Category Archives: Indie

Alt Rock, Indie, Indie Dream Rock, indie rock, New Music, Summer Grunge

RINSE ‘With You’

Indie quartet RINSE have released their new track ‘With You’ . The Stoke-on-Trent lads have been featured on stations such as BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing and Kerrang they have supported bands such as Jaws, DMA’s and Palma Violets on their UK tours and are creating a buzz amongst a growing network of fans.
‘With You’ is dream rock at its best. RINSE masterfully pull off wild gritty rock coated and smoothed off by blissful dreamy melodies creating a brilliantly polished track with just enough raw edge and bite to sink your teeth into. Raspy crisp vocals add grit to the chorus while smooth almost haunting vocals coo for the verse with a soothing eerie quality. Reverb guitars have a sweet tone and add a hazy nostalgic atmosphere that you can loose yourself in. The track explodes with a massive chilling hair-raising bridge that is swoon worthy yet mosh ready, its noisy but perfectly delicately blusterous. Pounding drums and vigorous strident guitars bring the track home as the mellow honey tone on guitar plays throughout sweetening the piercing track. Its an ear-popping infectious track that mixes and blends candied melodies with kick-ass ruckus causing rock.
Stream ‘With You’ below

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

Secret Company ‘Lightning Parade’

Electrifying Chelmsford four-piece Secret Company are back with their latest single ‘Lightning Parade’. The new single is a tease of whats to come from their debut album ‘The World Lit Up And Filled With Colour’ which is set for release on March 10th next year. Band members Scott Revell (vocals / guitar), James Patman (guitar), Kushal Gupta (bass) and Tim Reyland (drums) are highly ambitious by their own admission and since forming in 2012 have gone on to clock up hundreds of thousands of Soundcloud & Spotify plays, performed live tracks on Channel 4’s reality show Made In Chelsea and have appeared at some of the country’s leading festivals this year including Leeds Festival, Secret Garden Party and Isle of Wight. Having previously been praised for their ability to balance delicate touches with anthemic stylings, the quartet yet again prove that pop music doesn’t have to be faceless as their intensity comes complete with thoughtfully crafted leading lines which have led the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens to count himself a big fan.
‘Lightning Parade’ is a darkened melodic grim track that builds into a fiery juggernaut of intensity and emotion. Introducing itself with Revell’s velvety smooth vocals narrating the story in a tender delicate manner. The track springboards into hair raising acute intensity. Shredding shrill on guitars pierce through the sticky beat and muggy gooey atmosphere. The chorus explodes with ferocity and an relentless aggressive energy that is so tense you are on the edge of you seat. With jaw-dropping liquid-smooth yet sharp vocals that haunt and shock with a versatile range and chilling spine tingling qualities. Drenched in eerie bloodcurdling tones this track makes for an electrifying and thrilling ride.
You can pre-order the band’s debut album ‘The World Lit Up And Filled With Colour’ on iTunes now and get ‘Lightning Parade’ and three more songs instantly here https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/world-lit-up-filled-colour/id1176470765

Watch the video for ‘Lightning Parade’ below

Baroque Pop, Cinamatic, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Folk, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, Psych-Pop, psychedelic, Psychedelic/Folk

Dia ‘Gambling Girl’

