Cardiff's Guide Dog
It's been waaaay too long since my last round-up of new independent single releases from around the globe, something which will have far more focus in 2019 with a monthly round-up of tracks which I love and I'm sure you will too. To kick off the year we have two singles from Welsh acts Guide Dog and Los Blancos (both dropped in December), a most welcome return to these pages from Oakland, California's Waterstrider, plus a single each via Norway's Captain Kill and a collaboration between Egyptian band BLUFRANK and techno producer Lav.
1) Guide Dog - 'Dead Beat'
'Dead Beat' is the first single to be released by Cardiff's Guide Dog from forthcoming sophomore album Generation Y. A crunching glitch opening accompanied by a deliciously distorted fat guitar riff, the track rollicks incessantly through its 4-plus minutes. There's so much happening here, shivering beats, blues-rock passages and a cacophony of collapsing sonic walls, like a weird and wonderful mixture of Super Furry Animals, Daft Punk and Primal Scream.
2) Waterstrider - 'Weaker One'
The project of Californian alternative electronic act Nate Salman, Waterstrider has just released what is easily one of my favourite singles of the year so far. 'Weaker One' is irresistibly dream-like and escapist, the flow and rhythm are about as smooth as you can get as the track glides listlessly into its glorious sounding verse.
3) BLUFRANK, Lav - 'Time, Money'
Both hailing from Egypt, with Lav currently based in Canada, herself and BLUFRANK combine to create the most appealing downtempo and electro-pop vibe you could ask for on single 'Time, Money'. A really tight and tidy bass / drumpad combo draw you in very early to the hypnotic nature of the track. Around a third of the way through they embark on a smorgasbord of disco-funk, dub step and ambient sounds. Delightful.
4) Captain Kill - 'Spacecakes'
Norwegian rock band Captain Kill released their latest album, Monkey Metal Thunder, at the start of the month. Here we have opening track and single 'Spacecakes'. Classic rock sounds litter its intro, from the opening rock riff, rattle of the cymbals and anthemic vocal delivery. The sheer driving energy of 'Spacecakes' from start to finish, with minimal switches in tempo, makes for a very entertaining and likeable listen. The mother-load is dropped however at the 2:58 mark, fans of Thin Lizzy or Wolfmother will really dig this passage.
Los Blancos
5) Los Blancos - 'Cadw Fi Lan'
Our second act from Cardiff, Los Blancos hared double A-Side 'Ti Di Newid / Cadw Fi Lan' last month. Lethargic and listless in the most comforting manner, the sleepy dim glow of 'Cadw Fi Lan' ('Keep Up') nods to past and present, perhaps Lou Reed fronting Mercury Rev at half-speed. Subtle brass moments joined by jangle-pop guitar riffs add warm colours to what is a seriously chill release by the Welsh band.
