Stream: A Hunger Artist - Girls Names

Belfast band Girls Names have just unleashed new track A Hunger Artist and it's a belter. Talent borrows, genius steals and Girls Names steal from the best - there is a lot of Joy Division / New Order here but they weave it through a grungy wave of sonic disharmony, taking the drunk sounding vocal style of post-Roxy Eno.

A Hunger Artist is taken from forthcoming album Arms Around A Vision, due on 2 October through Tough Love Records. You can see the band live in London at the 100 Club on 19 October.

EP Review: Chasing Paper / Beautiful Things - Blacksmif

Chasing Paper / Beautiful Things is the latest release from producer Blacksmif, real name Yemi.

Blacksmif's music is the result of a youth spent growing up in South London surrounded my a melting pot of music - from jazz, R&B and gospel initially through to garage, drum & bass and dubstep in his teens. Having previously focused on a producer role, on Chasing Paper and Beautiful Things Blacksmif provides vocals for the first time. 

Both songs are surprisingly heartfelt. Chasing Paper is a collage of warm US House and IDM inspired sounds. A soft drum beat propels the track whilst layered synths create a warm duvet of sound. Blacksmif's vocals are delicately and honestly delivered, creating a dreamy soundscape. 

Beautiful Things is more angular in feel. Slow dubstep-style rhythms punctuate the track as steel drums and oversized synth patterns create a contrasting sense of the clinical and organic. 

Blacksmif has lots of talent on show on this focused release and it sounds like we can expect more in the coming months.

Chasing Paper / Beautiful Things is released through Shining Path on 13 July. Listen to Chasing Paper below:

Stream: Away From Me - Chinah

Away From Me is the glistening debut track from Danish three-piece 

Chinah are Danish three-piece Fine, Simon & Simon and Away From Me is their debut release. It's a glistening sophisticated R&B track that comes straight from the band's bedrooms in Nørrebro, Copenhagen - impressive given just how polished this feels.

Look out for more - Chinah will be releasing their music through Denmark's No. 3 label. You can also catch them live when they play New Shapes at The Notting Hill Arts Club in London on 2 September 2015.

Stream: Can We Work It Out - Gordi

Gordi won fans back in late-2014 with her debut release Nothing's As It Seems and then the follow-up Taken Blame (covered here earlier this year). The Sydney artist is back with what in my view is her best track yet - the more electronic sounding Can We Work It Out. 

To me this song is like the kind of break-up to make-up that makes two people stronger. Sometimes life doesn't hold any punches, and the best things take a little work. The people that are worth all that effort will have your back and will be there when you need them - and it is important to pay that forward and try and give something back.

I love this track so much - so consider this me paying this one forward. I hope you enjoy it!

Stream: Future Visions EP - Favela

Leeds producer Favela managed to rack up over a million plays of his track Gong back in 2014. Having now finished his dissertation he is back with a full EP, set for release on Transgressive Records imprint paradYse.

The Future Visions EP is full of dream-like whimsy and gorgeous melodies. Favela's vocals are wistful whilst his productions strike the balance of sounding cautiously optimistic... I love everything about this EP. Gorgeous, and streaming in full on Soundcloud at the moment.