Your guide to just a few of the albums coming your way this month. Nobody should be able to complain that they've run out of music to listen to these days because every month there is just heaps and heaps of goodness being thrown at us. We just have to grab it...

 

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS - CHASING YESTERDAY
I already know that this will be a good record. Noel has been making a quite a few unpopular comments in the media of late but this might just be one thing he's put out that most of the public will be able to agree on. This was made available yesterday (the 2nd of March).






GHOSTPOET - SHEDDING SKIN
Another fantastic album came out yesterday alongside Noel's but of a completely different genre. After Ghostpoet's awesome debut and sophomore albums, some would expect the calibre to waver a little bit but if anything Obaro keeps going from strength to strength. Check out the chat I had with him here and then go and listen for yourself... you won't regret it.






PURITY RING - ANOTHER ETERNITY
I listened to their latest single "bodyache" a couple of days ago - such easy listening! I feel like I'll really enjoy this album, even though a few of their new singles from it have been a little bit different from past material, I feel it'll still put a smile on my face. Have a listen later today (the 3rd of March).






MOON DUO - SHADOW OF THE SUN
I discovered Moon Duo whilst I was scrolling through soundcloud one day and caught a free download of their song "Sleepwalker". I didn't think too much of it at the time. It was fine but it didn't make me want to find out more about them. However, when I saw that they were releasing a new album on the 3rd of March, I remembered the name and thought - why not?





 

PETER DOHERTY - FLAGS OF THE OLD REGIME
The Libertines' frontman is coming out with another solo record and under the slightly more sophisticated and subtle alteration of his name (Pete > Peter). After listening to the title track I have to say that I am thoroughly excited for this album on the 9th of March.






MADONNA - REBEL HEART
After her recent fall at the Brits' let's see if this album can pick her up a little bit. It's been a while I must see but I am very interested and slightly worried to see what Madonna has to bring to the table. She's quite the musical chameleon so I'm wondering what genre she's incorporating on this one. The album drops on the 10th of March.





  
HEEMS - EAT, PRAY, THUG 
I hadn't heard anything from Heems until his single with Dev Hynes last month here but I liked it so much that I had to do my research. I'm excited to see what a full record of Heems' will sound like on the 10th of March.







CANCER BATS - SEARCHING FOR ZERO
Fast approaching their co-headline tour with While She Sleeps this month, the release of their new album has come just in time. I'm sure that these tunes will sound huge being moshed to and shouted out by fans all over the UK. Get your hands on the record on the 10th of March.







LIEUTENANT - IF I KILL THIS THING WE'RE ALL GOING TO EAT FOR A WEEK
Nate Mendel (bassist of Foo Fighters) is releasing his side project band's debut record. Have a listen to the latest single from it "Believe The Squalor" before you get a hold of the album to get a feel of the new direction that Nate's going in. Out on the 10th of March.





 
SLEEPING WITH SIRENS - MADNESS
I've never properly listened to Sleeping With Sirens but I do love post-hardcore so I'm definitely willing to give them a chance. Four records on might be a bit late but better late than never right? The album hits shelves on the 17th of March.





 

PORTICO - LIVING FIELDS
After hearing the song "101" from this record featuring Alt-J's Joe Newman, I couldn't stop listening to it. It wasn't until a few days ago that I actually found out that the album was coming out this month! If this song is anything to go by, this album will definitely have a great vibe. Get your hands on it on the 23rd of March.







THE STAVES - IF I WAS
My eyes were opened to The Staves late last year here when I was fortunate enough to catch a live performance and man, I am still far from over their angelic voices. After checking out their record Dead & Born & Grown I'm more than ready for a follow up. I am very excited for this release on the 23rd of March.






LAURA MARLING - SHORT MOVIE
So I did end up getting round to listening to her album Once I Was And Eagle a couple of years ago finally and I was pleasantly surprised. Laura Marling is a wonder to listen to, my goodness! It took some time but finally, I'm a fan. I'll be listening out for this album on the 23rd of March.




 

THE CRIBS - FOR ALL MY SISTERS
After getting a taste of some of the tracks from the new album here a few weeks ago, I am certain that this sixth record will be another one to add to the classics. I'm sure that they'll be touring again once the albums drops on the 24th of March.








THE PRODIGY - THE DAY IS MY ENEMY
It's so good to have them back! Their UK tour is coming up in May and so this album release gives us plenty of time to learn the lyrics before. The title track "The Day Is My Enemy" is an absolute banger and the rest of the album is sure to pack a punch. Grab a copy on the 30th of March.




 

ONLY REAL - JERK AT THE END OF THE LINE
I was actually a tiny bit disappointed when I saw Only Real live here at Field Day Festival last year to be honest. However, his studio material always manages to impress me so I'm hoping that this new record won't be any different. Have a listen on the 30th of March.





