Category Archives: Indie Psychedelic

Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, psychedelic, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Swedish Death Candy

Psychedelic, experimental rock band Swedish Death Candy have released their new single ‘Last Dream’ taken from the self-titled debut album, due to be released on 10th November. This acute splintery track slashes with razor sharp screeching guitar between a meaty kick ass riff. Shrilling and screeching with tantalizing noise surrounded by psychedelic narcotically trippy soundscapes it’s a bewildering mind-boggling assault of turmoil. Smooth velvety vocals soothe with a melty sweet melody. Strong drums pummel your skull as the track swirls and winds in a hypnotic bliss while heavy instrumentation blasts with raw piercing rock. It’s frenzy causing and chaotic yet well-structured and crafted to lure you into a fuzzed distortion of delusion. These guys know how to place you in a musical dizzy spin of thrilling psychedelic rock.

The video has been constructed from publically available found footage from 1968-1978 and follows a Clockwork Orange-style narrative interpretation of a ‘Last Dream’, using startling imagery and editing techniques to disorientate as well as enthral.

Frontman Louis Perry describes: “The track is about trying to move on/move away from stuff that’s negative/toxic. But it’s also about the alluring nature of these things. It’s also about how time fades when you’re stuck in a particular mindset or relationship or state. Lastly, it’s obviously about dreams; recurring dreams, and dreams that remind you of the past. It’s not all negative though, it’s also about how these experiences can be fun in the moment”.

You can catch Swedish Death Candy live at

27 Oct LEEDS Belgrave Music Hall

16 Nov 2017 LONDON The Black Heart

21 Nov 2017 BRISTOL The Crofters Rights

28 Nov 2017 BRIGHTON Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar

29 Nov 2017 ST. ALBANS The Horn

30 Nov 2017 LEICESTER The Cookie

08 Dec RENNES Trans Musicales Festival

13 Dec MANCHESTER The Castle

Watch the video for ‘Last Dream’ below


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

Serene ‘Drowning Lessons’

Psychedelic three piece Serene have released their new single ‘Drowning Lessons’ with an accompanying video which was recorded and edited by Serene’s own Kieran Day. Documenting their tour in Italy. The new single is taken from their forthcoming new album ‘The Lonely Road’ which is set to be released on the 30th of September. With blissful warm toned guitar ‘Drowning Lessons’ instantly slaps you in the face with the refined slick musicianship of this trio. That riff is so smooth and sublime as it breaks up swirling mind bending soundscapes. With raspy vocals and heavy mosh ready injections this track soothes you into a lulling wobbly desert hot mirage before blasting you with gritty rock. With groovy, funky basslines adding a sultry elasticity and dance- like wiggle texture these guys have packed a lot into this stunning track. With a reggae flavoured bridge smothered in hallucinogenic delusions interweaving among dark fuzzed guitar, it’s multi textured and richly layered creating an intricate trippy experience. Seamlessly flowing from gloriously breezy to heavy and moody ‘Drowning Lessons’ sets these guys up for big things.I’m a big fan of Serene and this song is exactly why.

Watch the video for ‘Drowning Lessons’ below

 

 


Album Review, Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Singer/Songwriter

Kev Howell ‘Haunting Ambition’ Album

Glasgow based singer-songwriter Kev Howell has recently released his debut album, ‘Haunting Ambition’. After beginning writing original material back in 2014 with an old 8-track machine, some Cubase software, and a lot of ambition and talent, Howell has come a long way. Over the past 3 years, he has grown a solid and dedicated fanbase and gained support slots for the likes of Ben Ottewell and Bill Ryder-Jones. Inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, ‘Haunting Ambition’ boasts nine alternative rock tracks, driven by melodic guitar chords and a haunting and distinctive vocal line.

