The National – Anyone’s Ghost (4AD)
June 28th, 2010
4.5/6.0

With the aid of sparse acoustic guitar and delay pedal, The National have crafted a claustrophobic affair perfectly fitting the bleak imagery about the afterlife of a relationship and the recession into non-existence.

She & Him – Thieves (Double Six)
June 21st, 2010
4.2/6.0

Where previous single In the Sun highlighted Deschanel’s lesser-known capacity for upbeat tunesmanship, Thievessees a swift return to more familiar balladry.

Feeder – Call Out (Big Teeth Music)
June 14th, 2010
5.0/6.0

Feeder have rediscovered a switch deep within the recesses of their recording studio labelled “ROCK OUT”, blown the dust off it and turned out their best material since the Echo Park days.

Run Toto Run – Hater (The Lost and Lonely Singles Club)
May 24th, 2010
5.0/6.0

Thought Run Toto Run were all cuddly and sweet after hearing their most recent single, the playful Catch My Breath? Well, woe betide us all for jumping to such conclusions, as the Manchester-based trio have just released a twisted, sinister monster in the form of Hater.

Owen Pallett – Lewis Takes Off His Shirt (Domino Records)
June 21st, 2010
5.3/6.0

He may have lost the Final Fantasy tag, but Owen Pallett is evidently still making the kind of orchestral tinged pop that’s capable of making you feel that all is right with the world.

The Drums – Forever And Ever Amen (Moshi Moshi Records/Island Records)
May 31st, 2010
4.7/6.0

You get the feeling this track isn’t intended for intent listening because, as ridiculous as I’m aware this sounds, it’s all about the vibe.

The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio (4AD)
May 3rd, 2010
5.7/6.0

Their new album High Violet may take a little while to get to grips with (unless you are most other Fugitive Motel contributors, in which case this statement is a load of baloney), but Bloodbuzz Ohio is an especially fine lead single.

Villagers – Becoming a Jackal (Domino Records)
March 30th, 2010
5.4/6.0

Becoming a Jackal, the title track from Villagers’ debut album, is Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel in a single, one-Irish-man package.

The Miserable Rich – Somerhill (Humble Soul)
April 12th, 2010
4.7/6.0

Sure, The Miserable Rich won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but even if you wouldn’t make a habit of listening to their classically tinged folk-pop, you still have to admit that this is a pretty good song.

MAY68 – My Ways/The New You (Hit Club Records)
March 27th, 2010
5.2/6.0

MAY68’s debut single proper is a joyful cry for attention, and both tracks are guaranteed to get your feet moving and your arms waving.