August...A Day Early

Being the purveyors of new music here, I'm ready to give you some essential August releases...in July.

Album wise it's a mixed bag but my album of the month has to be the debut album The XX . It's a dark but pleasing record, full of simple melodies formed around spine tingling 80's indie music chucked in with some 90's R&B for good measure. The girl/boy vocals create a real atmosphere of panic coupled with a state of unease making it not the easiest of listening at times but definitely the most rewarding I've heard of in a long while. Released August 17th, pre-order now

It's a re-issue to coincide with the Mercury's in September but having just seen the video for their new single 'Kiss Of Life' (boy does that singer move around like a sexually charged eel..), Friendly Fires release their self titled debut album again on August 31st. In the office here the boys like beats and the girls love the looks, what isn't there to like? Get it with the new single included plus new remixes and live videos.

Robin Guthrie is best known for his work as Cocteau Twins principal sound designer and he releases his new album 'Carousel' on August 24th. He is currently inspiring a plethora of artists ranging from The Big Pink right through to Antony And The Johnsons. This new release is a real diamond in the rough.

Making tiny ripples in the Atlantic sea is Nite Jewel, releasing her debut album on August 24th also. Ramona Gonzalez has developed her own unique sound with the aid of her multitrack cassette recorder and goodness knows what other instruments she could find in the recording studio that day. Sounding a great crossover mix of indie, funk, disco and soul it's well worth checking out.

Black Lips, smash their way into the 7" run down with 'Drugs'. Fast becoming the nation's favourite rock'n'roll band (long overdue mind) this comes backed with a cover of their previous single 'I'll Be With You', done by none other than The Horrors. Out on August 24th it's fantastic fun I'm sure you'll agree...

New York, New York. That place always come out with a delicious slice of fuzzed out indie and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart are the best example of that this year. Their new single 'Come Saturday' ends the month on August 31st and this transmission so have fun perforating your ear drums with this lot.

Martin