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The Barometer: Ghostpoet; Niki and the Dove; Kids; The Beige; Toddla T ft Roots Manuva; L-Vis 1990 ft Javeon McCarthy; Joan as Policewoman; Dream Jefferson; Total Babes

What's hot on our playlist

John Hall
Friday 12 August 2011 00:00 BST
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Minimalist beats: Flamboyant, Björk-influenced pop from Niki and the Dove
Minimalist beats: Flamboyant, Björk-influenced pop from Niki and the Dove

Ghostpoet

Liines

Downbeat, dramatic pop-rap from the Mercury Prize-nominee. A convincing exploration of the frustration of writer's block.

Niki and the Dove

Last Night

Flamboyant, Björk-influenced pop. Minimalist beats sit behind a solid arrangement that mixes synths and Tom Waits-esque oddball percussion.

Kids

Further

Noisy, upbeat punk rock'n'roll from San Diego's favourite sons. Kids do the whole angsty-vocal-over-upbeat-music thing so well.

The Beige

Mother

Despite having the blandest name in rock, this one-man band makes simple bedsit-ballads that jerk the tears.

Toddla T ft Roots Manuva

Watch Me Dance

Roots's distinctive tight-but-slurred vocals fit perfectly with Toddla T's slap-bass-heavy backing track.

L-Vis 1990 ft Javeon McCarthy

Lost in Love

Fans of Chromeo will enjoy this slick electro-funk cut. The 'Neon Dreams' LP, from which this track is taken, is released in November.

Joan as Policewoman

Chemmie

Chemmie mixes laid-back Philly soul with sultry vocals.

Dream Jefferson

Disco Club Layla

Pulsing hip-hop featuring lyrics that are humorously symbolic and nonsensical.

Total Babes

Swimming Through Sunlight

Despite the jokey band-name, this is fiercely unironic rock.

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