The Bugles have released their second single ‘Give up’.The band have played sold out shows in both Bristol and London and are set to release an EP later this year with three UK tours also in the works.
‘Give up’ is a spicy upbeat little gem from The Bugles. This cheeky number is laced in jubilant catchy guitar lines that playfully weave through the infectious bass groove while a buoyant beat keeps everything travelling at a peppy pace.It’s sing along, clap along ready and just fun to its very funky core. The punk flavour punches throughout the verses without souring the sweet and catchy hook while the chorus explodes into an energetic delight. With a whispered teasing bridge ready to evoke a live show sing along this is a golden cheery gem. One listen to this track and it will be in your head for days.
About the track the band said : “We all know that person who is constantly talking about themselves. Whether it be how successful they are, how perfect their life is or just straight up how much cash they earn. Give up is a fast, funky punk anthem about how money is not everything.“
Liverpool band NULLA have released their debut single ‘Sunyata’. With its infectious groove, laid back swagger and silken guitar lines ‘Sunyata’ is a tight impressive debut from Nulla. The guitars inject a zesty refreshness into the track as they shrill and lightly zing through the ethereal soundscape. A melty pop melody floats upon the dreamy soundscape with a buoyant beat and elastic bass groove creating that charming hip moving foundation for this easy going gem. With its catchy melody, velvety vocals, shredding solo and sun kissed radiance ‘Sunyata’ is a glorious jazz-drizzled ditty to keep you smiling all day.
Dublin’s grunge disco band Munky have released their debut EP ‘Un, Deux, Trois, Cat’. This poignant precise collection of tracks displays Munky in their grunge drenched, attitude slapped habitat. The tracks flesh out the bands groove infested backbone however, the lyrical content sees our cheeky chappies take a social stance on real hard hitting topics such a victim blaming. These mature themes are devoured in blistering instrumentation and slick refined musicianship.
The razor sharp funky sting of ‘Zordon’ kicks off the EP with sweltering guitar whines and jagged riffs. Zachary Stephenson’s vocals prance and pine through the catchy melody with intriguing whoops and wails while the slick bass groove buoyantly hops and springs between the rich drums and intricate guitars. Thrilling psychedelia dissolves the gritty backdrop in a dizzying acid of fizz while this splintery dark number introduces the band with grandeur, exposing their debut EP in all its exhilarating glory. Just when you think Munky can’t surprise you any more than they already have, Stephenson’s splintery tongue fluidly rolls out a rap lyric for the acute ’Cuck Rock’. With a funky elastic and somewhat elegant display on bass and guitar the track smoothly flurries behind his narration.The instrumentation is tight and pretty slick as the slinky guitar weaves superbly between the elastic rhythm before the track explodes into a bloodthirsty assault of aggro that is destined to be epic live. Bassist Niall Donnelly brings the track to an end as he takes his “moment to shine”. ’Cuck Rock’ leads magnificently into the effervescent ‘You’ve Got Male’.
Track after track these guys create one hell raising EP filled with sizzling grooves, biting guitars, psych, raw grunge and battering rock with just the right dosage of flamboyance and panache drizzled on top. However it’s that sweet hair raising intro to ‘Ms. Communication’ that shows just how far these guys have come. I’ve heard this track live before and in a more raw format but the meticulous attention to detail and subtle changes the band have made to polish this gem up has to be a pinnacle moment within the EP. The soft female backing vocals blending and beautifully harmonising with Stephenson’s emotional, suffering vocals is immaculate. His vocals have improved and this track shows this perfectly. The passionate turmoil is bubbled and boiled in a fiery brew of funk with a bluesy aftertaste. This concoction creates a bracing sense of urgency and agony. The dark verse kicks off the track swallowed up in a funky slick bass line and eerie guitar twinkles which builds the cold icy tension. The track becomes more dynamic and mosh ready before an epic catchy chorus and crescendo-blast which screams attitude and rebellion. The sweet lamenting and lonely guitar melodies are perfectly placed throughout the song and that shredding solo is the final dramatic kick in the ass. This gripping track exudes class, finesse and the true skill of Munky. Finally the striking well placed ‘One in Five’ brings the EP to a powerful end. This barbed fiery track is about victim blaming culture and Munky provide a passionate heartbreaking narrative over a swirling backdrop of rumbling, agitated rhythms and sharp guitar pines. The guitar weeps, stings and shrills through Stephenson’s distressed vocals while the drums bubble and boil over to the mighty expressive crescendo. It’s a track that grabs your attention and is superbly written.
Munky pulled out all the stops with ‘Un, Deux, Trois, Cat’. It’s an impressive EP, containing cheeky funk, smothered in an honest and mature shell that showcases the majestic and proficient side to Munky’s musicianship.
