New Reviews - April 3rd

The Maccabees – Given To The Wild

They have taken somewhat of a different direction with Given To The Wild, but The Maccabees are producing a solid softer indie guitar sound here. The album gets off to a gentle start, both Child and Feel The Follow start softly before getting going into an almost big band orchestral type sound, which is a theme followed throughout the album. At times the music almost feels like it should kick off more than it should, and for me two of the better tracks are the ones that are a little more rocking, Pelican and Unknown. That said this is an album with a good sound (plucking guitars, piano, trumpets) and many building tunes, and fans of Young The Giant style music will most like appreciate this.

Sounds like: Young The Giant, Temper Trap, a little Doves at times

Top tracks: Feel To Follow, Ayla, Pelican, Unknown

7 / 10

The Big Pink – Future This

More electro / indie guitar stuff from The Big Pink. They generally create a good sound and there are some very strong songs on Future This, but at times it is somewhat annoying due to the repetitiveness of some tracks. The album gets better as it goes along and for me the standout tracks on the album are a long way above the others, which are decent for the most part but forgettable at times. This will appeal to many as the singles are undoubtedly strong, and the band certainly have enough about them to make them worth watching live, but this is not the follow up many were hoping for.

Sounds like: Kind of like a slightly annoying version of Kasabian

Top tracks: Jump Music, Stay Gold, Lose Your Mind

6.5 / 10

Django Django - Django Django

This is a new band with a real interesting sound, twanging electro country is about the best way to summarise it. It is chanty, catchy, dancy, foot tapping, and bordering on ridiculous at times. After a steady introduction the album gets off to a huge start with Hail Bop and Default, which are probably the best tracks on the album. Django Django is entertaining throughout, there is a continuous solid beat and at times they really sound a lot like Hot Chip, particularly during instrumental parts of songs (and especially ‘Zumm Zumm’). With barely a dull moment this is a good effort, and I’m massively intrigued by what kind of live show they would put on.

Sounds Like: Hot Chip, Neon Indian

Top Tracks: Default, Hail Bop, Wor

7 / 10