Dublin four-piece The Riptide Movement are back with the release of their eagerly anticipated new EP ‘Something Special’ which was co-produced in Attica Studios with the legendary Tommy McLaughlin (Villagers, SOAK). With four studio albums to their name – most notably The RTÉ Choice Music Prize nominated, Gold selling, Number 1 Album “Getting Through” – The Riptide Movement are renowned for their phenomenal live shows and soaring, guitar driven, energetic tracks.
An EP frantic with kinetic energy, infectious musicianship and mammoth choruses is exactly what The Riptide Movement have lavishly bestowed on our ears with ‘Something Special’. From the snappy rock ‘n’ roll ignited opener ‘Is This What We’re All Living For ?’ with its shredding guitars, groove infested rhythm and passionate melody to the finger clicking swag of title track ‘Something Special’ these guys whack out feel good emotive tracks ready to set you alight with their dynamic wall of sound. Each drum pound, shrilling guitar whine and bass rumble rushes adrenaline into the veins. There is oodles of passion radiating off every track. It feels like each track is going to burst from the seams with vitality and lusciousness. From the juicy melody and “ba ba bah bah bah” lyrics in ‘I’ll Be There’ to the suave coolness in the more chilled melody of ‘Something Special’ each track will leave you craving for more. The band wrap each track in a fizzy golden soundscape of refined, well polished yet edgy instrumentation that shows just why this band have such a shining repertoire. There is a chilled desert-night vibe with ‘Where Are You Now’ as glistening guitars sparkle between western-esque whines and a steady shuffling rhythm. Malachy Tuohy’s vocals as always exude passion throughout the EP with hues and undertones of The Killers’ Brandon Flowers and U2’s Bono shimmering through his warm expressive rasp. The band wind down the EP with the gentle and tender ballad ’All I Ever Wanted’. Piano adorned – ’All I Ever Wanted’ is an emotional sweet track swooning on a loving melody while Tuohy’s vocals express the touching lyrics “my girl you are all i’ve ever wanted”.
Since their conception The Riptide Movement present a well crafted and energizing sound however ‘Something Special’ EP takes that sound and turns it up a notch with blistering guitar driven anthems, bigger choruses and more passion than ever before. A solid EP from the Dublin four-piece.
To celebrate the release, the band have announced an extensive Irish Tour, aptly called ‘The Something Special Tour’. Tickets are on sale now.
Fuzz pop band Chinese Newspaper have released a video for their new single ‘Sunday’ taken off their new EP ‘Late Night Pharmacy’. The band comprised of Nathan Merriman on drums, Killian Barrett on vocals/guitar & Aran McGilick on bass, have gained some traction since the release of their single “If Not Now Then When” playing shows such as Vantastival festival, opening for Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes at the Tivoli Theatre as well as being part of an all Irish line up at the Button Factory on Halloween night.
From that thumping drum intro and sweet guitar lilt ‘Sunday’ announces itself with fuzzy refinement and maturity that only Chinese Newspaper can pull off so well. The band have taken their sound to a new majestic level. They take the pop smelted melody drowned in nostalgia and dreamy tones and lay it upon a blitzing backdrop of crashing drums, hell summoning bass grooves and superb guitar work to create a deeply moving, utterly mesmerising track that is both polished and messy all at once. This ability to take a bitter sweet ditty and drag it through the mill of fuzz and grunge- hued indie to create a piece that is equal parts heavy, raucous and gracefully dignified is what makes this band so exciting. The stomping drums batter and pummel through the track with relentless stamina while the passionate vocals veer between nonchalant coos to anguish stricken exclaims. With an utterly blistering guitar solo shrilling with scorching intensity and steamy swagger Chinese Newspaper have created another precise well-executed gem to entice and tantalize our ears.
The band are celebrating the launch of ‘Sunday’ tonight October 5th in Whelans if you are around check them out. You won’t be disappointed.
Hull four-piece The Hubbards have released their new single ‘Seven Or Eleven’.The track follows the bands recent EP ‘Petty Grudge Pop’ which amassed an impressive 500,000 combined plays since its release, a placement on Netflix show Terrace House, while affording the band recent successes such as a headline set at the renowned Humber Street Sesh (headlined by The Hunna the previous night) and an esteemed support slot with indie royalty Doves.
