Brisbane indie-pop band LHD are back with their new single ‘Growing Up’. This shimmering indie-pop gem showcases LHD’s eargasmic, nostalgic sound in all its glory. The band injects intricate percussion and buoyant beats into a radiant synth backdrop to create a bubbling, ethereal atmosphere filled with lush harmonies and balmy guitar riffs. Intense brooding verses give way to dreamy melodies and humid soundscapes while velvety vocals frankly express the tracks motivational theme “raise the figurative middle finger to those people who judge you”. LHD have meticulously crafted this tune. Their skilful use of pacing, glorious melodies, and surging instrumentation makes LHD a band to keep an eye on. Boasting an uplifting chorus with passion bursting from every note, ‘Growing Up’ is a fresh guzzle of indie-pop that leaves you craving for more.
About the track the band said “Growing Up” raises the figurative middle finger to those people in your life that always seem to have an opinion about what you are or aren’t doing, and love to criticise others. Although this is the case, the song is ultimately motivational, and listeners will find it brings a message of hope and a confidence in staying true to yourself, despite what others think.”
Singer-songwriter, spoken word artist Elina Filice has released a new single in celebration of Pride Month (June), ‘Let’s Get Lost’. The dance-pop anthem celebrates the coming out experience and getting lost to find yourself. Elina hopes the song can help those struggling to come to terms with who they are, as well as all of those on the lifelong journey away from shame and into love and pride. The single was recorded in Elina’s home studio and produced by Viscose.
Doused in sunkissed melodies and bright instrumentation, Elina Filice presents a shimmering pop anthem with ‘Let’s Get Lost’. The song continues Filice’s collection of irresistible earworms as the artist ventures into a more synth-pop sound for this new tune. This track is a fresh, and glittering gem with warm guitars creating a balmy hue over rich rhythms and disco grooves. Filice coos, “let’s get lost a little, cos I wanna be yours a little” over jaunty guitars and soaring synths as the compelling lyrics mirror the song’s energetic and liberating backdrop – perfectly enhanced by the bubbling verses bursting at the seams with vigor and adrenaline. ‘Let’s Get Lost’ is a sublime display of musicianship from Elina Filice. Press play and enjoy.
About the track, Filice says, “This song was written while reflecting on my own coming out experience. It’s such a unique and painful time, and those first feelings of queer love are so transformative. After dating the wrong gender you’re finally feeling something that feels right to you, things you’ve never felt for another person. At the exact same time you’re realizing who you are. It really is finding yourself through loving someone else, which is why for the queer identity, who we love and who we are are inextricably intertwined.”
Alternative pop artist Mustafa Sal has released his new single ‘johnnysixteen’. Under his old pseudonym, Sal the Musician, Mustafa released four singles in 2019/20 to great avail, with the tracks getting plenty of radio play and press buzz. Mustafa also spent the latter half of 2019 playing a number of support shows for touring artists, including Australian alt-rock legends ‘You Am I’. Thus far, he has released two singles in 2021 under his new artist name ‘Mustafa Sal’ and garnered Spotify Editorial playlist support for his most recent track ‘Spaceship Boy’.
‘johnnysixteen’ is a buoyant alternative pop number that showcases the emotive songwriting of Mustafa Sal. This catchy bop rides on a bubbling beat while soft electronics wisp in the backdrop creating a bright soundscape filled with warm guitars and shimmering synths that weave between a catchy chorus and luscious arrangements. Mustafa Sal’s warm vocal coo’s melt into a dreamy melody while his sweet tender lyrics convey emotions of loneliness “we are the stimulation generation. We don’t know how to make real friends, so we fake real friends”. The bittersweet lyrics of isolation are wonderfully contrasted by the energetic instrumentation and crisp production in the track. Mustafa has crafted a meaningful and charming tune ready for repeat plays.
About the track, Mustafa says: “The track itself discusses loneliness in the digital age under this cloud of technology. We are so connected yet so distant from one another- a crippling factor in the development of Generation Z as a whole.”
I caught up with singer-songwriter Róisín O to talk about her new single ‘2023’, working with the legend that is Phil Magee and her eloquent grasp of lyrics. Róisín also gives some great advice for upcoming artists and musicians.
Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Neil Dexter has launched his solo career and released his debut single, ‘Loving You.’ A founding member of defunct indie-rock quintet Spies, and active contributor to Tandem Felix and Royal Yellow, Dexter’s experiences playing with these acts have broadened his sonic palette and informed his artistry today.
Dexter presents a richly textured prismatic wall of sound within ‘Loving You’ that builds to become one infectious groove-laden bop. The song pivots around an insatiable groove as a pounding beat and bass direct the song’s flow. Dexter layers shimmering synths, clapping rhythms and melodic electronics atop heavy grooves to create a kaleidoscopic 80’s synth-pop backdrop blended with elements of 90s techno-pop. This lush array of textures is a joy to the senses as Dexter’s mesmerising vocal anchors the listener within the song’s ever-growing and immersive soundscape. There is a dark undertone crawling through the track. This is reinforced by Dexter’s deep vocals and haunting wisps on electronics which contrasts the lustrous production and synths, while the lyrics explore the guilt that often comes from not being more present for your partner “I should have spent more time loving you.”
‘Loving You’ is an exciting glimpse into the vast tantalising sound of Neil Dexter, and I, for one, am looking forward to what the artist has in store for us next.
Irish four-piece modernlove. have announced their debut EP ‘monochrome blue’ and share their new single. ‘lmk (if you wanna see me)’ along with a music video. The EP is due September 1st on Akira Records (Henry Green, Zola Blood, Shura, CHINAH). Each of the 6 radio-ready tracks confronts issues like romance, rejection, 21st-century communication and the daily impact of all three.”lmk (if you wanna see me)” will be the third single on the EP, following on from “Liquorice” and “Bop,” both of which received strong playlist support, landing on NMF UK at Spotify, as well as Fresh Finds, Alt-Pop and The Pop List. Radio has come via 2FM, BBC Ulster, XS Manchester, Across the Line and Radio X.
modernlove. flesh out their sonically lush indie-pop to present a truly mesmerising gem in ‘lmk (if you wanna see me)’. Steeped in a pool of synths, the track has a nostalgic and dreamy atmosphere that has a semi-conscious quality to it and creates a slow-motion, out of body effect throughout the verses. The song pivots around this hazy vibe with the mechanical vocal effects inducing a suspenseful tone through the use of soft coo’s. modernlove. have refined and honed their sound to create a tight song laced in interweaved melodies and textures that is simply divine to listen to. The band’s ability to pour emotion into every fibre of a song is masterful. They use a bubbling rhythmic backbone to create an agitated undertone in the soundscape of the track while surges of intense electronics ebb and flow throughout, quickly followed by a brief relief between jittery guitar interludes. The instrumentation is exquisitely designed to mirror the theme of being simultaneously overwhelmed and isolated. This intense instrumentation is greatly enhanced by the eloquent, emotive and well-coined phrases within the track – ”it doesn’t feel like I’m living, it just feels like I’m here” as the band poignantly capture the complexities of the modern lives of twenty-somethings through their earnest and striking lyricism.
‘lmk (if you wanna see me)’ is an excellent example of fine musicianship. Everything clicks within this song. The production, arrangement, lyrics and vocals all blend together spectacularly. modernlove.’s sound has blossomed wonderfully. The band’s deft musical ability balances insanely catchy indie-pop with emotive and thought-provoking lyrics to create compelling and impressive music. Love it.
About the song, the band say: “‘lmk (if you wanna see me)’ is about a formative period of your life ending. We wrote it during lockdown which inspired the somber, detached feel of the song.”
To celebrate the EP release, modernlove. will be playing their first London show at The Social on November 12 as well as a Dublin show in The Workman’s Club Cellar on November 5th.
Brighton alt/indie band Thrillhouse have released their new single ‘Take Care’. ‘Take Care’ races to glory as Thrillhouse continue their run of anthemic, ethereal indie rock through this majestic tune. With an electronic glitzy soundscape that is broken by shimmering guitars and desert-esque elements, the band create a sun-kissed nostalgic gem that pulses within a heart-pounding backdrop. Rumbling basslines ride along snapping beats and whirring synths to create an all-consuming sound that oozes suspense while showcasing the band’s deft musical prowess. Boasting sleek production and tight musical layering that is teamed with a deep brooding vocal delivery, ‘Take Care’ is a rush of heartfelt indie that leaves you craving to hear more. Thrillhouse are fast becoming known for creating infectious, musically lush bangers and ‘Take Care’ is a sublime example of this.
