De Pedro
De Pedro·Emi 2008
Jairo Zavala is the man behind groups like La Vaca Azul or 3000 Hombres. This time around he’s on his own and he sings of things that have happened to him on this solo trip. He recorded the record in Mexico and had help from the likes of Amparo Sanchez and Joey Burns (Calexico.) It’s full of melancholic, lonesome desert-sounding melodies. Frontier songs, warm sounds in slow time.
Jamie Lidell
Jim·Warp 2008
On his new LP “Jim” Jaime Lidell carries on from where he left off on his album “Multiply”. He drops electronica for soul on “Jim”. This evolution sees this British artist really work on his singing and this register harks back to a different decade. Backed by a normal band, this is his best piece of work to date. Organic melodies are to the fore on “Another Day” or “Hurrycane”, two of the songs that have really grabbed our attention.
Kerobia
Materia organikoa eta gainerakoak·Autoekoizpena / Gor 2008
This group from Iruñea are a daring lot. They like a big challenge. They’ve split their latest project into three different parts. They’ve just released the first part and the other two will be released in 2009. Their evolution has finally seen them learn how to leave aside their influences. On songs like “Asteroideen antzokian” and “Mezu bat zuretzako” they show they have created their very own sound and we really like the fact that their new universe goes so deep.
Vampire Weekend
Vampire Weekend·XL Recordings 2008
This group from Brooklyn mix New Wave and Punk in their songs. You’ll probably have heard them by now and if you haven’t you should. There’s nothing new on show but seeing as it’s record of the year we thought we’d bring it along here for you all to see (and hear.) Shades of Talking Heads and the most refreshing record we’ve heard for a long time. This lot will go far.
Zein?
Ahari Talka·Noiz Pop 2008
Even though a short while ago hardly anybody had heard anything about this band, their return has been the talk of the town for the last few months. They were one of our favourite groups at the start of the decade and they continue to be so with this, their latest release. Power pop and rock, strong lyrics and they’ve kept up the standard of their previous releases. There’s a scene going on in these neck of the woods and as long as there are groups like this, there’s hope for us all yet.
Ladytron
Velocifero·Nettwerk 2008
This has been called the "Worst record of the month" in a trendy magazine. That made me realise that ‘latest tendency’ mags really just don’t know what to do to be hip. And seeing that I’m a real hip dude, I’ll throw my cap in the corner for this disc. It’s certainly not the best offering we’ve had from this Liverpool band but "Velocifero" certainly has it’s bit to say. Especially because the band have really strengthened that dark side to their music. They’ve turned their backs on simple songs and the likes of "Black Cat" and "Runaway" show just how good they are at writing songs.
