Category Archives: New Music

Alt- Pop, Hypnotic, New Music

Voice of Aiko ‘Prescription Dream’

In collaboration with Voice of Aiko, Arts Council England, and charities REST, MIND & APRIL, Enya Belak Gupta unveils a powerful new film to help tackle the global prescription drug crisis. ‘Prescription Dream’ is a slick and stylish documentary that illustrates with chilling insight the terrible impact prescription drugs can have. The tense, unnerving tone employed throughout represents the helplessness and confusion of dependency sufferers. The film was released with the aim of generating cultural discourse around this pressing issue.Voice of Aiko is a creative collective of musicians, filmmakers and artists joining forces to campaign for real societal change. Aiko’s first project Prescription Dream sees founder Calista Kazuko collaborate with fellow musicians Samim, Miguel Toro and Jack Brown and filmmaker Enya Belak Gupta to spotlight an ongoing global prescription drug epidemic. 

‘Prescription Dream’ is a luring seductive number saturated in dark tones and eerie instrumentation. With sultry cooing vocals melting upon the sweet buoyant melody, this track charms its way into your mind effortlessly. The weaving mysterious instrumentation unfolds upon the rich bouncy rhythm as this track entices and sedates you with its chic suaveness, glossy exterior, and jazzy elements. Muted brass features and shimmy ready flirtations create an infectious number that superbly expresses its theme. It’s crisp production and enchanting qualities mixed with a 60’s- esque mystery movie vibe make for one mesmerising listen.

Watch the video for ‘Prescription Dream’ below

 


90's Grunge, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, Indie Psychedelic, New Music, Psych-Pop, psychedelic

Violet ‘Heaven Adores You’

Midlands five piece Violet have released their new single ‘Heaven Adores You’ out on ‘HolyHowl’ Records, following on from their debut singles ‘Feel’ and ‘Jaded’ which was rotated on Steve Lamacq’s 6music show.This new psych hued number floats in with marshmallow softness filled with sugary sweet pop melodies over graceful elegant instrumentation. Lush smooth vocals bounce along the creamy melody while delicate guitars twinkle throughout this ethereal gem. The track builds becoming more heavy and mind crushing as the guitars waver into a stinging weave of distortion over punchy drums and a grunge tinged soundscape that renders this tranquilizing number a little harsh. Driving on a powerful bass line with glorious sun kissed guitar entwining blissfully and playfully around the sedating melody- this track lifts you into an aerial state of euphoria before spiraling into a climatic whirl of psychedelic pop. Blending the soft pop tones and heavier 90’s  grunge seamlessly this band have produced one heck of a track to calm and expand your mind.

About the track Luke Brickett Haycock said “This song is one we all hold a little closer to our hearts and we spent so long drifting in and out of the studio to make it sound perfectly like it did in our heads. The song is a kind of retrospective view of an entity that you admire that isn’t on this big floating ball we call earth anymore, how they perceived themselves whilst affecting the world around them, and for us that was a message to Elliott Smith.”

Stream ‘Heaven Adores You’ below


Alt Rock, EP Review, Indie, New Music

Seprona self titled EP

Liverpool based five piece Seprona have recently released their self-titled debut EP. Delivering a distinctively northern style, Seprona have seen support from the likes of BBC Radio 2 with previous singles. After gaining a solid fanbase and performing across the UK, the demand for an EP was clear. Recorded in Parr Street Studios (Blossoms, Coldplay, Justin Bieber, Rihanna), each track displays the versatility of the four piece.

