This is one of those releases that comes out of the blocks like Usain Bolt and hits you straight away with a sucker punch of sonic intent. It then keeps going with a relentless invasion of your ears of catchy melodies, clever song writing and interesting production. Unashamedly pop, this is a collection of songs that would be as home in the Top 10 as they would be on stage at a painfully cool boutique festival. There really is nothing to pick as a fault, a weak point or a disappointment. If you like intelligent, emotive but uplifting and fun pop music then this is something you really need to listen to. If you don’t, get a grip of yourself and give it a go, as there is probably something here for everyone. Blindingly good stuff proving once again that Oxford is the Indie-Pop capital of the country.
Wiltshire art-punks Dead Royalties released any new material. But, finally the prodigal band return, and man have we missed them. Their initial EP and single releases showed what masters of punky, mathy rock pop tunes they were, and this reinforces that with some menace. The issues experienced by the band that led to the silent period have obviously all been resolved, and the pent-up frustration has been released with some vigour in this collection – it rocks harder than they ever had but walks that fine line of melody and accessibility with some aplomb. A very welcome return indeed.
I have been looking forward to this since I first heard Oxford’s favourite Jazz/Grunge punks last year. And boy oh boy it doesn’t disappoint. Angular, obstinate and challenging to listen to, this is absolute audio manna to a man raised on a diet of Sonic Youth, Pixies, and The Kinks (History Teacher could easily be a Ray Davies penned tune, but one that has been put through a hedge backwards). These are tunes so contradictory and contrary they make you want to move and groove but shake time signatures up so much you end up looking like you are having 240 volts applied to sensitive areas. Raw, rough and uncouth, yet totally in control of what they are, there is something very special and unique about Lucy Leave that you can’t ignore.
Now pretty much a Rich May solo project, The King in Mirrors have been responsible for some of the best and most interesting Indie-Pop to come out of Swindon for years, and this EP continues that trend. Yes, it is proudly old-school 90’s jangle-pop influenced, but when you have tunes this enjoyably light and airy, that is not anything to be ashamed of, and this collection is probably the best group of songs that May has composed in recent years, both musically and lyrically and the performances are up there with his best too. Well worth a listen.
