David Holmes, The Holy Pictures, Canderblinks, Album, Out Now ****
As a prolific DJ and master of sound tracks, David Holmes is used to switching drama and atmosphere on and off like a tap. But with this, his fourth solo album, he's tapped into something else entirely.
A fusion of influences and sounds, The Holy Pictures calls to mind the likes of the Jesus and Mary Chain and Neu! - a dark, stirring undercurrent playing against dreamy, electro beats.
From the almost twee, Velvet Underground-esque I Heard Wonders, to the intense, rocky Kill Her With Kindness, which echoes his work on the Ocean's film sound tracks, it swoops and crawls between moods.
Holmes has called this his most personal work to date, reflecting on his life growing up in Belfast, losing a parent, and becoming one himself. It's no coincidence that he chose this record to debut his own, wispy vocals, adding a vulnerable intimacy and a sense of life.
Dorp, Humans Being, Caned and Able Records, Album, September 15 *
They claim to be culturally diverse, thanks to their geographic origins - they hail from Paris, Cape Town and London - but musically, Dorp's members are all on exactly the same page.
A Placebo tribute band in waiting, their debut album sounds like Brian Molko fronting a fledgeling Nine Inch Nails. Driving, chunky goth guitars and obvious but forgettable choruses, they've missed their era by 15 years but are still bound to amass a band of moody, pre-teen fans.
Infadels, A Million Pieces, Wall of Sound, Single, September 15 **
Infadels have been plugging away for years now, and while fellow chirpy chappys The Kooks and Reverend and the Maker have hit the big time, they're still limping along, churning out catchy, feel good indie-pop that falls just short of the mark.
They even took to Oxford Street to throw £5,000 in cash from a routemaster bus to promote their last single, Free Things For Poor People, but the indie kids still aren't biting. Which is puzzling. There's nothing to really dislike about them - they're a music station dream. Inoffensive, bloke-pop to wave your pint around to.
It won't change your life, but it might make you turn your radio up.
