Category Archives: Alt Rock

Alt Rock, Ambient Music, Atmospheric Music, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Synth Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Pale Rivers

Pale Rivers have released their new single ‘Icefield’, ahead of their forthcoming debut EP. Produced by Owen Lewis and Steven Mullan, ‘Icefield’ was recorded at Herbert Place Studio’s, Dublin. Based out of Cork and Tipperary, Ireland, the band began playing their first shows around the country including slots at Hard Working Class Heroes, Whelans One’s To Watch and Electric Picnic, as well as some high profile supports for acts such as Teleman, British Sea Power and The Wedding Present.

‘Icefield’ is a deeply moving number bleeding haunting tones of yearning  through ethereal rushes of breezy synths over textured guitar whines and passionate heart gripping vocals. This is a special track that grips the listener with every flickering note. This band keep you on the edge of your seat – the delicate sweet and tender moments are perfect, immaculate and pristine as elegant keys twinkle and glisten between subtle synth wisps as the warm emotional vocals caress the darkly hued haunting melody. Intimacy is key to this track and this is created by those dynamic tender vocal tones which are embellished by soaring, undulating waves of guitar and weaving synths. The track builds becoming more intense and expressive carrying and elevating our hearts and emotions with it as the synths become frenzied and choppy and rush over the tumbling guitar and rippling drum/bass rumbles. This track swoons with deeply moving and atmospheric tones while a rich snappy rhythm holds all the vaporous floaty soundscapes together with a gloopy-like glue texture. It’s a sublime riveting listen and a well crafted gem to hold dear.

Talking about ‘Icefield’, the band explain – “recording this song was very much a case of going with gut feeling rather than planning it out and ticking boxes. Going in to do it we just had a skeleton track and from there, it was very much a case of experimenting and improvising on different instruments, many of which we hadn’t used before. Recording this definitely felt like a journey from start to finish, and in many way’s one of the most fun/difficult but rewarding experiences we’ve had in a studio…”

You Can Catch Pale Rivers live at :

August 5th – Indiependence

August 24th – The Roundy – Cork

 

Stream  ‘Icefield’ below

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll

King Kartel ‘Brown Sugar’

King Kartel are an Indie Rock’n’roll band  from Newry Co. Down and are based in Manchester. The band have released their new single ‘Brown Sugar’ from their upcoming EP ‘Fault By Design’. This stomping blistering number flexes, struts and sprawls in slick rock n roll bravado. Its driven by a catchy melody, jangly keys and a thumping punchy rhythm. This is one hell of a steamy belter filled with scorching sleek instrumentation and a hefty mosh ready chorus. It is one for the mania of a sticky mosh pit. The smooth melody glissades upon the brawny backdrop with elegance and class, ready for mass sing alongs while the fiery guitar strides take on a sultry persona of their own strutting, flamboyantly boasting and elegantly sweeping across the track with a red hot fearless demeanor while the rooted elastic bass and punchy drums add a beefy foundation for the guitars to flourish off. It’s catchy and melodically luscious with enough vaporous sleekness to grab attention and wrestle your ears into blissful submission.

Watch the video for  ‘Brown Sugar’ below

 


Alt Rock, New Music

Citylightz ‘Don’t Know Me’

Citylightz are a west Midlands based 5 piece with a 90s attitude blending indie and rap to create a unique take on modern music. The band comprised of members Matthew Barnett (Vocals), Luke Henry (Vocals/Guitar/Bass), Adam Bolger (Guitar), Tom churm (Drums) and James Skidmore (Bass) have released their debut single ‘Don’t Know Me’. It’s a shredding, slick debut that strides in on steamy sleek guitar lines, punchy drums and vibrant bass grooves to create a chilled effortlessly cool number that packs a serious amount of gusto. It’s a compact tune that takes its time gradually layering its structure before building to an anthemic belter. There are some golden guitar moments in this track with striking jagged guitar slashes forming the rumbly aggressive foundation while sweet little guitar jingles weave their way on top to warm and caress the melody with delicate sun kissed tones. Barnett raps over the blistering instrumental backdrop with attitude and swagger while the backing vocals coo through the infectious chorus. It’s a sharp bite of alternative indie that cruises with charm and likable charisma and some pretty shredding instrumental displays – that blistering guitar solo is raw, pure, air guitar worthy and sublime.