Their self titled EP presents five drum driven diverse tracks that bounce along a compelling backdrop with gripping melodies beautifully folding and enveloping sublime guitar moments. ‘Mystery Moves Me’ kicks the EP off with its moody strikingly riveting atmosphere as a delicate melody floats around eerie guitar refrains and an explosive rhythmic foundation.Filled with ominous mystery, this track displays the rich splendor of Seprona’s musicianship. ‘Who Won The War’ and ‘In The Heat Of The Moment’ continue the sinister vibe with stinging guitars wandering between the stomping drums and chilling vibes. The tracks are composed with refined grandeur that makes every song creep and crawl yet pack in an immense hefty instrumental backing. They keep the tunes catchy with a subtle anthemic persona. ‘Fragile’ takes the roll of the more tender emotional ballad as they strip things down to a soft beat, twinkling guitars and a delicate vocal delivery before building to its mighty passionate crescendo. The bands knack with melody is top notch and the velvety dynamic vocals pack in oodles of emotion that cut deep. I love the guitar elements in these tracks they are crisp and immaculately laid out with warm honey tones that make them so sweet on the ears. ‘You Know You’re Wrong’ closes the EP with an adrenaline rush of instrumentation. Sharp guitars crash against the snappy drum whacks and groovy danceable foundations while the eerie melody lingers around this vigorous soundscape. The guitars stride through a dark yet infectious melody before the track builds onto a hopping mosh ready crescendo. It’s a thrilling well crafted end to what is a wholly consuming EP.

Seprona’s self titled EP creeps, crawls and glides with energetic indie and musicianship to make you dance, mosh and sway. Filled with detailed lyricism, gripping instrumentation and mystery this EP takes you on a journey with each sublime track.

Throughout the coming months, the band will also be embarking on an extensive UK tour. You can catch them live here

20th – Red Rum – Stafford

21st – The Salty Dog – Northwich

27th – Undegun – Wrexham

NOVEMBER

2nd – The Grand Vault – Wigan

5th – Night People – Manchester

10th – The Lounge – Warrington

16th – The Newbridge Inn – Newbridge

29th – Nice n Sleazy – Glasgow

Stream Seprona below

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Jack Perrett

Newport newcomer Jack Perrett has released his new single ‘Like A Fever’. Ahead of its release the track had already been played by Janice Long on BBC Radio Wales and Charlie Ashcroft on Amazing Radio.Set in the his hometown Newport, Jack Perrett’s previous single was a parody based on Blur’s Parklife. ‘Portlife’ went viral, reaching more than 100,000 views.Since then Jack has been busy recording his latest bombastic indie anthem at Rat Trap Studios in Cardiff with producer Steffan Pringle.

‘Like A Fever’ is a scalding invigorating indie anthem that steam rolls straight in, taking no prisoners as it obliterates your mind with blistering guitar, punchy drums and fiery adrenaline. It’s an energetic number that relentlessly slices through at a brisk exhilarating pace while a catchy pop sprinkled melody takes its infectious hold, rendering you powerless to its fiery seduction. The snappy rhythm creates a buoyant foundation for the shrilling guitar riffs and intoxicating soundscape to spring and ricochet off. This is a well crafted intense song that is sure to have a live audience going crazy. With swagger soaked vocals, stomping attitude and panache sprinkled all over the catchy lyrics while the instrumental assault batters your skull with feverous mania this track makes Jack Perrett one to keep an eye on.

About the track Perrett explains “The song started off with a guitar riff that I had. Then I had a couple of verses with lyrics based around chord progression. Lyrically, the song is about the people who go out in their own city centers every Saturday night and get into trouble after not handling their drink. It is sort of me saying ‘Why waste your money every weekend on drinking in the same nightclub surrounded by the same people who you don’t even like?’ After a few practices in the studio I started playing it live with the band and people watching us were loving it so it had to be the next single.”    

