ADWAITH ****
Lipstick Coch / Femme (Libertino)
A step up from their more folk-based early singles, this double-A indicates why people are putting Adwaith in the ‘hot tip’ category. Lipstick Coch floats serenely, into a nice, almost dub outro, while Femme is the killer, a scabrous tearing apart of sexism that’s the more affecting for its wit and sadness. Pop purity, much promise. WS
THE MINERALS **
Road To Ruin (Staylittle)
Formed by a Climbing Tree (Colenso Jones) and a Drop Dead Darling (Jodie Gibson), The Minerals have come up with a three-minute traditional country/folk stomp which should delight any fans of their respective bands but may leave everyone else a little nonplussed, such is its unwillingness to offer anything new. BG
TULIPOMANIA ***
On The Outside (Sursmucorda)
Hailing from Bristol (the Pennsylvania variety), Tulipomania are here to both delight and confuse with new single On The Outside. The angular, dark title track is backed up by the more straightforward 4AD-esque ballad Don’t Be So Sure which also gets the remix treatment on the flipside from Seahawks. BG
UMMAGMA ****
LCD EP (Somewherecold/Label Obscura)
A heady mix of krautrock and shoegaze from the duo formed by a Canadian and a Ukrainian after a chance encounter in Moscow. Featuring an inspired remix of Lama by Cocteau Twins’ Robin Guthrie and a cameo from Curve’s Dean Garcia, LCD is a challenging listen, flitting between the aforementioned styles whilst also flirting with post-rock and industrial. BG
WE’RE NO HEROES ***
Youth (Spiral Icon)
A catchy tune echoes from Cardiff indie band We’re No Heroes’ new single Youth. For fans of Foals and Peace, this toe-tapper will bring back memories of summer, driven as it is by its feelgood, funky rock beat. Although lacking a sense of oomph in parts, this track is still worth a listen. AC