Category Archives: indie rock

Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Soda Blonde ‘Small Talk

Soda Blonde

Soda Blonde announce their debut album and tour with the release title track ‘Small Talk’. Out July 9th via Velveteen Records, the entirely self-produced album sees the group reflecting on their twenty-something experiences with refreshingly honest transparency. All four band members (Faye O’Rourke, Adam O’Regan, Dylan Lynch and Donagh Seaver-O’Leary) are seasoned musicians, despite their youth. They have been playing together since their early teens, with their previous band – the internationally renowned Little Green Cars, whose seminal debut album skyrocketed to number one on the Irish album charts.

‘Small Talk’ is a brooding new addition to Soda Blonde’s smoky alternative pop sound. The band take shimmering disco elements and light wispy synths and blend them to create an 80’s-esque intoxicating bop. Soda Blonde’s ability to weave rich musical threads throughout their instrumentation is awe-inspiring. Within ‘Small Talk’, the band create a fluid, hazy atmosphere through these mystical threads while injecting a funky bassline and buoyant beat into the track’s foundation which exudes a sultry dark undertone and air of mystery throughout. As the electronics unfold gently, the rhythmic backbone intensifies and bubbles, expanding into the catchy melodies and glittering guitars for the euphoric chorus. O’Rourke’s vocals are mesmerising. Her lush whispers elegantly drift over the dreamy melody exuding tender emotion as she coos, “Do I suppress everything? Am I just too late to admit that I’m Ignoring myself? “. With light twinkles on keys, lush harmonies and earnest lyrics, ‘Small Talk’ is a bewitching alternative pop track that boasts the musical mastery of Soda Blonde.

You Can Catch Soda Blonde Live at: 

August 13 – 15 Wild Roots Festival, Sligo, Ireland
August 27 + 28 SoFFT Nights, Co.Meath, Ireland
September 08 Mike the Pies, Co.Kerry, Ireland
September 09 Cyprus Avenue, Cork, Ireland
September 10 Dolans Warehouse, Co.Limerick, Ireland
September 11 Roisin Dubh, Galway, Ireland
September 12 Whelan’s, Dublin Ireland
September 19 Belfast Empire Music Hall, Belfast, UK
September 21 Broadcast, Glasgow, UK
September 22 YES, Manchester, UK
September 23 Sebright Arms, London, UK
July 17. 2022 Iveagh Gardens, Dublin, Ireland (with Sinead O’Connor)

Tickets will be available from https://www.sodablonde.com/

Stream ‘Small Talk’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Inhaler ‘Cheer Up Baby’

Dublin quartet Inhaler have released their new single ‘Cheer Up Baby’ alongside the announcement of their debut album, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This,’ which will be released on July 16th. The band comprised of Elijah Hewson (vocals and guitar), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Robert Keating (bass), and Ryan McMahon (drums), have already released a string of captivating singles. Their fevered live shows have earned them a diehard fanbase – on their last tour, they sold over 10,000 tickets and played to sold-out crowds across Europe. Their tracks have been streamed over 50 million times globally.

‘Cheer Up Baby’ is a golden ray of sunshine as Inhaler builds their infectious indie sound to create a timeless heartfelt gem. In true Inhaler manner, the track pivots around a sweet guitar refrain. Within ‘Cheer Up Baby,’ this bright guitar melody flickers with catchy indie-rock hues while a groove-stricken bassline and dynamic drums exude the band’s brand of glittering indie finesse over the verses. The sun-kissed soundscape creates a wonderful state of nostalgia enhanced by Hewson’s warm vocal croons “oh, how to kill these February blues.” …“When I think of all the things, I didn’t do, Oh, I can’t help but blame it on you…..cheer up baby you’re not on your own”. His vocals cling to the evocative lyrics oozing uplifting emotion while at the same time embracing a sense of sadness and longing.

However the song does not remain lamentful for long. The brooding verses lead into a chorus eruption as a thunderous upsurge announces the anthemic blazing sound of Inhaler. The bright guitars swell around the punchy drums to create an expansive soundscape for the dizzying synths and rampant bass to fill with exhilarating tones and reverberations.The expressive instrumentation is a joy to the senses and compels the listener to press repeat.

