Jack Rua, the ambitiously bold and innovative Irish Glam-pop artist, is set to release his debut eight-track mini-album, ‘Narcissus’ on June 26th. ‘Narcissus’ sees Jack Rua team up with producers Porridge, LOGUOS, Mattu, Tenderhook. and Rouleaux. Following the internationally-praised releases of ‘Scarlet A’, ‘Ego’, ‘Rise’, ‘Curious’, and the albums fifth and final single ‘Reflection’ released earlier this month the album charts the singer-songwriter’s journey after he graduated from college, moved away from home to New York City and broke up from a long-term relationship.
‘Narcissus’ wraps, contorts and dazzles as Jack Rua brings a vivid array of influences from glam rock, house and pop to create a full bodied, shimmering and utterly infectious collection of tracks. There is much vibrancy within as Rua entices the listener right into the album’s dark epicentre while keeping the danceable infectiousness alive throughout with wild dance explosions and slick glam rock swagger. It’s quite the enjoyable power pop gem.
‘Narcissus’ sets the Jack Rua experience in motion. He doesn’t do anything in half measures and his debut album is a sublime example of how Rua has mastered his craft through meticulous attention to detail and layering. Luring dark and eerie, Rua entices with flashing beat pulses before erupting into an implosive, tense EDM soundscape. ‘Narcissus’ is an intriguing start to the album and a fine display of Rua’s musicianship. He superbly teases and builds tension in his tracks, fermenting thrilling electronics to create bubbling coiling soundscapes of fragmented synths and dramatic electronic progressions. The talented Darce joins Rua for the sultry ‘Rise’.Well placed risqué lyrics are cooled by Rua’s soft vocals while the sticky electronics smother the backdrop in a humid haze. Darce’s raps punch through the sensual electronics as the track simmers and smoulders in a bubbling pop vapour.
Lyrically ‘Narcissus’ is a coming-of-age album which juxtaposes the joys of self-discovery with the personal and global anxieties you feel when you get a bit older.‘Curious’ playfully challenges binary thinking in terms of sexuality, beckoning you to “stop paying so much attention to your labels” and embrace “a new world” while ‘Ego (with LOGUOS)’ expresses a newfound appreciation that the artist began to feel for himself. The theatrical finger clicking and sultry ‘Scarlet A’ marks a turning point in the tracklist where Rua dives beneath his ego and explores the deeper and darker parts of himself. All this is set to an invigorating backdrop of dubstep elements, punchy rhythms and intoxicating electronics.
LOGUOS and Rua are quite the musical dream team, creating a shimmering summer pop anthem with crisp, infectious production and the passionate, euphoric musicianship of ‘Ego’ is quite the radio ready summer bop.
The artist’s scramble to be remembered in ‘Forget Me Not’ is deftly expressed through gripping, intense, intricate layering embellished only by the incomparable musical flair of Jack Rua. Each song exudes vibrancy and expressive musicianship to create the ultimate dance pop album ready to tantalize the listeners ears.
The album takes a turn with the melodious ‘Reckless Abandon’, however rather than brooding through a moody ballad Rua whacks out a dance infused 80’s anthemic number with lamenting guitar strides and power pop gusto. The harsher guitar elements slice through the pop mirages as the song spirals into a disco hued swirl of confusion. There is still composure within the track which is impressive. It’s a song about the despair that can occur in a situation wherein one can suddenly lose complete control. Rua displays passion through the coiling entwinement of this music. His vocals remain emotive yet composed.
The beautiful ‘Reflection’ brings the album to an end. Rua cools the tone for his finale ruminating on who he is and whether or not he likes what he sees in the mirror. With wispy electronics and a heavy thumping beat he closes the album after a whirlwind of acceptance, experimentation and self doubt to almost start it all again. Rua’s vocal delivery is simple with as little fuss as possible allowing the lyrics and his soft tone drift over the ethereal backdrop. It’s a powerful thought-provoking song to close a frantic and colourful album.
‘Narcissus’ is a fabulously fun and deeply personal album. Jack Rua announces his debut album with musical flair, prowess and compelling dance pop. This talented artist is fearless. He is not afraid to express his vulnerability and that is a quality to be admired. He is certainly an artist to keep an eye on. His tunes are a rebellious, catchy and wholly satisfying listening experience. I’ve witnessed Jack Rua blossom as an artist. Each track he has released to date has grown and built his rich, bold and intriguing sound to create a moving and unique collection of tracks that is polished and refined. He has become quite the dance pop connoisseur.