‘Haunting Ambition’ is a swirling dark concoction of alternative soft rock churning and coiling in a sixties psychedelic dissolving fermentation. Smooth and crooney ‘Distance’ sets the mood of the album. The underlying groovy hints present itself through the bouncy rhythm while spooky spine chilling soundscapes wisp around haunting vocals. The smooth melody is delicate,soft and almost fragile while sharp guitars sting with a stabbing shrill creating a goosebump inducing thrilling listen. The shadowy narcotically hazy ‘Kamikaze’ follows. Vaporous and smouldering this sultry track exudes eerie tantalising mystery wrapped in a psychedelic rock mirage. There is definitely a Beatles-eque vibe in the song maybe it’s something about Howell’s soothing McCartney-like smooth vocals or the melty melody smothered in dark creeping sixties psychedelia. Each track flows fluidly into the next bringing you further into Howell’s cloudy dream state. ‘Ode to an Angel’ lightens the mood and tone of the album. Gentle, sweet and delicate with soft accompaniment it’s heavenly and calm. Warm guitar twangs twinkle in and out of the lush emotional vocal melody while glistening soundscapes add a heartfelt sprinkle of affection. It’s an elegant mood shifter. Each track is well layered yet arranged meticulously in such a way so each note, each pluck and strum makes its own impact and striking imprint on your soul. With this album when it’s swoony and dreamy it’s divine but Howell knows exactly when to break that up and add a wobbly mirage of sharp guitar stings. Each song tells an absorbing story which pulls you right into the depths of the track creating a wholly engulfing experience. ‘Nightbird’ brings a shimmy dance quality with an impressive array of instrumentation from banjo twangs to electric and acoustic guitar intertwined with electronic soundscapes. It’s infectiously boppy and very catchy. ‘Grave Lament’ is just simply beautiful and mesmerising. Howell gives you just under a minute and a half of this blissfully sweet relaxing track. Warm guitar takes you to a dreamy island paradise while a gentle snapping beat soothes your mind. It’s mind melting soul fulfilling and oh so good. With velvety vocals caressing a creamy melody it’s like he takes away all your worries and for a brief moment you are in Utopia. ‘Snipers Blues’ closes the album off with a gritty punch of blues rock. Dirty riffs drive the track while kinetic drums bounce and pound with ferocious energy. It’s effortlessly cool, swagger driven and ballsy while also holding an air of breezy laid back attitude. Sultry and eerie with sharp guitar wails it’s a dramatic memorable end to the album.

Kev Howell’s ‘Haunting Ambition’ album blends the brawny fiery punch of rock with sublime smoky poetry and sensual steamy psychedelia, showcasing his refined and proficient musicianship. It’s an album you can put on and will listen to all the way through finding new intricate details each time. He leaves space for thought and contemplation while still layering and weaving fine textures and sublime melodies. An impressive debut.

Watch the video for ‘Kamikaze’ below

 


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock, Trance

Indie Buddie Introducing : Cloakroom Q.

Alternative rock band Cloakroom Q have released their debut two singles ‘Don’t Come Home’ and ‘Wankman2000’. Hailing from Newry, Daniel Havern (Drumer), Conall Coulter (Guitarist), Dan Monaghan (Bassist), Ryan Elmore (Vocals) and Sean Hickey (Synth) formed after two of the members (Conall and Sean) saw LCD Soundsystem during their live set at Electric Picnic 2016. This influenced them to start a band which had many musical similarities to LCD. Of course, with the advent of Cloakroom Q they followed less of these musical influences as the sound developed with the additions of Dan, Ryan and Danny. Influences of the band “Slint” are present with both tracks due to the spoken word vocals featured. However, the influence of LCD soundsystem is still ever present with these tracks due to the synth arrangements.

‘Don’t Come Home’ is an intense spine chilling ominously dark trip. Twinkling creepy sinister synths create an almost horror movie like start. The steady pulsing beat creates a menacing foundation for the track while ghoulish haunting falsetto “ooh”, between anguished shaky vocals. It’s chilling and obscure smothered in simplicity as the feathery light melody on synths glisten, interweaving playfully and eerily against the harsh striking emotional lyrics. The track builds in intensity as drums pound and guitars crash becoming heavy and mosh ready, ending with the piercing shrill of distortion. This track is weighty both instrumentally and emotionally. It’s agonising, harrowing and brilliantly crafted. These guys build to a fury bursting crescendo while still holding back on some of the emotion. Its like a controlled explosion that is held taut so the intensity and torment remains throughout the fierce blow up.

