TIPS FOR 2014: PART ONE

1. MMX








MMX have been one of my favourite things about 2013. They landed on the scene with a hidden mystery, no big shows or relentless self-promotion, they simply let their music do the talking. Their two EPs, 'Child' and 'Heir' are mesmerising pieces of work that make you sit down and listen. On tour in January, catch them while you can and I promise you, you won't regret it.


For Fans Of: The 1975, Costal Cities, Phoria

2. LAUREL







I first met Laurel when she was 17 and entering a local Portsmouth competition to play at Blissfields Festival. Not long after that, she was picked up by the guiding hands of Turn First Artists (Rita Ora, Ellie Goulding etc) and has a voice to make the hardest of men go weak at the knees. Think Lana Del Ray without the really annoying persona. A lovely girl that makes fantastic music and truly deserves to make it big.



For Fans Of: Ellie Goulding, Lorde, Daughter

3. LONELY THE BRAVE








Lonely The Brave are a band that have made their mark with only a handful of tracks to their name. Latest EP 'Backroads' has received critical acclaim and BBC introducing have swept them up into their palm to play some of the UKs biggest Festivals. With a full-length release on the horizon, 2014 looks set to be their year.


For Fans Of: Arcane Roots, We Are the Ocean, Pure Love

4. ELIZA AND THE BEAR







Support Paramore on their Arena Tour? Yeah, why not. Eliza and the Bear are destined to be the next big indie band in the UK, there's no stylisation, just pure up-beat, catchy anthems that will undoubtedly soundtrack many summer adventures.


For Fans Of: Two Door Cinema Club, Dog Is Dead, Bombay Bicycle Club

5. NATIVES







Natives started off 2013 well, a couple of single releases and Festival/Tour appearances saw them gain more and more fans. Then things all got a bit muddled and the long-awaited album release didn't quite happen. Dedicated to their music, 2014 will be much kinder to the Natives boys and their headline UK tour will certainly re-ignite the excitement for the band.


For Fans Of: Kids In Glass Houses, Blitz Kids, You Me At Six

6. I DIVIDE







Once winners of the Redbull Bedroom Jam, 2013 has seen I Divide's success only grow further. With their new album wrapped and ready to fly out, I'm quite sure that these Exeter lads are going to be making a lot of noise in the coming months.


For Fans Of: Lower Than Atlantis, Straight Lines, The First

7. EMPIRE







Hands up who caught Arcane Roots on tour recently? If so, then you (hopefully) would have made the effort to catch EMPIRE. Frontman Joe Green has a unique vocal that entices you into their music, whilst beefy chords and snappy drums take you on an energetic journey throughout their mini-album 'Where the World Begins'.


For Fans Of: Max Raptor, Arcane Roots, Twin Atlantic

8. AS ELEPHANTS ARE







Having first discovered AEA at Southsea Fest in 2012, I've been hooked by their catchy guitars and quirky charm ever since. They may only have a small handful of tracks available to get your teeth into, but each one is superb and leaves you with a hunger to hear more.


For Fans Of: Clock Opera, Bombay Bicycle Club, The 1975

9. ACRES







Recently signing to Smalltown Records, Acres are one of the best things to come out of Portsmouth. Their live shows are full of sweat and passion, with songs of epic proportions lead by a ferocious vocal.


For Fans Of: Architects, Bury Tomorrow, Being As An Ocean

10. SONS & LOVERS







2013 has seen Sons & Lovers gradually piece together the parts of their puzzle. Selling out their first headline London show, touring with the likes of Ellie Goulding and The National and continuously working on their music. 2014 could be the year that they finish their puzzle and spread out their music for all to see and hear.


For Fans Of: Morain, Futures, Canterbury

TOP 10 E.Ps OF 2013

1. MOOSE BLOOD - MOVING HOME
Possibly my favourite discovery of the year, Moose Blood have got me swooning over their lyrics, while their unique style of pop-punk sweetens my ears. Moving Home is an ideal teaser for what the Canterbury based boys have to offer. There are no surprises, no standout moments, just six tracks that are bloody marvellous.

Favourite Track: Evening Coffee



2. FORT HOPE - CHOICES
It may only be three tracks long, but it's got enough oomph in it to leave a lasting impression. New Life in particular stands out for me because of the huge, uplifting chorus and pounding drums. 2014 is certainly going to be an interesting year for Fort Hope.

Favourite Track: New Life



3. AMBER RUN - NOAH
After gracing the BBC introducing stage at Reading and Leeds Festival this year, Amber Run quickly became a favourite band of mine. With fast-paced rhythms and catchy melodies, they frequently soundtrack my days.  Noah is a beautifully written EP, with piano highlights and harmonies to warm your heart.

