Category Archives: Alt Rock

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Young Earth ‘Frequency Illusion’ EP

Dublin Indie-Pop/Rock band Young Earth have announced the release of their debut EP, ‘Frequency Illusion’ on Tuesday 7th November along with their biggest headline show to date in The Academy 2, Dublin to mark it’s release. The five track EP will include previous singles ‘Worth It’ and ‘Got A Secret, the latter having amassed over 100,000 Spotify Streams and was previously featured on Indie Buddie. The band have earned critical acclaim from blogs and music tastemakers both internationally and in Ireland, leading to a busy summer of festivals, a co-headline tour and regular local and national radio play, including being included on RTE 2fm’s Rising Playlist.

The ‘Frequency Illusion’ EP is an oh so sweet collection of infectious indie bangers. Every track is short,snappy and feverishly good, they will give you stuck song syndrome. The warm vibes kick in from the first track which is title track ‘Frequency Illusion’. Featuring some golden guitar lines that twinkle throughout it’s indie at its best. With running elastic basslines and a punchy beat teamed with velvety soothing vocals, it’s a balmy soothing track soaked in sweet nostalgia. Honey drizzled summer pop melodies add a swoony hazy tone while the sharp zesty spurts of guitar give a nice edge and sting to the track. This ear worm dreamy haze continues with ‘Worth It’ however, it takes a heavier raw approach to the verse. These guys have a knack with melody and this is visible in every single smashing delicious chorus. Though the lyrics can portray a sombre or longing theme they balance this with a boppy contagious sound that fluctuates between sugar pop and heavier indie rock. ‘Got a Secret’ displays their grittier side. Blistering guitars, striking rhythm and fiery drums- it’s a tight display of their refined musicianship. It features finger clicking swing-like panache soaked verses, zesty sprightly choppy guitar strums and a vibrant bounce on drums teamed with breezy cool vocals. The song oozes oodles of competence and swagger. The powerful instrumental break adds a heavy mosh ready neck snapping might to the track displaying Young Earths diversity and seamless blend between luscious pop and heavy rock. ‘Under Cover’ cruises in, smooth and sleek with an enticing luring verse and glossy exterior. It’s just too cool and suave. The track builds becoming more dynamic for the anthemic chorus and shrilling guitar solo. Catchy as hell and razor sharp yet oh so smooth, it just screams panache. ‘Let Go’ brings us to the end of the EP on a high. Melty bright melody, creamy vocals and luminous tones bring that state of euphoria and elation that Young Earth do so well. Warm mellow guitar lines playfully entwine between the delectable melody while a throbbing rhythm adds a flexible groove and danceable quality. It’s uplifting and motivating with hints of sentimentality creating a richly emotive track that grabs you and makes you want to listen to it over and over again.

Young Earth ‘Frequency Illusion’ EP is a refined well crafted EP brimming with killer melodies and smashing instrumentation. These guys blister and bubble in all the right places while also wrapping you in a luscious layer of sun kissed dreamy pop. The tracks are like smarties, smooth creamy heavenly inside with a harder shell coating. They balance summer pop anthems and sweet melodies with heavier, fuzzier sounds seamlessly. An impressive EP from the Dublin four piece.

Lead Single, ‘Let Go’ will be released on the 31st October. Tickets for their EP launch will be available through Ticketmaster Ireland in association with MCD productions here – http://Bit.do/YOUNGEARTHTICKETS It’s one not to be missed.

Stream ‘Got a Secret’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Indie Buddie Introducing, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Indie Buddie Introducing : Lost In Motion

Lost In Motion, often abbreviated as LIM, are a British rock band formed in Shropshire in January 2017. The bands musical style primarily consists of rock with a minor emphasis on grunge. Currently the band consists of founding members guitarist Alex Byrne, bassist Joe Byrne and drummer Lewys Rees. LIM found vocalist Jess Pritchard to complete the lineup and to help LIM create their debut album. The band have released their debut single ‘The Midas Touch’ which is the lead track from their debut album and will see shows in 2017/2018 promoting both the single and  album and to further build their fan base. The song is available on Soundcloud, free of charge, as the bands way of thanking everyone that has shown them support and encouragement.

‘The Midas Touch’ is a compact indie track with a gritty rock backbone. Slowly the track creeps in to start as Pritchard’s sweet enticing vocals coo the luring verses. The track explodes into a mighty fiery chorus that exudes swagger and attitude. Razor sharp guitars sting and pierce while punchy drums blast out the floor shaking beat. It’s a slick effortlessly suave display from this four piece, they take their time creating a sophisticated rounded darkly hued track oozing oodles of passion. With a glossy shredding air guitar worthy solo these guys have presented a proficient well-oiled track for their debut. Best enjoyed as loud as possible.

