Fitting snugly alongside the likes of Florence & The Machine, Victoria & Jacob and La Roux; School of Seven Bells’ second album includes some smartly crafted 80′s electro-pop.  Opening with the lead single ‘Windstorm’ (which is reminiscent of Coco Rosie’s ‘Rainbow Warriors’) the tone is set for a sometimes fruitful blend of pop sophistication. This is taken a step further with the superior ‘Dust Devil’, which intertwines thrusting, layered vocals with 1980s drama / danger pop grandeur. ‘ILU‘ follows, with all the hallmarks of a classic pop single. Both sweet and melancholy, this is very respectable stuff and is among the real highlights of ‘Disconnect From Desire’. School Of Seven Bells seem to have tapped into a section of the late 80′s / early 90′s, with ‘Heart is Strange’, the excellent ‘Dial’ and the rather unfortunately titled ‘Babelonia’ . The flat, haunting harmonies of the twins also work especially well on the minimalist, David Bowie Scary Monsters-phase ‘Camarilla’. When peaking, classic acts like St. Etienne or The Cocteau Twins come to mind. But less inventive than, say, the Fever Ray debut of last year, it’s the over-reliance on Stock, Aitken & Waterman style drum machine and 80′s lacquer that is keeping School Of Seven Bells downstream.

School of Seven Bells are set to release their new single ‘Windstorm’ on the 19th July. This is the first single taken from forthcoming second album ‘Disconnect From Desire’, available on the 12th July via Full Time Hobby. The B-side is a blinding remix of ‘Windstorm’ by noisy New Yorkers A Place Bury To Strangers. The drum heavy version transforms the track into a fuzzy mass of guitar, battling against a propulsive bassline.

School Of Seven Bells will be in the UK for a tour next month, calling at The Scala on 20th July as well as a very special and limited capacity show for Pure Groove at The Drop in Stoke Newington on the 8th July.

Blissed-out album opener ‘Windstorm’ has an instantly addictive melody backed by the Bells signature atmospheric layering of ghostly electronics and Alejandra and Claudia Deheza’s bewitching harmonies. Beginning with a screeching electronic chant, it marks out fresh terrain and one of the main messages of ‘Disconnect From Desire’, the feeling of waking up and shaking off routine, blowing out the cobwebs and dealing with change; “when the fire’s burning from sky to ground / swing my weight around / begin the windstorm”.

‘Disconnect from Desire’ follows on from their majestic debut ‘Alpinisms’, which was released to huge acclaim last year, with Mojo naming them one of their top nine new bands for 2009 (as well as a Mojo Honours nomination for ‘Breakthrough Act’). ‘Alpinisms’ also hit many albums of the year lists, including the NME who called it “pop music of the future”. The band have toured extensively since, supporting the likes of Bat For Lashes and White Lies as well as appearances at ATP including the My Bloody Valentine curated event last December.

UK Dates:

Wed 7th July Brighton Resident Records in-store

Thu 8th July London Pure Groove at The Drop, Stoke Newington

Sat 17th July Latitude Festival £65-£165 www.latitudefestival.co.uk
Sun 18th July Bristol Thekla £9.50 www.seetickets.com
Mon 19th July Manchester Ruby Lounge £9.50 www.seetickets.com
Tues 20th July London Scala £12.50 www.seetickets.com

OBELISK ARENA

~ John Grant ~

THE WORD ARENA

~ Angus & Julia Stone ~ Frightened Rabbit ~ Villagers ~

~ School Of Seven Bells ~ Rox ~

SUNRISE ARENA

~ Lissie ~ These New Puritans ~

Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5th Edition on 15-18th July 2010 set in the beautiful countryside of Henham Park Estate on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast.

The eclectic Latitude Festival continues to hold its position as a strident and unique summer event with a bill that defies the traditional. Upon the backdrop of the incomparable Suffolk countryside, Latitude incorporates the very best of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, art, fashion and cabaret for a memorable weekend of bliss and adventure as well as inspiration and education. Four music arenas are to host a tantalising blend of musical talent from new bands, rising stars and a global outlook, whilst the arts programme spills over into  thirteen arenas and areas providing something for everyone – no matter what you’re looking for, you’re bound to find it;  once again making Latitude the finest destination for your summer.

~ OBELISK ARENA ~

The Obelisk Arena is the focal point for many of Latitude’s most memorable performances and with a line up that boasts some superb acts, this year will be no different. Heading the bill are Florence + the Machine, Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend while the likes of Empire of the Sun, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Laura Marling, The Temper Trap, Hockey, Frank Turner and The Strange Boys provide an impressive array of talent. Joining this incredible line-up is:

As the frontman of mid-nineties US alt rock band The Czars, who were one of Bella Union’s first signings, John Grant made a name for himself. As a result, after their disbandment, John Grant has played in bands such as Midlake and The Flaming Lips. He recently released his debut album ‘Queen of Denmark’, recorded with his sometime bandmates Midlake, who were happy to return the musical favour. The album contains a lush landscape of acoustic instruments which boasts John’s striking voice blended with haunting falsetto, another tantalising prospect for Latitude.

