We listen to a lot of new music in the office every week day. We fight over the speaker to listen to new songs by new bands and artists. Here’s a list of our favourites of the year so far.
1. Dream Wife – Dream Wife
We were lucky enough to catch these riot grrrl champions here at Clwb for Swn Festival in 2015, then at a crowded Independent Music Venue gig at The Big Top and then again at The Great Escape Festival last year.
Their debut album has been on repeat in the office all week, we can’t get enough of the sharp and witty power-pop and the video for Hey Heartbreaker is just sublime.
2. Isolate EP – Setaoc Mass
If your looking for a 4×4 industrial foot stomper then this is the EP for you, Isolate EP released January 26th 2018 is the second collaborative project between Manchesters Cleric and Setaoc Mass split over two discs. It will be the 10th instalment on Cleric’s Clergy imprint and we love it!
Our favourite track: ‘Centre of the Cyclone’ sounds as though it comes straight out of the dark techno underground.
4. K’TA –Serol Serol
Penmachno is a small village in Conwy, famous for it’s stunning views of the mountains and forests as well as having a world class mountain bike trail.
But over the past 18 months, Penmachno has slowly become the main exports of world class space pop. Serol Serol have just released a vintage-sounding synth pop gem, K’TA to the world.
5. Microshift – Hookworms
Leeds’ finest neo-psychedelia masters are back! This time with album number 3, Microshift. Edging away from the chaotic kraut-rock sound of 2014’s The Hum, Microshift is more concerned with moving your feet than their offerings.
Ditching distortion and feedback for art-punk ballads, Hookworms are one fo the most versatile acts in modern day psychedelia. And if you’re not convinced by the new tunes, you can’t deny the beauty of their album artwork.
6. Songs Of Praise – Shame
Post-punk youngsters, Shame leaped into 2018 with their debut album, Songs Of Praise to rave reviews. Soon after the album dropped, their mammoth 15-date UK tour sold out, and we can’t wait for them to kick that tour off here in Clwb!
7. Veteran – JPEGMAFIA
JPEGMAFIA dropped his 19-song album in mid-January. The album sees the rapper mix dark trap music with plenty of lo-fi drumbeats, glitchy experimentation and plenty of humour.
Veteran is an album you might not fall in love with instantly, but there’s plenty of hidden gems buried in the album. Give the album a few spins and delve into the weird world of JPEGMAFIA.
8. I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life – Tune-Yards
Genre-hopping, pop genius, Tune-Yards return with a new album I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life. Handclaps, loops, plenty of joyous percussions laced with subtle influences of techno and house alongside Merrill Garbus‘ reflective and inquisitive lyrics make this album an easy on-repeater.
9. Blue Suitcase (Disco Wrist) – The Orielles
We’re looping The Orielles‘ latest single Blue Suitcase (Disco Wrist)Â in the office, in excitement for the release of their forthcoming debut album Silver Dollar Moment and their visit to Cardiff on the 20th of February!The delightful single is full of post-punk brilliance and perfect pop melodies. Perfect listening to get through the last few weeks of the gloomy winter.
10. Tir Ha Mor – Gwenno
After bringing her to Merthyr’s Redhouse in December last year for a night of previewing new material, Clwb favourite and Welsh music legend, Gwenno kicked off her year with releasing Tir Ha Mor from her forthcoming Cornish-language album, Le Kov.
Tir Ha Mor sees Gwenno exploring a more ambient and introspective sound than the glitchy, electronic sound of her debut, Y Dydd Olaf. We’re loving the elevating sound and the kraut-rock driven rhythms.