MILK
One of those bands whose name barely has any recognition factor outside of a fairly tight, Cardiff-based circle, but get ‘em onstage with the right audience at the right time of night and people whoop it up in scores. This was also true of Howl, a band who split and created Milk, and the type of shirtless Zeppelin/Grand Funk hard rock boogie heard on Salt, the latter band’s only unveiled song to date, sounds pretty similar too. Mmm, salty milk. NG
SAPPHIRE STYLUS
A solo project from Mark, Estevens, ex of various 00s-era Swansea bands – some of whose names I dimly recall (Everyone Else But Burt, Jennifer’s Parents) and some I frankly don’t. Sapphire Stylus is ebullient indiepop with country turns and keyboards which may prove too zany for some people’s blood. Personally, I quite appreciate the McCartney II-style bedroom pop vibe that comes through on songs like Disco Senorita, which I equally appreciate sounds like the title of a David Brent song. NG
LA FORME
This Newport duo didn’t do a lot for me when I saw them live a year or so ago, but they emailed a couple of new songs before Christmas and I’m a sight more amenable to them. Was it the attempt to mildly flatter me by implying bands care about being reviewed in this section? Not really! Was it their take on icy, chart-minded 80s synthpop, equal parts Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys and with bold, precisely enunciated vocals? Indeed it was! NG