This week sees a veritable feast of new albums to take away, from debuts, through breakthroughs to comebacks, all encapsulated in 4 albums that are different in every possible way and all simply stunning.

So, first up we have the debut, from Dananananaykroyd. And what a debut. The band are the JD ultimate burger from TGI Friday’s, with two drummers, two guitarists, bass and shouty vocals, it is an album full of beef. And it sounds incredible. The Sissy Hits EP was a clear demonstration of a band that had the right idea, could pull it off stunningly live but weren’t quite ready to hit the studio, either the budget wasn’t big enough or they weren’t tight enough or were being too tight, something was not working.
Problem solved. It is an album simply bursting with energy, songs that twist and turn at breakneck speed, vocals dropping in and out, catchy and driving guitars, all backed up by the beefiest drum section north of the border. It is an album that lives and breathes to be played live but it is still an audio feast.



Dananananaykroyd SXSW Scottish Showcase Austin from NMK on Vimeo.


Next up is the second album from brightonian Natasha Khan and her alter-ego Bat For Lashes. Receiving a mercury nomination is a weird cross for some artists to bear, some relish in the exposure that they receive because of their nomination (Belle & Sebastian), whilst others see it as an interruption to a musical legacy they were building (Burial). Either way, a concept album is a rare occurrence these days but backed up by superb instrumentation and an undeniable similarity to one Kate Bush, the album is full of imagination and exploration. Lead single Daniel is the clear choice for single, similar to Eurythmics and Everything But The Girl in its atmospherics, it is psychedelic pop in its greatest form.


Finally, the art of a comeback perfectly demonstrated by Doves and their 3rd album Kingdom of Rust. It’s difficult for bands from Manchester to not be labeled as either Oasis wannabes or Madchester-inspired so to have Doves back and releasing rousing guitar albums is a relief in more ways than one. Doves seem to make songs that they want to make, whether it be the atmospheric lead track Jetstream, the alt-country lead single Kingdom of Rust or the older tracks such as M62 song or pounding. Doves are comfortable with their own sound, whatever form that may take and it is evident in the depth and structure of each album. Kingdom of Rust has launched Doves back into the public conscious, giving them prestigious slots at various festivals and headline tours at venues which are not to be sneered at. If it takes 4 years for the next Doves album to surface, there may not be space left for them. However, they are a wonderful antidote to the flood of nu-rave and foalsesque bands that are already drowning the market and it is an uplifting and enjoyable listen on a summers day.