You can catch Jack Perrett live at:

20th October – Pen And Wig, Cardiff

4th November – Tiny Rebel, Newport

9th November – 10 Feet Tall, Cardiff

15th November – The Assembly, Leamington Spa (From The Jam Support)

16th November – Clwb Ifor Bach

17th November – Pen And Wig, Cardiff

18th January – Cheltenham Town Hall (From The Jam Support)

19th January – Cheese and Grain, Frome (From The Jam Support)

23rd March – Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry (From The Jam Support)  

Stream ‘Like A Fever’ below


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

Jamie Adam ‘Last Ones Down’

Meath Electronic Artist Jamie Adam has released his new single ‘Last Ones Down’ taken off his debut album ‘Melodic Electronic’, scheduled for release in early 2019.This release follows Adam’s two previous single releases, ‘The Power’ in February 2018 and ‘Cool Blood’ in July 2018, the latter of which was picked up by 8radio, 98fm, 2fm and  Wandsworth Radio London on it’s release. The new single chronicles the nights out Adam experienced while still in College. Written in 2016,the song is a recount of his ability to stay up all night, the magic of the afterparty and those moments where he found himself alone when the fun had surpassed him in the early hours of the morning.

‘Last Ones Down’ is an exhilarating electronic number that twists and turns, merging ethereal synths with sticky beats and rooted bass lines. The swirling synths playfully wisp about the track creating a breath-taking flourishing soundscape between the sweetly delicate melody as smooth vocals coo over a glistening guitar feature and slapping beats. The protruding bass sets a groove laced foundation for the invigorating atmosphere to rebound and excel off. The track builds becoming more dynamic and gripping as it swirls into its crescendo, perfectly creating the heightened emotions a night out produces. The twinkling keys sprinkle special little moments of magic throughout the track as its blossoms into a danceable refreshing slice of electronic indie bliss.

Jamie Adam will be supporting the release of his latest single with a headline show upstairs at Whelans on tonight, Thursday 18th of October. The show is entitled ‘NOCTURNAL NIGHTS VOL II: ‘Last Ones Down Single Launch’ with support from Sonif.

Stream ‘Last Ones Down’ below

 


EP Review, New Music

Ghostking is Dead ‘This Is Doubt’ EP

After releasing his debut – the Sweet Boy EP – and three standalone singles in 2018, as well as a packed touring schedule including the inaugural It Takes A Village festival, Matthew Corrigan’s solo project Ghostking is Dead returns with a new EP, ‘This Is Doubt’, on Hausu. Following the trajectory of his musical evolution, ‘This Is Doubt’ sees Corrigan experimenting with new forms within his songs.This EP draws from the difficulties of the year’s work so far, the physical and emotional price of the work, and the pressure of creating newer, groundbreaking work despite having a huge number of songs written by age 20.

‘This Is Doubt’ is a weaving entanglement of mind melting bliss filled with mysterious wobbling structures and electronic sounds blended between warm synths, infectious melodies and hip hop flavours. A new rendition of an earlier Bandcamp single ‘Tokyo’ which is a song about re-creating and changing identities creates the smooth cruising tone of the EP. A gentle slapping beat gloops between subtle electronics creating that immersing dark atmosphere that beautifully surrounds Corrigan’s deep vocals. The glorious melodies are presented in a lavish lounge bar manner with the ethereal electronics building in the background swirling and caressing your ears in rich textures and weaving soundscapes. There is a jazz element sprinkled along the tracks with ‘Hollow’ showcasing this most fluidly. With a hip hop feature and spoken lyrics this track brings  confidence and attitude into the spacey EP. There is rich depth and moody vibes smeared throughout however, Corrigan balances this perfectly with a touch of soul, slick smoothness and steamy grooves. ‘Burn Out’ glides and sweetly twinkles along cooing vocals and buoyant guitars. The atmosphere floats and wisps about the dreamy background and catchy melody. This melody at times swaggers with a Justin Timberlake suaveness yet maintains and drives through on the Ghostking is Dead stamp. The immense sulky brooding sultriness continues with ‘Its Over’. With vocal whines of depression and glumness between a fabulous enchanting guitar injection and glistening synths – Corrigan pines and almost howls over the steamy guitar and steady rhythms to create the perfect sobbing material. ‘How Did I Get Here?’ brings us to an emotional and fiery end to the EP. Organ chords give an erratic spookie sense of misery as the anguish filled vocals exclaim over a groove infested backdrop that verges on a slow form of reggae- like beats and striking keys which venture into a sort of ethnic style.

