With Mark on holiday you have got me bringing you “My Four” this week and we have alt-country, French pop, post-hardcore and the return of a well-known rock act. Never let it be said that we don’t bring you diversity here at Fourculture!
HOUNDMOUTH
Houndmouth release second album Little Neon Limelight today and based on the preview singles so far it could see the Indiana four-piece branch out to a wider audience. Their feelgood alt-country sound draws on 70s Americana with a hint of garage rock. If you are in the mood then there’s a wealth of singalong goodness here from powerful Fleetwood Mac harmonies to soft acoustic ballads. With spring in the air I’ve picked upbeat album opener “Sedona” as a worthy sampler to start things off… http://houndmouth.com/
LOUANE
With ye-ye girl looks and youth on her side, French starlet Louane has the potential to be massive. A recent semi finalist in TVs The Voice (France) the 18-year old has already shone in movie La Famille Belier (earning a César award nomination) but this week sees the international release of her debut album Chambre 12 and this is where we focus our attention. The piano-heavy “Maman” is worth checking out if you are a fan of Coeur de Pirate but here’s “Avenir” which is a poppier number falling on the spectrum between Keren Ann and Joss Stone. http://www.louaneofficiel.com/
DEPENDENCE
A slight change in style here with the Californian band Dependence. This song has elements of post-hardcore and emo, which are clear immediately from the vocals of Tyler Isch. They have recently signed with InVogue records which has seen them gain a lot of interest. Their debut album is out in May but they have released a video for first single “Never In The Cards” which sees chaotic shades of light and dark held perfectly together by some impressive drumming. https://www.facebook.com/dependenceband
MODEST MOUSE
I imagine Modest Mouse need no introduction. The six-piece return after a gap of nearly eight years with Strangers to Ourselves, a double album with plenty of variety but unmistakably Modest Mouse. I could have chosen a more instant, commercial song but downbeat, sharp album closer “Of course we know” seems an appropriate end for this week’s My Four having the weird mix of grit and delicacy synonymous with the likes of Grizzly Bear or The National. http://www.modestmouse.com/
So there you go, a nice mix of new sounds to delve in and out of to suit your mood, whether you want to jump around the room like a Fraggle on speed, or just sit looking wistfully out of a window. Any complaints please mark the envelope ‘FAO Mark Sharpley’ and he will answer them on his return. Thanks.
