Still Corners / The New Lines

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5...according to our Mike on Tue 02 Aug, 2011.

Here we have the latest from the hottest new things in the new-'60s scene. It's a transatlantic split between Still Corners, an English hype band, and The New Lines, an American band I've never heard of. Both offer pleasant excursions into psychedelic pop territory. I think that on first impressions I'm probably enjoying the New Lines side the best. It's got a real B-movie soundtrack feel to it, with a really sparse, thin guitar sound. It's all held together by bass, drums and hammond organ, really. If my ears aren't deceiving me there's also a short trumpet solo. It's really true to the '60s pastoral freak folk aesthetic, I think, and the vocals are quite monotonous which gives it a slight Velvet Undergroundy edge. There's some cool cascading dual guitars at the end as well. A brilliantly constructed track. Flip it (and change the speed!) and the Still Corners one is a cool, breathy little groover with Spector-influenced production and girl band harmonies. Phil wants me to point out that it was previously on their 'Remember Pepper' CD EP. I think he just wants to show off that he's known about them since way back when. It's a lovely little song, actually. Took me a couple of listens to really warm to it but it's superbly put together and there's some really sweet little momentary touches - some kind of wild synth sweeps in the chorus, and I could swear there's some little string flourishes, but maybe those are done on keys, too. Both nice songs here, anyway.

it's debatable if a finer 45 has been released this year so far than this little beauty! utterly stunning new 45 on the GPS from the best new band in the UK - still corners (according to The Guardian) and the best new band in America (according to the GPS!) the new lines.

the last still corners GPS 7" "don't fall in love" came and went in the blink of an eye and has become something of an eBay staple for the unscrupulous wax dealer since, despite repressing. partially leading to the band signing to Sub Pop, where a debut LP and 45 follow shortly. this tune has long been a live favourite and opens their formidable pre 7" CDEP from 2 or 3 years back. "history of love" appears on wax for a first time - following repeated requests to both band and label. beguiling, stylish film noir pop that although maybe tips it's hat in places to the likes of broadcast or the united states of america, equally stands alone just now with a sound uniquely of it's own.

the new lines debut here in the UK, with the mighty "off axis". a taster to the incredible debut LP on the great pop supplement up soon. a magical track, born from the same filmic, 60s themed roots as the still corners. think lothar and the hand people, the US of A, even the zombies, perhaps. subtle electronics, hammonds, killer mystique filled vocals - speaking bluntly, this one is just ridiculously good - and brace yourselves, the album's even better...

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