‘Narcissus’ will be released on June 26th until then you can stream Jack Rua’s recent single ‘Curious’ below
Dublin- based singer/songwriter Kevin Casey has released his new single ‘It’s Alright’.Long standing regular in the Irish music scene, Kevin Casey has released several singles, two EPs, and a full length album since 2014. He has done two European tours and gigged extensively across the country as well as in Germany, the U.K and the USA, including two consecutive years at Electric Picnic. He is known for his raw vocals, versatile songwriting, and for keeping Irish rock and roll alive and well.
Casey has warm tones and oodles of passion flooding through his indie rock tracks and is sure to make for a enjoyable evening of tunes.
Kevin Casey has just released his new single ‘Alright’ check it out below
Thumper – Photography by Ruth Medjber @ruthlessimagery www.ruthlessimagerry.com
I spoke to Oisín Leahy-Furlong frontman of Dublin noise pop band THUMPER last week. We talked about the band’s new single ‘Topher Grace’, their abrasive sound and how they approach their kinetic live shows. The guys are at the forefront of a thriving music scene alongside bands like Bitch Falcon, Fontaines DC, the Murder Capital and Pillow Queens and we discuss this along with the effects streaming has on artists at present.
THUMPER are set to release their new single ‘Topher Grace’ on the 26th June. It’s an intense and blistering track with the verses taking on a Blur feel. Oisín ruminates on unhealthy and quite destructive behaviour throughout the track
“It was written over the course of a couple of months which is sort of different for me, normally these things are written in bursts. I suppose the song makes several allusions to a culture which is fairly present, in Ireland anyway of airing your problems in public with a pint in your hand rather than in a friends sitting room. I guess its about the idea that maybe you are going through destruction or by unraveling yourself you will find some sort of ultimate truth or something. Which of course is bullshit but I suppose the deeper you are into that lifestyle the easier it is to convince yourself that its the way for you.”
With ‘Topher Grace’ Oisín decided to take a different song writing approach. Avoiding the usual way of writing such as structure and melody he replaced them with a more considered approach to lyric writing and performance. This resulted in a lengthy and interesting writing process. I wondered if this was a way of trying to hone in on his lyrical content and refine it, to become more of a lyricist perhaps. I also wondered was the view in the song a personal insight or was it Oisín watching this behaviour from afar.
“ I suppose I was and I wasn’t. In a way I was trying to strike a more conversational tone, even in the delivery its devoid of melody and things I would lean on and just normal pillars of song writing. But the reason its written that way is because I couldn’t play it on guitar and sing it at the same time. So I had to write it and then just talk it in my kitchen or whatever and it wasn’t until I was actually able to sit down and get a demo going that I was actually able to see how it all slotted together so all the pieces, all the lyrics, all the sections were sort of written in separate vacuums and at a later point were stitched together. So I guess that meant that because I wasn’t tied to melody and stuff like that there was a tendency to go back to it and as you say refine it and I suppose a lot of it would have been written in the thick of it, like in a smoking area of somewhere or in a strangers bathroom or whatever. So a lot of it did need to be refined because it didn’t make a lot of sense but I got there in the end.”
“It was definitely more of an insular thing. I don’t think the song is prescribing any kind of answers or anything like that. It’s more like just ruminating on how I was feeling in the moment or even the morning after the moment. As much as I did go back and refine it, it was definitely more of an instant reaction to how I was feeling. Little snapshots of different moments and how they all piece together to form a period in your life. I think it’s only in retrospect that you notice patterns in your behaviour. At the time you think you have full control over your own choices. But yeah it’s definitely a first person kind of view.”
‘Topher Grace’ was cut from just over 6 and a half minutes to a neat 4 minute cut for radio. Reading the full lyrics to the track I felt there was plenty of golden and witty lyrical content cut out for the radio version. Doing these cuts is not easy for an artist when they have put so much time into crafting the track
“ Absolutely yeah, I had to do it with one hand over an eye you know. It was like sending your kid to school without lunch or something.It’s pretty heartbreaking.But it’s the nature of the beast. I normally slave over these edits forever but I didn’t even think the song would get any radio play to begin with for so many reasons so I was able to lash that thing together and go ‘right there you go, there’s your castrated radio edit version’ “
THUMPER have a unique sound in the sense they pack in something for everyone within each tune. They have the abrasive post punk or rock instrumentation with rumbling elastic bass slaps and grooves behind the crashing majestic guitar-burns while the smooth vocals bounce along the sometimes bubblegum or pop melody.Oisín always knew that’s what he wanted to achieve with his music and with the band
“ Yeah, from the outset it was sort of a plan because it started off as more of a solo thing for me. I was putting out tapes under the name THUMPER for a couple of years. Real lo fi kind of gnarly sounding things and just the basic idea was to see how far in the direction of noise and abrasiveness I could push it whilst retaining that sort of pop sensibility. Then of course as the band developed and more people got involved, you know there is 6 of us in the band, so it’s sort of natural enough that everyone else’s tastes and individual styles go into the mix.We listen to lots of different types of music so it’s no wonder that there is different elements going on.”
