We're taking the liberty of giving you all something to unwind with. Relax & enjoy. Tree Boy xoxoxoxo

Real Estate - It's Real

Hailing from New Jersey, this 5-piece were picked up a few years back by Pitchfork media. This track is fit-for-all, it's a must-download! Fans of Fleet Foxes or Local Natives ought to like this especially.

Is it wrong to put Alex Winston tracks up time and time again so we can re-use this same picture? I don't think so, and I'm sure you'll agree after downloading this lovely number...

Mansions on the Moon - Leaves Fall

I love this. You might not want to play this if you're already upset, but it's a perfect track to lament with, reminisce to, maybe even cheer you up, who knows - But I'm sure you'll find a use for this, and use it over and over again. Great track.

The Decemberists - January Hymn

From one of the defining albums of 2011 'the King is Dead', the Decemberists deliver a track here which is perfect for this time of year in every sense. You may detect hints of an old acoustic Greenday track with this, and it may just provide that little bit of escapism you need as you settle into to 2012.   

Miike Snow - Devil's Work

Miike Snow are a team fave here at ikas.com, we cannot wait for their second album 'Happy to You!!!' to drop this March 26 on the guys own record label INGRID founded with fellow Swedes Lykke Li, Dungen & Peter Bjorn and John. This track is a radio rip that should feature on the LP but the band are keeping cards close to their chest stating that 'there will be no information on track listings, singles, or anything involving the Devil's Work'. If the tracks are half as good as this, and any of the tracks on the guys debut self-titled EP, we will be loving it!

Kele Okereke has confirmed that Bloc Party will release a new album later this year.

Speaking to Zane Lowe on Radio 1 today (January 3), the frontman said that a follow up to their third album, 2008's 'Intimacy', will be out at some point in 2012. The band have been working on their fourth album in New York.

Last year Kele courted controversy by claiming that while he was busy with his solo career, the remaining members of Bloc Party would be auditioning new singers to allow them to continue playing together. Bloc Party soon backtracked on the admission, which had been made to NME.

Zane Lowe went on to contact the band's management, who denied the developments. Lowe then took to Twitter to claim: "Bloc Party thing is nonsense. Management confirm it. Solid... solid as a rrrrock."

As management officially denied there was anything going on, the band distanced themselves from the claims. It was then suggested that the four members had been in cahoots to whip up publicity for the band and 'get one over' on the media.

(via NME)


This is very exciting news for all fans of Bloc Party, so perhaps a tour is on the horizon.

I wouldn't bet against a few big festival dates this summer!

Cheers.

Vizzle

This is a quick update that will make my good friend Tree very happy. Even though he is in Australia, I know that he will be excited to hear the new record from The Maccabees.

They were one of our favourite bands during Uni, and remain a class act. They are a must see live band if you like their stuff.

Anyways, below are the details.

They will play:

Edinburgh HMV Picture House (March 5)
Middlesbrough Town Hall (7)
Nottingham Rock City (8)
Brighton Dome (9)
Leeds O2 Academy (10)
Liverpool O2 Academy (12)
Bristol O2 Academy (13)
Norwich UEA (14)
Southampton Guildhall (16)
Cardiff University (17)
Wolverhampton Civic Hall (18)
Cambridge Corn Exchange (19)

Before that The Maccabees will play a series of already announced gigs next month to coincide with the release of their third studio album 'Given To The Wild' on January 9.


Unfortunately, there is not a show in London??? Sad Face.

I will hopefully catch them next year at some point, and will definitely be getting the album!

Cheers.
Vizzle

In case you've had a tough weekend, we've got a rehab post for you... a few tracks to chill out with, have a snooze to, reflect with; enjoy; 

I Aeronaut - Backyard of Butterflies

A dreamy Royksopp-esque number from the very shy 'I, aeronaut'. He's released his first full-length this year and you can listen to the entire album  'of waves and wings' right here. Here's a few words from his bandcamp page;

"as a daydreamer, and rather shy boy, this is the only form of communication I can bare to express. It would mean the world to me if anyone would be so kind as to take a listen. I'd appreciate it more than anything. Thank you."

Oliver Tank - Last Night I heard everything in Slow Motion

As always the 'Musigh' blog comes up trumps with all things chilled, this track was a great spot. Oliver is one of Australia's own and you can check out and download a handful of his tracks right here at the Triple J unearthed website. As Triple J point out, fans of James Blake are sure to take to this.    