Stream ‘Don’t Know Me’ below


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, Psych-Pop, psychedelic, Shoegaze

Sun Mahshene ‘Tales of Fiction’

Fresh off their slot at Vantastival, Dublin Indie Psychgazers Sun Mahshene are set to release their new single ‘Tales of Fiction’ on the 28th of July. The track was recorded and co-produced by Dan Doherty in Darklands Audio. This is the first single to be taken from their forthcoming debut album ‘Contradictions & Tales of Fiction’ which is due for release in October 2018. Sun Mahshene started off as a solo project by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Nathan Henderson and soon turned into a collective of talented musicians, bringing Dave Murray on board for drumming duty and Ian McGinn on rhythm and lead guitar. With a mutual ambition to create something special they decided to merge their wide range of influences and joined forces with Darren Hughes on Bass and Ryan Daffy as third guitarist.

These guys know how to make mind melting tunes and ‘Tales of Fiction’ is no different. Filled with shrilling guitars and floor shaking punchy drums and bass combination, the monstrous wall of sound this track brings is something to behold. Swirling soundscapes mystify with wispy dreamy kaleidoscopic hues while the crashing biting guitars soar, wail and glide with a relentless onslaught into your ears in the most captivating and thrilling manner that leaves you in a blissful haze of euphoria. The adrenaline rush that exudes from this track is sublime while the smooth honey drizzled melody flows in on a laid-back cloud of sweet sedation. Henderson’s vocals weave between powerfully dynamic and velvety smooth tones while oozing a fiery passion. It’s a big tune camouflaged as a sweet psych trip. Once this track kicks in it goes full throttle – psychedelic indie rock at its shoegazing fueled best.  Once again Sun Mahshene produce a fresh mouth-watering slice of captivating infectiousness to sink our teeth into.

Stream ‘Tales of Fiction’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic

Serene ‘Pendle Hill ‘and ‘Footsteps in the Dark’

Psychedelic rock trio Serene are set to release two new songs, ‘Pendle Hill ‘and ‘Footsteps in the Dark’ this week for Kendal calling.  The band who are based in The Lake District and Liverpool have regular spots on the Manchester and Liverpool circuit; The Night and Day Cafe, The Castle, Zombie Shack, The Peer Hat, The Zanzibar, along with the brand new Peaky Blinders Bar (Liverpool). In summer, Serene are often found at a multitude of Lake District festivals, such as Kendal Calling, EskFest, Another Fine Fest, PigFest, DogFest, MoonFest, Noon til Midnight and Grasmere Guzzler. In the summer of 2016 they embarked upon a two week tour of Italy, previewing their new material prior to releasing their debut album – ‘The Lonely Road’. This proved a successful adventure, as it gained the band a session with BBC Introducing, along with CumbriaLIVE describing the band as ‘one of the finest live acts in the county’. Serene also supported Nazareth on their tour of England in January this year.

‘Pendle Hill ‘and ‘Footsteps in the Dark’ display the depth and maturity of this trio. Their precise and enthralling musicianship is what I have come to love about this band. ‘Pendle Hill’ swirls with dark eerie tones creating a spine chilling atmosphere as haunting vocals sets the harrowing scene for the shadowy verses. The flickering guitars meander through the almost tribal beat adding a danceable groove to the psychedelic mindless soundscapes. If you want a submerging chilling experience filled with rich tangible instrumentation that grips and pulls you into a mysterious world of ominous possibilities this is the tune for you. The depths and multi textures layered into a captivating hypnotic tune is masterful and just a first class experience. ‘Footsteps in the Dark’ follows this marvelous trend with cool tones over sweltering oriental-esque and sometimes traditional or Celtic -ish guitar moments. The melody is superbly melancholic as it sweeps and rushes over the psychedelic hues with a grandeur and elegance that would bring a gentle tear to your eye. The bass and drums keep an elastic and fluctuant groovy foundation for the ethereal luscious soundscapes to wisp around and playfully rebound off. This dreamy hazy gem floats about with a feathery lightness while still maintaining a meaty brawny hold. Vocals gently coo and brood with an angelic heavenly sweetness while this infectious mesmerising track immerses you in an overwhelming surge of euphoric yet wistful bliss.