Inhaler are cultivating their sound beautifully to create an intoxicating brand of indie rock, and the result is an anthemic, perfectly executed song in the form of ‘Cheer Up Baby’. Press play and enjoy.

About the track, the band say: “It’s just a great pop song,” says Hewson. “I think it really takes us back to our roots as a band.” “I think it just has that classic, feel-good, anthemic, hopeful feeling that everyone seems to relate to on some level,” says McMahon.

Watch the video for ‘Cheer Up Baby’ below.


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Last Of The Wonder Kids ‘Weakness’

Last Of The Wonder Kids have released their new single ‘Weakness.’ Last Of The Wonder Kids are a three-piece alt/indie band based in Grimsby. Over the past few years, they have gigged up and down the U.K. and built a solid fan base across many major cities, garnering huge support from the likes of BBC Introducing and 6Music and securing slots at major festivals such as Kendal Calling.

Blazing with relentless indie rock energy, ‘Weakness’ is an exhilarating new single from Last Of The Wonder Kids. The band swirl a blitz of whirring fuzzy guitars over a savage drum assault to create their heavy mosh-ready wall of sound while a scorching bass warps the song’s energetic tone into a dark, relentless groove. The track ventures from crashing raw indie rock to lo-fi pop with ease as the band display their diverse and lush musicianship. With rampant hooks burrowing through the acute frenzied rhythm and piercing guitar, ‘Weakness’ is a force to be reckoned with. The band coat a dreamy melody with smooth vocals, tight harmonies, and biting instrumentation to provide a youthful animated new single that accelerates as the song progresses. ‘Weakness’ displays Last Of The Wonder Kids’ magnificent alternative sound in all its fizzing glory.

Stream ‘Weakness’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll

Chay Snowdon ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ EP

Chay Snowdon have released their debut EP ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’.Chay Snowdon are a four-piece alternative rock outfit based in the South West of England.


Boasting anthemic tunes and blazing instrumentation ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ is a relentless onslaught of Chay Snowdon’s powerful sound. Setting a strong foundation the band’s previously released, spectacular singles; ‘What the Kids Want’, ‘Tough Guys Die First’, ’Loud Shirts’ and ‘Men Cry Too’ grace the EP. These are the tantalizing singles that have secured Chay Snowdon’s strong and devoted fan base. With soaring guitar licks, solos, and riffs embellishing the tracks, each song has crafted a fiery and impressive pathway for the EP. 

The band’s enthusiasm pushes the album along at a relentless, breathless pace. Spreading soaring choruses over an energetic indie rock backdrop ‘Tough Guys Die First’ and ’Loud Shirts’ surge with adrenaline and anthemic rock vigor – the latter displaying the band’s magnificent frenzied crescendo’s and blues-hued rock in all its glory.

Chay’s rasped vocals glide over the smooth melodies with ease injecting emotion and charm into each song. This is perhaps most noticeable within ‘Men Cry Too’. His passionate vocals hold a strong stance over the bubbling backdrop and jaunty guitar jabs. With rumbling drums and an insatiable groove on bass, ‘Men Cry Too’ is an exceptional display of musicianship and a noteworthy highlight on the EP. 

Chay Snowdon create their songs to deliver on all fronts making their infectious indie bangers timeless and utterly enjoyable – this is perhaps best shown within the four piece’s lyrical content. Throughout ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ the band display their deft, witty and catchy songwriting. The clever lyrical content is expressed through beautiful storytelling and sharp turn of phrase. This is most prominent within ‘Cash Only’ “I met her in the park she caught my eye, you know it started with a spark oh my my and we talked until the dark I proclaimed I’m lonely with the deepest of regrets she said cash only “.

‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ is an exhilarating collection of glam rock, indie, and rock n’ roll. The wailing guitars, thrilling vocals and slick rhythms all feel like a treat just waiting for eager live crowds to unwrap and enjoy. This EP is extremely well put together and cements Chay Snowdon’s reputation as an exciting band to keep an eye on.

