EP REVIEW: We Know Not What We Do - Shooting Stansfield

Edinburgh-based 4-piece Shooting Stansfield have been busy recently and are about to hit the scene in a big way with their new EP 'We Know Not What We Do'. 

The 5-track player showcases the band's unique talent for creating melodic, meaningful songs. Drawing on influences from fellow Scottish talent such as Frightened Rabbit and Admiral Fallow, they've managed to create something that'll surely be a hit amongst indie folk fans and industry insiders alike. 

Infectious guitars, strong lyrics and rich layers are littered throughout this EP. The 5 tracks each demand, and stand up to, replay and will no doubt be summer sing-along tunes. The rich melodic sounds show a great talent for making music that will please your audience and stay with them. The stories of the end of the youth make the EP incredibly relatable to their target audience and their talent at putting these stories together through meaningful lyrics, and rich, layered melodies puts them on the very brink of making it big, following those bands who they've drawn their influences from. 

The EP is strong from start to finish, with each track shining as you listen through. However a particular highlight is the first single, 'Greater or Lesser', which showcases the band's ability to masterfully layer all the elements of a strong indie folk track, and has some of the best lyrics on EP. It is rousing, big track with a big early impact on the player and will definitely make a brilliant standalone single for the EP. And it is followed by 'Sign of the Times' which is a folk hit in the making, that means those same bands who have influenced Shooting Stansfield had better watch their backs because they have all it takes to go big.  

'We Know Not What We Do' will be released on June 7th via download and physical CD. It can be purchased via Bandcamp.

The band will be launching the EP at Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh on the same day as the release. It all starts at 7pm, with support from Titus Pullo and Waterday. All details can be found here.

EP REVIEW: Burning Youth - Cherri Fosphate

Ready to make their mark on the Glasgow music scene, Cherri Fosphate release their 'Burning Youth' EP on May 11th via CTN Records.

The 4-track player is a good insight into what the indie-rock band can do. There's danceable tunes aplenty and anthems for the contemporary youth. The EP has the catchy hooks and infectious guitars that will grip listeners from the get-go, and is the key to successful indie-rock. The band have clearly drawn from a lot of influences but manage to make their own unique sound. 

The standout track is 'Wool', which whilst being the shortest of all the tracks on the EP makes the biggest impression and suggests that this band have a bright future ahead of them. It's a toe-tapping and danceable 2 and a half minutes and you can get it free via Soundcloud.

Cherri Fosphate launch 'Burning Youth' on May 11th at Broadcast in Glasgow. Details can be found via the Facebook event.

EP REVIEW: Bring Us Together - Mono Six

One of the many great bands on the A Quiet Night In - mini festival takeover that proved such a success earlier this month, Mono Six opened proceedings at the ABC2 and closed the after-party at Flat 0/1. Unfortunately I missed both performances but have since gotten hold of their debut EP, which is well worth a mention.

Based out of Falkirk, Mono Six are a loud and proud indie rock band who I suspect you will be hearing more of in the not too distant future. Their debut EP 'Bring Us Together' is a 6-track player with which the band make their mark. 

The EP features catchy hooks (particularly in 'We Were Electric' and 'God in Exile'), big guitars and a distinct style, that whilst it has clear influences from rock contemporaries, makes the band stand out in a crowded field. There's an energetic opener in 'Waiting to Fall' that makes an immediate impact on the listener and the two-part finale 'Records and Stories' is a slow builder in Part I displaying a different side of the band, whilst part II picks the pace right back up and closes the EP strongly.

This EP seems to have dropped fairly quietly in the latter part of last year and it's available via iTunes for under a fiver. I highly doubt this band's next release will be so under the radar, definitely ones to watch.

REVIEW: Now That You Are A Dancer - Kid Canaveral

The self-released 'Shouting at Wildlife' was 2010's much acclaimed indie-pop debut album from Fife's Kid Canaveral and now they're back with their sophomore album, 'Now That You Are A Dancer', on Fence Records. 

Not only have the band dodged the dreaded sophomore slump, they've successfully defeated the big boss and achieved victory by producing an album that's stronger and bolder than their debut. 

The 10-track player showcases the songwriting talent of David MacGregor and proves he is one of the best lyricists Scotland currently has to offer. Album closers 'So Sad, So Young' and 'A Compromise' are of particular note for exhibiting the strength in the songwriting that this band have to offer.

There's also a lot to be said for the fact that one of the album's standout tracks is a contribution from fellow band member Kate Lazda, 'Skeletons', which is darker than most KC! tracks and stylistically departed from what we expect from them but still very fitting within their model. If you need proof that KC! are much more than just indie-pop singles then this track will set you straight.

'Now That You Are A Dancer' features the indie-pop goodness we have come to expect from Kid Canaveral in spades whilst also displaying the growth in the band since their self-released debut. It may only be March but we have one of our contenders for Album of the Year.

You can purchase 'Now That You Are A Dancer' via Fence Records on CD and LP. It was released on March 4th 2013.