Singles for the Week Starting 13 June

Steel Island
Lucifer The Lightbearer
(Naked Tree Recordings)
* * * * *

If Sweden had submitted Steel Island into the Eurovision Song Contest, they most likely would have been arrested, accused of dope abuse, and banned from the competition for good. Thankfully, they've sent the band to us instead, and good thing too - we're far more appreciative of dope fiends.
I should say this however: we have no proof that weird substances were ingested during the making of this single - but 'Lucifer The Lightbearer' certainly sounds tortured and psychedelic.
A Rapture-esque singer howls with a mixture of pleasure and agony, while oriental atmospheres unfold, and strings bend very... very... slowly. This is an occult but also soulful single, which you might accidentally mistake as Shoreditch gibberish on first listen. Listener? Be patient! It's only because Steel Island have got a grip on melody and composition that they're able to get away with all that weird jelly-like stuff on top. Top marks to Sweden!
Ric Rawlins

Grinderman
Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man
(Mute)
* * * * *

Lets make one thing clear, I can’t remember the last time Nick Cave did anything that wasn’t absolutely brilliant. Grinderman is no different. They’re consistently high-kicking, pants-tearing, fret-ripping fun.
And that’s what makes ‘Mickey Mouse and the Goodbye Man’ such a must-have. It’s easy to forget with all of the poncey synths and ‘singer-songwriters’ around that music should be fun; Nick Cave’s had his fill of being sensible, and now he’s going to melt your face off.
Simon Sandison

White Lies
Holy Ghost
(Fiction)
* * * *

Holy Ghost carries the handsome weight of Depeche Mode's eerie sound, and with it comes a sense of a timelessness. This song is packed with background fuzz noise you can't seem to switch off –which can feel a little suffocating at times – while the synths have a creepy X Files-ish edge, which fits perfectly with the dark echo of Harry McVeigh's vocals.
After giving this song a few spins, I found myself lost in a world of blue velvet and broken hearts – the sound of ‘Holy Ghost’ may not be new, but it’s a well written, well performed piece of art. White Lies know what they’re doing.
Yasmine Yaeger


Timber Timbre
Creep on, Creepin' On
(Full Time Hobby)
* * * *

‘Creep On, Creepin' On’ is very much true to its title; it feels like a line of ants marching over your skin that you’ll try to shake off – but they keep on coming back.
I truly enjoyed this single; the vocals feel like they’re fiddling with the style of a bluesy Elvis but maintaining the narration of Bob Dylan. With its bouncy nature, twinkling pianos and quirky circus-esque sound, you’ll be left wanting to hear more.
Yasmine Yaeger

Junior Boys
Banana Ripple
(Domino)
* *

Strangely vacuous noises from the usually bulletprooof Domino stable here, 'Banana Ripple' feels like it's attempting to have a techno beach party, but keeps changing its mind about where its going without delivering the goods. It does at least melt into an LSD-tainted, Animal Collective-style bridge - but this 'aint no disco.
Cindy Suzuki

Lies
Holy Ghost
(Fiction)
* * * *

Holy Ghost carries the handsome weight of Depeche Mode's eerie sound, and with it comes a sense of a timelessness. This song is packed with background fuzz noise you can't seem to switch off –which can feel a little suffocating at times – while the synths have a creepy X Files-ish edge, which fits perfectly with the dark echo of Harry McVeigh's vocals.
After giving this song a few spins, I found myself lost in a world of blue velvet and broken hearts – the sound of ‘Holy Ghost’ may not be new, but it’s a well written, well performed piece of art. White Lies know what they’re doing.
Yasmine Yaeger

The Vaccines
All in White
(Columbia)
* *

I must admit, I’m not the biggest fan of the generic indie pop rock sound (and scene, for that matter) that seems to have taken Britain by storm – and consequently I found ‘All In White’ to be a really predictable song, verging on dull. What can I say? Yes, it's well produced, well performed and well written-ish… I’ll give them credit for writing good lyrics, although I can't seem to recite one line. (I was thinking at the time, "Hmm, they seem to be saying something important.")
Marisa Jones

Pose Victorious
Angel Park Records
Beneath The Lighthouse EP
* *

'Off The Rails' begins full of energy using classic American bluesy rock riffs and for a moment there I get rather excited, feeling like this band's taking me into a world of sweaty rock blues bars mixed with a Scottish twist. However, slight disappointment grows once I put in the effort to decipher the lyrics… There's something contrived when a band sings about booze, drugs and girls. 'Autumn Leaves' however, has the potential to be a hit single… Their EP is well produced and I dig their genuine classic rock riffs, however, please guys, work on those clichéd lyrics!
Marisa Jones

Stylusboy
Lazy Acre Records
Whole Picture EP
* * * *

Stylusboy's 'Whole Picture' EP is blown up with folk galore, vocal harmonies, xylophone twinkles, rhythmic acoustic guitar riffs and even some cello licks. It's not until I get to the fourth track 'Something Worth Keeping' where I am taken out of my slumber of their lullaby songs and entering a more challenged world. This EP reminds me of the film 'Once', maybe it's the romantic clash between male and female vocals and there's something timeless about this style of music. I dig it and look forward to more.
Marisa Jones