Best New Bands

As you've probably noticed, I haven't written a blogpost in some while and this is largely due to my recent exams that had taken up the majority of my time. Now that they are over, I can gladly say I can commence once again.

Recently, I've been reading some articles written by Paul Lester who works for the Guardian who essentially writes columns detailing the supposes 'best' bands that are around at the moment on a daily basis. After reviewing a number of these bands, I have to say I wasn't completely convinced by his choices (yet he has stated that he does not always enjoy the music he puts up) and decided to write my version. Of course, not every entry will be as recent as his, but all will have come to the public eye in the last year. So, without further delay, I'll begin with my first 'Best New Band' at the moment.

Ok, so this guy may not have strictly shown up this year ( he released an EP in 2011) but electro artist Holy Other is definitely worth mentioning as his new album 'Held' showcases some of the best talent Britain has to offer this year.

As you can probably tell, this individual is not so keen on showing himself in public, and his sombre and almost distant appearance is reflected in his music. Under the trendy label 'TRI ANGLE', which is home to such acts as 'How To Dress Well' and 'Balam Acab', this artist is exponent of an ever so emerging genre called 'Witch House'. Dark, moody, slow and solemn, this genre is almost attempting to mutate R&B into a ghostly, ethereal and almost apocalyptic genre. With songs such as "Tense Past" and "Held", pensiveness and solitude seem like lifestyles to follow according to Holy Other. Cut-up gothic vocals, sombre synths and powerful yet simplistic beats are what characterise this music. It seems like one of the many attempted heirs to Joy Division's early innovative sound that so many bands have attempted to imitate and or push forward. With Holy Other, it kind of works. Of course, there are no Ian Curtis style lyrics yet sonically, it seems as though Martin Hannett may have been an influence (even if this was a very obscure influence).

The album as a whole seems to reflect an idea of repetitiveness, especially one of pain. Titles such as "In Difference" seem to reflect this mood of emotional exhaustion. The album closes on a potentially the darkest song "Nothing Here" with its bleak title and gothic like pads, the song seems to represent a final defeat for the artist. Even the vocal loops sound like they've been sampled from someone actually in pain (note the female and male vocals) yet half way through the song picks up with dulcet vocals and what sounds like a xylophone that give the song extra life. The listener is unable to tell the concluding mood of the artist but ambiguity is probably exactly what Holy Other was after really.

To conclude, if this is the future of R&B than thank God, hopefully it will rid the world of such artists as Justin Timberlake and R Kelly.