LIPS Songs - Everything to me

LIPS is a New Zealander now living in New York, this one has been gracing my sleep playlist for a few weeks now. If you like what you hear, check out this young lady's Soundcloud.

Cosomonaut Greckho - Nothing 2 (arioso)

I'm not shy to admit my ignorance of, nor penchant for classical music. It just takes someone like Cosmonaut to get classical music it in the playlist! What might come as more of a shock is that Cosmonaut is a 20 year old Russian based in Saratov producing music like this after rising to fame with remixes for the likes of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Shinichi Osawa. A fitting end to this post, I defy you not to be chilled out after listening to these five tracks in a row... Don't forget; 'right click' on download file --> 'save as' --> relax! Tree Boy xoxoxoxoxo   

Yes that's right, quite possibly my favourite band release details of their sophomore album, 'Portamento' dropping in the UK September 12th!  

I caught these guys a couple of months ago and they played a few tracks from the upcoming album. Being the conscientious guy I am I wrote a short review for you all, being the idiot I am I broke the device I wrote this all down on and have never recovered my notes - needless to say, the review was glowing. And this upcoming track in particular, 'money', blew the place up and is why I will be queueing for the first copy of 'Portamento'; listen by clicking here.

The tracklist will be as follows;

1. Book Of Revelation
2. Days
3. What You Were
4. Money
5. Hard To Love
6. I Don’t Know How To Love
7. Searching For Heaven
8. Please Don’t Leave
9. If He Likes It Let Him Do It
10. I Need A Doctor
11. In The Cold
12. How It Ended

I cannot wait! Remember - September 12th! Ooh, and don't forget - lead singer Jonathan Pierce is one of the best dancers to grace the Earth... Check them out for some first album nostalgia below;

The Kooks will release their eagerly anticipated new album, Junk of the Heart, on September 12th on Virgin Records, preceded by a debut single of the same name out on the 28th August.

Written by The Kooks, produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Air, Belle & Sebastian), and recorded in The Sound Factory (Los Angeles) and Sarm Studios (London), the band’s third album sees them consolidating their position as a bona fide album band with trademark breeziness and catchy hooks.

Kicking off with a dramatic breakbeat, the opening track builds across acoustic guitar and warm washes of synth before collapsing into a chorus you’ll be singing for days. It shows, that despite the change in their influences, the band still have a firm grasp on how to write killer hooks and pop songs without compare.

“It’s upbeat; an album to play in the sun” explains frontman Luke Pritchard of the forthcoming 12 song collection, “What we really wanted to do was build a proper, full album. Something you can listen to from front to back. We’re an album band and this is a journey you come on with us.”

‘Junk of the Heart’ follows the Kooks’ multi-platinum debut, ‘Inside In/Inside Out’ (2006) which peaked at number two in the UK Album Charts and it’s platinum selling number one follow-up, ‘Konk’ (2008). The Kooks have sold over 2 million records globally.

When you guys talk to us, we do listen! And we've had a request for 'music to revise to'. It's a niche that's for sure, but from experience, I'd suggest listening to anything that won't make you want to die any more than you already want to die.

So on that note here's a few little indie perk-me-ups... Even if you're not revising today, and you just want to smile more, pick these ones up - 'Right-click' --> 'Save as', you know how it goes :P 

Generationals - Greenleaf

This has so much warmth to it, it's a friendly, reassuring hug of a track...

Doug Hoyer - Little Things

If you don't go 'Aww' to this track at least a little bit, then I put it to you that you're at least part robot. As cliche as this one is, it's important to remember these little things when revision begins to crush us physically and mentally... Aww. 

tUnE-yArDs - Bizness

We had a request for 'interesting' tracks and not only is this one of the most interesting bands that I've heard in ages but they're one of the best. They strike the perfect balance between quirky and catchy, I know these guys are on a mad US tour schedule at the moment but I'm positive we'll see more of these guys in the future, cannot wait!

And so all that remains to say is good luck :) We hope these help! Tree Boy xoxoxo

It's sunday, I trust your weekend was madness. Now here's a few little indie numbers to soothe the pain. Best enjoyed with a cold one, enjoy it. Tree Boy xoxoxo

Starfucker - Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper Cover)

In my eyes this cover makes this guilty pleasure even better, as well as a lot less camp. It's subtle in the Jamie XX sense and I haven't stopped listening to it since I got a hold of it. I might even get to keep my window down next time I'm smashing this tune out at a set of traffic lights.    