Stream ‘The Midas Touch’ below


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, psychedelic

The Limiñanas ‘Istanbul Is Sleepy’

French psych duo The Limiñanas have released their new single ‘Istanbul Is Sleepy’ through Because Music. Featuring Anton Newcombe (The Brian Jonestown Massacre) and produced at his Berlin studio, the single is taken from their ‘Istanbul Is Sleepy’ EP out 17th November. The Limiñanas are Marie (drums/vocals) and Lionel (guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals). Hailing from Perpignan, the duo straddles the boundary between psych, shoegaze, and yé-yé. ‘Istanbul Is Sleepy’ is a sixties flavoured psychedelic shimmy smothered in a dark concoction of thrilling paranoia. With shadowed hazy reverb laden hooks creeping behind effortlessly cool swagger filled vocals it’s a bewitching entrapment of the mind. Flickering percussion adds a danceable allurement which draws you into the dark depths of Newcombe’s eerie yet seductive vocals. Swirling keys add a feathery light swish to this muggy sweltering track. It’s a relentless pursuit of your senses subtly luring you further and further into the track’s abyss. Occasionally blasting shots of distortion into the mix it’s a thrilling captivating track from The Limiñanas. Indulge in it, consume its psychedelic dreamy haze until you are trapped in the blissful loop. This duo are refined, cool, timeless and quintessentially French.

The moody, sixties-inspired video to ‘Istanbul Is Sleepy’ was directed by Jean Luc Moly watch it below.


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

The Assist ‘Give It To Me’

Indie four piece The Assist have released their new single ‘Give It To Me’. These guys have had a massive impact on 2017 since their debut EP, ‘Trouble’ was released. Their recent single, ‘Wonderful’, made the Spotify Viral 50 and they’ve played sets at Isle of Wight, Reading + TRNSNT (Jack Rocks/This Feeling) as well as support slots with Blossoms, Rat Boy and The Twang. ‘Give It To Me’ fleshes out their infectious blend of indie rock sprayed with danceable grooves and enough energy to have a live audience going crazy. Infectious melodies are coated in biting guitars and rich shakeable rhythm. Drenched in attitude it’s a no-nonsense belter that is insanely catchy. Just that “do do do” backing lyric will have you hooked – you will have to prise it from you brain. Upbeat immensely energetic and fresh these guys shake thing up with a simple tune that radiates bright scintillation while also packing a nice bit of grit and punch to keep it interesting. Slick guitar lines and groovy bass add a touch of swagger and greasy slickness while the spoken lyrics add a smack of Brummy attitude.  Fine track from the four piece.

Watch the video for ‘Give It To Me’ below


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

The Curious ‘Gentleman’

The Curious are an Indie/Alternative band from London. The five piece consists of members Dominic Smith (Lead Vocals), Sam Roberts (Drums), Lewy Rutherford (Guitar and Vocals), James Cooper (Guitar and Vocals) and Alexander Nuti (Bass). They have released a video for their track ‘Gentleman’ taken off their ‘Electric Sheep’ EP. This infectious snappy ditty bops, hops and shakes with refreshing zing and swagger oozing indie. It’s an intoxicating guitar driven slice of slick, musicianship from the shredding razor-sharp guitar solos and jagged stinging riffs to the sticky elastic rhythm that rebounds and springs with a glutinous vitality. With a melty delicious melody and slick panache drenched vocals, its sure to get those feet tapping and body grooving in no time. Animated, extremely energetic and likable its one to put on repeat, let everything go and dance around the room to. These guys have a tight refined sound that is so cool, slick and fun all while packing some luscious melodies with sophisticated snazzy instrumentation. Keep an eye out for these guys.

 

Watch the video for ‘Gentleman’ below

 


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

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Enola Fall

Enola Fall are an Australian indie rock, pop band formed in Tasmania in 2001, now currently based in Portland, USA. They have released their new single ‘London’ from their upcoming album ‘Bloodhound’ which is being released next year. The album was recorded with Lachlan Mitchell who produces the Jezabels. This striking slow-jam boasts Muse-esque flavours wrapped in subtle elements of mystique. It creeps in with a catchy jingly hook that sends chills up your spine. Joe Nuttalls cold and expressive vocals exude intense passion and repressed agony. He simmers between his sweet falsetto and deep eerie range creating a mysterious and emotionally tearing atmosphere. The soundscapes are light and breezy with haunting ghostly backing vocals and flickering soundscapes. It’s well-crafted as the track slithers in gently building to the extremely emotive anthemic chorus. These guys make the most of the instruments at their disposal creating a track that is icy, captivating and emotionally charged. With crisp freshness created by guitar whines swirling around the biting raw soundscapes and melty melody, its cleverly thought out. All of this backed by a punchy durability on drums Enola Fall’s ‘London’ gradually and meticulously wriggles and bleeds right up to the massive powerhouse chorus. It’s a little gem.

