Tuned In: Album Reviews

Swimming – Ecstatics International - 7 November – Tummy Tuch Records
Perhaps the most exciting band to come out of Nottingham in many a year, Swimming, on the back of a critically acclaimed first album Fireflow Trade, in 2009, are bringing out their much anticipated follow-up album Ecstatics International. Funnily enough, Swimming met in a swimming pool, they then get out of the pool and began a brainstorming tornado throwing ideas around that would later define their own sound. It is hard to pinpoint what category of musical flavour they fall under, but don’t be fooled, this is what’s so original about the band, seamlessly brushing through genres like a knife through soft butter.

The five-piece band deliver wonderful melodies in an almost MGMT like tone of vocal with clever electronic guitar interventions as well as holding hands with sumptuous space-rock movement in a progressive style. And just when you think you’ve pinned brainchild, vocalist and frontman John Sampson down, you’re reminded that the band deals many more textures and depths in later tracks such as ‘Classic 1001 Dreams’ and ‘Team Jetstream’. Can I sense a bit of post-rock/hip-hop somewhere too? London Confidential thinks you should definitely try and find out.

Brian Eno – Panic of Looking – 7 November – Warp Records
When a musician and a poet collaborate to make music then you never quite know what to expect. But every so often it can work, Brian Eno’s partnership with poet Rick Holland is a conceptual six track EP exploiting how atmospheric and ambient sound can work with poetry. Don’t expect any fireworks on this record, best to sit yourself down in a quiet room and see what yourself can extract from a positively bizarre passage of work.

Four Year strong – In Some Way Shape or Form - 7 November – Island Records
Despite being reduced to four, Four Year Strong certainly are exactly what they say they are, strong. The massachusetts outfit’s live gigs have gained a reputation for dazzling crowds with their energy driven hard rock. They’re on demand at gigs all over the world and even caught the attention of Fallout Boys’ Pete Wentz. Their new album is an illustration of just how far they have come.

Photo credit: Kate Berry

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