Category Archives: Indie Pop

Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Deep City Diver ’Dream Sequence’

London-via-Stoke on Trent band Deep City Diver have released their new single ‘Dream  Sequence’. Comprising  Australian  expat  Ryan  Nicolussi  (Voice/Guitar)  along  with  Stoke  on  Trent’s  Joe Macmillan  (Bass)  and  Dom  Davies  (Drums),  Deep  City  Diver combine  the  melodic  sensibilities  of  80’s  English  new  wave  with  the  incandescent  energy  of  New  York 00’salt-rock.

’Dream Sequence’ is an invigorating slap of indie pop that hops and bops with exhilarating infectious grooves while shimmering synths flurry about and ricochet off glimmering guitars to create a sublime buoyant backdrop. It’s snappy, breezy and vibrant as a soaring chorus lifts the track to ethereal heights while the funky swagger-soaked verse springs a dash of vitality and dynamism into the track. It’s instantly likeable and energetic as zesty guitars weave and boomerang off the animated bass to create a rich danceable number that is both sturdy and fluctuant all at ones. This charming number is clap along ready and feet shuffling-ly infectious- it’s hard not to swish, sway and bounce around the room while listening to it.

Stream ’Dream Sequence’ below


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

Moon Loves Honey ‘You Drift Away From Me’

Danish  dreamy  alt.  rock/pop  band  Moon Loves Honey have released their highly anticipated  debut album ‘You  Drift  Away  From  Me’. The album takes  the  listener  on  a  colourful  journey  through  uncertainty,  loneliness  and  finally  hope  via  nine  finely  crafted  songs  –  three  of which  have  been  released  as  singles  and  enjoyed  radio  airplay  and  acclaim  from  media  across  the  globe.  Moon Loves Honey functions  as  a  band  in  concert,  but  in  the  studio,  its  Jeppe  Dengsø  as  a  one-man-band.  The album was  in  the  making  for  a  year  and  a  half  and  took  huge  dedication  to  complete  because  of  Jeppe͛s  growing  obsessive  attention  to  detail.  In May  2016  –  shortly  after  the  release  of  the  band’s  debut  EP  ‘Apart’  –  Jeppe  started  recording  songs  in  Aarhus  with  friend  and  mix engineer  William  Brinch.  The initial plan  was  merely  to  record  a  couple  of  single-ideas,  but  the  plan  of  creating  an  entire  album  slowly  manifested  itself.  Over the  next  year,  the  entire  album  was  finished

‘You Drift Away From Me’ displays huge emotional and musical  variety with every song  differing from the next,  while the album  still has a unique  sonic character  throughout. There is a lot of blissful juicy sounds packed into this album yet it doesn’t seem over the top each track cruises along blending together becoming a sweet glorious component of the mellow and euphoric entity that is the ‘You Drift Away From Me’ album. From the electronic and chill wave-tinged  pop of opening track ‘To Be Without You’, Moon Loves Honey completely consume you in a luscious dreamy state of soft delicate melodies wrapped in a fluffy cloud of euphoria. The delicate vocals soothe while subtle flickering soundscapes lure you deeper into a trippy sweet state of psychedelia. The tracks that follow lead you down a glistening path of discovery as delicious melodies snappy soft beats and swirling electronics radiate sun kissed vibes. ‘Lonely Day’ and ‘Before I Crash’ provide images of summer sun, chill vibes and azure blue sky’s. It’s easy going yet brimming with silky intricate instrumentation to provide a satisfying listen. It’s almost like these guys create a little world within this album to loose yourself and just recline into as it soaks away all your problems in soothing tunes. Title track ‘You Drift Away From Me’ adds a perky little bounce and swirling adrenaline to the album while the atmospheric ballad ‘I’m Falling Out Of Love With You Baby’ glides along with a honey drizzled melody and lo fi vocals. ‘Blå’ acts as the wispy electronic intermission before the shoegazey  rock- esque ‘Is It Just A Dream?’ and ‘Should Have Waited’ spiral in a hazy whirl with subtle anthemic bursts over subdued crashing instrumentation. Moon Loves Honey bring us to the end of this glorious album with the twinkling ‘Replaced’. Flickering electronics sparkle glimmers of scintillation through a melty emotional melody while lush vocals coo over the melancholic tones.

