Category Archives: Psych-Pop

The Shipbuilders ‘Silk Road’

Liverpool’s very own gypsy-rock band, The Shipbuilders, have released their latest doubled-sided single, ‘Silk Road’ which marks a moment of change for the band, their first release under new label Mai 68.

‘Silk Road’ is a beautiful number glistening with lustrous guitar lines, buoyant rhythms and a velvety melody as The Shipbuilders present a rich, dreamy 60’s hued track to indulge in. The band layer the song sublimely with blissful guitar twinkling between a satin indie pop sheen of delight. It’s an authentic heart warming track that creates magical tones of wonder through charming and refined musicianship. With soft vocals, a catchy melody and floaty psychedelic soundscapes this silken track glides effortlessly into your ears ready to prompt repeat plays.

The band will play a string of shows in the upcoming months.
You can catch them live at:

Eagle Inn – Salford – 14th June

Un Deg Un – Wrexham 21tst June

Fox & Newt – Leeds – 20th July

Kendal Calling – 27th July

Stream ‘Silk Road’ below


Thumper ‘In My Room’

Dublin’s Thumper have released their new single ‘In My Room’. With major radio support across Ireland and the UK and stretching as far as Brazil, these guys are currently riding high on Spotify’s Hot New Bands playlist.

‘In My Room’ is an erosive blast of psych pop that corrodes with blistering guitars and pummeling drums creating an exhilarating wall of sound while the pop smacked melody coats the track in sugary fizz. This frenzied track froths with shrilling distortion and abrasive instrumentation as the rumbling elastic bass slaps and grooves infectiously behind the crashing majestic guitar-burns while the smooth vocals bounce along the bubblegum melody. The track builds into a sonic blast of pounding rhythms and mania for the thrilling crescendo as this adrenaline-inducing song shows Thumper at their most intoxicating. It’s one hell of a tune made for playing as loud as possible.

Watch the video for ‘In My Room’ below


Some Bodies ‘Escape’

Bristol-based newcomers Some Bodies have released their debut single ‘Escape’. The band who recently made their live debut in their hometown of Bristol, supporting Champagne Superchillin’ submerge your ears in a luscious swirling lagoon of melodic bliss. A dreamy melody floats delicately through the gentle swoosh of sparkling synths while twinkling guitars chime and strike throughout the steady beat and sublime bass rumble. It’s swoony and delicious with a cinematic tint adding a rose coloured glare to this lush daydream.The track builds to a dramatic crescendo brimming with emotion as the warm soothing vocals become more expressive and passionate, leading the way to a breathtaking instrumental frenzy. Fuzzed guitars blast through the punchy drums distorting every sweet flutter before leaving only a mind frazzling wall of sound echoing through your head. Well crafted and polished like a lustrous pearl Some Bodies have created one glorious sentimental  treasure with ‘Escape’.

Watch the video for  ‘Escape’ below


Crome Yellow ‘Tastes Much Better With You’

Waterford band Crome Yellow have released their new single ‘Tastes Much Better With You’ the fourth single from their upcoming debut album ‘See Why’. This slinky, smooth number drifts blissfully into your ears stopping time in a sugar coated dreamy dimension created entirely by Crome Yellow’s prowess. There is immense depth in this track as the band allows every pulse, flicker and swoosh take its place elegantly. The pop melody melts upon soft pearly electronics, warm guitar jingles and a soothing vocal delivery to create the perfect chilled number. It’s one tranquilizing time capsule as the band present a track with sweet hallucinatory swirls, zesty guitar solo’ s and a clean production.With gentle whines hitting the lush backdrop with an alien – esque tonality this wobbly and floaty dream has everything to transport you to a sedating state of bliss. The edged guitars fill the track with a classic rock anthemic vibe showcasing Crome Yellow’s brilliantly refined musicianship.

Stream ‘Tastes Much Better With You’ below


The Misty ‘The Lovely Dead Girl at Table Six’

London based multi-instrumentalist ‘The Misty’ has released his new single ‘The Lovely Dead Girl at Table Six’.  The track was recorded in his own home, as well as enlisting the help of La Frette Studios in Paris, the same studio chosen by rock band Arctic Monkeys for their latest LP release. Alongside the single release The Misty produced a music video, with the help of China Town Studios, featuring a French model to help put together the visual.

‘The Lovely Dead Girl at Table Six’ is a fluctuating flutter of delight as The Misty croons over a dreamy melody while vaporous guitars whine and sting between ethereal soundscapes. Filled with a rich and intense depth this track grooves and sensually sways with psychedelic hues through a delicate melodic flow. The swirling bubble of electronics set the romantic tone as the brooding vocals and sultry guitar injections add a stirring quality and meaty grit. Perfectly crafted this luscious tantalizing track transports you to a soothing dreamy state that captivates with a 70’s psychedelic rock vibe softened by whirls of jazz flickering through a pop lush melody. It’s soft and aerial with a vibrant mouth watering backdrop to tease all the senses.

