Category Archives: Atmospheric Music

Atmospheric Music, Hypnotic, Indie, New Music, psychedelic

James Lonergan ‘Braid’

Dublin artist James Lonergan is set to release his new single ‘Braid’ on January 29th. Lonergan joined his first band, aged 10; since then, he has steadily fronted bands – most notably as the vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the recently disbanded progressive band, Synk.

‘Braid’ is an elegantly evolving work of art. Exuding rich folk textures and lush melodies the mystical atmosphere created by Lonergan is masterful as he takes a nimble guitar hook and builds a compelling soundscape around it. An array of rhythms flutter through the track as Lonergan unravels grand orchestral arrangements to create an expansive and ethereal wall of sound. As the guitars freely dance through the song, the atmosphere meanders from a celestial earthy nature to moody dark brought on by a swift key change. 


A gravitational pull within the song seems to lure the listener into the bewitching and vibrant psychedelic soundscape as Lonergan’s smooth vocals drift with ease upon the folk hued melody while haunting harmonies wisp in the background.


‘Braid’ is an absolute treasure that displays Lonergan’s mesmerising musical ability and production skills. Lonergan proves he is one to watch with this beautiful and compelling track. Love it!

‘Braid’ is set for release on January 29th. For more, you can follow James Lonergan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/James-Lonergan-102814768245783


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Atmospheric Music, Electronic, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Psychedelic/Folk, Singer/Songwriter

James Lonergan ‘Brendan Valeʼ

James Lonergan is set to release his debut single ‘Brendan Valeʼ tomorrow September 25th. James began playing guitar and writing music aged 9 when, amidst a recently admitted period of “unexplained, unwarrented childhood depression”, his father brought him home a battered old classical guitar. This awoke James into the current stream of conciousness he now exists in. Inspired by his father, who worked as a gigging musician in pubs around the county, James immediately began writing music – joining his first band aged 10. Throughout the years James has fronted a range of bands, as a vocalist, guitarist & keyboardist, most notably being the vocalist, guitarist & principal songwriter of the recently disbanded progressive band, Synk. Now self-producing his debut solo album, James is seen to be furthering the development of his own breed of contemporary alternative/ folk/electronic music.

‘Brendan Valeʼ is an immersive track which exudes ambient electronic soundscapes and the spellbinding songwriting of James Lonergan. Lonergan’s ability to weave wonderfully rich textures and tones through haunting sombre melodies and intricate progressive guitar flurries is mesmerising. The track seems to carry the listener into an otherworldly utopia of melancholy as Lonergan effortlessly draws the listener further into the songs rippling depths. With wispy electronics hovering over the soothing guitar and cushioning beat, Lonergan creates an eerie contrast to the song’s tranquilizing outer shell. A trotting rhythm embellishes the backdrop in a country hue while Lonergan’s vocals soothe and coo with tender and soft tones, however there is a tense and slightly asphyxiating undercurrent to the track which is displayed through the electronic pulses and brooding alternative rock elements. ‘Brendan Valeʼ is a richly crafted number with varied emotions presented through psychedelic flourishments, thought provoking lyrics and bubbling rhythms. Lonergan’s ability to create such emotive and expressive music is what makes him such a treasured talent. 

‘Brendan Valeʼ is set for release tomorrow 25th September for more you can follow James Lonergan on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/James-Lonergan


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Atmospheric Music, Indie, New Music

Oceans Over Alderaan ‘Falters’

Blackpool atmospheric rock band Oceans Over Alderaan have released their second single ‘Falters’. Since the release of debut single ‘Sevenfour’ in January the band have received airplay from DKFM, Radio X, BBC Introducing, Primal Radio, Dandelion Radio, Fylde Coast Radio, ARFM, Manchester Music Scene, Progwave Radio, Lost In The Manor, Merryn Music Feed & Indie XL.The new single was recorded with Tom Peters of Alpha Male Tea Party and released on the band’s own label ‘The Recording Industry Is Dead, Records’ who also release music by the band members other projects as well as music made by their friends.

‘Falters’ is an atmospheric beautiful display from Oceans Over Alderaan. The band meticulously blend alternative gritty instrumentation with sweet tender twinkles and ethereal soundscapes. The verses flicker and emotionally glisten with soft guitars and simple drum progression while Alice Deacon’s passionate vocals glide over the dainty melody as the chorus builds becoming more aggressive and harsh. The guitars crash through the punchy rhythm as the vocals become more expressive. There is painful heartbreaking tones through this mesmerising track as Oceans Over Alderaan depict a tender theme with grace and elegance.

The video for the track  is a joint effort made by Barry Parkinson and Alice Deacon with band friend (and label mate) ‘The Wisdom Of Oz’, who plays the main character in the video, with band members Joe Wylie and Steve Trenell helping out with the performance sections.