‘You Drift Away From Me’ blends sun kissed chilled dream pop with shoegazey rock and atmospheric electronics effortlessly to create a wholly mesmerising dreamy listen that relaxes, soothes and tranquilises while throwing in some groovy bops and sublime textures on top. It’s magnificently crafted and leaves you refreshed and vitalised.

Stream ‘You Drift Away From Me’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Submariner ‘Ghosts’

Submariner have released their new single ‘Ghosts’. After a strong 2017 where they sold out headline slots on the South Coast, made their major festival debuts at Common People and Victorious festivals, released their debut music video for “Closer” and gained attention from BBC introducing and The Line of Best Fit; Submariner are primed and ready to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as 2018 promises tours, a debut EP and further festival appearances.

‘Ghosts’ is a catchy feathery light dash of indie pop that is dreamy, luscious and bright yet holds a deeper foundation. The political lyrics shows the bands maturity and awareness without dragging the track down while vibrant ethereal guitars jangle about swirling synths and a snappy steady beat. The delicate sombre toned melody laments over the heavenly aerial soundscapes with a heart warming sweetness that carries both hopeful tones and melancholic nostalgia. The velvety smooth vocals caress the melody with a gentle tenderness and emotional power while the twinkling guitars flicker glimpses of bright scintillation throughout, creating an optimistic vibe. This track is subtly anthemic and ambient as lush harmonies and breezy effortless cool tones mixed with burning emotion rush through the song filling you with adrenaline and passion to keep pushing through. A sublime track that both glistens and shimmers with sun kissed aerial instrumentation combined with catchy golden melodies and heartbroken realism.

When asked about the track the band said: “The song is spiritually inspired by last year’s general election. The narrative involves a woman who gives her life to fight for other people, the oppressed and the broken. She is haunted by the ghosts of those she and the system failed to save. The chorus addresses her opponents and details the flaw in greed, especially the lines ‘reap the seeds, there’s no where for them’ & ‘I’ll be dead, long before you live’ indicating that the oppressor seeks wealth only in financial sense, but without compassion and kindness, has no real quality to life. In the fictional sense, the story ends on a note of hope, with the ghosts of the failed haunting the consciousness of the heroines enemy, leaving you with the line ‘In the dark, you’ll remember me’ and in turn, spurring the person into action.”

Stream ‘Ghosts’ below

 


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

JOY ‘Seahorse’

 

Bath based four – piece, JOY have released their new single ‘Seahorse’ (which was self-produced and recorded in their hometown studio) the follow up to their debut single ‘Tree’ which saw them receive critical acclaim locally and amass significant streams on Spotify on it’s release late last year. Available digitally at all major outlets, the new track recalls the dramatic and haunting yet bright guitar melodies of bands such as The Pixies, Wolf Alice and Helvetia. Fully formed last year from the ashes of Bristol outfit Big Fish, the JOY line up of Toby Ijbema (vocals), Ale Invernizzi (bass), Ben Roe (drums) and Callum Wutherspoon (lead guitar) have spent the last twelve months writing, recording and honing a new sound. During this time, Toby was found busking by YouTube personality Stefan Michalak in an underpass and was featured on Michalak’s channel, which subsequently introduced the band to a wider audience and an influx of fans worldwide. A truly exciting live band, JOY are building an ever growing fan base after making their live debut with a sold out show at the legendary Moles Club in Bath last year.

‘Seahorse’ is a deeply melodic track seeped in tender soulful tones. Delicate drums tap while elegant guitar twinkles behind the raspy warmth of Toby Ijbema’s vocals as this slow burner pines and broods its way into its powerful crescendo. They use subtle melancholic guitar melodies to fill the track with a heart warming glow as the supple vocal melody glides along swaying and sweeping across the elegant instrumentation. The track progresses becoming more heavy – distorted guitar add a cinematic shrill of urgency as the drums and bass become more rooted and punchy. It’s a well-crafted track which delicately swivels between mournful lows and glorious hair-raising highs. It’s a heavily emotional and moody experience which shows the maturity in the musicianship of this band.

Stream ‘Seahorse’ below

 


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop, Tropical, Tropical Indie, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Courtship

Courtship have released their new single ‘Tell Me Tell Me’ taken from their soon to be released debut album ‘Denial in Paradise’. It’s a refreshing swig of juicy summer pop drenched in sparkling synths and vibrant jangly guitar. With a glorious melty melody immersed in lo-fi calming vocals and luminous instrumentation this track is delightful and vivacious. The production is tight and neat with slapping beats rebounding off the swirling breezy soundscapes creating a compact tropical number that is summer sun ready, light and euphoric. This track is melodic, stripped back and grandstanding at all the right moments to create a satisfying listen. The beat in particular pulses and adds a meaty yet fluctuant texture giving a joyous rush of adrenaline through the weaving beaming soundscapes and glistening guitar. It’s a feel good instantly likeable track that is sure to coax out the sun.

