I Hear a New World - December, 2008

London-based Wichita Recordings are home to a dizzying array of bands that practically define contemporary indie cool - Espers, Bright Eyes/Conor Oberst, Bloc Party, Los Campesinos, Saul Williams, Those Dancing Days - and as if they needed the bonus kudos, the label also released the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' early EPs. Here are four IHANW-approved tracks from albums they've released throughout the course of 2008.

Lovvers - Human Hair

Not sure what the reference to human hair is, but it sounds like Lovvers frontman Shaun Hencher has swallowed a whole ball of the stuff, as he sneers and snarl like a caged rat, starved and pumped full of faulty testosterone. There's nothing romantic about this delirious gaggle of lascivious Lovvers.

The Bronx - Knifeman

From brand new album The Bronx (III), recorded with Dave Schiffman (Mars Volta, System of A Down, Rage Against the Machine), that Knifeman bears more than a passing resemblance to the Ace of Spades by Motorhead is no bad thing. In fact, it's a refreshing blast of shameless riffery and baws-to-the-floor Lemmy-esque vocal attitude that I for one can only commend, whilst being slightly scared at the same time.

Les Savy Fav - Meet Me In the Dollar Bin

In March, Wichita released Inches, a compilation of this notorious New York indie band's 7" singles from the last 5 years. Meet Me In the Dollar Bin refers to that destination most feared by all musicians - the bargain bin, irrefutable confirmation that you are neither hot property, most wanted, or in any way cool. In my youth, I would scour the bargain bin at Woolworth's for the latest New Kids on the Block 7". Now, Woolie's itself is being sold off for the unbeatable price of a single quid, proving no-one is immune.

The Dodos - Paint the Rust

Discovered by French Kiss Records in the US - which just so happens to be owned by Les Savy Fav's bassist - The Dodos combine innovative, African-influenced drumming rhythms with guitar and vocals to create their modern twist on the timeless San Francisco psychedelic folk style. Paint the Rust is a rollicking countrified blast from the album Visiter.