Watch the video for ‘Falters’ below


Alt Rock, Atmospheric Music, Experimental Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Runway Lights ‘Broad Strokes’

Dublin experimental, alternative rock band Runway Lights have released their new single  ‘Broad Strokes’. In their short time together they have already graced the stages of a number of prestigious Dublin venues including The Workman’s Club, Whelan’s and The Button Factory, earning a reputation for their ferocious live sound. The band’s debut single ‘Crash’ was released in July and was marked by an appearance at the Whelan’s ‘Summer Watch’ festival.Their new single ‘Broad Strokes’ tells a dark tale of an unwanted encounter. It’s release was followed by an appearance at Whelan’s Ones To Watch festival and is the first track to be taken from their debut EP, due for release in early 2019.

With it’s soothing purr of delicacy and ominous mystery ‘Broad Strokes’ is a sweet daydream that has a chilling undertone. Twinkling guitars gently pepper the lulling verses while swirling soundscapes wisp about, luring behind the cooing vocals. The track builds becoming more sinister and compelling as sharp guitars whine and distort over the hypnotic rhythm and icy soundscape. The melody flutters and innocently dances between the biting entrapment of the instruments. With beautiful and compelling guitar lines meandering through the biting soundscapes Runway Lights create a unique and compelling track that immerses you in their mesmerising sound.

Stream ‘Broad Strokes’ below


Alt Rock, Ambient Music, Atmospheric Music, electro - rock, Electronic, Indie, New Music

Manyana ‘1ofmy’

Dublin based art rock duo Manyana have released their debut single ‘1ofmy’. Comprised of Aran Sheehy and David O’Rourke the duo are leading the way for an album they have planned for release this year.

This absorbing number immerses you in a deeply ambient electronic soundscape filled with passionate rich tones and an extremely mesmerising and tangible sound. Every electronic flicker, pulse beat and lush melody slowly seeps into you, making the track a full sensory experience. Immense care has been taken with this track- each fragment is tailored precisely.From the fluctuant slapping beat shuffling through ethereal soundscapes to the strong piano chords, this composition is organic, rich and compelling. The elegant piano is the strength of the track between the breezy atmosphere and chilling soundscape. The piano grows slowly building to a sweet yet sharp melody that twinkles and wanders between a warm vocal harmony and jittery beat. There is great beauty and grandeur in this track. Its simplistic approach draws you into the inner working of this intriguing gem as Manyana dilute certain parts while highlighting and enriching others to create a textured fascinating listen. It’s catchy, melancholic and biting while warm vocals soothe and coo over a drifting sombre soundscape that feels barren yet filled with loneliness and tender instrumentation. ‘1ofmy’ is utterly consuming.

Stream ‘1ofmy’ below


Alt Rock, Atmospheric Music, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Shoegaze

Oceans Over Alderaan ‘Sevenfour’

Oceans Over Alderaan are set to release their debut single ‘Sevenfour’ on January 11th on The Recording Industry Is Dead, Records.Starting off as an instrumental band Oceans Over Alderaan gradually evolved to include vocals. The first gig they ever played was in October 2017 at Preston Guild Hall supporting The Big Moon and Porter & May. The quartet are an atmospheric doom-pop band from Blackpool UK who combine shoegaze and post-rock elements to make a wholly fresh sound. Made from former members of Goonies Never Say Die, Escape Artist, Dinosaurs Are Shit Dragons the band have been together since Summer 2017 with Alice Deacon joining in February 2018

‘Sevenfour’ displays Oceans Over Alderaan’s heavy-duty sound in an atmospheric implosive manner. The verses creep and lightly flutter into your ears with sweet euphoric bursts while the meaty chorus packs the bands hefty wall of sound in your head firmly. With a dreamy melancholic melody haunting through punchy drums, jabbing bass and crashing guitar -these guys create a wholly enthralling listening experience.There is a rushing sense of urgency through the track like a doomsday gloom nagging over the whimsical flutters of majesty – adding a rich and diversely contrasting atmosphere throughout the track. Its intense moments are climactic and adrenaline-filled as they blast through with mosh frenzy while the sweet flickering moments are delicate and soft with gentle guitar glimmers and breezy soundscapes. Perfectly crafted and crisply produced ‘Sevenfour’ is a sublime debut from Oceans Over Alderaan.

Stream ‘Sevenfour’ below


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

doops ‘Tall Whites’

Reading based alternative three piece doops have released their new single ‘Tall Whites’.The band have already supported the likes of ‘Touts’, ‘King Nun’ & ‘Bloody Knees’ off the back of a BBC Introducing played  DIY home demo.With packed out local shows including Are You Listening Festival? & Readipop, they have built a strong following on the promising Reading scene and are starting to extend this grip through the South following a handful of out of town shows earlier last year.

