Category Archives: Album Review

Album Review, Alt Rock, Funk, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock, Rock and Roll

Public Access T.V. ‘Street Safari’ Album

Public Access T.V. are back to provide some infectious tunes to wrap your ears around with their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Street Safari’. It’s an album that hones in on their sound, refines it, uncoils all the intricate details and arranges them in a neat matured compact production of finesse.

‘Safari (In My Head)’ brings on their chilled disco shift and introduces the album with a little touch of chicness. With its strut ready shuffle inducing rhythm and jungle like injection mixed with sharp jagged guitars subtly wailing and stinging behind the most mellow soundscapes this track introduces ‘Street Safari’ with class. Melodies are the secret ingredient in Public Access T.V.’s delicious brew and ‘Shell No. 2’ displays this perfectly. Luscious backing vocals coo the last word of each line while a catchy melody drifts upon vibrant guitars and an infectious buoyant rhythm. A fluttering keyboard feature hops along its merry way making this track instantly likeable and fun. With an intro that grabs you by the ears, fastens itself securely in your mind and entraps you, ‘Your God and Mine’ is the creme de le creme of the album. The intro alone has the aroma of Depeche Mode, New Order or INXS with a nice slap of Prince sass on top and that melty melody is just sublime. Their ability to surge swagger into a track without coming across over done is magnificent and they back this panache up with a healthy dose of slick laid back instrumentation which takes its time and glides with an unhurried sense of space. This album fleshes out the different groovy facets to this four piece. The funkadelic bravado of ‘MetroTech’, with its running elastic sensual bassline and rich jittery rhythm contrasts sharply to the brooding R&B- esque slow burner ‘Told You Too Much’ and displays the bands fine musicianship and rich musical depth.

From smooth melodies sliding and gliding on top of slicked back flaunty flamboyance to the exhilarating intensity and punchiness of ‘Rough Boy’, Public Access T.V. keep the album interesting. ‘Lost in the Game’ will lure you to the dancefloor for sure with its flaunty melody and buoyant rhythm. This shimmy ready number hits all the right spots. How can you refuse that funky guitar hook in ‘Wait it Out’? Each track whacks out another infectious melody, bass line or guitar hook for you to blissfully indulge in. ‘Meltdown’ has an 80’s power anthem feel to it while flooding you with youthful exuberance. With its thrilling driving bass line, breath-taking synth feature and golden guitar moments this is a powerful little gem. The band choose the dizzying electronic ‘The Quicksands’ which blinds with its hypnotic, revolving groove and spacy soundscapes to bring us to the end of the album and leave you craving more.

‘Street Safari’ is another smashing album from the four piece. The tracks are clearer, more crisp and confident. Public Access T.V. have defined their sound, its precise and is the soundtrack you need for strutting down the street.

Stream ‘Street Safari’ below

 

We had a chat with John Eatherly and Max Peebles about the ‘Street Safari’ album check out what they had to say below 

 


Album Review, Alt Rock, indie rock, Punk Rock

Cross Wires ‘Living In A Radio City’ Album

Cross Wires are an East London/Essex based four piece consisting of Jonathan Chapman (Vocals) Peter Muller (Guitar) Pete Letch (Bass) and Ian Clarke (Drums). The band have built up a great live reputation playing at some of the best venues across London including The Old Blue Last, BIRTHDAYS, The Victoria Dalston, Camden Barfly, Sebright Arms, The Garage, Islington Academy, Queen of Hoxton, 93 Feet East, The Dublin Castle, Notting Hill Arts Club, The George Tavern, The Half Moon Putney and Tooting Tram & Social. They have recently released their mini album ‘Living In A Radio City’ which was recorded at Lightship 95 in East London and produced by Rory Attwell (The Vaccines, Telegram, Palma Violets). Many of the tracks from the album have been given radio plays and gained support from the likes of Gary Crowley at BBC Introducing, Georgie Rodgers at Virgin Radio, Charlie Ashcroft and Shell Zenner at Amazing Radio and Tom Robinsons Fresh On The Net.