I asked Oisín when he started with THUMPER was he always confident bringing his songs to the rest of the band or was there an initial ‘oh god what if they slate it’ especially if it’s about something personal?
“Yeah it’s like when you first meet someone you don’t tell them your life story.You sort of gradually get there over time. When you feel comfortable enough to share pieces of yourself until eventually they know the whole you. It’s not too different with songwriting.It’s definitely nerve-racking.Certainly with this song it was the first time I was nervous to bring something to the band in a long time because there is nothing really to hide behind. It’s almost entirely spoken word and it’s just got me screaming and yelping for 7 minutes. Also it’s the first song I’ve written where I haven’t been able to play it myself. I need the band behind me to do it and pull it off. Definitely the demos that I wrote sound so different to what the finished product is. So I guess this trust is inherent in that and you build it up over time and grow a, well not necessarily a thicker skin, it’s just there is a tenderness to it and people recognise that over time. Ultimately it was really rewarding and it’s not an easy place to tap into but it’s something I would like to return to and also I have an entire verse where I don’t have to play guitar. I’m only doing one thing at a time. There are definitely benefits to that.”
Like other bands of this generation THUMPER have the power and influence of streaming platforms which gives artists huge exposure however it doesn’t really make them money. It’s a paradox in the sense you can reach more people but don’t reap the benefits as much as you would with album sales and touring. I wondered does this play on Oisín’s mind or is it just part and parcel of the job
“In one sense it weeds out anyone who is doing it for the wrong reasons.That said I have absolutely no issue with some people who say if you are trying to make money in this you are in the wrong game or whatever. I would love to make a living doing this, I would love to be able to keep making music for people who want to hear it. You do worry that when you are doing it for so long and making so little cash that at a certain point life will catch up and you literally won’t be able to do it anymore even though there is a demand for it and that’s a real threat for a lot of bands. Especially now as you said I’m not paying my rent with my Spotify streams but I might have been off the months of festival touring that we would have been doing which is all cancelled now. I think the only thing you can do is look forward, work on the music as hard as you can and don’t be an imbecile but also don’t worry about too much because it’s supposed to be fun. You’re supposed to enjoy it.Times are bizarre and strange at the minute but I’m sure that enjoyment and happiness will come back again eventually.There is an amazing song called Everything Is Free which talks about this. Its a fucking depressing song because its so on the nose but it is true. You are expected to work for free. I know personally, friends in bands who are very successful and are living with their parents. It’s bizarre but the whole world is morphing and shifting before our very eyes these days so maybe now that people are faced with the reality of having no one to talk to except for records and movies for the last 13 weeks maybe a different importance will be put on that but I’m not holding my breath. “
The music scene in Ireland and Dublin particularly is very vibrant lately – there are so many amazing acts gigging and making a name for themselves from The Murder Cpaital and Fontains DC to Fangclub and Bitch Falcon. Oisín doesn’t see this as competition or that it’s an overload of bands fighting for the attention of listeners.
“I think it’s great, there has always been a healthy competition,whether there has been an eye on Dublin or not that has existed the whole time.I think the bands that you mentioned are all very different and all being influenced by each other. I think the broader the spectrum of creativity is, the more there is to be influenced by. No I don’t see it as a negative at all and definitely those bands are a big influence on us and I know them all and they have all gone through a million different iterations of what it is they do presumably because of the music that is being made around them and the attitudes and all that sort of stuff. I feel like all of us, we are making music anyway it’s just that now there’s I guess more attention although its difficult to see when your so deep in it.”
