Category Archives: Alt- Pop

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Bleachers

Bleachers has released a new track, ‘Alfie’s Song (Not So Typical Love Song)’. It comes as a part of the soundtrack for the film ‘Love, Simon’ which stars ‘The Kings of Summer’ and ‘Everything Everything’ actor, Nick Robinson and marks the first solo song to be released by Jack Antonoff since last year’s ‘Gone Now’ album. Antonoff is executive producing the soundtrack, which also includes songs by the 1975, Troye Sivan, Jackson 5, in addition to three other Bleachers songs and more. I have been listening to this song for some time now and thought i’d share the sprinkling of joy it brings to my day.

‘Alfie’s Song (Not So Typical Love Song)’ is an animated vibrant burst of delight with a buoyant beat, jangly guitar, sparkling keys and a gloriously yearning melody that melts like butter on toast. This animated perky backdrop sets a vibrant foundation for Antonoff’s longing vocals to flood the track with passion and charm. It’s that track that surges youthful adrenaline through your veins and uplifts your spirit all while flooding you with love sick eagerness. This sun kissed, spring in your step number is finger clicking, foot tapping-ly infectious, wistful, warm and golden all at once. With a sing along ready anthemic refrain “I wanna be alright with my baby tonight”, saxophone feature and jazzy keys, this peppy number will nestle itself in your brain and stay on your mind for months ready to pop up at those moments when you need a lift.

Watch the video for ‘Alfie’s Song (Not So Typical Love Song)’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

MAURITIA ‘Baby, Please’

Fresh five piece indie outfit MAURITIA have released their single ‘Baby, Please’. Consisting of childhood friends Jonathan Yeo (drums), James Hughes (rhythm guitar), Sam Copsey (bass), Sean Blenkin (lead guitar) and Josh Hedges (vocals), the band formed in early 2017. Already having the opportunity to play alongside some well established bands such as Eliza and the Bear, Clean Cut Kid and Anteros the five-piece demand attention with their catchy tracks and energetic stage presence.

Their third release ‘Baby, Please’ is a synth heavy, guitar driven track written about the importance of being open and honest in a relationship. Recorded at The Motor Museum in Liverpool over 4 days and produced by Al Groves (Bring Me The Horizon), the single features sparkling melodic riffs that playfully weave between a buoyant peppy beat and shimmering synth backdrop. Instantly catchy this radiant number is sun kissed indie at its most dazzling. A smooth vocal line caresses the infectious honey coated melody while chiming guitars add a dash of zest and vibrancy to this breezy chilled indie pop gem. This is one for those hazy day summer playlists.

You can catch MAURITIA live at
29th May – Hull – The Sesh (Headline Slot)
17th August – Sledmere –Tribfest (Headline Slot)

Stream ‘Baby, Please’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

The Half Light ‘Night On My Mind’

London indie quartet The Half Light have released their new single ‘Night On My Mind’. It is the title track from their forthcoming EP and follows the earlier release of the lead track ‘8th May’, which was released in early March 2018. The single was recorded in December 2017 at Musicland Studios, Haggerston, produced by Ian Flynn of Werkhouse and will be followed in the summer by ‘Seven Summers’, the final track from the EP. The band have returned to the scene in 2018 with new material and a new line up consisting of James Rogers (Vocals/ Guitar), Guy Chapman (Guitar/Keys), Martin Sherbish (Drums) and Mike Taylor (Bass).Their music has featured on radio stations across the country, including BBC 6 Music, BBC London and Amazing Radio and the band were nominated for Best UK Act at the 2015 Pure M Awards.

‘Night On My Mind’ is another tightly packaged, blissfully melodic little gem from The Half Light that displays fine proficient musicianship and sublime melodies. Lavishly rich rhythmic layers ground the track creating the perfect foundation for the ethereal guitars to spring off while breezy soundscapes caress each guitar strum delicately to create a sublime dreamy atmosphere. The melody is simply divine as James Rogers’ smooth vocals gently embrace each delicious note adding a heavenly elegance and tenderness. Chiming keys add a shimmering graceful quality while the punchy drums and subtle edgy guitars add a nice dash of sting and bitterness to this sweet luscious can of punchy pop. The Half Light are steadily growing and building their sound becoming more majestic and mature with each new endeavour.