‘Seven Or Eleven’ presents The Hubbards’ honest social commentary through a delicious dreamy dose of candy-floss indie pop with a stinging bitter aftertaste. From the smooth infectious melody that The Hubbards have become known for to the slicing guitar and buoyant beat – the track smoulders and bubbles throughout building gradually to a fizzing grunge-slapped crescendo. The track ventures from a laid back haze in the verses with twinkling guitars and weaving bassline to a heavier burst of indie for the chorus. The edged chorus blisters with effervescence as the ethereal soundscapes become harsher. The smooth vocals coo and drift over this compelling backdrop before becoming more expressive for the crescendo. The band present a song about the oppressive nature of mass consumerism the way The Hubbards can only do – with cynicism, disdain and lush melodies. Singer Reuben Driver sings “Nothing says success like an excessive waste/I’m sure I’ll find another suit to suit my taste/ it doesn’t really suit me anyway”. These guys have matured sublimely creating unforgettable sophisticated tunes with their signature brand of indie pop/ rock, glorious melodies and refined musicianship.
Essex singer songwriter James Burrage has released his new single ‘Good Karma’. This uplifting cosy track flows intensely on Burrage’s emotive and compelling musicianship. A steady, infectious, foot-tapping beat and rich percussion accompanies warm vibrant guitar jingles. This track gushes with sincerity and earnest tenderness. Burrage’s passionate vocals exude loving sweet tones as he coos and rasps over the delightful comforting melody. It’s an intimate indie folk number that is crafted to perfection. The subtle guitar whines create a breezy ethereal quality to the track as the melody and soothing vocals cushion the ears from the background whines creating a sublime contrast and intriguing listening experience. ‘Good Karma’ showcases Burrage’s fine ability to create sophisticated and moving tracks. It’s an emotive and powerful number to follow James Burrage’s funky swagger-dipped predecessor ‘Somehow’ which was released earlier in the year.
Cleveland-based Indie/Alternative artist Holden Laurence has released his new single, ‘Like James Dean’. A nostalgic powerful indie dazzler, ‘Like James Dean’ drifts and glistens with Laurence’s compelling heartfelt musicianship as he lays bare the desperation of the American Dream which is full of disillusionment and disappointment. With lamenting guitars and shimmering synths the track weaves a beautiful and bittersweet path between dreamy and melancholy as Laurence’s velvety vocals coo the emotional lyrics over a creamy yearning melody. With a pulsing rhythm, the track holds an air of wistful passion and eagerness while the wandering keys shimmer with innocent hope. The jangly guitar adds a sharp but warm, youthful element into the track as the lyrics mirror themes of youth, celebrity, and the obstacles of forming an identity in the modern age. Once again Holden Laurence uses sublime and refined songwriting buoyed by irresistible melty melodies and immaculate production to create a track that hits you in the chest with passion and emotion. The perfect follow up single to his superb Sophomore album ‘Rewire’
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Glass Violet
Bristol based rock band Glass Violet have released their debut single ‘Chemicals’ which has already received backing from the likes of BBC Radio Bristol and Amazing Radio .
Glass Violet announce themselves with ‘Chemicals’ – an urgent rush of indie rock and passionate musicianship. It’s an anthemic track that drifts on a nostalgic melody and easy going vibe. The blistering backdrop is laced in slick guitars, fizzing rumble on bass and punchy drums. The band fill out their sound with rich percussion which rattles and shakes while the lush keyboards inject a sweet melodious buzz throughout. Terrifically layered without over doing it the band create a heartfelt track with an exhilarating backdrop. The velvety vocals exude charm and swagger while maintaining the heartfelt passion of the melody. With a blazing guitar solo and invigorating swirling soundscapes ‘Chemicals’ is a blistering impressive debut single. Keep an eye on these guys.
Bio: Brian Rudkins (lead guitar, vocals), Cian Ferguson (bass,keyboard) and Keelan Gannon (guitar, vocal) are Neverwait – a three piece alternative rock band based in Ireland. The band have released their debut album ‘Blind’ which was recorded and produced by the band themselves.
Track: Blind
Why We Like It: This tight mirage of electronic alternative rock wiggles and creeps with lo-fi tones and hip hop beats to create something organic and truly engaging. The verses tease and slowly seep through creating tension while the taping beat remains the constant behind the vaporous melody and quivering reverb vocals. The track builds superbly to its expressive chorus and dramatic crescendo with horn elements adding a dash of soul. The psychedelic hues flirtatiously meander through the thick electronics adding a dark smudge over this tantalizing number. Well crafted and fantastically layered ‘Blind’ is an utterly captivating and emotive track presented beautifully and majestically by Neverwait.
Bio: Red Sun Alert are an up and coming band from Cork City, Ireland. Since forming in late 2017, the band have been busy making a name for themselves around the country. They have supported artists such as The Altered Hours, Making Monsters, Cherym and many more.