Barefoot Magicians have released two new juicy singles ‘I’m Hooked and ‘It’s All Take’ which were recorded in Hellfire studios. Forming in early 2017 after a recording session In Dublin’s prestigious Windmill Lane Studios Barefoot Magicians comprise of Dave Greene (Vox/ Harmonica), Graham Stewart (Guitar), Fergal Mulligan (Bass), Brian Steemers (Drums/Percussion) and Hugh Caren (Piano/keys. The band dedicates itself to writing and performing original material based around a high energy blues funk groove, or as producer Alwyn Walker formerly of Westland Studios called it, “A Post Blues Groove”.
‘I’m Hooked’ and ‘It’s All Take’ are a dynamic funk/blues slapped duo made for wiggling and dancing to. These guys are instrumental pros as they blend out their delicious sounds to create a rich wholly satisfying listening experience
‘I’m Hooked’ brings a 70’s disco flavour to the bands groovy sound as the elastic bass wiggles and weaves its way through a feet shuffling foundation while jazz sprinkled piano and suave guitars slide and playfully dance between the strutting beat and swanky soundscape.It’s an animated rich track that showcase’s the meticulous instrumental refinement that goes into this bands tunes. This infectious track cools for a sultry guitar solo that builds the tempo for the hyper crescendo. With glorious harmonica injections and raspy vocals it’s one panache soaked, sing along ready tune.
‘It’s All Take’ is another groove infested number that bounces along sweet guitar melodies, rooted bass lines and an energetic rhythm. Catchy with a vibrant instrumental backdrop – this track travels with an energetic tempo. With elegant piano, delightful blasts of harmonica and expressive vocals it’s another swagger soaked track that is sure to have you strutting around like a dizzy peacock.
There are sublime guitar moments that weave an enticing golden thread of sweet delight through these tracks and that is the bait that gets you hooked on Barefoot Magicians tasty home brewed sound.
The band are set to release their new singles in Sin É on March 8th make sure to check them out
BENJAMYN has released his new track ‘Every Night’ from his recently released debut EP ‘TwentyThree’. BENJAMYN is the moniker chosen by Dublin musician Ben Hogan, as a singer/songwriter, guitarist and electronic producer – his style draws from Disco, Funk, Surf-Rock, Jazz, and House music. He calls his sound ‘Surf-House’.
‘Every Night’ is a floating breezy number with sun scorched undertones that drift through the track providing a glorious summer glow. With funky guitar flecks glimmering through a sticky beat, this track is laid back bliss in one mellow disco-speckled tune. Easy going vocals delicately flow over the melting ice cream melody and groove infested foundation.Tasty zest-filled guitar injections add a refreshing dash of vibrancy as BENJAMYN brings the lustrous summer into your ears for those sweet holiday daydreams.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Mini Mansions
LA trio Mini Mansions have released their new single ‘GummyBear’ taken off their upcoming third studio album ‘Guy Walks Into A Bar…’ which will be released on July 26th on Fiction Records.This fizzy, sugar sweet track struts in, slick and smooth with a luscious dreamy melody soothing the effervescent sticky instrumentation. With a toothsome pop shell, this peppy number swirls and weaves its glossy way into a darker hued bitter center. A little disco- like, the song is brimming with infectious grooves as a funky bass line and buoyant drums fluctuate through the euphoric soundscape creating a rich elastic foundation. The twinkling keys wander playfully about the majestic zesty sting on guitar as Mini Mansions flesh out this delectable biting number. From the anthemic thudding start right through to the wobbly guitar tickles and chiming key injections this track is steeped in chic panache and effortless charm. Tyler Parkford’s sweet falsetto vocals blend perfectly with Michael Shuman’s depth creating a full bodied sound that is so satisfying. Doused in effortless swagger ‘GummyBear’ is another suave track from the melody masters, Mini Mansions.
Lead singer Michael Shuman says of ‘GummyBear’, “Although GummyBear is rather fun and comical, the sentiment and story behind it are quite the opposite. At that time I really wanted to make an all disco record, but I guess this is as close as Mini Mansions gets to being part of the Gibbs family.”
Mini Mansions will be touring the UK and Ireland in May, including several festivals and a show at Dublin’s Whelan’s.. Tickets are on general sale from 9am GMT, Thursday 21st February.
