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.

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.

Idea For A Film - Can't Sit Still

Music is defined by trends. Trends in sound, trends in fashion, trends in instrumentation. But recently it has become more and more defined by one trend in particular: promotion. It's a subject I touched upon at the start of the year, and you only have to take the example of 2014's breakthrough act Jungle, whose idea of self-promotion was, well, to do no promotion at all. They stayed out of the spotlight and almost nothing was known of the band who would go on to release a Mercury-nominated top 10 album in July.

Perhaps Jungle have started the latest trend in music. Idea For A Film give very little away about themselves through their website and Bandcamp page, other than their Manchester roots and the fact that they make music in a 'dingy, disused Victorian mill; there is no heating, no ventilation, and the tap water has a murky greenish tinge to it.' There is something strangely alluring about knowing so little about a group, particularly when an introductory email from one member of the band simply states that they want to 'recommend something new to you'!

But anyway, on to the music. 'Can't Sit Still' is the only glimpse of music we have so far from Idea For A Film, and it's absolutely remarkable. The song has a certain ghost-like quality to it, with its shimmering guitars, spooky vocals and haunting soundscapes. It's magical stuff from the first second, with a lengthy instrumental intro soon giving away to the manipulated vocals and cryptic lyrics that speak of 'gasping for air' before asking the listener 'Do you really know what you want?' The cacophony of noise that precedes the piano-led outro only adds to the unsettling atmosphere that has been so stunningly put together here.

Idea For A Film have managed to carve out a truly unique sound of their own in 4 and a half minutes of ethereal, blissed-out brilliance. In one more little quirk, it will cost you a cool £1,000 to purchase it from Bandcamp. But fear not, for you can stream it for free below.

Lapsley - Falling Short

Lapsley is an artist we first featured upon the release of her exceptional debut single 'Station', and a couple of days ago the Liverpudlian returned with her latest offering: 'Falling Short'.

A more piano-led slice of ambient loveliness than the likes of 'Station' and 'Painter', 'Falling Short' nevertheless maintains some of Holly Fletcher's distinctive trademarks - namely the wondrous vocals, pitch-distorted vocals and catchy melodies. It's yet another strong showing from an artist who keeps getting better and better, something which is evidenced in electronic goddess Annie Mac electing to release it on her latest '...Presents' compilation.

Just 18-years old yet already boasting a back catalogue that songwriters twice her age would be proud of, we can only implore you once again to check out the dreamy delights of Lapsley.

Gengahr - Powder

Seems like formerly-blissed-out Londoners Gengahr have added some serious punch to their sound in the time that I've been away. Their debut 'Demo EP', released in the early stages of 2014, was a delightfully woozy affair with menacingly dark, psychedelic undertones. With lazy, swaggering vocals and understated guitar hooks adding to the lo-fi sound, it was a devilishly addictive listen.

Now, they have returned with their first single 'proper': 'Powder'. Though it kicks off in similar fashion to their recorded output - those trademark scruffy vocals coupled with a low-key production - it soon transforms into a different beast altogether. Grungy 90s guitar hooks eventually overcome and dominate the song as it reaches it's thrilling conclusion, the ante slowly ramped up and up as those vocals remain: the melodic calm amidst the ever-growing storm.

'Powder' is a slow-burning rocker boasting a delicious melody and some truly virtuoso lead guitar work. An exciting new tune from one of my new favourite bands - soon they'll be your favourites, too.