Dia is the stunning project of composer and performer, Danielle Birrittella. The Indie folk/baroque pop artist has released the beautiful, cinematic music video for her latest single, ‘Gambling Girl’ off her debut EP ‘Tiny Ocean’, which was released with Manimal Records and features songs produced by Joey Waronker (Beck, REM, Atoms for Peace), Tim Carr (The Americans, HAIM) and Frankie Siragusa (theLAB). Raised on a Hindu ashram, Dia sang ceremonial ragas as a child, which led to training and performing as an opera singer throughout the U.S. and Europe. Along these travels, she began experimenting with music and writing song fragments on a ukulele, which was gifted to her by her brother. Dia’s practice as a classically trained opera singer induced an incredibly critical ear. Her influences of classical music, such as Baroque and French Romantics are beautifully infused with modern experimental cinematic folk on her debut EP. A native of New England, and graduate of New York University (BA) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA), she has lived and worked as an artist in New York, France, and Italy. Highlighted performances have included Disney Hall’s REDCAT – Los Angeles, La Musica Lirica – Italy, The Chautauqua Institute – New York, La Main d’Or – Paris, and The Ludwig Foundation – Cuba.
‘Gambling Girl’ is a moody cinematic dream pop swirl that is more sticky than honey. The dark stuffy atmosphere suffocates you in a spiralling dreamy haze. The steady thump beat teamed with sultry bewitching lull on vocals give a narcotic hypnotic effect that draws you further and further into the calming opiate illusion. Dia’s vocals act as a sedative or tranquilliser cooing with soft mind numbing qualities. Driven by a seductive sway-like flow ‘Gambling Girl’ lures and entices with graceful delicate charm and daydream obscurity.
Watch the video for ‘Gambling Girl’ which portrays Dia and a cowboy beneath a sunset, riding horses and dancing in the desert below.

https://vimeo.com/169485486

Album Review, electro- pop, Indie, Indie-Pop-Soul, New Music

Alpines ‘Another River’

London duo Bob Matthews and Catherine Pockson who form the band Alpines have returned with their new album ‘Another River’. Released via Metropolis Recordings the album is one of the most crafty and emotive R&B records of the year. Teased earlier this year with the slick intimacy of Completely, Alpines’ sophomore LP ‘Another River’ pares down the sound of their 2014 debut ‘Oasis’. This new effort is not so much the sound of a duo finding their feet, as it is an utterly standout performance from a couple of intrepid sonic experimenters subtly refining their craft. Their futurist brand of production renders Catherine Pockson’s R&B melodies into dazzling soundscapes, each thrumming with a life of its own. The duo’s application has fuelled various collaborations in the fashion world, including the likes of All Saints, Paul Smith and Urban Outfitters. The album is preceded by the release of ‘Heaven’, an anthem with towering vocal harmonies and a sly bass groove. The duo are masters in creating cerebral and inventive music without compromising on the simple unabashed joy of melody.
‘Another River’ is an emotive outpouring on love and life that will resonate with people everywhere. Starting with title track ‘Another River’ Alpines display an emotional pulling track that draws you into every word. With a delicate piano feature that builds into an explosive breezy electronic break. The sticky slap beat keeps the track elastic and malleable adding a wobbly sensual vibe. ‘Completely’ continues with their brand of classy soul-pop balanced on a knife edge with darkened tones and a retro vibe behind the sweet yearning coo on vocals. ‘ Stay’ follows with ease as does each track on the album coated in sensual tones and a hint of R&B. Its tightly layered and drenched in late-night sounds that add contemporaneity to the retro soul infused track. ‘Heaven’ brings us a rapid more prominent almost tribal beat without compromising the cool dreamy tone of the album. The track provides a subtle shift that you can groove to. ‘Mutual’ takes us back to the tempered and classic-sound of the other tracks with an itchy beat and shadows with a melody that is wistful and tastefully sweet. ‘How It Hurts’ is a piano dominated ballad packed with emotion filled soulful vocals that display a strength and depth through raw emotion and heartbreak. Its displays the power and courage through pain. Building into a dynamic crescendo that isn’t overpowering but empowering and beautiful. ‘Under The Sun’ closes the album with brighter tones and simple accompaniment to start that builds into sticky intricate soundscapes that weave in and out highlighting the immaculate and powerful soulful vocals that exude attitude and sass while still maintaining that subtle soft sweetness.
‘Another River’ is a smooth and unobtrusive, utterly emotionally convincing album while remaining refined and sophisticated.
You can catch Alpines Live at
Feb 14th – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
Feb 15th – Leeds, Headrow House
Feb 16th – Glasgow, King Tuts
Feb 17th – Manchester, Soup Kitchen
Feb 20th – Bristol, The Louisana
Feb 21st – Oxford, The Cellar
Feb 22nd – Brighton, The Prince Albert
Watch the video for  ‘Heaven’ below

Alt Rock, Classic Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Smooth Rock

