Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Beck
Beck has released his new single ‘Dear Life’. It is the third single from the upcoming album ‘Colors’. The album is Beck’s first full length offering of new material since 2014’s ‘Morning Phase’ took Album of the Year top honors at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Best Rock Album and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) category. The album also saw him nominated for ‘International Male Solo Artist’ at the 2015 BRIT Awards. In addition to the newly unveiled ‘Dear Life’ Colors includes both of Beck’s singles that preceded it, the new mix of the psych-dance summer jam ‘Dreams’ and the retro-futuristic earworm ‘Wow’.
‘Dear Life’ is a peppy piano driven little ditty. The cheery piano jingles flutter between a slapping beat and a lush pop melody. Drizzled in a 70’s Elton John- esque vibe Beck gives us a hip wiggly track rounded off and coated in hazy dreamy soundscapes. Soft backing vocals lull with sweet luscious tones creating a smooth blissful heavenly atmosphere. It’s laid back and calm with some nice sharp guitar zests squirted in to add a bit of edge and sharpness to the track. Beck layers this track seamlessly creating a contemporary swoony song with an almost jazzy foundation. Well crafted, refined and so tightly bound it seems simple and laid back. With winding twists and turns Beck proves when it comes to meticulously combining all the components of a track he is a master.
Toronto-based musician Ben Stevenson has released his new single ‘Yellow Bird’. The track is taken from his upcoming LP ‘Cara Cara’ which will be released on September 22 via Culvert Music. It’s a dreamy melodic song gentle and calm gliding on a soft cloud of bliss. With delicate acoustic accompaniment it wisps around in a feathery light flow of elegance. Slight sweet twangs add a hazy wobble and sharp zest while Stevenson’s velvety vocals coo throughout. With a soft melody it’s honey sweet and sensitive, a beautiful delight and perfect for lazy laid back days.
When asked about the track Stevenson said: “I wrote Yellow Bird in the California desert high above Joshua Tree where I was working with Adam Pavao in his desert hideaway studio. I feel the expanse of the land in the song, a song about freedom. It’s about realizing that reality is undefined, not fixed, and to experience liberation you have to rid yourself of attachment and expectation.”
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Adventures in the Underground
Adventures in the Underground is a new band from LA made up of collaborators Kevin Hinman and Luke Richmond. They have released their new single ‘Streetlight’ which was produced by Mario Borgatta and Steve Pagano from the band thanks.’Streetlight’ is a sleek stretchy delight that fuses honey drizzled pop melodies with classic rock punches. The first thing that hits you with this track is its instant likability and sweet toned catchy hook melody. The sticky beat slaps while a funky groovy rhythm adds a strut quality and swagger soaked confidence to the track. Powerful vocals with raspy hints give a swanky rock infused prance while guitar strides and ear worm chorus add that fist pump classic rock anthem vibe. Slick and cool it flows with glossy grandeur and polished smoothness. Seamlessly layered and oozing oodles of panache mixed with explosive passion, this is a tune that makes you feel something. With sweet subtle shifts that create nostalgic tender moments to mighty dynamic bursts these guys know what they are doing. It’s smooth with just enough flamboyance to make you groove while packing some indie rock punches and edgy splinters along the way.
Bio: Brighton trio Jack Valero (lead vocals, guitar) Callum James (drums and backing vocals) and Miguel Cosme (bass,backing vocals) have only been together a few years and they have made short work of grabbing people’s attention. Making waves on Huw Stephen’s BBC Introducing and John Kennedy’s Shock of the New on Radio X, tipped by 6 Music taste-makers Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson, taking up invitations to Glastonbury Festival two years in a row, plus scoring ‘track of the day’ features in the likes of Clash, Giglutz, Record Of The Day and more.
Track: ‘Things I Forgot To Do’
Why We Like It: It’s a bubbling can of catchy hook driven indie pop. With an infectious bass groove, a relentless finger clicking beat that bounces back with snappy vitality teamed with strut quality guitar strides. it’s an effortless cool smooth track that flows in on a wave of good times and peppy attitude. This trio have created a slick warm tune polished, sweet and sunkissed.
Watch the video for ‘Things I Forgot To Do’ below
Glass Hour
Genre: Piano Pop-Rock
Bio: Glass Hour is a pop-rock band from Montreal comprised of members Caleb Smith (Bass), Joey Reda (Guitar), Will Bennett (Drums) and Keegan Boulineau (Vocals, Piano, Guitar). With a generous incorporation of piano combined with a signature guitar sound, their music ranges from massive arena rockers to intimate, soul-warming songs. Their debut album entitled ‘Minute Hand’ is set for release today August 18th, 2017.
