Recommended music: 'Close To The Glass' by The Notwist

Despite the fact that The Notwist were formed back in 1989, and this is their sixth album, until about a month ago I don't think I'd heard any of their music. If this album is anything to go by then clearly I've made a terrible mistake, as this is exactly the kind of electronic-indie hybrid that I like to listen to.

The track that dragged me into the world of The Notwist was 'Kong', and it's still one of my favourites on the album. It's full of energy, ripping along at a cracking pace with some surprising strings at the end, and reminds me a bit of Grandaddy and some other things that I can't quite put my finger on (but which are all great). Here's the video:



The other tracks range from the full-on electronica of 'Lineri' to the lo-fi acousticness of 'Steppin' In', but whatever they're doing they always doing it really well. The title track, which you can hear below, is a great example of what they can do, mixing crunching electronics with acoustic guitars, crystal-clear vocals and some mournful atmospheric sounds.



Very much an essential purchase, and while you go off to buy this I resolve to go and sift through their back catalogue.

'Close To The Glass' is out now on City Slang Records.

Recommended music: 'Drenge' by Drenge

The debut album from the Loveless brothers has finally arrived, and it's every bit as good as I was hoping for. Given that they're a two-piece drums and guitar outfit comparisons with The White Stripes are inevitable (although these two really are siblings), and the start of opener 'People In Love Make Me Feel Yuck' has more than a passing nod to Jack and Meg's sound. But overall there's more variation on here than you might be expecting - from blues to rock'n'roll, with occasional detours to metal and almost into shoegaze (Let's Pretend), not to mention the Status Quo intro of 'Gun Crazy' there's enough here to suggest Eoin and Rory could have a long career ahead of them as long as they don't go the way of rock's most famous brothers, the Gallaghers. And their cheeky appropriation of the blues classic 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' for break-up song 'I Don't Want To Make Love To You' shows them to be both witty and knowledgeable 

Producer Ross Orton has done a great job, particularly with the drum sound, and the whole thing feels vibrant, fresh and full of youth. The vocals are great too, melodic and rich with the right mixture of energy and insouciance.

I've written about Drenge a couple of times already this year, so check out 'Necromance Is Dead' here and 'Backwaters' here, and listen to 'Face Like A Skull' below. But most of all, buy the album. Buy it now. Yes, right now. Your music collection deserves it.

New music: 'Backwaters' by Drenge

I make no apologies for featuring another track by Drenge on here - for me the Loveless brothers are the most exciting thing happening in British guitar music at the moment. You can keep The Strypes - Drenge have an original and distinctive voice that you need to hear. You can buy the new single 'Backwaters' to day from iTunes.

Track of the Day: 'Necromance Is Dead' by Drenge

Two brothers, two guitars, one drum kit. 102 seconds of vintage rock'n'roll / punkabilly with old school ("My baby") and new skool ("she's taking the piss") lyrics. Two different time signatures. A blistering closing 15 seconds and a lingering sense of pleasure.



Drenge are one of the most exciting bands I've heard for many a year, and if you don't agree you're either deaf or dead (or just a cunt fool). Listen & download above, tour dates below, go see 'em.