Musical Discoveries Circa July 2009

Jamie T via last.fm

Its been a while since I've done a [music] post, so I thought I'd do one now. So without further ado here are my top 3 things of the moment (presented in glorious Spotify link form if you'd care to click the links):

1. Jamie T - Sticks n Stones EP

The anthemic title track is sure to be a hit, with the same great poetic storytelling versus shouty chorus that made Sheila so popular, but the other tracks should definitely not be overlooked: St. Christopher is a sweet little song that shows a stripped-back, sensitive, melodic side, On the Green has more than a hint of The Libertines about it and The Dance of the Young Professionals is a suitably daft finisher with drunkenly swaggering lyrics set over a Brahms sample.

2. Regina Spektor - Far

With it's combination of chirpy hook-heavy radio-friendly tracks with a few more unusual offerings in between, Far feels very much like the logical extension of Begin to Hope. The melodies have grown slightly, sweeping higher and further, and the production, which is altogether more glossy, reflects this.

3. Florence + The Machine

Florence Welch and posse's debut album 'Lungs' was released a couple of weeks ago, and I have yet to hear it! But if the tracks floating around the Hype Machine are to be any guide, it's gonna be an absolute corker. With huge songs which build from ethereal, reverb-laden and harp-ornamented verses to pounding tribal drum choruses with pulsing guitars and belting vocals. Highlights so far include 'Cosmic Love', 'Blinding' and 'Dog Days are Over'.

And that's 3. Laterz!

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