January is here and boy has 2014 started off with a bang. We’ve been snowed under with choices for this month’s best of playlist! If this is a taste of what’s to come this year then we can’t wait for what the rest of 2014 has in store!
Pixies – ‘Greens and Blues’
Wow, Pixies surprise everyone by dropping another EP on us unannounced. A future classic, ‘Greens and Blues’ builds and builds up for that trademark Joey Santiago solo and sing along at the end. Sure to be a great set closer in the future. [Mark Gadong]
The Hotelier – ‘Your Deep Rest’
This song is so lyrically strong that The Hotelier’s new album is shaping up to be a really strong release. It’s more mature, with more poignant songwriting and it’s a great sign of things to come. I can’t wait for ‘Home, Like Noplace Is There’ to be released next month!. [Sam Kanal]
We Are The In Crowd – ‘The Best Thing (That Never Happened)’
Poughkeepsie, New York pop punkers We Are The In Crowd release their second album next month, and ‘The Best Thing (That Never Happened)’ is a great preview of what’s to come. It’s sugary sweet, it’s fun and it’s upbeat: sure, it’s a guilty pleasure, but it’s too enjoyable to miss out on. [Lais Martins Waring]
Manchester Orchestra – ’Top Notch’
It’s one of those tracks which, like Manchester Orchestra themselves, improves with each listen. Its initial onslaught gives way to subtle nuances which aren’t obvious on the first listen and although I was looking forward to the new album anyway I’m now champing at the bit like a racehorse on MDMA. [Rob Barbour]
Neck Deep – ‘Zoltar Speaks’
Neck Deep kicked off 2014 by putting out an album that surpassed most doubters expectations. ‘Zoltar Speaks’ acts as the poster boy for the ‘Wishful Thinking.’ It kicks off with an awesome skate punk-esque intro, contains a chorus with a huge hook and THAT key change… well I bloody love a good key change.. [Chris Marshman]
The Lawrence Arms – ‘Chilean District’’
A release of a new Lawrence Arms album is a great way to start a year off, and ‘Chilean District’ from the release sets the whole of ‘Metropole’ up in fine style. Just the right amount of catchiness, speed and singalong over a minute and a half, and you’re hooked. Great stuff. [Tom Aylott]
La Dispute – ‘Stay Happy There’
Halfway through January La Dispute returned with this insight to their new LP. It may lack in variety but its engaging relentless drive pushes through three and half minutes in a flash, resembling the more frantic moments of their last record, 2011’s ‘Wildlife’, an album that saw them move forward in leaps and bounds. Like a lyrical Gatling gun, Jordan Dryer’s typically strong performance ties this track together into something that has made a lot of people excited to hear more. [James Fox]
Architects – ‘Naysayer’
Now this is a return to form. The blast beats are back and if this track is anything to go by, this could be Architect’s best output since their 2009 breakthrough LP ‘Hollow Crown’. ‘Naysayer’ combines all the best parts of their past efforts to make an explosive and beautifully brutal concoction of metal and hardcore: melody-infused aggression, white-hot guitar work and blistering drums. Undoubtedly still one of Britain’s finest heavy bands. [James Fox]
Taking Back Sunday – ‘Flicker, Fade’
As well as confirming the details for ‘Happiness’, their sixth studio album, Taking Back Sunday unveiled the lead single earlier in mid-January. ‘Flicker, Fade’ has already gathered a wealth of attention for taking their sound back to their roots, following on from their reasonably well received self-titled album. The track ranks up the emotion and pushes Adam Lazzara’s vocals back to their cracked breaking point. It’s bound to be a favourite come their UK shows in February. [Ben Tipple]
Backtrack – ‘Lost in Life’
Backtrack’s 2nd record and more of the same from the NYHC lot, whose philosophy is most certainly ‘same meat, different gravy’. OK, it’s only January, but definitely can see this lasting through the year and making a statement for my top 10 of 2014.[Mike Scott]
Against Me! – ‘Talking Transgender Dysphoria Blues’
It’s hard to pick just one track to feature from the awesome new Against Me! album but the opening track really showcases the rawness and passion that Laura Jane Grace has throughout the whole record and is just lyrically brilliant. Cannot wait to see this played live. [Maryam Hassan]
You Blew It! – ‘Match & Tinder’
The new You Blew It! record is just a great example of just how good melodic, emo, punk (whatever you want to call it) is at the moment. What keeps us coming back to ‘Match & Tinder’ are the awesome riffs, crazy drumming and the lyrics; a mixture of things that is rather rad. “I’ll put mind over matter, to put this matter out of my mind” is something we can all relate to after all. [Maryam Hassan]
See you next month for another round of excellent new music…