The Horrors – Changing The Rain

Of all the qualities that made The Horrors’ Skying by far and away one of the best albums of 2011 was just how well it recaptured the sounds of early 80s post-punk. It was like a magical ship-in-a-bottle preserve of past sounds and aesthetics, re-made for a 21^st century audience – and boy did it sound incredible.

New single Changing The Rain captures every aspect of that – from the gloom-soaked, swirling synths and dirge-like guitar of the verses to the sun-burst positivity of the chorus, the song sweeps across an ocean of a soundscape with mind-blowing aptitude. Like The Cure, Joy Division and every other post-punk great compiled into one heady melange of intensity, Changing The Rain is a stunning summary of Skying’s brilliance.

Changing The Rain is released on the 12^th March.

The Horrors debut I Can See Through You video

Switching things up a gear from the sombre, stately Still Life, The Horrors have premiered the video for their post-punk inspired stormer I Can See Through You.

With all manner of psychedelic colour and spacey effects, the White Rabbit directed video makes for a suitability surreal accompaniment to one of the best tracks from the band's Skying album.

The group also took to the esteemed Later With Jools Holland to play the track live - watch the performance here.

New releases round-up - 11th July 2011

The Wanted - Glad You Came

Putting aside all the glorious opportunities for innuendo and euphemism the title of the boy band's latest single presents, it's actually a cracking summer tune. Gloriously dancey and basking in full-on Ibiza vibes, the track carries the group's laddy attitude perfectly; a strong move forward as the band gear up to release their second album.

Download

Nicola Roberts - Beat Of My Drum

With all the hoo-ha about the pro's and con's of On Air/On Sale, it's important to remember that at the heart of the matter, there still lies a song. And in this case, a very good one indeed. This week sees the physical release of Nicola's debut solo single, backed with the wonderfully titled b-side Disco Blisters And A Comedown (sounds like something the Pet Shop Boys or The Smiths would dream up, doesn't it?).

Quirky, brilliant electro, the kind of stuff that us long-time Girls Aloud fans always dreamed Nicola would come up with, it's yet more proof of how she really is the most amazing popstar around at the moment.

Download

The Horrors - Skying

The past decade has been awash with bands trying to recreate the sounds of the 80s - but perhaps none quite so faithfully as The Horrors do on this, their third studio release. Already racking up stellar reviews across the board, many are touting Skying as a real contender for album of the year.

Download