‘Tall Whites’ broods and eerily spirals into a darker more deeply atmospheric side to doops. Twinkling light guitars ache and pierce through the throbbing snappy beat as the soft vocals coo through the suspenseful verses. This track wriggles, creeps and seeps into your mind and scratches at your musical membrane, awakening all the senses. With a whistling feature adding a dash of cheer into the stewing dark concoction this track is mesmerising and thrilling to the core. Flickering rhythms build the tension as the vocals slither into the kinetic chorus. doops build the track masterfully layering each element meticulously as guitars flash like lightning through the thick mesmeric soundscapes before the mind crushing crescendo. Another fascinating track from doops.

Stream ‘Tall Whites’ below


Alt Rock, Ambient Music, Atmospheric Music, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Synth Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Pale Rivers

Pale Rivers have released their new single ‘Icefield’, ahead of their forthcoming debut EP. Produced by Owen Lewis and Steven Mullan, ‘Icefield’ was recorded at Herbert Place Studio’s, Dublin. Based out of Cork and Tipperary, Ireland, the band began playing their first shows around the country including slots at Hard Working Class Heroes, Whelans One’s To Watch and Electric Picnic, as well as some high profile supports for acts such as Teleman, British Sea Power and The Wedding Present.

‘Icefield’ is a deeply moving number bleeding haunting tones of yearning  through ethereal rushes of breezy synths over textured guitar whines and passionate heart gripping vocals. This is a special track that grips the listener with every flickering note. This band keep you on the edge of your seat – the delicate sweet and tender moments are perfect, immaculate and pristine as elegant keys twinkle and glisten between subtle synth wisps as the warm emotional vocals caress the darkly hued haunting melody. Intimacy is key to this track and this is created by those dynamic tender vocal tones which are embellished by soaring, undulating waves of guitar and weaving synths. The track builds becoming more intense and expressive carrying and elevating our hearts and emotions with it as the synths become frenzied and choppy and rush over the tumbling guitar and rippling drum/bass rumbles. This track swoons with deeply moving and atmospheric tones while a rich snappy rhythm holds all the vaporous floaty soundscapes together with a gloopy-like glue texture. It’s a sublime riveting listen and a well crafted gem to hold dear.

Talking about ‘Icefield’, the band explain – “recording this song was very much a case of going with gut feeling rather than planning it out and ticking boxes. Going in to do it we just had a skeleton track and from there, it was very much a case of experimenting and improvising on different instruments, many of which we hadn’t used before. Recording this definitely felt like a journey from start to finish, and in many way’s one of the most fun/difficult but rewarding experiences we’ve had in a studio…”

You Can Catch Pale Rivers live at :

August 5th – Indiependence

August 24th – The Roundy – Cork

 

Stream  ‘Icefield’ below

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Ambient Music, Atmospheric Music, Electronic, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Motions ‘The Late Night Calls’

Dublin’s alternative rock band Motions have released their new EP, ‘The Late Night Calls’ is a superb majestic EP to indulge in. Title track ‘Late Night Calls’ flows in with a beautiful melody on top of cool flicking electronics. With ethereal guitars providing a breezy sting, it’s an airy richly textured track that packs in oodles of passion into a fluttering danceable number. The snappy ‘Back & Forth’ follows. It’s a catchy track filled with buzz swirling electronics while a sputtering rhythm injects between lush backing vocals. This track is dipped in darker tones as harsher vocals exude swagger and attitude. My favourite track on the EP ‘Back & Forth’ showcases a rich depth and musical proficiency that keeps the listener hanging on to every gripping note. Its sway like tempo and jangly guitar are just the icing on this delicious cake. It’s the sublime little gem of the EP. A trickling ‘Interlude’ breaks up the sticky intensity before final track ‘Waiting To Tell You’ reintroduces their mellow fluid sound. A creamy melody glissades upon a fluctuant beat while aerial guitars twinkle around with a sweet blissful tone that holds a sense of mind relaxing freedom. Its dreamy and light yet Motions mix a bit of grit into the mix for the bridge.

Motions prove that they can create a passionate wholly satisfying collection of tracks that submerge you into a universe created completely by them. Each track is catchy, intricate and well layered while maintaining its own identity. ‘Late Night Calls’ is a sublime listen.

Stream ‘Late Night Calls’ EP below


Atmospheric Music, Indie, New Music

Iron Islands ‘Contrails’

London trio Iron Islands have released their new single ‘Contrails’. Consisting of members Martin Andrew (Vocals and Piano), Al Baker (Bass) and Olly Brown (Drums), Iron Islands have made a name for themselves for their melodic compositions with the right amount of hooks, heartfelt lyrics and addictive instrumentation.
‘Contrails’ is a fine example of this with elegantly flowing piano running along an elastic bassline and a steady beat which sets the perfect busy back drop for the catchy melody. The track is instrumentally bustling and flutters rapidly while the soft yet dynamic vocals highlight the tender lyrics. The piano feature is playful and feathery light as it dances in between the flexible nimble bass creating a rich texture with a fluttering delicate and graceful quality. This track is light bright with an exquisite amount of intelligent instrumentation creating a beautiful delicate treasure of melodies weaving and playfully interacting.
Stream ‘Contrails’ below