Kitsune Records recently showcased their latest talent to a mixture of label mates, journalists and a host of lucky onlookers. The bands on show were electro-melancholies Chew Lips, odd balls Crystal Fighters and New Cross’ very own My Tiger My Timing. Have a look at the bands in action and tell us what you think people…

2009 has been a blur of frenetic activity for the London trio known as Chew Lips. Bursting forth at the start of the year, they surfed a tidal wave of press and overwhelming buzz due to two white hot debut releases, the glorious pop anthem “Solo” and the darker, edgier but no less addictive follow up “Salt Air”, both released on the much revered Parisian label Kitsune. Since then, in short order, they embarked on tours with Howling Bells and The Virgins, played at every summer festival worth its salt, and recorded an incredible debut album with Dave Kosten.

Such a schedule would be enough to fell most bands, but not the indefatigable Chew Lips. For the rest of 2009, the band will be taking a most unusual step of putting together a free monthly residency, during which they will compere, curate and perform. Starting in October at Catch, the band will be putting the lineups together, as well as previewing brand new tracks from their upcoming LP. Moreover, they will be giving away signed, strictly limited edition CD singles of a different track each month, which will subsequently be made available for download the very next day. The exact details of the lineups and exclusive tracks will be made available very soon, so keep your eyes on this space!

Genre: Electro

Location: London, United Kingdom

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/chewlips

Recommended Track: Solo

Recommended Album:

Our Rating:

Electro-pop is blanketing the British musical scene in the early part of 2009 and yet another band have come along to throw their bleeps and bloops into the picture. Chew Lips are only a year old but have already amassed a horde of online support, using a drum machine and assorted instruments to craft pop hooks drenched in repetitive, pulsating beats.

Quick to act, the group wrote ten tracks upon their initial rehearsal, before setting out to play at house parties and backstreet clubs across London. The trio have since toured endlessly, travelling the length of the UK and even heading over the pond to demonstrate their electro expertise to mainland Europe. Pouring forth like a lo-fi Crystal Castles, the group are carving yet another notch in the new electro wave that is crashing on the shores of the British music scene.

Chew Lips leading tracks is ‘Solo’, a rolling, vibrant tune that bounces atop a beauty of a bass line and sways alongside front woman Tigs’ clear and distinctive vocals. Also worth a listen is the funk-filled ‘Toro’ and ‘Play Together’, a synth-fest fuelled by playful lyrics.

The band have a heap of gig dates over summer, including festival appearances at Glastonbury, Rockness and Bestival, so there really is no excuse for missing them live. Releasing their stuff on acclaimed French record label Kitsune, they are earning a respected (albeit difficult, sending many searching for a non-existent electro trio called Tulips) name for themselves left, right and centre. Although beloved by Steve Lamacq, Chew Lips still have a way to go and a debut album could either make or break the fledgling career of the electric three whose promising start hints at a future filled with success.