts a big smile on my face regardless.

**edit – Sinc I first read this, this track has beenn featured in the new trailer for the Assassins Creed Xbox game and he’s blown up somewhat. It’s a great choice of song for the trailer, search youtube for ‘Assassin’s Creed Revelations’.

3. Pavement – Carrot Rope

An oldie. One of the greatest bands of all time with one of my favourite Summer tunes. Absolutely no idea what the lyrics are about, mind.

4. SBTRKT – Living Like I Do

You can't get away from SBTRKT at the moment. You can't even switch on Radio 1 without 'Wildfire' being all up ins. This is the single from before that, and it's a lush slice of two-sep goodness with a great vocal from Sempha (as usual). It's close to grime, I suppose, but it's a clean, pure sort of grime. Shiny grime. Or something.

5. Siriusmo – Wow

Possibly my favourite producer at the moment. Extraordinarily talented, this guy knows how to craft a mean beat, and has a fierce grasp on earworm melodies as well. His work rate is also second to none - he's got a 4 disc album coming out with over 80 (80!) tracks on it. Check out some of his work with Modeselektor if you want to get initiated but also try his remix of Breakbot's 'Baby I'm Yours' or his original track 'Mosaik' to get an idea of just how varied and exciting this guy's output can be.

6. Hot Natured – Forward Motion

Hot. Fucking. Jam.

7. Andhim - Extragold

A very sexy, soulful house tune from this talented duo. Their tunes have a tendency to all sound very similar, but I think this is the pinnacle of what they've achieved so far. Listen if: You like deep, bouncy, pulsing but smooth bass. It's fairly sparse in it's arrangement but it still manages to feel chunky enough so get people going on the dancefloor.

8. Broken Bells – The Ghost Inside

The lead singer of the Shins, and Dangermouse. A potent combination. The whole album is a delicious slice of wonky indie-pop, and this is my highlight..

9. Danny Daze - Your Everything (ft. Louisahhh)

Hello record label of the year. I like you.

10. The Tallest Man on Earth – A Lion’s Heart
Chicks dig acoustic guitar: fact. They also dig dudes with weird voices. This ticks both those boxes. Imagine Dylan and Paolo Nutini's bastard child and you're getting close. And disturbing.

11. Louis La Roche – Prick Stick

Whenever people use the term 'Funky House', this is the sort of thing I wish they would be talking about. Instead, they're talking of useless shitty music that you shouldn't be listening to at all. Punchy as fuck once that lead guitar kicks in.

12. Goat – Sugar We’re Going Down

Shout out to Damola Timeyin, who is constantly sending me track after track on Spotify. It's all garbage, of course, but I found this browsing his private library. Yeah it's a cover of a Fall Out Boy song, what of it? It's an acoustic, beachy song with, bizarrely, a drum and bass beat. A subtle one, though. I'm not explaining this very well am I? Damola also wears nice shirts.

13. Phoenix – If I Ever Feel Better

It's Summer! Celebrate!

14. Everything Everything – Final Form

Apparently I’m quite slow off the mark on this one. I like to watch it at the same time as those extreme sports videos where someone jumps off a cliff but he’s wearing a suit that lets him glide for miles. It helps me forget that I get the tube to work.

15. Apparat – Circles

Because it just came on iTunes randomly. Gorgeous.


EXTRA SPECIAL BONUS SONG


Datarock – Computer Camp Love

A touching (and amusing) indie-dance song about a guy who met a slutty tramp called Judie on Computer Camp. Just kidding, she's a nice girl. The song even says so!

Damola's Blips - June 2011

Well, good evening all and welcome to another edition of Chip's Blips. This has been a long time coming, but finally Mr Timeyin has stepped up to the plate. For that I am grateful, and I'm sure you will be too once you finish listening to this gem of a playlist. Some real discoveries on there for me. That's what this site is all about - spreading the love!

I bring you Damola's Blips:

1. Maverick Sabre - I Used To Have It All

This guy is reminiscent of an early Finlay Quaye; whatever happened to that guy? His the sound of voice betrays the exterior of the man, but one must never judge a book by it's cover.


2. Michael Kiwanuka - Tell Me A Tale

If I didn't know better, this voice, production and quality of music could only come from the studios of Motown decades before many of us reading this were alive. Surprisingly this comes from the here and now and retains a classic quality.


3. Ashin' Kusher-Kid Cudi

I had very little time for Kid Cudi and his music, his attitude sucked and his swagger was just a bit off key. Then I happened to listen to his latest album Man on the Moon II on a day where I was pretty pissed off with everyone and everything. That's when I suddenly understand what this kid was doing, why his swag was so unruly and why Kanye West rates him so highly. Best alt-hip-hop out there musically right now.


4. CREEP - You (feat Nina Sky)

Nina Sky were as bubble gum Hip-Pop as we were ever going to get, then they grew up.


5. The Budos Band - Adenji

When I get married I want them to play at my wedding. Their brass cuts through, hits hard and makes you want to do something, anything. If this music put down roots it would grow in to one hell of an oak tree.

6. AU79 - Tyler

His album was highly anticipated, and quite frankly over rated in my opinion. I feel the stand out track is an instrumental that is brilliant and definitely worth skipping a few songs to get to.


7. Jay electronica - San Pellegrino with lemon

Jay Electronica is my favourite rapper of the last 10 years and the man has not released an album. His eloquence and gravitas is unrivaled in the rap game. His music makes sense, it's has impact and relevant.


8. Pushing Hands - He's Still Here

These guys are new and forging a nice sound that leaves you pretty damn satisfied at the end. I like what they do and how they do it.


9. Gonzales - Overnight

Please listen to this and the rest of the Solo Piano album, it is littered with the best post modern classical/polystylistic piano music I have heard. The entertainment in the delivery and the sheer quality of the composition is outstanding.

May 2011 - Girls

And the deluge of musical wonderment continues.

Today we have Chip's very own Blips; they've been stewing in the pot for a long time, I just haven't had the time to write the pesky blighters up. But now I do. It's a Bank Holiday, the sun is hidden behind a grey wall of sludgy cloud and it sure ain't coming out anytime soon. So what better activity than bringing you my first ever themed Blip!

And the theme is girls. We all like them, some of us are them, and it turns out that lots of bands like them enough to name a song after them.

Here are 12 of my favourites:

(YouTube embed not working. Argh. Please open the link in a new tab/window and I will try to embed the playlist asap.)

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?p=PL5B9B5FABBBEB1016&feature=mh_lolz

1. Javelin - Susie Cues

A great little intro track here from NYC oddballs Javelin. The album is a bit of a mess if I'm honest (have a listen to Moscow 1980 if you like this), but this tiny slice of sunshine is a welcome edition and a fitting start.

2. Miike Snow - Silvia

Teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellll meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-eeeeeeee-ooooooooo-eeeeeeeeeeee. I love singing that. Most of you will have heard this already (and if you haven't then you're in for a treat) but that doesn't make it any less brilliant.

3. Friendly Fires - Paris

This has probably been the most featured song in the history of Chip's Blips. And for good reason. 3 minutes and 51 seconds of top drawer (socks/cutlery) poppy goodness. The hazy chorus never gets old. I haven't bought their new album yet but I'm looking forward to it.

4. Million Young - Cynthia

A brand-spanking new track for you Blippers, and the track that inspired the theme. Quite a similar sound to Friendly Fires actually, but with much cleaner electronic gurgles and less feedback. A lovely little number. And the video only has 323 views (and it's not even on Spotify), so that automatically makes it cool. Doesn't it?

5. Soap & Skin - Cynthia

Ahh I'm messing with your heads - 2 songs in a row called Cynthia? WHAT THE DEVIL IS GOING ON. Crazy business that's what. I put this song up way back in 2009, tipping her for greatness, but it sadly didn't happen for her (I tipped Ellie Goulding though - hey you can't win 'em all). And if her songs were this sad back in 2009 then I dread to think what her next album is going to sound like. Beautiful stuff though.

6. Yeasayer - Grizelda

Grizelda! Brilliant! Why oh why aren't more people called Grizelda? Such a strong name. So much character and mystique. Actually, sod it, I'm off to the Deed Poll offices.