The Half Light will play Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen, London, on Friday 11th May to mark the launch of ‘Night On My Mind’. The show is part of Hot Vox’s established RIDER indie club night events. Advance tickets will be available through the band’s website, with a series of further gigs and festival appearances to be announced (www.thehalflight.com).

Stream ‘Night On My Mind’ below

 

 


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, New Music

Darce ‘Who You Loving Now’

Irish alternative Rap/Pop artist Darce has released his latest offering ‘Who You Loving Now’. The track, produced by Dale Holland and Wavefield Studios, features vocals from Becky Phillips and deals with the insecurities of the aftermath of infidelity. ‘Who You Loving Now’ is Darce’s most electronic venture to date as the addictive dance influenced beats slap and whack about the track setting a hypnotic steady foundation for the flashing electronics to rebound off. He’s brimming with confidence – his raps flow like melting butter over the dazzling soundscapes. It’s a summer ready jam that is both chilled and breezy yet sticky and sweltering hot all at once. Becky Phillips’ vocals are the icing on the cake- beautifully placed in the song she adds a creamy lush quality and melancholic airy sweetness that cools the tune down and sets a slow motion effect as you focus on the lyrics.  Another sublime radio ready track from Darce.

Stream ‘Who You Loving Now’ below


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Sampson ‘Damned’

Halifax-born indie electro-pop artist Sampson has released her new single, ‘Damned’ off her most recent album, ‘Dark Sky Night’. This noir pop track is steeped in sultry electronics as a sticky beat slaps and gloops between Sampson’s luring coo. Its enticing as lush backing vocals add a haunting chilling quality while lamenting guitar broods in the background. The flashing swirling darkened electronics add an eerie dizzying spin to the track that dazzles and blinds building up to the crescendo. This track is superbly crafted creating moments of intensity and drama which is subdued between the gloomy darkened daydream- like soundscapes. Thoroughly thrilling and chilling this track seeps, creeps and almost wallows in a hazy sense of pessimism while building a lush electronic soundscape for its shadowy cinematic atmosphere.

When asked about the track Sampson said: “Damned, the latest single off the album, was co-written by two of my best friends – Nicole Ariana and Laurenn Marchand – at a song camp in Cape Breton Island. It’s a song about feeling stuck, and having choices to make that all bear consequences. For me, it was about whether or not I should leave somewhere and miss it, or stay while knowing something that would inevitably make me start to hate it.”

Stream ‘Damned’ below


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

Father John Misty ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ and ‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’

Father John Misty has released two new songs, ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ and ‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’ from his forthcoming album, ‘God’s Favorite Customer’ which is due out June 1st via Sub Pop/Bella Union.

These two tracks follow the cool, love drenched suave with gloriously dark undertones that Father John Misty does so well. ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ follows the swoony sound and delicacy we have come to adore with a melty luscious melody mournfully caressing the jazzy- esque piano jangles reminiscent of Elton John while a steady beat and concise guitar strums in the background. However, this track isn’t soppy and lovesick as it first appears. Though sonically lavish, the piano strikes add a harshness and sneering quality while the lyrics, “Like a pervert on a crowded bus / A glare of love bears down on us” opens up a whole new meaning to the track. Father John Misty croons and howls between his sweet falsetto  and the stomping, cinematic instrumentation. Though the track is cynical of romance it’s still beautifully written in the most dreamy fashion. The track broods and builds to an outstanding crescendo with a dramatic brass instrumental finish. It’s got a delightful bounce and some heart skipping a beat moments yet lying underneath is a more sombre tone.

‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’ is your sweet, heart felt ballad that hits you right in the chest and would make even the toughest of people shed a wee tear. It’s tender with honest lyrical content that stops time and makes you feel every painful line. He croons and pines over a brooding lamenting piano melody which caresses the fuzzed guitar whines and steady beat. Sweetly melodic and hard hitting it’s a beautiful new addition to our much treasured Father John Misty collection.