Stream ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music

Bullets & Knives ‘Fuel’

Bullets & Knives has released their new single ‘Fuel’.Based in Gembloux, Belgium Bullets & Knives are a hard hitting rock band. Taking inspiration from the band’s founder Julien Delaye’s day job at a petrol station, ‘Fuel’ exposes the frustration felt towards this job.

 ‘Fuel’ is a smashing alternative 90’s rock track consumed in the expressive and dynamic musicianship of Bullets & Knives. The band surge raw riffs through a pounding drum and bass backdrop to create a dark and intense wall of sound. The raw rumbling bass lines wriggle through the track while the resounding heavy drums surround the song in a harsh mosh-ready fury. There is a cinematic quality to the song as the crashing guitars shrill with dramatic grandeur through the thick muggy soundscape. This magnificent display shows the band’s ability to express emotion through their brawny alternative rock. With a catchy melancholic melody and passionate vocals, Bullets & Knives showcase their energetic and heartfelt rock through this anthemic power tune, and it’s impressive. 

Stream ‘Fuel’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Somebody’s Child ‘Brother’

Dublin’s own indie-rock sensation Somebody’s Child have released their latest 4-track EP ‘Hope, Amongst Other Things’ along with their new single ‘Brother.’ Inspired by lead-singer Cian’s own experiences, the record’s candid narrative seeks to observe the challenges with mental health prominent amongst people in their early twenties and more specifically those who are struggling to establish their own identities.

Steeped in intense energy and cinematic bursts of indie rock, ‘Brother’ is a passionate display of musicianship from Somebody’s Child. Cian Godfrey’s rasped vocals exude emotion as he injects a sense of desperation and intensity into the atmospheric backdrop. With ethereal guitar melodies weaving a melodic thread between expressive drum progressions and dynamic bass grooves, the track is a sleek and powerful anthem. 

Somebody’s Child craft the song superbly – brooding verses exude dark undertones of rumbling bass and light glimmers on guitar before erupting into the rock-smattered anthemic chorus. With a scorching solo and choir backing vocals leading to the kinetic crescendo, this remarkable track showcases Somebody’s Child’s refined and beautifully crafted sound in all its glory. Love it.

Stream ‘Brothers’ below


Author : Danu

Desert Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Howlers ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time

East London Desert Rockers, The Howlers, are back with their new single, ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time.’The 3-piece consisting of Adam Young (vocals, guitar), Cameron Black (drums), and Guus ter Braak (bass) have undertaken three UK-wide tours since their formation over a year ago. The band quickly established themselves as one of the UK’s must-see live acts, gaining much deserved praise from radio royalty, including BBC 6 Music, KEXP, and BBC Radio 1 and major programming on BT Sport, SkySports, and SoccerAm.

‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ surges with blazing desert rock swagger as The Howlers balance psychedelic rock with sleek 60’s pop sensibilities to create one heck of an anthemic belter. The band add rich layers to their sound by dripping spaghetti western-esque guitar lines over elastic bass grooves to create a hip-swaying wall of sound. They swiftly break this soundscape with a series of blitzing guitar riffs to announce the crashing chorus which is consumed in a fury of blazing instrumentation as lacerations on guitar splinters through the pummeling muggy rhythmic backdrop to create a thrilling fuzz-filled backdrop.

The Howlers have an impressive ability to drift from a dreamy sound to a sonic-filled frenzied display with ease. You can almost feel the sweltering desert heat emanating off the raw instrumental blasts as Adam Young’s vocals glide from a smooth croon to resounding rumbles.

The tight instrumental assault and clean production presented in ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ is exhilarating. The Howlers knock it out of the park with a single that is woozy with psychedelic touches and disorientating with intense grooves . A must listen. 

Speaking about the track, Adam says,“‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ is an ode to the trials and tribulations of love and loss in modern times, an observation about understanding how to come to terms with falling out of love whilst at the same time longing to be loved in kind.”

Watch the video for ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ below.


Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock

Slyrydes ‘Boy In The Debs Suit’

Slyrydes are set to release their new single ‘Boy In The Debs Suit’ on March 8th. Slyrydes are a four piece band from Galway. The band released their first five singles from March 2019 to March 2020 (Mental Health, Point of view, Out Patience, Dangerous Animals & I claim to be intelligent). The singles collected much critical acclaim nationwide and in the UK. In 2020 against many odds Slyrydes managed to record their Debut album which will be available on 12″ and is set for release this year.

‘Boy In The Debs Suit’ is a raw and coarse new single from Slyrydes. The band create a dark and exhilarating sound smothered in refined instrumentation. 

Slyrydes have become known for tackling the emotional themes of mental health through their songs and ‘Boy In The Debs Suit’ follows this trend. By surrounding this hard-hitting rock track in earnest and sinister tones, they drive home the harsh reality of life and mental health through masterfully expressive instrumentation. 

With a majestic and nimble guitar display embellishing the track in finesse and swagger Slyrydes create a piercing and light contrast to their brawny sound. A rampant bass and fluctuant rhythmic foundation exudes an ominous undertone while deep expressive vocals roar about the harrowing realisation when you see the picture of a missing person you know “I am in shock cos I saw him last week… We were in the same place”. The verses build tension as the coiling bass wanders through the song’s underbelly evoking a sense of mystery that builds into the dynamic and frenzied crescendo.

‘Boy In The Debs Suit’ is a brilliant display of musicianship from Slyrydes. Their compelling sound is blossoming into something to truly admire. Looking forward to hearing more from this talented four piece. ‘Boy In The Debs Suit’ is set for release on 8th of March.

For more, you can follow Slyrydes on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/slyrydes/


Author : Danu

Indie, Indie Punk, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock

Urban Theory ‘A Poet’s World’

Back with their very first single of 2021 ‘A Poet’s World’, Manchester-based indie-punk band Urban Theory are set to take new heights in the year ahead. Forming in 2016, this four piece guitar band has set about becoming a firm favourite on the Manchester indie-punk scene. In their short reign they have already sold out a number of notable North West venues, supported a host of big names and gained numerous plays on BBC Introducing and XS Manchester.

Gritty and seeping with energy, ‘A Poet’s World’ displays the catchy punk rock of Urban Theory. The band introduce the track with a raw guitar riff that slices through a punchy drum and resounding bass foundation. Urban Theory layer and craft the track meticulously to create maximum impact through teased instrumental explosions throughout the song.

 The verses simmer in dark soundscapes as the band use the gnawing backdrop to create a tense and jogging pace before the powerful chorus erupts into an instrumental frenzy. Melding punk aggression with infectious indie and edgy rock, the band present a sound that is both intoxicating and rousing. ‘A Poets World’ is a wonderfully fierce, well-crafted indie punk track ready for the mania of live shows. 

 Stream ‘A Poet’s World’ below 


Author : Danu

electro - rock, Electronic, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Pecking Party ‘Descendant’

Dublin-based electronic band, Pecking Party have released their latest single ‘Descendant’. The track is accompanied by a stylised sci-fi-influenced video directed by Richard Harvey (winner of First Cut Youth Film Festival Music Video competition).

Luring, dark and superbly composed ‘Descendant’ displays the raw electronic rock of Pecking Party in all its glory. This sinister concoction blends swirling electronics with heavy, gritty rock and acute trip-hop to create an enthralling listening experience. The sheer terror and assault provided on bass and drums is masterful as the band create a harrowing coarse wall of sound for the shadowy, almost futuristic toned electronics to ricochet and swirl around.

The band balance their harrowing heavy sound with ethereal elements allowing glimmers of lightness and innocence to flicker within the muggy atmosphere. As harsh guitars gnaw through the track’s intoxicating soundscape, the delicate melody and soft vocals provide a refreshing contrast.

Ciara Ryan’s smoky lulling tone carries the track’s lighter moments – with sweet haunting coos on backing vocals she discusses themes of intergenerational dread and fear for the future. Ciara Ryan ventures into a menacing tone as growling backing vocals howl before the striking perilous chorus. 

Pecking Party have crafted their sound masterfully creating an enticing and frenzied sound sure to ignite the senses and leave you craving for more. 

Watch The Video For ‘Descendant’ below 


Author : Danu