‘Living In A Radio City’ is an exhilarating album jam-packed with enough quick jabs of feisty ballsy punk to cause a riot. From the scrappy fierceness of opening track ‘We Call The Shots’ these guys demand attention and announce their raw punchy sound brimming with crashing guitars, pummelling drums and attitude driven vocals. The boisterous ‘Walking Wounded’ and the Kasabian- esque  ‘Machine 7’ displays their anarchy soaked melodies slapped on top of jagged razor sharp trigger-happy guitars and neck snapping bass lines. While  ‘I Want Radio’ shakes things up a bit disguised at the beginning  as a 60’s rock and roll tune with foot stomping drums and bright jangly guitars before exploding into a true raw punk rock anthem. This track was made for the sticky blood thirsty mosh pits. ‘Slow Waves’ features a slick bass line acting as the sublime rampant rhythmic backbone of the song while this snappy track shouts and punches with harsh edgy riotous punk rock. The album is a relentless assault of punk fury. The tracks are quick, snappy and rowdy yet completely consuming and energising. This four piece have compiled eight tracks that inject adrenaline into your veins boosting you with brawling stamina. So much energy surges from this album you will want to run around the room for hours just to burn it off. ‘Fanzines’ is the perfect example of their mania causing sound while ‘Modern Art’ cools the tone slightly giving a little breather to the madness. With funky guitars and a rich rhythm it’s shimmy ready and a glimpse at the cooler, swagger soaked side to Cross Wires. ‘Pink Dogs’ closes the album a little chilled with spacey guitars and an aerial tone scattered on top of a melancholic melody.

Cross Wires know how to write some intense tracks that pack a mighty punch while displaying raw energy and charisma through feisty instrumentation and sublime catchy melodies. They blend seamlessly between strong assertive soundscapes with meaty drums, crashing guitars and fiery vocals to lightly breezy soundscapes with some rock and roll hints. They don’t just make punk music they create the Cross Wires experience of kick ass frantic tunes and slick innovative musicianship.

Stream ‘Living In A Radio City’ below

 

 


Album Review, Alt- Pop, doo-Wop, Dream Pop, Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Zach Leon ‘Sail Away Heart’ Album

23-year-old pop-indie singer Zach Leon has recently released his full-length album entitled ‘Sail Away Heart’. Leon is an alternative artist originally from Kansas City. He was front man for a rock band called ‘Project Zero’ in his earlier years. Leon released his first solo EP ‘The Great And Terrible’ in  2016 which lead to music videos, local recognition and a growing fan base.

‘Sail Away Heart’ devotes itself to gloriously triumphant anthems like the richly textured ‘California (Girls Don’t Sing)’ with its lush rhythm, snappy catchy melody and superb sing along chorus. ‘The Villain’ follows this pattern with a jazzy vintage piano feature introducing the track before it blasts into a fiery anthem of crashing instrumentation and mighty vocals. Leon uses every weapon in his arsenal to offer up a wide assortment of genres from heavy alternative tunes to the sweet doo wop 50’s- esque romantic elegance of ‘A + K’ and the tipsy swayable ‘Drunk Eggs’ .The first half of the album glides and flows with delicacy and warmth with ‘Sad Tonight’ acting as the acoustic little charmer which displays Leon’s ability to hold your attention with a simple arrangement, beautiful melody and captivating lyrics. The sweet little jingle of ’Sailawayheart pt. 1’ marks the end of that delicate tone as ‘Pretentious Love’ shakes up the album with an alternative rock heaviness. Shouty vocals swear and scream with attitude while guitars crash and drums pound throughout. ‘Fight Me’ smashes through with punk attitude demanding attention with its infectious mosh ready bounce. These particular tracks add a rough and tumble edge to the album making for an invigorating listen. I love the short little interludes in the album ‘Sailawayheart Pt. 2’ and closing track ‘Sailawayheart pt. 3’ are just sweet little dittys you could put on a loop, they are peppy and refreshing.

