Hey Gigantic gang!
So, it might not be as epic as a big fat bank holiday weekend but it is the weekend nevertheless! Gigantic is on hand with all the tickets you need to enjoy yourself plus the #NewMusicFriday blog and playlist; the soundtrack to your fun times.
Keep scrolling to check out the hottest new tunes and grab yourself a ticket to hear them played live.
Video
LIFE – ‘Moral Fibre’
Channelling the defiantly DIY spirit of their hometown Hull, Life are back following the release of their rampaging debut album ‘Popular Music’ with the first taste of their second as-yet-untitled LP; ‘Moral Fibre’. Once again exhibiting their supreme skill for condensing a hell of a lot of pissed off polemics into an accelerated rush of guitar riffs and Beat Poet lyrics, ‘Moral Fibre’ is a take-down of those looking to adopt phoney poor aesthetic to try and steal some authenticity.
Singer Mez Green explains; "'Moral Fibre' is a stinging and frenzied shut up and step aside - a tongue in cheek reflection on the music industry, that beige scene, those that pimp poverty from Mummy’s detached house, those that trade in fair-trade cocaine and those that preach behind their keyboard. I’m taking the piss, but I’m deadly serious!"
The newly released video sees the politically astute post punks’ team up with local artist Anna Bean. Known for her dark and twisted surreal edge, Bean has given a real visual punch to the songs sardonic message; “We chose to reflect on when we lived and dined as the ants that took the sugar mountain from an empire built on Teletubbie colours and 70s shit-disco. Once again re-uniting with our friend behind the lens Josh Moore we present to you a piss-take of a piss-take that’s a little bit tongue and hella-lot of cheek and a ton of pissant. Shot in Hull and shot for fun let Moral Fibre get in in your bones. Respect your community.”
Having just completed a tour of mainland Europe with their good mates IDLES, Life look forward to a massive year leading up to the release of their second full length which includes headline Firebug as part of the massive all -day festival Handmade which hits Leicester on Sunday 5th of May. They also appear at The Great Escape Festival down in Brighton that runs from Thursday 9th until Saturday 11th of May.
Life tickets are currently available.
Albums
blackbear – ‘ANONYMOUS’
When Pennsylvanian R&B singer blackbear (Matthew Tyler Musto) first let the world know about his upcoming fifth studio album ‘ANONYMOUS’ he wracked up the hype machine to fifth gear stating; “It’s my best work to date, so do not sleep on this album. It’s 18-plus songs and they’re all pretty damn good.” Despite the delays (it was intended to be released on Valentine’s Day), Musto has certainly made good on his promise as ‘ANONYMOUS’ is every bit as awesome as we were led to believe.
Now finally out, it comes as little surprise that ‘ANONYMOUS’ is a flawless amalgamation of hip hop, EDM and pop with his R&B roots as the string of incredible singles, including ‘1 Sided Love’, ‘High1x’, ‘Swear to God’, ‘Hate My Guts’ and ‘Dead to Me’ hinted. Proof, if there were any needed, that he is ready to become one of the world’s biggest stars.
“I was born for the stage, so while I’m young I’m gonna give that to the world. Plus, with the songs I like to write, many A&Rs, labels, and artists would pass them on but they’d go gold or platinum when I put them out. I still write and produce for others, but it’s rare. I have to be a big fan, i.e.: Miguel, Relient K, Galantis, Marshmello, G-Eazy, Machine Gun Kelly, Stalking Gia, the list goes on and on.”
blackbear tickets are released at 10:00 on Friday 26/04.
LOYLE CARNER – ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’
Taking the more considered approach to hip hop rather than the brash sound of grime or the aggression of drill, Loyle Carner has risen to become the new sound of intelligent British rap. On his new album ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’, Carner has proven that there certainly is an audience for his insightful lyrical flow and funk/soul beats as his new release has confidently smashed into the Top 10.
Taking inspiration for its title from the Steve Smith poem of the same name, Carner’s second album follows on from his celebrated debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ which saw him receive a Mercury Prize nomination and reach Silver certification. ‘Not Waving, But Drowning’ again reveals an articulate story teller, able to eloquently express his pain of loss and explain the world around him through insightful observations.
“What a mad week. Reaction to the album has been overwhelming to say the least… Thank you to all of you who have bought the record, it means more than you can possibly imagine. Currently number 3 in the chart, whatever that means, and my Mum is freaking out.”
Loyle Carner tickets are currently available.
KING GIZZARD AND THE LIZARD WIZARD – ‘Fishing For Fishies’
‘Fishing For Fishies’ is the latest instalment from everyone’s favourite Australian psychedelic rockers King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard. Calling them prolific would certainly be an understatement as this is their fourteenth release since 2012 and yet the out-of-this-world band show no signs of diminishing returns on this audacious nine track record.
Drawing on a massive sphere of influences, songs veer wonderfully without ever sounding out of place. ‘Cyboogie’ feels futurist while ‘Boogieman Sam’ takes a Texan blues approach. ‘The Bird Song’ is bright and optimistic yet ‘Acarine’ is mysterious and beguiling. A definite must listen for any intrepid sonic explorer.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard tickets are currently available.
ALDOUS HARDING – ‘Designer’
Following on from the major success of her second album ‘Party’, New Zealand folk singer-songwriter Aldous Harding returns with her highly anticipated third LP ‘Designer’. Having spent the last year on a gruelling 100-date tour in support of her previous record which was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2017 New Zealand Music Awards, Aldous reunited with produced John Parish for fifteen days recording and ten days of mixing at such legendary studios as Rockfield Studios, Monmouth and Bristol’s J&J Studio and Playpen to create her latest offering.
The result is nine tracks of bright and bold self-exploration as Aldous once again proves why her work is so important.
“I’m trying really hard to make something interesting and make something beautiful, because I think there’s something great about someone who is actually quite unremarkable making things like this, and that’s a victory for everybody I think. People probably recognise that effort when they like the poetry, or they feel a lyric, they understand that I’ve tried hard to really show what I mean. I’m not afraid to look silly and I’m not afraid to get it wrong… and that’s where the good intentions comes in because I know I’m not always going to get it right, and I do it anyway.”
‘Designer’ is released today by 4AD and Flying Nun on CD, MP3 and even limited gold vinyl. Harding promotes her vital new record with a tour which kicks off next month. She then returns to the road in November to play Autumn \ Winter dates at Manchester Academy 2, Roundhouse in London plus O2 Academy Bristol.