I saw THUMPER perform a few years ago supporting Fangclub and it was quite a wild performance. I would say there was no one left without whiplash after their set, my ears were ringing for sure. The guys manage to keep their live shows fresh and engaging but they don’t plan any of the antics
“No we don’t plan any of that. We never even talk about it. We just like playing the music and I don’t know its just a combination of different personalities in the band and that’s how we act at other peoples gigs as well to a certain extent.Its not for everyone, certainly when your touring and your doing it every single night there will be nights where you can barely stand because you are so exhausted but something happens when you step on that stage man. I think the bottom line is when we rehearse, we rehearse a lot and we get the songs as tight as we can possible make them.Which means that when we actually get on stage we don’t have to think about too much, we can tear around the place, smash stuff up and the idea being that we’re kind of such a tight unit it will be able to snap back into place when it needs to.I think maybe when you saw us we were more on the side of chaos than anything else maybe but certainly that’s the thinking now.It’s just rehearse the songs and write them and respect the craft and then by the time you get to the stage you have earned a bit of fun like I think the time you saw us was in Whelan’s “
At that show bassist Joey (who was performing his last show with the band) smashed his bass off the stage and the crowd took every piece.
“ yeah that was very funny. That was my bass! His name is Joey Gavin he is living in Berlin now. He is making his own music and bringing out singles this year. He is great. “
With touring on hold, THUMPER have spent their time in the studio writing and recording, as well as hosting live streams on social media for their fans and this week they are planning a live stream to promote their new single.
“ They are fairly nerve-racking to be honest. Much more so than getting on a stage because although on one side of it, the side other people see looks like a performance and all that, on my side I’m just a man screaming in my kitchen at the back wall. With no one to tell me whether I sound good or bad or if the connection is there or whatever.But it’s been nice to keep in contact with the fan base and play some tunes and wet people’s appetite that way. We are doing a proper full band, full production live stream the day after the single is release.So the 27th June on our Youtube and that will be pretty much our first and only gig of the whole summer. That should more closely resemble the old Thumper experience more than anything we have done before. So I’m looking forward to that. “
THUMPER have been touring and releasing music for a few years. From his experience of the Irish music scene and life in a band in general, Oisín has a few words of wisdom for budding new musicians?
“ Just worry about the songs first because there’s no point being an amazing band or getting amazing festival slots or whatever unless you have got good songs that you have take care of, nursed and all that sort of stuff.They don’t have to be your best songs you probably could be ripping someone else off at the beginning but that attention to the craft straight off the bat is just going to earn you fans, listeners and people who respect you. You’re not going to be great at the beginning and people are going to watch you even if you can’t play your instrument very well and you can’t really sing too well.Which is definitely what I was like and still am like to a certain extent. If you clearly have put passion and effort into the songwriting and the writing in general. Then that’s more than a decent jumping off point. “
Though it’s difficult to plan for the coming months THUMPER have some exciting plans ahead
“Good question! we are recording and writing a good bit. We have got more music coming out this year and believe it or not we do have one or two gigs lined up that we should hopefully be able to announce soon but we are just going to channel all the energy that we would have been putting into the road straight back into the studio. Yeah we have some big plans coming up and we are looking forward to sharing that with people. “
THUMPER are a band to keep an eye on. These guys slowly and delicately build their songs adding a new layer and dimension each time until their tunes are an all out mouth-frothing whack of psychedelic noise rock.Their ability to create a frenzied euphoria throughout their tracks while packing in some punch is what makes their sound so infectious.
The band are holding a live stream to support the release of ‘Topher Grace’ on the 27th of June check it out through this link
Miles Graham has announced the title of the new single ‘Give It Up Now’ which is set for release on 10th July, along with his EP ‘All the Right Things’. Graham’s latest track ‘Don’t Change’ resulted in him performing the single live on BBC Radio 5 and a stunning version of Dido’s Thank You, and picking up further airplay from BBC Introducing. It accelerated a fresh stage in the Irish singer-songwriter’s career, having previously scored international dance hits alongside Don Diablo and L’Tric, as well as being playlisted on BBC Radio 2 for his breakthrough moment ‘I Can’t Love You Again’.
‘Give it up now’ showcases Miles Graham’s rich soulful sound as he uses passionate emotive songwriting, intricate arrangements and crisp production to create a hair raising listening experience. It’s an earnest piano led ballad as Graham’s velvety soulful vocals melt upon an elegant backdrop of R&B beats and timeless retro tones. It’s a bittersweet number complete with lush harmonies and graceful laments on strings while the strength, emotion and drive is provided by the wonderfully sweet and soothing tones of Graham’s vocals.
