Jeremy Warmsley - Dirty bleu jeans - 7"

Sumptuous packaging surrounds Jeremy Warmsley's finest single to date. 500 only 7"s backed with "Photograph of a Hospital" (based on the competition winners story) and with a DVD featuring the videos for "I Believe In the Way You Move", "I Promise", "5 Verses" and "Dirty Blue Jeans". All wrapped in a denim sleeve.

Jeremy Warmsley - I Believe In The Way You Move - 7"

First single from his debut album, the art of fiction, this is a wonderful slice of quirky folk/pop that should please fans of Graham Coxon and Emy The Great (who sings back-ups on the title track).

JOHNNY FLYNN - Ode To Mare Trod Ditch (SOLD OUT) - 7"

Johnny Flynn is not merely a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; he is also an actor, poet and artist. 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' is Johnny's second release on the Young & Lost Club label, and was released in June 2007; following up his debut 7" 'The Epic Tale Of Tom & Sue'. Like 'The Epic Tale Of Tom & Sue', 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' is comprised of two tracks, neither of which with the same name as the release's title. According to his press release, Johnny Flynn has spent recent months performing as a lead in 'Twelfth Night' and 'The Taming Of The Shrew' during the day and performing gigs in the evening. Over the summer however he will be playing several folk festivals and hopefully getting a new record deal.

'Eyeless In Holloway' sticks firmly with the old-fashioned theme hinted at by the titles of this release and its songs; it is dominated by relentless percussion that brings to mind Victorian circus travellers and distant country markets. Johnny's voice is strong without being domineering and he is accompanied by a wide array of string instruments who are played as if they are wishing they could leave the modern world behind.

Second song, 'Oh, To Eat An Apple' appears to be the stronger track of the pair as far as emotional depth and musical crafting are concerned. Its pace is slower, which to some may render it less catchy, but there is an undercurrent of melancholy that will instant appeal to those who like their music shot through with sadness. Again, Johnny's voice compliments the music perfectly and old-fashioned instruments dominate to the extent that it's possible to imagine oneself back several hundred years.

Johnny Flynn's music may not appeal to everybody, particuarly those who like their music fast and immediate. But if you yearn for the past, enjoy melancholia and/or bands such as And Also The Trees and The Decemberists, than 'Ode To A Mare Trod Ditch' may well being a smile to your face.

JOHNNY FLYNN - Tickle Me Pink (SOLD OUT!) - 7"

As a rule I rarely fall for blondes or neo-folk musicians, but Johnny Flynn is so incredible both physically and artistically that I'm willing to make an exception. Hailing from the United Kingdom, the young troubadour already has friends in high places--Young and Lost Club will release his first single in February, Transgressive Records has signed on as managers, while artists like Emmy the Great continually champion his merits. It's understandable, because his early demos are incredible and his live performances are spellbinding (look to YouTube for some short clips).

In crafting his songs, Flynn borrows heavily from Nick Drake--appropriating his gorgeous fingerpicking and distinctive thin, melancholy vocals. Not content at mere mimicry, Flynn adds varied instrumentation, lush arrangements, and surprising rhythmic flourishes to create a sound that's all his own. On "Hello Hello," he mixes folk with elements of the Celtic and Appalachian traditions creating a muddy hootenanny that feels spontaneous, innocent, and oddly uplifting. In contrast, "Tickle Me Pink" is a gorgeous heartbreaker of a song with heady lyrics that implore you to "pray for the people inside your head for they won't be there when you're dead" without seeming contrived in the least. This kid has major talent, so jump on it before he releases his debut full-length and wins the Mercury Prize. from exitfare.com

Jon-Rae & The River - Knows What You Need - 12"

The Toronto-based septet does sound a bit familiar -- you can hear rock, gospel, soul and elements of everyone from The Band to Neil Young. Their latest release, Jon-Rae & The River Knows What You Need, sounds as if it was created circa '72. Impressive arrangements and strong songwriting.