WITH THE SUN ON MY BACK.

Swim Deep are a new Birmingham trio injecting a heavy dose of acid-bleached grunge into the UK pop scene. Though debut single "King City" lacks most of the hallmarks of our usual taste, there's a magnetic quality to the songwriting and melodies that's had it stuck on repeat around Neon Gold HQ for months now. With an expansive instrumental that recalls the more uplifiting moments of Arcade Fire's Funeral (SEE: the driving guitars of "Rebellion" or the addictive oohs of "Haiti"), the original is one of the more impressive debuts of the year.

Out May 14th on Chess Club, the single comes with an impressive remix package in tow, with London's newest remixers du jour, II Figures, lending their royal treatment to "King City" on one of their best mixes yet. Keeping the blueprint of the original largely intact, Figures gently drape it in a tapestry of tessellating synths spread neatly across thin gasps of air. Heavenly electronic bodies twinkle high above cold-blooded Wolf Gang piano stabs and gentle Coldplay guitars, before the chorus finally puffs its chest, swoops down, and delivers the coup de grace.

MP3: "King City (II Figures Remix)" - Swim Deep [exclusive]

MOVING PAST THE FEELING.

Mr. Little Jeans has been laying low for a minute as she writes and records her debut album, but this week she checked in with a seriously special treat for y'all. It's no secret that homegirl's skilled in the delicate art of the cover song, but she's truly outdone herself with this haunting rendition of Arcade Fire's "The Suburbs". Taking the original by the horns and reworking it into a whole new beast that's entirely her own, the pint-sized Norwegian wonder drops a truly masterful interpretation of a track that we'd have previously told you was pretty much untouchable in its original form. Gone is the vaudevillian piano that defined the original; in its place, industrial synth dirges and percussive electronic beats flow like molasses, as eerie synthetic strings drift in and out of the mix and Mr. Lil's whispered vocals hang like heaven over everything, an ominous specter warning of the dark tensions that lie beyond the white picket fence. The perfect update to the Arcade Fire original, it's dark, haunting and a little bit amazing.

MP3: "The Suburbs" - Mr. Little Jeans

I KNOW I HAD A MESSAGE AT THE START.

We've been hearing insane amounts of buzz out of the UK about Dry The River, so the fact that we failed to investigate for ourselves until this week is really not something we're proud of. Because fuck, these guys are GREAT. Sounding like the logical heirs to the Mumfords' arena-folk throne, their tracks bring to mind the perfect nexus of the Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire at their most anthemic, and - if reports are to be believed - they've actually got the live show to back up such comparisons. Their debut offering comes in the form of "New Ceremony", which more than anything reminds us of what we've heard thus far off Mumford's second album, with a hint of more pop-based fare like Wolf Gang and Sam's Town-era Killers thrown in for good measure. Expect big things.

MP3: "New Ceremony" - Dry The River

IN THE CITY WHERE I'M FROM.

For a while now we've been making a strong case for Wolf Gang as the most underrated band in the UK, but with considerable love starting to come in from Pitchfork and his debut single proper slated for release on Atlantic next month, it's looking like that's starting to change. The single in question is the brilliant "Lions In Cages", a song we've been head over heels for since creative mastermind Max McElligott first sent us the demo over a year ago. The finished version is nigh-on perfect, a galloping technicolor epic Max recorded with the legendary Dave Fridmann (Flaming Lips, MGMT) that comes off like Arcade Fire covering "Viva La Vida", all ringing church bells and breathtaking strings arrangements. He's come along way since releasing his self-produced debut 7" with us back in 2009, and with his debut album finally within reach and penciled in for an early 2011 release, we couldn't be more excited for a band that's been fully deserving of rampant widespread praise for a longgg minute now.

MP3: "Lions In Cages" - Wolf Gang

And what better way to celebrate than with the band's first ever NYC shows in Manhattan and Brooklyn next week? First up next Wednesday we'll be putting them on downstairs at Santos Party House with support from Emil & Friends live and The Knocks on the 1's and 2's (not to mention a special live guest opening things up), before they head across the river to our friends at Bridge Club playing Glasslands on Thursday night. But not only is our Wednesday night show one of the more exciting lineups of the fall, it's also COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY FREE. That's right. $0. Free. No cost. Whatsoever. You have quite literally no excuse not to attend. Doors are at 7pm with the first band on shortly thereafter, and all you have to do to ensure your entry is RSVP at rsvp@neongoldrecords.com so you don't get turned away on the night if it reaches capacity. Come out, have a drink, have a dance, and join us in celebrating one of the best young games in the band right now.