Favourite Track: Noah


4. LEWIS WATSON - FOUR MORE SONGS
This little chap has one of the loveliest voices around, and one of the most humbling artists to hit the spotlight. Four More Songs is well, four more songs from the British solo artist, about summer nights and old school romance. Stick the kettle on, listen to the EP and feel the cosiness surround you.

Favourite Track: Calling


5. WE THE WILD - VOL.1
You may recognise that voice as Ant West, singer-songwriter extraordinaire known for his time spent in Tonight is Goodbye and Futures. Now, he's teamed up with ex-bandmate Casey Roarty to form We The Wild and their Vol.1 EP is a simple taste for what is to come from the duo.
Favourite Track: Float

6. GUNNING FOR TAMAR - CAMERA LUCIDA
Rewind back to May and I was down my local haunt with a pint of cider watching the Alcopop Records alternative Great Escape Festival. There, I met the guys in Gunning for Tamar. Already a fan of their music, we all somehow became great pals and they released a super ace EP. Camera Lucida proves how completely underrated this band are, they have a unique sound of distorted riffs and vocals that just blend so incredibly well.

Favourite Track: Yogging

7. HEY VANITY - BREATHE, BLEED, GROW
Essex boys at their best, Hey Vanity were an early discovery of mine after catching them on tour with Don Broco in February. Vocalist Marc Halls has a gritty tone that matches perfectly with the punchy chords in the tracks featured on the Breathe, Bleed, Grow EP.

Favourite Track: Wading Through Dreams

8. MMX - HEIR
It was difficult to choose between the two EPs that MMX released this year, however Heir just about takes the crown. Heir is three tracks of haunting vocals and flowing ambient/indie sounds that just make some of the most enchanting tracks I've ever heard. If there ever was 'baby making music' this would be it.

Favourite Track: Tremor

9. SAINT RAYMOND - ESCAPADE
I dare you to stick this EP on and not feel an instant lift in your mood. Guitar twangs with summery, upbeat vibes and Saint Raymond (otherwise known as Callum, FYI) with his unique vocal tone that always brings a smile to my face.

Favourite Track: Fall at Your Feet

10. REAL FRIENDS - PUT YOURSELF BACK TOGETHER
Oh I love me some good American pop-punk. Real Friends are levelling up there with The Story So Far in the list of my fave pop-punkers. Even-though the first few bars of the EP sounds like a Bryan Adams song and each track is written about heartbreak from a male perspective, it's the perfect EP to shout/air drum a long too, guaranteed.

Favourite Track: Late Nights in My Car

What are your favourite E.Ps of 2013?

Sunday Sound #6

I know I know! I haven't written a Sunday Sound post in FAR too long. Which I'm annoyed at myself with, I guess I got caught up with the various festivities as well as losing all track of the days, thanks to working bizarre and mixed hours in retail. But I'm back on it, bringing you a new band to discover each week! If you have any recommendations drop me a little comment below. Enjoy!

MMX

MMX have been on my list of new bands to write about for a while, finally they have this little space on the internet. You may recognise the dulcet tones of vocalist Ashley Wilkie from the band Francesqa, who called it a day back in 2011, reincarnating themselves as MMX. Now, I was a big fan of Francesqa and was saddened to see their demise, however when hints of the new musical project started arising, I was excited to see the outcome. 

MMX first released Cold World back in June, following up with Follow a few months later. Both tracks were an impressive concoction of pulsating drum patterns, powerful vocal and guitars. A lot of thought had clearly gone into the production of the tracks and the previous Francesqa fans lapped it up, though knowing little about the story behind MMX.

We still don't know much behind MMX, they've kept things minimal and intriguing, which I like, it keeps the interest strong. This week they also released their first EP, Child. Which I've been listening to continuously since I got my hands on a copy. It has a slightly mellower vibe than the previously released tracks, with a whole lot more depth. Experimenting with their sound a bit more, infusing synths, claps and sliding guitar lines. It really is a beautiful piece of work though, it's the sort of music you could...ahem.. make love too, or if that's not your thing, just lie back and enjoy the sounds around you. 

They're playing their first show in London THIS Tuesday, tickets have already sold out, though. Here's hoping they'll string together some tour dates and festival appearances over the next few months! 

For Fans Of: Francesqa, You Me At Six, Deaf Havana

Find Them: http://www.facebook.com/mmxofficial

https://twitter.com/mmxofficial

https://soundcloud.com/mmxofficial