7. Kings Of Convenience - Mrs Cold

Sweet relief. Kings of Convenience somehow manage to remove all stress from my head and replace it with a serene, zen-like state of tranquility. My mind is a millpond. Shhhhhh.

8. Mystery Jets - Lorna Doone

If you haven't bought the Eel Pie islanders' latest album Serotonin then you really really should. Gone are the meaningless indie tinklings. This is proper music. Innit.

9. Sleigh Bells - Rachel (Atrium Remix)

I hate Sleigh Bells. I really do. If you listen to the original of this, you'll understand. If you combine an average voice with some really average 'rave sounds' then the end-product is guaranteed to be, well, average. I don't care if Zane Lowe was drooling over it like a 14yr old with his first porn mag, it still doesn't make it good. Yes, they are doing something different, but why should 'different' automatically constitute good? It's admirable that they decided to step out of the line most-trodden, but unfortunately for them they stepped out of the line right into a freshly laid, steaming, musical cowpat. It seems the line was most-trodden for a reason. Luckily, this remix manages to rein in the scratching, shouting and general bollocks. Which suddenly makes it sound quite good.

10. Pantha Du Prince - Asha

Just to demonstrate how shit the last band really are, I've put 2 electronic masterpieces in to follow them. Yankee Nu-Ravers: hang your heads in shame, because this is what real talent sounds like. Bleepy German talent. And yes, Asha is a real girl's name. Facebook said so.

11. Ellen Allien & Apparat - Jet

If Sleigh Bells haven't killed themselves yet, they will by the end of this. Techno wonderment from one of my favourite albums of all time, Orchestra Of Bubbles. If you like this, try Rotary. Pure class. And yes, Jet was the name of a Gladiator. It definitely counts.

12. M83 - Kim & Jessie

Some ethereal dreaminess to finish from M83. And we get two girl's names for the price of one. What more could you ask for?

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So there we have it Blippers, the first themed playlist comes to an end. Did you enjoy it? Have I missed any girl's name songs? Any other themes you would like to explore?

As ever, please just get in touch if you want to do a guest Blip or have requests for themes. Anyone with 9 songs and the ability to write a sentence for each song is welcome.

We have another Blip on the way next week, so stay close!

Over and out.

Bear's Blips - May 2011

Been a long time / i should'na left you / without a dope beat to step to / step to step to step to / step step step / wickiwicki

That little ditty sums up my feelings about the recent paucity of Chip's Blips action. I can only apologise, and placate you with promises of some exceedingly lovely music arriving on your cochleal doorstep in the very near future.

And here's the first example, a wonderful selection from a wonderful bear!

Sit back and enjoy.

1. James Blake - A Case Of You (Joni Mitchell Cover)

Is it me or is Blake starting to sound a lot like the transgender dude Hegarty from Anthony the Johnson’s? No, maybe just me then. But who cares, this cover of ‘A Case of You’ by Joni is a real good sound for the ears.

2. The 2 Bears - Church

Well I do love a nice Bear, and these two chaps are real nice. Raf Rundell and Joe Goddard (Hot Chip dude) keep releasing endlessly saaweet tunes. Keep your eyes peeled for The Bearhug EP which is set for release in June with Southern Fried Records.

3. Digits – Lost Dream

Probably one of my fave tunes of the year to date. The Lost Dream E.P is a great listen, Toronto based Digits has a way with base and his music is described as ‘undisciplined pop’. Couldn’t agree more.

4. Oberhofer - I Could Go

Oh hello Bradley Oberhofer, you really know how to chime. This has indeed been doing the rounds for quite a while now, however, it is great and reminds me of my bike. So here it is.

5. Dominik Eulberg - Die 3 Millionen Musketiere

It was hard to pick a key track from Eulberg’s new album, but this one sure is a belter.

6. Okkervil River – Rider

‘And I fly out on my silver, scissoring wings’, well why not, when you have this in your head you can’t help but flap about.

7. Gang Gang Dance – MindKilla

This new album (in my opinion) is going to be one of 2011’s greats. The video is also vaguely terrifying, so check that out too

8. SBTRKT - Wildfire

Apparently Zane has hailed this ‘the hottest track in the world’; I will form my opinion when the full album is released in June. Still pretty hot none the less.

