Hurts - Stay

Hurts are a British synthpop duo from Manchester composed of singer Theo Hutchcraft and synth player Adam Anderson. Before Hurts, the duo were in (scruffier) bands The Bureau and Daggers, the latter of which supported Gary Numan.

On a trip to Italy, they discovered "disco-lento" (slow disco), and became fixed on a more austere and stylish European aesthetic. Hurts was born. Musically, they construct melancholic 1980s-inspired electro-pop with songs that they say are inspired by the British mentality of being "not too bad".

In 2009 the band featured as Band of the Day on Guardian.co.uk and finished in fourth position in BBC's Sound of 2010 poll.

In early 2010 they officially released their debut single, Better Than Love, and played their first ever live shows. Debut album Happiness was released on 6 September 2010.

To promote the release of their debut album, the band collaborated with author Joe Stretch to produce an interactive audio book narrated by Anna Friel. It is on Spotify, with the first entry being found by searching for "a5m4".

Hurts will release their 3rd single Stay on November 15th.



Hurts @ Myspace, LastFM, Twitter

Source: BBC, Wikipedia

Warpaint - Undertow

For a band that sound as though they're barely working up a sweat, this slowcore group are causing quite a stir. (Guardian)

Warpaint is an all-female ambient rock four-piece from LA formed on Valentine's Day 2004. The band is currently composed of Emily Kokal, Theresa Wayman, Jenny Lee Lindberg and Stella Mozgawa and has gone through many lineup changes, including actress Shannyn Sossamon and Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

The recording of debut EP Exquisite Corpse began in December 2007. The sessions took place over two months and were mixed and mastered by former Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante. Warpaint self released the EP in 2008 and the album was re-released on CD in 2009.

Shortly afterward they were signed to Rough Trade and immediately began extensive touring throughout the US and Europe including an opening slot for The xx.

On October 25th the quartet released their full length album, The Fool.



Warpaint @ Myspace, Twitter, Facebook

Source: Guardian, Wikipedia

Is Tropical - South Pacific

This London based three piece began 2010 as relative unknowns, having rarely ventured outside the confines of the capital, but the band's electric synth-pop managed to dominate the dancefloors across the UK.

When Is Tropical perform live, the three men are distorted by not only the masks they wear, but also by home-made psychedelic projections. Yet this isn't the sound of some mysterious cult society: it's pop music jim, albeit weirdo-pop.

Now signed to uber-hip French label Kitsune, Is Tropical are preparing to release their 2nd single South Pacific on November 22nd.

The band have made this track available as a free download.



Is Tropical @ Myspace, Twitter, Facebook

Source: Clash, Artrocker

Massive Attack - Atlas Air

British trip-hop duo Massive Attack follows its long-awaited album Heligoland with a limited-edition EP - and it's all for a good cause. The album supports Warchild, and is expected to be available on November 21st 2010.

Atlas Air marks the 15th anniversary of the legendary Help album, which brought Massive Attack together with the likes of Oasis, Blur, P.J Harvey, Radiohead, and other major British artists in support of the nonprofit organization that helps child victims of war. As with Help, all proceeds from Atlas Air will go toward the organization.

The EP will feature an edit of the titular song, a Tim Goldsworthy remix, plus the Guy Garvey-penned and previously unfinished Heligoland leftover track, Redlight (featuring the original Guy Garvey vocals).

Heligoland, released in February 2010, was the group's first new album since 2003's 100th Window. The album, which includes the single Paradise Circus features guest vocals from Damon Albarn, Hope Sandoval, Martina Topley-Bird, and Tunde Adebimpe.

To stream the original 1995 Help album and learn more about War Child, visit this link.

Massive Attack @ Myspace, LastFM, Facebook

Source: Warchild, The Independent

One Night Only - Say You Don't Want It

One Night Only formed in summer 2003, consisting initially of Mark Hayton, Daniel Parkin, Sam Ford and Kai Smith. The band did not have a vocalist until George Craig, a friend of Ford's brother, joined in a practice. He was asked to be the vocalist, but insisted on playing guitar as well. Smith then left the band. They initially played songs by bands such as Blink-182, New Found Glory and the Beatles, as well as some of their own material.

The name, One Night Only, came about when asked to play a gig. They did not have a name at the time and so came up with One Night Only, intending the title to, literally, last for only one night, however the name stuck to this day.

Their debut album Started a Fire was recorded at RAK Studios in St John's Wood, London from August to September 2007. The album was produced by Steve Lillywhite more famously known for his work with U2.

The band are said to have written over 25 new songs since Started a Fire. Originally due to be released in the summer of 2009, the self-titled 2nd album was finally released late August 2010 and produced by Suede and Pulp producer Ed Buller.

The first single taken from the new album is Say You Don't Want It, released on August 16th.



One Night Only @ MySpace, Facebook, Twitter

Source: Wikipedia