After the release of The Story So Far's latest single "Out Of It" I couldn't help but think about their debut record Under Soil And Dirt and just how much I used to listen to it. I listened back through it again earlier today and the song that brought back the most memories for me has to be...

I'm back! I had to take a little break from writing but as we all know, the music world never sleeps so in the next few days I'll try and catch up on a few things that I've missed, write some gig reviews, new discoveries, and more! For now I'll just tell you about some of the amazing tracks that have graced the airwaves these past few weeks...

MURA MASA - FIREFLY (FEAT. NAO)
I am loving this track right now! Absolutely great spring/summer time jam. Ever since discovering Nao's unique voice when she supported Little Dragon on their Nabuma Rubberband Tour last year here, I've been waiting for cool collaborations like this to come about. Enjoy...

KENDRICK LAMAR - KING KUNTA
I can't believe I'm only just talking about this. I listened to the album the day that it dropped and I should have been the first to say - INSTANT CLASSIC!! Even though I'm sure that I'm a bit behind on claiming that now, I can still say that if you somehow haven't heard this track yet, get involved! The funk shall be within you...
VIC MENSA - U MAD (FEAT. KANYE WEST)
Speaking of another thing that's been on my mind this month - all of this Kanye headlining Glastonbury drama that's occurred has just made me sad and angry, people need to show appreciation where it's due regardless of personal feelings towards Kanye. He deserves the slot more than most. Mini rant aside, check out the new collab with Vic Mensa...
TAME IMPALA - 'CAUSE I'M A MAN
This album is already causing a stir and it's going to be a brilliant late summer wind down album. Always the perfect thing to chill out to and this track is no different. I was really feeling some Prince vibes from this song actually - funky stuff...
FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - SHIP TO WRECK
I AM SO SO SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS ALBUM I CANNOT CONTAIN MYSELF. Florence has never disappointed me and so I don't expect this streak to end on album number 3, everything's already sounding great. Here's the opening track of the new record...
JANELLE MONAE - YOGA (FEAT. JIDENNA)
I definitely did not expect this when I heard that Janelle was releasing a new single. Upon first listen I did say "this is more of a Beyonce single" but I just keep going back to it! This song is uber catchy and the video is of course stunning. Great move from Janelle hear and lovely to see Jidenna involved.


DIAMOND YOUTH - THOUGHT I HAD IT RIGHT
So Diamond Youth have released the first few singles from their upcoming debut album and I am pleasantly surprised. Not that I didn't think that they would be good, quite the contrary - I expected them to be awesome, I just didn't think that they would sound the way that they do. Enjoy...


RADKEY - PARADE IT
Another debut album that I'm stoked to listen to right here! This is going to be a huge step for the boys and it's brilliant to think of how much more time they are going to be spending on UK soil. Simple songs but quality all the same.


THE MACCABEES - MARKS TO PROVE IT
New albums approaching left, right and centre! Maccabees have been popping up everywhere with live shows, festival announcements and now new singles. I absolutely love this track - this record should be big. And in terms of live performance, this should be a banger.


MEWITHOUTYOU - RED COW
I'm especially elated about this new record. I had new idea that there would even be one and then all of a sudden I see this single announcement. mewithoutYou are masters at releasing big builders and this song is no different. A gentle start but a huge energy just comes along during the middle. BIG song.




THE STORY SO FAR - HEAVY GLOOM

So a few months ago I saw Moose Blood supporting Mallory Knox here and I said "I know that it wasn't their own headline slot (which I feel they would be ten times better in) but I still wanted to see a bit more energy." Well, I did manage to get a ticket to their headline show so let's see if my prediction about them being ten times better was correct...

First up supporting was Boston Manor. I'm pretty sure that I hadn't heard of them before this show but I can't see why not because they were awesome. They actually reminded me quite a bit of The Story So Far, which is probably part of why I liked them so much but either way, they were great. The sound levels were off but this didn't seem to phase them, they had good stage presence and carried the set really well, I just wish it was a bit longer! I definitely need to keep my eye on them and if you haven't already listened, I'd advise checking them out.

