The Cast Of Cheers – ‘Family’

Dublin’s The Cast Of Cheers aren’t a collective of the disbanded US sitcom Cheers. They’re not even an ensemble of failed actors and actresses having one last stab at exhibitionism. In short, they’re a band, a fine band at that. Rousing, frenetic indie pop is their penchant, and in ‘Family’ it’s a heady slice of audible barrages. For further listening, check out the JAPE remix of said track. 7/10 (AM)

Jessie J – ‘Domino’ (Island)

It feels like Jessie’s wrapped herself up in an American flag and followed the blueprint of Katy Perry. If that’s not pedestrian enough for you, it has all the characteristics of an X-Factor cover in the making. Awful. 2/10 (AM)

No Ceremony///  – ‘Hurt Love’

The mysterious No Ceremony and their new single ‘Hurt Love’ is probably one of the audible highlights of our week. ‘Hurt Love’ is essentially a piano-led track, buffered with heart-wrenching distorted vocals with the frosty harmonies akin Active Child. Arpeggios litter the track rallying you into a vortex of your own  subconscious. Beguiling and ultimately, quite beautiful. 8/10 (AM)

 Young Guns – ‘Bones’ (PIAS Recordings)

Buckinghamshire rock five-piece Young Guns are quickly becoming exactly what their name suggests; adolescents armed with potent weaponry to do some serious damage. Championed by all of rock’s tastemakers, ‘Bones’ justifies why Young Guns have the artillery to blast their way through the bottle-neck of the over saturated half-arsed rock market. 7/10 (AM)

Deaf Club – ‘Sunday/Mirrors’ (White On White)

Shimmering chilled out elicit shoegaze flutters along quite beautifully in this AA single ‘Sunday/Mirrors’. Both equally as reticent as each other – it’s as if they’ve been created in the five piece’s impenetrable bubble of musical tranquillity. 8/10 (AM)

Wild Nothing – ‘Nowehere’ (Captured Tracks)

After the underground success of ‘Gemini’ last year, we took Wild Nothing to our collective bosom and we’ve held them ever since. The rather mawkish Jack Tatum, leads Wild Nothing into a cavernous, spacious void of expansive sounds that border on lo-fi garage with a heavy dose of emotive boy-girl vocals. 9/10 (AM)

The Twang – ‘We’re A Crowd’ (B-Unique Records)

Indie mainstays The Twang seem a little withdrawn on their new single ‘We’re A Crowd’. Gone have the raucous beer-swilling indie chorus’; in a rather tepid, languorous murmur of “this is our town, and we live here”. It’s hard to foresee where the band will go after this? Maybe back to their hometown?  4/10 (AM)

Janice Graham Band – No Money Honey

‘No Money honey’ is the second single from the Janice Graham Band’s (pictured above) mini concept album ‘It’s Not Me’,  due out next week, February 27th. Just like the previous release, ‘No Money Honey’ bodes well for the talents of these young upstarts.

‘No Money Honey’ starts with a shriek of a trumpet that is a call to arms and rides the rulebook of ska classics, it soon mellows into a Northern Soul number. ‘No Money Honey’ is a calculated mix of adrenaline rush beats, waves of reggae, the bounce of ska and urgency of punk.  7/10 (JW)

Lost Souls – 'Brandy (Thinking Of You)'

Boasting the best lyric we’ve heard this week, “She said I was the hardest thing she’d had between her legs”, ‘Brandy’ is the first release this year from Lincoln outfit Lost Souls (main picture).

A sexual and supercharged number, ‘Brandy’ is an electro-indie track with steely dynamics. A track that oozes poise and purpose, Lost Souls are beholders of a very inimitable sound, and through their heavily structured composition, they are, ultimately a very refreshing band to listen to. 7/10 (JW)

Sam Sure & Giacomo – 'Dark Inside'

This is one for those who enjoy bass and deconstructed beats. The heavy atmospherics of ‘Dark inside’ are introspective and built upon a brooding and hypnotizing vocal.

Sam Sure & Giacomo are an unsigned duo, who first caught our attention with their reworking of Lana Del Rey’s ‘Video Games’ but in ‘Dark Inside’ they display a knowledge of sound that will soothe. ‘Dark Inside’ is a mellow dub number with wispy indie vocals, unearthing an underground real gem. 8/10 (JW)

These Reigning Days – 'Changes'

‘Changes’ is the new offering from Devon based outfit These Reigning Days, a band who have only been gigging for a little while, yet they have still mustered support slots with the likes of Metronomy. Former the frontman of The Quails Dan Steer fronts the band and his powerful and impressive striking vocals dominate this melancholic number. Layered with synths and keys, ‘Changes’ is simple yet moving. 6/10 (JW)

The Good The Bad – '023 (Straycat Records)'

'023' is the next track to be taken from The Good The Bad’s sophomore album '018-033'.

The Danish trio’s new track is full of a raw energy and is backed with wild-west fused riffs and a sharp surf-rock edge. It’s as hard a track as they’ve put out and even comes complete with lion’s roaring as their backing vocals. ‘023’ is short and sharp and very roarcus. 7/10 (JW)

This Many Boyfriends – 'Starling' (Angular Recording)

Back in September last year a little track called ‘Young Lovers Go Pop’ got us in a tizzy. It was fresh, soft-core indie-pop/disco that drew inspiration from the likes of The Smiths and Orange Juice, and was reminiscent of The Cribs breakthrough material.

The Leeds five-piece (pictured above) that bought us such a treat are back, and they’re just as good this time round. ‘Starling’ is the next offering from This Many Boyfriends – it’s full of charm, indie-pop riffs and a hook that is extremely catchy. ‘Starling’ is about ornithology and love, and it’s so good, it is our Single of the Week. 9/10

Words by Ash Meikle & Jordan Worland