Bahamas - Sunshine Blues

Bahamas; aka Canadian Based solo artist Afie Jurvanen has spent the last few years playing piano and guitar for 'Feist' but now it's time for his own album, 'Pink Strat'. I could post the whole album here it's that good - you'll get the picture from ths track though. It's folk, it's beautiful, it's perfect for Sunday.

Bibio - K is for Kelson

To lighten up the mood for us is a bit of Stephen Wilkinson from the British Midlands better known as Bibio. Currently signed to Warp records, so you know this guy has talent, he specialises in experimental music which is probably why I can't tell you who this sounds like! But I'll try to describe what it sounds like - it sounds like the theme music to 'playbus' that kids programme a lot of us would have seen and heard as teeny tots. The excitement we felt as children when our favourite cartoon came on is embodied in this track, love it.

Absofacto - 80844264@81 (Love Song)

How indie is that song title, eh? Right, you're going to have to trust me here. I love this song more than alot, I think it's got the makings of something brilliant. But this doesn't begin happening until well after the one minute mark and so we have to sit patiently until then. From then on it's just dreamy. The vocals have a Passion Pit type feel about them in some ways but there's something more mature about it. It doesn't follow the song structure formula either and after a few listens that's what I've loved about it, it makes you want to leave it on loop. There's no 'verse, chorus, verse, chorus' lark... We go through the long intro, then we peak, and then we settle down again. I am willing you to try this song out a few times. It's gorgeous. Enjoy your Sunday.  

I am sick with excitement. For many this will be the biggest album release of the year, from one of the best live acts there is, from one of the biggest and best bands to emerge in years.  

Teaming up with producer Paul Epworth (whose produced the likes of Bloc Party, Florence & the Machine and Plan B) the album 'Pala', is due to drop in the UK on 16th May. Many of us are already going mental for the single 'live those days tonight'... So how about we have a listen to a bit more??! 

How? Well... The iknowasong.com team have sorted it - we have a stream, and that stream is 'Pala', an absolute schooling in indie-dance by Friendly Fires. I'm underselling this completely but seriously this is BIG news!

These aren't full quality samples because as we're all aware the album isn't released yet - but if you're feeling this you'll LOVE the album in its highest quality so head to HMV, itunes, amazon, etc on May 16th and buy it - OR just to make things easier, you can click here and buy it from the Band's website!
 
And you MUST head to the website where you can find amongst other things, Friendly Fires' upcoming tour dates... and I assure you, seeing Friendly Fires live is a life changer! I have to go now, I need to hear this again and again. Press Play & Enjoy. Tree Boy xoxoxox

Live those Days Tonight

Pull Me Back to Earth (one of my personal highlights!)

AND... If we get some Friendly Fire love for these tracks, you'll get to hear the remainder of the album which includes the mammouth tracks; 'Running Away', 'Show me Lights' & 'True Love'. I can't believe they've followed up such an amazing debut album with something this good! 

If you want hours of fun, type 'indie' into google images... You find gold like this. Also, for even more fun I have found some potential indie gold for you all... Fans of Florence, Penguin Prison, Lykke Li, The Go! Team, Coeur de Pirate and Bedouin Soundclash will enjoy these ones I hope.  

Armistice - Neon Love

I say fans of Coeur de Pirate and Bedouin Soundclash will like this because Armistice is made up of members of both acts; Jay Malinowski and Beatrice Martin. It has a sort of Country and Western vibe going on and there's not enough of that going about! You might remember us featuring the track 'Brutal Hearts' which they made together - it seems this might now be a more full time arrangement, you can stream their whole self-titled album and buy it for only $5 here!

Maggie Eckford - For What it's Worth

Commentators have picked up hints of Lykke Li, Tegan and Sara and Joanna Newsom in this young lady and you may well agree. A catchy number, you can download a handful of her tracks and find out more at the Triple J Unearthed website here.

The Eclectic Moniker - 2 Officers

And for what it's worth, I think this track is amazing. It has got that Kitsune feel about it, it's cheeky, cheerful and Danish. Download four of their tracks for free at their bandcamp right here! 

tUnE-YaRdS - Gangsta

This was very nearly my song of the week, I've developed a bit of an obsession with this! It is a bit strange don't get me wrong but in parts it's something else. I cannot get the vocal 'never move to my hood, cos danger is crawling out the wood' out of my head! With lyrics like that and a track name like so, this track can only surprise you. Their EP 'W H O K I L L' was released 18th April, you can subscribe to their mailing list for more free tracks here! - Tree Boy xoxoxoxo