Flow Machines - I Was Born On Christmas Day

Bursting through the surface of the intangible synth-pop sea in 2008, the mysterious Flow Machines (yet to perform live or even release a press photo of themselves) paired their work ethic to Human League b-side Hard Times and in response were greeted with acclaim from the likes of Time Out and NME.

And it is to the Human League they seem to share musical DNA with again on a playful cover of Saint Etienne's Born On Christmas day. There's that same essence of the male-on-female vocal combo, that same cheekiness and delicate electronic pop joy that could only be British.

The cover feels constructed from the building blocks of Brit-pop, touching in on the feyness of heyday Pulp, coalescing into a worthy addition to the ever growing roster of 'indie' Christmas songs cropping up of late.

I Was Born On Christmas Day is free to download from the band's website: http://music.flowmachines.com/

Flow Machines - I Was Born On Christmas Day by Flow Machines

Starlings - Sirens

Starlings are one of my favourite new bands at the moment and ever since I covered their brilliant debut single Weight In Gold back in Novemeber last year I've been itching to hear more from them. Blasting out of Sheffield like the Human League born-again, they're now back with new track Sirens, and its every bit as epic and punchy as their previous single.

And speaking of the Human League, there's even some Don't You Want Me-esque synths thrown into the mix here plus some almost gothic sounding choral bits - all very atmospheric. And all this driven by a pulsing, dirty bassline that wouldn't sound out of place on Lady Gaga's new single.

Imagine Duran Duran's Girls on Film transposed into the 21st century, given a new lick of paint and with a brand new super-charged engine slapped on. This is exactly the kind of music the British indie scene should be making right now; exciting, innovative catchy records that shine with the passion and energy of the band behind them. Sirens makes it two stellar records in a row for Starlings and personally, I can't wait to hear the album. Keep up the good work lads.

Sirens is released on the 23rd May.

Starlings - Sirens by Sainted PR