Category Archives: Alt Rock

Alt Rock, EP Review, New Music

Junoplast Cave ‘How To Stop Bad Thoughts’ EP

Junoplast Cave have released their new EP, ‘How To Stop Bad Thoughts’. Hailing from Belém in Brazil, this four-piece share the goal of writing and recording their music to have their songs heard.

‘How To Stop Bad Thoughts’ is a raucous blast of alternative rock as Junoplast Cave present their bloodthirsty exhilarating sound within this collection of tracks. Blues soaked riffs slice through the EP with relentless energy as the band create slick swagger soaked tunes saturated in gritty rock. With raw muscular drums driving the kinetic ‘Cheap lies’ while sensual guitars soar and ricochet off the beefy foundation, Junoplast Cave pull no punches. They spread some slinky blues into ‘Are you feeling’ while the dizzying ‘In my head’ drops some heavy electronic elements into the mix, allowing the EP to remain diverse throughout. With raspy vocals, smooth melodies and mosh ready crescendos ‘How To Stop Bad Thoughts’ is an impressively crafted EP marking Junoplast Cave as a band to keep an eye on.

Stream ‘How To Stop Bad Thoughts’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Ugly Beautiful ‘Sunrise’

Live @ Crúiscín Lawn

Irish alternative-rock trio Ugly Beautiful have released their new single ‘Sunrise’, along with an animated music video. The band employs collaborative songwriting between Kieran Lane (lead vocals and guitar), Falender (drums) and Galagher (bass). The band was founded in 2007 and released several successful projects and toured extensively around Ireland between then and going on hiatus in 2013.

‘Sunrise’ is a melodic alternative rock track that simmers with dark undertones. With sweet guitar melodies creating an ethereal atmosphere between the light wisps on synths, the band crafts a precise and biting tune. This airy and breezy soundscape is anchored by a raw bass groove and punchy drum progression, which exudes a heavy 90’s rock foundation. Moody vocals brood throughout the verses as Ugly Beautiful creates an emotional wall of sound that breaks for the powerful chorus. Featuring catchy melodies and expressive instrumentation, ‘Sunrise’ is a compelling and passionate new single from Ugly Beautiful.

About the track, Kieran says, “The song tells the story of two people trying to help each other through this relentless, confusing, distracting world in which we live.” It’s a conversation – one person caught in their own thoughts, the other trying to help them get out of it. The chorus is a reminder to live in the moment – to acknowledge what’s happening right now in the present. “

The music video was created by visual artist and animator Aaron Wiley. Watch the video for ‘Sunrise’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

Late Night Pharmacy ‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’

Dublin, Ireland-based alternative rock band Late Night Pharmacy have released their new single, ‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’. It is the band’s first release since their second EP, Flamingo, released in March of 2019. Recording the single was only possible due to the generous financial support of the Department of Culture, who last year announced the creation of a Music Industry Stimulus Package (MISP), intended to help keep the Irish commercial music sector afloat during Covid-19. In November 2020, Late Night Pharmacy were awarded funding under the recording scheme of the MISP, and hired Aidan Cunningham (Wheatus, The Scratch, Nealo, Overhead the Albatross) to produce and mix three singles, of which ‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’ is the first to be released.

‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’ is a melodious indie rock song that displays Late Night Pharmacy’s ability to create a catchy tune with hard-hitting lyrical content. The band craft a well-textured and bittersweet soundscape by smearing dark verses with jagged guitars and elastic grooves. The song unfolds beautifully as if drifting off into a dreamy state for the chorus. Here the song lifts with light guitars, buoyant drums swirling synths and lush melodies, creating a bright and infectious chorus for listeners to indulge in. With psychedelic elements on guitars dissolving into the infectious soundscape while lush harmonies coo in the backdrop ‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’ is an exhilarating new single from Late Night Pharmacy.

‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’ was written during Ireland’s second lockdown when the band’s lead guitarist was taking a tram home and fell into conversation with two men in their forties who told him about their lives and their struggles with drug addiction. That conversation served as the primary inspiration for the lyrics, detailing a typical couple of days in the lives of men like this. The band also drew from the lead guitarist’s experiences visiting the Cloverhill prison in west Dublin to play Christmas carols and religious music for the inmates.

Stream ‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’ below. 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Royal Blood ‘Boilermaker’

As anticipation for their upcoming third album, ‘Typhoons’ reaches fever pitch, Royal Blood reveal the official studio version of the fan favourite ‘Boilermaker’. ‘Boilermaker’ captured the imagination of fans after Royal Blood performed the song in the summer of 2019, including high profile sets at the Reading and Leeds Festivals. It’s been the topic of speculation ever since, with various live videos emerging on YouTube and numerous discussions on the Royal Blood sub-Reddit. The song was produced by Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme and recorded at his vibey Pink Duck studio in Los Angeles. The two bands have previously toured North America together, while Kerr also contributed vocals to ‘Crucifire’, a track from Homme’s Desert Sessions project. ‘Boilermaker’ is the fourth track to tease ‘Typhoons’. The previous singles – ‘Trouble’s Coming’, the title track and ‘Limbo’ – were all premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record, with the first two also subsequently playlisted at Radio 1. The three songs have already accumulated 40 million streams.

‘Boilermaker’ roars with the blistering unbridled sound of Royal Blood. As fuzzed guitar cuts through a breathtaking rhythmic backdrop the band return to the gritty sound we loved from their debut self-titled album. The song blasts into a vivid riff that bounces off an intense soundscape creating an enticing groove and instant shot of body moving adrenaline. Royal Blood are masters at crafting lean, mean bass riffs that pierce through your body and command you to dance while thunderous drums maintain a tight and infectious groove throughout. It’s a slick, well-oiled tune that dissolves into spacey psychedelia at times, with Mike Kerr’s lush falsetto echoing between the heavy mosh ready moments.

‘Boilermaker’ is released alongside an official video, which was directed by Liam Lynch (Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age). A tattooed figure emerges from a hasty burial, throws on a leather jacket and multiplies like a zombie as he marches to the song’s pulsating beat. What follows is a striking visual tapestry of twisted rock ‘n’ roll tropes and disconcerting dreamlike imagery, which perfectly complements the song’s ambience.

Watch the video for ‘Boilermaker’ below. 


Author : Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, New Music

TasteFull ‘Radha’ Album

‘Radha’ is the hotly anticipated debut album from Ohio’s own eclectic rock band TasteFull. Starting their journey at a jam house party hosted by Sam Smith (Lead Guitarist / Lead Vocalist), the members of TasteFull were struck by their instant chemistry and shared passion for rock classics. Naming themselves TasteFull ahead of a Battle of the Bands, TasteFull went on to embark on the formative journey that would imprint them into the Cincinnati music scene, bringing them together with some of the best artists among their peers.Their debut single ‘Oxygen’ was met with success, finding the ears of multiple radio DJ’s at prominent stations including WEBN, 106.3 The Project, and 96 Rock.

Rooted in intricate grooves, sleek instrumentation and refined songwriting, ‘Radha’ is a well crafted alternative rock album. The band use raw fuzzed guitar to create a psychedelic haze around the songs, while elastic driving bass grooves and pounding drum progression create a beefy and powerful foundation. This is most apparent within ‘Oxygen’ and ‘Flight of the Sparrow’. With desert rock elements glimmering through guitar on ‘Deep in the Lines’ and ‘Paint a Picture’, the band create a diverse and thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. As the album progresses, the band display their musical prowess and ability to blend genres with elements of grunge and psychedelia weaving through the underbelly of classic rock tunes such as ‘Running in Circles’.

