Thursday 27 November 2014

DOLLS - Killing Time

Though the path of the two-piece rock band is fairly well-trodden by now, London duo DOLLS are attempting to inject some fresh impetus into the format with debut single Killing Time. After the cripplingly dull rock of Royal Blood managed to mystifyingly sweep the entire country this year, it's certainly refreshing to hear a group attack a song with genuine vigour and aggression.

Frontwoman Jade Ellins' vocals certainly help - here they brood and menace early on before giving way to primal howling alongside crashing drums and screaming guitars. It's exciting, visceral stuff that manages to steer well clear of two-piece blues rock cliches. An assured debut effort from a group who may well be ones to watch out for next year.


Monday 24 November 2014

Daisy Victoria - Nobody Dies

Daisy Victoria - an artist featured on this very blog earlier this year - recently returned with new single and EP Nobody Dies. Whilst earlier single Heart Full Of Beef spat and stammered like an angry offshoot of Anna Calvi, Nobody Dies is an altogether more lucid affair.

Shimmering guitars, dreamy psychedelics and cryptic lyrics combine to form a piece of work that is more Bush than Calvi; daring and experimental in its ambition but with its roots firmly planted in melodic pop music.

Victoria has a wonderfully versatile voice that is equally at home with forceful guitars as it is with the more electronic sounds on show here. This is an exciting step forward from an artist who is unarguably set for bigger and better things.