Whilst our esteemed editor might have been gallivanting on the other side of the world, it's still been business as usual for the crew he's left behind - the word mutiny might have been bandied around now and then - and we all know what time it is: it's singles o'clock.

Dutch Uncles - The Ink
Ah, lovely Dutch Uncles. Their soothing sound is a balm for the soul. The latest single 'The Ink', from their debut album Cadenza, ticks all the right boxes. Beautiful vocals? Check. Inspired arrangements? Check. Clever lyrics? Check. Feel good tune? Check. Just put this beauty on, sit back and enjoy the moment. (OS)



A Genuine Freakshow - Our Bodies / New Houses
The new double A-side single from oddball post-rock collective A Genuine Freakshow is all dramatic, emotional vocals and grandiose, weaving strings. And pretty damn fine it is too. It's even backed by a glitch-ridden remix of previous single 'Hopscotch Machine Gun Madness'. (FP)



Hatcham Social - Like An Animal
The first taster of Hatcham Social's second album About Girls, 'Like An Animal' lacks a bit of punch to make it anything other than solid guitar-led rock fodder. Catchy chorus though. (IS)



Roots Manuva feat. Rokhsan - Get The Get
Blissfully short but that's pretty much the only thing going for it, 'Get The Get' (featuring former BBC New Talent Rokhsan) is aiming for the dancefloor but just ends up sounding so safe that it's hard to believe it's come from Roots Manuva. The Slugabed remix improves on the original but that's not saying much. Disappointing. (IS)



David Lemaitre - Valediction
On his debut 5 track EP, David Lemaitre recalls the likes of Jose Gonzalez, The Beach Boys and Jeff Buckley. Mainly, it's his acoustic guitar against subtle beats and vaguely experimental sounds (but nothing to frighten the cows). Should go down well with fans of folksy singer-songwriters. (JD)



L-Vis 1990 - Lost In Love
Effortlessly cool and speckled with memorable analogue synths, 'Lost In Love' is a very encouraging first glance at L-Vis 1990's debut album Neon Dreams, due out on October 3rd. Coming equipped with two remixes and dub versions of those remixes too, there's likely to be something for everyone on here; if the laidback charm of the original doesn't grab you, the clubbier Neon Dreams mix will. (IS)



Cardinal Jack - Green Eyed Boy
As a first single from a debut album, this ain't bad, if rather too familiar. The Futureheads are perhaps the best reference point. (JD)

Little Fish - Wonderful
A song about being told that you'll never sing again might sound like a depressing prospect, especially when the singer in question is Little Fish's Juju. Remaining the band's biggest selling point, her stark, instantly recognisable vocals initially seem at odds with the jaunty acoustic backdrop (perhaps not entirely what you'd expect either from the trio) but it all melds into something soaring and beautiful come the climax. Never has a song title ever seemed so appropriate. (IS)



Diafrix - Simple Man
An excellently written and performed piece of laid back hip-hop that would be a perfect summer song were it not for the annoying caterwauling of guest singer Daniel Merriweather. A lost opportunity. (GB)



Macks Faulkron - Hairspray
The words "pointless" comes to mind when listening to former hairdresser Macks Faulkron's new single 'Hairspray'. Grating, aggressive, annoying, but you have a feeling that's exactly what Faulkron is intending. He is definitely provoking us with this performance art inspired track and accompanying video with it's screeching beats interspersed with random soundbites. This is musical Marmite. You're gonna love it or hate it. (OS)

MACKS FAULKRON // 'Hairspray' from theartof agency on Vimeo.

The Kush - Aniseed
Ignoring the hideous strained vocals from someone clearly trying to hard to convey some attitude, Newcastle rockers The Kush's debut single 'Aniseed' isn't that bad. Decent guitar lines and frenetic, but not messy, drumming keep you listening in spite of the efforts of lead singer Dan Clark. You imagine that they could be a decent gig night out, if only because you'll get lost in the guitars and energy rather than anything else. (IS)

Ink Project - Rewind Forward Replay / Black Honey
Impressive double A-side from the London duo. 'Rewind Forward Replay' starts off as somewhere between drum ‘n’ bass and dubstep, then, with the introduction of Melanie Dymond’s intoxicating vocal, suddenly becomes more reminiscent of mid-90s trip-hop. 'Black Honey' continues this comparison, thanks to a strange Massive Attack style backing track. A band to watch. (JD)

CANT - Believe
Stunning production elevates 'Believe', the latest track to be taken from Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor's debut solo album Dreams Come True, under his CANT guise. Synths swim in and out of focus alongside some impressive bass, while Taylor's dreamy vocals remain a constant presence resulting in the overall whole being something that's hard not to appreciate. (IS)

CANT - Believe (taken from Dreams Come True - Terrible Records / Warp Records) by Warp Records

The Wilderness of Manitoba EP - Orono Park
The world is getting a bit folked-out at the moment. Seems like everyone, from both sides of the pond, is picking up acoustic guitars and singing abut angst and loneliness and birds and trees. Even the Canadians are at it now. Yet The Wilderness of Manitoba are actually worth a listen. Beautiful harmonies, jaunty melodies and clever arrangements will have you tapping your toes while your heart soars with joyful abandon. Lead single 'Orono Park' with it's Bon Iver esque hushed vocals and soft fluttery guitars is lovely while icy 'November' is more subdued and atmospheric. The wonderful 'Dreamcatchers' is the standout track however, fun and uplifting, proving that The Wilderness of Manitoba are more than just another cutey folk-outfit. (OS)





We Were Promised Jetpacks - Medicine
Cracking stuff from Scottish indie rockers We Were Promised Jetpacks on the first release from their excellent second album In The Pit Of The Stomach. 'Medicine' is an immediate, catchy and generally just brilliant track that showcases the impressive musicality of the foursome as it flows through dynamic and tempo changes, never once failing to captivate the listener as it does so. (IS)