MUSIC MINUTE

A BIG MUSICAL FEAST FOR YOUR EARS (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-52404381-1', 'auto'); ga('send', 'pageview');

[themusicminute]

BANFI

After stumbling upon Joe Banfi at an intimate gig at the Sebright Arms in London in 2013, we've devoured every single piece of music created by the Northwich singer-guitarist. Joe’s stark,primitive fusion of grunge and folk hits you square in the jaw. And now we’re delighted he’s returned in a new band, Banfi, who formed in East London in 2015. Joe’s standout and signature vocals are enshrined with shimmery, feelgood instrumental. It sounds fresh. So fresh, in fact, that it won’t be long until it lands on the Radio 1 playlist. 

[themusicminute]

BEAR’S DEN

If you love good folk music, you’re going to love Bear’s Den(that is, if you don’t already love them already). The London trio – namely, AndrewDavie, Kev Jones, and Joey Haynes – formed in 2012 and released their debutalbum in October 2014 on Communion records, the label founded in 2006 by Kevin Jones and Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons. You definitely need to give their new single Agape (FYI, pronounced a-ga-pay), released on April 6th, a spin. According to the band it’s a song “about insecurity in a relationship, about never being able to shake that feeling, and how by default that feeling can lead to a relationship’s demise.” It’s pretty fitting that Agape is the Greek word for love, because we ruddy love it.

[themusicminute]

RAG ‘N’ BONE MAN

Rory Graham, aka Rag ‘N’ Bone Man has a voice that will make you stop everything you’ll do to listen. His distinctive brand of soul is fused with hip-hop, rock and blues – the perfect bed for the gravelly tones of his acrobatic vocals. His debut EP Wolves is the perfect illustration of his innovative sound, while his upcoming single Bitter End is all the more deep and brooding.

[themusicminute]

M83 Ft. HAIM

French electronic outfit M83 have joined forces with the sisterly trio HAIM to produce a song called Holes in the Sky, which is featured on the Divergent soundtrack. The girls offer up their vocals to a beautiful soundscape provided by **M83. **In a statement to MTV News, HAIM said "we've been fans of Anthony Gonzales and M83 for a long long time so when he reached out to have us sing on the song we were ecstatic." 

[themusicminute]

MISTY MILLER

Misty Miller has been on the London scene since the age of sixteen, citing Blondie and The Velvet Underground amongst her influences. But, she recently re-emerged, as if from somewhere totally new, with a breathtaking new single Best Friend. It's raw and spell-bounding and above all, real. Listen and weep, friends.

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KNTRLR

Meet KNTRLR, an electronic pop duo based in Oakland and New York. However, in a live setting they transform into a five piece performance act. On February 24, the duo will release their debut album The Great Filter, through Goodnight Records. Check out the track XXX; it's bursting with synths and mesmerising sophistication. 

[themusicminute]

FINE PRINT

Very little is known about the new London producer Fine Print. A cursory google will furnish you with all the information you need about printing and fine print, but nothing about this fresh talent. While Fine Print’s initial offering About You earned industry attention, most notably for its’ delectable saxophone solo, the second arrival is as unanticipated as the first. The track in question, Can’t Lie, is smooth, slick, soulful, sensual… and just about every other good adjective you can find that begins with the letter ‘S.’ If you like minimal electronics, lush layering and controlled funk, you’ll be thirsty for more information too.  

[themusicminute]

WATERSTRIDER

After their early success of the release of free single Redwood and a tiptop cover of Little Dragon’s hit Twice, the time is now for a taster of their debut album Nowhere Now (due out later this year). Well, here it is. The track is called White Light, packed full of soaring falsetto, delicate instrumental and full-on indie rock vibes, it’s a beautiful example of what’s to come from this Oakland five-piece.

[themusicminute]

MARIKA HACKMAN

Marika Hackman is one of London’s most promising and fresh artists and her latest track Animal Fear is a delectable taste of what’s to come. While we bide away the time until her February album release We Sleep At Last, why not soak up the folk infused sounds of this sneak peek? If you’re a fan of Daughter and Lykke Li, there’s about a 98.7% chance you’ll love this.

[themusicminute]

MILKY CHANCE

German duo Milky Chance first orbited onto the radar two years ago with their debut album, but have since not released any new material...until now. Introducing a brand spanking new track for 2015 called Unknown Song. It's rich, melodic, feel-good and as infectious as a yawn on a Monday morning commute, featuring guest vocals from the beautiful voice of Paulina Eisenberg. 

[themusicminute]

RAURY

Atlanta’s alt-everything Raury Tullis has been lauded as a “next big thing” – and he certainly has epic ambitions to match such grand forecasts. In early 2014 the teen singer/rapper/guitarist/producer aired the formidable single God’s Whisper by August, he bestowed an album unto the world entitled Indigo Child, available for free download. Now it's 2015 and Raury has plans to "release the best album of the year." We can't wait.

[themusicminute]

WOLF ALICE

There's so much buzz around new indie band Wolf Alice for 2015, and quite rightly so. The north London based quartet, composed of Ellie Roswell on vocals, Joff Oddie on guitar, Joel Amey on drums and Theo Ellis on bass, have been branded with labels as disparate as folk and grunge. Frontwoman Ellie Rowsell neatly summarised this when she said: "I'm always a fan of bands who never write the same song twice." Whether it's grunge folk, more White Leather than xx, the excitement of where next is what will entice you. 

[themusicminute]

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB

It's been an exceedingly good year for Bombay Bicycle Club and their latest release So Long, See You Tomorrow is yet another manifestation of how the Crouch End born band have dared to venture into diverse and new soundscapes. While their own repertoire is impressive enough, we've also noticed that the band boast an ability to cover many-a-song (and turn it into gold). Here are some of our favourites:

[themusicminute]

LAURA MARLING

Prepare for the best news you may have heard in a long time: the genius that is Laura Marling is back! She recently announced her follow-up to 2013's Once I Was an Eagle. The new LP is called Short Movie, and will be released on March 23. If three months feels too long to wait, then feast your eyes on the animated video for the title track below:

[themusicminute]

ROSIE LOWE

The wonderful Rosie Lowe first came to the music industry's attention after releasing her EP The Right Thing in 2013. The record is home to an exciting new sound; a rich, swirling combination of modern contemporary soul fresh from London via her hometown Devon. It looks like FKA Twigs might have a rival in 2015...Check out Rosie's latest offering Water Came Down released in November 2014 to find out why.

[themusicminute]

PETITE NOIR

Introducing Chess, the lead single from Petite Noir's debut EP The King of Anxiety, which is now on the horizon. The album is the result of the project by Yannick Ilunga, a singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist from South Africa, who previously is known for fronting electronic band Popskarr. It's misty, fresh and just sounds pretty darn cool; a sound testament to the sprawling sound that comprises the 'indie' label now today.

[themusicminute]

NADINE SHAH

The earthy, rich tones of British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah's music have already stirred up comparisons with PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. Her powerful and stark new track Stealing Cars, which boats a sweeping melodrama that makes it timeless.