Webcuts Music

Our excitement at the return of this beloved 80′s jangle pop band has already been well documented. With the release of their first new recordings since 1992, The Primitives are well and truly back. Following the successful comeback tour of the UK in 2010, the band wisely decided to write and record some new material. With a clear 60′s inspired sound, the four tracks on the new EP light the way forward with the delectable garage stomp of lead track “Rattle My Cage”, the Velvets bliss of “Never Kill A Secret”, while paying tribute to their influences with some obscure 60′s covers of Suzi Jane Hokom’s Lee Hazlewood-penned “Need All the Help I Can Get” and Toni Basil’s Northern Soul classic “Breakaway”. Released on Fortuna Pop!, Never Kill A Secret is out now and the band will be touring the UK throughout March.

The final bow from London’s The Loves balances its buoyant pop against a knowing end and comes up smelling of roses.

For those who haven’t been paying attention (and you should) Darren Hayman the singer/guitarist from London indie sensations Hefner has recorded five albums and numerous EPs since that group went on permanent hiatus in 2001, either under his own moniker or with his new band The Secondary Modern (not to mention collobrations with The Wave Pictures and blue-grass indie supergroup Hayman, Watkins, Trout and Lee). His sixth is Essex Arms due on 4 October via Fortuna POP!, the first in a planned trilogy of albums focusing on the East Anglian rural underbelly. This taster (not single that will be “‘Nothing You Can Do About It” out Aug 16) is just where you’d imagine Darren Hayman to be at this stage of his career — wistful folk, full of warmth and a touch of nostalgia which is accompanied by a richly textured film clip shot in Super 8 featuring Darren and band members and most charming of all his dog Bella. Woof!

It’s summertime twee pop hour and who better to soundtrack but ex-Heavenly and Talullah Gosh popsters back with their third album.

A firm favourite last year with those of a pop persuasion was the debut album of Brooklyn four-piece, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. An example of youthful exuberance and melodic indulgences, The Pains (is it ok to call them that?) were as easy to swallow as a chocolate sundae with all the toppings — and just as addictive and in no way fattening. Recently on tour in Australia, we spoke with guitarist Kip Berman.

The ever durable Lucksmiths get up before dawn on their latest album. Don’t forget your mittens, boys!

Fortuna Pop!, 2008 Fortuna Pop! is the pre-eminent label for those special acts that can’t find a home anywhere else. Think of it as a shelter for the abandoned, misunderstood band either bursting with unrecognised talent or just looking for a place to crash. The sticker on the CD says “25 SMASH HITS from the [...]