singles
ANJA SCHNEIDER **** Diagonal EP( Mobilee)
Mobilee records founder and much respected workaholic of the tech-house scene, Anjs Schneider’ s latest EP is three tracks of lovely, downbeat electronica. Diagonal builds through funky loops and vocals, while Surrender is very minimal but bass-heavy. Finally, No Answers has elements of acid within a classic house sound. RH
CASI WYN **** 1 EP( I Ka Ching)
Remarkably accessible for non-Welsh speakers, as well as to those whom cite Cymraeg as their mother tongue, Casi Wyn’ s debut EP is a haunting collection of Welsh language songs( plus one in English). Her vocals are clean and sharp throughout, her timing immaculate and overall composition really very striking. BK
CAVE PAINTING ** Rio EP( Third Rock)
Yet another ultra-cool, minimalist EP to hit the modern indie scene, Rio feels undeniably up-to-the-minute throughout. Cave Painting’ s pared-down soundscaping, though, only really prevails as an exercise in style over substance. There are many similar bands out there, and a lot of them have much more to say. BK
DJ EASTWOOD **** U Ain’ t Ready( No Hats No Hoods)
Eastwood’ s vital early-00s grime productions, such as this synth’ n’ harpsichord 8-bar banger from 2003, were cooked up in north London, but he had ties to Cardiff thanks to collaborations with DJ Oddz. Eastwood is back on the scene and so is U Ain’ t Ready, remixed by Untold( fiddly, almost IDM-ish) and Spooky( big partycrashing bass drops). NG
GLASVEGAS **** I’ d Rather Be Dead( Than Be With You)( Go Wow)
As easy and preferred as it is by many to stick the boot into them( and they often invite it), Glasvegas’ heartbreaking subject matter rings true. This first single from their incoming third album, and new own label, is typically them at their most economic, and further explores spoken word elements. RH
HURRICANE LOVE *** Only Human( Fauna)
Scandinavia seems to be churning out its fair share of credible music at present, although the moniker‘ Scandipop’ is one that hopefully won’ t prove too adhesive.
Questionable genre-defining aside, this is a really lovely little electropop effort with great hooks and an addictive male / female vocal combination leaving a delicate tingly sensation of euphoria. JS
PRINCESS CHELSEA ** We’ re So Lost( Lil Chief)
They actually use the word‘ chanteuse’ in the press release. Princess Chelsea is trying to enter the crowded field of kooky female singer-songwriters who know their way around obtuse settings on their keyboards, esoteric atmospheres and lyrics with‘ meaning’. We’ re So Lost is about the original idea that technology might not be bringing everyone together. SE
THE RAMONA FLOWERS **** Lust And Lies( Distiller)
This wistful piece of electro-indie has had remixes from Joe Goddard and Ladytron, both of which can be heard on the forthcoming EP of the same title. Lust And Lies underpins ambience and a melancholic vocal with a quiet, thumping beat and acoustic loops to give an instantly memorable experience. RH
TRIBAZIK *** Spacetime Collapse( Skyride)
These Londoners play Cardiff every so often and peddle an ambitious mixture of apocalyptic rock( a previous tour supporting Killing Joke feels logical) and forest-dwelling free party sounds. Here, they’ ve secured remixes from Life4land Records’ Ghost, squat techno don Chris Liberator and breakcore grouch Venetian Snares – who, in leaving in some of the original, is unusually respectful. NG
demos
FORSAKEN www. forsakenhc. bandcamp. com
This mob have been going for about 18 months and seem to be doing pretty well for themselves, as evidenced by( or perhaps because of) playing more regularly across England than in their SW locale. I’ d wallowed in pitiful ignorance, until seeing them kick out a set of chuggy crossover metal meets New York hardcore – their repertoire includes Leeway covers, which says nearly all you need to know – in Newport the other day. Then I bought their new three-track tape, which does them ample justice. NG
CONSTRUCTOR www. constructoruk. bandcamp. com
Five gents from Swansea who are touting their second EP here, Constructor want you to be a very modern kind of fan: their Facebook page includes links to follow each on member on multiple social media platforms. Pausing only to note the drummer’ s Instagram handle is‘ drumtillicum’, the three-track MMXIII was recorded, with an agreeable rawness, by Fudge of Exit _ International and switches up throaty vocals, clean singing and semi-metallic riffs that get called‘ post-hardcore’. Kinda incorrectly, but it’ s too late to turn back now. NG
PAUL BLANDFORD www. paulblandford. bandcamp. com
You might know Paul from the Perc nights, which bring an elegant monthly combo of house, techno and breaks to Newport. You may even know his work in duo The Omega Men, or his digital label Death Proof. This new track, Do What You Want, is him making key-heavy deep house under his own name, with a clever conceit: the vocal samples are from several different interpretations of Bobby Caldwell’ s What You Won’ t Do. It’ s very wistful and sunsetty, and I’ d care for more. NG
THIS MONTH’ S
DVD PICK
10 YEARS 15( High Fliers Films) Films based on high school reunions always tend to be pretty similar. Awkward conversations, old flames are reunited and everyone gets wasted. 10 Years doesn’ t provide anything new to this formula, and the only thing that could potentially save this it is if Channing Tatum got naked, and even then I’ d probably not be that fussed on watching it. ** AB
ACCIDENT PG( Studiocanal) 1960s psychological drama Accident has received a digital makeover, being released on DVD and Blu-ray. A dark story about desire, middleage crises and the secret chaos at the heart of outwardly respectable lives, the film centres on Stephens, a drunken university don and a crash that happens near his home which may not be the accident that it first appears to be. Gripping and psychologically probing. *** ED
BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD 12( Studio Canal) A unique and enchanting parable set in an impoverished Louisiana Bayou called Bathtub, we follow Hushpuppy, a six-year-old with only an alcoholic father to call family. When a major storm hits her community she is forced to fight for survival. Surrounded by tragedy and chaos, Hushpuppy creates her own wonderful alternative fantasy land, casting a beautiful light onto an ugly adult world. Magical. **** GH
GREAT CONTINENTAL TRAIN JOURNEYS U( FreemantleMedia) Armed with Bradshaw’ s Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo navigates his way around Europe in gaudy jackets and multicoloured shirts. Whether you love or hate him, who wouldn’ t want to travel across spectacular landscapes – London to Monte Carlo, Berlin to the Rhein or across Switzerland – learning about emperors, kings, industrial revolutions, great artists and Europe pre- and post-war. ***** EC
ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE 15( Studiocanal) Handsome young Mr Sloane lodges with lonely Kath and Ed, her older brother, manipulating their respective flirtation to his own gain. Accused by their father of an old murder, Sloane threatens to live up to his mysterious past. Apparently losing the appeal of the original stage play by Joe Orton, this adaptation of Entertaining Mr Sloane nonetheless conveys the tone of black comedy smartly. **** DC
SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS 15( Momentum Pictures) A screenwriter with an alcohol problem( Colin Farrell) finds himself at the centre of a dog-napping incident involving gun-wielding maniacs, one man’ s passion for his Shih Tzu and another man’ s love of his best friend. A clever, witty film carried by several fine performances, especially Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell. ***** AB
SPIRIT OF‘ 45 E( Dogwoof) Whilst I wasn’ t man enough to watch the six additional hours of interview footage, this fascinating documentary from Ken Loach looks back at some of the biggest political and social changes Britain has ever seen. Raising a lot of pertinent issues relevant to today, this is a smart, contemporary and engaging documentary with an excellent use of archive footage. Worth a watch whatever your political leanings. *** GL
THE PURGE 18( Metrodome) Two women from different eras find salvation in one another in this brutal yet stunning adaptation of Sofia Oksanen’ s award-winning novel. The film is an intriguing combination of contemporary thriller and historical melodrama and switches between the two equally gripping plots with perfect fluidity. This isn’ t one for the weak-stomached, but it will definitely stick in your mind for a long time afterwards. **** RJ
WHITE TIGER 12( Metrodome) White Tiger, an imperious German tank and the scourge of the Russian army, needs to be taken down in the closing months of World War II. Only one man – a legendary but emotionless tank driver who can apparently converse with tanks – is the only one able to do so and the film duly follows his exploits. By no means complex, but an enjoyable watch with enough action to keep you hooked. *** GL
BUZZ 41