Hard Working Class Heroes: Part 3/3

The Radio - One of Two Ways

The Radio is the studio project of Stephen Murray (formerly guitarist with one of the best Irish bands of all time [Rollerskate Skinny]), in which he composes incredibly catchy ditties and enlists various females to contribute gorgeous vocals. 'One Of Two Ways' is so angular it could take your eye out, and its crispness suggests that Murray's shoegazing days are well and truly behind him. The most wonderful and concise definition of 'art rock' yet.


Oh No Ono - Keeping Cold In Warm Country

Keeping Cold In Warm Country is what would happen if The Strokes were gifted with an otherworldly synthesiser and forced to enter the Eurovision. In other words, Oh No Ono are awesome! Despite often sounding so impossibly 1970's NYC, there's definitely enough inventiveness in their music to convince us that we're actually listening to 21st century Danish rock music.


The Lovekevins - Tamagotchi Freestyle

The only thing stopping this Swedish duo from being called Suburban Kids With Biblical Names - apart from the very obvious legal reason - is that they have names like Lindefelt and Fredrik. Yes, Lovekevins brand a very similar brand of digital twee to that of their tourmates and friends. But I - and anyone else with half an ear - should find it very hard to get tired of any number of Pavement/Abba fusions.


Jape - Floating

Here's an all-time classic by the man who promises to be the saviour of Irish music in the very near future. His forthcoming 'Jape Is Grape' EP will contain the first of the much-anticipated batch of songs which have been amazing Jape concert attendees for over a year now. 'Floating' is where the many colours of Richie Egan combine to create a blinding white light, as slacker-pop and intentionally-lazy philosophical meanderings gradually squelch towards a euphoric conclusion.