Riffed

Our Single Of The Week for this week is an old-yet new single from Arcade Fire, as 'Normal Person' is this weeks Single Of The Week. 

'Normal Person' is the fifth track on Arcade Fire's latest album 'Reflektor', of which was released a year ago. But following 'We Exist', 'Normal Person' is the latest track to be taken from 'Reflektor' and released as a single. Beginning with immense feedback, followed by an apology from lead singer Win Butler before he questions, "Do you like rock and roll music? Because I don't know if I do" and begins to sing the verse, which soon explodes in to a riotous chorus, which later explodes even further, as Win screams "If that's what's normal now, I don't wanna know". 'Normal Person' sends you into a subconcious head-banging state,  an extremely powerful track but yet possesses a kind of carnival atmosphere. It probably explains why Regine and the bongo players wave multi-coloured garments around whilst repeatedly jumping up and down throughout the chorus when the band perform it. 

Arcade Fire are a band that contionously keeps on giving. During each track of theirs, there is a part that forever progresses until it explodes into a grandstand finish and 'Normal Person' is a prime example of this. Although Win states within it, "When they get excited, they try to hide it", there is simply no hiding it whilst listening to 'Normal Person'. 

RIFFED's Rating: 9/10 

Listen to 'Normal Person' via Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqeAsmNLja0

And

Purchase Arcade Fire's latest album 'Reflektor', including 'Normal Person', via the link: http://arcadefire.com/reflektorpreorder/us/

RIFFED x 

Brighton duo Royal Blood released their latest single, 'Figure It Out', last week and it won't come as a surprise to many that it's another powerful and riff fuelled track from Mike and Ben. 

'Figure It Out' is the latest single to be taken from Royal Blood's forthcoming self titled debut album, of which is number one in our top five Albums To Look Forward To This Year, and along with previous releases such as 'Out Of The Black', 'Come On Over' and 'Little Monster', provides solid evidence that 'Royal Blood' will be one heck of an album from the Brighton rockers. It doesn't take much figuring out about 'Figure It Out', a recognisble and catchy chorus and tune, and an ending of which makes you subconciously whip out your air bass guitar and drum kit. 'Figure It Out' has joined the forever growing list of crackers from Royal Blood

RIFFED's Rating: 9/10

Watch Royal Blood perform 'Figure It Out' via Youtube, from their first tour in October of last year at the Fruit in Hull, recorded by RIFFED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAhcz0Ix7cU

And

Listen to 'Figure It Out' via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/royalblooduk/figure-it-out-single

RIFFED x

Synth pop band Pixel Fix last week released their new track 'Lungs', and now this week it's our single of the week. 

Another catchy track from the Oxford lads, following the trend set by previous releases such as their 'Fall' EP. 'Lungs' offers that same groove Pixel Fix are known for, but even better. It's the kind of track that you can imagine a crowd of people at a festival, swaying and jiving to in sync. 'Lungs' is yet another brilliant track from Pixel Fix.

All we need now is an album. 

RIFFED's Rating: 7/10

Listen to 'Lungs' by Pixel Fix via Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/pixelfixmusic

RIFFED x

The Courteeners are back on the scene after the announcment of their 4th studio album 'Concrete Love' this week. To coincide with this announcment Liam Fray and the lads decided to drop new single 'Summer', from their forthcoming album. As we said when brought the news to you off Concrete Love...

"An upbeat track with the potential to be a summer anthem, therefore doing it's name some justice. A very catchy number, different to a usual Courteeners tune but not one of which has been frowned upon. Whilst listening to Summer you can picture a crowd of people waving their arms in sync underneath the sun with a can in hand and singing along in chorus with Liam Fray. Summer is a huge feel good tune and bodes extremely well for Concrete Love." Read more... http://riffed.webs.com/apps/blog/show/42402243-august-18th-set-in-concrete-the-courteeners-announce-concrete-love-and-new-track-summer-

Who's excited for August 18th now?

RIFFED's Rating: 7/10

Pre-order 'Concrete Love' via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id890848185

And listen to 'Summer' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc-IOuwqUN4

RIFFED x

Kasabian this week released their fitfth album '48:13' and in our review we gave it a 9/10, and it's no surprise as to why, with huge tracks such as 'Ee-zeh', 'Bumblebee', 'Bow' and many more, but the highlight being, for this week alone, 'Stevie'.

Stevie is one heck of a tune from Kasabian. One that really defines the whole album. There's an upbeat tune that is constant throughout, matched by that rawness Kasabian have. Stevie is really a hybrid of their old material and new material, and it works perfectly. 'And all the kids they say, live to fight another day' is that catchy chrous that when you hear, you will instantly recognise. A chrous you can't help but shout out at the top of your voice. 

Stevie is a perfectly mastered tune and the highlight of an album that is full of highlights.

RIFFED's Rating: 9/10

If you haven't yet purchased '48:13', buy it here: http://www.kasabian.co.uk/announcing-new-album-4813/

And read our review: http://riffed.webs.com/apps/blog/show/42358750-kasabian-48-13-review

RIFFED x

Indie rockers Catfish and The Bottlemen have recently encountered a huge surge of popularity since their release of new tunes such as 'Rango' and 'Kathleen', as well as smashing their recent headline tour and not letting down on the big stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Glasgow. A busy summer of festivals is ahead for The Bottlemen and it's no wonder as to why with releases such as 'Fallout', which this week is our single of the week.

Just like their previous releases, 'Fallout' hasn't let down. Another huge indie rock anthem. A real headbanger, you find yourself playing air guitar mid song whilst belting out the lyrics which are superbly belted out via the voice of Van MaCann which we all know and love. 'Fallout' along with the previous releases are really implying that the Welsh lads debut album is going to be one hell of an album. This week we reward 'Fallout' a 9/10.

RIFFED's Rating: 8/10

Purchase 'Fallout' via iTunes :  https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fallout-single/id879442580?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 or on Vinyl : http://www.communionmusic.co.uk/shop/products/fallout-7-vinyl-pre-order/

Follow Catfish and The Bottlemen on Twitter : @thebottlemen

Or 'Like' their Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/catfishandthebottlemen

Visit Catfish and The Bottlemen's webpage : http://catfishandthebottlemen.com/

RIFFED x

Johnny Lloyd this week returned after the split of Tribes last November, as he uploaded two new songs off his upcoming EP 'Pilgrims'.

One of the two tracks is our single of the week, 'Pilgrims' the EP title track. A beautiful song sums it up in three words. A groovy, catchy tune that once you've finished listening to it, it's constantly replaying in your head and it never leaves. The guitaring is soothing, matched by the voice too. We at RIFFED this week have awarded Johnny Lloyd's 'Pilgrims' a 10/10. It's absolutely fantastic.

RIFFED's Rating: 10/10

Johnny's soundcloud where 'Pilgrims' and 'Dead Beat' have been uploaded : https://soundcloud.com/johnnylloydmusic?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

'Like' Johnny's Facebook too via the link for information on tour dates and releases : http://www.facebook.com/johnnylloydmusic

Or follow Johnny on twitter under the handle : @JohnnyLloydUK

RIFFED HQ x