Graham builds the song superbly offering his retro soul pop with oodles of power and gusto however he is by no means overpowering. Graham weaves subtle layers within this track to create intrigue. Each verse provides movement and a sultry fluidity that takes this ballad to more dynamic and powerful heights. A great listen.
About the track Graham explains, “’Give it up now’ is about being free of the turmoil that comes with antagonism. It has conversational lyrics that give a fly on the wall incite to break-up, the EP is an emotional narrative within my very dynamic journey . The freedom of letting go ‘It could be better for all you know..’ is perhaps a teasing lyric in the song to some kind of better life ahead, but is ironically ambiguous in it’s positive/negative balance. “
‘Give It Up Now’ is set for release on 10th July, along with his EP ‘All the Right Things’. For more you can follow Miles Graham on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/MilesGrahammusic/
Southend-on-Sea alt/indie trio, in earnest are set to release their new single ‘Come Upstairs’ on the 3rd July.Forming in early 2019, the members of in earnest were previously part of the band ‘Carousel’, a project which went on to perform at Cambridge Folk Festival, toured with The Oh Hello’s and embarked on an 8-date headline tour whilst gaining 100k+ Spotify streams on official playlists. ‘Come Upstairs’ is the second single from in earnest’s upcoming 6-track EP, due for release in late 2020.
‘Come Upstairs’ is a moving, tender and beautiful track as in earnest present an honest account of mental health struggles with stripped back, time stopping musicianship. The track expresses warm glimmers of hope between raw emotion as a delicate guitar twinkles with supple comfort through airy soundscapes and lamenting strings. The lush backing harmonies soothe between the emotive and sorrowful vocals.The lyrics which provide an account of mental health from the perspective of a sufferer’s partner, aiming to encourage conversation around the topic are beautifully crafted as the sorrowful and building instrumentation wanders with a sense of loneliness and despair. ‘Come Upstairs’ is a biting, sweet and utterly moving track from a band who constantly showcase their mature songwriting through wonderful, passionate and heartbreaking musicianship.
About the track Thoma said “In the wake of my partner’s mental health struggles, it feels like I spend every waking moment trying to keep a brave or positive face on and there are times when I find it difficult to maintain my own identity. We’re gradually learning how to combat negative thinking, but I’m usually the one who takes the weight and pulls her out of waves of depression.”
Tipperary singer-songwriter Johnny Bourke is set to release his new single ‘Can’t Do Without’ on the 3rd July. This summer number drifts coolly on smooth pop hooks and zesty spurts on guitar. Bourke adds a dash of edge into this radio friendly gem with a jangly guitar riff between the dreamy melody. Though the song has a simple smooth coating there is a decent amount of intricate sonic elements weaving through the tracks underbelly.The song has a groovy R&B funk flavour that complements the charm of Bourke’s warm country- esque vocals. With a buoyant drum beat creating wiggle ready infectiousness, catchy chorus and a steamy solo weaved between the humid crescendo, ‘Can’t Do Without’ is an impressive sweet as pie indie pop bop.
Evan Nave has released his debut album ‘Besixdouze Satellite Circumeuntibus’. Set in a sonic fantasy universe, ‘Besixdouze Satellite Circumeuntibus’ is the debut album from Brazialian alternative rocker Evan Nave. Recorded over the course of a year, the album includes some songs written with an older band. ‘Click Install’, ‘Eva Aurora’ and ‘At the Tip of the Glow’ were written specifically for this album, and the songs were brought to life with guest vocals and performance from Fabiola Barreto (Neila Alien). Born with synesthesia, Evan Nave uses this condition to create music that explores different musical universes. Evan Nave has been compsosing under different guises for some time, writing for sci-fi film scores and various albums for different bands and currently working with the band Besixdouze to create a retro-futuristic psychedelic fantasy, drawing on elements of Gaucho rock.
Saturated in psychedelia, ‘Besixdouze Satellite Circumeuntibus’ presents Evan Nave’s unique and obscure sonic intricacies through warped soundscapes and sublime guitar work. With lengthy instrumentals blemished with quirky organ refrains and spacey atmospheres the album takes the listener further into Nave’s dazzling musicianship. There are elements of jazz glimmering through tracks ‘Velha Guarda’ while ‘Sombrio Véu’ and ‘De Manhã No Meu Jardim’ take a traditional sound and bring a haunting aspect over the buoyant and sway-like qualities.