‘Sailawayheart’ is a refreshing array of beautiful romantic tunes covered in a warm glow and tenderness with some feisty rock and punk whacks thrown in. Leon blends his multi genres well slipping and sliding between genres showing the highs and lows of life and the magical glimpses between. An impressive collection from this young singer songwriter.

Stream ‘Sailawayheart’ below


Album Review, Electronic, Indie Electro, New Music

Shanghai Restoration Project ‘R.U.R.’ Album

Brooklyn based electronic duo, Shanghai Restoration Project (SRP) have released their new album ‘R.U.R’ on Undercover Culture Music. The album was recorded and self – produced in New York over the last year and features thirteen brand new tracks including ‘Spooky Party’ and the forthcoming single release ‘Alpha Go’. Originally the solo project of Dave Liang, the Shanghai Restoration Project were initially inspired by the 1930s Shanghai jazz bands. Earlier work combined Chinese instrumentation with hip-hop as Liang had done some producing within P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Label. Shanghai Restoration Project first came to the public’s attention during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing when the BBC featured tracks from their debut album as theme music during their broadcast coverage. In 2011 Liang met Sun Yunfan, a multi-disciplinary artist who grew up in China. Last year the duo co-wrote and produced the album ‘Life Elsewhere’ with Chinese jazz singer Zhang Le, which was well received in China and nominated for several national awards and ‘R.U.R’ album is the first record the two have officially released together as Shanghai Restoration Project. The duo have now been streamed over 20 million times to date, been featured on the BBC, NPR, The New York Times, Last Call with Carson Daly and they’ve performed over 100 live shows around the world in places such as NYC, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Moscow, and The Great Wall of China.

‘R.U.R.’ takes you on a journey of discovery through sonic multi-layered soundscapes. They take us to a world where robots have replaced humans and are trying to figure out what led to our extinction. The entire album is an expansion of your senses with ‘Expedition Voronya’ adding flickering twinkling electronics flooding with images of green pastures and rushing water. This duo take you to rain forests with fresh breezy atmospheres while animal noises and rain falling flood the background setting a picturesque scene. The fluctuant percussion, earthy wind pipes and elegant piano flutters in tracks such as ‘Last Bachelor Oecanthuskeep’ create an engaging listen. It’s a little unusual at first but once the rich abundance of instrumentation begin painting beautiful delicate images for you it is really quite a magical experience. With melodies that are so animated and crisp and use of electronics so clever and precise it’s an impressive body of work. Each track evokes every one of your senses bringing you right into the depths of the journey and making the experience realistic and beautiful. This duo aptly display the good side of the human race and world around us with light fluttery tracks but they also display the more sinister side with tracks that take a darker tone. It’s robotic yet immensely fluctuant and wobbly with disco hints and infectious grooves. This duo have created a unique experience that’s not for everyone but worth the venture.

 

Stream ‘R.U.R.’ below

 


Album Review, Indie Folk

Kindred ‘Our Tomorrow’ Album

Formed in the picturesque countryside of the South-West, Kindred are a five-piece indie rock band formed of members Fran Crandon, Ian Scott, Helen Sayer, Ian Anstey and Clive Millar. The 5-piece have recently released their debut album ‘Our Tomorrow’, distinguishing themselves from other ‘young rockers’ by taking influence from more traditional genres like folk, which is reflected in their debut. The album is written by guitarist Ian Scott (better known as Scottie) and released on his own record label, ScottSound Ltd, and recorded at the White House Studios. Consisting of 10 engaging tracks,’ Our Tomorrow’ has already picked up support from local radio shows, particularly the track Sunset Surf, written about how it feels to be surfing that special wave, whilst missing your loved one. As well as this five, special mentions go to Heidi Neil for backing vocals and Josh Munyard who played bass on selected tracks on the album.