Stream ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ and ‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’ below


Album Review, Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Moon Loves Honey ‘You Drift Away From Me’

Danish  dreamy  alt.  rock/pop  band  Moon Loves Honey have released their highly anticipated  debut album ‘You  Drift  Away  From  Me’. The album takes  the  listener  on  a  colourful  journey  through  uncertainty,  loneliness  and  finally  hope  via  nine  finely  crafted  songs  –  three  of which  have  been  released  as  singles  and  enjoyed  radio  airplay  and  acclaim  from  media  across  the  globe.  Moon Loves Honey functions  as  a  band  in  concert,  but  in  the  studio,  its  Jeppe  Dengsø  as  a  one-man-band.  The album was  in  the  making  for  a  year  and  a  half  and  took  huge  dedication  to  complete  because  of  Jeppe͛s  growing  obsessive  attention  to  detail.  In May  2016  –  shortly  after  the  release  of  the  band’s  debut  EP  ‘Apart’  –  Jeppe  started  recording  songs  in  Aarhus  with  friend  and  mix engineer  William  Brinch.  The initial plan  was  merely  to  record  a  couple  of  single-ideas,  but  the  plan  of  creating  an  entire  album  slowly  manifested  itself.  Over the  next  year,  the  entire  album  was  finished

‘You Drift Away From Me’ displays huge emotional and musical  variety with every song  differing from the next,  while the album  still has a unique  sonic character  throughout. There is a lot of blissful juicy sounds packed into this album yet it doesn’t seem over the top each track cruises along blending together becoming a sweet glorious component of the mellow and euphoric entity that is the ‘You Drift Away From Me’ album. From the electronic and chill wave-tinged  pop of opening track ‘To Be Without You’, Moon Loves Honey completely consume you in a luscious dreamy state of soft delicate melodies wrapped in a fluffy cloud of euphoria. The delicate vocals soothe while subtle flickering soundscapes lure you deeper into a trippy sweet state of psychedelia. The tracks that follow lead you down a glistening path of discovery as delicious melodies snappy soft beats and swirling electronics radiate sun kissed vibes. ‘Lonely Day’ and ‘Before I Crash’ provide images of summer sun, chill vibes and azure blue sky’s. It’s easy going yet brimming with silky intricate instrumentation to provide a satisfying listen. It’s almost like these guys create a little world within this album to loose yourself and just recline into as it soaks away all your problems in soothing tunes. Title track ‘You Drift Away From Me’ adds a perky little bounce and swirling adrenaline to the album while the atmospheric ballad ‘I’m Falling Out Of Love With You Baby’ glides along with a honey drizzled melody and lo fi vocals. ‘Blå’ acts as the wispy electronic intermission before the shoegazey  rock- esque ‘Is It Just A Dream?’ and ‘Should Have Waited’ spiral in a hazy whirl with subtle anthemic bursts over subdued crashing instrumentation. Moon Loves Honey bring us to the end of this glorious album with the twinkling ‘Replaced’. Flickering electronics sparkle glimmers of scintillation through a melty emotional melody while lush vocals coo over the melancholic tones.

‘You Drift Away From Me’ blends sun kissed chilled dream pop with shoegazey rock and atmospheric electronics effortlessly to create a wholly mesmerising dreamy listen that relaxes, soothes and tranquilises while throwing in some groovy bops and sublime textures on top. It’s magnificently crafted and leaves you refreshed and vitalised.

Stream ‘You Drift Away From Me’ below


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

London King ‘A Kind of Love’

London King has released the fourth single ‘A Kind of Love‘ from her EP ‘Antichrist Child’. King’s first moment in the spotlight occurred when she was just 4 and her first song ‘Sinking in The Darkness’ was penned at 11 years old and even features on her first EP. King started her career as the frontwomen of Rancid before turning solo at age 18.She released her first EP ‘Golden Edition’ in 2014 working with award winning producer James Colah. Her follow up ‘A Kind of Love’ was produced by another award winner, Aubrey Whitfield, who has worked with the likes of Little Mix and Kelly Clarkson.

