What We’re Listening To is our new column aimed at bringing a small piece of the crazy amount of music that we at The Monograph listen to into your life. Some of it you’ll have heard of, some of it you won’t but WWLT gives us a chance to show our adoration for some of the wonderful music being made outside of our fine city.
You’ll have seen WWTL in issue #2 of our paper (you have got one, right?) where Jon Dodd, Reagan Oates & I gave you a look at our current listening habits, ranging from Otis Redding to Metronomy, and whilst these might have changed (We do literally all listen to music constantly!) the love remains. In this lovely extended pixel-perfect edition of WWLT some of your wonderful contributors have also had their say.
Holly Benfield
Ghost Outfit – Tuesday/ I Want Someone Else 7”
Signed to experimental Manchester-based label, SWAYS, Ghost Outfit are a lo-fi duo of garageland bliss.
Gritty layered samples and distant vocals wrapped around an echo of collapsed drum and rapt guitar,
similar to LA two piece No Age.
Although seemingly eerie as a live band, attired with sheets over their heads,
the band’s lyricism is second to none.
The single is available is a special edition pack complete with white vinyl, cassette, plush toy ghost and download code.
Hayden Brotherton
Algiers – Four Priests EP
This EP presents 5 energetic and melodic songs, which should come as no surprise seeing as
the two gents who make up this bearded northern super-group were each members of Dartz! and The Maple State.
Rich, rhythmic arrangements outstrip any limitations of only having guitar, drums and vocals at their disposal.
A very strong first release, my ears look forward to more from Algiers.
Arcade Fire – Wake Up
I listened to a lot of stuff while on the road in America
but what sticks in my mind is driving down through the great mountain range into Death Valley with ‘Wake Up’ by Arcade Fire,
a truly stunning song to soundtrack our first glimpse into the valley of death!”
Otis Redding - A Change is Gonna Come
Originally written by Sam Cooke, this song exemplifies the sixties civil rights movement.
Listening to Otis Redding’s cover you have one of the most soulful and evocative R & B singers of the time,
singing with emotive, raw and unpolished power.
Metronomy – The English Riviera
It’s the being at the beach…but listening to it from a distance!
It’s catchy, chirpy, ‘lovey dovey,’ jumpy, dreamy, electronicy, Pop-y, synthy; a near infinite amount of words ending in -y.
(yes I might have made some of those words up..)
Corinne & The Look are particularly awesome.
Love Underlined also brings a nice Dubstep inspired sound.
If it doesn’t shower you in summery goodness you should check your speakers.
Jack used to be our Review's Editor & is an All-Round Lover of Music, Jack is known for listening to everything from the Indie to Jazz, Rap to Reggae & Hip-Hop to Math-Rock, to name just a few.
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