Stewart Nash

It’s not often you go into the new year with a load of new releases on the horizon that you’re excited about, but 2012 seems to be such a year. Supposedly Factory Floor will have their debut album out this year and I’m sure there will be a whole load of new bands who emerge. Here’s a list of some of my favourite bands who have new albums out this spring…..

School of Seven Bells

After the disappointing ‘Disconnect From Desire’ two years ago, School of Seven Bells looked like their best days were behind them. My feeling is it was rushed and released too soon to the wonderful ‘Alpinisms’. 2012 sees a trimmed down line-up with the band now a duo but the music has apparently stepped up a level with many saying this album is actually better than the their debut album ‘Alpinism’.

The new album ‘Ghostory’ is out February 28th and you can hear a track below. You can order the album by clicking here.

Veronica Falls

Veronica Falls have been in the studio since Christmas recording new material and after last years debut album (which was easily my favourite album of the year) I am looking forward to hearing more material from them. Given their worldwide tour schedule (they finally play my local venue Norwich Arts Centre on Friday January 27th) I have no idea how they ever rest.

Below is a new track called ‘Bury Me Alive’. You can order the debut album by clicking here.

Ulrich Schnauss & Mark Peters

It’s nearly five years since Ulrich Schnauss gave us his last album ‘Goodbye’. That album gave us some of the best songs of his career in my opinion (with the likes of Never Be The Same, Stars and Medusa) however it had some real filler in the middle. In the first half of 2012 we get two new albums from Ulrich in the shape of a collaboration with Mark Peters which sounds close to his solo debut ‘Far Away Trains Passing By’ and then there’s his fourth solo album which is due in April.

Underrated Silence is out on February 3rd and you can order the album by clicking here.

Sleigh Bells

The debut album by Sleigh Bells ‘Treats’ in 2010 was a surprise favourite of mine, I’m not usually a fan of Pitchfork hipster albums but it remained the only album I listened to in my car for many months. It was the kind of album that you had to listen to in one go as you were either in the mood for their chaotic sounds or not. One track from their second album is not enough to get too excited yet but I shall look forward to hearing the new album.

Reign of Terror is out on February 20th. You can order the album here.

Sennen

It’s album number four from Sennen and I’m pleased to say the band seemed to have stepped up their game following the slightly disappointing ‘Age of Denial’. On the last album it felt like they were going through the motions and were a little lost, this album however has a new sound backed up with lyrics that have a real tinge of sadness with a feeling of loss and despair. Fingers crossed this album will get them the attention their expanding back catalogue deserves.

‘Lost Harmony’ will be released in April, there’s a track (nowhere near the best track either) from the album below.