TasteFull have created an exhilarating collection of tunes that showcase the band’s deft musical ability and vigour. Each track runs at a brisk, fluid pace, with the raspy emotive vocals from Sam Smith tying the songs together. TasteFull maintains the high and dynamic soundscape throughout the album, with ‘La Llorona’ becoming the pinnacle moment within the record – showcasing elements of Spanish guitar and filled with oodles of vibrancy, this infectious ditty is a real treat.

Featuring shredding solo’s and masterful bass grooves intertwined between majestic songwriting and blazing soundscapes, ‘Radha’ is an intoxicating new album from TasteFull.

Stream ‘Radha’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

Pete Mac ‘Escape’ feat. Lisa Papineau

‘Escape’ is the latest solo single by Cork singer/ songwriter Pete Mac. Featuring the guest vocals of iconic musician/ artist Lisa Papineau. The track was written during the Covid lockdown period with Pete experimenting with different sounds. The track’s theme is about escaping into a world within a world.

Enveloped in dark melodious alternative rock, ‘Escape’ is a thrilling and passionate new single from Pete Mac. The song exudes an epic soundscape as Pete drapes a bittersweet melody in cinematic instrumentation. Dark, thumping beats and airy twinkles on guitars brood and simmer with eerie, shadowy tones before the chorus erupts with dramatic energy and grunge melodies. The building sonics create tension and shiver-inducing goosebumps while Pete’s rasped vocals surge with emotion. Lisa’s sweet vocals haunt through the song, creating a ghostly and ethereal contrast to the explosive instrumentation as it reaches a dynamic crescendo. ‘Escape’ is a powerful and expressive song that displays Pete Mac at his most compelling to date.

Stream ‘Escape’ here https://paradoxgrunge.bandcamp.com/track/escape


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Lautaro De Gobbi ‘El Valle’

A call to action to create a better future, ‘El Valle’ is the brand new single to come from Argentinian Punk Rocker Lautaro De Gobbi. After studying music at a conservatoire, Lautaro De Gobbi began his musical journey as a producer, helping bands to reach their potential. Discovering that he had a lot to contribute himself, Lautaro De Gobbi started making his own music at his home studio. Inspired by the closing of open-pit mining in his home region of Patagonia, ‘El Valle’ expresses the anger of seeing cultural heritage land being sold at a low price for mining and deforestation. 

‘El Valle’ is a dark track brimming with Lautaro De Gobbi’s raw alternative rock and refined musicianship. Lautaro spreads fuzzed guitar riffs over a tense drum foundation and dark soundscape to create a heavy wall of sound. With deep vocals and luring melodies entwined in intoxicating sounds, the track is a lean, mean slap of rock. As the guitars meander between distorted fuzz and slick desert-esque refrains, the track spirals into its edgy crescendo. Well crafted and tightly produced ‘El Valle’ is a compelling new single from Lautaro De Gobbi.

Stream ‘El Valle’ below 


Author : Danu

90's Grunge, Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Forty Foot ‘Zeros’

Following the release of their debut track ‘Drugs’, Dublin grunge band Forty Foot are back with their second track, ‘Zeros’. The band formed in 2019 following a friend and previous collaborator’s sudden death, with much of their initial work written and inspired by the bands’ loss. ‘Zeros’ expresses feelings of sadness, empathy, vulnerability and how people come together at a time of loss. 

Smothered in an intoxicating 90’s grunge soundscape, ‘Zeros’ surges with Forty Foot’s raw and passionate musicianship. The track is driven by a relentless drum rumble and rooted bass that boils and bubbles beneath a rasped eerie vocal line while a moody melody drifts upon a heavy backdrop of crashing guitars and mammoth rhythms. The contrasting elements within the song is a powerful stimulant to the senses as the band balances tender emotion with torrential instrumentation to create an intense tune for the listener to indulge in. The sombre lyrics display the band’s deft songwriting ability and is greatly enhanced by the tracks shredding wall of sound, ” Today, bury our coat of arms to, Hold on to it. She stands wasted, under armed to, Hold on to it”. ‘Zeros’ is a mosh ready grunge rock anthem that boasts Forty Foot’s talent and musical prowess. Keep an eye on these guys.

Stream ‘Zeros’ below


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, electro - rock, New Music

Royal Blood ‘Limbo’

Photo Credit : Mads Perch

Royal Blood have released the video for their new single ‘Limbo’, which is taken from their forthcoming third album ‘Typhoons’. The track has been premiered as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record in the World, making it the duo’s third consecutive release to be rewarded with that accolade. The band’s return has been further heralded with ‘Trouble’s Coming’ hitting #1 on US rock radio (their fourth single to achieve that feat) and achieving the highest US alternative radio chart position of their career to date. It has also provided their biggest moment so far in Canada, where it became their first #1 on the rock chart and remains at #3 after a 24-week run. 

‘Limbo’ provides a disco stomp and glam rock shimmer to Royal Blood’s immense sound. With battering drums holding down the lean, mean foundation while glittering synths swell, ‘Limbo’ is the band’s most genre-fluid track yet. This dynamic tune boasts the raw rock bravado we have come to love from the duo, with flirtations of electronic dance and disco bolstering the duo’s crashing wall of sound. Mike Kerr coo’s the infectious melody while Ben Thatcher’s tight relentless drumming remains at the helm for the verses, controlling the heavy mosh rhythms with his battering assault before luminous dance floor elements flash through for the chorus. The movement from dark luring verses to the lustrous chorus is invigorating to the senses and a joy to listen to. As the song progresses, the gritty fuzzed bass slices through the soundscape with abrasive gashes leading to the tracks spiralling crescendo that contorts all the songs previous musical elements into an almost acid-soaked psychedelic trip. ‘Limbo’ boasts a full-throttle wall of sound that glimmers with the sleek and raw rock facets to Royal Blood’s sound.

About the song, Royal Blood commented, “It is without a doubt the most ambitious and wildest we have allowed ourselves to be, and we can’t wait to invite you this far down the rabbit hole with us.”

Watch the video for ‘Limbo’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic

School Disco ‘Echoes’

The Brighton-based School Disco have released their new single ‘Echoes’.The song follows on from the three-piece self-titled debut, which was highly regarded by fans new and old. ‘Echoes’ is the first track off the band’s second album, which will be announced soon

Within ‘Echoes’, School Disco display their fizzing blend of indie rock with mind-numbing psychedelia to create one thrilling tune. Melding abrasive guitar riffs with pounding drums, the band create a raw and heavy sound that stomps with glam rock panache and 60’s swagger.

The band have refined their sound into one intoxicating concoction. The riffs are catchy; the drums pound a body moving beat while the elastic bassline weaves lusty grooves throughout. As the song develops, it dissolves its heavy soundscapes into ripples of psychedelia. With lighter guitar embellishments, this hypnotic break in the song creates a numbing release before the crescendo brings a space rock onslaught of mania. Teaming deep hypnotic vocals with shrilling guitars and mind-crushing frenzy, ‘Echoes’ is a spectacular tune.

School Disco have constructed a solid sound. It is confident and loud, but the lyrics are full of mystery and vulnerability. Within short phrases of poetry such as, “Echoes Drone in the night, A sublet dream takes flight, Moving with the air above, Never giving his love Away”, the band capture a sweetly romantic yet eerie scene while the haunting instrumentation pulses around these echoed phrases.

‘Echoes’ is organic, sharp, and layered to perfection, making School Disco a band to keep an eye on.

Speaking on ‘Echoes’ School Disco frontman and producer Rory Lethbridge said. ‘‘Echoes is a really unique song for us and was the start of the new crop of songs from our 2nd album. Usually we write all the music first but this one started off as a poem. It also features one of my closest friends Elliot singing a dual lead harmony, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and he has an amazing ability to write and sing harmony. He really adds a unique dimension to the song’’

Stream ‘Echoes’ below


Author : Danu