October is normally referred to as ROCKtober in DiS circles, but this year it holds a little more truth than usual. What you can see in the top right corner of this article is the first tiny little exclusive shot of the brand-spanking new Drowned in Sound. After endless back-and-forthing and six months of intensive coding by what can only be described as the web's biggest genius - Matthew Willson - a whole new Drowned in Sound is on its way.
We're moving to a better server, so those of you upset with message board performance will be appeased, the list of new features is quite spectacular and we've got new people on new teams making our listings, releases and reviews databases the most accurate and comprehensive on the internet.
We've conveniently tied our re-launch in with our fifth birthday, with this party at Manchester's In The City shindig, a very special show at the Camden Barfly on 14th October and an excellent line-up by top message-board legend Ralphcore on 5th October, that you can find more about by clicking here.
To celebrate all of these wonderous occurences, we're giving away one of the most impressive goodie-sacks known to man. Sure, it's got records, but where else will you get White Stripes sweets? Devendra Banhart tote bags? MIA horns? You'll also score a pair of tickets to the Barfly party on 14th October (buy tickets here). All you need to do is click here and tell us your favourite album of the last five years - and why. Simple? No, it's really not - but a lot of fun.
And the re-launch? Keep Friday 14th October free in your diary.
DiScuss: New DiS? Excited? Are you going to any of the birthday shows? Do you know any other five year olds that know as much about music?