Album: Caroline Weeks – Songs for Edna

Caroline Weeks (multi-instrumentalist from Bat for Lashes) presents her solo debut in tribute to poet Edna St. Vincent. Which for starters may I just say- feels incredibly refreshing. Not to have a ‘self titled’ album with narcissistic tales of a tortured band member previously in the shadows. Caroline has put nine of Edna’s poems to music with a simple backdrop of finger picked guitar loveliness. Simplicity is the running theme here, with only the odd flute and bell making a cameo with her voice and guitar double act. She eases you into her world gently with ‘See where capella with her golden kids’ and takes you on a slow boat ride through Edna’s works.

Album: Mascott – Art Project

Art Project is the third time lucky album for Detroit based group Mascott, with indie veteran Kendal Mead running the show. While she may have been going a while, to date this is her first UK release — and what a cute one it is. The first song, ‘Live Again’ is bringing back the “la la la’s” in a way the Kooks wish they’d thought of. Incredibly upbeat and sunny, it offers a decent sampling of what’s to come.

Album: Matt & Kim – Grand [sampler]

There’s something in the water in Brooklyn that makes it churn out the coolest of cool bands- Grizzly Bear, Vivian Girls, Bear Hands to name but three, with Matt and Kim’s superbly simple and imperfect DIY indie somewhere amongst all those. And this sampler of Matt and Kim’s second album, Grand, is as bare-boned and rough around the edges as you could wish for, or very Brooklyn.