Recommended music: 'Bones' by Son Lux

The new album from Son Lux sees Ryan Lott expanding the band to a trio. Having originally added Ian Chang and Rafiq Bhatia to flesh out his live sound, he soon realised what a great combination they were and how well they worked together creatively, and hence this album is a full collaboration between the three of them.

You can feel the power of three throughout the album - Lott's voice is still the distinctive centrepiece of the tracks, but the sound is broader, more fleshed out. In places surprising (as when the melodic chorus of 'This Time' give way to crashing guitars, or in the offbeat rhythms of 'Undone', or the stroming end of 'White Lies') the record maintains the innate sense of melody and emotion that has characterised all of his releases. And talking of surprises, if you never expected them to have a video featuring a bona fide tv star, then check out the visuals for 'You Don't Know Me' below, featuring Tatiana Maslany from the excellent series Orphan Black.

This feels like the most mature Son Lux record to date, but also points the way to further development and expansion. I can imagine that once they take these new songs back out on the road they'll sound even bigger and better.

You can see Son Lux performing at the Visions Festival in London on August 8th (I'll see you there). In the meantime you can stream and buy the album below.

Recommended music: 'Annabel Dream Reader' by The Wytches

First things first - this is a record that cries out to be played (loudly) on vinyl, which is what I'm doing as I write this. Its swampy, garage-rock pyschedelia harks back to days before the invention of crisp digital files and seems tailor-made for the surface noise of a record (as an added bonus the record is gold vinyl which looks pretty neat as it spins around). Recorded at Liam Watson's famous Toe Rag studios in a short space of time it could well have dropped through a wormhole from the late 60s if not for the faint whiff of Hoxton hipster that somehow seems to accompany this Brighton trio.

Co-produced with ex-Coral member Bill Ryder-Jones the albums is apparently a loose concept album about a breakup. While you can hear tales of woe in the lyrics it's as much the sound of Kristian Bell's voice that tells the story as the words. His Jack White-wine is at times pathetic and at others terrifying as he swings from pleas to screams. Beneath this there's plenty of variation and depth in the music which suggests that the band could turn their hands to pretty much any musical styles they want. Previous single 'Wire Frame Mattress' is one of the stand-out tracks but there's plenty to keep your interest throughout the record, especially the closing pair of 'Crying Clown' and 'Track 13'.

The album is out now on Heavenly Recordings, you can hear a few tracks below. 

Track of the Day: 'Light' by Vökuró

A great find by Fat Cat Records, this track by Warsaw trio Vökuró is just under six minutes of dreamy post-psychedelia. Skilfully matching electronics with more organic sounds, they bring to mind a mix of Goldfrapp and Peaking Lights. The band are currently working on their debut album which is one that I definitely want to hear. You can listen to the track and download it for free here:

Track of the Day: 'Prague' by Blaenavon

The first track to appear from this talented young trio's new release (and only the third track they've put out in total) does nothing to dispel my feelings that are definitely one of the best new acts to appear this year (in case you care my other two favourite new acts in 2013 are Drenge and Cloud). Alternating between moodily quite and powerfully loud, it's a showcase both for the lead singer's vocals and the band's musical prowess.

The Koso EP, from which this is taken, will be out as a 12" on Transgressive records (click here to buy it), but in the meantime you can stream the track below.



If you want to read what I said about Blaenavon when I first tipped them back in January click here.

New band of the day: Blaenavon

Blaenavon (pronounced Bly-Nav-On) are 3 teenagers who hail from Hampshire, rather than their namesake small Welsh town. With none of them older than 17 it's a bit frightening how good they are - mature melodies and arrangements, interesting lyrics and not a cliché in sight.

Their first single 'Into The Night / Denim Patches' will be released on 11th March on Paradyse Records. You can listen to both tracks below (Denim Patches in my favourite) and order the single, which is limited to 250 copies, by clicking here.

Definitely a band to watch put for as 2013 progresses - you can catch them playing live at The Buffalo Bar in London on 21st February.