Category Archives: Dream Pop

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

Lav ‘The Girls Before Me’

Photo Credit: Joshua Min

Lav has released her new single ‘The Girls Before Me’. The track follows bedroom anthem ‘Wavvy’ and Billie Eilish co-signed lo fi garage-band cut ‘From Me The Moon’.The song is accompanied by a low-fi, 90’s VHS style video by Marielle Boland which captures an avant-garde picnic scene packed full of toys and scandal.

‘The Girls Before Me’ luxuriates in the hazy space between dream and reality as Lav delicately sprawls her soft vocals over a sweet melancholic melody and wispy soundscape. The entire song absorbs you in an endless and vast world of sombre longing as ethereal guitar twinkles through a lo fi soundscape while a pulsing beat grounds the track. The supple percussive taps and twinkles submerge the track in an almost magical innocence yet at the same time lament with a sorrowful undertone. Lav has created an enjoyable track filled with raw and honest vulnerability. ‘The Girls Before Me’ is a fantastic listen.

On the theme of the track Lav notes the song “was written out of a deep insecurity of constantly comparing myself to past loves. Always wondering if when they look at you, they’re recalling just staring into a paper mache they’ve built up of a before lover. Most of the time it’s all in our heads, and in this case it definitely was, however that didn’t make it any less real or painful to feel.”

Lav commented also on the video for the track saying “I love working with Marielle because she really helps my campy visions come to life. The video is a lot less emotional than the mood I got into while writing, and I think that makes the whole image more palatable, but also I loved to dress up and have a picnic with a bear and some snails.”

Watch the video for ‘The Girls Before Me’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Travi The Native ‘Heavy Love’

Travi The Native has released his new single ‘Heavy Love’. Travi The Native is the latest alter ego of Belfast born frontman Travis Gilbert. Writing openly about personal struggles, Travi The Native is on his own crusade to shout about mental health, social media and toxic masculinity.

Effortlessly cool and mellow, ‘Heavy Love’ drifts with a chic relaxed persona on Travi The Native’s rich, melodic musicianship. The song is well crafted and tightly weaved. The backdrop is adorned in twinkling soundscapes which float on a slow Hip – hop hued beat while funky warm guitar lines radiate throughout. ‘Heavy love’ has a laid back, dreamy, irresistible charm which is emphasised even further through the rasped warm vocals. The zesty indie guitar adds a bite and refreshing lift to the track while also providing a glowing cosiness. This easy going ditty is a summer evening timeless classic to chill to.

Stream ‘Heavy Love’ below 


Author : Danu

Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Soul, New Music, Singer/Songwriter, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen – Fiona Harte

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From  Fiona Harte

With over a million streams on debut single ‘White Picket Fence’, Northern Irish award winning singer songwriter Fiona Harte returns with soulful new single ‘Sugar Coating’ ahead of her four track debut EP titled ‘Home Recordings’. 

With its soft twinkling charm ‘Sugar Coating’ is a sweet and soulful gem from Fiona Harte. Her warm subtle smoky toned vocals caress the dreamy melody with whispered lulls and honeyed coos.There is a magical atmosphere throughout the track as Harte uses her refined and majestic song writing to create a swoony romantic delight without too much embellishment. Her striped back approach floods the track with an effortless ethereal quality creating a lush velvety listening experience with soulful glows and R&B hues as Harte uses her sublime voice to portray emotion, depth, power and richness.

About the track Harte says “Inspired by these trying times I decided to start a project during the isolation period writing and recording songs from my bedroom, no studio, no band, just me. It’s tracks I have written and recorded at home during this period where we can’t get out to studios. The project is DIY and has a live feel.”

Stream ‘Sugar Coating’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Lady Landscape ’25’

Lady Landscape have released their new single ’25’. Founded by Alex Harrison and Ryan McDonnell in late 2018, Meath-based five-piece, Lady Landscape embrace a lo-fi sound that combines rich synth textures, dreamy guitar rhythms and nonchalant vocals. Their mid-tempo, spacey anthems have led them to play some of Dublin’s top venues alongside bands: Sprints, Bullet Girl, and Isaac Jones.

’25’ is a light velvety coating of Lady Landscape’s melancholic hued dreamy sound as the band delve into their rich creamy musicianship with a striking lyrical content. It’s a silky, smooth number as airy synths wisp about a spongy supple beat to create a soft mousse-like texture. The lo fi vocals caress the sombre melody with a monotonous tone as the moany lyrics discuss the effects of aging. With zesty stings on guitar the band inject a radiant sweet tone with a biting dash of indie into the lush dream pop soundscape. ‘25’ is another sublime mellow track to indulge in from Lady Landscape.