Each song is an outcry of Nave’s dedication to psychedelia, the 10 track album explores a variety of themes all set within an eerie and colourful sonic landscape making for quite the intriguing listening experience. The fuzzy psychedelic moments are blended superbly with the sweet melodies and dreamy tones allowing the vocals to hypnotize throughout tracks such as ‘Click In Install’ and ‘Nefilins’. Nave has a captivating ability to create lulling melodies and melt them upon a soothing dreamy backdrop and from here he either startuates the track in a dizzying backdrop of psychedelic experimental pop rock with even some blues hues or broods it through eerie and delicate tones to create a soft narcotic slide into obscurity.
‘Besixdouze Satellite Circumeuntibus’ is an experimental album brimming with unique blends of rich instrumental progressions to create quite the mesmerising psychedelic trip.
Punk rock duo Vulpynes have released their new single ‘Sister’. A week before Covid19 struck, the duo were half way through recording their debut album in Black Mountain Studios with James Darkin. Due to travel restrictions and Ireland being in complete disarray, they were unfortunately unable to finish it. After much consideration, Vulpynes have decided to release the first half of the album as a single sided limited edition 12″. The EP, entitled ‘Us Against Them’ will be released via Ireland’s premier punk rock label F.O.A.D/Advance Records.
‘Sister’ is another no nonsense smasher from Vulpynes. It’s a speed battering of the duo’s frantic punk rock at its most potent and all consuming best. The thrashing guitars and rapid pogo slaps on drums create that lean mean sound we have come to love from the band.
Molly’s powerful vocals are the heart of the song. The sheer attitude, ballsy fire and grit in her compelling voice gives her such a dominating presence it leaves much to be admired.
‘Sister’ is quite the razor cut anthem. Kaz’s jackhammer assaults on drums is the most beautiful battering ever to bruise your ears as her fast and poisonous whack creates the track’s all authoritative foundation.
Vulpynes’ music is always a joy to listen to. The duo produce some of the most visceral and kinetic forms of music on the Dublin scene at the moment. They have a slick, raw and majestic way of presenting their blood thirsty rock and ‘Sister’ is a fine new example of this.
Belfast noise rock/post-punk band Enola Gay have released their debut single ‘The Birth Of A Nation’.The band is comprised of Fionn Reilly on vocals, Joe McVeigh on guitar, Adam Cooper on Bass and Stevie Curtis on Drums.
‘The Birth of a Nation’ is a raw, rampaging debut from Enola Gay. The band lacerate sharp guitar lines through a rumbling bass to create a thrilling and unnerving intense sound. The verses revolve around the rooted bassline while wailing on guitar occasionally pines throughout. The song erupts with electric shocks as it progresses with elements reminiscent of The Prodigy while the lyrics address systematic oppressions and how racism still spreads in the streets of Belfast. Fionn Reilly spits the rapid lyrics with disdain and angst while the blistering and unsettling guitars jolt and shrill with a haunting quality. ‘The Birth of a Nation’ is an uncompromising dose of unadulterated post punk and a fantastic musical display from Enola Gay.
The video for the track features shots of the many instances of police brutality within the height of recent Black Lives Matter protests in America and worldwide.
Dublin- based singer/songwriter Kevin Casey has released his new single ‘It’s Alright’.Long standing regular in the Irish music scene, Kevin Casey has released several singles, two EPs, and a full length album since 2014. He has done two European tours and gigged extensively across the country as well as in Germany, the U.K and the USA, including two consecutive years at Electric Picnic. He is known for his raw vocals, versatile songwriting, and for keeping Irish rock and roll alive and well.
‘It’s Alright’ is a steady rock anthem. Kevin Casey slowly seeps emotion into the track as he creates space within for the instrumentation and tones to flourish and blossom. It’s a guitar driven song that chugs into motion with raw guitar melodies, and a foot tapping beat. The rhythmic pulse is the heartbeat of the track as the bass and drums simmer though the verses before pounding into the chorus. With soaring string flurries and lush orchestral samples the song builds becoming more grand yet maintains the relaxed pacing throughout. The rasped vocals and lush vocal harmonies teamed with zesty guitar wails and richly layered production create tension and brief gasps of relief throughout the song making it an enjoyable number to listen to. There are elements of Oasis with tones of The Beatles and even some Bryan Adams peppering which makes the song quite easy on the ears. Casey took the best part of these artists and blended them with his own style to create a moving power anthem for the crazy times we live in now. With an 80’s rock hue, scorching guitar solo and dynamic wall of sound ‘It’s Alright’ is quite the impressive mature number.
Stream ‘It’s Alright’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