Watch the video for  ‘The Lovely Dead Girl at Table Six’ below

 


Kidsmoke ‘Rising Sun’

Welsh dream-pop outfit Kidsmoke have released their new single ‘Rising Sun’,the first from  their upcoming album expected next year. With a sync-feature on Charlie Brooker’s Netflix series  Black Mirror, they burst into 2018 with single ‘Sister Sadness’ (named one of Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music Recommend’s tracks of the year), were featured as The Sunday Times Breaking Act, supported Gaz Coombes and were invited by Robert Smith to play his Meltdown Festival in support of The Joy Formidable.

‘Rising Sun’ is a sizzling, swirling spin of psychedelic pop wrapped in a blistering indie coating of bliss. Pulsating beats slap and whack a gooey beat of delight behind spiraling soundscapes and zesty guitars creating a dizzying hyper trip which encapsulates your ears in a shimmering sweet energetic sound of euphoria. Its pop melody melts upon this jagged indie backdrop as the smooth vocals disperse vibrant blasts of velvety goodness. With luscious harmonies and pristine guitar melodies radiating lustrous bursts of scintillation throughout – this track is simply glorious.

Stream ‘Rising Sun’ below

 


Crome Yellow ‘Lately’

Waterford band Crome Yellow have released their new single ‘Lately’. Combining a modern sound with that of the 60s and 70s, the band create a vibrant, guitar and synth-driven texture.
The band launched their latest EP ‘Yellow Road’ in June of 2017 after settling on their current lineup. Having grown a massive loyal fanbase in Waterford, they have been expanding their operations into Dublin and Cork with an eye to accomplishing the same there.

‘Lately’ is a sun kissed melodically rich number that lifts you in a glorious swoosh of the psychedelic hued indie pop Crome Yellow do superbly. With buoyant rhythms playfully bouncing between vibrant guitar jangles and alien-esque synth features, which entwine their blissful obscurity around the euphoric upbeat backdrop while smooth velvety vocals coo over a honey drenched infectious melody- this track is one dreamy radiant number that is sure to put a smile on your face. It’s soft floaty exterior charms and coils its way effortlessly into your brain while the tightly layered funk flavoured danceable interior insures Crome Yellow’s grasp on your mind. This track is just too good.

Stream ‘Lately’ below

 


Violet ‘Heaven Adores You’

Midlands five piece Violet have released their new single ‘Heaven Adores You’ out on ‘HolyHowl’ Records, following on from their debut singles ‘Feel’ and ‘Jaded’ which was rotated on Steve Lamacq’s 6music show.This new psych hued number floats in with marshmallow softness filled with sugary sweet pop melodies over graceful elegant instrumentation. Lush smooth vocals bounce along the creamy melody while delicate guitars twinkle throughout this ethereal gem. The track builds becoming more heavy and mind crushing as the guitars waver into a stinging weave of distortion over punchy drums and a grunge tinged soundscape that renders this tranquilizing number a little harsh. Driving on a powerful bass line with glorious sun kissed guitar entwining blissfully and playfully around the sedating melody- this track lifts you into an aerial state of euphoria before spiraling into a climatic whirl of psychedelic pop. Blending the soft pop tones and heavier 90’s  grunge seamlessly this band have produced one heck of a track to calm and expand your mind.

About the track Luke Brickett Haycock said “This song is one we all hold a little closer to our hearts and we spent so long drifting in and out of the studio to make it sound perfectly like it did in our heads. The song is a kind of retrospective view of an entity that you admire that isn’t on this big floating ball we call earth anymore, how they perceived themselves whilst affecting the world around them, and for us that was a message to Elliott Smith.”

Stream ‘Heaven Adores You’ below


BRONCHO ‘Bad Behavior’ Album

BRONCHO have released their new album ‘Bad Behavior’ an infectious swirl of luscious, teasing and exhilaration tracks to keep you drooling for more. It’s a tasty collection of tracks filled with psychedelic indie pop, laid back tones and insanely catchy grooves to ensure a satisfying listen. ‘All Choked Up’ sets the EP in motion with its churning rhythm creating a danceable foundation for the buoyant guitars and smoky melody. The stop start beat establishes an atmosphere of suspense which is only subdued by the shredding slick guitar solo. This track is so sleek and glossy with dark undertones twirling beneath the hypnotic rhythm. The tracks on the album flow into each other with a smooth fluidity,‘Weekend’ continues the heavenly subtly psychedelic trip with ethereal guitars twinkling between a steady backdrop. Ryan Lindsey’s sweet falsetto vocals provide each song with a heavenly quality. The instrumentation is tight throughout- crafted to perfection with glorious guitar twinkles daintly accompanying Lindsey’s vocals and honeyed melody while the strong beat and elastic bass grooves between. ‘Boys Got To Go’ displays this perfectly, the melodic flow guarantees a soothing listening experience as soft guitars glisten playfully throughout before whining elegantly every so often. BRONCHO provide the most glorious comforting blanket with ‘Keep It In Line’. This track enfolds your ears in a candied soothing melody, beautifully weaved instrumentation and sedating vocals. It’s bouncy, bright but incredibly tranquilizing. These guys delicately unwrap their sound revealing lush textures with each track. Together they gel immaculately- each instrument has its part and yet the tunes they produce feel airy and freeing. The album continues to blossom with ‘Sandman’, bringing a slightly ominous tone into this dreamy mix. The guitar and bass in this track is riveting. The song bubbles and boils around the playful guitar as Lindsey creates a haunting atmosphere. It’s a little more gritty with a creepy almost sleazy vibe but an absolutely thrilling listen.’Undercover’ follows the darker tone of its predecessor lightening it with buoyant grooves stomping between a sliding swagger soaked melody and strutting guitars. This is one well crafted track.The subtle guitar changes from twinkling and gliding to prancing as they flood the track with panache and an infectious funk flavoured danceable quality. ‘Family Values’ is another infectious gem that is sure to put a smile on your face. If you can prise your ears away from the bouncy weaving instrumentation and focus on the lyrics BRONCHO showcase their humorous cheeky side,“I got a thing for your mother / I got a thing to teach your father”. One thing I have come to love about the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based band is their sublime ability to create dreamy woozy tunes likeBig City Boys’. Though the track is hazy and dreamy the instrumental backing is strong, pushing forward with a relentless goal of fun loving with a slick proficient style that is one to be admired. The summertime cruising ‘Get In My Car’ follows. The album version sounds a little tweaked and more crisp to the single version released last year. This summer time gem bops and wiggles over a smooth melody and gleaming guitars. Glissading over to a glam rock flavour, BRONCHO provide us with a tantalizing variety of genres to taste throughout this album. They close the album in the best possible way, leaving us hungry for more. The swagger steeped foot stomping danceable and infectious ‘Easy Way Out’ accomplishes this task without fail. It’s slick, pristine, panache driven indie rock drizzled in rock n’ roll flamboyance with nimble steamy guitar licks and a catchy melodic flow to keep us wanting to dance all night long.

BRONCHO is that band that are cool, fun and make you want to scream and tell everyone about. Their sound is appealing to everyone from the lazy daydreamer to the adrenaline punk-rocker and indie-head in between. The provocative lyrics, incredible musicianship and all out swaggering groovy persona within each track is what makes BRONCHO one heck of a band. The sound is distinctive, Lindsey’s vocals are distinctive and their tunes undeniably infectious. It’s music to make you feel, music to make you dance and bop or tap your foot and do air drums to while you relax on a lazy summer’s day, but either way you feel every delightful note.

Stream ‘Bad Behavior’ below


THUMPER ‘Down’

Noise­-pop quintet THUMPER have released their new single ‘Down’, produced by Dan Fox of Girl Band.2018 has seen THUMPER top several Ones To Watch lists in Ireland and tour relentlessly headlining Hard Working Class Heroes, joining Fangclub on tour, and playing festivals all summer long such as Sea Sessions, Body & Soul, and Electric Picnic.

‘Down’ is a pungent, biting number swirling with mouth watering pop hooks lavishly placed on a grunge backdrop. Whirring guitars fizz and spin about with infectious razor sharp riffs and vibrant laid back jingles  while a glorious sun kissed melody glissades along the buoyant beat. This track is affluent with rich swirling soundscapes as it meanders into a psychedelic dizzying trip of distortion. THUMPER blends the bitter/sweet effortlessly- filling their tracks with exuberant dreamy tones laced with daisies and sweetness which lead you down the delirious rabbit hole into frenzied chaos. With a lo- fi production easing you into its floppy 90s-soaked noise-rock- this track reins in the pure elements of rock, grunge and pop to create the perfect frazzling blend of bliss. There is something for everyone here, these guys slowly and delicately build the song adding a new layer and dimension each time until it’s an all out mouth frothing whack of psychedelic scuzzy rock. Its frenzied boppy euphoria displays THUMPER’S tight undeniably slick sound and impressive musicianship.

Stream ‘Down’ below  

Watch the video for ‘Down’ below