Undoubtedly still topping our lists as one of our favorite finds of the year, the Joy Formidable continue to churn out absolutely spectacular tracks, from their first singles “Austere” and “Cradle” to their followup, the inimitable “Whirring”, and sleeper hits like “The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade” the trio of Londoneers stand poised to mount an impressive assault on the unassuming masses. Recently the band released an excellent new track “Greyhounds in the Slip” featuring Paul Draper which you can find below and more importantly, a new live CD entitled First You Have to Get Mad – best name for a live album ever in our humble opinion. This an absolute must-have which you can nab from here. Pre-order quick and get it bundled with a cool shirt! Definitely worth your cash folks!

In a move that’s sure to attract a whole new legion of fans, London’s the Joy Formidable have chosen album standout “Whirring” from their debut LP A Balloon Called Moaning as their next single, releasing a brand-spanking new video along with a 7″ single. “Whirring” is quite possibly our favorite song of the year so far, so we’re ecstatic to see it get the single treatment. Check out the video below and grab the band’s LP for free on their Myspace right now! Also check out the band’s main site for a banned video of “Austere”. Loving these guys right now.


The Joy Formidable – “Whirring”

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NEW BAND CHEER: RINGFINGER
While surfing the blogosphere may bring up the same results day after day, once in a blue moon one stumbles across something wholly unique and brilliant, as was the case with today’s discovery of the inimitable Ringfinger, a blazingly original solo effort from Tracy Wilson, formerly of Dahlia Seed (just pretend you’re cool enough to remember those guys). With a sound best described as ‘dream-doom’, Ringfinger combines haunting, sometimes droney, sometimes electronic textures with Wilson’s enigmatic whispers, creating a shoegaze-meets-fuzztronica sounds that defies definition except for one: mesmerizing. This is definitely the soundtrack to the most apocalyptic, philosophical horror movie of your most bizarre nightmares, equal parts thoughtful and mystifying while simultaneously blood-soaked and raging, a current of fright and wonder bubbling just below the surface. Featuring guest musicians from Cave In, Isis, Film School, and even Sunn 0))), Ringfinger’s debut Decimal is an album of mind-benders ten years in the making, a monumental undertaking and a powerful album the likes of which indie-rock lovers the world over wish they could stumble upon all the time. Feels like the death of the whole world and the birth of a new one at the same time. Highly recommended, be prepared to catch this act as they head on tour in May for the first time. Wear earplugs.

Ringfinger – “Waving Goodbye”
Ringfinger – “Landing Strip”

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YEAH YEAH YEAHS TO PLAY SNL

Yes (yes yes!), according to all the sources, our favorite NYC art-rockers the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be featured as the musical guest on this weekend’s edition of Saturday Night Live. Not that the band needs any further assurance that It’s Blitz! is one of the best releases of the year (other than our Cannibal Cheerleader bloody seal of approval that is), but being on SNL is still a big deal, even years after the show stopped being funny. We’re waiting with bated breath to see the videos this weekend of “Zero” and another single (possibly “Heads Will Roll”? maybe “Hysteric”?) so keep your Firefox window opened to Cannibal Cheerleader for all the latest. In the meantime check out the final edition of the Snakesweat Trilogy as featured on the YYY’s YouTube page below:

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