Category Archives: Experimental Rock

Album Review, Alt Rock, Experimental Rock, New Music

Cloakroom Q ‘Yes Again’ Album

Belfast band Cloakroom Q have released their new album ‘Yes Again’. ‘Yes Again’ is a piece of wonderfully unique and at times obscure art which showcases a band unafraid to express their darker innermost thoughts through music. Laced in dark theatrics, frantic instrumentation and quirky lyrical outbursts Cloakroom Q’s album is not for the faint-hearted. With crashing guitars, ground shaking bass grooves and manic drums ‘Leave Me At Lusk’ and ‘Zhia’ start the album with brain melting distortion and gritty alternative rock.The band meld The Prodigy – esque sounds into their continuous onslaught to provide a crazed and barbed wall of sound. ‘Yes Again’ travels full throttle until the listener reaches ‘Here Everything Is Still Floating’. With delicate twinkling guitar radiating through an ethereal atmosphere the track provides a brief release from the heavy sound of previous tracks. However the band still manages to seep psychedelic undertones into the song through the punchy drums and melancholic melody.

The vocals throughout the album are filled with angst and despair as the lyrics are spit, exclaimed and shouted with such intensity it’s almost like a glorious performance of dramatic poetry. Placing their unique vocal delivery against a prismatic, image-evoking and dramatic backdrop is what Cloakroom Q do masterfully. Their ability to create ominous, chilling and explosive soundscapes which exudes raw vigor is mesmerising.

With tracks like ‘Capra Takes Off! (Hand Me My Jetpack I)’ and ‘Capra Comes Down (Hand Me My Jetpack II)’ the band take the listener on an intimate trip into gnarly alternative rock one minute and floaty hippy-esque pop another and lets not forget a cheeky little stop off at indie rock lane with ‘Nowhere To Spit’ which chimes with warm jingles on guitar and soft twinkles on keys. The band also venture into jazz, art rock and beyond with this album, using genre as a springboard for their expressive songwriting rather than adhering to its confinements. With elements of Talking Heads peeping up here and there and a faint REM residue, Cloakroom Q create their own unique sound filled with jaunty riffs and quirky melodic hooks which is best portrayed in the crazed ‘KFHC’ and emotive ‘Barely A Shadow’.

Cloakroom Q have created a refreshing alternative art rock album filled with a lush variety of instruments which include horns, bells, organs as well as your usual guitar band set up, however through all the madness there are some surprises within the album. As in all good albums there lies a hidden gem to discover, the sweet doo wop ditty ‘The Door’. A 50’s-esque honeyed melody drifts upon a slow shuffle tempo, seductive bass groove and light guitar while soft vocals coo ( that’s right I said coo, not screams or wails…well until the end) over the dreamy soundscape. It’s a charming little number which shows the band at their most pop.The song ventures into a meatier funky crescendo and it does go a little obscure and dark but not enough to change the sweetness of this brilliant track.

‘Yes Again’ is a story and journey and it plays through like one. The entanglements and frustrations the band express at the beginning seem to work themselves out as the album eases into the more mellowed end. Cloakroom Q have an impressive knack with dramatics and their talent is just as apparent in both the manic, expressive alternative tracks as it is in the more melodic tunes. The lyrics are honest, sometimes paranoid and aggressive and the band mirror this with intense instrumentation.

‘Yes Again’ is a unique and intriguing journey into Cloakroom Q’s unconscious. Their use of vivid witty songwriting and the bands unmistakable musical prowess has created an album like no other. 

Stream ‘Yes Again’ below


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electro- Punk, Electronic, EP Review, Experimental Rock, Indie, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music

Van Panther ‘Overcast’ EP

Limerick based experimental post punk band Van Panther have released their new EP ‘Overcast’. Formed in 2015 Van Panther have supported the likes of noise-rock giants Holy Fuck on their Irish tour dates in Cork (Cyprus Avenue) & Limerick (Dolan’s Warehouse), and have played alongside up-and-coming Irish acts such as The Murder Capital, SENU, Kodu, Cruiser, Anna’s Anchor, and many more.The band have also played at Whelan’s Ones To Watch 2018 Festival and The Midnight Hour (Whelans, Dublin), and have performed at the Electro-City Synth Festival in Sin É (Dublin). 

‘Overcast‘ is a vivacious EP overflowing with intricate rich sounds and the refined and exhilarating genre blending Van Panther do so well. With electronics swirling around sweet guitar moments and heavy alternative rock elements the band create a unique and intriguing collection of tracks that has something for everyone. The main backbone to the EP is the lush grooves that saturate each track in hip wiggling elastic beats and bass lines. Title track ‘Overcast’ begins the compelling journey into the EP with quirky electronic bloops and squirms with delightful pop flutters and a buoyant indie groove. Each track is tied together by dreamy candied melodies that melt into the ears. Even the swagger dipped strut of ‘No Seasons’ with its quirky keys and Beck – esque prance and sass features an irresistible melody along with some slinky guitar lines against a funky rhythmic backdrop.

