Category Archives: New Music

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

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Novatines

Five piece alternative rock outfit Novatines have released their debut single ‘Medicine’. Released through Dirty 38 Records, ahead of a UK tour in November, ‘Medicine’ which was recorded live and produced by the band encapsulates the band’s’ spirit, verve and intensity in its every fine detail. This debut is a statement piece as bold and honest as any. Manifested in the city of Bath, the group are heavily steeped in the pure essence of rock & roll, following the footsteps of giants and knowingly steering off the beaten track, reforming the sound in their own image.

‘Medicine’ is a red hot blast of rock & roll. Shredding guitars crash and blast against pummeling drums while sneering vocals bellow. It’s anthemic with fiery energy and fist pump middle finger aggression consumed in a mini explosion. Sing along ready and ridiculously catchy it’s a foot stomping fury fueled torpedo. Gritty attitude driven and exuding sweat and leather swagger, this track is on fire. It is mosh ready with a fantastic running bassline, it pumps adrenaline into your veins causing an impulsive desire to scream out the lyrics. I can imagine this track is epic live.

Stream ‘Medicine’ below

https://soundcloud.com/user-967907225/medicine-2


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

Plastic Barricades ‘Mechanics of Life’ Album

Based in North-West London, indie three piece Plastic Barricades have released their new album ‘Mechanics of Life’. Comprised of members Dan Kert on guitar, keyboards and vocals, Daniele Borgato on bass and Frazer Webster on drums the band have been nominated for “Oxjam Band of the Year ” and “MTV Brand New”, voted #1 out of 222 bands participating in Hard Rock Cafe London Global Battle of the Bands competition, won Camden Rocks Battle of the Bands, got nominated for “Brand New Artist”, landed 2nd place in Sziget Festival band competition and won Enfield Battle of the Bands and Songwall’s “Songs in the Sky”. Two songs from “Tree of Ideas” EP were also featured in Channel4 “Hollyoaks” TV show.

‘Mechanics of Life’ is a fine display of the chilled indie soaked sound Plastic Barricades do so well. The previously featured on Indie Buddie ‘How Goldfish Grow’ kicks off the album drenched in bright peppy vibes and crunching guitars. It’s bright bubbly indie with melancholic dark undertones adding depth to the track. They keep their sound radiant and glowy while slapping a nice bit of passion and meaning on top. ‘Singularity 2045’ and ‘Our Favourite Delusions’ display slick nimble solos, sharp piercing licks and blazing guitar moments that are divine. The tracks are punchy and meaty with melty glorious melodies and laid back beautiful vibes. They pack so much into their sound adding multi textures and intricate layers. The little peppy sparkling gem ‘Be the Change’ is golden sweet honey to the ears. Smooth tender vocals coo while a sun kissed instrumental backing, lights the track to heavenly heights. It’s passionate and delicate with zests of guitar refreshing the velvety melancholic track. ‘Around the Sun’ gives a groovy element to the album. Catchy vibrant melody illuminates the track with positivity. Each track that follows is easy going mellow and perky. They create music for hazy days in the sun. Though some have a gloomy undertone the tunes are soothing, sweet and melodic. For me the stinging jingles on guitar really stand out and add a squirt of beaming energy and glorious bedazzlement to each track. The luxurious melodies in ‘Half of your Soul’ interweave blending longing and inspiriting tones creating a heavenly blissful sound. ‘Masterminds’ brings us to the end of the album. It does feel like a farewell track, soaked in melancholic tones with a delicate stab beat. With elegant little guitar jingles and a sway-like tempo, it’s a delightful end to the album.

Plastic Barricades ‘Mechanics of Life’ is a laid back glorious album to wrap your ears around, soothe your soul and relax your mind. Its sun kissed and sweetly melodic with bright bubbly indie pop melodies coated in spongy rapid rhythms and flashes of sharp glistening guitar. They add their own glimpses of pizzazz in there too keeping it fresh and edgy but all round it’s a sublime wholesome listen.