Courtship have also just released a video for the single which pays homage to Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom and stars actor Jack Grazer from the film IT

Watch the video for ‘Tell Me Tell Me’ below


Alt- Pop, Art Funk, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Cocoa Futures ‘Sink in the Water’

Cocoa Futures return after a year off with a very slick number ‘Sink in the Water’. The band teamed up with producer Brendan Willams who is the handyman behind bands such as Dutch Uncles and GoGo Penguin. It’s a groove driven slice of art funk laced in rich and diverse swirling synths. Maintaining a spacious format this tack takes its time building and increasing steadily to its crescendo. Rich rhythms are plentiful as Cocoa Futures make the most of the aerial space by filling it with luscious deep percussion pulses and gooey slaps. Twinkling guitar riffs saturate the track with a zealous refreshing zest while the electronic soundscapes glisten and wisp about in a tranquilizing yet groove infested danceable manner. It’s darkly hued and tightly bound to create a wholly mesmerising, compelling listen. The velvety vocals and mellow melody subdue you into an easy going state while the fluctuant wavy percussion gives a jittery foundation to create a joyously dance ready number. It’s an ambitious and impressive tune that contains all the blissful sweetness of synth pop in its purest concentration and combines this with a healthy dose of swagger sprinkled on top.

After several sold out shows in London last year and appearances at The Great Escape, Cocoa Futures is poised to take 2018 by storm with five more releases planned to be released before the year is out.

Stream ‘Sink in the Water’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Dream Rock, Indie Pop, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, Psych-Pop, psychedelic

Indie Buddie Introducing: The Indica Gallery

The Indica Gallery are a psychedelic quintet based in Liverpool comprised of members Joe Mansergh (Vocals + Guitar), Michael Spence (Keys + Vocals), Zack Smith (Drums + Percussion) , Finlay Lovett (Bass + Vocals) and Ryan Patterson (Lead Guitar). On 20th of April the band will be releasing their debut single ‘Forever Loving You’. It’s a lusciously melodic breezy number that floats in on a dreamboat of euphoric melancholic mellowness. Jangly guitars twinkle between a spongy beat, subtle swirling keys lavishly flood the track with tranquilising psychedelic tones while velvety vocals seep passion into this soothing song. With a 60’s -esque melody melting upon a slow jam indie rock backdrop with some power pop bursts thrown in – The Indica Gallery have created a wholly satisfying listen. Crooning in on a light fluffy cloud of delicate psychedelic wisps with a gentle edge pushing it through this track is a beautiful blend of The Beatles mixed with Oasis with a sprinkling of Miles Kane on top. It’s sharp, ethereal and well put together. A sublime debut from The Indica Gallery.

You can catch The Indica Gallery live at The Yellow Earl – Whitehaven on 20/04/18 (Supporting Twisted Wheel)

For more follow them on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/theindicagallery/

 


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, PostPop

Zkeletonz ‘Always’

Postpop trio Zkeletonz have released their new single ‘Always’ which was self-produced, self-mixed and self-mastered and the new single was the first ever postpop song Zkeletonz wrote together at Kafri Studios in London’s East End.The band have appeared at Ronnie Scott’s in Soho, Hoxton Sq Bar & Kitchen, Stockwell Festival, Fuse Festival, Peckham Festival, Well Street Against Racism street carnival and Plaza Latina, a huge outdoor celebration of London’s Latin American community. Their first video ‘Trouble’ was broadcast on Channel 4 with no music industry support. Celebrity fans include hip hop DJ Tim Westwood, the poet and podcaster Scroobius Pip and the Wasps rugby winger Josh Bassett. ‘Always’ is the third single from the trio . It builds on momentum from their first two releases ‘Trouble’ and ‘Don’t Cover It Up’, which received support from Sunday Brunch, BBC Introducing and the Birmingham Mail. This new release has already secured radio play from John Kennedy on Radio X.

