As we're about to head into June, full summer territory, it's probably time we all picked up some fresh, new summer albums and updated our iTunes. Here are some of the records that you can look forward to over the next seven days...




JAMIE XX - IN COLOUR
Every single track that I've heard from this album so far has impressed me, and I have no doubt that the rest of the album will follow suit. To be honest, the album has been streaming online in full since the 26th but I didn't want to ruin that first listen experience on the actual release date (the 1st of June). This is the perfect album to have just in time for summer!








SLAVES - ARE YOU SATISFIED?
I feel like this album should already be out. This band is really making moves right now. Their music is both enjoyable and thought provoking and just overall a great time. This is definitely an album that I'm going to have to see live! These punks from Kent are giving me all of the right energy with their latest singles, so I look forward to listening to the full product out on the 1st of June.






FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - HOW BIG, HOW BLUE, HOW BEAUTIFUL
It feels like I have been waiting for this album since birth. Everything that Florence puts out just seems to touch me. Each single I've heard from this upcoming record has been different but equally as captivating and invigorating - I just need this album in my life, the wait has been too long! Start your month off on the right note on the 1st of June.



 

MAJOR LAZER - PEACE IS THE MISSION
Here's another record that will rack up the plays during summer. Major Lazer will have us all covered for tunes to party to over the next few months and if this record is anywhere near as good as his last, it'll be an essential to get your hands on and to be honest, you're probably going to want to see this live. If you don't already know, get to know on the 1st of June.







GIRLPOOL - BEFORE THE WORLD WAS BIG
This band has really been picking up steam this year and what a great time to because now they're putting out their debut album.  I really like their acoustic, harmonic sound - I'm really expecting this album to sound like a film soundtrack. Definitely one for those long summer commutes. Even though it's been done before, they have a really refreshing sound. Check out their debut on the 1st of June.







FOUR YEAR STRONG - FOUR YEAR STRONG
Hooray for pop punk!! I've liked Four Year Strong's material for quite a while but I've never actually gotten round to listening to an entire album of theirs in full so it will be a first for me on the 2nd of June. Pure Noise Records always manage to put out gold so I just hope that this time round will be no different.







SOAK - BEFORE WE FORGOT HOW TO DREAM
Here is another new name that I can't seem to escape from. I recently listened to a cover that SOAK did of St. Vincent's "Digital Witness". Now as much as I respect and appreciate St. Vincent, I really don't like that song all too much so I obviously wasn't really feeling this cover. But I'm leaving it to this debut record out on the 2nd of June  to skew my views on SOAK. 

Just as November comes to an end, let's see what things we've missed in the last few days...

BIPOLAR SUNSHINE NEW SINGLE "DAYDREAMER"
I'm still wondering when we're actually going to get an album or even an EP from Bipolar Sunshine to be honest. But at least we're getting singles out of this waiting game. This latest single here isn't my favourite of the recent bunch but maybe it will grow on me in time.


LOS CAMPESINOS! NEW SINGLE "WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES"
What better way to start off December than with a festive belter from Los Campesinos!? And hey what d'you know?! It comes as part of a Christmas EP here which you'll probably be playing from now until the 25th.


WAYWARD DAUGHTER EP LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT
If you're still confused on a Christmas present to buy for someone close, this would be a great shout. Wayward Daughter announced the launch for their Carry Me EP happening at The Garage, Highbury & Islington on the 16th of December. If it's anything like their last EP launch here it'll be BIG. I'd suggest grabbing ticket from here ASAP.


BEYONCE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "7/11"
To be honest, I'm sure 95% of the people reading this have already seen the video BUT in case you're one of the few who has been deprived of it somehow click here to make yourself smile. I wrote about the song about a week ago here and I still don't think it's a good song but this video is just so entertaining  that I can't overlook it anymore. Beyoncé is queen.


MALLORY KNOX NEW MUSIC VIDEO "WHEN ARE WE WAKING UP?"
I finally managed to catch Mallory Knox live last week (review coming soon) and they were everything that I expected and more and so was this new music video actually. Mikey's voice has improved in my opinion and I loved this sophomore album. This fantastic song coupled with this attention-holding video, yes. Check it out here.


IGGY AZALEA NEW LYRIC VIDEO "BEG FOR IT (FEAT. MØ)"
Even though I'm not really a fan of Iggy I am definitely a fan of MØ and all in all, this is a catchy single. I have to admit that in this song, MØ doesn't really sound like herself but as it's a pretty different genre to her comfort zone she had to switch it up a little. It's definitely the standard Iggy formula for a chart hit but despite the samey-ness I'm sure fans will still listen to it here.