‘Wankman2000’ is a pulsing psychedelic trip swirling in hypnotic soundscapes and flickering synths. A strong beat once again acts as a constant as the track wobbles and warps around it. Becoming heavy the track builds into fury infested headbang rock smothered in psychedelic delusions. Spoken vocals become aggressive and shouty. Dripping in acid-like illusions with dark eerie tones and pounding rhythms it’s another dense staggering track from this five piece.

Cloakroom Q have presented two chilling throbbing heavy hitting tracks with arrangements that take you on a roller-coaster ride of lurching and rolling with raw anguish and intensity. These two tracks whack these guys into the ones to watch list.

Stream singles ‘Don’t Come Home’ and ‘Wankman2000’ below

 

 


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

Swedish Death Candy ‘Oh My’

Swedish Death Candy have released their blistering new single ‘Oh My’.Band members Louis Perry (Vocals / Guitar),Francesco Codardo (Guitar / Backing Vocals), Jiwoon Whang (Bass Guitar / Backing Vocals) and Marco Ninni (Drums) are a clashing combination of cultures, boasting members from Italy, South Korea and Britain but they call London their base. The four piece create a heavy blues sound dowsed in heavier psych and its ridiculously good.
‘Oh My’ is a cut throat blast of thrilling psych-pop. It creeps in like an assassin with an innocent organ jangle only to blast you with the most lush rich riveting burst of gritty bluesy riffs distorted over punchy drums and spaced out trippy soundscapes. With a sweet delicate melody, velvety Tame Impala- esque vocals and dense psychedelic swirls it’s a brutal bash of hair raising noise that is euphoric and a mind bending electrifying experience. These guys know what they are doing- slick, tight, red hot sounds smothered with enough distortion and sultry guitar riffs chilled with psychedelic bliss, it’s a crafted work of genius. These guys are fast becoming one of my favourite bands out there at the moment.

Stream ‘Oh My’ below


EP Review, Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, Psych-Pop, psychedelic, Trance

Crome Yellow ‘Yellow Road’ EP

Waterford’s alternative rock/ synth pop band Crome Yellow have released their debut EP ‘Yellow Road’. The band have created a 5 track collection of liquefying mind melting tunes that are just sublime.
The sweet dazed ‘My Chateau’ kicks off the EP doused in narcotic psychedelia and ridiculously chill tones. Sharp guitar adds a wobbly sting to the hazy mirage while gentle vocals soothe you into a calming state of hypnosis. ‘Cordial People’ takes you on a funky tinged journey with spacey hints and darker tones of dreamy delusions. Whispered almost eerie vocals and the zesty guitar jingle create a dull shot of acid-fried absurdity. ‘You Never Ask Me If I’m Happy’ is a peppy clap along friendly track with a western desert feel. Psychedelic guitar adds scorching heat to the optical illusion. A sway like melody and peppy beat adds a shimmy wavy danceable element to the EP. ‘Grey Cords’ once again lulls you into Crome Yellow’s tranquillised state of opiate ecstasy. With lush backing vocals and trippy synths they take you further and further down the rabbit hole. ‘Jean’ brings us to the end of our journey with Crome Yellow with sonic pulses twinkling guitars and warm toned keys. It’s a swoony slow-moving track that is mind numbing and dreamy with space-age like psychedelia.
Crome Yellow’s ‘Yellow Road’ EP is a sophisticated deeply dreamy collection of tracks that drown you in a synth pop trippy illusion filled pool of euphoria. Its rich in intricately layered synths blended with hypnotic chimes and spacey psychedelia. Funky guitar elements and pop melodies create lush texture and deliver the bands distinctive sound. A strong debut EP from the four piece. Its a relaxing mind dissolving treasure.

