Daytona | Get the Album!

Brooklyn based Daytona is a three-piece surf-pop party. Think of the shores of the Caribe on a calm day; you’re relaxing, toes in the sand, and saluting the sun. The upbeat rhythms, wavy vocals, and heartfelt lyrics are sure to lull your troubles away.

Daytona – The Road
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Daytona/01%20The%20Road.mp3]

Daytona – Honey
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Daytona/03%20Honey.mp3]

Daytona – Old Friend
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Daytona/07%20Old%20Friend.mp3]

Gorgeous Bully

Manchester’s Gorgeous Bully (aka Thomas Crang & gang) throws down with the fuzzy guitar riffs. This music is an absolutely beautiful mess of self-loathing garage pop-grunge rock we wouldn’t mind getting pushed around to.

Their EP Nobody Hates You As Much As You Hate Yourself is out February 17th!

Haim | Buy ‘Days Are Gone’

Ever since Haim dropped their debut EP Forever early in 2012, their buzz has been real. Since then, the hype for the three San Fernando Valley sisters has increased exponentially. I can gladly say they exceeded all expectations with the release of their LP aptly titled Days Are Gone. The trio’s first full length album is a diverse concoction of influences. From indie, soft rock, and pop to RnB and punk, the girls manage to create their own unique sound.

The first three tracks off the album will be familiar to anyone who has gotten to know the band over the years, but that certainly isn’t a bad thing. Standout tracks on the album include ‘The Wire,’ a stadium ready rock song, ‘Days Are Gone’ a modern take on indie disco, the riff heavy ‘My Song 5’, and the RnB influenced ‘Let Me Go’. Overall, the sisters have really outdone themselves with this release. I was lucky enough to catch them live at Treasure Island Festival last week, and wow…they are truly something to witness live. Their energy and stage presence is something you need to be a part of first hand. Haim has nowhere to go but up, and I plan on seeing them topping festivals as a regular in the future.

TRACKLIST

1. Falling
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Haim/Falling.mp3]
2. Forever
3. The Wire
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Haim/The%20Wire.mp3]
4. If I Could Change Your Mind
5. Honey & I
6. Don’t Save Me
7. Days Are Gone
8. My Song 5
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/Haim/My%20Song%205.mp3]
9. Go Slow
10. Let Me Go
11. Running If You Call My Name

Our favorite Sheffield slickers are back with a new album on the way. Arctics’ fifth titled ‘AM’ is set to drop in November. They’ve officially released three singles, including “R U Mine?,” “Do I Wanna Know?” and “Why’d Do You Only Call Me When You’re High?”, so far and it’s sounding awesome, albeit sexually frustrated. Notice they’re all questions? I find it difficult to believe that any of these guys have issues in the romance department, but take a look at the track list and you might begin to believe otherwise. The lyrics from these songs take an abrupt turn away from the enigmatically poetic verses of Humbug and Suck It and See, which might seem like a step backwards to some. They pull if off well, though, with a heavy rock and roll edge. Check out the corresponding videos for “Do I Wanna Know?” and “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

Elephant | Skyscraper for FREE

I’d been pining for music with an unforgettable 50’s sound. After a generous bout of serendipity, Londoners Amelia Rivas and Christian Pinchbeck of Elephant have answered my call. The duo channel bedroom doo wop oh-so-well. Amelia’s wavy vocals backed by Christian’s haunting impressions make for lovers’ rock that is enchanting. Irresistible. They’ve recently released a new 2-side which you can get for free here.

Swoons

SPEAK

SPEAK are Troupe Gammage, Nick Hurt, Joey Delahoussaye, and Jake Stewart. They are an indie synthpop rock ensemble based in our nation’s Live Music Capital: Austin, Texas. With their well-crafted and catchy melodies and contagiously happy vibes, we can only tell that they would put on a great live show. A recent A Capella project of theirs speaks wonders to their musical affinity outside of the realm of indie. Case in point: the Alicia Keys cover provided below. Its absolutely beautiful.

We were first introduced to this band when they covered Daft Punk‘s Digital Love (a C+A+D favourite) about a year ago; they add their happy, pop vibe to the track perfectly. Since then, we hadn’t really kept up with their work – to our own misfortune. Thanks to RAC, we were happily reacquainted when he spotlighted their newest single, Peaks. It is really good – as should be expected of their work. Check out their Soundcloud here and download some free stuff!

SPEAK – Peaks
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/SPEAK/SPEAK_-_Peaks.mp3]

Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You (SPEAK A Capella Cover)
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/SPEAK/05_Alicia_Keys_-_If_I_Ain%27t_Got_You_%28SPEAK_A_Cappella_Cover%29.mp3]

SPEAK – Digital Love
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/Music/SPEAK/01%20Digital%20Love%20%28new%29.mp3]

The Dig | Buy MIDNIGHT FLOWERS

New York quartet The Dig are pretty much anything you’d want out of an indie band: strong instrumentals, occasionally ethereal ambient effects, slightly idiosyncratic vocals, catchy tunes. They are quite simply, a recipe for success, without taking any major risks. Granted, they play it pretty safe but it works. Their 2012 followup album to their 2010 debut is difficult to argue with. Each song is strong in its own unique way and there’s something for everyone. Midnight Flowers has its moments of undeniable hookiness, with 1980s influence (All Tied Up) as well its moments of gentle beauty (Glass Horse). At times they remind me of Vampire Weekend, at times they remind me of Radio Dept. These guys aren’t pushing the envelope; they’re just giving us some more of that stuff that we pretty much always want. Good music. Check it out, folks.

Audio Candy

I Already Forgot Everything You Said
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/THE%20DIG/03%20I%20Already%20Forgot%20Everything%20You%20Said.mp3]

Break the Silence
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/THE%20DIG/07%20Break%20The%20Silence.mp3]

Red Rose In the Cold Winter Ground
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/THE%20DIG/01%20Red%20Rose%20In%20The%20Cold%20Winter%20Ground.mp3]

Glass Horse
[audio:https://controlaltdelight.com/2013/THE%20DIG/10%20Glass%20Horse.mp3]