Leftfield: Mute Irregulars And Their Kin

I'll be the first to admit that the tunes I typically post here favor my overly melodic pop tendencies. Well, today, we're going to flip to the b-side.

There are some fairly good 'art/noise/experimental/post-post-post punk' (I never know what to call it) bands coming out of the UK right now, many of whom are being adeptly harnessed under the new Mute Irregulars label. Here's a preview of this amazing new outfit along with some of their like-minded cohorts. Go buy these great singles.

XX Teens - "How To Reduce The Chances Of Being A Terror Victim (BBC Live)" (purchase). This lot have been kicking around for a few years and recently changed their moniker from the Xerox Teens to simply XX Teens (makes you feel creepy when you Google it). This song is a live BBC version of their latest single, showcasing the narrative vocals over rhythmic back-beat and usually solid bass guitar (very early Fall) style that typifies this new 'scene'. I highly recommend picking up last single "Darlin'".

Spider And The Flies - "Spider And The Flies" (purchase). This is the brainchild and side project of the immensely talented Spider Webb of The Horrors, known club promoter and all around genius. Love the drums.

Cristine - "Cross The Line" (purchase). This is just one of those big tunes that you would love to hear while walking into a club.

The Broken Hearts - "Blanco" (purchase). These girls don't really fit here very well at all except for their inclusion on Mute Irregulars. This is a tune that is the aural equivalent of their dainty flapper look. Great song.

The Bleeps - "Dull Thud" (purchase). The Bleeps lean back into familiar early post-punk territory with this masterfully rhythmic track. Dig that perfect bass-line.

These New Puritans - "Elvis" (purchase). Our cover stars (up top) here and an outfit that have been around since the early days of this new 'explosion'. A new LP is out now on Angular where you will also find the similarly styled Navvy (and if you like them, check out Electricity In Our Homes, both being very Pere Ubu / Fire Engines-esque).

Rip it up and start again, indeed.