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Official Secrets Act

Recommended Album:

The Gaslight Anthem ‘The 59 Sounds’ (Side One Dummy)

The Gaslight Anthem’s awesome second record flies off the back of bands such as Okkervil River and the post Sam’s Town Killers sound. It’s the gloss of Bruce Springsteen, made with a Britpop soul and retro garage guitars. From opener ‘Great Expectations’, rattling though Americana imagery of New Jersey, the stars and sneakers, into ‘Miles Davis and the Cool’, when this band sing about cigarettes and alcohol I believe them, where as Mr. Flowers and co have left all credibility on the other side of ‘Read My Mind’. Key tune and album namesake, ’59 Sounds’, is a broad pop song with enough of the Boss to excite, but not enough depth to compete if truth be told. The record is, sadly, just another well intended homage, but pleasingly written and recorded as a classic rock album. You can’t go far wrong with music like this; its quintessence lies in its heart, and for that, we’re in.

Recommended Track:

The Last Shadow Puppets ‘My Mistakes Were Made For You’ (Domino)

It’s easy to dismiss The Last Shadow Puppets as an Alex Turner side-project that borders on momentary fad, but with music quality of this stature, it’s unlikely the venture will be discarded any time soon. This track is a low-fi, very 60’s Bond-esque guitar song with a bounty of Turners lyrical wit, splayed over his more echoingly charming vocals. It is all a bit self-indulgent, we know this, but it’s good. Really good, quality music from a quality UK act.

Recommended Band:

Official Secrets Act

Having released one of THE indie singles of the year through Weekender Records, this bunch have recently signed their lives over One Little Indian and loot set to discharge a plethora of new songs just as snappy as this springs ‘Victoria’. Songs like ‘Girl from the BBC’ show frontman Tom’s almost Roy Orbison like vocals, while the band play retro 80’s pop that doesn’t in the least bit sound like it’s from the 80’s. Confused? You should be. OSA are the kind of band who are going to turn around and make the best songs of our generation, and while it’s early doors just now, their style being a bit casual and songs being almost accidental, we don’t doubt that tracks like ‘So Tomorrow’ will be spun on wax a million times while they distill the formula.

Easily one of the most exciting new bands in London, signing to One Little Indian will hopefully be the turning point. Revered by our friends at Rockfeedback, and adored by the live scene, they’re touring in December across the UK to hopefully a throng of open-minded pop fans. Check out ‘Victoria’ and ‘Girl from the BBC’ and tell us you don’t love them. Really, go and do it now. We’ll wait.