Hotcakes are proudly introducing a new feature this month. It is called Baker’s Dozen, in which we will be revealing the 13 tracks that have hit us hardest over the past month. Feast your ears on our most loved tracks over June.
YACHT – Dystopia
This is pretty much what we have come to expect from a band with such a distinct style, with added anger. This album, lead by this hectic track, has very unexpectedly propelled itself into contention for a high position at the end of the year.
Kasabian – Switchblade Smiles
Kasabian have done well across their career to distance themselves from the swamp of generic guitar rock that is out there, with constant experimenting with other avenues. Switchblade Smiles is new proof of more of that. Can we expect more synth-heavy tunes in the upcoming album?
Zomby – Natalie’s Song
This one’s been in the background playing consistently through this month. Slowly burning, its a moody track that belies its title. It sounds like it should be a love song about a girl, but there’s nothing romantic about this beast.
Stream it over at Feel My Bicep
Wild Beasts – Loop the Loop
Being in the unenviable position of clashing with Big Boi, Chemical Brothers and Coldplay, Wild Beasts have some tough competition for Glastonbury. But it is tracks like this that give them hope. Released this month on a free download, it captures the whole album, with a simmering and edgy composition matched brilliantly by frontman Hayden Thorpe’s vocals.
The Horrors – Still Life
The Horrors’ first album was not well received. Their second album was a nominee for the Mercury Prize. That is quite a leap in acclaim. So the question now is, will they go off form again with Skying? From the sounds of it, no. ‘Still Life’ is brimming with confidence and grandeur from a band who are hitting full speed.
Jamie XX – Far Nearer
Finally unleashed in full quality, this track has been leaving people in awe since it first hit the airwaves back in September 2010. With the sampling issues with Janet Jackson out the way, we can now hear the wonderful steel drums the way they were meant to be heard. The man’s talents know no bounds.
Art Department – Much Too Much
This mellow track is dominated by such a sweet rolling bassline. The Canadian duo are right up your street if you like your 8 minute slow cooking house tracks.
Digitalism – Reeperbahn
An excellent track on a relatively disappointing album by Digitalism’s standards. At times in the album they just sound too much like Delphic, which is not what we want. But this bass heavy track hits home.
Gold Panda – MPB
Fresh off the press, this one. Gold Panda unleashed this new track just a couple of days ago, showing that he’s been keeping pretty busy since the release of Lucky Shiner last year. It’s a typically glitchy track from the London guy, which does not disappoint.
Bon Iver – I Can’t Make You Love Me (Bonnie Raitt Cover)
Not satisfied with ten brilliant songs on his new self-titled album, Justin Vernon has made a studio version of his much loved version of Bonnie Raitt’s song. Stripped down to just a piano and his stunning voice, it is simply fantastic. He’s releasing it as a B-Side to ‘Calgary’ too.
The Antlers – I Don’t Want Love
This song gives listeners an immediate relief that The Antlers have the capacity to live up to their brilliant previous album. The song kicks off Burst Apart with such a delicious snare drum and follows it with some of the best vocals in the indie world right now. My god, Peter Silberman can sing.
Oh Minnows – You’ll Never Know Us
This track explodes into life the moment you press play, pumping out a steady drum beat and synths reminiscent of the likes of Wild Nothing. Oh Minnows have got an album coming out in late July, very exciting news!
Gang Gang Dance – Glass Jar
We have not had a track that so heavily rewards patience since LCD Soundsystem’s ‘Dance Yrself Clean’. This 11 minute belter saves its drums until 4 minutes in and does not fully kick in until the 6 minute mark.