Stream ‘25’ below 


Author : Danu

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

VELVET ‘Brother’ EP

VELVET are an up and coming five piece indie band from County Durham.The band have just released their debut E.P ‘Brother’. With luscious summer vibes, sweet melodies and intricate instrumentation ‘Brother’ is a compact and delightful EP from VELVET. The  band have managed to capture a laid back summers day vibe in this sublime EP. One particular glorious element throughout each track is the light tasty guitar lines which weave zesty refreshing qualities into the rock n roll swagger of ‘Ride’ and vibrant indie jangle of ‘This Wave’. The mellow tones and soft rasped vocals ooze marshmallow softness into the tracks. With shredding solos, cushioned rich rhythms and sweet melodies, each song is a breezy ethereal delight. The buoyancy of the tracks is infectious as the punchy drums and entwined bass lines create a charming fluctuant foundation.With the golden glow of ‘Happy Place’ and zealous radiance of ‘Brother’ the EP is a sweet concoction of breezy sublime musicianship as VELVET create the perfect collection of tracks to chill and dance to. The band showcase their fine ability to blend some gritty rock elements into their sun kissed psychedelic hued sound to create a satisfying listening experience. 

Stream ‘Brother’ EP below 


Author : Danu

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

TOYGIRL ‘Moonlight Velvet’

TOYGIRL have released their second single, ‘Moonlight Velvet’ which was recorded at the legendary Windmill Lane Studios, was produced by up and coming Irish sound engineer and producer Daniel de Burca and was mixed by in-demand producer Cormac Butler (The Academic, All Tvvins, Coronas, Gavin James, Kodaline) and mastered by Deadeye’s Billy Farrell.TOYGIRL was formed by friends Hannah Worrall (Vocals/Keys), Fiachra O’Mahony (Guitar) and Ciaran Whelband (Guitar) in March 2018 with bassist Aran Hopkinson and drummer Cian O’Leary Hegarty finalising the line up later the same year. TOYGIRL have already gained a reputation for their exciting, hypnotic live performances. Despite their relative newcomer status, the band has clocked up a lot of ‘gig-miles’ on the Irish circuit including stints at the Button Factory, Levis’ Ballydehob, the Workman’s, and Roisin Dubh, Galway, to name a few, as well as the much-coveted support slot to Alice Phoebe Lou on Whelan’s main stage.The group has already been named in the line ups for this year’s Indiependence, K- Fest and We’ve only Just Begun music festivals amongst others.

‘Moonlight Velvet’ is a swoony gem which floats on a vintage bed of lush arrangements. TOYGIRL are developing their irresistible sound superbly. With a delicate yet lush backdrop the band twinkle guitars through soft soundscapes, angelic hushed backing vocals and a supple beat as the track softly wisps into an ethereal cloud of dreamy bliss. There is a faint yet deep flourish of jazz as soothing saxophone surges with a sweet loneliness through the hazy backdrop. The band masterfully create a delicate track which has depth and exudes rich rhythms without becoming overpowering.Hannah Worrall’s soulful vocals melt upon the bitter sweet melody with a pacifying comfort. Her voice is longing, sincere yet hopeful all at once.

‘Moonlight Velvet’ is utterly tender and sweet. The band provide comfort through melodic and sultry moments blessed with intricate guitar lines, glistening keys and an overall whimsical romantic soundscape. Presented with class and elegance ‘Moonlight Velvet’ is an immaculate emotive number that totally consumes you in the undeniably lush musicianship of TOYGIRL. 

Stream ‘Moonlight Velvet’ below 


Author : Danu

Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, Indie Pop, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : roves

Independent, Reading based four piece roves have released their new single  ‘i’m on your side’.The track is the first single from their upcoming EP ‘they fall down to earth’ due for release summer 2020.The band comprised of Ethan Morgan (Vocals/Guitar), Connor Coutts (Guitar), Ellis Morgan (Bass/Vocals) and Matt Jamieson (Drums) have enjoyed many opportunities since releasing their debut single ‘Always’ in February 2018, from packed headline BBC Introducing gigs at the Purple Turtle in Reading and Guildford’s Boileroom with bands such as VALERAS, Ivory Wave, China Bears and The Tin Pigeons in cities including London, Oxford and Cardiff. The band had their first festival slot this summer at 110 Above in Leicestershire. roves have also been featured on BBC Radio 6 and had consistent radio play across their local BBC Introducing, recently recording a live session at the legendary Maida Vale studios. 

 ‘i’m on your side’ is a glistening sweet indie pop delight as roves coat their lush laid back sound in dreamy nostalgic tones and progressive passion-filled instrumentation. With a soft melty melody caressed by soothing velvety vocals, this track is a cosy heartwarming indie ditty that provides a breath and space to relax and daydream in. The track holds a dreamy, beach-style, summer sunset vibe with effortless charm as warm twinkling guitar weaves golden threads of scintillation throughout while the buoyant beat and absorbing bass create a dance-able, rhythmic bounce. With it’s upbeat laid back presentation and subtly rich, intricate backdrop – rove have created a wonderful listening experience with ‘i’m on your side’.

Stream ‘i’m on your side’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Delights ‘Paradise’

Following the release of previous single ‘Sometimes, Lately’, Manchester indie band Delights have released their new single ‘Paradise’. This sun speckled gem sparkles and gleams with Delights’ infectious and fruity indie pop as they create a sweet refreshing number filled with rich luscious tones and 80’s -esque elements. A wiggling elastic bass groove creates a dance-able funky flex to the track while the vibrant beat and beach-like percussion creates a summertime careless atmosphere. With zest-filled intricate guitar lines, the track swoons and sweeps beautifully into the ears with ease. Warm velvety vocals caress the dreamy sweet melody as the band present another marvelous sun saturated  track to get us through the cold winter months. 

You can catch Delights live at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on Friday 24th January, with support from Monks and Manifesto

Stream ‘Paradise’ below 


Author : Danu

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

wojtek the bear ‘some states’

 Glasgow five-piece wojtek the bear have released their new single ‘some states’ via Scottish Fiction.. The single continues the bands fruitful working relationship with acclaimed producer Jamie Savage at Chem19 Studios [The Twilight Sad, Miaoux Miaoux, The Phantom Band, RM Hubbert].The video for the single shot by Kris Boyle, sees the band expand on the darkly-comic theme of failure with a Nigel Mansell obsessed Killean trying, and failing, to emulate his hero’s exploits on the track. 2019 has seen wojtek the bear playing as part of Belle & Sebastian’s The Boaty Weekender, being play-listed twice by Radio X, and playing live in session for Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland. The band have also been featured by Lauren Laverne, Tom Robinson (BBC 6Music), Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1), Vic Galloway, Roddy Hart, The Afternoon Show (BBC Radio Scotland), John Kennedy, Gordon Smart (Radio X), KEXP and STV’s Live at Five show

‘some states’ is a glorious melodic number that glissades effortlessly upon wojtek the bear’s majestic mellow sound with a dash of indie bite to keep things fresh. With elegant strings lifting the track to wonderful ethereal heights the band create a wholesome satisfying song that is so sweet and pure its almost immaculate. The warm jangle on guitar meanders and weaves a zesty flourishment of delight throughout and creates a radiant atmosphere with an indie undertone. These guys have a sublime knack with melodies and ‘some states’ follows this trend beautifully with a dreamy cushioning melody caressed charmingly by cosy velvety vocals. The track rests marvelously on the ears with a pacifying and soothing tone as the band blend and entwine sweet delicate tones with hues of nostalgia seamlessly to create a stunning  piece of music to submerge yourself in. 

 Lead singer, and chief lyricist Tam Killean explains how the song came about, “it’s a song about that particularly painful end section of a failing relationship when it feels like all you’re doing is arguing with other person over the most ridiculous things, like who used the last of the toothpaste and didn’t replace it. The title comes from that old(ish) Scottish expression – “I’ve never been to America, but I’ve been in some states!” I just really liked the dark, self-deprecating humor of it. I think it’s that ability to see the humor in the darkest of times that allows us to get through things sometimes”. 

Watch the video for ‘some states’ below


Author : Danu

Dream Pop, Indie, New Music

Floral Sounds ‘Winona’

Seventeen year old Gabe Beckles has released his first single ‘Winona’ under the name Floral Sounds. ‘Winona’ – This dreamy sweet delight is a magnificent introduction to Floral Sounds bedroom produced pop. With a swoony ethereal soundscape creating a hazy laid back utopia the track floats elegantly into the ears. The twinkling keys meander through a soothing melancholic hued melody that is so sweet it almost brings a tear to the eye. The strong beat, slaps and buoyantly keeps a solid foundation while the supple electronics wisp and surround the listener in a candy floss-like sound. The deep vocals create a luring echo throughout, like a mysterious voice in a dream that you follow while the glistening guitar and keys slip you into a delicious lulling world of wispy fog and dizzying tranquility. Floral Sounds have created a narcotic world within this track that submerges the listener in gentle lush pop tones and wonderful soft textures. A majestic and sublime debut.

Stream ‘Winona’ below 


Author : Danu