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New Hot: three distinguished musical acts look for their big break

Rising UK songwriter Laura Marling releases her fourth album on Tuesday.
Rising UK songwriter Laura Marling releases her fourth album on Tuesday.Publicity Photo
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by David Safar and Jon Schober

May 26, 2013

This week on New Hot, read about a new album from two of James Blake's best friends, plus one of the UK's youngest and most successful songwriters. These are our three recommended releases for Tuesday, May 28.

Laura Marling — Once I Was An Eagle

It must be good to be Laura Marling right now. The 23-year old songwriter has already put out three albums, and her fourth Once I Was An Eagle is already being hailed as a triumph by the UK press. Call it a rebirth of sorts: she revamped most of her band line-up, instead employing just sparse percussion and cellist Ruth de Turberville. Additionally, Marling recorded all the guitar parts and vocals in one take. The result is an effort described as the equivalent of a modern-era Joni Mitchell. The album is currently one of the highest rated releases of the year on Metacritic and is widely expected to exceed the sales of her previous three efforts.

Laura Marling: "Where Can I Go?" — Rate, Request or Recommend this song »



Mount Kimbie — Cold Spring Fault Less Youth

Mount Kimbie's debut album in 2010 was released to massive critical acclaim, but Crooks & Lovers just didn't latch on to the masses. They're making sure no one misses their new album Cold Spring Fault Less Youth, and the duo of Kai Campos and Dom Maker have been ubiquitous across music publications since material started leaking online last year. They've signed to influential electronic label Warp Records and buzzy King Krule makes a cameo on two tracks. They've also got the endorsement of James Blake who just happens to be one of their best friends.

Mount Kimbie: "Made To Stray" — Rate, Request or Recommend this song »



Imaginary Cities — Fall Of Romance

One of the largest Canadian music success stories came in 2011 when duo Imaginary Cities shot to the top of the country's college radio charts. They had momentum behind them already: multi-instrumentalist Rusty Matyas had previously been in The Waking Eyes and was a collaborator with The Weakerthans. Their debut Temporary Resident was awarded Western Canada's Best Pop Album of the Year and they were shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. If that wasn't enough, they toured with the Pixies right after those accolades streamed in. They've expanded into a quintet and are releasing sophomore record Fall of Romance to much anticipation in their homeland, and it could be the record that propels them into the international spotlight.

Imaginary Cities: "Bells Of Cologne" — Rate, Request or Recommend this song »

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