~ THE WORD ARENA ~

Under the large canopy that comprises The Word Arena will be an amazing set of alternative artists crossing genre boundaries seamlessly where you’ll discover a host of fresh and exciting acts from across the spectrum. With The National, The xx and Grizzly Bear adorning the top of the bill and Richard Hawley, The Feeling, The Coral, Kristin Hersh and Black Mountain spread across the weekend, it’ll be hard to tear yourself away. Just added:

Australian siblings Angus & Julia Stone are returning to our shores clutching their second full-length album ‘Down The Way’. Their whimsical, folk-addled strains and elegant harmonising have spurred them to number one in their native homeland, while their support of Martha Wainwright in Europe has honed their live performance making them a definite highlight in Latitude’s bill.

Nowhere near as timid as their name suggests, Scottish heroes Frightened Rabbit are currently ensnaring a growing global audience. The critical acclaim garnered by the brutal truthfulness of second album ‘The Midnight Organ Fight’ spurred the band into Biffy Clyro support slots and end of year lists. New album ‘The Winter of Mixed Drinks’ shares a lyrical snap with a rousing anthemic musical direction, meaning they’ve hit the upper half of the US Billboard 200 and continue to grow in stature in the UK, especially in a live capacity. Their deafening singalongs at Latitude will echo resoundingly across the lake and greenery of the festival’s surrounds.

One of Domino’s latest slew of excellent signings, Villagers are a Dublin quartet whose gentile, yet robust strummed musings bring to mind Devendra Banhart and the hugely successful Mumford & Sons. They were placed sixth in The Irish Times ‘50 Best Irish Acts Right Now’ last April, toured with the Tindersticks in March and recently appeared on Later…With Jools Holland. They’re sure to top all of that with their summery set for Latitude.

New York three piece School of Seven Bells will be heading to Latitude festival  bringing with them their gentle guitars and jagged beats; with silky vocals hiding behind grumpy, alien synthesizers they’ll bring insidiously catchy music to The Word Arena on Saturday. Dipping into tracks from their debut album ‘Alpinisms’, they’ll surely take everyone in to the fantasy world of dream-pop and abstract beauty.

Soundtracking Rimmel adverts and signing to the UK’s premier independent label Rough Trade certainly hasn’t done South London singer Rox any harm. Having already toured with Daniel Merriweather and Mark Ronson and highlighted in the BBC Sound of 2010 poll, Roxanne Tatei is in good stead for the release of her debut album before her Latitude performance. With her slinky soul pop capturing the attention of a wide range of music fans, we’d expect a healthy, eager audience for this rising star.

~ SUNRISE ARENA ~

A deliciously unexpected treat awaits within the fragrant woods on the other side of the lake. The Sunrise Arena is host to a splendid foray of new acts and is the place to discover tomorrow’s stars today. Girls, Archie Bronson Outfit and Darwin Deez headline this woodland retreat and joining them are the diverse sounds of First Aid Kit, Jesca Hoop and Egyptian Hip Hop. Adding to this exciting bill is:

All the way from the banks of the Mississippi River, Lissie will be sharing her smokey vocals (which have drawn comparisons to Stevie Nicks and Chrissie Hynde) and her finely etched songs with us.  Fuelled by tequila, tomato juice and a broken heart, her eagerly anticipated debut album ‘Catching A Tiger’ is soon to hit the streets and includes the single ‘In Sleep’ which has stunned critics.

These New Puritans were never going to make things easy for us or them. Second album ‘Hidden’ was written partly on bassoon, with six foot Japanese taiko drums and Foley recording techniques jammed into the recording sessions. Their dark, warped merging of urban music’s samples, beats and rasped vocals, guitar trickery and hitherto unimagined clashes of classical and electronica is a vicious, exceptional force. Returning to Latitude after a year’s absence, TNP will be looking to mesmerise more, bringing them into their unforgiving yet infinitely rewarding vortex.

Elsewhere throughout the weekend, festival goers can enjoy, among many other things: the comedy stylings of Emo Philips, Phill Jupitus & Friends Improv Show and Richard Herring; literary musings  from the ever-popular Robin Ince’s Book Club with Kevin Eldon, Jo Neary, Robyn Hitchcock, Josie Long & Gavin Osborn as well as a playwriting session with Polly Stenham; leftfield poetry from Wendy Cope, John Cooper Clarke and  Eddie Argos; dramatic performances courtesy of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Opera House, Bush Theatre and Sadler’s Wells to name but a few, cabaret performances from Rich Fulcher, Laura Solon and Idiots Of Ants; BAFTA return to the Film & Music Arena with Q&As and discussions, with award-winning director Paul Greengrass already confirmed.

It really is a place like no other; an intimate world away from reality that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be whilst indulging in the spirit of exploration and discovery.