Full dates below:
04.05.19 Live at Leeds Leeds, UK
05.05.19 Hit The North Newcastle, UK
06.05.19 King Tut’s Glasgow, UK 08.05.19 Whelan’s Dublin, Ireland
Dublin’s Munky have returned with their new single ‘You’ve Got Male’. The band who spent 2018 touring Ireland and the UK present another effervescent psych-punk track that is sure to have you frothing from the mouth as you dance along while convulsions take over your body. On this latest effort the band lacerate the track with fizzing acid saturated guitar-lines dipped in wobbly dizzying psych while an infectious bass weaves an elastic foundation for the pulverising drums to batter off. It’s groovy, manic and bitterly harsh all while a catchy melody glissades through Zac Stephenson’s reverb laced, expressive vocals sweetening the biting delivery. With slinky guitar lines dripping swagger into each lick, stroke and solo this savage thrilling number is saturated in Munky’s kinetic boisterous and cheeky brand of dance-tinged, razor sharp delight with all the energy and raucous adrenaline their live shows explode with. These guys write catchy tracks that display their fine musicianship and proficient instrumental display. Munky sear their sound deep into your head leaving you branded… theirs.
Toronto’s dynamic 8-piece band Gold Complex have released their new single ‘Driver’.Having regularly sold out renowned venues such as Lee’s Palace, The Horseshoe Tavern and the MOD Club as well as having back-to-back sold out showcases at Canadian Music Week, Gold Complex is grounded in their love for energetic live performance. Following the release of their self-titled EP (currently available worldwide), Gold Complex performed on camera and had their music licensed on the television series Open Heart, currently on Netflix. They have been in regular rotation on CBC Radio One, CUIT FM and college/community radio nationwide. The band is set to release their debut full-length album ‘New Soul’ on February 22nd.
‘Driver’ is a slinky slice of funk flavoured pop rock. Richly garnished this spicy number groves and glides with swagger swept through a three-piece horn section and smooth vocal harmonies. Very classy and chic these guys roll out a velvet carpet of suave instrumentation with a delicate melty melody caressed with soft passionate vocals and a steady beat. The steamy romantic horn section lifts and adds a vaporous quality to the tropical shuffling rhythm while the vibrant chorus twinkles with panache and vibrancy. With funky elements weaving between smooth sultry tones this full bodied number charms and teases its way through a sweet blend of genres. It’s modern, crisp and refined as Gold Complex pack this track to the brim with soul and zest.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Saults
After one year of gigs across the UK (30 in London’s clubs, Love Supreme Festival, Minehead Festival in 2018…), french pop-rock band Saults have released their new single ‘Kelly Ride’. The track which was recorded in Abbey Road Studio, last February and has already got a massive reception among professionals (BBC, London Live TV…). Saults is comprised of brothers Antoine Saults (lead guitar / vocals), Greg Saults (drums / vocals) and Axel Castets (bass / choirs). In the beginning of 2016, they decided to record an EP and shot the video of its main title, ‘I Wanna Jam’, with the help of Sam de Salvador. They sold over 1.500 copies and ‘I Wanna Jam’ was viewed more than 15.000 times on YouTube.
‘Kelly Ride’ is a funky sweep of indie rock that struts in dripping in swagger as slinky guitar licks stride over a foot tapping beat and groove infested bass line.Jagged guitar riffs slice and dice with steamy vigor as the danceable bass groove and punchy drum whacks lay an elastic foundation, building the tension gradually and suavely for the meaty mosh ready rock n’ roll crescendo. This track has everything to coax you to the dance floor with panache driven vocals cruising over the vivid backdrop- its crisp clean and swanky.
London electro/alt rock trio Midnight Embargo have released their second EP ’00:00′ which was recorded with Nottingham producer Guy Elderfield. The scorching four track EP swarms in with catchy rock n’ roll whisked in dark funky flavoured disco vibes – perfect for frenzied live shows. Jangly guitars and buoyant strut ready rhythms glissade through the effervescent ‘HRTBRK’ and ‘Burn Your Fires’ These stomping disco bangers are brimming with panache as swagger soaked guitars prance through the punchy drums and sparkling synth glam. These guys whir through their infectious tunes with a slickness that is enthralling while a rowdy backdrop makes every pulse beat and stride compel your body to groove. The shredding rawness of ‘Borderline (Won’t Let Up)’ keeps the relentless stamina alive as edgy guitar riffs splinter and lacerate through the punchy drums and elastic bass rumbles. With a sing along fiery chorus perfect for live crowd interaction this track whips up a dark smothered blustery rock n’ roll frenzy. ‘Battle Rhythm’ closes the EP continuing the kinetic energy of the previous tracks with a little more aggression burning throughout the ethereal breezy soundscapes. Sharp guitars sting between the dynamic vocals and thumping drums as the synths weave a smoky haunting braid of mystery throughout.
Midnight Embargo have created a sublime dancable EP laced in infectious disco vibes with a magnificent blend of swagger soaked rock ‘n’ roll and 80s-infused rock. The slick, steamy, scalding guitar lines teamed with catchy melodies and driving rhythms make for one groovy wholly satisfying EP that is sure to make for a crazy live show.
Stream ’00:00′ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
