GOLD041: SIR SLY

The mysteriosos behind Sir Sly are dark knights in the truest sense. Since first making their presence known last summer, the LA outfit have been running the tastemaker underworld with their monochromatic blend of vigilante pop, leaving onlookers with nothing more than a pair of explosive tracks and a hero-shaped shadow to go on. So it's with great pleasure that we're able to pull the curtain back today and unveil our next release, as we bring Sir Sly's debut 7" into the world on Neon Gold next month in conjunction with our UK sister label, National Anthem.

Sir Sly is not one sir but three - Landon Jacobs, Jason Suwito, and Hayden Coplen to be precise - who have been hard at work for the past few months writing, recording and producing all aspects of their debut offering in Suwito's studio. From the arresting cold open to the ever-restless denouement, lead A-single "Ghost" doesn't just pass our every litmus test, it passes right through it, swimming through a fog of wartorn synths and floating with timeless melancholy in an ocean of unforgotten pasts. Elsewhere, the vinyl's AA-side "Gold" - for which the band have put together the perfect visual accompaniment (below) - jangles with moody desperation and reckless abandon, while digital-only B-side "Where I'm Going" delves deeper into the depths of the trio's doom-and-gloom pop noir.

The Ghost 7" arrives stateside on Neon Gold February 11th, before making its way to the UK on National Anthem March 4th. There will also be a three-track digital Ghost EP hitting iTunes next week for the impatient among you, and those on the fairer coast next month can catch Sir Sly making their LA live debut at their single launch party at Popshop West (more details to follow). Preorder is available now from the Neon Gold Shop and National Anthem.

STREAM: "Ghost" - Sir Sly

FEEL THE MAGIC INSIDE.

The golden Los Angeles renaissance of 2012 only seems to be picking up steam as we cruise into the new year, and Bom Bom are the latest California dreams to capture our hearts and minds. Debut single "Woman" is a blast from the not-too-distant past (is 90's Motown a thing? because it might be now) and barely takes ten seconds to hook you with its brazen brass-and-keys instrumental before unfolding into a classic chorus that'll be soundtracking Garnier (or is it more L'Oreal?) commercials in no time at all. Having already written songs for Britney and Conor Maynard through her songwriting work with Dr. Luke, this is frontgirl Sophie Stern's first time stepping out in a band, and the future is blinding for this LA duo. Stay tuned for more, "Woman" is just the tip of the iceberg.

MP3: "Woman" - Bom Bom [exclusive]

DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN.

New year, new sounds, and what better place to start than with Kids of the Apocalypse. Brought to our attention earlier today by the always reliable Disco Naiveté, KOTA (as they call themselves) are about the most exciting thing we've heard in ages. DN describe it as "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as produced by M83", and while that is lofty praise indeed, it actually seems impossibly spot-on in this case. There's next to nothing known about the anonymous collective beyond the cryptic messages found on their website (which is kind of amazing in its own right), but with a masterful aesthetic and a home run on their first at bat with the song and video for "Masters of the Sun", we couldn't be more excited to hear more. What a way to start the year.

DOWNLOAD: "Masters of the Sun" - KOTA