Track: Burn
Why We Like It: It’s a sweet elegant blend of soaring electronic soundscapes and delicate piano twinkles. Lush vocals and heavenly harmonies create a graceful passionate and highly emotional track that lifts to new heights as the song progresses. With thumping clap along bridge and anthemic arena ready chorus, it’s a sparkling firework erupting into the sky with majestic magnificent beauty.
Stream ‘Burn’ below
Vertebrae
Genre: Alternative/Grit Pop
Bio: Vertebrae is London based trio Daire Mulvihill, Josh Clark and Jonny Rogers. They have previously been involved with numerous festivals around the U.K including Tramlines in Sheffield, Great Escape in Brighton as well as Camden Rocks in London. They have also been busy building up a loyal following by working with some of the UK’s top promoters and playing some of it’s best venues including O2 Academy Islington, The Old Blue Last, Birthdays, Seabright Arms and The Black Heart among others. Vertebrae have just released their exciting new single ‘Half The Time’ (which is already receiving much attention including radio airplay and numerous features in respected music publications, webzines and blogs) and was produced by the renowned Neil D Kennedy who has worked with many up and coming bands on the U.K Alternative scene including Creeper, Milk Teeth, Trash Boat and Bad Sign to name just a few
Track: ‘Half The Time’
Why We Like It: It’s a thrilling gritty kick ass rock track complete with raspy vocals punchy drums and slick guitar. Passionate and emotional with a Nickelback-esque nostalgia with guitar melodies and bass rumble reminiscent of Kings of Leon this hard-rock anthem is a throbbing head nodder. Building as the track progresses becoming a little heavier and mosh ready Vertebrae know when to hold a tender gentle tone and when to overwhelm with raw heavy moving melodic longing.
Watch the video for ‘Half The Time’ below
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Last year, we featured a solo artist under the name of Lewis Murphy and his EP ‘Lighthouse’. Well a lot has happened since then, Lewis has now formed a full, four piece band under the name Kid Luna. Comprised of members Lewis ( Guitar/Vocals), Kieron (Guitar/Vocals), Declan (Bass) and Matt (Drums) the band have just released their debut single ‘Alive’ with an accompanying music video, which is soon to be joined by a debut EP, due for release in September. Fresh from a short spree of UK dates, playing alongside the likes of Wild Front and Misfires, Kid Luna are the new kids on the block and they are taking it in their stride.
‘Alive’ is an infectious blast of sparkling indie rock. Smothered in a toothsome sugar-coated melody it’s a delightful ear worm that oozes oodles of bright fun youthful vibes. Catchy hooks laced with sharp zealous tones and shrilling zest add a free soaring lift to the track while the rich meaty elastic rhythm gives it a bouncy vitality and spring. The soothing soft vocals are sweet and dynamic. It’s the perfect young fresh indie sound that will have you bopping and dancing in no time. Heck it’s a catchy little summer tune with raw fiery energy and pumping beats.
Canadian band Galapagos have released their new EP ‘Potential Space’. Band members Adam Ferris (vocals/guitar), Jamie Orser (drums), Matthew Wood (lead guitar), and Gerardo Mantecon (bass) play gritty rock songs laced with Capital City strut and Midwest mosey mixing honest lyrics with jagged guitars and syrupy melodies.
Potential Space’ EP is a lush bubbly collection of tracks laced in beautiful zealous guitar lines and heavenly melodies blended with some grittier elements at times that keeps the sound refreshing and radiant. ‘Bike’ kicks off the EP with bright sparkling indie soundscapes. Sharp guitar jingles playfully throughout with the sweetest tone and refreshing spurts of zest while the soft beat and honeyed melody glide with a daydream tempo and hazy atmosphere. It’s smooth and soothing while also packing a nice little punch between the dreamy wisps.‘What I Deserve’ bursts with oodles of catchy upbeat guitar lines while the track bounces with a peppy beat and lush melody soaked in a lazy day somber tone. It’s a bopping sway like delight packed with emotion and lush sweetness. Smooth vocals ooze passion while instrumentally this track places you in a mellow state of melancholic peace. ‘Again’ takes a heavier approach. Jagged guitars and punchy drums add a danceable quality and gritty texture. Snippets of distortion give a thrilling dramatic effect while the melody and candied guitar elements glimmer through with bright upbeat scintillation and sun kissed luminosity. A little more aggressive than its predecessors this mosh friendly track displays Galapagos heavier punk-like side with sprinkles of indie pop embroidered on top. ‘Lungs’ closes the EP with tender delicate guitar flickers between acoustic strums and sweet dainty vocals. It’s a twinkling beautiful and emotional track that pulls at the heart strings and places you on a soft fluffy cloud of euphoria. Cool breezy tones, sweet lush harmonies and call and response vocals create a floaty feathery light approach with very subtle hints of flower power psychedelia.
