Rainer is a beguiling new project comprising two members – including singer Rebekah Raa – from former London foursome Stricken City.  But while that act had a optimistic, pop-edged sound, Rainer is more downbeat and minimal.  On the two tracks released thus far, Raa’s refrained vocals float out like solemn siren songs over choral backings, cloudy electrogaze and clarinet notes.

Recent videos by London acts which this blog hearts:

***VIDEO OF THE WEEK***
Disclosure – You & Me (Feat. Eliza Doolittle)
The snapshot-style ups and downs of a young couple’s European travelogue make the perfect accompaniment to this recent single.   The pretty footage really captures what it is to travel, and the unrivalled thrill of a first love.  [Recent blog on this song]

Click here to view the embedded video.

Savages – Shut Up
This compelling movie starts with singer Jehnny Beth intoning the poem / statement-of-intent from the front cover of Savages’ forthcoming debut album, and then moves into a full, typically-explosive live performance of the track Shut Up.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Keebo – Native American
The twin elements of this all-girl fivepiece’s new single – a focus on Amerindians and a sun-cooked, outdoorsy vibe – mesh here in a film of heavily-filtered goodness.  Can’t wait to hear more from this lot.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Fenech-Soler – Magnetic
Formerly the purveyors of dense, warehouse party-perfect electronica (I’ll always remember an amazing show in Manor House…), Fenech-Soler have suddenly, seemingly gone all pop on their second album, Rituals (out 2 September).  It’s an unexpected change of direction, but hey ho.  The soaring, air-punching highs of first single Magnetic are here accompanied by a film where vocalist Ben Duffy just can’t flee the clutches of Donnie Darko-like animal heads – like that guy below…

Click here to view the embedded video.

Earlier in Brixton, my bus got delayed by a passing mini-march.  I looked on as about 50 protesters stomped past, placards, megaphones and all, telling Lambeth Council that it shouldn’t close Clapham Fire Station.  The marchers looked like decent, wholesome people; and I was struck by the difference between their active, energetic character and my fellow passengers and I, who looked on stupefied, like amused tourists – only metres away, but actually a safe world apart from this disagreeable mob.  That same contrast re-enters my mind when listening to Benin City‘s third single, My Love.  While so much of today’s music is by-the-numbers, here’s an act that dares to be different, to boldly stand out – in this case, via a song that segues from fraught spoken word and synths to a euphoric marching-band (more marching!) finale.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Based between London and NYC, the enigmatic boy/girl duo Be&Bea return with this glossy, synth-edged, r’n'b-flecked number, as smooth and polished as a Galaxy chocolate bar:

It follows the cosier pop tones of Grows.

It might be pissing rain in London constantly right now, but let’s pretend it’s summer with this soul-tinged house number by Siloet.