Stream ‘Mechanics of Life’ below

https://soundcloud.com/plasticbarricades/sets/mechanics-of-life-lp-pre/s-8wbUn


Album Review, Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Singer/Songwriter

Kev Howell ‘Haunting Ambition’ Album

Glasgow based singer-songwriter Kev Howell has recently released his debut album, ‘Haunting Ambition’. After beginning writing original material back in 2014 with an old 8-track machine, some Cubase software, and a lot of ambition and talent, Howell has come a long way. Over the past 3 years, he has grown a solid and dedicated fanbase and gained support slots for the likes of Ben Ottewell and Bill Ryder-Jones. Inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, ‘Haunting Ambition’ boasts nine alternative rock tracks, driven by melodic guitar chords and a haunting and distinctive vocal line.

‘Haunting Ambition’ is a swirling dark concoction of alternative soft rock churning and coiling in a sixties psychedelic dissolving fermentation. Smooth and crooney ‘Distance’ sets the mood of the album. The underlying groovy hints present itself through the bouncy rhythm while spooky spine chilling soundscapes wisp around haunting vocals. The smooth melody is delicate,soft and almost fragile while sharp guitars sting with a stabbing shrill creating a goosebump inducing thrilling listen. The shadowy narcotically hazy ‘Kamikaze’ follows. Vaporous and smouldering this sultry track exudes eerie tantalising mystery wrapped in a psychedelic rock mirage. There is definitely a Beatles-eque vibe in the song maybe it’s something about Howell’s soothing McCartney-like smooth vocals or the melty melody smothered in dark creeping sixties psychedelia. Each track flows fluidly into the next bringing you further into Howell’s cloudy dream state. ‘Ode to an Angel’ lightens the mood and tone of the album. Gentle, sweet and delicate with soft accompaniment it’s heavenly and calm. Warm guitar twangs twinkle in and out of the lush emotional vocal melody while glistening soundscapes add a heartfelt sprinkle of affection. It’s an elegant mood shifter. Each track is well layered yet arranged meticulously in such a way so each note, each pluck and strum makes its own impact and striking imprint on your soul. With this album when it’s swoony and dreamy it’s divine but Howell knows exactly when to break that up and add a wobbly mirage of sharp guitar stings. Each song tells an absorbing story which pulls you right into the depths of the track creating a wholly engulfing experience. ‘Nightbird’ brings a shimmy dance quality with an impressive array of instrumentation from banjo twangs to electric and acoustic guitar intertwined with electronic soundscapes. It’s infectiously boppy and very catchy. ‘Grave Lament’ is just simply beautiful and mesmerising. Howell gives you just under a minute and a half of this blissfully sweet relaxing track. Warm guitar takes you to a dreamy island paradise while a gentle snapping beat soothes your mind. It’s mind melting soul fulfilling and oh so good. With velvety vocals caressing a creamy melody it’s like he takes away all your worries and for a brief moment you are in Utopia. ‘Snipers Blues’ closes the album off with a gritty punch of blues rock. Dirty riffs drive the track while kinetic drums bounce and pound with ferocious energy. It’s effortlessly cool, swagger driven and ballsy while also holding an air of breezy laid back attitude. Sultry and eerie with sharp guitar wails it’s a dramatic memorable end to the album.

Kev Howell’s ‘Haunting Ambition’ album blends the brawny fiery punch of rock with sublime smoky poetry and sensual steamy psychedelia, showcasing his refined and proficient musicianship. It’s an album you can put on and will listen to all the way through finding new intricate details each time. He leaves space for thought and contemplation while still layering and weaving fine textures and sublime melodies. An impressive debut.

Watch the video for ‘Kamikaze’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, Indie Electro, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing : Nightshifts

Nightshifts is a young, upcoming producer from Toronto. He spends most of his nights experimenting and creating music using vintage synths, groovy guitars, and drum machines to create new sonic universes. Having caught an early break with a remix of Bon Iver’s ‘Michicant’ which reached the ears of Justin Vernon himself, he has now released his debut single ‘All Along’. It’s a dreamy hazy marshmallow with a blissful lo fi production and a laid back whimsical misty atmosphere, it’s beautifully euphoric. Sweet luscious melody melts like butter on toast while synths swirl and elegantly dance around a slapping beat and groovy guitar jingles. It’s a smooth crooning swagger infused delight. Heavenly sweet and richly layered it’s refined and sleek with breezy sonic flecks that create a wispy sedative effect. A sublime debut from this young producer.