‘A Kind of Love’ twinkles and glistens with swirling electronics from the start creating a delicate sweetly toned backdrop for Kings emotive, powerful vocals. A snappy beat gently whacks, pulses and slaps through the flashing electronics while lush backing vocals and sparkling keys inject an ethereal elegance and dreamy quality to the track. It’s a tightly compact and highly emotive song that softly and sweetly glides along at a steady pace pouring honest, heartfelt emotion into every silky glorious note.

Stream ‘A Kind of Love’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Submariner ‘Ghosts’

Submariner have released their new single ‘Ghosts’. After a strong 2017 where they sold out headline slots on the South Coast, made their major festival debuts at Common People and Victorious festivals, released their debut music video for “Closer” and gained attention from BBC introducing and The Line of Best Fit; Submariner are primed and ready to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as 2018 promises tours, a debut EP and further festival appearances.

‘Ghosts’ is a catchy feathery light dash of indie pop that is dreamy, luscious and bright yet holds a deeper foundation. The political lyrics shows the bands maturity and awareness without dragging the track down while vibrant ethereal guitars jangle about swirling synths and a snappy steady beat. The delicate sombre toned melody laments over the heavenly aerial soundscapes with a heart warming sweetness that carries both hopeful tones and melancholic nostalgia. The velvety smooth vocals caress the melody with a gentle tenderness and emotional power while the twinkling guitars flicker glimpses of bright scintillation throughout, creating an optimistic vibe. This track is subtly anthemic and ambient as lush harmonies and breezy effortless cool tones mixed with burning emotion rush through the song filling you with adrenaline and passion to keep pushing through. A sublime track that both glistens and shimmers with sun kissed aerial instrumentation combined with catchy golden melodies and heartbroken realism.

When asked about the track the band said: “The song is spiritually inspired by last year’s general election. The narrative involves a woman who gives her life to fight for other people, the oppressed and the broken. She is haunted by the ghosts of those she and the system failed to save. The chorus addresses her opponents and details the flaw in greed, especially the lines ‘reap the seeds, there’s no where for them’ & ‘I’ll be dead, long before you live’ indicating that the oppressor seeks wealth only in financial sense, but without compassion and kindness, has no real quality to life. In the fictional sense, the story ends on a note of hope, with the ghosts of the failed haunting the consciousness of the heroines enemy, leaving you with the line ‘In the dark, you’ll remember me’ and in turn, spurring the person into action.”

Stream ‘Ghosts’ below

 


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

JOY ‘Seahorse’

 

Bath based four – piece, JOY have released their new single ‘Seahorse’ (which was self-produced and recorded in their hometown studio) the follow up to their debut single ‘Tree’ which saw them receive critical acclaim locally and amass significant streams on Spotify on it’s release late last year. Available digitally at all major outlets, the new track recalls the dramatic and haunting yet bright guitar melodies of bands such as The Pixies, Wolf Alice and Helvetia. Fully formed last year from the ashes of Bristol outfit Big Fish, the JOY line up of Toby Ijbema (vocals), Ale Invernizzi (bass), Ben Roe (drums) and Callum Wutherspoon (lead guitar) have spent the last twelve months writing, recording and honing a new sound. During this time, Toby was found busking by YouTube personality Stefan Michalak in an underpass and was featured on Michalak’s channel, which subsequently introduced the band to a wider audience and an influx of fans worldwide. A truly exciting live band, JOY are building an ever growing fan base after making their live debut with a sold out show at the legendary Moles Club in Bath last year.

‘Seahorse’ is a deeply melodic track seeped in tender soulful tones. Delicate drums tap while elegant guitar twinkles behind the raspy warmth of Toby Ijbema’s vocals as this slow burner pines and broods its way into its powerful crescendo. They use subtle melancholic guitar melodies to fill the track with a heart warming glow as the supple vocal melody glides along swaying and sweeping across the elegant instrumentation. The track progresses becoming more heavy – distorted guitar add a cinematic shrill of urgency as the drums and bass become more rooted and punchy. It’s a well-crafted track which delicately swivels between mournful lows and glorious hair-raising highs. It’s a heavily emotional and moody experience which shows the maturity in the musicianship of this band.

Stream ‘Seahorse’ below