IM // UR | The xx // These New Puritans

To say that Local Natives are this year's Fleet Foxes isn't wrong, but not that right either. Local Natives are softer, brighter and lighter than their widely critiqued sort-of-counterparts. Gorilla Manor is a delicious debut that should be listened and loved for its own merits and there are 12 of them here; from the beautiful single 'Airplanes' to the epic journey of 'Stranger Things'. For fans of harmonic vocals, delicate guitars and gorgeous layers (and I bet there'll be a lot of you).

WE // R \\ WEARING

You know about FAJ right? That's Fanny and Jessy as they are also known, and this duo have one of the coolest young labels coming straight out of London. They debuted their first range last year entitled 'I Hope You Die Soon' and they're also responsible for the infamous tee of the same name (and it's sibling, 'Suck It You Fuck') which I actually often find gets quite a warm reaction despite it's sentiment. This month they're showing their hotly anticipated sophomore collection for AW 2010 which no doubt will be full of their trademark wicked humor and edge. Definitely ones to watch.

WE // R \\ WATCHING

Honestly, who isn’t? The sixth and final season of Lost, one of the best series ever created, just started and we are sure spending more time talking, reading and thinking about it than watching it. Well, from what we read some mysteries won’t be answered (the real meaning of the numbers, anyone?), but if there's something we've learned from accompanying Locke’s island friends (and enemies) is that the travel is always more enjoyable than the actual place it’s taking you to. Well, not if the smoke monster is trying to kill you.

WE // R \\ GOING

The latest station on the Drunky Town train line is in Sydney, Australia at a little club in the Spanish Quarter (actually it's just two Spanish shops next to each other on the same street or something like that in the CBD) called GoodGod, which plays host to soirée of the moment, Slow Blow. Word has it that in January, Karen O crashed Sydney's current cool kids party, but to be honest by that time everyone was too busy dancing and cutting loose in D-Town to care. And that's the true mark of a good time - when you find yourself twirling about without a care in the world. Or it could just mean you're trashed. Heh.

WE // R \\ READING

You know those films where there are all these supposedly 'intertwined' stories and lives? Quite a cliché concept for both books and movies I suppose, but rarely does it really resonate in either medium. David Mitchell though (not the Peep Show one) manages to spin tales into tightly woven rugs that are quite fantastical yet believable, moving without being overly sentimental, eclectic and incredibly entertaining. He also writes straight narratives too, with just as much panache and verve. I just (re)read Number9Dream though any and all of David Mitchell's books are highly recommended...and he's got a newie coming out this year. EXCITEMENT.

The xx // These New Puritans

Thursday // January 28, 2010 at 17:16 // filed under Music // Lifestyle

The xx & These New Puritans on tour

For all those outside - as well as inside - of Europe crying blood tears about not being able to catch this most heartbreakingly amazing double header of both The xx and These New Puritans TOGETHER on their absolutely gruelling tour schedule around Europe, the best consolation we can offer you right now is that Domino are giving away 'Orion' as a tissue to dab your eyes with.

Flash Content

These New Puritans - Orion [mp3]

And from The xx, here's their cover (somewhat ironically) of Womack and Womack's 'Teardrops' that I dug up.

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The XX - Teardrops [mp3]

And just in case you wanted to try to chase them around Europe, here's the schedule:

1 FEB 2010: AUDIO, BRIGHTON
2 FEB 2010: HARE AND HOUNDS, BIRMINGHAM
3 FEB 2010: DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER
4 FEB 2010: CAPTAINS REST, GLASGOW
6 FEB 2010: BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB, LEEDS

11 FEB 2010: GRAND MIX, LILLE (XX)
12 FEB 2010: LA NEF, ANGOULÊME (XX)
13 FEB 2010: OLYMPIC, NANTES
14 FEB 2010: MIDI FEST, TOLON
16 FEB 2010: PARADISO, AMSTERDAM
17 FEB 2010: BOTANIQUE, BRUXELLES
18 FEB 2010: LA CIGALLE, PARIS
21 FEB 2010: LAITERIE, STRASBOURG
23 FEB 2010: BRANCALEONE, ROMA
24 FEB 2010: MILAN
25 FEB 2010: BACKSTAGE WERK, MÜNCHEN
26 FEB 2010: ESSIKFABRIK, KÖLN
01 MAR 2010: KOMEDIA, BRIGHTON
02 MAR 2010: SHEPHARD’S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON
03 MAR 2010: SHEPHARD’S BUSH EMPIRE, LONDON
05 MAR 2010: ACADEMY 2, BIRMINGHAM
06 MAR 2010: ACADEMY 2, MANCHESTER
08 MAR 2010: STYLUS, LEEDS
09 MAR 2010: STUDIO 24, EDINBURGH
10 MAR 2010: KAZIMER, LIVERPOOL