‘This Is Doubt’ is a unique collection of enthralling and enchanting tracks filled with rich rhythms, deep meanings and expressive vocals. There is something quite mesmerising about each track – it almost places you in a trance – entirely of Ghostking is Dead’s creation.

Stream ‘This Is Doubt’ below

 


Album Review, Indie, New Music

The Screens ‘Wakes,Weddings & Bar Mitzvahs’ Album

The Screens have released their debut album ‘Wakes,Weddings & Bar Mitzvahs’. The Screens are a duo made up of Colin Wade (lead vocals) and Neil Watson (things that make noises). Their debut album was born out of sheer frustration of what writers have to do to make money out of music. With an unashamed nod to the sixties, The Screens know exactly what they’re doing as they seduce you with unforgettable melodies whilst selling you the darkest of lyrical scenarios. The Screens have an amazing history of credits and collaborations from film and TV music as well as working with artists that includes Sir Tom Jones, Paul Weller, The Cult, Hue and Cry, Mari Wilson, Tony Hadley, Will Smith through to Kill Bill, The Simpsons, The Sopranos, Lost, Smallville, 24, Mr & Mrs Smith to name a few.

‘Wakes,Weddings & Bar Mitzvahs’ is a spectacularly cinematic album brimming with infectious melodies and gripping musicianship. Each track perfectly sets its scenes through lyrical imagery while the well placed instrumentation paints a vivid backdrop. The melodic flow of the album goes from luscious to sublime as each track progresses. From the honey drizzled ‘Tell Julie To Stay’ with its rushing urgency on piano, the sweetly dramatic drama in ‘Narrow Stairs’ to the buoyant peppy ‘Paradise Road’ The Screens showcase their glorious melody writing with juicy breathtaking instrumental backing. Steady beats mix and weave between jangly guitars and sing along choruses with lush backing vocals and vibrant keys to make each and every note glorious. ‘Avalanche’ brings a lavish swoony element to the albums theatrical collection of tracks. With elegant strings bringing a romantic atmosphere to this sway like gem. The Screens present their tracks in a dynamic and incredibly lavish manner and this song in particular is the pillar of their rich elegant sound and perfectly contrasting lyrical depiction of the bloody heartache and turmoil of love. The vivid vocals caress each song with a velvety smoothness that convey the tracks themes perfectly while soothing and cooing over the sweet melodies. The delicate ’Dangerous Game’, with its sorrowful lone ranger guitar and lush backing vocals has an exotic mournful tone while the danceable ‘Mirrorball’ shimmies and shakes displaying the fun more jazzy side to The Screens. ‘Signore Mazzanto’ is just so thrilling. This track makes you want to dance while filling you with that chilling sense of danger and mystery. It’s almost like you shouldn’t listen and enjoy this vibrant gem for fear of the sinister story but you just can’t help it. I do love this track… that steamy guitar and rich rhythm bubbling under the infectious melody it’s difficult not to wiggle and sing along. ‘Jennifer Jones’ another delightfully mysterious and danger filled track floods with  romanticised flamboyance as strings swoop about a strong piano progression and zingy guitar strides. These tracks are bitter sweet with tragic tales of love surrounded by elegant honey drizzled 60’s musicianship to sweep you into a flurry of euphoria. ‘Tell Julie To Stay reprise’ brings a powerful and soulful end to the album. With a rock n’ roll swaggering melody over dynamic vocals and catchy lyrics lasting for only 1 minute and 18 seconds – it’s a vibrant and abrupt end to what is a breathtaking album.

The Screens whisk you up in a dramatic flurry of splendor with their debut album  ‘Wakes,Weddings & Bar Mitzvahs’ with rich soft textures, delicious ear-worm melodies, darkly hued undertones, buoyant rhythms  and infectious refrains it’s one heck of an emotional ride.