Next up, another name that I hadn't really heard anything of before - Choir Vandals. They had a slightly more indie rock sound about them which I wasn't expecting. The song that they opened up with was awesome!! Everything that followed was fine, but compared to the opening, nothing caught my attention as much. They played through their set pretty quickly not pausing for too long to interact with the crowd or even welcome applause but they did manage to pack a lot in so this was forgivable. Overall, they were cool, a slight come-down from the high energy of Boston Manor's set but enjoyable nonetheless.

And finally, Moose Blood. Oh. My. Goodness. I know that I said "ten times better" but I don't think that I was ready for what that really meant. I was actually worried before the set started because in the weeks leading up to the show I'd been listening through their record I'll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time and it is incredible. I was worried that they wouldn't be able to do it justice live. They did. The crowd was with them 100% from start to finish - requesting their favourites from the record throughout the set, singing the lyrics along with Eddy, crowd surfing and moshing in the tiny <200 capacity room - spirits were just elevated. They opened up with "Pups" and after the initial response the band actually seemed a little shocked at the level of enthusiasm, and it didn't falter. "Chin Up", "Swim Down" and "Bukowski" drew a huge crowd response. When they played my current favourite from the record "Gum", I couldn't stop a huge smile from spreading across my face and this stayed there as lighters were lifted during "Cherry". Their confidence levels seemed much higher than when I saw them supporting, and rightly so - absolutely fantastic band. It appears that No Sleep Records can do no wrong. Now just waiting for Balance And Composure to come to Birmingham...........

Overall Rating - 8/10


Here are some pictures from the night... 

WHAT. A. NIGHT. WOW! Still can hardly believe that I got to see Only Rivals, Candy Hearts, State Champs, The Story So Far and New Found Glory all in one night, with my own eyeballs! Either way, before I get carried away, here's my verdict on the performances of the night...

If you like pop punk/rock music and you haven't yet checked out Only Rivals get on it. I hadn't heard any of their music before coming to the show but they were really good. It was nice to see a band that are each evidently such different characters, come together and play some collectively awesome music. The lead singer was a little hard on himself, shaking his head a couple of times after he'd slightly miss a note but, he kept it all together. Solid opener.

Next up Candy Hearts. I've been waiting to see this band for about a year now and the time finally came. I have to say I was a little surprised to be honest. I was surprised at how "cute" they were. The lead singer was just adorable, and I guess I was just expecting something a little more gritty. Once I'd focused though, I thought that at times they sounded a bit like a female fronted Blink-182. I liked their song "All The Ways You Let Me Down" and speaking to Mariel after the show - she is super sweet, definitely check them out - talented bunch of cool people.

Before the show started, I'd seen a bunch of State Champs shirts bopping around in the crowd so I figured that theirs would be a pretty energetic set to say the least. They were on 100% from beginning to end. The first crowd surfers of the night and honestly, first real movement of the night - the crowd just went mad for them. I definitely need to check out all of their music properly because to put it briefly they were on point. I swear, some of the best things seem to come from Pure Noise Records. Derek was super courteous on stage, praising every band individually and he was equally as courteous in person. Genuinely cool band.

Now, the band that I personally was probably most excited for - The Story So Far. I was so sure that by the end of their set I wouldn't have a voice left. Every time I see them perform live the crowd just seems like if they don't scream every one of Parker's lyrics at the top of their lungs whilst pointing their fingers at the stage then they might die. So I did exactly that and it was brilliant. Circle pits and crowd surfers galore. They slayed. There really wasn't time to come up for air. This is a band that I really want to see around for a long, long time to come.

Finally for the stars of the show, the glorious rockers that put together this fantastic spectacle - New Found Glory. It's rare that I'm watching a band and I stop mid-show and think how lucky I am to be seeing them. They were awesome! You know in cheesy movies when they play those montages of important events happening and things happen in slow motion and the camera zooms in on people's joy filled, elated faces - this happened in my mind several times during the set. It was surreal. I'm definitely more of an old school NFG fan but after this show it would seem that I need to purchase their new record - Resurrection. When they played songs like "Kiss Me" and "My Friends Over You" I just lost it. The crowd was considerably older than I'd imagined but I think in those moments everyone felt like a teenager again. Grown men pushing to the front, crowd surfing and generally fanning out. It was just an amazing vibe. Whoever was able to make it out to one of these shows, count yourselves lucky. Pop punk is most certainly not dead.

Overall Rating - 9/10


Here are some pictures from the night...