9. Junior Boys - Banana Ripple

Hello Summer, nice to see you, you are most welcome here.

10. Holy Ghost! – Slow Motion

Finally! I have been waiting in eager anticipation for this album, and it doesn’t disappoint.

11. Blackbird Blackbird – Hawaii (Niva Remix)

This is just good. An odd occasion that the remix in my eyes (or ears) is streets ahead of the original. And the original aint half bad.

12. Junip – In Every Direction – Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr Remix

Another beaut of a remix. I want a magic feather....

13. Ghostpoet – Cash and Carry Me Home (Original)

Amazing tune, Ghostpoet has a natural talent for taking everyday observations and turning them into A+ UK Hip Hop.

14. Santigold Ft. Karen O – Go

Where has Santigold been since like 2008? I don’t care, because this is worth waiting for.

15. Theme Park – Milk

Another summer suntime song. I bet this will be going round in your head all day. I will leave you with that.

HC's Blips - April 2011

Hi-de-ho campers, we are back again for another instalment of Chip's Blips. This time it's a whole nine songs of gloopy magic from our very own Dubmaster General. Some real belters in here.

So sit back (or forward - your choice) and enjoy!

1. Home Park - Beatdown (Joy Orbison's Narcissimix)

So now they call him Joy O?

2. Hackman - Blacksnake

Loving this one from Leeds based dubstep turned funky producer Hackman

3. George Fitzgerald - We Bilateral

One of my favourite producers right now.. hasn't failed yet, all his tunes are huge.

4. Jacques Greene - The Look (Koreless Remix)

Mellow vibes as always from 19 year old Koreless.

5. Alpines - Ice and Arrows (Dark Sky Remix)

2011 is Alpines' year.. these two will be big! Heres a solid remix of their debut track from Dark Sky.

6. Julio Bashmore -Around

This guy has been over the place in the last few months so I had to throw at least one of his tracks in.

7. Basement Jaxx - Red Alert (Steve Gurley mix)

A really nice remix of this one from back in the day.

8. Pariah - Crossed Out

Just a bit of a banger really..

9. Throwing Snow - Un Vingt

A real nice groove to this one.

April 2011

Good evening campers, and welcome to the latest springtime edition of Chip's Blips. As usual, we have 9 nuggets (actually, while we are on the subject of words ending it -ets, I bought some sweetcorn in a tin today. Bear with me. It was Green Giant, and underneath the logo, instead of a tagline like "crunchy yellow corn", they had decided to go with SweetNiblets. SWEET NIBLETS! Outrageously bad. Anyway, back to business) of wonderment for you this month, hopefully they will bring you joy, happiness and musical enlightenment. Or just keep you entertained for an hour. I'm happy with either outcome.

So press play and enjoy!

1. Mountain Man - How'm I Doin

3 mystical ladies to start us off this month. If this song was a carrot, it would be the one covered in mud, still with the stalk on. 100% organic. You can't get much purer music than this: three voices creating beautiful sounds. For those of you who pay attention, they are covering the Mills' Brothers version that I Blipped last year.

2. The Naked And Famous - Sun

Got the album by these Antipodean funksters last week and it's been in my ears for most available waking moments. This is my favourite track on the record; a dark and broody slow-builder, reminiscent of Radiohead in full flow. Spot on, top notch, full marks, thumbs up and plenty of other two-word statements of approval.

3. Kurt Vile - Ghost Town

The USA is churning these lo-fi minstrels like, well, a Galaxy Minstrel factory. This time it's Kurt Vile, another long-haired shoegazer, who is jumping on the bearded bandwagon with a delicious slice of dreamericana (just made that up, consider it copyright). Vile it most certainly isn't. (A little bit long it most probably is though)

4. Stealing Sheep - Mountain Dogs

From long and sad to short and perky. There's something sexual about that sentence but I'm not going to explore it. 2 minutes and 20 seconds of fun. That's longer than... Oh dear. And we're back with the innuendo. Shit. Help! This is embarrassing. Sorry. Ah. Umm, nothing to see here, move on. Ahem.

5. Swimming - Sun In The Island

It's the chorus of this song that gets me every time. One of those anthemic ones that just does something to your stomach and makes you want to belt out "Hold on for dear life/ if it feels riiiiiight!" at the top of your voice (really badly). I'm getting a lot of Placebo here. That's a good thing.