Stream ‘All Along’ below


Alt Rock, New Music, Punk Rock

Orange ‘Late Nights and Early Mornings’

LA pop punk veterans Orange emerge from four years of complete silence with a new UK based line up which took a year of auditioning to find, a new single and a UK headlining tour this September. The long awaited come-back single ‘Late Nights and Early Mornings’ was recorded and produced entirely by Joe Dexter (vocals, bass) in his bedroom and paints a picture of what it’s like being on the road night after night, hangover after hangover. The band’s touring history consist of tours shared with Bowling For Soup, Zebrahead, Reel Big Fish, The Misfits, Agent Orange, Phenomenauts, Nekromantix, The Aditcts, UK Subs, US Bombs and many others.

‘Late Nights and Early Mornings’ smashes with powerful punk rock punches. Guitars crash and crunch while deep vocals sneer over a nostalgic soaked melody. Whip-cracking punchy drums and elastic bass slaps give a fire fueled brawn and roughness to the track. It’s sharp, rapid and adrenaline pumping punk rock that hits hard and blasts out even harder.

You can catch Orange on their UK tour at

Sept 13 – Southampton, Talking Heads

Sept 14 – Milton Keynes, Craufurd Arms

Sept 15 – Swindon, The Vic

Sept 16 – Birmingham, The End

Sept 17 – London, New Cross Inn

 

Stream ‘Late Nights and Early Mornings’ below


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

Smash Boom Pow ‘Way Too Much’

Smash Boom Pow are Vancouver, BC blood-brother duo Ulysses (Vocals / Guitar) and Zane (Drums). They have released their new single ‘Way Too Much’. The track is taken from the duo’s forthcoming sophomore EP, which is scheduled to be released later this year.

‘Way Too Much’ is a raw razor-sharp garage pop track brimming with gritty jagged riffs so harsh and dirty you will need a tetanus shot. Pounding drums are skull bashingly thrilling while Ulysses’ raspy vocals spit and exude attitude and almost disgust. It’s a splintery fiery track with a sick catchy pop drizzled melody that will be stuck in your head all day. You will have to forcefully prise this track from your head. Watch out for these guys they are just too good.

About the track the band said, “The lyric you’re asking way too much of me” is not about an unreasonable labour request, but rather unfair emotional demands and the psychic damage they can inflict. On one hand, you have love for someone and are inclined to compromise for the sake of the relationship, on the other you’ve gotta be true to your experience and set the record straight. It’s not worth living a lie.”

Stream ‘Way Too Much’ below


Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Dutch Party ‘Blade Runner’

Indie alt pop outfit Dutch Party have released the new single, ‘Blade Runner’. Dutch Party has received critical and commercial acclaim with features in Billboard, Pigeons and Planes and Fader among others. ‘Blade Runner’ is the first song off the upcoming EP ‘Combat Pop’ and combines infectious guitar riffs, with heartfelt and poignant lyricism. Originally hailing from Twin Peaks in San Francisco, Ken Franklin started writing and recording music after he discovered a recording booth in a small closet beneath the stairs of his parents’ house, that had been hidden for decades behind a wall of boxes. Inside was a reel-to-reel tape machine, an echo box, and two guitars which Franklin soon used to experiment with different sounds and sonic textures to create his own songs. After moving to LA, Ken started indie alt pop band, Dutch Party, while living in Echo Park with the intent of adding more subversion to the American airwaves.
‘Blade Runner’ is a sweet luscious treasure of infectious guitar melodies blended flawlessly creating delightful mouth-watering alternative pop. Lo-Fi vocals soothe with a dreamy haziness while sticky slapping beats and intricate rhythms playfully bounce with hyperactive elasticity. Instantly danceable and swirly this track takes you from grooving to a laid-back utopia effortlessly. Light twinkles add a sprightly feather-like wispy delicacy and airiness to the track while the stomping beat grounds it. It’s a stunning new release from Dutch Party.

