Reading indie band RAIN CREW have released their debut EP ‘Honey’. RAIN CREW are a 4 piece female fronted alt/indie rock band. Having spent the best part of 2018 gigging, the band have shared the stage with the likes of Valeras, Catholic Action, and The Xcerts, playing venues such as Boileroom, West End Centre, O2 Academy Islington and Camden Monarch. The quartet have also had the pleasure of headlining multiple DIY festivals over the summer.
‘Honey’ is a nifty collection of tracks that pack in some hook filled melodies, slick guitar work and tight musicianship. There is something for everyone here – a healthy dose of pop mangled beneath angsty punk, warped through an indie prism. Titled track ‘Honey’ sets the scene. Refined bass tickles behind the luring verses while the sharp guitars stride and crash against punchy drums for the anthemic chorus. Beth Atkinson’s vocals venture from sweet and enticing to powerful and mighty as she holds her own over the mighty instrumental bursts. There is a nice little change-up halfway through the track which brings in lush harmonies and showcases the promising versatility in this band. Following this blistering number with warm tones is ‘Control’ which starts like an acoustic heartwarming slow burner before bursting into another powerful chorus. The luscious blend between delicate warm indie pop and harsh punk is riveting. There are some sublime guitars and bass moments throughout the EP and RAIN CREW make the most of these placing them in the most glorious places ready to win you over with their lovable melodies and tones. ‘I Don’t Like You’ showcases the bands sassy, swagger soaked attitude with a hint of rock n’ roll driving the instrumental panache while ‘Blink’ brings the EP to a close pushing that catchy vibrant sound home ensuring RAIN CREW aren’t a band you are going to forget. It’s fun, danceable and brimming with gusto.
‘Honey’ is a rich diversified and enjoyable EP that has plenty of special little flickers to ignite your youthful spark and evoke images of live show sing-alongs and bopping mosh pit fans.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Circus Wolves
Guy Wynn Davies (vocals), Cameron Tetlow (drums), Ben Dodson (bass) Jack Taylor and Jim Ker (guitars) comprise Manchester alt.indie band Circus Wolves who have shared the stage with the likes of The Slow Readers Club, The Amazons and No Hot Ashes. They are set to release their new single ‘No Country’ on January 26th ahead of the band’s highly anticipated headline show at Night & Day in Manchester on Saturday 2nd February.
‘No Country’ is a searing, jaunty swivel of the exhilarating alternative rock Circus Wolves do so well. The five piece whack out the intense high voltage rock from the get go with blistering guitars crashing off dynamic drum whacks while a rooted bass groove rumbles and wiggles creating a sublime fluctuant foundation for this track to soar and ricochet off. With animated jagged rhythms thumping through scorching guitar fondles and smashing solo’s, Circus Wolves have blasted into 2019 taking no prisoners. Dripping in swagger and a gritty rush of adrenaline- this high powered track is locked and loaded for the sweaty live shows. With its catchy laid back melody in tow and powerful vocals adding that final atomic punch- it’s the perfect sweet and sour blend to tantalize your power rock taste buds.
Following his self-titled debut album released in October, Ian Mitchell (aka Master of None) has now released a five track EP, entitled ‘Great White Shark’ on All Will Be Well Records.Written, performed and produced by Ian alone, this is him developing as a solo artist to help feed Little Red’s third studio album due out in 2020.
‘Great White Shark’ is another unique highly intense EP. Brimming with sharp textures, ominous soundscapes deep vocals and menacing themes while subtle soft tones swirl and twinkle throughout creating a sublime rich contrast. Mitchell fleshes out his dark synth pop with gritty guitars ruggedly chopping through snappy beats and deep eerie vocals.‘Tsunami’ takes this backdrop and blends it with skittish electronics and dizzy swirling soundscapes and ‘This Animal’ takes this format and raises it to an acid soaked frenzied level with melancholic lonely tones mangled throughout. ‘Head Down’ strips back the frenzy with a steady beat adding an almost tribal thud to the start before Mitchell slowly builds the tension with flashing electronics and raw synths. There is a catchy pop element blended through the melody but overall the track spreads out the darkly hued haunting sound of Master of None. The tracks tell tales of murder, guilt, loss and raw visceral hatred- ‘Wolf and Ram’ depicts this perfectly with murky fuzzed guitars lacerating through ominous soundscapes and chilling synths. Only the closing track ‘Open Loop’ provides some respite from the sinister mayhem. The track glistens like a breath of fresh air with wispy electronics twinkling through a sticky beat and gentle keys. It’s a delicate little gem to lull out the EP and relax you from the mind melting dazzling mania of its predecessors.
Leicester indie singer/songwriter Chris D. Bramley has released his new single ‘One Of The Boys’ from his upcoming EP. Over the summer Bramley went on a mini EU tour playing a mixture of venues and intimate house shows in the Netherlands and Germany alongside German singer-songwriter Alina Lynn. Shortly after in September he embarked on a successful UK tour playing to new people in new places. Bramley has recently finished recording his debut EP which is set for release mid 2019 and his new single ‘One Of The Boys’ has already achieved radio play on BBC.
‘One Of The Boys’ jangles with indie laden guitars sparkling through the youthful zesty burst that is Chris D. Bramley’s sound. The vibrant guitar melts over the infectious melody while Bramley spatters out the snide lyrics over punchy drums and peppy buoyant rhythms.It’s a summer drenched catchy tune that has an air of early Arctic Monkeys wafting about its exterior as Bramley fleshes out his playful attitude-filled indie with effortless charm and charisma.With some really sublime, slinky guitar lines glistening throughout its an enjoyable ditty.
London three piece pop-punk band Cuecliché are set to to release their second EP ‘Look at the Pictures’ on January 24th. Cuecliché take their name from their ideology: to unashamedly follow the sounds of their inspirations and embrace the cliché that is all things pop-punk. Yet while their 2017 debut EP ‘One Last Chance’ clearly paid homage to the pop-punk powerhouses of yesteryear, Cuecliché well and truly discovered a sound of their own, receiving widespread critical praise and over 20k streams on Spotify alone. In their two years since forming, Cuecliché have brought their infectiously energetic live show to audiences all over the UK, with regular dates across London and three UK mini-tours already under their belts.
‘Look at the Pictures’ is a meaty EP of overwrought passion and energetic confidence with an undertone of vulnerability. This trio whack out high intensity punk rock tunes laced in shredding jagged riffs, punchy drums and gritty bass grooves. ‘Save Me’ and ‘Take It Away’ blast these muscular overtones through catchy tender melodies and warm vocals as the trio fill each anthem with passion and gusto. The rush of emotion and adrenaline builds as the EP progresses through to the snappy ‘Puzzle Piece’ and mosh ready ‘It’s Over’.Featuring slick guitar solos crashing against a heavy wall of sound- Cuecliché throw themselves fully into every track. These spirited, boisterous anthems are full of rich textures. ‘Prince Of Nowhere’ is a twinkling tender ballad-ish track that showcases the delicate side to this riotous band. Filled with melancholy the band flesh out the sweet sway-able tones with zealous guitar shards and a clamoring rhythmic wall of sound. Dramatically passionate and filled with regret and anguish its a climactic end to this nostalgic soaked anthemic pop punk EP.
To promote the release, Cuecliché are taking to the road with their good friends Saving Sebastian! Playing Leicester, Liverpool, Milton Keynes and London from January 31st. For more you can follow the band on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/cueclicheband/
RAFFER has released the first single from his upcoming self-titled EP ‘The Media’. This self-produced piece lyrically explores the falsehood today’s media sell to the general public. RAFFER – aka. Callum Rafferty is the DIY indie-pop artist/producer from Kent who has spent the past year supporting some household indie names including King No-One, The Academic and Airways.
‘The Media’ is a fizzy mix of sun-blasted synths,zingy guitars and delicious pop smacked melodies. Brimming with infectious guitar hooks this vibrant delight, toe taps its way through buoyant bass lines, rich rhythms and sparkling electronics. Snappy and sprightly it frolics its way around you brain seeping that honey drizzled melody into your easy until you are dancing and singing along. Not only is this track saturated in sun soaked vibes RAFFER blasts a scorching guitar solo in for good measure to firmly press that sun tan glow into your skin.
