What we've been listening to...Treeboy & Arc, Avalanche Party, Cowboyy, Moreish Idols, Eyesore & the Jinx, Saloon Dion, Moonwalks

By Jon Milton

All is well this week in the world of new music. After a long hiatus, three bands have made a welcome return, two young turks have reaffirmed themselves as ones to watch and others continue to deliver the goods.

Eyesore and the Jinx last released new music in October 2020. Their general lack of activity (apart from the odd gig here) suggested that might be it, but no, back they’ve come this week with their new single ‘An Ideas Man’ and what a cracker it is. Produced by Gilla Band’s Daniel Fox it’s the first instalment of a seven-inch single due for release in May.    

There was talk of a Treeboy and Arc album back in 2021 after their Life Preserver EP came out, but nothing other than a bunch of remixes of the EP emerged. That debut album is happening however in July via Clue Records, with lead single ‘Retirement’ just out. They are a quality act of course, further evidenced by this track. 

Completing the trio of welcome returnees this week is Avalanche Party. Having seen them play a few new tunes last year I knew any new material was likely to be good, and that’s certainly the case with ‘Serious Dance Music’. I believe the contemporary terminology for a track like this is ‘a banger’ – two blissful minutes of all out post punk energy. The band mysteriously haven’t posted about this on their socials so there’s no indication of when their second album will land, but I was given the impression that it would be in May. 

Brighton band Cowboyy announced themselves last year with their perky ‘Gmaps’ track, followed at the start of 2023 with the equally bright eyed and bushy tailed ‘Tennis’. Their debut EP ‘Epic, the Movie’ landed on Friday, adding three more tracks in the form of Algorithmic, Plastic and Nothing. The former of these continues the playful theme, poking fun at mullets, playlist algorithms and bands that want to be Black Midi (why would you want to?), while the latter show a more serious side to the band. There’s a lot to this band, and if they can avoid the momentary flashes of Brian May then they are definitely onto something special. This is a very good EP. 

Moreish Idols released their brilliant first EP ‘Float’ last year and have certainly not rested on their laurels since then, with a new track ‘Between these Ears’ following from last month’s equally sublime ‘Nocturnal Creatures’. This is a band that are destined to make wonderful albums, and despite setting an extremely high bar last year, they seem to have improved on Float with these two new tracks. The band’s music is intricately crafted and subtly nuanced and just an absolute joy to listen to.

Other notable releases this week come from Saloon Dion and Moonwalks. Saloon Dion have been releasing a steady stream of impressive tracks with the latest being new single ‘Happiness’. Despite the title it’s not exactly jaunty but it is a top tune. Moonwalks were pretty new on me before their latest track ‘Heavy Tears’ launched, but this is the first track to be released from their third album, due out on Fuzz Club in May and it’s a rather enjoyable introduction to the band.