6. The Balconies - Do It In The Dark

Remember The Virgins? Remember the funky basslines? Welcome The Balconies, Canada's answer to those New York upstarts. If it doesn't get your foot tapping then it isn't connected to your body. Or you are dead inside. A shell of a human. The video is silly (so don't watch it), but who cares when the song is this good? A perfect pop song.

7. Dels - GOB (David Sitek Remix)

"I won't get swallowed by the gob/ swallowed by the darkness/ swallowed by the fog". What is the gob? I definitely don't want this to happen to me. Anyway, it's a brilliant re-work here by Dave Sitek (of TV On The Radio). The strings on the chorus and the slow bass make it for me; such a simple touch but so effective. Simple simple simple. That's the way to do it.

8. Julio Bashmore - Battle For Middle You

Two dancey numbers to finish. The first is Julio Bashmore who, as those in the know like to say, has been "tearing up dancefloors" for the past year. I don't say that, they do. I copied them to try and look cool. So, now that I do indeed look/sound cool, I can describe this track as a "banger" and make the affirmation that it is "guaranteed to melt faces" and "should come with a health warning". As in it is so good it could be bad for you. Like cake. No, not that kind of cake. Yeah ok, I don't get it either, this is all stuff that the people in the know talk about.

(Ask this guy, he definitely knows)

9. Vandroid - Master & Slave (Van She Tech Remix)

What an absolute monster to finish. Don't be scared by the beginning, it's just a silly intro. Try and listen to this really really loud, and just wait for 1min34 to arrive. This makes my brain tingle so much that I'm not really sure I could handle it for an extended period of time. It reminds me of the Rex The Dog numbers that were being churned out while I was at uni. Absolutely brilliant. Although the person in the know above probably wouldn't like it: it's totes not dubby enough.

And with that horrendous word-murder (if you really say that word you should be ashamed of yourself - obvs) I'm out.

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AutoReplay's Blips - March 2011

Here we go again campers! Another guest Blip here to captivate and hopefully educate your ears. This week, your teacher will be AutoReplay. He will be lecturing mainly around the theme of Dub, and other well known UK-reared meat products. So without further ado:

Here is a random selection of noises and sounds, which, if listened to in the order specified below, actually resemble music. Good music.

1. Mount Kimbie – Before I move off

No relation to any mountains so I am told. Mount Kimbie mainly do music for the ears. Sound music. It’s also relevant here due to its title. Which is sort of like starting. The bit just before the start i guess.

2. Baths – Lovely Bloodflow

A classic song. Good listened to in, or out of, a bath.

3. Daphni – Ye Ye

Yeahyeahyeahyeah – just have a listen. It’s that bloke who is also called Caribou – ah! that got your attention.

4. Light Asylum – A Certain Person (Motherland Remix)

This is a big one. Check out www.soundcloud.com/msmsmsm for more like it

5. Creep – Days (Soul clap remix)

More breathy goodness from the XX's Romy. So fans will like this – and indeed are likely to have already played it to death. Sorry about that. I like this remix of it though. Soul Clap Clap Clap (round of applause)

6. XXXY – You always start it

Oh no you always start it...

7. Canblaster – Clockworks (Teki Latex & Para One remix)

I have a lot of time for the bravado of the protagonist. He is so confident in his ability to sleep for one hundred years and wake up a minute later, with no mention of alarm clock or funeral arrangements, that he commits it to song.

8. Fleet Foxes – Mykonos (Young Montana Remix)

This is a monster. If you are at work careful – you are likely to spill your nice cup of tea onto an approaching colleague. Otherwise crank it up.

9. Arkist – Only If you Mean it

Big rich sounds, a lovely song.

10. Nicholas Jaar – Keep me there

Only 20 years old - Is there anything this guy can’t do! Apparently he is rubbish at astrology. I mean, really bad.

11. Moon Wiring Club – Slumberwick Dreams

There is more recent music out by these ‘chaps’ but I enjoy this one hence its inclusion.

12. Telefon Tel Aviv – Sound In a Dark Room

Similarly this is quite old but I enjoy the noises made. It’s like ‘so’ chilled.

