Фирма Tough Love

Artist: David West; Artist: Teardrops Label: Tough Love

Ltd 200 copies, coloured vinyl, screen printed plastic sleeves. Having released their second record Sideways, Sometimes in April of this year, CYMBALS return with new track "Like An Animal". Released as part of a four track 12" which features the title song, an instrumental version, and two remixes from Fort Romeau and Maria Minerva respectively, it's the first evidence of the band's pairing with producer Dreamtrak. Bold, brash and perhaps somewhat unexpected, "Like An Animal" is a 9-minute statement of intent that brings to life the band's often stated affinity with house music, while retaining the deft melodicism for which they've been recognised. More at home on the dancefloor than any of their previous releases, "Like An Animal" still remains refreshingly off kilter, the jacking beat embellished by a subtle violin part that few of their peers would think to include. As the music would suggest, CYMBALS have undergone an interesting series of changes since first emerging with their debut album in May 2011. Now a four piece (bassist Luke replaced founding member Sean earlier this year) with a rhythm section both rock solid and inventive, their previous nods to New Order and Yo La Tengo have now forged into a sound that is distinctively their own. They've developed as bands once did but rarely do now, and "Like An Animal" provides an intriguing hint as to where their next album will take them. Record Label: Tough Love Style: Independent

4 track 12" EP (red vinyl), 300 only pressed. Virals is the latest project from Shaun Hencher, last seen fronting the much-loved Dionysian punks, Lovvers. Following the less than dramatic demise of that band, Virals offers a new beginning and see's Shaun predominately writing, playing and recording on his own. And with that new beginning comes a fresh approach to songwriting that takes cues from the sunshine vibe of certain American states yet retaining a suitably English feel. Beginning as a studio-only project in late 2010, Virals began with the main aim to craft songs that stick in the head but don't take themselves too seriously. To date a collection of twenty-plus songs have been stockpiled, and are only now starting to be made available with a series of well-planned releases. The first release arrived in February 2012, a two-track 7" on Sexbeat (Fresh & Onlys, White Fence). Those songs hinted at an uncanny melodicism that is fleshed out on the follow-up, a four-track 12" EP on Tough Love (Weird Dreams, Girls Names, Male Bonding). Opening with "Coming Up With The Sun", a glorious shot of wide-eyed she-loves-me/she-loves-me-not powerpop, Virals offer up an EP that's as infectious as the band name would suggest. Recalling the classic productions of Nick Lowe, Bob Mould's Sugar or even The Go Gos, sharing the same earworm qualities and wreckless abandon Record Label: Tough Love Style: Independent