Top 10 Singles of 2015

10) Disappointing - John Grant feat. Tracey Thorn

9) Speedline Miracle Masterpiece - Tunde Adebimpe feat. Sal B & Sinkane

8) Mystery - Boxed In 

7) Loud Places - Jamie xx feat. Romy 

6) Future People - Alabama Shakes 

5) Keep Me Alive - All We Are

4) Hot Scary Summer - Villagers 

3) X Marks The Spot - Ghostpoet feat. Nadine Shah

2) Man on Wire - Stornoway 

1) Gibraltar - Beirut 

Introducing: Post Louis

Having recently released 30m Pool, five-piece Post Louis showcase their unique genre of summery guitar rock sharpened by the wintry chill of leadsinger Stephanie Davin's ethereal vocals. The band are currently in the pre-production stage of their forthcoming debut LP, preparing in the Norwegian church in London, and will be playing at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington on 12th September. 

www.facebook.com/postlouismusic

I've Been Listening To...

Something Like Happiness - The Maccabees 

I've Been Listening To...

X Marks The Spot - Ghostpoet feat. Nadine Shah 

New video: Get Low - Stornoway

Ahead of the release of their much anticipated third album, Bonxie, next month, Oxford band Stornoway have released the video for their new single, 'Get Low'. With an ornithologist for a lead-singer, birds are often a theme within the band's lyrics, but the new video takes it one step further with geese following the band as they drive. The band have stuck with trusted director, Hilary O'Hare who has directed several of their videos in the past, creating continuity with the band's major theme of exploration in the natural world.  The shots are stunning - typical of a Stornoway music video, which often feature natural landscapes to match the sense of freedom within the music. You can check out the video below. 

Bonxie will be released on Cooking Vinyl on 13th April and can be preordered now.

Visit Stornoway's website for more details. 

I've Been Listening To...

Psyche's Dagger - Fly Golden Eagle

I've Been Listening To...

Keep Me Alive - All We Are

Top 10 Singles of 2014

10) Metronomy - I'm Aquarius

9) Warpaint - Love Is To Die

8) The National - I Need My Girl

7) Belle & Sebastian - Nobody's Empire

6) Alvvays - Archie, Marry Me

5) Aquilo - You There

4) Francois & The Atlas Mountains - La Verite

3) Snowmine - Columbus

2) Spring Offensive - Hengelo

1) Lykke Li - No Rest For The Wicked 

Single review: Nobody's Empire - Belle & Sebastian

10/10 

The newest single from their upcoming album 'Girls In Peacetime Want To Dance', Nobody's Empire is a cheerful indicator of what Belle & Sebastian fans can expect when the album is released in January 2015. The song is a return to true Belle & Sebastian roots, after the previous single Party Line, a Hot Chip-esque track,  hinted at a more electro-pop sound from the band. According to lead singer, Stuart Murdoch, Nobody's Empire is the "most personal song" he's ever written, and it certainly seems it. The video has a nostalgic feels to it with old film reel setting the scene of an 80s Glasgow - the formative musical years of the band members. The band's ninth studio album will be released on 19th January, and you can currently catch the band on tour. For more information, visit their website. 

I've Been Listening To...

No Rest For The Wicked - Lykke Li 

Single review: Hengelo - Spring Offensive

10/10 

Whilst fans eagerly await the release of Spring Offensive's debut album, Young Animal Hearts, the band have released Hengelo, a mesmerising song that manages to be both energetic and reflective - Spring Offensive's trademark. The jangling bass-line provides a fast pace to the song, but the intensity of the music is wonderfully contrasted with melancholic lyrics. 

Inspired by the story of Hengelo's "Forest Boy", lead-singer, Lucas Whitworth, sings of the feeling of being lost. 'I'm at the gates, I wait in hope, frozen by the Eastern cold. I was in Berlin, I was on my own.' The lyrics are simple, and yet filled with emotion - when Whitworth sings, as much is conveyed in his voice as in the lyrics. 

The song as a whole is beautifully thought-provoking, and hints at the treats to come on their album. If Hengelo is anything to go by, Young Animal Hearts should show Spring Offensive to be worthy of more attention than they currently receive. 

Spring Offensive will play at the Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on 24th April. For more information visit http://springoffensive.co.uk/ 

Read NotAnotherRainySunday's interview with Spring Offensive here. 

Top 10 Singles of 2013

10. Peace - Vieux Farka Touré 

9. So Good At Being In Trouble - Unknown Mortal Orchestra

8. 22 - Night Beds

7. Calling Out Your Name - The Epstein

6. Harpoon Land - Owiny Sigoma Band 

5. Knock Me On The Head - Stornoway

4. Song For Zula- Phosphorescent

3. Flexxin - Dutch Uncles 

2. Don't Try - Everything Everything

1. Reflektor - Arcade Fire 

Single review: Calling Out Your Name - The Epstein

10/10

Out today on Zawinul Records is The Epstein's beautiful new single, Calling Out Your Name. Starting with Olly Wills' gentle vocals, the track gradually builds up with violins and drums to a spine tingling finish with gorgeous harmonies and rich layers of guitar. Wills sings with such a determined sincerity, it's not difficult to believe him when he sings 'If you walk away I'll search the whole earth', and that's much of the charm of the band - the lyrics convey such genuine emotion it's clear Wills believes every word he utters. It's a stunning effort, and here's hoping it finally gets The Epstein the attention they deserve. 

The Epstein will be playing in Oxford on 27th June and London on 30th June. 

For more information visit:

www.theepstein.com

New Video: Just Handshakes - London Bound

Leeds band, Just Handshakes, have released the video for their first single taken from their debut album, Say It, which is due to be released later this year on California-based record label, Bleeding Gold. Shot on film stock from the year that they were born, the vivid colours of the video perfectly match the indie-pop vibes of the song. You can download the single for free here.

www.justhandshakeswerebritish.tumblr.com

Top 10 Singles of 2012

10. Breezeblocks - Alt-J

9. Five Seconds - Twin Shadow

8. Trembling Hands - The Temper Trap

7. Sun - Two Door Cinema Club

6. Les Plus Beaux - Francois & The Atlas Mountains

5. The Waves - Villagers

4. Laura - Bat For Lashes

3. Life's A Beach - Django Django 

2. Atlas - Beth Jeans Houghton

1. Cough Cough - Everything Everything

What have been your top singles of the year? Write in the comments below!

Halloween Single: Skeletons & That - Family Machine

In the spirit of all things Halloween, Family Machine have released a special Halloween single. Normally those words would fill me with dread, but Skeletons & That moves away from all the typical Halloween cliches, and instead has a gentle melody and thoughtful, non-gimmicky lyrics. Have a listen below, and download Skeletons & That for free here.

www.beardmuseum.co.uk/skeletons

Single Review: Not Drowning But Waving - Spring Offensive

Rating: 9/10

Out today, Spring Offensive's harrowing Not Drowning But Waving is a beautiful take on the Stevie Smith poem with rich four part harmonies and dark lyrics relating the tale of a man's guilt of letting another drown. The pulsing guitars and breathy vocals singing 'a freezing mist comes rolling in', add to the haunting melodies with ghostly background murmurs and refrains of 'I will be blamed for this one'.

Spring Offensive will be touring around Europe from late September. Visit www.springoffensive.co.uk for more details