The Verve - Forth

The Verve have not only leaked the first single from their forthcoming album this week, "Love Is Noise", but they've also now given the record the title of 'Forth' and revealed the tracklisting.

It will be released on August 18th in the UK, while North America gets the record a day later (Aug 19th)

30 seconds in and I'm blown away" - Zane Lowe

"Ashcroft and McCabe, the twin lightening conductors of the band, are finally in accord and the results are nothing short of astonishing. The Verve are back-literally-with a bang. This is music? This is seismic." NME

"After playing a mix of older songs and a new track (“Sit and Wonder”), the familiar strains of the orchestrated track had fans sprinting from other parts of the field to watch the band achieve a sort of sonic ecstasy. "The band didn’t disappoint, breaking out epic Britpop anthems that set shimmers of sound across the desert night.
Rolling Stone (Coachella review)

"The Verve are here to provide you with an immaculately calibrated rock experience that will change your life forever..." Spin

'Forth' Tracklisting:

1. Sit and Wonder
2. Love Is Noise
3. Rather Be
4. Judas
5. Numbness
6. I See Houses
7. Noise Epic
8. Valium Skies
9. Columbo
10. Appalachian Springs

The Verve Tour Dates:

06.27 Cornwall, England - The Eden Project
06.29 Glastonbury, England - Glastonbury Festival
07.04 Werchter, Belgium - Rock Werchter Festival
07.05 Bobital, France - Bobital Festival
07.11 Balado, Scotland - T in the Park
07.16 Livorno, Italy - Italia Wave Festival
07.18 Barcelona, Spain - Summercase Festival
07.19 Madrid, Spain - Summercase Festival
08.09 Tokyo, Japan - Summer Sonic Festival
08.10 Osaka, Japan - Summer Sonic Festival
08.16 Weston Park, England - V Festival
08.17 Chelmsford, England - V Festival

The Music - Strength In Numbers (Single)

Here is the new video for Strength In Numbers taken from the third album by Leeds based band The Music. Much like this song the album sees a return to the style of their first album and moves away from relative disappointment of their second album Welcome To The North. With a return to dance orientated rock of their debut they have clearly recognised their importance in highlighting new rave sensibilities which they did well before the The Klaxons even came into the picture.

The Forms - The Forms

This is the self-titled follow up to The Forms well received debut album, Icarus. Many have commented on the their increasing similarity in style with bands like Battles, Deerhoof and Dirty Projectors and in many respects The National. These comparisons can be considered entirely justified on the hearing of this album but they are more than this. They have crafted a distinct sound which is well honed in almost all aspects. Every note and every melody seems to have gone over with a fine tooth comb to give it the highest impact in each composition.

Focus bristles with complex, forceful arrangements that ease into subtle and delicate vocals which allow caress the senses. The band clearly have developed a style where you can get lost inside tracks for the duration and come out the other side questioning reality and where all the time has gone, which makes it sometimes very unsteady listening. Bones bounces along with piano that produces the most carefree and beautiful moment on the album. Many tracks feature indiscernible segments which drive and drift in a complex manner. Creating something which few bands could pull off in such a conclusive manner.

Transmission is the finest moment on this album, its pulled along by excellent guitar work which frees it from all the other tracks and makes it the standout in this collection. One criticism you can aim at this sophomore effort is the confusing and almost unlistenable Blue Whale which while not diverting from their usual style features guitar work which makes you question their methods slightly. But only for a mere few seconds because what they have created here is an album which is unique while being extremely accessible and has clearly been a labour of love.

Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga

I've always been confused by the name of this band, is it an order? Or merely a exclamation that they are in fact a piece metallic cutlery? I think I would prefer not to know, It maintains the aura of mystery. Something that can be said about this band for certain is that they are improving dramatically with each album, Gimme Fiction was a sign that this is a band that should be listened to. So with open ears and an open mind I picked up my copy of their newest album, eager to see whether they could keep up the magic touch which the now possess.

I was not to be disappointed the strangely titled Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga continues their rich vein of form. Underdog, the first single from this album a tapestry of a wonderful bass line and horns that puts it in line for song of the year. Its a celebration of how good they have become and a perfect choice for a first single. They have fine tuned their sound so well that every song jumps out you with lyrics and tunes that are unrivalled. Songs like Rhythm And Soul and Finer Feelings are a triumph of pop combined with studio ingenuity and anyone who dares them to produce these songs live should check out the performance of Underdog on the Late Show with David Letterman which can be found on youtube. So, what are you doing sitting reading this? Go out and buy this, you shall not regret such a decision.

The Jai - Alai Savant - Flight of the Bass Delegate

I stumbled across this band through another of my favourite bands The Mars Volta whom they share a record label which. In many ways they are similar to the aforementioned band. They have produced a debut album which jumps around and flits back and forth through multiple influences, like a ten year old boy who's had far too much Haribo and Capri Sun and wont stay still. Despite the strong impact of other bands on them including the Mars Volta they have a very clear sound, that is very much their own. Its held together by the hushed vocals of Ralph Darden which are at times very reminiscent of Sting and the sublime drumming of Michael Bravine.

Scarlett Johansson Why Don't You Love Me jumps out and hits you on name alone and it doesn't disappoint when heard, its a song I could listen to all day without becoming bored. One of the best songs is the funky The Low and Frequent See which trips along and at over 7 minutes as by no means short but have no fear as none of that time is wasted. Sugar Free has to be my favourite song from the album and is without a doubt the most police sounding with is superb chorus. They are a band who can produce pop brilliance or self indulgent mastepieces and with that range they have the potential to become even better. Although quite a few of the songs seem to cut out just as they are getting going, that's a minor quibble over what is an excellent debut from a band who should be huge.

Feist - 1,2,3,4 (Single)

One of my favourite singers currently and the creator of the critically acclaimed album The Reminder is the lovely Leslie Feist. Not only is this lady intensely beautiful but also amazingly talented. Yes, ok I'm in love with her. Anyway, this is the new video to her second single from The Reminder and is entitled 1,2,3,4. See if you can get through the whole video without smiling once.