These guys are coming into their prime and it’s a pleasure to watch and experience their magnificent tunes come to life is such a beautiful colourful and prismatic way.

Stream ‘Pendle Hill ‘and ‘Footsteps in the Dark’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Deep Sky Objects

Alt-rockers Deep Sky Objects return this summer with their second single from their raved-about debut EP ‘Deep Sky Objects’. After the success of the Kerry band’s spring tour the band have lined up a string of dates across Ireland including INEC’s Future Sounds. We see the band come into their own with this rockier follow-up to debut single ‘This City’s at War’ while keeping true to their melodic song writing Deep Sky Objects recorded their debut self-titled EP ‘Deep Sky Objects’ in Whitewell Studios with Ciaran O’Shea. The EP was subsequently mastered by Fergal Davis. In March 2018 Deep Sky Objects released their debut single ‘This City’s at War’ to an eager audience and received extensive airplay across regional radio as well as national airplay. Deep Sky Objects ‘Desire’ is our worth a listen track this week.

‘Desire’ is a ballsy dark smeared number that blisters bruises and pummels with melodic ferocity. Driven by a meaty gritty riff this track instantly grabs attention wrestling you to the ground with its eerie melody chilling and creeping  over the boiling explosive instrumental backdrop as Kevin O’Brien’s vocals soar and haunt above this scorching concoction. With a sturdy thundering drum and rooted rumbling bass back bone this track has everything to thrill you to the core and have you moshing along. Drenched in ominous darkly hued tones this goosbump inducing tune is well crafted for sing along lovers, head bang fanatics and slick earworm melody seekers. They then throw a shredding steamy guitar solo on top and bam! these guys have just whacked out a banging tune.

You can catch Deep Sky Objects live at

July 28 – Nellie Freds, Dingle

Aug 3 – Indiependence Festival, Cork

Aug 5 – Luker’s Bar, Shannonbridge, Offaly

Sept 13 – Whelan’s, Dublin

Oct 17 – Kelly’s, Cavan

Nov 17 – INEC FUTURE SOUNDS, Killarney

Stream ‘Desire’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, Psych-Pop, psychedelic

Tempesst ‘Doomsday’

London-based psych-pop quintet Tempesst have released their latest single ‘Doomsday’, the title track from their forthcoming EP.  The band first originated in Queensland, Australia on the Sunshine Coast, based around twin brothers Toma (vocals, guitars) and Andy Banjanin (drums). After a move across the globe, the outfit — rounded out by Eric Weber (guitars), Kane Reynolds (keys), and Blake Misipeka (bass) — made their raucous debut with the 2017 EP ‘Adult Wonderland,’ earning widespread praise in the U.K., which led to dates supporting the likes of Temper Trap and Albert Hammond Jr., and showcases at The Great Escape, NME Awards, and Live At Leeds. The new track is in part a reflection on how our addition to social media and the internet have turned us into mindless creatures, and part a commentary on the current state of the world.

‘Doomsday’ is a mysterious swirling brew of classic ’60s and ’70s influenced psychedelic rock and delicious pop that leaves you in a mind melting daze of delight. Tasty guitar whines weave between dizzying hazy electronics while the smooth melody cruises in to soothe the mind and sugar coat the woozy psychedelic swoons. It’s deliciously creamy with an underling fuzzed sting as the guitars whip a dash of zest into this enthralling liquefying mixture. The luring vocals tease and tempt throughout the eerie verses as lush backing vocals coo and haunt the background leading you deeper and deeper into the consuming trippy abyss of the track. Filled with creepy tones under a captivating cinematic soundscape this earworm has all the component parts to draw the listener in and trap them in its honey drizzled magnetising sound. Its infectious and a truly satisfying listen.