Glass Caves ‘Do You Have A Name’

glass

Pontefract four-piece Glass Caves have released their new single ‘Do You Have a Name’. Consisting of band members Matthew Hallas, Elliott Fletcher, Will Groves and Connor Thorpe, Glass Caves have created a name for themselves from their tireless work ethic and seemingly limitless ambition teamed with carefully honed craftsmanship. This has seen them support Augustines, headline London’s Koko, and play a myriad of festivals including Isle of Wight and Reading/Leeds. Their self-funded debut album ‘Alive’ made Record Store Day’s Top 40 when it was released in 2014 and now the band are back with their new single ‘Do You Have A Name’.
‘Do You Have A Name’ displays Glass Caves knack for emotive atmospheric indie rock. Coated in nostalgic tones and smashing the rock anthem vibe this track is hard hitting heartfelt and effortlessly smooth. Creamy raspy vocals soothe and coo with sentimental yearning. Twinkling sting on guitars bring vibrancy to the track and teamed with the animated spring on drums build and lift into the elevated dynamic crescendo. Its got classic rock written all over it, polished and smoothed down to create a tender wistful driving track that has “open roads, heart on your sleeve, wind in your hair” goodness. The track has a wholesome full sound that is perfectly crafted leaving you feeling nourished and refreshed. With rich textures and cool tones this track gets better with each listen.
Watch the video for ‘Do You Have A Name’ below

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Sundara Karma

The Reading based quartet consisting of Oscar Lulu, Haydn Evans, Dom Cordell and Ally Baty have released their new single ‘Olympia’ from their upcoming debut album ‘Youth is Only Ever Fun in Retrospect’ which is due out January 2017. From the very first note ‘Olympia’ makes you realise you’re listening to something special. Sundara Karma are coming into their own and putting their stamp on the indie music scene. These guys are the band you tell your friends “are going to be huge”. You can feel it through every fibre of your being with its melancholic-drenched melody, wrapped in anthemic adrenaline. It grasps your very soul and summons your inner youth to rise up and bellow out the relatable lyric and ear worm melody. Lulu’s vocals catch you off-guard, the power he has in those vocals while being able to maintain a velvety smooth texture is captivating, like a wizard he pulls you into every word, capturing every emotion every heartache and joy-filled memory you have felt and he does this with just his vocals alone. Your heart skips a beat in time with the song, as the guitar drives the track with an almost constant tantalising and uplifting riff. The elastic nimble bass teamed with the steady beat keeps a constant bouncy foundation acting as a boundary containing this passionate track. Before you realise it Sundara Karma have won you over with their carefully crafted musicianship. ‘Olympia’ is so thrilling, so painstaking in its execution and soul touching with a melody that is honey to the ears, it sounds like the future of new indie music being unmasked in all its glory.
Stream ‘Olympia’ below

https://soundcloud.com/sundara-karma/olympia-1

Ambient Music, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, New Music, Synth-pop

Temples of Youth ‘Divide’

Temples of Youth are an upcoming electronic duo from Winchester, UK. Paul Gumma and Jo Carson began working on their live set in December 2015, with the desire to bring their music to the stage with a limited number of hands, Jo on percussion and Paul on guitar, utilising samplers and effects to recreate their sound. Their ever growing emotive body of work has attracted the attention of BBC Introducing, and the pair were invited in for live sessions for BBC Introducing South and BBC Introducing Solent. Their first track ‘Enso’, was selected by Steve Lamacq for airplay on his BBC6 Radio Show and their third track, ‘Dunes’, was played by Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1. The duo were named ‘Ones to Watch in 2016’ by the Selector Radio Show – part of the British Music Council and were also nominated for a Best of British Unsigned award.
Temples of Youth have just released their new single ‘Divide’ which displays some truly compelling stuff. Its majestic and beautifully magical with a twinkling of ambient synth and sparkling shimmering guitar this track sets a wonderfully mysterious and enchanting scene with glittering instrumentation like morning due. Delicately presented Temples of Youth effortlessly ease you into their elegant soundscape. Dark undertones give depth and mystery to the track like ‘Divide’ appears to hold a treasure within its core, unveiling secrets as the track progresses into glimmering perfection. The warm powerful vocals take the limelight with soothing depth and strength as the melody flows with grace and fluidity highlighting and enhancing the vocals.
Stream ‘Divide’ below

https://soundcloud.com/templesofyouth/divide

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

Sad Palace ‘Breeze/ Rainbow Melt’

 

sad

Sad Palace are a really smooth effortlessly cool indie band I stumbled upon, don’t you just love when that happens. Sad Palace present us with coastal fresh indie pop bursting with rich juicy melodies and slick musicianship while spacing us out with hints of psychedelia.
‘Rainbow Melt’ gives us a sensual sway-like groove and tender velvety vocals wrapped up in edgy indie pop. The razor sharp sting on guitar adds spice and zest to the track while the ripply rhythm keeps the track bouncing along in an almost 70s psychedelic groove. With luring tempting bass and vocals that ooze panache and swagger this track will coax and sweet talk you into pressing repeat. Rich luscious textures and layers gives the track depth and showcases this band’s solid musicianship. While the brazen flashy guitar licks whip and flatter the flaunting track pulling you further into the groove.
‘Breeze’ lulls you into its melodic funky strut almost instantly. With velvety vocals to start cooing and soothing right into the hook driven feet shuffling riff. With psychedelic entrancing instrumentals, this track swirls you into a dreamy blissful euphoric stupor before slapping you back into the rapid bouncy slice of indie pop. The vocals smoothly glide from creamy dreamy haze to bright and bubbly effortlessly, as the guitar illuminates the track with zealous licks and peppy bounce. This track is infectiously catchy and like honey to the ears. Sad Palace know how to write and craft earworm melodies, mix and blend them with fantastic instrumentation. Watch out for these guys.
Stream ‘Rainbow Melt’ and ‘Breeze’ below

 

Alt Rock, electro - rock, Electronic, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Synth Rock

Rayne ‘Subject A’

rayne-darkimage

Sunderland based indie, electro ,alt rock outfit Rayne have released their latest single ‘Subject A’ which is taken from their highly anticipated ‘Complex By Design’ album. With well over one year hidden away in the recording studio, Rayne members Ben Potts (Vox/Bass), Adam Dagg (Guitar/Synths) and Steve Naisbet (Drums) are committed to unearthing their very best material to date.
‘Subject A’ is an elevated guitar driven anthem with an epic fist pumping arrangement and soaring vocals that can make you feel like you can do anything. Intensifying synth grooves and dynamic guitars create a massive , galvanic experience that will knock you for six. Blood pumping drums rushes like an elastic speed ball and teamed with the emotional compelling vocals leaves you breathless in a whirlwind rush of swirling soaring musicianship. Its a cool, airy, energetic rapture rock anthem drizzled with dark undertones and mighty walloping hooks.
Rayne will be announcing the full album release details and UK live dates in coming weeks so look out for that. In the meantime stream ‘Subject A’ below

Alt Rock, Garage Rock, Garage Soul, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll

Hollie Joyce ‘Poster Girl’

Hollie Joyce is a singer songwriter who is becoming known for her wild, unconventional and ruthlessly blunt style of music. Currently residing in Melbourne Joyce is a songwriter completely in control of her craft. Combining fervent lyrics with distorted and at times eerie tones, Joyce has established a compelling sound that doesn’t hold back. From 70’s horror flicks and spaghetti westerns Joyce has developed a dynamic cacophony that sometimes strays into raucous rock ’n’ roll freak outs, while at other times deviating to the more alluring and melodic. Joyce has released her first single ‘Poster Girl’ off her upcoming EP which is scheduled for release early next year.
‘Poster Girl’ is a fiery garage soul track exuding scalding blistery swagger blended with sizzling sultry soulful tones that coax and sensually lure into the burning gritty garage rock. Joyce sings with strong confident attitude and sass that builds into a howl and an expression-filled scream. Coated in sway-like elastic sensuality and driven with ruckus causing rock and roll the track boils with red hot steamy attitude that is sure to burn everything in its path as it flies past leaving smoke and debris behind. With a western desert saloon cabaret vibe followed by a drunken brawl with a sweltry sting on guitar and punchy drums that leaves you black and blue, Hollie Joyce is on fire.
Stream ‘Poster Girl’ below