‘Our Tomorrow’ is a captivating collection of indie rock songs from luscious sweet melodies smothered in bouncy vibrant instrumentation –  it’s a little box of light indie treasures. Its folk influences add a feathery lightness and wholesome depth to the tracks. From the first animated note of ‘She’s My Girl’ it’s obvious this album is set up with positive pick me up good vibes and spirited tunes. It’s elastic with a spring in its step peppy rhythm and jangly guitars teamed with sparkling elegant piano twinkles between the sweet melody. The soft charming vocals add a sugar-coated smoothness and delicious dreamy vibe. Naturally ‘Sunset Surf’ takes you to sunshine and sea air. Zealous stabs on guitar squirt some refreshing zest into the hazy laid-back track while a longing melody flows fluidly throughout. ‘Friend’ has a doo wop-esque  creaminess which adds a touch of animation to their toothsome collection of tracks. Each song becomes more positive and elastic than the previous it’s like walking into a musical that is bursting with smiles sunshine and enthusiasm without becoming too cheesy. Those guitar lines interweaving between the melodies are sublime and add a glorious tropical radiance. ‘Moonshine’ displayed this superbly with its dazzling lustrous guitar solo. The keys in ‘Our Tomorrow’ is about as peppy and gleaming as possible yet light and heavenly. The track oozes warmth and with a well layered sound featuring meticulously crafted details placed perfectly to create a wholly unique experience that is soothing, soul lifting and pure- it’s hard not to let your spirits be lifted. With tracks called ‘Summer Days’ and ‘Free’ they have created your positive feel good playlist. Even final track ‘Baby Blues’ is a fun swinging danceable number. It’s the cheeriest bluesy jam spread generously on a slice of swagger soaked rock and roll.

‘Our Tomorrow’ is a charming collection of tracks clearly designed to brighten your day and it does that for sure.

​20% of the sales of ‘Our Tomorrow’ will be donated to the children’s charity Bibic, which supports children and their families who struggle with brain related disabilities such as Down Syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Stream ‘Our Tomorrow’ below


Album Review, Alt- Pop, EP Review, Glam Rock, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll

Dan Rico ‘Flesh & Bone’

Chicago Singer Songwriter Dan Rico has released his new 7″ called ‘Flesh & Bone’. Its three tracks back in time to all things glam rock, vintage pop and beautiful. It’s a timeless collection that rewinds all the hustle and bustle and brings you swagger and slickness suave at its best. ‘Flesh & Bone’ resurrects Mark Bolan in all his glam rock strutting fineness. Its gritty riff driven and smooth as hell. Snappy and thrilling with lush backing vocals teamed with Rico’s oh so smooth vocal croons its like it could be a T-REX track. With steamy guitar licks and a shimmy ready flamboyance its sure to get those hips shaking and feet tapping.  ‘Gold Volvo’ is just beautiful. Sweet vocals and luscious melody glide immaculately together while jangly guitar blasts bright rays of sunshine into this hazy dreamy track. Gentle and soothing its a sun kissed heart felt sublime tune that oozes nostalgia. ‘Anyway You Want Me’ continues this timeless laid back sentimentality. With a delicious pop melody smothered on a rock and roll slow jam this track cruises and glides with charm and charisma. It is so mellow and easy-going with a clap along rhythm and danceable chorus, Rico knows how to write some infectious tunes. Perfect for hazy lazy days in the sun.

Stream ‘Flesh & Bone’ below


Album Review, Indie Folk, New Music, Theatrical

Harpeth Rising ‘Against All Tides’ Album

Harpeth Rising have released their new album ‘Against All Tides’. The classically trained trio of Jordana Greenberg, Maria Di Meglio and Michelle Younger recorded between May 2016 and February 2017 in the eye of the political storm that was taking hold of America. Against All Tides is therefore unsurprisingly heavily influenced by the atmosphere of social unrest that surrounded them. Many of the songs are protests and direct indictments of the political system while others take inspiration from personal suffering and hardships. Two of the songs The Highwayman and I Did Not Make the World were written by David Greenberg, Jordana’s father. David’s songs have appeared on each of Harpeth Risings albums and Jordana – the primary songwriter for the band – states how her father “continues to be a source of inspiration” to her and her music. Over the past 5 years Harpeth Rising have recorded 5 albums, toured 9 different countries on 3 continents and performed more than 600 gigs.

‘Against All Tides’ is an intricate tightly weaved 11 track album filled with organic pure blends of baroque and folk. From the first track ‘Love Child’ the trio slap straight into their meticulously weaved sound. The twanging banjo bounces and playfully hops between an eerie dark soundscape of crawly strides on violin and building depth of urgency on cello. The three-part vocal harmonies give a warmth yet striking hair-raising effect to the track. The tracks that follow maintain this darkened mysterious tone emphasised by the trio’s organic stunning use of instrumentation. ‘Drink of Reddest Wine’ brings a melancholic tone with winding hazy strings dragging back and forth while a sombre vocal melody pines and sobs the mournful lyrics. It’s tender and emotional with a hidden mystical tone. ‘3. 535 (Are You Even Alive?)’ throws a bouncy and theatrically spooky tone into the mix. Tracks like ‘The Highwayman’ display the trios braided weaving instrumentation perfectly. Strings sway, glide and pierce through the track adding soft swoons and dire urgency while the woeful cello builds with chilling depths. The light banjo adds a rush of panic while the vocals narrate through this frantic instrumentation. It’s quite heart stopping. ‘Prison Trilogy’ showcases their knack for story telling and heart wrenching emotion through melody. The accompaniment is simple for this track which leaves the attention all on the beautiful melody and passionate vocal delivery. That sweet string feature is just sublime and delicate lulling you into a beautiful soft stupor. ‘Lucid Dreaming Sheep’ closes the album with a unique sound for the trio. It’s richly rhythmic and boppy with a shimmy and shake like swagger and attitude. This track ends the album showing there’s a little more to their sound than perhaps you would think at first.

‘Against All Tides’ is a well-balanced album filled with hair raising stunning tracks to evoke all your senses. With dance ready beats magnificent storytelling and dazzling richly intertwined instrumentation it’s the perfect organic blend.

Stream ‘Against All Tides’ below

 


Album Review, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

James Walker ‘English Bones’ Album

English singer-songwriter James Walker is set to release his debut album ‘English Bones’ on Wild Native Records on the 17th November.’English Bones’ was produced by Sam Winfield (Amber Run, Dry the River, Supergrass) and features ten tracks including ‘Lullaby’, ‘Weathered’ and the current single ‘2009’. Available at all the major outlets, the album is a brilliant collection of songs that Walker has created over the past eighteen months and the songs cover issues of identity, nostalgia & celebrity stalkers.Having extensively toured Europe as a pianist, co-writer and collaborator for Adam Barnes, Walker set his sights on creating his own work informed by his experiences of love and heartbreak, to finding identity within the LGBT+ community, to recovery and rehabilitation from a rare heart condition. Inspired by artists such as Conor Oberst, The Weepies and Damien Rice and drawing on the influences of Foxing, Pavement and Tigers Jaw, Walker has performed over 200 shows in the past year over the UK, EU and USA.

‘English Bones’ is the sweetest most beautiful collection of tracks. Walker takes the listener on a tender emotional journey soothed by his luscious melodies and gentle vocals he cushions you for the hard-hitting melancholic tunes like opener ‘Weathered’ and warms your soul with the vibrant peppy tracks such as ‘2009’. Walker touches your soul with his passionate vocals and sparkling soundscapes. ‘Next To Me’ warms the cockles of your heart with tender tones and warm mellow twinkling guitar between a melty sublime melody. His vocals shield you from the sombre tone while lush backing vocals and delicate glowing soundscapes add a laid back hazy vibe. ’Landslide’ is a lushly arranged love song that exudes delicate tones and a nostalgic wispy atmosphere. ‘Lullaby (feat. Judy Blank)’ is a blissful slice of heaven. So quiet and peaceful yet seeped in a luscious melody. This track is simply beautiful and my favourite on the album. Judy Blanks’ vocals harmonise and blend magnificently with Walkers. It glides with a soft feathery grandeur and elegance lulling you into a sway-like dreamy state of bliss. Utterly breath-taking and graceful. The album continues with the wispy, light and airy tender tones of ‘Casanovas’, ‘Waiting’ and ‘Casualty’ while ‘Abyss’ adds a few sonic flecks, jittery sticky beats and an exquisite piano feature into the supple mix. ‘Kreuzberg’ closes the album with soft accompaniment, it’s breezy and a touch eerie to start. Light piano glistens through guitar strums while echoed vocals add a cold icy vibe.

‘English Bones’ is an album that displays Walkers strongly emotive, heart-warmingly tender and passionate musicianship. With mostly warm toasty glowing vibes he injects little mood shifters throughout adding some lively peppy tunes and some chilling breezy tunes in there to keep things refreshing. It’s an emotional journey for sure but a lovely listen. Walker has the ability to grab raw tender emotion and portray it so beautifully and sweetly creating a tear jerking, majestic and ethereal experience.

Walker, who has just completed an extensive two-month tour of Europe with Matt Phillips and Judy Blank, will be heading out once again for dates with Adam Barnes this November. James will also be returning to the USA to tour the East Coast in support of the launch of Matt Phillips new album next Spring.

Stream ‘Lullaby’ (feat. Judy Blank) below

https://soundcloud.com/james_walker_music/lullaby

 


Album Review, Blues, Indie Blues, Indie Folk, New Music

The Small Change Diaries ‘Lullabies for Cynics’ Album

After forming back in 2014 and since releasing both a debut album and EP, The Small Change Diaries are all set to release their second album ‘Lullabies for Cynics’, which will be available from 3rd November. The release will be celebrated with a launch gig set to take place at Sunny Bank Mills on its release date. Their debut album ‘Adam Blames Eve’ received critical acclaim from the likes of BBC Introducing and thus far, the tracks ‘Huggie Crying Thing’ and ‘I Know What You’re Saying’ from the new album have been played on BBC Introducing Leeds, giving them a promising start. With a rich variation of instruments, The Small Change Diaries create poetic, acoustic songs with thought provoking lyrics and a heartfelt delivery. Similar to their previous EP ‘Protest Songs’, their latest album ‘Lullabies for Cynics’ was inspired by world events in the past 18 months. Described by the collective themselves as ‘music for the head and heart’, various tracks touch on specific affairs such as the Paris attack and changes in US politics, leaving the listener with a lot to think about. The album also features some stellar international musicians, including Laurent Zeller from France, and Phil Doleman, both who have decades of musical experience. It was recorded over a 12 month period and has been a labour of love for the 4-piece.

At first glance ‘Lullabies for Cynics’ has a warm fuzzy glow that maybe we all need sometimes. From the title track ‘Hold On’ this four piece sweep us with a deluge of lush rich instrumentation emitting bright radiant vibes and warm tones. Opulent sweet melodies teamed with beautiful harmonies and bouncy light rhythms create a boppy sound that wraps you up in a cosy blanket shielding you from the harshness of the world. I don’t think you can get a more glowing peppy track than ‘Huggy Cryin’ Thing’. It’s light, catchy, warm and soothing. Oozing oodles of cheery vibes. I’m usually the cynical person and for sure not a morning person but I think if I was a morning person i’d wake up singing this song while the sun shone on me and the birds tweeted. It sets the scene for cheery perfect idealism. It has a sweet quality to cheer anyone up. ‘I Know What Your’re Saying’ with its foot tapping tone and  ‘Kicking Down Doors’ with its guitar twangs, jagged tempo and waltz injections take a slower melancholic tone. They are a little more sombre and honest. With tracks like the sparkling  ‘Not One Of Us’ and the darker swing of ‘Voodood Doll (feat.Phil Doleman)’ it’s like this four piece create their own little world which has a soft positive first impression but dig a little deeper and it’s a little more dark. Gently shaking percussion and snug strings create a cosy atmosphere though the lyrics are a lot more striking and harsh than the dreamy instrumental illusion. The four piece take their hand to blues with ‘Slow News Day’. Drenched in lazy hazy vibes with sublime bluesy drizzled horns and stroke tap beat it has a classy curvy easy going tempo with a murky story behind it. ‘Lullaby’ closes the album on a soothing note. Basically they sing us a lullaby before adding a bright refreshing little wake up burst about 1 minute and 30 seconds in. It sparkles and glows with pacifying gentleness and hopefulness.

‘Lullabies for Cynics’ is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. The Small Change Diaries create a peppy fantasy world with folk, blues, gospel-style arrangements all while conveying the candied truth through their politically challenging lyrics. At a first listen it’s just camp fire sway ready lollipops and rainbows tunes but at the root there is depth there. Perhaps candy coating the harshness for us a little.

After performing at both UK and overseas festivals over the duration of the summer, The Small Change Diaries are now ready to settle back in the UK to promote their album, starting with their album launch gig on 3rd November 2017 at Sunny Bank Mills. Information about further upcoming live dates can be found on their social media pages here

Watch the video for the track  ‘Birdman’ below


Album Release, Album Review, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Synth Rock, Synth-pop

Deep City Diver Self-Titled Debut Album

Hackney indie rock band Deep City Diver will release their self-titled debut album on the 6th October. This trio have crafted an album with tracks anthemic in every way with their brand of guitar pop stamped all over it. Doused in synth soundscapes they bring each track to life and evoke every fiber of emotion in the listener. Their sound is ambitious and exciting fully polished and meticulously formulated, it doesn’t feel like a debut album it feels like the fourth or fifth album of a well-established  band. They know their sound and it’s so familiar and comfortable it’s like they have been around for years, yet fresh and new. ‘Easy Prey’ kicks off the album smothered in 80’s synth pop shimmer and sparkle. The melody is sombre and sway-like and Nico’s vocals coo and brood for the verses before becoming dynamic for the anthemic chorus. Running basslines and a snappy beat adds a dance-like shuffle while jingley guitars flicker and stride with swagger and panache. It’s an infectious 80’s flashback. This trio do exuberant fist pump anthems well and ‘Everyone Is Alone’ and ‘Another World’ display this perfectly. With Bon Jovi-esque fiery choruses, powerful vocals and that adrenaline pumping get up and dance your worries away vibe. They bring the rock and roll nostalgia to the album with melty ear worm melodies and some sharp guitar injections adding a bit of edge and rawness to their sound. ‘As the Crow Flies’ is a beautiful melodic tune. Wandering soundscapes wisp around strident guitars. It’s pretty sweet and tender however the musical background adds a film like dramatic sorrow and breezy sharpness. ‘Down On Wreckyn Street, I’m Ruined’ is another indie rock thumper. Energetic, boppy and vibrant smothered in vitality with a dash of airy synths filling out the sound and giving a refreshing little multi dimension to the track. ‘Nothing Hurts’ is an elastic guitar driven tune. A rebounding spring on guitars adds buoyancy before the shredding air guitar worthy solo. ‘Honeyeater’ another slow burner with a strong thumping beat and elegant honey drizzled melody gives a 60’s feel mixed with a bit of the The Smiths. Probably my favourite track on the album for its depth and sweet sorrow filled guitar feature. It’s richly emotive and Nico’s vocals are immensely passionate and divine. It’s a tearjerker for sure utterly romantic and raw, just sublime to listen to.‘Living In The Hyphen’ and album closer ‘Youth’ are the delicate ballads. Beautiful melodies and smouldering synths create a dark sorrowful atmosphere swirling around Nico’s compelling emotion-filled vocals. ‘Youth’ displays Nico’s vocal depth.It’s a little organ-y which adds warmth to the track and once again this track is very passionate and heart wrenching. It’s a short track, just over two minutes bringing a nice end to the album. With simple accompaniment it leaves space for contemplation.

Deep City Diver have compiled a collection of tracks that speak to the heart, live in the moment whatever that moment is and makes you feel something. It’s an emotional journey of highs and lows dramatic anthemic tracks that are massive and fiery to slow tender pure passion and raw emotion. It’s epic guitar pop at its best.

You can catch Deep City Diver at their Vinyl Launch Gigs at

20th October 2017 – The Underground, Stoke-on-Trent (w/ DIVENIRE)

21st October 2017 – Blondies, London (w/ Bear Muda)

Stream ‘Another World’  below