 
DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE - KINTSUGI
I've always loved the standard, well-known record Codes And Keys but I haven't actually properly listened to any other DCFC records and I now understand that this is probably appalling. So this is where I'm going to catch up. Judging by the response to their upcoming tour announcement and sales, this album is going to be pretty big. Join me and pick this up on the 31st of March.







LUDACRIS - LUDAVERSAL
I didn't actually know that Ludacris was still making solo music. I thought that he was just sticking to the occasional song feature but not according to this! I actually have no idea what this might sound like on the 31st March, whether it will be good or bad, but I suppose there's only one way to find out... 

A couple of weeks ago (7/6/14) I went to Field Day Festival in London. Some of you might be wondering why I didn't just go to Parklife on that weekend and the reason is - this was Pixies only performance in London this year and I'm sure that you've seen enough Foals gig reviews from me this year to tide you over. Either way, here is my short, sweet and slightly late take on the first of the two days...

MOXIE
I hadn't heard of her prior to the festival but as not much had started whilst her set was on, we managed to catch some of her DJ set. This was actually the first on many DJ sets this weekend and the that actually surprised me in all of them, was how little people were dancing. I know it was early but c'mon?

PAWWS
In contrast to Moxie, I'd actually heard a lot about Pawws before coming to the show but hadn't heard a lot of her material yet. So of course I went to check her out. I have to say, I definitely don't think that she lived up to the hype completely but she had a few shining moments. One song  particular - "Give You Love" had me dancing and swaying, whilst the rest of the performance stayed fairly safe and predictable. All in all, not the most exciting opening to the live acts.

ECLAIR FIFI
The best of the DJs that we saw this weekend actually. She slayed her set and I think this was the most we saw people dancing too which was nice. I love DJs that aren't afraid of the bass, in the society of techno/electronic, a girl's gotta have a little bass now and again.

CHARLOTTE OC
One of the best performances of the entire weekend, and so unexpected too! As we were walking up to tent we could hear Charlotte take the mic and from the first note I was impressed! We ran into the tent only to be transported into a smokey room somewhere in Europe where Charlotte was crooning about lost loves. Eyes were wide throughout the whole set - best new find this month! Favourite track right now - "Hangover".

ONLY REAL
The first artist of the day that I'd actually listened to before coming. However, after Charlotte's killer performance, I don't think that I was as impressed as I expected I'd be. I really like his recorded stuff - very reminiscent of Jamie T. However, I just don't think that it transferred too well live.

SKY FERREIRA
Where Only Real disappointed, Sky Ferreira actually really impressed me. Whilst queuing for some food I could hear something good coming from the main stage and so I checked my clash finder to see who was on and lo and behold... it was Sky Ferreira! I'd heard some of her stuff before coming and was less than excited by her name on the bill but she actually sounded great live. May have to have another listen.

DUSKY
Upon recommendation from some other festival-goers earlier in the day, we headed over to the dance stage to catch Dusky DJ-ing. It was a cool set, the two played a predominantly house packed set and it was good fun. Shapes were cut and arms were waved.

SEUN KUTI
I had actually not heard of Seun before coming to festival and the first thing I thought was "this really sounds like the kind of music they play at Nandos". But who's complaining? Highly entertaining set getting the crowd pumped for the set to come...

BLOOD ORANGE
Another stand out performance from the weekend. The late afternoon sun was beaming down and Dev Hynes and co. were on top form. Dev's sprinkling of guitar solos throughout the set kept everyone in high spirits - namely Florence Welch who was dancing along side stage. Particular shout out to his bassist who clearly defied some laws of physics during this performance. This show set the bar for the rest of the main stage performances that weekend.

WARPAINT
The girls in Warpaint easily reached that bar, drawing a huge crowd and managing to fill the entire park with their hazy rock music. Being my first time seeing the ladies live, they even surpassed my expectations - everything about their set was amazing. They kept the crowd just as interested (if not more interested), til the end of the set as when they began.

JAGWAR MA
As I'd already seen Jagwar Ma under festival conditions at Glastonbury last year, I actually wasn't too fussed about seeing them but we went along anyway. To be honest, thank God that we did because they were not the same band we saw at Glastonbury! They absolutely smashed it! Huge improvement, from the first song to the last, the atmosphere was perfect!

METRONOMY
And of course the headliners. Although it was like 'Sophie's choice', choosing between Metronomy and SBTRKT, I had to give in a watch the Main Stage headliners because it was set to be something really special and it definitely was. Crowd spirits rose as the band stepped on stage and didn't dampen even during the long journey home. The crowd left, some singing Metronomy along Victoria Park's surrounding areas. Perfect end to the first day...