Soda Blonde have released the third single ‘Holy Roses’ from their upcoming album ‘Small Talk’ set for release on July 9th via Velveteen Records.‘Holy Roses’ is a deeply emotive and powerful tune set to a shimmering alternative pop backdrop. Starting with a sombre guitar refrain ‘Holy Roses’ unfolds beautifully. The minimalist instrumentation to begin with, opens up to Faye O’Rourke’s lulling vocals and warm backing harmonies which set the tone of the song through a profoundly honest and hard-hitting lyric “Hold on let me get this straight, you said what you want and now you are done”, soon followed by a pre-chorus that acts like a stream of consciousness as the artist comes to terms with painful past events, “so many fights, so much nothing in the bed, so many railroads that don’t lead to anything…”. The brooding verses swiftly give way to a vibrant chorus filled with radiant synths, rich rhythms and uplifting melodies that sheds light on the song’s shadowy undertone. The track is a marvel of fine musicianship and showcases the powerfully emotive songwriting of Soda Blonde. The four-piece push boundaries to craft compelling artistic tunes that are simply spellbinding and a joy to listen to. ‘Holy Roses’ is a must listen.
About ‘Holy Roses’ Faye says “So many of us use rejection as fuel to justify stagnancy or living in the past. Holy Roses provides me with some closure and I feel it’s one of the most important tracks on the album. I am directly addressing the people in my past who have hurt me in this song. The Rose is symbolic of war and the fleetingness of life and death. It also represents the fall of Christianity, which I compare not only to our country’s dying Catholic status but to the oppression I felt throughout my own personal and work life. Holy Roses is the moment of reckoning for me, in all respects. I’m letting go of the people who have hurt me and my old way of living”
Irish electro-pop artist Slaney has released her new single, ‘Love Is Like A Drug’. The song follows the release of her previous single ‘Chameleon’, which dropped in February and picked up excellent radio and press support in Ireland and the UK.
‘Love Is Like A Drug’ is a refreshing guzzle of electronic pop that bubbles with the infectious musicianship of Slaney. She spreads ethereal electronics over a sticky beat creating a muggy and dance-infused backdrop for her sweet vocals to coo over. There is a beautiful contrast between Slaney’s hypnotic vocals, the honeyed melody and effervescent electronics that adds a bite and edge to the tune. Slaney pulls these different aspects together with the use of soft pop elements and catchy hooks allowing listeners to appreciate and immerse themselves in the tracks’ addictive and enticing soundscapes. ‘Love Is Like A Drug’ showcases Slaney’s musical prowess and sublime knack for melodies, marking her an artist to keep an eye on.
Irish singer-songwriter Róisín O has released her new single ‘2023’. The song is the second track taken from her upcoming EP due later this year. ‘2023’ follows on from the hugely successful January release of ‘Heart + Bones’, which brought Róisín O much fanfare and a coveted spot on BBC1 as part of its flagship Six Nations Rugby coverage. ‘2023’ was written with Cian McSweeney (True Tides) and produced by Phil Magee, (Kodaline, Wild Youth, The Script, The Academic, JC Stewart).
‘2023’ is a thrilling banger coated in vivid shimmering pop, lush instrumentation and the wonderfully infectious songwriting of Róisín O. The song sparks into life with elegant piano and soft ethereal soundscapes opening up to a lush synth-pop backdrop and Róisín O’s unmistakable vocals. Displaying dynamic passion throughout, her vocals anchor the listener within the song’s emotional and vibrant melodies that chime with 80’s pop elements, dancefloor-ready rhythms and funky guitar embellishments. The track oozes feel-good vibes through lyrics of optimism and hope for the future while capturing that sense of summer through its instrumental backdrop. ‘2023’ is a captivating tune from Róisín O that is destined for repeat plays.
Speaking about the single Roísín says, “I wrote 2023 in the depths of the 2nd lockdown in Ireland when things were pretty grim. It was a great respite to get into studio with Cian, he has such a contagious, refreshing optimism, and the more we worked on the song the more it became about looking forward to the future with optimism and hope. The release of ‘2023’ comes at such a great time, when the summer is stretching out in front of us and we can imagine being with pals again in a garden, or a field, or a beer garden somewhere. That’s when I imagine ‘2023’ will come on. And everyone will bop”.
Stream ‘2023’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