Stream ‘Signore Mazzanto’  below


Album Review, Electronic, New Music

Master of None Album

Little Red songwriter Ian Mitchell has released his debut solo album under the nom de guerre Master of None. The eponymous 10 track album takes influence from artists such as Ween, PJ Harvey, Tom Waits and Nick  Cave. Although some of these artists also inspire Ian’s Little Red work, these influences are displayed  more fiercely on Master of None. However this album doesn’t adhere to one genre, the common thread is the songs’ lyrical  darkness, dealing explicitly with alcoholism, substance abuse, sex, debt, death and mental illness.

From the electronic slapping opening track ‘S.R.I.’ Mitchell takes us on a unique journey into his world which is quite the step away from Little Red’s style. ‘Let’s get fucked up’ and ‘Hunter’s Quarry’  twinkle through with delicate acoustic guitar, or piano for ‘Hunter’s Quarry’ and eerie vocals. His stripped back approach is chilling and quite ominous with some tender tones swirled throughout. It’s an experimental album with a lot of vocal personalities weaving between each track as Mitchell ventures down the Lo-fi avenue with his production. ‘Fluffy Bunnies and Unicorns’ makes good use of sticky electronics and pulsing beats concocting dark atmospheres between the obscure lyrics and spoken vocals. This electronic flow builds and progresses with each track on the album sometimes appearing tribal like in ‘Big Boots’ which also feature a traditional string element giving a Celtic jingle of warmth to the track .’Francis Bacon’s Bae’ and ‘Master of Nones’ are perhaps the most melodic tracks on the album with a waltz like string in the former and an elegant piano feature between trip hop beats and sorrowful vocals featuring in both tracks. The album takes a menacing turn with ‘Prick’. This heavy track is head-bang ready and a bit of a rush. With distorted guitars crashing and slicing through flashing electronics as repetitive lyrics attempt to hypnotize you through spoken vocals. There is a Marilyn Manson feel about ‘Husk’ while ‘The Gallows’ closes the album on a contrasting melancholic, bittersweet tone of delicacy.

It’s an obscure album which blends the eclectic, erratic and often sinister side of Mitchell’s musicianship. From elegant to mind crushing, each track takes you on a unique journey into the dark. With most of the tracks coming in at around the 2 minute mark they are brief haunting encounters filled with mystery, sinister themes and boozy ballads. Fantastic.

Stream ‘Francis Bacon’s Bae’ below 

https://soundcloud.com/user-483877268/francis-bacons-bae


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

The Burma ‘Quicksand’

Cork indie rock n’roll band, The Burma have released their new single ‘Quicksand’. The Burma released their debut EP ‘Her Eyes On Horizons’ in June 2017 and embarked on a successful Irish tour, headlining venues such as Whelans, Roisin Dubh and Coughlans. They have supported the likes of The Academic, The Strypes, Delorentos, The Blizzards and Ryan Sheridan in the past and have a run of Irish dates coming up in November to support the single.

‘Quicksand’ showcases The Burma’s invigorating indie sound in all its illustrious glory. Swirling with ethereal soundscapes of jangly guitars glistening and soaring over a punchy drum and buoyant bass foundation this track is a refreshing melodic offering from the band. The biting guitars weave zesty stings between the aerial backdrop providing a zealous sharpness and bitterness superbly contrasting  the smooth vocals and laid back melody which rest comfortably in your ears. The track progresses steadily into an exhilarating breezy crescendo as The Burma layer their crisp gripping sound meticulously creating a satisfying and fresh number. These guys are ones to keep an eye on.

