Katy’s Music Grab Bag, Vol. 3: 6 Songs You Should Check Out
(September 05 2014) It’s back! After an absence of a few months, here’s the third volume of Katy’s Music Grab Bag, featuring six songs that you should definitely check out.
The idea of this series is to recommend the hottest new releases, up-and-coming artists that are well worth a listen, and occasional historic gems that still warrant your attention today. Consider it my little mixtape to the world.
This time there’s one of my undoubted bands of the year, the guys that trolled Reading Festival’s Twitter a couple of weeks ago, and four other indie, electro and pop fancies that are, at the least, all worth a try.
Read on to listen and for a bit about each song, but if you wish to avoid my ramblings (hiss!) you can also check out every track via Spotify, using the embedded playlist (direct link).
I’d love your feedback once you’ve listened, so let me know if you like or dislike what you hear via Twitter or e-mail. Or perhaps you have a suggestion for me? That’d be cool too.
Kitten – I’ll Be Your Girl
Released: 2014 Spotify Play Count: 91,200
When it comes to the end of the year, I’ll be naming Kitten’s self-titled debut album as one of the top albums of 2014. It really is that good.
Kitten are the revolving door of vocalist Chloe Chaidez. Her band mates seldom seem to stay for very long. Starting out with more of a garage rock feel, they’ve since moved into synth pop and new wave territory.
“I’ll Be Your Girl” is a sample of what to expect. “Like A Stranger” is another standout track. Check them out, if it’s your genre at all you really shouldn’t be disappointed!
Chloe’s alty look has enabled Kitten to support No Doubt and Paramore in concert, and they’re one of the synth pop acts of the moment.
Caotico – Bad Heart
Released: 2014 Spotify Play Count: 20,720
Released last week, the new single from Swedish duo Caotico should on the surface be a dance hit. The drum line catches your attention, and then it progresses into infectious electro pop.
Caotico are two brothers (Erik and Joel, if you’re keeping notes), and have been around for a few years. Their most popular track yet, the adorably-titled “Fuck My Brains Out”, ahem, was a collaboration with Swedish pop singer Tove Styrke.
“Bad Heart” is well worth checking out if you’re into upbeat electro pop at all. Which you should be. Electro pop is awesome.
Bipolar Sunshine – Deckchairs On The Moon
Released: 2014 Spotify Play Count: 209,063
This chilled pop number comes courtesy of Bipolar Sunshine. It’s picked up some strong British radio support, and rightfully so, as it’s a pretty awesome tune.
Bipolar Sunshine is a pseudonym of Adio Marchant. I recently learnt he was previously a member of Kid British, whose crowning achievement was heavily sampling “Our House” by Madness and rapping over it.
“Deckchairs On The Moon” is far, far away from that, though. Although I did quite like Kid British too. Just saying.
Like Swimming – Go Buffalo
Released: 2013 Spotify Play Count: 82,752
Formed as recently as 2012, Like Swimming are an innocent indie pop band from Sweden. Still relatively unearthed despite some international press coverage, their music features dual male-female vocals and floats between a number of poppy styles.
“Go Buffalo” is the standout of their fledgling output so far. It’s quite reminiscent of fellow Scandinavians Alphabeat, whose brand of light, pure pop music made a big impression a few years back. (This still stands up as a great pop song today.)
If you get a feel for “Go Buffalo”, you’ll be pleased to know that their debut album Structures is released next Monday, and features more of the same. They’re also playing in London next week.
The Courteeners – Summer
Released: 2014 Spotify Play Count: 261,430
I’ve always really liked The Courteeners. Their most popular track, “Not Nineteen Forever”, was one of the indie pop anthems of my youth. And “Summer”, revealed in June, is pretty good too.
“Summer” is the first track from latest album Concrete Love, since released to huge commercial success. It’s best described as both ‘catchy’ and ‘summery’. I know, summery. What were the chances?
The heyday of the latest wave of indie pop for me personally was a few years ago, but it’s good that some of the bands are still going strong.
Catfish and the Bottlemen – Rango
Released: 2013 Spotify Play Count: 405,069
I finish off this little mixtape with “Rango”, from the amazing Welsh rock group Catfish and the Bottlemen.
Featured on their upcoming debut album The Balcony, “Rango” is a good idea of what they’re all about. They’ve already got a passionate fanbase, and they’re going to go on to huge things in the future.
Plus, they’re mischievous too: In the build-up to Reading Festival, several bands did a ‘takeover’ on the official account. Eventually they had their turn and, well: