2 pairs of British siblings got together some 8 years ago to form what is now an acclaimed indie rock band. Their eponymous debut was received to much fanfare, and for good reason. This was followed by their sophomore release, Those the Brokes, which built on the unique 70s-pop-meets-modern-day-sensibilities sound that they have perfected over the last decade. Which brings me to their latest release The Runaway (out Aug. 3 in the US).

The Magic Numbers have slowed it down a bit for this album, gaining in sentimentality what they lost in cheerful nostalgia. I’m not sure that’s a good thing. See for yourself, with two songs off The Runaway, “Why Did you Call?” and “Sound of Something”.

Listen to “Why Did You Call?”

Listen to “Sound of Something“

__________. That’s the space everyone gets for telling me that the following album came out almost a year ago. Now that it’s out of your system, hear me out for a couple of paragraphs.

I’ve had a long time love affair with Zero 7. Aside from the intriguing hooks and genre-breaking endeavors, the wide array of guest singers that have appeared on their albums have been the most captivating of all. Yeah Ghost came out last October, and to mixed reviews. Lead instrumental track “Count Me Out” starts out inconspicuous (or is it mysterious) enough, giving way to the frantic “Mr McGee” that seems more suited for top 40 R&B treatment than an electronic downtempo album. “Swing” brings the listener back to a familiar place, with Binki Shapiro deftly adding her nonchalant vocals over steel drums and hand claps. The lead single “Everything Up (Zizou)”pays homage to famous French soccer star Zinedine Zidane (don’t worry, this song doesn’t headbutt you), and features Henry Binns (half of the Zero 7 duo) singing himself over soft ‘la-la’s” and a guitar that seems to run in place. Nevertheless, it’s Martha Tilston’s appearance on “Pop Art Blue” that highlights the album; the sultry, soft clarity of her voice is as warm as the bouncing bass and sprawling guitar.

The funky synths under the silky stylings of Eska Mtungwazi are only outdone by the comical choruses of ‘simply outrageous’, but the creepy-not-mysterious “Ghost Symbol” and the nonsensical “Sleeper” don’t do much to keep the album on track. Nevertheless, the short-lived and apt-named “Solastalgia” (for the reference, click here) is a 2 minutes of pure instrumental gold that will have you thinking Fleet Foxes was invited to play on the track. Rounding out the album is the oh-so-soulful Mtungwazi singing over the wondrously delicate keyboard on “The Road”.

Get a copy of Yeah Ghost.

Listen to “Pop Art Blue”

Listen to “The Road“

Click here to view the embedded video.

————————-

UK veteran indie rockers South have put together a seamlessly elegant work of art with their fourth LP You Are Here.  Though the tracks on this album I find a little inconsistent, there are some highlights (including the album cover, which is just gorgeous).  I think it’s the focus on this elaborate elegance that ultimately detracts from the music, but there are also some wonderful tracks that sha’nt be missed.  Listening to the piano-riffed  “Opened Up” is complete ecstasy, and “Better Things” is a fantastic pop rock song.

Check out You Are Here.

Listen to “Opened Up” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Better Things” (4.4/5)

UK funk-soul purveyor Adam Gibbons (aka Lack of Afro) has been dabbling with a variety of instruments since the age of 7, and after listening to his first long player Press On, there’s no telling that he’s going to stop anytime soon. For those who are fans of Quantic Soul Orchestra or The Go! Team, Press On is sure to impress you in its genre breadth and musical scope. “Touch My Soul” seems like a straight-up The Go! Team A-side with its hopscotch rhythms and its lo-fi warmth. The sexy “For You” has got an incredibly infectious beat that will conjure up thoughts of former underground heroes Jurassic 5 (a la ‘Concrete Schoolyard’). Overall, this is an thoroughly enjoyable album that is sure to spice up even the most wintry of days. So grab a blanket, curl up next to that stereo, and pump it loud.

Get your copy of Press On.

Listen to “For You” (4.8/5)

Listen to “Touch My Soul” (4.7/5)

Are you ready to rumble?

Well, UK quartet The Rumble Strips sure are! Their peppy little LP Girls and Weather is simply sugary sweet, complete with some lovable vocals and some high-charged guitars. If you remember the post about fellow countrymen The Holloways (and hopefully you liked it), then you will surely get a kick out of the jangly rock-pop delivered by these guys.

Get a copy of Girls and Weather.

Listen to “Girls and Boys In Love” (4.6/5)

Listen to “Oh Creole” (4.7/5)
————————————
642-432 cannot be attempted if 642-453 as well as 642-552 is not done.

————————————

 UK trip-hop electronic collective Neon Heights has just released their proper LP You Make Love to Robots & You Wonder What People are For. I’ve always been partial to epic-long album titles, and the music really does justice to the expectations. I have been following Neon Heights over the past several years now, and this release is certainly the most mature and ambitious to date. You Make Love spreads itself over a wide range of genres, hitting dub, hip-hop, downtempo lounge, and even some classic rock in all the right spots. “Walked Out This Morning” is a drawn out lullaby of the famous line from James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain”, perhaps the highlight on this album. The track “A Delicate Thing” is coated in pure sugary goodness–a 6:16 vocal delight. “Hot n Freezing” is an upbeat Zero 7-ish tune, that leads well into the loungey “Stop Playing” and the Gnarls Barkley-esque “Dreaming”. It’s hard to go wrong with this album, so get yourself a copy of You Make Love…

Listen to “Walked Out This Morning” (4.9/5)

Listen to “Stop Playing” (4.6/5)

UK electro-folk collective Tunng has got a new album Good Arrows is not what I would call spectacular, but I have thoroughly enjoyed a couple of the tracks from the album. Although it is quite hit-and-miss, I can’t help but find this album with its quirky found-sounds and audiophilic tendencies to be a perfect soundtrack for the day’s end. Put on “Cans” and watch the sun dip below the horizon. Enjoy…

Listen to “Cans” (5/5)

Listen to “Take” (4.7/5)

–the song in the video is Nightmares on Wax-Nights Interlude–

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fresh out of the UK comes the trippy, feel-good outfit The Holloways. Their debut album So This is Great Britain? is a collection of laid-back, rhythmic rock tracks, accompanied with some pretty nifty vocals. Lyrically, The Holloways aren’t really anything special but the music itself is simply delightful. “Great Britain” is a great crowd-pleasing chant with a mean guitar solo, while “Generator” is a cheery reggae and ska-influenced ditty. They remind me a good deal of The Basics from Australia or even if The Strokes were on higher seratonin levels. So go and check out So This is Great Britain?. You just might enjoy it.

Listen to “Fit For A Footnight” (4.6/5)

Listen to “Generator” (4.8/5)

For fans of Coldplay who want an edgier sound, Air Traffic comes to the surface with their full length debut Fractured Life. Loaded with catchy drum loops, infectiously delicious guitar hooks, and dripping with power chord piano, Fractured Life is a near first masterpiece. The production quality is at a high, emphasizing the band’s impeccable timing and skill as musicians. Highlights on the album are “Shooting Star” which exudes a palpable energy that lasts throughout the album, along with the neat-rhythymed “No More Running Away”.
Be sure to go out and get Fractured Life.

Listen to “Charlotte” (4.6/5)
Watch “Shooting Star” (4.8/5)