Singles: September 2010

Words: Saam Das

I guess the defining moment in UK music during September was the announcement of the winner of the 2010 Mercury Music Prize winner, The xx. I mentioned them on the blog (more precisely, on one of my fabled podcasts) and was the one of the first bloggers to talk them up. Fast forward a couple of years or so and they are now critical darlings and have even managed to sell a fair few records. With any luck, some of the other artists or bands in this September singles column can do alright as well.

Seeräuber Jenny - Push It Away (Release Date: September 27th)

Considering one half of this band were in Mint Royale, I was expecting something different from Seerauber Jenny's debut release. Instead, I was pleasantly surprised. Imagine looking out the window on a rainy day, thinking about what could have been. Then along comes 'Push It Away' to give you a comforting hug and a warm cup of tea, and just makes everything better. The other a-side 'Waste Of Time' is equally as beguiling and oddly beautiful. Single of the month.

Alice Gold - Orbiter (20th)

STREAM: Alice Gold - Orbiter

Hearing a bit of that PJ Harvey sass on this debut single from Alice Gold, who's a new signing on the Fiction record label. Check out the Vision Of Trees remix too, which you can download for free from Soundcloud.

Howls - Hammock (20th)

STREAM: Howls - Hammock

Somewhat unexpectedly, the producer of 'Orbiter', Dan Carey has also put out an impressive single recently. 'Hammock' sees Carey team up with Stephen Fretwell, Jay Sikora and former Keith frontman Oli Bayston to produce a compelling and eerie representation of some of Manchester's finest musicians.

Dog Is Dead - Young (20th)

STREAM: Dog Is Dead - Young

It doesn't seem all that long ago since I was all caught up in joy with the last Dog Is Dead single. I still think they sound a lot like the Mystery Jets I loved, which is handy as the Mystery Jets are sounding less and less like they used to as each day passes. Majestic, unashamed pop.

Pulled Apart By Horses - High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive (6th)

STREAM: Pulled Apart By Horses - High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive

I was blown away by the pure awesomeness of the live set of Pulled Apart By Horses back at Offset Festival 2009. This new single captures some of that blistering energy, paralleling another band who killed Offset '09, Dananananaykroyd. High five, indeed.

David's Lyre - Tear Them Down (6th)

STREAM: David's Lyre - Tear Them Down

Wild Beasts goes eighties pop. Which may sound bad but it's actually pretty good. Although I've listened to a couple of different versions and they all seem to have excess distortion, which is a bit irritating.

Coal Train - Building Dens (27th)

DOWNLOAD: Coal Train - Building Dens (acoustic version)

A few months back Whiskas bigged up the now defunct This Ain't Vegas here on the blog. Well, now some of their members are back as Coal Train and seemingly following in the footsteps of Hot Club de Paris with that whole Kinsella-core with more melodies and harmonies approach. I approve. Video of the single is on YouTube.

Les Savy Fav - Let's Get Out Of Here (20th)

STREAM: Les Savy Fav - Let's Get Out of Here

I really enjoyed Les Savy Fav at Field Day 2008 and put them in my top five performances of the year. For some reason, I'm feeling a sort of surf-pop vibe in 'Let's Get Out Of Here' and apparently, the catchiest thing they've ever done. Either way, I very much enjoy it. Even more so as it's a free download if you sign up to the mailing list at their website.