Watch the video for ‘Jean’ below


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie Blues, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, psychedelic, Trance

Glassmaps ‘Summer Rain’

Glassmaps is the solo project of Joel Stein, lead guitarist in the much-loved Howling Bells. After four successful albums with the band, the UK-based Australian has brought his worldwide touring and recording experience to this exciting new endeavour. ‘Summer Rain’ is the first release from Glassmaps’ upcoming ‘Strangely Addicted’ LP which is to be released on Lost In The Manor Records later in the year. The LP was honed in Las Vegas, at the home studio of The Killers’ bassist Mark Stoermer, where Joel was staying while recording with Howling Bells.
‘Summer Rain’ is a swoony crooning blues tinted track brewed and entangled in hazy psychedelia. Driven by a blues rock stomp this track exudes and bleeds lazy laid back swagger. Dragging blurry delusions with sunny psych harmonics it’s a weary search for a resolution for ones own problems. The sharp twanging guitar freshens up the lethargic dreamy staggering soundscape. Stein’s raspy swooping vocals add a drowsy narcotic effect to this hypnotic sweltering track. Stuffy and muggy this track evokes images of humid days it almost suffocates you in its delusional trip. Catchy and hypnotic ‘Summer Rain’ is almost soothing and sedating while holding an air of seduction and confusion.

Stream ‘Summer Rain’ below


Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, psychedelic, Trance

Modern Crowds ‘Eye Of The Storm’

Jersey Shore-based band Modern Crowds have released their new single ‘Eye Of The Storm’. The four piece have crafted a diverse alt-rock sound that’s as huge as their arena dreams. Formed in early 2016 when Joseph Pellegrinelli (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Charlie Kupilik (drums) started jamming together the lineup would be rounded out by Adam Baczkowski (backing vocals, lead guitar) and Doug Gatta (bassist). With a debut EP ‘Go’ already under their belts, Modern Crowds are now gearing up to release their debut, self-titled full-length out this summer via self-release.
‘Eye Of The Storm’ is a hypnotic sparkling prism with flashing sonic flecks between speckles of glistening chimes and twinkling guitars. Soft soothing vocals place your mind in a narcotic daze and state of calming ecstasy. This track is a mesmerising trance-inducing state of swirling trippy bliss. With mild distortion and lush harmonies it’s mind melting-ly chill and mellow. Sticky beats keep a constant hypnotic elasticity to the track while everything else consumes you in a soft swirling marshmallow of sweet psychedelia.

Stream ‘Eye Of The Storm’ below


Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Trance

The Bandicoots ‘Dead End Street’

Ontario indie rock Quartet The Bandicoots have released their new single ‘Dead End Street’ from their new EP ‘Zolly’. Band members Nicolai Kozel (Guitar), Andrew Parkinson (Drums and Vocals), Lorant Polya (Bass), and Justin Ross (Guitar and Vocals) give us a trippy delusional track reminiscent of sixties rock. It’s a dreamy hazy addictive high of seduction smothered in sultry psychedelia and sweet luscious melodies. With twinkling guitars layered upon a soft beat this track swoons with a laid back steamy stroll and elegant glide. Classy yet sinister featuring creepy backing vocals and eerie guitars. It’s a smoke and mirrors track drenched in steamy hazy illusions and mystery which is chilling and hair- raisingly enticing. It’s a must listen.

Stream ‘Dead End Street’ below


Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic

Serene ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’

Cumbria’s three piece Serene have released their new single ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ along with a video. The band consists of Kieran Day (vocals, guitar, bass, synth), Ryan Patterson ( lead guitar and synth) and Matthew Southwell (drums and percussion). ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ is darkened dreamy summer-scented bliss that glides with tender delicate emotion. Warm melancholic guitar chimes add flickers of light while the the swooning track dowses you in waves of cool hazy tones. Slight guitar wobbles add a psychedelic flicker throughout the calm verses while raspy passionate vocals bleed and coo the lyrics and sweet melody. The track builds in intensity to a punchy mosh worthy bounce and might. With full bodied bass and shredding razor sharp solo it becomes more spine chilling and piercing with tints of hallucinogenic hues. Serene have tightened up their sound refined it and created a thrilling moving piece that shows maturity and skill.

Watch the video for ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ below