Tag Archives: Alternative

EP Review, Indie, New Music

Rowan ‘No One Is Safe Here’ EP

Rowan photographed by Zyanya Lorenzo.

Following the success of their 2 last singles ‘Moonlight’ and ‘I Had A Dream’, and after a mini tour in Ireland, UK, Toronto and New York up until lockdown, Rowan have released their debut EP ‘No One Is Safe Here’.Rowan bursted onto the Irish and UK music scene with their first release ‘Finish Line’ being featured on titan Spotify playlists such as New Music Friday UK, Your Kitchen Stereo, The Indie List and many others. Since then, they have accumulated over 200k plays in total. The indie trio are currently commanding a great deal of attention for their symphonic indie-anthems, particularly in Ireland, the UK, Germany and Canada. The band have supported internationally renowned artists such as Badly Drawn Boy, The Walls, Duke Special, Brian Deady, Hamsandwich and many more and have earned international recognition as they were nominated for an IMA, judged by Robert Smith, Tom Waits, Roberta Flack and many others, with their song ‘Big Wave’. The band have also been awarded the ‘Colin Vearncombe’ Songwriting award.

Well crafted, and doused in emotion ‘No One Is Safe Here’ is a smashing debut EP from Rowan. The band use their musical prowess to pull out all the stops with this wonderfully rich collection of tracks. From dynamic anthems to moving ballads the EP flows with tantalizing arrangements and deft embellishments. Blending sharp zest stricken indie elements in warm undertones of folk, sweet surges of pop and edged rock the EP is a joy ride of lush soundscapes.

Rowan weave the EP’s soundscapes superbly, utilising jangly indie guitar, buoyant drums and resounding bass rumbles to inject ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Big Wave’ with vigor. Creating a full bodied wall of sound they provide meaty choruses and soaring sing along melodies to provide that passion igniting explosions of the soul worthy of arenas. 

Rowan cool things down with some heartfelt and beautifully crafted slow burners ‘Love Gets In The Way’ and ‘I Had A Dream’. Exuding cinematic arrangements, lush strings, powerful crescendos and earnest songwriting these tracks showcase the band’s maturity and heartfelt musicianship as they discuss longing for perfect love, and the loss of love.

‘No One Is Safe Here’ comes to a close with the animated piano led ‘You’re Not The One’. Doused in sombre tones while a building vibrant backdrop of strident strings and raw guitars ricochet off a tight percussive wall of sound – this blistering song is joy to the ears. The dramatic builds and grateful drops in tone on the track is masterful and showcases the versatility and mesmerising talent of Rowan

Rowan has created an exhilarating EP showcasing first rate musicianship. These guys aren’t just crafting their sound, they are thriving, pushing boundaries, exceeding expectations and releasing tunes of the highest quality.

Stream ‘No One Is Safe Here’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Stupid Son ‘Heat Death’

 Following up from their 2019 debut ‘Bread’, Dublin-based punks Stupid Son return with their new single ‘Heat Death’. Accompanying the single release is a self-produced music video shot on a 90’s Panasonic VHS video camera. Directed throughout pockets of lighter restrictions with a low budget, it serves to visually aid the song’s narrative and further the band’s visual DIY ethos.The single was recorded, engineered and mixed in February 2020 at Oisín Walsh’s home studio in Trim, County Meath. After a scary summer that forced the band to scrap their existing plans and start from the drawing board, Stupid Son are now set to release a slew of new audio/visual content for 2020/21.

‘Heat Death’ is an intense blast of alternative rock as Stupid Son create a unique and frenzied wall of sound. The band use soothing melodies to ease the tracks obscure tendency while the pull and tug of clamorous guitars provide mind bending harsh elements between sweet moments of relief to create a dazed rampant soundscape. The song feels like it has no structure other than letting the instrumentation run riot – the result is a glorious assault on the senses.The track seems the flicker between crazed manic episodes and dreamy calm lulls making ‘Heat Death’ a dramatic and thrilling shock to the system. 

Stream ‘Heat Death’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Grunge, indie rock, New Music

Dukkha ‘Feed Me Roadkill’

Dukkha have released their third single ‘Feed Me Roadkill’ from their upcoming album. Dukkha are a grunge and alt-rock band featuring Eoin O’Neill (vocals & guitar), Brian Casey (lead guitar, keys), Peter O’Sullivan (drums) and a shape-shifting bassist.

Lathered in dark smothering grunge, ‘Feed Me Roadkill’ is an utterly thrilling and sinister new single from Dukkha. The song haunts through the verses with subdued instrumentation allowing O’Neill’s creeping vocals murmur between light strokes and creaking chills on guitar. The track explodes into its alternative rock chorus as crashing guitars collide with pummeling drums and raw unbridled bass attacks. Wonderfully eerie and expressive, the vocals wail and whisper with intensity, it’s difficult not to become completely entranced by the dark atmosphere and exceptional delivery by the band. Sonically the track is tight and impressive as the band ferment and curdle their sound while displaying refined musical prowess through scorching slick solos, precise jabs of distortion and glimpses of rock swagger beneath the brooding moody aesthetic. What a track. 

Stream ‘Feed Me Roadkill’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, EP Review, New Music

Basilisk ‘Medusa’ EP

Texas hardcore rock band Basilisk have released their debut EP ‘Medusa’. Basilisk started in spring of 2019 as a multi-ethnic All-American beat down hardcore project compiled of Jimmy MF Bones hailing from Dallas, Texas, Chris Edwards, Jonathon Baker from Fort Worth, Sam Boatner from Kansas creating dark and yet catchy tunes.Tackling big and difficult themes in their lyrics, Basilisk are unafraid to ruffle feathers and use the opportunity to write about suicide, recidivism, institutionalization, politics and overcoming anger and hatred.

 ‘Medusa’ is a frantic assault of hard core rock as Basilisk whack blood thirsty riffs over a ground shaking rhythmic section to create an intense EP that is not for the faint hearted. The EP thunders in on ‘Snakebite Understanding’ with intense rumbles on bass and a relentless drum battering. The tracks on Medusa have a mighty mosh ready sound with the band fusing elements of punk rock and metal to create their raw heavy sound while lyrics are spit and growled out through sharp guitars to create a tight and deafening soundscape. The pummeling rhythm and crashing guitars frantically run riot through each track on the EP evoking images of a crazy mosh pit at live gigs. Continuing the dark and aggressive tone ‘Dominant Species’ and ‘Beyonder’ bring the EP to a close just as manic and dynamic as their predecessors,

‘Medusa’ is a robust, powerful hard core rock EP that bruises and slashes with potent riffs and masterfully fierce rhythms. Basilisk present an EP that maintains an aggressive and forceful pace throughout. A sublime debut from Basilisk.

Stream ‘Medusa’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, New Music

Fast Trains ‘The English Way’

Fast Trains has released his new single ‘The English Way’ taken from his upcoming EP ‘ourWorld Volume 1′ set for release in 2021. Fast Trains is the solo project of songwriter and producer Tom Wells. Combining inventive alternative pop with a cryptic visual space known as ourWorld, the project has received backing from BBC Introducing and BBC 6 Music, and its videos have been shown at film festivals all over the world.

‘The English Way’ is a refined, sonically lush number filled with the melodic and emotive songwriting of Fast Trains. The track pivots around a shaky rhythm, sharp lonely guitar strides and precise production as Fast Trains builds his unique soundscape meticulously. Boasting tense keys and sweet melodies the song broods and simmers while Wells coos the warm melody. The song is a call for men to move away from that British trait of keeping a stiff upper lip, highlighting the dangers of bottling up one’s emotions through cinematic and catchy musicianship. ‘The English Way’ is a sublime and gripping new track from Fast Trains.

Stream ‘The English Way’ below


Author : Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, New Music

Edith Lane ‘Eden on the Park’ Album

‘Eden on the Park’ is the brand new album from Australian Alt-rock band Edith Lane. The album is almost a coming of age for Edith Lane, who have been around the local Melbourne scene for the last 8 years, performing with different bands and groups. Inspired by lead singer Victor’s own life experiences, the idea of ‘Eden on the Park’ was largely informed by the poetry of Peter Porter and the works of bands such as Radiohead and Sonic Youth. The album was recorded in a small home studio in Footscray called Love Shack Studios, owned and run by bandmate Jessicca. This isolated setting gave way to intimate performances recorded without any sense of pressure.

 ‘Eden on the Park’ is a mesmerising and expressive album that broods with emotion and erupts with crashing instrumentation. Throughout the album Edith Lane expertly build and release tension through sublime musicianship. Venturing between soft ethereal moments in tracks ‘B(I’m Glad We Talked’ and ‘32&’ to raw unadulterated grunge rock in ‘A Conversation With The Devil’, the band craft their songs superbly. Of particular interest is the 90’s grunge elements and haunting vocals which exude mournful tones in ‘Quite Observation’ and ‘Frame by Frame’ – tracks such as these are joy to the ears. The band swirl crashing ( and at times psychedelic ) guitar riffs and refrains through dreamy or raw backdrops creating a varied, multi-textured wall of sound. However the fluctuating, ominous bass and drums provide the brawn and foundation for this magnificent guitar work to ricochet off. 

There is abyssal darkness within the album. At times, it’s harrowing, painful and heart-rending as a powerful vocal delivery accompanied by emotive piano moments express innocence and vulnerability.

This introspective album takes you on an emotional journey of bittersweetness. ‘Eden on the Park’ is a wonderful display of musical prowess. Edith Lane majestically blend genres to create a wholly consuming album brimming with energy, sulky moments and aggression.

Speaking to the emotional state behind the album, Victor explains “It’s emotional, and there’s a lot of vulnerability in it, but we don’t want to portray it as a sad album, nor do we want to come across as having a sense of self-importance. I guess the feelings would be honest, self-aware, something along those lines.” 

Stream ‘Eden on the Park’ below

Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music, Post Punk

TV People ‘String’

Indie-punks TV People have released their new single ‘String’. Joining forces with Dan Doherty at Darklands Audio (Fontaines D.C., Vulpynes) and Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem) the Dublin outfit are taking on 2020 with force; building a name for themselves as the latest in a wave of talent bursting out of Dublin. ‘String’ follows the release of singles ‘Nothing More’, ‘Kitchen Sinking’ and ‘Time Eats Up’ earlier in 2020, with ‘Nothing More’ collecting praise from Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1, Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music and The Line of Best Fit to name but a few, ‘Kitchen Sinking’ earning a spot on Spotify’s ‘An Alternative Éire’ playlist, and ‘Time Eats Up’ receiving heavy promotion from the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

 ‘String’ is a perfect example of TV People’s personal and thought provoking musicianship. Exuding cold, sombre tones, the track pivots around precise drum beats and sharp chimes on guitar. Simmering dark undertones rumble under sweet guitar refrains and moody, lonely soundscapes as the song builds against a shadowy backdrop.

TV People craft their tracks beautifully. They expertly capture emotion through their instruments while also giving the guitars, bass and drums characters of their own within the song. It is as if the band allow the instruments to freely wander about the track engrossed within their own consciousness – a fantastic display of musical prowess. In true TV People manner the track builds becoming more harsh and expressive without losing the lonely casual pace. The drums and bass increase in intensity while the piercing on guitars embellish the track in bittersweet tones. 

Penned in the cruel clarity of hindsight, the lyrics ruminate on addictions and self destructive behaviours. Evoking a sense of dissatisfaction, regret and at times anger; the lyrics give the listener a glimpse into the writers thoughts at the time ” .. as I become my own regret…”.The honest and poetic nature of the lyrics is complimented greatly in their delivery. Paul Donohoe’s vocals are nonchalant yet emotive. His deep mesmerising tones guide the listener through the track’s drifting soundscapes and brooding atmosphere. 

There is something about this track that is intriguing; perhaps it is the poetic flair and artistic turn of phrase within the lyrics or perhaps it is the clever and expressive use of instruments within the songs brooding soundscape. One thing is for certain, ‘String’ highlights a moment of significant musical growth for TV People and showcases the bands lyrical depth and deft musicianship. They have honed in on their sound and established themselves as ones to watch.

Speaking about ‘String’, frontman Paul Donohoe details: “String’ is about my past experiences with addiction and using self destructive behaviour as a coping mechanism for life’s problems. In the culture we have surrounding drinking and sessioning, the line between having a good time and seriously damaging your mental health isn’t always clear. Self-destructive behaviour is normalised and even encouraged. I’ve seen a lot of people around me going through it. It’s hard to escape from even when you’re aware that it’s a problem because it’s so hidden and ingrained in the way that we socialise. The song is about the feelings of hopelessness, regret and frustration that I’ve felt in the past when I’ve been stuck in that situation and the damage that they do to your mind over time.”

Stream ‘String’ below


Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music, Post Punk

The Clockworks ‘Enough Is Never Enough’

The Clockworks have released their new single ‘Enough Is Never Enough’. Formed in Galway and drawn together by a mutual appreciation of all music, past and present, The Clockworks are a four-piece comprising James McGregor on Vocals/Guitar, Sean Connelly on Guitar, Damian Greaney on Drums and Tom Freeman on bass. The latest and last in a series for Alan McGee’s Creation 23 label sees the Galway four-piece take aim at the injustices and prejudices rife in our society with an assault of straight-up punk rock.


The Clockworks paint a vivid picture of our fractured society with new release ‘Enough Is Never Enough’; a concise, energetic and hard hitting track which is sure to knock your socks off.

Clever and well placed lyrical content is where The Clockworks excel. With raw commentary and witty turns of phrase McGregor’s biting delivery wavers between emotional, disgust and nonchalant acceptance, “And everybody loves to bitch, Factions speak louder than herds”. The canvas for the track is a bristly energetic blend of harsh punk rock and moody grunge with a sweet peppering of indie to provide a buoyant light embellishment on top. A constant drum beat crashes between the rumble on bass while jaunty guitars meander between striking, acute exclaims and gentle laments accompanied by an infectious melody which coils underneath; the band use these contrasting elements to build diverse textures into the song which are a delight to listeners ears.

The Clockworks ability to wrap energetic soundscapes around an expressive lyrical delivery is impressive and makes the track entirely consuming. ’Enough Is Never Enough’ is a vigorous and catchy tune from a band that keep getting better with each release.

Speaking about the track James of The Clockworks says: “This was the last song we wrote in Ireland. I’d been working on the lyrics for ages. I like to write about the social or emotional by writing about a specific character or scene. I think focusing on the particular and the specific is the best way to get to the general and abstract… Musically, this song was all about getting the feeling right. We wanted it to be forceful and relentless but also for there to be enough space for melody and emotion.”

Stream ‘Enough is Never Enough’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Da-sh ‘See You Later’

New Australian pop punk band Da-sh have released their new single ‘See You Later’.Da-sh is the brainchild of Ashlie Woods and David Thompson who hail from sunny Western Australia. Recorded with Troy Nababan at Hammerspace Studios, the song came together quickly after singer Ashlie and guitarist Dave had created a demo in their pyjamas at Dave’s house.

‘See You Later’ is a blistering whack of pop punk as Da-sh present their raw vigorous sound with plenty of passion and attitude. With shredding guitar slashing into the pummeling drums, Da-sh create a meaty crashing wall of sound brimming with fiery angst. The rumbling on bass wriggles through the songs underbelly creating an ominous dark undertone while the catchy pop punk melody and powerful vocals showcase the band’s might and energy. As the track explodes into its brawny raw chorus the lyrics boldly remind us that we are better off without toxic people, no matter what they try and make you think. ‘See You Later’ is a lean, mean, powerful new single from Da-sh. 

The video for the track was shot with Joseph Varley of DarKSpirit Photography. Speaking of the video, Da-sh says “We love how Joseph’s videos have an ominous undertone. Even though the video is quite bright and pretty to look at, there is definitely the darker context there.” 

Watch The Video For ‘See You Later’ below


Author : Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, New Music

GEOFF ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ Album

GEOFF has released his latest album ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’. With a polished and clean sound, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is the second studio album to come from electro-alternative rocker GEOFF. 

Exuding hook filled melodies, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is an anthemic album laced in alternative rock. From the exuberant energy and shredding guitar riffs of ‘My Egirlfriend’ to the thumping beat and rush of adrenaline in ‘You Dream Away’, GEOFF creates a diverse and explosive listening experience. Within this album we see pop punk melodies, driving rhythmic foundations and soaring guitar riffs. There are glimmers of 80’s pop within ‘Last Chance’, while ‘Treason’ provides a glimpse into the passionate and expressive alternative rock side of GEOFF. Delicate tunes such as title track ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ showcase the depth within GEOFF’s vocals as he coos through sweet melodies, elegant strings and soft guitar lines.

‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ is a collection of spine tingling heartfelt tracks. Displaying dramatic vocals, shimmering synths and passionate ballads, GEOFF utilises his refined musicianship to create an album of uplifting, diverse and dynamic tunes. 

Stream ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ below 


Author : Danu