Stream ‘Blade Runner’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Five Days North ‘City of Wonder’

Manchester-based indie pop band Five Days North have released a music video for their new track ‘City of Wonder’. Comprised of members Darryl Messer (Vocals, Synth), Dave Urwin (Guitar/banjo, Backing Vocals),Sam Taromsari (Guitar, Backing Vocals), Lewis Howells (Bass) and Zoravar Bakshi (Drums) Five Days North are an energetic indie pop band creating music that centers around powerful vocals, catchy choruses and memorable melodies. In the summer of 2016, they released their debut EP ‘Past Times’ which contained the single ‘Won’t Stop for Nothing’ which has featured on ITV’s This Morning and was released with an accompanying music video. Their second single in April 2017 ‘Shapeshifters’ was played on BBC Introducing in Manchester. They have played a multitude of live events around the UK, alongside performing on festival stages such as Dot to Dot 2017, Warrington festival 2016 and multiple performances at Pangaea Festival.

‘City of Wonder’ is a breezy indie pop dazzler. A buoyant beat sets the foundation for this spirited elastic track. Shimmering synths sparkle throughout the sticky beat while sharp stings on guitar pierce through the syrupy soundscape. Smooth vocals soothe throughout with passion as the nostalgic soaked sweet melody oozes emotion. It’s a catchy tune complete with tight production and vibrancy. Melodic and sugar drizzled it’s a sweet moving little gem.

Watch the lyric video for ‘City of Wonder’ below

 


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The OBGMs

The OBGMs (The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores) are a Canadian punk rock quartet based out of Toronto, Canada. Founded in 2007, by Densil McFarlane (Lead Vocals and Guitar) and Colanthony Humphrey (Percussion), the band fully formed their unique sound with additions Jemuel Roberts (Keyboard, Vocals) and Joseph Brosnan (Bass, Vocals).The bands forthcoming self-titled debut album will be released in a few weeks and the band have revealed a third track from the record in the form of ‘Beat Up Kidz’, which has been released alongside an illustrative music video. The video is full of colour and goes some way to demonstrating the punk rock dance party that is a The OBGMs live show. It’s a party vibe that The OBGMs brought to London’s Afropunk last month and they were even able to translate the good times to a stripped-down set for Sofarsounds.

‘Beat Up Kidz’ is a bruising blistering track, razor sharp and fiery from the start it’s a slap in the face of OBGMs harsh punk rock. Blustery and brutal shrilling guitars cut through the track with ear bleeding distortion while punchy drums wildly pulverize. It’s head crushing ferocity but slick and cool. Elastic groove on bass drives the track into a sensual state of delusion while spitting sneering vocals howl and wail. With a wall of bloodthirsty heavy sounds these guys would drive a live crowd crazy. It’s mighty powerful and absolutely electrifying.

Watch the video for  ‘Beat Up Kidz’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Pop Rock, Rock, Synth-pop

Wild Youth ‘Lose Control’

Dublin band Wild Youth comprised of members David Whelan (vocals/guitar) Conor O’Donohoe (keyboard/vocals) Ed Porter (guitar/vocals) and Callum McAdam (drums) have released a video for their upcoming new single ‘Lose Control’, which is set for release this Friday 8th September. ‘Lose Control’ is an instantly catchy radio ready surge of indie pop. Sweet vocals caress  a smooth feathery light melody. The rich clap along finger clicking rhythm makes this track danceable and breezy. Twinkling guitars and soft shimmers on keys create a floaty blissful melty atmosphere and rush of youthful adrenaline while the steady beat pulses throughout. This dreamy ear worm will have you dancing and grooving in no time. It’s a sophisticated, intricately layered, sublime track that is sure to be a hit.

You can catch Wild Youth live at

12 Sep Cyprus Avenue, Cork

13 Sep Abner Browns, Dublin

19 Sep Trinity Freshers Ball, Dublin

22 Sep Grand Social, Dublin

23 Sep Roisin Dubh, Galway

Check out the video for ‘Lose Control’ below