Galapagos ‘Potential Space’ EP takes you on an emotion journey while showcasing their knack for sweet delicious melodies nimble refined guitar work and slick musicianship. It’s a laid back beautiful EP that is perfect for summers evenings or that all important unwind time.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Late Night Episode
New York alt-rock band, Late Night Episode have released a video for their single ‘Golden Age’. Signed to Dirty Canvas (American Authors, Young Rising Sons) the band have received previous acclaim from Billboard, Nylon and Pigeons and Planes. Their new single for this video is set to be added to Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist, as well as being on rotation on Sirius XM’s Alt-Nation. The band was formed in New York City’s East Village neighbourhood by lead singer Daniel Lonner and guitarist Eric Sherman. Brett Daniel (drums) and Giovanni Stockton-Rossini (bass) would later join to complete the band’s line-up of stellar musicians and songwriters. These guys are starting to prove their ability to attract audiences from all genres. In fact, in addition to producing their own music, Late Night Episode have also executive produced Topaz Jones’ critically acclaimed soul-funk record, Arcade.
‘Golden Age’ is a rush of anthemic indie with a healthy dose of pop slapped on top. Bursting with bright bubbly vibes and catchy melodies this rich intricately rhythm driven track explodes with sun soaked feel good upbeat vibes. It’s a slick swagger drenched refreshing bust of fruity indie pop – chilled, sweet and shaken to create the ultimate summer tune brimming with soaring buzz fueled elation. With dynamic rugged vocals and crowd friendly chorus it’s a lively animated ball of bliss. Cheeky lyrics and strut ready charisma make ‘Golden Age’ the instant pick me up and an infectious gem that blasts these guys into the ones to watch list.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Delphina Kings
Manchester-based alternative trio Delphina Kings have released their new single ‘Kid Calm Down’.It’s a blistering indie track soaked in vibrant explosive energy. Smouldering verses add a sultry swagger while the anthemic chorus bursts with infectious dynamic intensity. Rooted elastic basslines keep a hip shaking sensuality to the track while crashing guitars and punchy drums add an eruptive heavy gritty wallop. Brimming with adrenaline and thrilling distortion this track is a rush of blood to the head. With a raw edgy feel while also maintaining a cool polished sleekness this track is on fire. Delphina Kings are ones to watch.
Reading indie quartet Mellor have released their new single ‘Fire on Fire’. It’s a catchy number brimming with sweet ear worm melodies, punchy drums and warm blazing guitar moments. This adrenaline pumping anthem bursts with vibrant slick guitar licks and thrilling basslines. Intricate guitar melodies add depth and swagger soaked in effortless golden scintillation while the raspy vocals flood the track with passion and explosive emotion. With a western-like twang and oodles of rock & roll stamina and panache Mellor have knocked it out of the park again with an infectious rich textured track. These guys have a knack with melody, each track they produce is irresistible to the ear and this one is no different, it’s one to put on repeat.
Watercolours are a Cheltenham based indie trio. Band members Conal Kelly, Matt Sharlot and Hamish Woolley have just released their debut single ‘Feel Tomorrow’. This sparkling indie pop track glides in on a sticky beat and breezy sunny soundscapes. Smooth cruising vocals and shimmering synths create a laid back dreamy vibe of bubbliness. It’s a shimmering gleaming bright track with sombre raw undertones. With silky zealous guitar features and wispy hypnotic psychedelic elements it’s instantly likeable and enchanting. Lush backing vocals and sweet sugar-coated melody create a glistening little gem that is succulent and rich. A strong debut from Watercolours as they display a tight well rooted sound and fine musicianship.
Watch the video for ‘Feel Tomorrow’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
