Let's Pretend It's Friday Five

A few tracks I've been listening to lately:

Bibio's album Ambivalence Avenue is one of my summer favourites. Remember Badly Drawn Boy? This track is like that, but better.

Bibio - Lovers Carvings

Slow Club's much-anticipated album Yeah, So was released on Moshi Moshi earlier this month. It's really good.

Slow Club - Trophy Room

Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig finally teams up with Esau Mwamwaya for his project The Very Best - how amazing is this album going to be?

The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa

You can take the boy out of Canada but you can't take Canadiana out of the boy. I'm a huge fan of the Tragically Hip's more recent work; it seems they've really hit their stride since In Violet Light and new album We Are The Same is incredible.

The Tragically Hip - The Last Recluse

You'd be forgiven for assuming that three white Australian dudes would create god-awful hip hop. Hilltop Hoods are happy to prove everyone wrong. State of the Art was released last month and it's actually very, very good.

Hilltop Hoods - Still Standing

Frightened Rabbit return to London

Hot off the heels of their recent North American super-tour Scottish heroes Frightened Rabbit have scheduled a July 8th appearance at Madame Jo Jo's in the heart of Soho. Supporters include New Zealand's fantastic Collapsing Cities, who most recently toured with Black Kids, and Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit. According to event promoters White Heat, "Esau has just finished recording his album with Radioclit at the helm and collaborations from MIA, Santogold and Vampire Weekend. He's originally from Malawi and works in a furniture shop in Clapton. He is amazing." He sure is. Check out 'Kamphopo', his unique take on Architecture in Helsinki's 'Heart it Races' and his bloody brilliant version of M.I.A.'s 'Paper Planes'.

I've already got my tickets, but you might want to hurry over here and grab yours for only £5 as this one is sure to sell out FAST.

Frightened Rabbit - Fast Blood
Collapsing Cities - Fear of Opening My Mouth
Collapsing Cities - Seriously
Esau Mwamwaya - Kamphopo
Esau Mwamwaya - Tengazako

- a.m.p.m.