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Metronomy and The Kills among best of this week's singles and downloads

Source: The List (Issue 682)
Date: 29 June 2011 (updated 22 Jul 2011)
Written by: Lauren Mayberry

Metronomy and The Kills among best of this week's singles and downloads

Wu Lyf's Dirt take Single of the Week

Glasvegas, right – they’re not for everyone. But The List don’t believe in hatin’ on your neighbours, so gave ‘Shine Like Stars’ (Sony) ●● a spin. Bummer, though, because the latest single from EUPHORIC /// HEARTBREAK \\\, may be polished synth-tinged indie rock but it’s also lyrically repetitive and structurally predictable. Metronomy, on the other hand, are a treat. ‘The Bay’ (Because Music) ●●●● offers cracking basslines, rippling keys and sunbursts of harmony. Danceable, clever electro with soul. Anna Calvi’s ‘Desire’ (Domino) ●●● is taken from her eponymous debut, showcasing her engaging, melodic and introspective pop.

The Kills’ ‘Future Starts Slow’ (Domino) ●●●● is an edgy belter from the so-hip-it-hurts two-piece; their vocal and guitar style recognisable from the off – as if anyone needed another reason to crown Alison Mosshart the she-captain of effortless cool.

Meanwhile, Mr Scruff’s ‘Wobble Control’ (EMI) ●●● is fun, instrumental Korg beat-banter. Dynamic, sharply crafted and terribly moreish. Elsewhere, Le Reno Amps, Glasgow’s purveryors of ‘aggressive guitar pop’, follow up their recent album with Construction EP (Armellodie Records) ●●●. ‘God Loves A Trier’ is the stand-out track, ragged around the edges but still charming enough.

Special mention to Kid Canaveral and their jangly, summery folk-pop on ‘And Another Thing!!’ (that’s their punctuation, not ours. Fence Records) ●●●. The B-side, featuring Fence’s own King Creosote, is worth a peek too.

Claiming the coveted Single of the Month trophy though is Wu Lyf, who rock The List’s socks the most with ‘Dirt’ (LYF Recordings) ●●●●. Taken from debut record, Go Tell Fire To The Mountains, the Manchunian four-piece add completely incomprehensible cat-calling vocals to lush organs, creating dreamy soundscapes with a mob mentality.