Madeline
Madeline Adams is another young singer with gobs more talent than I’ll ever have and she wields her skills without using over simplified cliche lyrical confessions. Miss Adams has clearly studied the greats and adopted their surefooted vocals while covering some more modern subject matter. While she may not be reinventing the genre she is extending it’s relevance with fine form. She’ll be opening for Elf Power on their European tour which sounds like a pretty fantastic bill.
[MP3] White Flag
Trophy Wife
This band is a lot of fun. The Oxford trio has a very careful sound pieced together to create full soundscapes that still manage to be playful. Their vocals spread neatly over their simple arrangements – clean percussion and synths giving pluck to uncomplicated guitar and bass lines- in the way that melds the music into a whole. I’m particularly fond of this acustic version of their hit “Microlite.”
[MP3] Microlite (acoustic)
Youth Sounds
There is something dreamy but luscious about Youth Sounds’ lead vocals that belies their ability to crank out a solid rock line. The four piece from New Orleans have a very subtle way of working their way into your head. It took me a few times passing through their new EP The Bit Parts before I realized I was unconsciously humming the chorus from “Smoke & Mirrors” during my bike ride to work. They have a far amount of room to grow but given the chance and the support I have now doubt their sound could one day be epic. For now it’s easily consumable and very nicely presented.
[MP3] As Strangers Would