NME AWARDS TOUR LINE UP ANNOUNCED
2015's NME Awards Tour is looking HUGE! Fat White Family, The Amazing Snakeheads, Palma Violets and Slaves all in one show?!?! No doubt that this'll sell out pretty easily. This year's line up here was still awesome but very versatile. Next year's four artists are each pretty similar and also pretty awesome. Check out the flyer here.


FIRST FEW FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hopefully most people will have caught the first Reading & Leeds 2015 announcement this week, but in case you didn't, among the names mentioned were Metallica (headlining), Jamie T, Run The Jewels, Pierce The Veil and more. Then Glastonbury announced Lionel Richie for the Sunday earlier today. Finally, Field Day had their first announcement too with Chet Faker, Caribou, Django Django, Patti Smith, DIIV and more. Well, well, well 2015!


SLAVES NEW SINGLE "THE HUNTER"
Yet another reason to go and catch them at next year's NME Awards Tour, Slaves are killing it right now. If this single hasn't already, I'm sure that the tour will generate a lot of new fans for them. I love the bass intro to this track - they would be immense to see live. Have a listen here. Little bit prog rock - I like it.


AS ELEPHANTS ARE NEW SINGLE "BREATHE"
I feel like I haven't heard a lot from As Elephants Are in a while so it's nice to have something new from them to jive to. Also, another band that I'm waiting for a debut record from. I'm sure that that will be their catalyst - they already craft songs so well, a full length would be too golden to ignore. But until then, here's the new track.


WHILE SHE SLEEPS NEW MUSIC VIDEO "FOUR WALLS"
I just love how close this new record seems! Only two singles out and I already know this is going to be an album to write about. WSS's tour next year after the album release will be frenetic. Seeing them at Reading this year was already manic - on the back of these two spectacular albums - oh goodness! Have a listen to the new single here.


JUCE NEW MUSIC VIDEO "6TH FLOOR"
The three piece girl band literally bringing the old school back to the present. Of course almost every artist has had old school influences that work their way back into the mainstream, but JUCE are bringing it back with no changes. These songs sound straight out of the 80s - vibey. Listen and watch here.


THE NIGHT VI NEW SINGLE "FEARS"
Yay! I am loving this six piece at the minute and I don't think that that'll change too soon. All of The Night VI's songs just sound so silky smooth. It'd be lovely to hear them live. Always happy to hear something new from them be it an original or a cover. But until the next one here is the enchanting "Fears". Grab the EP it's from here.

Last week I went to see Jamie T put Birmingham at a stand still and I was excited to say the least. However, finding out just hours before that Slaves had to cancel their support because of illness was horrible because I was really looking forward to seeing them. After hearing so much about them and listening to their single "Hey" I had my heart set on seeing them live to satisfy the curiousity. Either way, I just assumed that since it was quite last minute there wouldn't be a replacement, plus in my mind, who on earth would replace Slaves...?

When Superfood stepped out on stage I was ecstatic. Even though I'd already seen them headline before here, I couldn't have thought of a better band to stand in for Slaves. They absolutely smashed it!! It was such a good set that when they finished the crowd was even chanting "WE WANT MORE!" as they left the stage. The support act! Their set went from 0 to 100 in about 15 minutes. The few of us that knew who they were from the beginning could be heard singing their songs and seen bobbing their heads but by the last song, everyone was dancing, there was even a pretty big pit. To come on as the support act and not even the main one, the replacement support act and make that much of an impression. Now that's what I call making an entrance. BIG! Superfood are smashing it right now and this gig certainly added a few to their fan base.

After that fantastic start, Jamie T was going to have to do something pretty big to show us why he was the headliner! As soon as he stepped on, I remembered why. The crowd went bonkers at the mere presence of him! When he opened up with "Limits Lie" as the first note rang out, shouts could be heard in recognition and excitement and before I knew it I was being thrown about like a rag doll as fans leapt around to the song. One guy was so excited (and probably drunk) that he even puked and was escorted out of the crowd before the first song. Jamie knocked out hit after hit after hit. Songs across all three albums and die hard fans knew every lyric! However, the response to his more well known songs was frenetic. He probably didn't have to sing any of the words, heck, he didn't even have to be there! The audience was just so caught up in the moment and emotion that they were screaming the lyrics on autopilot, crowd surfers were emerging and wild pits were opening up left, right and centre. Nothing like mob mentality to get the adrenaline pumping. Ending the main set with "If You Got The Money" then coming back on to play four more songs and end it with "Sticks 'N' Stones" - the crowd didn't even know what to do with themselves! I can't remember the last time I was that sweaty leaving a show. I don't know what hold he had on the crowd but each of them would've done whatever he wanted that night. Jamie T is a song wizard.

Overall Rating - 8.5/10


Here are some pictures from the night...