¡viva la graham!

British indie act Friendly Fires just unveiled brand new single “Kiss of Life,” an urgent, tribal track that features on the forthcoming re-release of the band’s self-titled debut album. The colorful video, shot in Ibiza, portrays front man Ed Macfarlane dancing with bandmates amidst the ocean and a troupe of masked bongo players. It offers a stark contrast to recent hit “Skeleton Boy,” a slick synth-pop song that was accompanied by a mostly black-and-white promo clip. The group excels at both styles while still retaining an instantly recognizable sound, an impressive feat to say the least.

Congratulations are also in order, as Friendly Fires was recently shortlisted for a coveted nomination for the 2009 Mercury Prize. It remains to be seen whether the fantastic addition of “Kiss of Life” will fuel the fire, so to speak. Best of luck to them.

Related:
Monday Morning Motivation: Friendly Fires

I’m a major fan of Sweden’s The Sounds, but I wasn’t terribly keen on the first single, “No One Sleeps When I’m Awake,” from new album Crossing the Rubicon. Fortunately for fans, second single “Beatbox” is a definite crowd-pleaser. Like most songs by the synth-rockers, it’s not entirely complex, but the guitar-driven track features Maja Ivarsson actually rapping the verses. She pulls it off effortlessly, and it’s a fun change of pace for the band.

Click here to find free downloads of several tracks by the The Sounds, including the original mix of “Beatbox,” a remix by Hey Champ and album track “Dorchester Hotel.”