Just over a week into July and already we're closer to next year than we are to last. There have been so many good albums to come from 2014 and if this carries on, it might even be harder than it was last year to choose my 7 best albums of the year! Either way, here are some new albums to have a listen to from this month...

ONES WE'VE MISSED...



TREY SONGZ - TRIGGA
The reason for one f the most overplayed party songs of the decade "Na Na", is finally here! I seriously doubt that the rest of the album will get half as much airtime as this song did but it doesn't have to. I just hope that there are some songs on it that either produce the same level of catchiness or at least vocal ability. Out on the 1st of July - should be a good listen.



ROBIN THICKE - PAULA
To be honest, I can't really even think of this as an album where it is obviously an overly blatant and pretty embarrassing plea for his ex-Wife's forgiveness pt to music. Laden with cringey cliches and a load of skip-worthy songs is Robin Thicke's latest endeavour. Also out on the 1st of July - my advice would be that if you are just satisfying curiousity about this record, do not pay money for it.




SIA - 1000 FORMS OF FEAR
Now, an album that I can get behind 100%! I've been in love with Sia's voice since 2004 "Breathe Me" days and many people know her as the voice behind "Titanium" and "She Wolf". In my opinion, she's one of the most important songwriters we have around at the minute and so when I heard "Chandelier" from this record recently, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Out since the 7th of July - do yourself a favour.





AUTOBAHN - ULCER EP
Since seeing Autobahn live here I've kept an eye out for them and their music to see if there was anything more that they could do to cement me as a fan. Well, since then, here it is - an EP for me to hopefully get into. Will have to have a listen as it's been out since the 7th of July, and it'll potentially lead on to me purchasing their next album... who knows?!






MANIC STREET PREACHERS - FUTUROLOGY
Since their release last year Rewind The Film I haven't really heard anything from them, but if the last album is anything to go by then I'm excited for this one. Although I didn't get to see them perform at Glastonbury this year, I have no doubts that they'd be a sight to see live! Get your hands on this one - out on the 7th of July.




ONES TO LOOK FORWARD TO...


JUNGLE - JUNGLE
2014 has most definitely been Jungle's year - they've become huge over the past few months, NME even naming them as a band that they could see headlining festivals next year. To be honest, if 2015 goes as well for them as 2014 has, then I don't see why not! Since first listening to "Platoon" and now hearing their latest single "Time", I can tell that this debut album will be a stoke of genius. Roll on the 14th of July.






MORRISSEY - WORLD PEACE IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS
Already hearing talks of this being one of Morrissey's best works of late. Only one way to find out really. The album hits the shelves on the 14th of July. Knowing the indie icon, this'll be a great listen both musically and especially lyrically. I. AM. READY.





LA ROUX - TROUBLE IN PARADISE
I honestly thought that La Roux would just stay a one hit wonder after her record with "Bulletproof" and "In For The Kill" but it turns out that five years later she's making a comeback. So far I've only heard a couple of songs from it and I'm not too interested but I must admit that "Uptight Downtown" is a bit of a tune. Will definitely be having a listen of the full album on the 21st of July.







THE FAMILY RAIN - HUNGER SAUCE EP
The three brothers are back with an EP to follow their album Under The Volcano and although I feel like the band are moving more slowly than I'd expected them too, this isn't necessarily bad because at least they're being consistent. I look forward to hearing what their hard work sounds like on the 28th of July.

A couple of weeks ago (4/3/14), I went to see Eagulls play at Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath. I was really pumped for this gig because my friend saw them the week before and said that the set was killer, I was getting pit withdrawal and after listening to their debut self-titled record, there was nothing I wanted more than to hear it played live.

When I stepped into the venue and had a look around I saw an unexpectedly older crowd and a completely expected male-dominated crowd, but I didn't think much of it. The first support Virals came on and opened up the gig nicely. Chilled, and occasionally feedback laden indie rock tunes that had the crowd swaying a little bit, beers in hand. The set was little subdued but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the band themselves seemed to be lost in their instruments from time to time - all round a very solid set. Will be interested to see what they're like in front of a festival crowd if I get to catch them at this year's Field Day.

Next up was Autobahn - the crowd tentatively shuffled forward a few more steps. Autobahn didn't waste any time and got straight to the pounding riffs. Although they played a pretty fast paced, powerful set - the crowd barely nodded along (aside from a few enthusiastic headbangers and fist pumpers), but I thought that would soon change when Eagulls stepped on stage...

George Mitchell and co. skulked on stage looking a little more tired than psyched but as they checked their instruments and their mics, I knew that the set would be anything but. The crowd finally edged up close to the stage, being careful to not tread on the almost sacred logo banner strewn over the front monitor. George took a few swigs from his bottle of wine and with a quick signal to the sound guy they came straight in with "Nerve Endings"... and the crowd barely responded. I couldn't even tell whether they were quietly appreciating the music or whether they were just plain bored, but they clapped and cheered at the appropriate times and stood silently waiting for the next song. It was definitely not was I was expecting.

Mitchell's vocals were turned down a little low too which made him hard to hear over the thumping drums and scuzzy guitars. Either way "Moulting" and "Coffin" still riled me up and hit hard. It was a little disappointing when George had to say "There's not much movement guys" and thank God that I was standing by some guys that were ready to mosh. Before long, eight or so of us were throwing each other about and leaping around a small circle to "Tough Luck". Although it was only a small proportion of the crowd, this did have me smiling and singing along - there was a great feel from the pit, it was just a shame that everyone else was kind of stationary and distant. Nonetheless, we leapt about for a couple more songs, the few that remained, shoving each other with all that we had left, before they ended the set ridiculously abruptly with "Possessed". They did not even reach 10 songs by the time they started packing up and striding off the stage.

The crowd finally piped up and practically had to beg them for an encore. George stepped back on stage to play through "Council Flat Blues", but the whole thing just seemed a little bit tired from both the band and the crowd. I don't know - Eagulls certainly deserved a much better and more energetic welcome that night because they have so much to offer live. I just think that the crowd's vibe brought the whole performance down that night, but of course that hasn't changed my opinion about Eagulls' talent. Great band, dead crowd.

Overall Rating - 6/10


Here are some pictures from the night: