Category Archives: Alt- Pop

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Jack Woodward ‘Look Looking Around’

25 year old singer-songwriter Jack Woodward, is set to release his new single ‘Look Looking Around’ on Thursday 20th September which was written and produced last year with the production duo ‘Sugar House’ in St Helens. Woodward has  played many gigs with his backing band in towns and cities around the North-West of England such as Wigan, Warrington, Liverpool, Bolton and Manchester as well as performing on the X Factor Live Tour in Brighton to 4500 people, the BBC Introducing Stage at Blackburn’s festival of making, a sold out gig at Sound in Liverpool and The Cavern Club and supported ‘Rae Morris’ at King Tuts in Glasgow.’Look Looking Around’ is being released as a double single along with Woodward’s song ‘Let it Happen’ which he released last March. Both tracks on the double single have already been played multiple times by ‘BBC Introducing Radio Lancashire’ and ‘Amazing Radio’ with great support at blogs and radio stations too, and have so far been received well by fans at gigs and critics alike.

‘Look Looking Around’ rushes in on a whirring spur of youthful adrenaline aloft a punchy anthemic indie foundation. Dynamic drums pound through with relentless foot stomping stamina while jangly energised guitars weave, wail and slickly entwine the smooth heartwarming melody and velvety vocals. This track has the balance on point – the edgy powerful instrumental backdrop oozes confidence and swagger while the melty ear-worm melody glides over this animated explosion with sweet luscious grandeur and finesse. Brimming with heart stopping warmth with some glorious melodic lines glimmering throughout,  it’s peppy, anthemic and one to have a live audience bellowing out and uncontrollably dancing to.

You can follow Jack Woodward on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/jackwoodwardmusic

 


Alt- Pop, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Lana Del Rey ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’

Lana Del Rey has released her sparkling new track ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’.Lana Del Rey is currently in the studio working with Bleachers’ Jack Antonoff and is set to unveil two new songs in the coming weeks. A full-length record won’t be due for release until 2019 but Lana is excited to preview some early material from the sessions for fans. The first, ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’, was played on Annie Mac’s radio show as “Hottest Record In The World” last night and is available to stream and download now. The second track ‘Venice Bitch’ will debut next Tuesday September 18th – details to follow. Both songs will have accompanying visuals created in collaboration with her sister, mixed media artist Chuck.

‘Mariners Apartment Complex’ is a beautifully elegant number swooning in a delicious flurry of brooding melancholic romance. Graceful piano wistfully floats about the track while whining guitars lament over a steady beat and glistening bitter sweet dreamy soundscape. Del Rey’s vocals soothingly and sorrowfully coo over this delicate haze with dignity and a whispered rich warmth as lush backing vocals lull with a hushed consoling quality. This swooping, dreamy number blends perfectly into its psychedelic hues as it builds sweetly and delicately into a sublime soft crescendo. It’s another refined immaculate 1970s-style rock ballad from the noir pop goddess.

Watch the video for ‘Mariners Apartment Complex’ below

 

 

 

 


Alt- Pop, Garage Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Johnny Kills

Following  on from the  success of ‘’Who’s  Counting?͛, their first  release via Killing Moon, Johnny  Kills emerge for the second time  in 2018 with their new tune ‘Seems’.  Earning champions including BBC Introducing,  The Line of Best Fit, DORK, Indie Shuffle and  The Metro plus dozens more tastemaker radio stations  and blogs with their flair for delivering scuzzy pop  off-cuts, the trio are made up of Tim, biological brother  Lewis Lloyd-Kinnings and spiritual brother Cameron Gipp. Aiding them  in bringing their tracks to an acceptable auditory standard is Leeds  based producer and Forever Cult bassist Alex Greaves (TRASH, PLAZA, Seeing Hands)  on production and mixing duties, with Pete Maher (Pixies, Lana Del Rey, Scissor Sisters)  on mastering.

‘Seems’ is a glam rock dash of bedazzlement propelled into a fuzz fueled  garage-rock setting to create a whirlpool of blistering bliss. A pounding relentless bass line forces its punk-esque ego  through the glittery bravado with relentless ground shaking ferocity while the falsetto vocals subdue this pounding with its flamboyant sleekness. This track weaves a wiggly wonky thread through the instrumental battery to make for a scuzzy quirky listening experience filled with angst and vigor.

Stream ‘Seems’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : The Arthur Brothers

Tottenham based The Arthur Brothers have released their debut single ‘Ninth’. The Arthur Brothers began life as a recording project and quickly grew into an artistic alliance centered around the biological brothers Matt and Danny Arthur and the producer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist J. C. Wright. Their music is inspired by a mutual obsession for inventive song-craft and a cross-generational love of classic albums with dramatic, bold and intriguing productions. Driven by a devotion to the recording process and a passionate desire to make a record full of mystery, melody, diversity and depth – the Arthurs and Wright, along with a coterie of talented contributors have been on a long and challenging creative expedition. Their first single release, ‘Ninth’, is the opening stage of the nine part musical adventure that will eventually be unveiled as The Arthur Brothers’ debut album.

‘Ninth’ is a multi- faceted weaving prism glistening between a swirling concoction of dark chilling mystery. This richly textured number thrives on a meaty tribal drum foundation which whacks and rumbles under western- esque guitars and icy keys. Flashing soundscapes create a floaty breezy atmosphere for the eerie vocals to haunt through while twinkling chimes and desert evoking guitars lament and flood the track with a lonely tone. The melody slides between mysterious and cold to peppy and buoyant as the catchy chant-like chorus stomps its way into your brain with a relentless stamina that won’t rest until you sing along. The immaculate harmonies surge adrenaline through the song making for a completely submerging listening experience. It’s a cinematic track that will have you thumping your chest, stomping your feet and worshiping The Arthur Brothers tribal- esque indie sound blissfully.

 

Stream ‘Ninth’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

RAFFER ‘Fake It’

Kent clean-cut indie pop artist RAFFER has released his first independent single ‘Fake It’. Self producing and performing his take on indie pop Raffer spent the past year touring the UK supporting the likes of The Academic, Airways, King No-One and Indigo Husk. The single will be released alongside a music video which consists of footage captured from the 20 year old’s live shows – showcasing Raffer’s energetic stage presence.

‘Fake It’ is a juicy spurt of infectious melt in your mouth indie. Vibrant zesty guitars jangle and playfully weave between punchy drums and delicious swirling soundscapes. Raffer layers his sound magnificently as a sugary sweet pop melody hops along the vivid background making for a wholly enthralling glorious listening experience. The guitars entwine and braid round the shimmering synths making for a toothsome sun soaked anthem that is most pleasing to the ears as Raffer lays out a delicious melodic spread ready to tantalize your indie pop cravings. It’s a dynamic, buoyant gem with 80’s -esque hues over edgy indie. Perfect for excited festival crowds.

Watch the video for ‘Fake It’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Freeda ‘Go Home’

Manchester five piece indie rock band Freeda have released their new single ‘Go Home’ comprised of Sean Rowles, Callum Hignett, Cameron Meekums-Spence, Adam Barton and Adam Jackson Freeda formed in early 2017. The band spent their first year establishing themselves in their hometown, selling out headline shows along the way and progressing to 500+ Capacity venues. In February 2018 Freeda released their debut single ‘Plug It In’, which was recorded by producers Sugar House (Viola Beach, Pale Waves) and featured here on Indie Buddie and was featured on Hype Machine’s ‘Latest Music’ Spotify playlist. 2018 has since seen the band play two headline shows in Manchester, travel to Paris to headline the famous Le Truskel Club, perform at Dot 2 Dot festival and play in front of over 3000 people on the Cotton Clouds Festival main stage.With their biggest hometown show confirmed for the 8th September at Gorilla, Freeda look set to cement their status as one of Manchester’s fastest growing bands.

‘Go Home’ was once again produced by production duo Sugar House and showcases the bands intoxicating snappy indie rock at its best. With a glossy infectious melody doused in foot tapping rich rhythms this track lays out its foundation superbly creating the perfect groove infested backdrop for the glorious guitars and delicious melody to rebound and playfully weave around. Slick sharp guitar riffs tease through the verses with striking stings before surging the chorus with exhilarating euphoria. It’s a biting number as the guitars crash and tightly entangle the ear-worm melody and buoyant rhythm while the velvety vocals brood and coo through this little indie anthem. The chorus is big and sing along ready while the verses cruise and glide along in an intense gripping manner that is fantastic. These guys have created an enthralling number that ignites the soul making you want to dance and go wild.

You can catch Freeda Live at  Gorilla, Manchester – 08.09.2018

Steam  ‘Go Home’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Worth A Listen 

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Sad Boys Club

Sad Boys Club are an indie band  from Crouch End and are headed by frontman Jacob Wheldon. The band have worked with Duncan Mills (Spector, Peace, The Vaccines, Jake Bugg) and have  supported Spector on their UK tour as well as having played a BBC Introducing show. Now signed to Fierce Panda Records (The Maccabees) Sad Boys Club have released their new single ‘Sleepyhead’. This seductive dive into dark crawling indie is brimming with ethereal spine chilling guitar lines weaving their silken web through punchy drums and eerie soundscapes. There is something enthralling about Wheldon’s vocals. They mournfully wrap your ears in a haunting woefulness that is goosebump inducing  and somewhat unnerving yet thrilling to the core. Light keys twinkle as the creeping verses set the ghostly scene before exploding into a more vibrant indie doused chorus. The chorus is unleashed into your ears with crashing guitars and a heavier instrumental backdrop. These guys have a knack for creating meandering, haunting melodies that linger in your head for days. The acute and sensitive keyboard playing keeps the intensity of the track alight while the stinging guitars insert some urgency amid the dreamy haunting soundscapes.Keep an eye out for these guys, their tight creepy and  melodic compelling sound is mesmerising and refreshing to the ears.

Stream ‘Sleepyhead’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Electronic, EP Review, Funk, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Midnight Embargo ’00:00′ EP

London  electro/alt rock trio Midnight Embargo have released their second EP ’00:00′ which was recorded with Nottingham producer Guy Elderfield. The scorching four track EP swarms in with catchy rock n’ roll whisked in dark funky flavoured disco vibes – perfect for frenzied live shows. Jangly guitars and buoyant strut ready rhythms glissade through the effervescent ‘HRTBRK’ and ‘Burn Your Fires’ These stomping disco bangers are brimming with panache as swagger soaked guitars prance through the punchy drums and sparkling synth glam. These guys whir through their infectious tunes with a slickness that is enthralling while a rowdy backdrop makes every pulse beat and stride compel your body to groove. The shredding rawness of ‘Borderline (Won’t Let Up)’ keeps the relentless stamina alive as edgy guitar riffs splinter and lacerate through the punchy drums and elastic bass rumbles. With a sing along fiery chorus perfect for live crowd interaction this track whips up a dark smothered blustery rock n’ roll frenzy. ‘Battle Rhythm’ closes the EP continuing the kinetic energy of the previous tracks with a little more aggression burning throughout the ethereal breezy soundscapes. Sharp guitars sting between the dynamic vocals and thumping drums as the synths weave a smoky haunting braid of mystery throughout.

Midnight Embargo have created a sublime dancable EP laced in infectious disco vibes with a magnificent blend of swagger soaked rock ‘n’ roll and 80s-infused rock. The slick, steamy, scalding guitar lines teamed with catchy melodies and driving rhythms make for one groovy wholly satisfying EP that is sure to make for a crazy live show.

Stream  ’00:00′ below


Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, New Music

Sandra’s Wedding ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ EP

Indie four piece Sandra’s Wedding have released their new EP ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’. The Goole based four piece comprised of members Joe Hodgson (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Piano), Jonny Hughes (Electric guitar, Mandolin), Tom Hill (Bass Guitar), Luke Harrison (Drums, Percussion) released their debut album “Northern Powerhouse” in February 2017, which was well received by reviewers with the band subsequently invited to perform a BBC Introducing live session on the show. The sepia tinged songs on the album address love, loss and life in industrial towns across the North of England, with guitarist Jonny Hughes telling one newspaper that the group and lyricist Joe Hodgson try to write songs with lyrics that people can identify with, telling stories about residing and experiencing life in Northern, working class areas.’Good Morning, Bad Blood’ deals with similar themes to its’ predecessor with love, the complexities of relationships and the mundane side of romance all running strongly through the four tracks. The album was produced by Dan Foster at Hull’s Element Studios and mastered by Pete Maher.

‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ is a charming warm collection of tracks that travel at an easy pace unfolding tales of heartbreak and love in a cosy wholesome manner. All four tracks hold a similar thread that confirms Sandra’s Wedding’s Smiths- esque brand however each track maintains its own identity and beautiful hold on your ears. The delicately chiming guitars throughout title track ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ teamed with a delicious soothing melody and punchy drums makes for an enthralling opening to the EP. Instantly you are relaxed and settled into the cosy sound of this quartet. Hodgson’s vocals are easy to listen to as his sweet and comforting voice caresses the melody while the jangly guitar laments with warm yet sorrowful tones. Even through the mournful ‘Titanic’ Hodgson’s vocals hold a firm grip on your emotions as the elegant piano adds a graceful classy tone to the sweet tune. ‘Saturday Night Television’ brings a foot tapping cheery quality to the lamenting feel of the EP. The trumpet and cello are a sublime addition to the instrumentation, they fill the track with a tender warmth while weaving through a doleful bitter sweet melody that could bring a tear to your eye. ‘Run, Rabbit, Run’ is the most vibrant track on the EP as lively trumpet blasts set a mysterious Mexican Mariachi vibe over buoyant drums and lively guitar strides. It’s a refreshing and striking end to the EP.

‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ is a collection of four songs that are brimming with sleek guitars weaving their way meticulously through sublime melodies and immaculate moments making for a richly satisfying listen. Each track is so rhythmically appealing  and touching that the persistent listener is likely to find themself won over almost,without warning, by its pure honesty and wholesomeness.

 

Stream  ‘Good Morning, Bad Blood’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : Under Starling

Under Starling is a new musical project by brothers Danny and Tommy Dunford, along with guitarist Stephen Keating and bassist Colin Drummey. Past experience has left the group with a few notable gigs. A debut festival appearance at Indiependence 2016, support gigs to Walking on Cars, All Tvvins and Fangclub to name a few. They regularly play full house shows in Fred Zeppelins (Cork) and in venues such as Whelans Live (Dublin), Fibber Magees (Dublin) and Roisin Dubh (Galway). The band have now released their debut  single ‘Far Be It From Me’.

‘Far Be It From Me’ showcases this bands ability to produce and deliver a deeply rich melodic track brimming with true passion and gusto. The track progresses slowly with perfectly placed spacious moments for maximum heart gripping impact as the brooding and fermenting verses build in intensity for the explosive passionate chorus. The vocals pack oodles of emotion giving you goosebumps while ethereal guitars lament along a punchy mournful drum backbone. It’s a melancholic fiery gem that cuts deep but rests comfortably on your ears as you crave to hear more.Under Starling illustrate all the ingredients for greatness within this number with gripping instrumentation creating a chilling backdrop for the bittersweet melody to swoon over while the heartfelt vocals caress the tender outburst. It’s radio ready and immaculately crafted for an enthralling wholly consuming listening experience.

Stream ‘Far Be It From Me’ below