You can catch RAFFER live at
25th Jan – Guildford Electric Theatre 9th Mar – Edinburgh Sneaky Pete’s 10th Mar – Glasgow Broadcast 30th Mar – Sheffield Café Totem 31st Mar – Nottingham TBC + Many more dates to be announced.
Electric Shore are set to release their new single ‘Darkness Of You’ on the 4th of February.Electric Shore are a three piece indie rock band from Ratoath Co.Meath. 2018 was an important year for Electric Shore, the group released their debut single ‘Too Different’ which was followed by the even more successful ‘Someone New’. The band also participated in and won RTÉ 2Fm’s Play The Picnic Competition, which landed them a brilliant slot at the Iconic Irish Festival.
‘Darkness Of You’ is a concentrated fermenting guzzle of what Electric Shore do best. This brooding intense number wiggles and interfolds its acute musical ambiance slowly and dramatically to create the most thrilling and hair raising listening experience. A dark smothered foundation, rooted bass groove and punchy beat sets up a haunting eerie backdrop for the verses while light twinkling guitars innocently and sweetly flicker between this moody soundscape. The passionate vocals coo and delicately haunt through the verses before exploding for the anthemic chorus. The refined and precise instrumental work creates an intimate mood that puts further emphasis on the sublime expressive vocals.Emotionally charged and lavishly textured the track weaves and entwines its way into your brain lurking beneath the darkness ready to erupt. There is something very special about this track, its aura and celestial flow contrasts the rumbling under-belly superbly while the oodles of passion and rush of urgency makes every note last within your mind.
Catfish and The Bottlemen have released their new single, ‘Longshot’, on Island Records. The new music arrives on the cusp of a string of sold out UK arena dates in February and the announcement of the band’s transatlantic return with a new US tour. The dramatic, one-take birds-eye video, filmed by long-term collaborator, Jim Canty (Hourglass and Twice), on a South Shields cliff top, completes their emphatic return.
‘Longshot’ rolls out Catfish and The Bottlemen’s catchy arena ready sound with an easy going suaveness that can only come from this four piece. It’s an infectious little shuffle swooped up in a smooth melody while a funk flavoured bassline seasons the background with a dash of spice. Zesty guitars wail, whine and jangle sweet threads of vibrancy throughout the track while the rich rhythmic bounce and punchy drums create that all important meaty foundation. McCann’s vocals glide effortlessly over the melty melody which is perfectly crafted for the mass sing-along at live shows. Another Catfish stomped anthem to indulge in.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Ringards
London indie rock quartet The Ringards have released their new single ‘Steppenwolf’. This slinky chilling number creeps in from the first drum thud as The Ringards tease and entice you into the creepy depths of their sound. Its haunting soundscapes swirl around an intoxicating guitar refrain while ominous drum rumbles and meticulously placed rhythmic taps lure you down a menacing rabbit hole of chilling doom. With deep mysterious vocals echoing through the wailing guitars this track builds in intensity as it progresses to its perilous crescendo with subtle howling, sultry guitars and haunting backing vocals. The guitars evaporate off this bewitching number with a steamy vaporous sting while the dark mysterious vocals whisper, tempt and hush you to secrecy. This is one wholly tantalizing, sticky and ominous number- perfectly crafted to leave you hooked and craving to hear it again.
Baltimore songwriting duo Chaunter have released their new track ‘Boo Cat’. Comprised of Jenghis Pettit and Brooks Kossover Chaunter are set to release their first full length album, “Dream Dynamics” featuring an aspirational league of Baltimore heavyweights, from Dan Deacon to Sam Herring of Future Islands to Lower Dens’ Jana Hunter, Matmos, and more.
‘Boo Cat’ is a charming catchy number whisked up in dreamy synths, sizzling guitars and luscious tranquilizing soundscapes. A soft sugar coated melody soothes and slides through light guitar twinkles and floating atmospheres.The track drifts calmly and sweetly through before a catchy sing along chorus bops in, lifting the song from hazy and dreamy to sprightly and infectious. Gentle vocals caress the soft melody delicately before a magnificent group harmony introduces the rich full chorus. There’s a flute feature mangled beautifully between reverb laced guitar and ethereal synths adding an earthy texture to this unique soothing and infectious track. A little quirky and charming this track is well crafted and rushes with a refreshing retro sound that is simply divine.
Watch the video for ‘Boo Cat’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