You can catch The Burma live at:

Kennys, Lahinch – November 24
Crane Lane, Cork – November 27
The New Bar UCC, Cork – November 29
The Underground, Dublin – December 16


Watch the video for  ‘Quicksand’ below


Album Review, Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Glam Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Dance, Indie Disco, Indie Pop, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, Pop Punk, Pop Rock, Psych-Pop, psychedelic, Rock, Rock and Roll

BRONCHO ‘Bad Behavior’ Album

BRONCHO have released their new album ‘Bad Behavior’ an infectious swirl of luscious, teasing and exhilaration tracks to keep you drooling for more. It’s a tasty collection of tracks filled with psychedelic indie pop, laid back tones and insanely catchy grooves to ensure a satisfying listen. ‘All Choked Up’ sets the EP in motion with its churning rhythm creating a danceable foundation for the buoyant guitars and smoky melody. The stop start beat establishes an atmosphere of suspense which is only subdued by the shredding slick guitar solo. This track is so sleek and glossy with dark undertones twirling beneath the hypnotic rhythm. The tracks on the album flow into each other with a smooth fluidity,‘Weekend’ continues the heavenly subtly psychedelic trip with ethereal guitars twinkling between a steady backdrop. Ryan Lindsey’s sweet falsetto vocals provide each song with a heavenly quality. The instrumentation is tight throughout- crafted to perfection with glorious guitar twinkles daintly accompanying Lindsey’s vocals and honeyed melody while the strong beat and elastic bass grooves between. ‘Boys Got To Go’ displays this perfectly, the melodic flow guarantees a soothing listening experience as soft guitars glisten playfully throughout before whining elegantly every so often. BRONCHO provide the most glorious comforting blanket with ‘Keep It In Line’. This track enfolds your ears in a candied soothing melody, beautifully weaved instrumentation and sedating vocals. It’s bouncy, bright but incredibly tranquilizing. These guys delicately unwrap their sound revealing lush textures with each track. Together they gel immaculately- each instrument has its part and yet the tunes they produce feel airy and freeing. The album continues to blossom with ‘Sandman’, bringing a slightly ominous tone into this dreamy mix. The guitar and bass in this track is riveting. The song bubbles and boils around the playful guitar as Lindsey creates a haunting atmosphere. It’s a little more gritty with a creepy almost sleazy vibe but an absolutely thrilling listen.’Undercover’ follows the darker tone of its predecessor lightening it with buoyant grooves stomping between a sliding swagger soaked melody and strutting guitars. This is one well crafted track.The subtle guitar changes from twinkling and gliding to prancing as they flood the track with panache and an infectious funk flavoured danceable quality. ‘Family Values’ is another infectious gem that is sure to put a smile on your face. If you can prise your ears away from the bouncy weaving instrumentation and focus on the lyrics BRONCHO showcase their humorous cheeky side,“I got a thing for your mother / I got a thing to teach your father”. One thing I have come to love about the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based band is their sublime ability to create dreamy woozy tunes like ‘Big City Boys’. Though the track is hazy and dreamy the instrumental backing is strong, pushing forward with a relentless goal of fun loving with a slick proficient style that is one to be admired. The summertime cruising ‘Get In My Car’ follows. The album version sounds a little tweaked and more crisp to the single version released last year. This summer time gem bops and wiggles over a smooth melody and gleaming guitars. Glissading over to a glam rock flavour, BRONCHO provide us with a tantalizing variety of genres to taste throughout this album. They close the album in the best possible way, leaving us hungry for more. The swagger steeped foot stomping danceable and infectious ‘Easy Way Out’ accomplishes this task without fail. It’s slick, pristine, panache driven indie rock drizzled in rock n’ roll flamboyance with nimble steamy guitar licks and a catchy melodic flow to keep us wanting to dance all night long.

BRONCHO is that band that are cool, fun and make you want to scream and tell everyone about. Their sound is appealing to everyone from the lazy daydreamer to the adrenaline punk-rocker and indie-head in between. The provocative lyrics, incredible musicianship and all out swaggering groovy persona within each track is what makes BRONCHO one heck of a band. The sound is distinctive, Lindsey’s vocals are distinctive and their tunes undeniably infectious. It’s music to make you feel, music to make you dance and bop or tap your foot and do air drums to while you relax on a lazy summer’s day, but either way you feel every delightful note.

Stream ‘Bad Behavior’ below