13. Hounds of Hate - Trident

Dark and dirty. Great video too. Maybe do a few mins of forced smiling after listening.

14. Actress – Maze

A good song to end on – 1. turn it up, 2. turn off the lights and 3. get lost in the maze that is your own house. Unless you have a good spatial awareness in which case you’ll probably be fine – just move around slowly. In fact, just to be safe, make sure that any obvious obstacles are removed before part 2 (wine glasses, Ming vases etc)

Mack's Blips - March 2011

Ahoy there!

I'm not going to beat around the bush here- this is a cracking Blip. So, without further ado, I bring you Mack's Blips:

1. PAUL MCCARTNEY - TEMPORARY SECRETARY

And so it starts. With a song which would forever be consigned to the list of musical oddities were it not so amazing (I forgive you if it takes a couple of listens).

A fun game I like to play is putting this on in the car and making whoever's with me try and guess who it is. No-one's EVER guessed right.

2. FICTION - BIG THINGS

This infectious little number makes me want to dance like an idiot too.

3. ANNA CALVI - SUZANNE & I

I don't think anyone's made music which is truly as epic as Anna Calvi's for quite a while. Please please listen to her album, it's scarily grown-up and properly atmospheric music. Believe all that hype!

4. MADVILLAIN - ACCORDION

A little bit of effortlessly deft hip-hop from Madvillain, aka MF Doom and Madlib. My friend Luke once told me he thought Doom's voice sounded 'all dry and sandy like a skeleton', and ever since I've never been able to visualise him any other way.

5. FLYING LOTUS - TEA LEAF DANCERS

OK. Don't listen to this on little laptop speakers. Use big old headphones if you have to. Turn it up and up until it makes you feel all seasick and wonderful.

6. THE KINKS - I'M NOT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE

The further I move into "responsible" adulthood the more time I seem to spend, alone, rocking gently on the corner of my bed with my eyes closed singing along to this at the top of my voice and holding on desperately to the belief that it's true.

7. FRANZ FERDINAND - LUCID DREAMS

Yes! Every second of this record is heaven. I love how it begins a slightly off-kilter Franz anthem then gradually evolves into a glorious synth-knob-measuring contest.

8. WARPAINT - ASHES TO ASHES

I am happy that this David Bowie cover happened. I hope you're happy too. How sick is Warpaint's drummer, by the way?

9. BAUHAUS - BELA LUGOSI'S DEAD

The "first ever Gothic Rock song"? Yes please.

10. JANELLE MONAE - TIGHTROPE

The first time I heard this, I couldn't believe how funky it is. I literally could not believe. I had to attend a funk Alpha course and everything to set my belief back on the right track.

11. PETE AND THE PIRATES - COME TO THE BAR

Remember Mr Understanding? It was so catchy that I didn't think Pete and the Pirates had another one like that in them. But lo, this arrived and has managed to worm its way into my ear and, just like a sonic Swampy, is refusing to budge until they stop building new runways at Heathrow. Or something.

12. WOLF GANG - BACK TO BACK

Wolf Gang are one of my favourite new bands, and this is one of my

favourite Wolf Gang songs. You do the math, as they say. Annoyingly.

13. RATATAT - SHILLER

There are other, more upbeat tracks I nearly chose, but this here is

the first I heard of the amazing Ratatat, after buying 'LP3' on vinyl

purely on the basis that I thought the cover art was amazing. Well, it

worked - I knew I'd done good as soon as that backwards-mellotron got

all drenched by autoharps.

14. LORN - CHERRY MOON

I've saved a real absolute gem till last.

This sounds like fizzy midnight. Like melted starlight. Like rain on

Knight Rider's windscreen. In the future. Like the hundred other

clumsy and grossly inadequate similies I could reel off and bore you

to tears with. I'd rather just shut up and let you listen to it.

February 2011 (I know I know...)

Yes yes yes, it isn't February anymore. Well it's my blog, and February is a stupid month anyway. I mean, what kind of freak puts 28 days in a month? Gregory, that's who. And what is a day? What is a minute? Why do we need to measure everything; labelise our entire existence?

