the only remains of my July reviews

Back in July, these new tunes were playing on a loop in my head...

STREAM 

Frankie and the heartstrings - 'Decency' 

Album release 10 July

Lead single to listen to - 'Think Yourself Lucky'

One of the north-east's best kept secrets are back with their third album, Decency and this time they've brought along The Futurehead's Ross Millard as a permanent member and I think you can sense some of the 'Heads influence on the lead single 'Think Yourself Lucky'.

If you've been a fan for a while then I think this will be right up your street and if you haven't heard anything by them then I'd seriously recommend you check out their debut album 'Hunger' which I think shows them at their best. 

Decency features the familiar sound of Frankie Francis' mackem tones and the song 'Save it for tonight' sounds like it could have jumped from the same stable as Hunger, but for this month I've picked 'Think Yourself Lucky' as my song choice as I think it's a bit more upbeat and in these heady days of summer, we could all do with a bit of shameless happiness. 

I'm going to rate Frankie and the heartstrings as one to stream. I think you'll grow to love them.

BORROW

The Maccabees - 'Marks to prove it' 

Album release 31 July 

Recommended single - 'Something Like Happiness'  

Keeping the theme of bands returning with cracking new albums, here's a band that need no introduction. The Maccabees are now on album number four and are starting to take the mantle of one of the UK's premier indie bands more seriously. 

For someone who absolutely loved their debut 'Colour Me In' and follow up 'Wall of Arms' I have to admit feeling slightly frustrated by their third offering. But from the moment I heard their roaring comeback single 'Marks to prove it' from the album of the same name, I fell back in love with the band who first had me jumping about at gigs back in 2006. 

New single 'Something Like Happiness' highlights the fact that they're not all about writing soaring anthems with catchy singalong choruses, they can write thoughtful songs that build gently and then catch you by surprise too. Not too dissimilar to the first time I heard Blur's Tender, in that respect. Apparently the band took two and a half years to record this new album, for me it already sounds well worth the wait but please lets not wait another two and a half years for the next one. 

BEG

Wolf Alice - 'My love is cool' 

Album release 1 June 

Recommended single - 'Giant Peach'

As we hit festival season, focus always turns to the new up and coming bands. Wolf Alice impressed at Glasto last weekend and are threatening to become one of the best breakthrough acts of 2015. But don't just take my word for it. Singles 'Giant Peach', 'Moaning Lisa Smile' and 'Bros' all offer something refreshingly different and hint at the interesting journey the full length album takes us on. I think that's the only time in my life I'll ever say the words 'Bros' and 'offer something refreshingly different' in the same sentence.

Wolf Alice are a four-piece from North London, consisting of Ellie Rowsell (vocals, guitar), Joff Oddie (guitars, vocals), Theo Ellis (bass), and Joel Amey (drums). I think this release is important for real musicians in this country. With less exposure for bands in the charts and on mainstream media than I can remember, Wolf Alice offer a shining light for hard working bands that there remains an appetite for good music, well written and not voted for by people strapped to their sofa and smartphones. 

I've listened to 'My Love is cool' all week and I can confirm, it's mix of as Clash magazine described 'the lovechild of folk and grunge', works perfectly. Even the three little pigs would find a place in their hearts to let Wolf Alice in, and that my friends is why Wolf Alice, 'My Love is Cool' is my favourite album of the month. Beg or buy to find out for yourself.