“It’s the first time in my life that I’ve felt so aware of my mortality and it probably doesn’t help that the Facebook and Netflix algorithms have cottoned on and keep feeding me shit on the topic,” Toma says about the track. “‘Doomsday’ is the start of what will probably be a long running theme.”

Stream ‘Doomsday’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

Silver Citizen ‘Now We Groove’

Three-piece rock band Silver Citizen have recently released their new single ‘Now We Groove’. Hailing from Brisbane, Australia,  Silver Citizen returned in 2016 as a reincarnation of their previous musical undertaking. During this hiatus the band have revamped themselves by introducing refined stylistic approaches, such as heavy guitar riffs layered underneath the discerning lyrics of lead singer Jimmy Wenham. Drawing on the influences of Audioslave and the Foo Fighters, Now We Groove is saturated with a variety of memorable riffs, explosive drums and powerful choruses.

This mosh ready banger pelts in with meaty heavy riffs on top of punchy drum whacks and dynamic vocals. The brawny bass lines weave between the drum rumbles with an elastic groove while the shredding guitars pierce and stride throughout. It’s a mighty unfaltering display of rap rock that thunders in –  fierce and savage ready to pummel your skull with its adrenaline shot of vigour and might. Catchy and melodic with enough heaviness to have a mosh pit in a brawling frenzy ‘Now We Groove’ is pretty slick and extremely engaging.

Stream ‘Now We Groove’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Mini Mansions

Los Angeles trio Mini Mansions mark their highly anticipated return with their new single ‘Works Every Time’, the title track from their upcoming EP ‘Works Every Time’ set for release on September 28th. The EP follows on from the trio’s  (singer/guitarist Michael Shuman (bassist of Queens of The Stone Age), bassist Zach Dawes and singer/keyboardist Tyler Parkford) critically acclaimed 2015 album ‘The Great Pretenders’, which saw the band tour with the likes of Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys and Royal Blood and of course the B-sides release ‘Flashbacks’ which we previously reviewed on Indie Buddie.

‘Works Every Time’ is an infectious foot tapping number that swoons around a delicious melancholic melody and wistfully sweet vocals. Parkford takes on the vocals for this tune – his warm lower range resonating through the brooding verses before Shuman joins in for the falsetto chorus. The track laments through hazy key flickers and dreamy backdrops while the steady beat and elastic bass keeps the track bouncing along doused in nectarous gloopy bliss. Naturally, you can’t have a Mini Mansions song without some tasty guitar lines and this track packs in oodles of that in the most sophisticated classy way that only these guys can do. The guitar injections pine and weep with a sting that adds a refreshing spice and dash of zest to the cruising lusciously melancholic track. These guys are immensely talented. Each track they produce is precise and immaculate with refined classy elements on top of fine richly layered musicianship. They are musical magi with the perfect blend of melodies and tones to have us eating out of the palm of their hands longing and craving for every melodic concoction they deliver.

Stream ‘Works Every Time’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Black Honey

Black Honey have shared another new track called ‘I Only Hurt The Ones I Love’, the follow-up to recent pop hit ‘Bad Friends’. The song precedes the group’s debut album, which is expected to land in September. They also have a headline tour coming up, which will see them head out from 13th October, with the finale taking place at London’s Electric Ballroom.

‘I Only Hurt The Ones I Love’ re-introduces that sweltering spaghetti western guitar Black Honey do so well. Once you hear that thrilling shrill you know your in for another infectious striking track from Black Honey. Izzy’s smooth vocals coo over the blistering guitar strides and punchy drums while that tasty melody drizzles a sweet nectarous syrup on top. It’s dipped in the laid-back swagger we know and love from this four piece while they flood the track in haunting mystery with some bopping pop sprinkled on top. This deadly concoction is the scrumptious irresistible sound of Black Honey. The catchy chorus, rumbling bridge teamed with slick bass licks and guitar hooks make for a polished glossy yet gritty blast of chilled indie rock.

Watch the video for  ‘I Only Hurt The Ones I Love’ below