‘Always’ is a sleek funky infectious gem. Slinky guitars hop and skip between a shuffling rhythm and infectious funky groove while lush vocals glissade upon a silky smooth melody. Their rhythms are luxurious as this track struts in announcing its sublime snazzy flamboyance backed by colourful splashy instrumentation that makes for a richly textured, vibrant listen. The twinkling guitar injections squirt a zesty sting into this body shaking, prismatic number leaving you mesmerised and uncontrollably dancing along. Zkeletonz have established a lovable infectious sound that is just beaming from every note and glorious in every way.

Stream ‘Always’ below


Alt- Pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From April Towers

Nottingham duo April Towers have announced their long awaited debut album ‘Certified Freaky’ which will be released this spring through their own imprint Full Frequency Sounds/Republic of Music. To coincide with the announcement, April Towers have shared a new single ‘Tel Aviv’ which is taken from their debut. Having played together in other bands previously, the duo of Alex Noble (vocals, guitars & keyboards) and Charlie Burley (production, samples, guitars & keyboards) embarked on their latest project in August 2013 and April Towers were born. A series of 6 singles and EPs culminating in last summer’s ‘Takes One To Know One’ followed suit, one of which (2015’s ‘A Little Bit Of Fear’) earned them a place on the official FIFA 2016 soundtrack. Throughout their existence they’ve been building momentum and working towards ‘Certified Freaky’ . The single is the first song Alex and Charlie wrote together when they formed as a duo 4 years ago, ‘Tel Aviv’ is a two faced song in many ways: upbeat tempo and vocal highs are coupled with pretty dark lyrics. Recorded at Soho’s legendary Dean Street Studios (in the same room David Bowie recorded Diamond Dogs) over the course of last year, the album was co-produced by the band along with respected electronic artist/DJ Ben Pearce, mixed by Nathan Boddy (Gary Numan, Shame, James Blake) and mastered by Geoff Pesche (Gorillaz, Kylie Minogue, Pulp) at Abbey Road Studios. The whole album was crowd funded via Pledge Music and the band played a sold out show in their native city of Nottingham last September to commemorate this.

‘Tel Aviv’ is a shimmering, infectious slice of synthetic pop encased in luscious snappy soundscapes with a delicious melody iced on top. A sticky beat slaps and whacks between flashing synths and subtle swirling electronics creating a surge of adrenaline throughout the track. Smooth vocals caress this pop drizzled melody while lush backing vocals coo with an eerie haunting undertone filling out the sound. The snappy rhythm creates a dancable groove that is infectious and captivating as the ethereal soundscapes rush past giving a soaring aerial feel. It’s tightly bound to create a charming wall of sound that is captivating and utterly infectious.

April Towers’ live set has also developed over time to incorporate live bass, drums and percussion which gives it a more organic and less mechanistic feel while retaining the vibrant energy of a late night in clubland. Since forming, they’ve played numerous festivals both in the UK and Europe and this summer are already scheduled to play Y Not as well as their first ever headline slot at Deerstock in July.The duo have already confirmed a string of UK dates in April, with many more to be announced soon.

SATURDAY 7TH APRIL, FOX AND NEWT – LEEDS 
SATURDAY 14TH APRIL,WESTON HOMES COMMUNITY STADIUM COLCHESTER
THURSDAY 19TH APRIL, ARCHSPACE – LONDON w/ DISKOPUNK 

Stream ‘Tel Aviv’ below


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, New Music, Single Premiere

Niki Kand ‘Bleeding Hearts’

Niki Kand is a musician and visual artist based in Liverpool. She is a DIY musician whose love of Kate Bush and The Beatles mixed with her drive that comes from an imaginary world, has given life to her music. Her tunes are self-produced and entirely her own creation. She has recently released her new single ‘Bleeding Hearts’ which is the first single off her debut extended play ‘Pinkish’ which is set for release August 29.

‘Bleeding Hearts’ is a sultry concoction of swirling electronics playfully weaving between twinkling keys and a snappy beat. Niki’s clean, crisp vocals lure and entice over the sticky muggy beat while the catchy melody hooks you into the tracks magnetising depths. The flickering, breezy soundscapes have a hypnotic effect with an eerie quality that is darkly luring yet cheery enough to coax you to dance and sway joyously. It’s light and dreamy with grooves that make you want to move and clap along. This track is superbly produced and crafted. Its sound is pristine and clean with simple little effects that make this an ear worm you wont be able to prise from your mind.A superb track from an outstanding DIY musician.

Stream ‘Bleeding Hearts’ below