Track: Live Laugh Love
Why We Like It: It’s a gritty riff heavy mammoth that stomps and rampages through with raw jagged guitars and punchy assault on drums. With a rugged bass weaving between the harsh head-bang ready bursts and brisk guitar runs, the track fluctuates between the fluid elasticity of the verses and heavy throbbing chorus. With coarse growl- ish vocals, a scream here and there and a mosh-ready bridge laced in frantic guitar lines this brutish battering assault on the senses is one hell of a track. Don’t let the acute rough lacerations fool you though. There is refinement and swagger within ‘Live Laugh Love’ especially in the suave and precise guitar work. The band’s upcoming EP ‘Red Sun Alert’ is set for release October 3rd – looking forward to it.
When asked about the track Julia Pawlak said:“ While writing the lyrics to this song I was feeling extremely overwhelmed by how it seems that women are still seen as lesser in the music scene. There’s so many wonderful girls in the creative community and simply they’re not getting the notice that they deserve. This song is about acceptance of my gender and what it means. I don’t want to spend my time here complaining and wishing I would get the same treatment as my male friends in bands. I’m going to fight for it and do everything I can to create that space of non-judgement and equal treatment.”
Bio: Mayo born singer songwriter,Tracy Gallagher is one of Ireland’s finest emerging indie folk artists. Tracy is set to release her debut EP ‘The Fallen’ later this year. Her debut single ‘Sit With Me’ received national airplay and praise from well-known Irish radio personalities. Tracy is soon to announce a national tour to coincide with the release of her EP.
Track: The Fallen
Why We Like It: It’s a passionate warm track that flows beautifully into the ears with a melancholic sense of ease as Tracy Gallagher’s emotive and pristine vocals coo over the tender melody. With sultry guitar injections, the song drifts innocently over a sense of mystery. The catchy chorus is sweet as taffy as the steady beat creates the soft backdrop. There is oodles of character portrayed through the delicate jangle and deep rumble on guitar adding a conflicting twist and sublime contrast to Gallagher’s expressive crisp vocals. Wonderful and emotional ‘The Fallen’ is a superb piece of musicianship.
Bio: Kilkenny band The Wha have released the video for their debut single ‘Innocents’ – out via Chess Club. The band have also announced they will play a string of shows in September with Two Door Cinema Club in Dublin and Belfast. ‘Innocents’ has already attracted the attention of BBC Radio 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, Radio X’s Gordon Smart and Felix White and a host of press tastemakers. All aged just 18-years-old The Wha are dual vocalists and guitarists Finn Cusack and Sam Cullen, joined by Marek Lech (bass) and Abe G. Harris (drums). The video for ‘Innocents’ was shot in Kilkenny by director Conor Dockery at Dock Visual
Track: ‘Innocents’
Why We Like It: It’s a fantastic debut track which thrives on an exhilarating bass while piercing guitars slice and jangle through a punchy beat and carefree punk-hued attitude. With an ethereal catchy melody and vibrant vocals this invigorating number boasts impressive laid back swagger. There is a retro rock ‘n’ roll vibe about this track as the band take their blistering guitar-driven sound, coat it in an infectious melody, slap on a dash of indie and pepper it with a Brit-pop seasoning, and the result is something to shout about. This is a band that you need to know and listen to now.
Bio: LEWIN is an Alternative\Indie music project by Mitchell Lewin. His newly released single ‘Learn To Love/Love To Live’ has been received greatly having multi air-times on worldwide radio stations and local stations such as BBC Introducing in Shropshire.
Track: Learn to Love/Love to Live
Why We Like It: This breezy indie track sails gracefully upon a buoyant vibrant foundation while Lewins’ warm vocals exude emotion and tender tones.It’s a cosy song with luminous guitars glistening with glorious scintillation while the smooth melody coats the track in cosy tones.With a heart-pounding bridge and sing along ready chorus this indie dazzler is ready to warm the soul and comfort the ears. Its catchy and uplifting as Lewin crafts his sound with sweetness, passion and sublime instrumentation.
Antiquity has released a new concept album called ‘The Experience’ with lead single ‘The Ides’. Born in the early nineties as a live act in the New York area, Antiquity transformed into a studio project centered around songwriting and musical skills, drawing from a small group of professional musicians and singers.
‘The Ides’ grooves and weaves through dark soundscapes as Antiquity create an electronic hazed indie track. With the slinky rasp coated vocals as the main focal point the track flutters and slithers behind the compelling vocal delivery with grace and a chilling quality. The rich percussion shimmies on a steaming, vaporizing foundation of whining guitars and buoyant rhythm. There is an opulent array of instrumentation, from sensual horn elements to elastic bass and enchanting keys which all create the enticing and dark soundscape. The track pulls you into its core with luring guitars and an air of mystery while the harmonies and deep backing vocals haunt and seduce in the background. With its catchy chorus, bewitching verses and intricately weaved instrumentation ‘The Ides’ is a captivating number from Antiquity.
‘The Experience’ album is the accumulation of thirty years of the existence of Antiquity as a group. Gerald Duchene (Primary writer and producer) explains:
“…that it is an evolution that got us here, an evolution of songwriting. Music, and the industry it revolves around has changed faster than a lot of musicians could keep up to. Not just in style but how it is consumed, created and dispersed. There is not often a group of musicians siting around a dark rehearsal room any longer. Groups of songwriters can be oceans apart now and just as adept at working with one another which is how Antiquity has evolved into its current stable of musicians. It’s still about the songwriting with more input from group members. More influences, greater variety and more eclectic songs. Groups that lack variety, lack staying power and become stagnant. We have tried to maintain somewhat of a style but it’s hard to control a rushing river. We’ve allowed the songwriting to take us where it will, like a ship on the tide. We decided not to tailor songs for public consumption but to just write and play from the heart. I purposely had the singer come up with his own melody lines so he could make the song his own. I intentionally put the bass player in a position to be creative and come up with base lines that weren’t just rhythmic but creative that helped lead the songs. This album has all the building blocks that propels the music and the listener alike.”
Nottingham alternative rock band Distant Blue are set to release their Debut EP ‘MYMINDISOUTOFME’ on October 25th. With refined instrumental intricacies smooth steamy melodies, gripping lyrics and chaos-riddled soundscapes ‘MYMINDISOUTOFME’ is explosive and unforgettable in equal measure. Distant Blue blend their fiery boisterous alternative rock in dark sultry tones with opener ‘Tongue Tied’. In ‘Lucid Liar (Novocaine)’ beefy riffs drizzle on steaming bass lines which develop into one aggressive smasher. Muscular riffs, riot-inducing breakdowns, and ferocious choruses batter your head from every angle with the instrumental interlude of ‘blue.noise’ providing only a brief relief. The tracks on this EP build superbly to dizzying crashing crescendos that are sure to be epic live. Distant Blue have created an EP made for the live setting. With their gritty edge in the more hardcore rock sounding ‘Come and Join The Party’ and blistering take on a emotional number ‘Opiate’ the band roll out everything you need to mosh, bounce and jump to in one brisk exhilarating EP. Switching between a creamy tone, a robust, ferocious growl and rapid almost spitting rap, frontman Ed Binding presents himself as a versatile and engaging vocalist. The guitars glitter with character throughout the EP. They twinkle with sensitivity through the verses in ‘Opiate’ while smashing and crashing throughout the choruses. The guitars add a majestic yet robust quality to each track allowing the pulverising, energetic drums and bass to create that rich and vibrant foundation.
‘MYMINDISOUTOFME’ is a sublime debut sure to ignite the mosh pits. Distant Blue are gaining momentum with their punchy and straight to the point tracks which are jam packed with catchy powerful choruses and meaty hooks. ‘MYMINDISOUTOFME’ EP is an engaging listen and doesn’t disappoint.
Dublin based Jangle Pop outfit Father! have released their sophomore album ‘Queen of Spain’ which is mixed and mastered by Mark Chester of Autre Monde, Ginnels, No Monster Club.
‘Queen of Spain’ is a woozy psychedelic trip as Father! entice and lead you down a jangly lo-fi path into their dream pop labyrinth. ‘to Stockholm’, ‘Carcassonne’ and ‘Liebe’ frazzle with distortion and tightly woven soundscapes while the sweet jingle on guitar breaks through the deft backdrop with a hazy bright melody as the lo fi vocals murmur throughout. The tracks lead you deep into Father!’s heavy psychedelic sound before the light ‘Left You This Morning’, ‘Feeling So’ and ‘Desire Lines’ provides some relief. With chiming guitars, indie dream pop melodies and retro soundscapes the tracks create a daydream world to chill and mellow out in. The band showcase their fine ability to blend and ferment their sound to create something truly mesmerising and hypnotic. ‘Queen Of Spain’ and ‘Devotion #2’ bring the album to a close. With enthralling intricacies weaved through the instrumentation Father! create tunes exuding character and vitality while maintaining a breezy laid back tone. Each track is meticulously layered and crafted to create a streamline effect while showing flashing glimmerings of dazzling scintillation through their psychedelic tones and wobbly mirroring instrumentation.
Father! have taken all the vibrant and dark intricacies from their ‘Beach Cloud Daze’ release in 2018 and refined it into a pure concoction of new wave indie before saturating their sound with heavier psychedelia. Each track is doused in luscious pop elements and indie tones making ‘Queen of Spain’ a vivid trip filled with lucid rich musicianship. ‘Queen of Spain’ is an enjoyable, interesting and fascinating sophomore album from Father!
Stream ‘Queen of Spain’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