I've had it. I for one am making a stand, right here, right now. February - you 28-day long (but sometimes 29, every 4 years you SADISTIC BASTARD) pustule of grey skies and almost-springtime dashed hope - you are going down.

WHO'S WITH ME?

[silence]

Yeah, fair enough, you probably just came to listen to some music. Well that's fine too.

Here we are then, 9 battle-hardened, February-hating behemoths for you.

Ready?

CHAAAAAARGE!

1. Zoo Kid - Out Getting Ribs

A sad slow one to start, written by a 16yr old ginger hipster. Turns out it's rather good. Amazing what you can do with 2 guitars, an interesting voice and a few shiny knobs. Ack, shhh, you know what I mean. I'm trying to be your serious music correspondent here. You're spoiling it.

2. The Low Suns - So Tired

Oooh I love acoustic songs. Very dangerous thing to do as a band; if anyone can't sing, it's going to sound absolutely horrific. Luckily, the vocals here are a perfect balance of subtlety and strength, exactly what you need in a slow sleepy one like this. Thumbs up.

3. Miami Horror - Moon Theory

Very Hercules & Love Affair this one. Probably why I love it so much. Partly that, partly the video. The lone horseman, embarking on a Peyote-fuelled vision quest. Can't imagine that riding a horse whilst tripping balls on Peyote is that clever an idea, but this guy seems to have it down to a fine art. What this video doesn't show though is all the coyotes and rattlesnakes that hang around in those Utah deserts. But it ends happily: he wakes up and finds some kind of alien power station, so clearly all is well and he found what he was looking for.

4. Small Black - Sun Was High (So Was I) (Best Coast Cover)

Another song that was clearly written whilst under the influence of a mind-bending substance. Big, lazy soundscapes and a sleepy drawl over the top. Put a bit of echo/reverb/[insert geeky effect] on top of that and you've got yourself another tasty morsel of American Slo-Fi. I just made that genre up by the way, so don't anyone go getting any ideas. Just look what happened to February.

5. James Blake - The Wilhelm Scream

This is a beauty.

However - and it is quite a big however - the album is incredibly hard going. It feels like you are reading Mr. Blake's musical dissertation: chock-full of footnotes, 200 word sentences and big scary words like "jectigation*".

There's an easy solution to this problem though - just listen to this on repeat, and sob into your pillow.

6. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

From sad sobbing to happy sobbing. This song is full of some sort of mystical force that rushes good thoughts to the top of your head and makes you want to swell up and explode with joy, sadness and amazement at the beauty of the world, love, and every experience you've ever had. Five minutes and four seconds of perfection.

(There's a chance you won't like it as much as that I suppose.)

7. Digits - Rachel Marie

Oh Digits, please stop being so fucking good. You aren't being fair to all the other new bands. Give them at least a small chance.

It's like Hall & Oates had a sexy little electro baby that used to get dropped off at New Order's house for after-school tutoring. (Can you hear the Blue Monday homage?)

Rachel Marie is a lucky lady that's for sure. Maybe she is the surrogate mother that Hall & Oates used...

8. Gross Magic - Waiting For You

Ahhhhh YES, this is a good playlist! Starts off sad, takes you up and before you know it you are bouncing around to yet more 80s inspired goodness. This time it's a chirpy synth with a little MGMT small-boy vocal over the top. Add a bit of Lo-fi fuzz and you're off. It works. Hoh yes by golly it works.

9. Metronomy - She Wants

The difficult final track. How to end it? Take it back down to Sadville, or keep everyone in Happyland?

Well, the answer is neither. We are going down a winding country road, just as the daylight is fading, to the sexiest, sultriest place you've been to since you visited the town of XX a couple of years ago.

It's Metronomy, and it's one of my favourite songs this year. So moody and complex, full of some kind of very painful longing. The hours just keep coming, and the lonely guitar keeps on hopefully plugging away, waiting for something to change. It is mind-alteringly good.

Wow. I could listen to that on repeat for a good few days.

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We are done for the month Blippers. Hope you enjoyed it. I must say I did.

I'll try and be back soon to bring you some more of my latest loves.

In the meantime, keep on keepin' on.

*For the curious souls amongst you, 'jectigation' means "a trembling movement"

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