What we've been listening to this week - Mush, Dead Sea Apes, the Blinders and more

Links to music in blue

Post-punk, indie and a little bit of psych-rock have dominated proceedings this week. The first new single to catch the ear was Itch/Scratch by Human Pet, which reminds me of Adam and the Ants in their early days (including the Red Indian chants in the background). Next up was Presenteeism by Public Body, another song which feels like its sprung from the influence of late 70s post punk, but this time in the Gang of Four mould. I’ve been caning both tracks, they’re wonderful stuff. Out at the start of the week was the new single by one of our ones to watch for 2020, Working Men’s Club. White Rooms and People is not quite at the same level as Teeth but it’s still a good tune nevertheless, reminiscent of the Human League, but in a good way. ​

The big news of the week came on Thursday when the Blinders released the lead single from their new album Circle Song. I saw the band play in April last year and wondered if they could evolve their music from what was that hugely impressive debut album Columbia, and thankfully from what I’ve heard in Circle Song I think the answer appears to be yes. Circle Song is like a cross between ‘Rock and Roll Suicide’ and ‘Drive in Saturday’, and Bowie even gets a mention in the lyrics. I was so impressed I pre-ordered their album on gold vinyl and exclusive art print etc from those good people at Blood Records, which is where you can also get hold of Sheafs debut EP. The band have a few low-key gigs lined up in May. 

On the album front, the debut from Leeds band Mush came out on Friday, and its pretty good. There are shades of the Velvet Underground, Captain Beefheart and the Fall across the 12-track album and lots of politically charged themes – Poverty Pornography, Gig Economy, Island Mentality for example. The vocals are not everyone’s cup of tea, liked a hopped-up Lou Reed but there’s some great playing in there, particularly on tracks like Revising my Fee. 

Outside of indie and post punk, the new album by Dead Sea Apes got a few plays. Recorded live in the rehearsal room last December, Night Lands is comprised of three improvised dirges, long mesmeric, repetitive tracks that build into a crescendo, and ultimately rewarding you for staying to listen to them in their entirety. As with all long pieces of music in these fast-moving times, the album is not the easiest listen in the world and does require patience, however if you fancy zoning out from the world then it’s worth listening through in its entirety. Night Lands is released on Cardinal Fuzz records and you can listen to the album on its entirety here or buy it here.

Also within the world of psych-rock we should have a review of the new Slift album (which is released on the 28th February) to share next week.