Watch the video for ‘London’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll

The Bridport Dagger ‘Wolves’

The Bridport Dagger have released their new single ‘Wolves’ which was recorded at Brixton Hill Studio. Band members Chaz Foster (Bass and Guitars), Lawrence Rice (Guitars), Neil Walsh  (Viola), Jason Idnani-Powdrill (Vocals, Guitars) and Arran Goodchild (Drumming, Keys, Percussion) have created a track so stirring and hair raising it will  leave you on the edge of your seat, constantly looking around for something to jump out of the shadows and get you. ​

‘Wolves’ enters with palpitating guitars quivering over rumbling drums as frontman Jason Idnani-Powdrill’s vocals shudder with an eerie theatrical tremble. It’s cinematic and dramatic as scurrying guitars build tension while the lyrics deliver an ominous narration. The music paints a picture like your watching a pistols at dawn western between dark mysterious characters. The blood curdling suspense tells you this story won’t end well. It’s a chilling goosebump inducing rush of adrenaline. Smothered in delectably enticing drama and a thrilling apprehension of this harrowing dooms day, it’s a captivating tale depicting the breathtaking cusp of demise. These guys contain an intense surge of anxiety and urgency in this four minute track relentlessly bombarding you with a slick swaggered rush of panic and terror. It’s well crafted, dark yet seductive and blood thirsty but sounds like it was made for a Tarantino movie. A riveting listen.

The band will soon be heading back to the studio in November to record songs for their debut album and judging from this track it’s going to be heart stopping and amazing.

Stream ‘Wolves’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Swine Tax ‘Feels Like’

Newcastle upon Tyne based noisy, artsy indie-rock trio Swine Tax have released their fourth single ‘Feels Like’. Taking influence from Pavement, the National and Parquet Courts, Swine Tax continually strive to create music prolifically and unerringly explore new sonic and emotional territory – an ethos which is underpinned by their commitment to writing, recording and mixing every song independently. The track was largely written and recorded during the band’s intensive August residency at the iconic Sage Gateshead music venue, having been chosen from artists across the north-east of England to compose new material in their time there. Born out of these productive sessions, this latest single perhaps provides the most accurate representation of Swine Tax’s unpredictable, emotional and, at times, euphoric live performances.

‘Feels Like’ is a woozy spin of blusterous indie rock. Beginning disguised as a croony, hazy, dream pop tune with a smooth guitar jingle and soft beat doused in a sun kissed melody. The track builds becoming more intense and sharp. Crashing guitars shrill and smash against boisterous pounding drums and strident soundscapes add a piercing razors edge. With a playful vocal delivery and boppy bubbly exterior it’s instantly likeable. The splintery guitar solo radiates golden flashes of scintillation while still piercing with a shrilling sting. Upbeat and fizzy it has all the elements of a perfect indie rock track.

Stream ‘Feels Like’ below

https://soundcloud.com/swinetax/feels-like


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock, Synth Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Serene

Psychedelic Rock trio Serene have released a video for their new single ‘Havana’ which is the third single from their new album ‘The Lonely Road’. From the trippy flicker and stabbing acoustic intro this track sends shivers up your spine. It’s a throbbing gritty fuzzed wallop of the psychedelic rock this trio do so well. Blistering guitars fire through the track with red hot intensity. An infectious throbbing bassline grooves with a luring smoulder and punchy drums bruise deep while flashing wobbly synth soundscapes quiver and dazzle with bright kaleidoscopic scintillation. It’s an epileptic fit of psychedelic bliss. Raw edgy and razor sharp in all the right places Serene build the track slowly and meticulously right up to the dizzying hallucinogenic crescendo. Smooth swagger soaked vocals strut and prance around the beaming instrumentation with intensified emotion. Underneath all this acute fury there is a velvety smoothness and dreamy haze floating about. It’s tranquilizing and sweetly paralyzing to the harsh instrumental battering. It’s a mighty absolutely brilliant track from Serene. They are one of my favourite new bands at the moment and each track they release gets better and better. An exciting band to keep an eye out for. So good.

Watch the video for ‘Havana’ below


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

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Hubbards

Riding high on a wave of praise following their most recent single ‘Just Touch’, Hull-born Leeds-based four-piece The Hubbards have already notched up support slots for the likes of stadium stars Foals and The 1975, not to mention a coveted slot at this year’s Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Their material has aired on both Radio One and 6Music, while previous single ‘Cold Cut’ was used on ‘Made In Chelsea’. The quartet have now released their new single ‘Body Confident’. This laid-back indie bopper cruises against a backdrop of crunching sharp guitars and punchy drums. The dazed hazy melody drifts with a woozy dreamy loftiness and ear worm infectiousness. With an air of casual easy going almost “meh” nonchalance to take the edge off the piercing dynamic soundscape it’s effortlessly cool and breezy. Elastic bass and bouncy drums give a gyrating swagger and enthralling allurement to the track. It’s smooth with a groovy mellow backbone and one for lazy hazy days.

You can catch The Hubbards Live at

7th October: Sebright Arms, London

13th October: Fruit, Hull

21st October: – The Shed, Leicester

22nd October:- The Brunswick, Brighton

Watch the video for ‘Body Confident’ below