Kilkenny alternative-indie five piece Neon Wolf have released their new single ‘Be American’. The band have played at many festivals such as Electric Picnic, Sea Sessions, as well as a main stage appearance at Longitude 2015. They have also supported The Courteeners, Alabama Shakes, The 1975, The Districts and Hudson Taylor in Belfast’s Mandela Hall and Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. ‘Be American’ is about having hope in dark times and it is an insanely catchy mixture of 80’s pop and rock. Shimmering synths glisten and glitter with a blinding bright lustre that exudes intense heat and summer vibes. Soft vocals coax you gently into the infectious bop beat while the percussion shimmy and shake with enticing charm and charisma. The soothing lull on backing vocals is reassuring and calming while the melody is honey to the ears, so sweet and juicy you want to press repeat. This track is the essence of sunshine. With soaring vocals for the bridge its extremely uplifting and will put you instantly in a good mood and i’m not kidding the sun actually starting shining when I played this song first so it even has the suns approval. With Michael Jackson vibes and rich textures Neon Wolf open our minds to the hope of positivity ahead.
Watch ‘Be American’ below
London alt-pop five-piece Nova Neon have released new single ‘Stone To A Balloon’ today. It is the latest single to be lifted from their recent debut album ‘Chroma’. Led by the bluesy vocals of Bianca Lewis, Nova Neon create intricate and original songs powered by electro grooves and indie rock dynamics. The band have headlined gigs at historic London venues The Borderline, The Garage and The Barfly, a show-stealing performance at the Isle Of Wight Festival and a run of sold-out Sofar Sounds sessions. They have gained online praise from Brooklyn tastemakers Afropunk and features with Brit clothing brand Original Penguin. Nova Neon also received radio airplay with BBC Introducing, BBC London and Amazing Radio last year. ‘Stone To A Balloon’ is an enchantingly delicate melancholy laden track which bops along with warm textures and soothing qualities. The track starts with a sway-like flow and sombre tone. It then builds and wakens up into an uplifting radiant emotive crescendo that evokes positivity and reassurance. Nova Neon blend a bluesy groove with indie rock creating a sophisticated mature sound that is refined and captivating. The brooding soul vocals inject intense passion into the track while the warm sweet toned interweaving guitar hooks console and revitalise with dynamic zest. The lilting electronica twinkles with a sparkling delicate elegance that gives the track a feathery lift. To match the genre-crossing mix of sounds on the new track, there is also a complex lyrical narrative. As Lewis explains; “Stone To A Balloon is a love song about a broken relationship, where one person is fighting to keep it alive whilst the other one drifts. The metaphor of stone to a balloon is used to reflect that – one person acts as the stone (the rock of the relationship) whilst the other is the balloon (the drifter). In a working relationship, the two counter each other harmoniously – but in this case, it’s the emotional realisation that it no longer works that drives the song.”
Nova Neon will be playing live shows in support of the new single and album in 2017. For more info, head to http://novaneon.com./
Stream ‘Stone To A Balloon’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Orwells
Chicago punk rockers The Orwells released their new single ‘Black Francis’ which is taken from their third LP, ‘Terrible Human Beings’, due out Feb 17th. Its a sensational homage to one of alternative rock’s most influential icons, Pixies frontman Frank Black, aka Black Francis. ‘Black Francis’ is a strutting prance of flamboyance blasted with gritty boisterous frenzy causing rock. With ear splitting shrill on guitars to start teamed with pounding drums this track is instantly thrilling, spewing fireball energy from every note while maintaining effortless cool swagger and charisma. The heavy beefy riffs pierce through the chorus while the punchy drums cause epidemic dancing and mania. This track grooves with slick slinky infectious melodies that refuse to leave your head. Pounding through your skull with its summer vibe, gritty prance and flaunt this track is an instant hit and a must listen.
Watch the video for ‘Black Francis’ below
Scottish artist, Eugene Twist is back with his newest single ‘Stuntman’ from his highly-anticipated album of the same name. With a lyrical arena that boasts whistleblowers, extraterrestrials and self-consuming psychonauts, Scotland’s Eugene Twist is not your everyday songwriter. After two years in the musical wilderness, his second album ‘The Stuntman’ has arrived on the back of one mission, to let the storyteller run riot inside the song. Taking time to build a makeshift studio and learning how to record and mix allowed Eugene time to breathe with his arrangements. ‘Stuntman’ is a trippy funky flex of cool swagger teamed with dark bewilderment. With a slippery sway of greasy fluidity this track exudes panache with a hit of sleazy thrown in. The charming spoken vocals add a punk vibe to the verse as they flicker with shards of detest while they become velvety smooth for the chorus adding a luring melty quality. The slick shredding guitar adds a glossy enticing allurement before it builds into a distortion of psychedelic wobbly opiate perplexity. The deep elastic bass adds a tone of seduction and bewitchment that gives the track a fluid abstruse structure. ‘Stuntman’ is a shimmy and a sway of fun cloaked in darkened eerie danger that creeps with chilling mystery.
Watch the video for ‘Stuntman’ below
Its Saturday night and we have been invited to see Waterford band Anna-Liese rock the socks off the ever so cosy Bosco’s Café in Kilkenny. Having not seen the band since last year I was curious as to their progress and development. Casually beginning their set with a new tune the four piece showcase their naturally affluent knack for sweet toned slick riffs and melodies leaving no doubt there is talent behind these lads. Mark Walsh (Guitar/Vocals) and Emmet Conefery (Guitar/Vocals) effortlessly glide from infectious crushing heavy riffs to creamy melty licks while Sean Carey’s ductile Bass, like putty holds each track with a flexible elastic bounce. Eddy Blake’s Drums venture from hushed tap-tap-tap to rapid skin-pounding attacks for various tracks. They take a little time to warm up fully to the assemblage but before long they are bantering back and forth, blasting through tunes from their EP ‘Chasing and Fading’. Walsh’s vocals and writing style tends to steer more to a country or traditional style which adds a little depth and unique quirk to the bands alternative rock genre while Conefery’s vocal style adds a funky groovy quality. Most of the set is made up of tracks from the EP with a sneaky smattering of some new tunes which sound extremely promising as they showcase positive substantial and even sophisticated growth in their writing style and musicianship. Throwing in some covers here and there the foursome land a slick rendition of Talking Heads ‘Psycho Killer’. The heavier tracks like ‘Green’ perhaps deserving a larger venue never the less Anna-Liese take it in their stride and fulfil their promise for “loud hits and sweet rhythm” all in the comfort of this intimate charming Café.
Anna-Liese will be playing a few gigs in February and March in pubs across Waterford, Kilkenny and Cork, with two big events coming up in Cork, The CIT Battle of the Bands and a gig on the 11th March in the Bru Bar and Hostel. They will be heading back to the studio before the summer to record another 5 track EP. So keep an eye out and head down to see these guys.
Stream Anna-Liese EP ‘Chasing and Fading’ below
Val Cale are a four piece psyche-blues band from Leeds. The band has quickly made progress through the Leeds city gig scene, and are gaining a reputation for enthralling, atmospheric and groovy live performances. Band members Tom Lister (Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar), Henry Smith (Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals), Shafiq Dufrene (Bass Guitar / Keys / Backing Vocals) and Sam Hamer ( Drums / Backing Vocals) have released their new track ‘Docile’ the fifth track from their upcoming EP ‘Black Stuff’ which will be released on the 1st February. ‘Docile’ is a dark eerie swirling mixture of thick sticky tar that lures you into its grip until you are stuck tight in its grasp. Raspy vocals coax with soft velvety textures while the seductive guitar licks entice like bait guiding you gently into the intoxicating psychedelic sound. Deep rooted bass slaps with a sensual slick quality adding a dark mysterious vibe to the track that is goosebump evoking.
You can download the EP ‘Black Stuff’ from 1st February at http://valcale.bandcamp.com/
Stream ‘Docile’ below
Hull’s scuzz punks Lumer have released their new track ‘Futile’. Alex Evans (bass/vocals), Benjamin Jackson (Guitar), Jacob Wardle (drums) and Thom Foster (synth/guitar) have unleashed a storm of ferocity, beaten and pummelled with pulverising drums and shrilling razor sharp riffs. The splintering guitars sting with knife edged slashes as the track races into a bloodthirsty frenzy of venom induced intense passion and mania. Strong vocals brood to start developing into a hurricane of screaming howling roars exuding fiery aggression. This track is a brawl of bustling gravelly grit mixed with explosive punk topped with fury and turmoil. Its pure unadulterated bedlam that is headbangingly good and mosh pit frenzy ready.
Stream ‘Futile’ below
Producer and DJ TrinoVante has recently released his debut album ‘Live Love Laugh Learn Light Liquid Liberate’ after years of experimenting with Electronic Music Software and reaching the peak of his production knowledge. He has described his style of dance music as emotional, spiritual and passionate, the 19-track album has received critical acclaim from BBC Introducing and some tracks on the album have also been released under digital record labels. Created as a feel good album to help raise spirits and give listeners a new found appreciation for the beauty of life, the album features mainly uplifting tracks, some of which have nostalgic garage undertones. ‘Live Love Laugh Learn Light Liquid Liberate’ is the perfect house party album laced with quick synth stabs and airy tropical vibes in tracks like ‘Light Pink Flower’. The tracks feature drops that explode softly, welcomingly and warm with infectious grooves sprinkling sunshine yet grounded with deep beats and spacey synth soundscapes. Sleek laser-like flashes of electronics light up the tracks. While passionate vocals feature on some of the tracks complementing them and heightening the entire experience. TrinoVante surges us with a wave of soft adrenaline-pumping energy with funky elements and a rush of summer vibes to keep you dancing all night.’5 4 3 2 1 Liberate’ brings a slightly heavier hypnotic acid trip with flickering electronics and driving sticky beat. Each track pulls you further and further into its trippy intoxicating swirling bright peppy hypnotism until you embrace it and join the kaleidoscope of euphoric sounds.
‘Live Love Laugh Learn Light Liquid Liberate’ was self-produced and influenced by a large variety of genres and artists which can definitely be heard in the unique sound throughout this album. It was released earlier in January and is available via all major media providers.
Stream ‘Live Love Laugh Learn Light Liquid Liberate’ below
Stockport’s indie rock band KASHMERE have released their latest single ‘Porcelain’. Band members Joey (vocals & guitar), Charlie (lead guitar) Dave (bass guitar) and Andy (drums & vocals) have been creating a stir with slots at Tramlines, Blackthorn Festival, Glass Butter Beach, When in Manchester and last year had their first performance for This Feeling. The band released their long-awaited debut single ‘Blow Your Mind’ in June 2016 which was produced by Jim Spencer (Charlatans, New Order, The Cribs), and featured on BBC Introducing Manchester and BBC Radio 6 Music. The single was played over 100,000 times on Spotify in the first five months after its release. The four piece have now released their new single ‘Porcelain’which has been produced by Manchester-based Steven Griffiths and mastered by Peter Maher (The Rolling Stones, The Killers, Jack White). Laced in a labyrinth of melodic guitar riffs this track takes easy going indie to a new level. Appearing nonchalant and relaxed this track seeps in with a disguise and then slaps you with intricate weaving melodies teamed with a malleable rhythm. Sharp shrill of guitars adds an edge and sting to the track while Joey’s vocals remain cool and laid back letting the instrumentation carefully resound through your skull leaving you paralysed and in a state of awe.
Stream ‘Porcelain’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From D-Day
D-Day are a four piece band from Galway. The band was formed by brothers Darragh (lead guitar, lead vocals) and Keith Whyte (drums/ percussion) who joined forces with school friends Chris Breslin (bass, backing vocals) and Cathal Sweeney (rhythm guitar, backing vocals). This quartet burst onto the Irish music scene in 2012 supporting Thin Lizzy (Volvo Ocean Race Festival). Since then, ‘D-Day’ have been on a non-stop mission to introduce new audiences to their own alternative brand of rock ‘n’ roll sensibility. With a self-titled five track EP under their belt they’ve toured all around Ireland, lighting up the stage at the likes of Monroe’s Live, Fibber Magee’s and Róisín Dubh . Last year saw D-Day bring their hectic summer schedule to a fitting end with their debut show at Whelan’s and a performance for Philomena Lynott at ‘The Bash for Philo’.
We Have chosen their track ‘Misunderstood’ as our worth a listen track this week. ‘Misunderstood’ is an exhilarating indie anthem complete with the warm fuzzy nostalgia inducing vibes one gets listening to 60s style rock. This breathtaking elevating track is jam packed with scorching bright tones and a thrilling guitar riff that sizzles adding bright sunny vibes and optimistic cheer. The track exudes energy and zest while the powerful spirited vocals display exquisite emotion and passion that is spine tingling. The peppy beat bounces along with cheerful spring and a positivity that is reassuring and dynamic. Rich lush textures and luxurious hearty harmonies interweave and immerse between the dazzling musical motifs leaving you mesmerised by this fresh yet sentimentally familiar sound. Slick guitar licks give the track an instant charm and likeability oozing effortlessly cool swagger and electrifying panache. The track drives with red hot intensity coated in a sweet melancholic melody that is so thrilling and satisfying leaving you wanting to hear more. ‘Misunderstood’ proves to be a rousing showcase of D-Day’s talent and knack for arena worthy infectious feel good tunes with pretty slick proficient musicianship. These guys are ones to watch.
Watch the video for ‘Misunderstood’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