There is a summery vibe to all the tracks that is glorious to hear however ‘Moon Eyes’ is the most experimental. This track takes a heavier distorted stance on the EP with its stomping beat and sharp intro but once the vocals kick in, the band glide into a laid back shoegaze aesthetic. The chorus becomes dizzy and the guitars jaggedly crash through a chopping wall of sound and grittier fuzzed hue of electronics. ‘Moon Eyes’ is a fantastic alternative rock track with sweet surf elements pushing through. It feels like a fight to see which sound wins – the sweet dreamy surf or the blasting heavy alternative. ‘The Cutters’ brings the EP to a close with space-like sounds creating an eerie chilling atmosphere before the track develops into a 60’s hued guitar jangled shimmy.

Van Panther build and develop their tracks superbly to create a jarring exhilarating listening experience full of infectious grooves and delicious melodies that you can’t help but love. There is something special about this band. The vibrant unique instrumental brakes and perfect blends of electronic, alternative, pop and indie will leave you gobsmacked. I especially love the dizzying instrumental break in ‘The Cutters’, it creates a flashing house infused little pocket between a surf rock / indie track that is a surprising and refreshing feature.

‘Overcast’ is a well crafted, fun and perfectly produced body of work that contains something for everyone in a tight package of delight. A must listen.

Stream ‘Overcast’ below 


Author : Danu

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, Experimental Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, Indie Punk, Mathy Alt-Rock, New Music, psychedelic, Punk Rock, Rock, Trance, Video Premiere

Tribal Dance ‘And Then All That Was Left Was A Physician And A Silhouette’ Video Premier

Dublin-based experimental/post-punk band Tribal Dance are set to release their video for ‘And Then All That Was Left Was A Physician And A Silhouette’ tomorrow December 5th. Tribal Dance consists of bassist and vocalist Adam Smyth, guitarist Stephen Dowling and percussionist Leo Clarke. Their debut single “Flongo” released in August 2017, sent out waves of excitement and received extremely positive reviews from music blogs and nationwide newspapers as well as national and international radio play, which contributed to a sold out single release show. The band have been showcased in Whelan’s Ones to Watch along with headlining a special Nialler9 showcase The Button Factory as well an unforgettable performance to a packed tent at KnockanStockan 2018.The band’s sophomore release ‘And Then All That Was Left Was A Physician And A Silhouette’ is set to be the first release on Bad Soup Records in December 2018, accompanied with an intense and dramatic music video, a limited edition physical release.

‘And Then All That Was Left Was A Physician And A Silhouette’ is Tribal Dance’s fierce way of dissolving your mind in their thick murky concoction of math punk with sweet little bubbles of psychedelic rock gasping beneath this suffocating brew. The tense atmosphere builds right from the start as these guys unfold each segment gently with eerie soundscapes twinkling through distorted guitars and punchy drum attacks. This acid saturated gem lures and entices with soft lulling vocals, sweet little guitar injections and a meaty rhythmic foundation. Just as the track seeps into its dreamiest delusional state Tribal Dance electrocute you back to life with a pulverising heavy finale. The fluctuation between Math mania and soothing psychedelia is masterful as Adam Smyth switches from animated screams to soft coos seamlessly while wobbly desert guitar whines between a deep groove and laid back melody. Well crafted this track consumes you entirely in the dizzying world of Tribal Dance and with musicianship this refined and messy all at once – these guys are definitely ones to keep an eye on.


Watch the video for ‘And Then All That Was Left Was A Physician And A Silhouette’ below


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

Snail Collectors ‘All Kinds Of Wrong’

Snail Collectors is a project setup by Glasgow musician Nick Scroggie. His sound infuses elements of Experimental/rock and prog with cinematic visions in mind. He has released his new track ‘All Kinds Of Wrong’ taken from his four track EP of the same name which is all written, performed and recorded at home by Nick Scroggie. ‘All Kinds Of Wrong’ is an edgy dark brew of thick sticky beats slapping off murky fuzzed guitars and swirling opaque synths. The track pulses and crawls with an eerie haunting quality that is chilling and bewitching. Emotive vocals yearn and simmer with a smokey hazy smoulder. While the track bubbles and boils gaining momentum until it bursts with a blistering shrilling guitar solo. Insanely catchy and luring this track is riveting with irresistible haunting tones wriggling and twisting in a dark murky turpentine-like mixture.

You can buy the ‘All Kinds Of Wrong’ EP here http://www.snailcollectors.com.

Stream ‘All Kinds Of Wrong’ below