Category Archives: New Music

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

ZEALS ‘Ready To Fly’ EP

Somerset based three-piece, ZEALS have released their second EP ‘Ready To Fly’. The EP was recorded over the last few months at Longwave Studios in Cardiff with producer Romesh Dodangoda who’s best known for his work with the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Motorhead, Funeral For A Friend, Lower Than Atlantis and Twin Atlantic. The follow up to their ‘Playing Games’ EP, the new collection features five pop flavoured and addictive indie – rock tracks and includes live favourite and lead single ‘Feel It’ which is accompanied by a stunning video. ZEALS current line-up of Harrisen Larner (Vocals & Guitar), Rob Whelan (Drums)and Toby Andrews (Lead Guitar & Vocals) formed eighteen months ago in Weston-Super-Mare after taking inspiration from and sharing a mutual love of acts such as The 1975, Fickle Friends, Prides and One Republic to heavier bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco, Lower Than Atlantis and Fatherson. Since then the band have developed a truly exciting and powerful live set that sees them play to ever growing and excitable audiences from around the Bristol area to as far afield as Austria and Hungary. This new found fanbase ensured that the aforementioned eight track long ‘Playing Games’ EP peaked at number 59 in the iTunes Rock Album Charts on its release last year.

‘Ready To Fly’ is a blood pumping rush to the head of indie rock that makes you feel every note from delicate tender to ballsy energetic anthems. It’s a youth filled five track collection to enjoy and hold dear. Lead single ‘Feel It’ kicks off the EP with bright bubbly vibes surrounded by squirts of zesty guitar and hip shaking rhythm. It’s light warm and sun kissed with a catchy chorus that displays a grittier sharp side without becoming overpowering. The sweet honey drizzled melody is so infectious and dreamy and with Larner’s velvety smooth soul infused vocals, it’s the perfect start to the EP. ’Do You Really Care’  is a massive passionate track brimming with punchy drums, razor sharp guitar and adrenaline pumping energy. It’s mosh pit, crazy jumping ready with feathery light blissful guitar and a hefty meaty rhythm. Dancing embarrassingly around the room is guaranteed with this emotionally and instrumentally explosive track. ‘Paddles’ is oh so slick. This track really shows off the sensual bluesy tinged sound of ZEALS. Swagger soaked and fiery with shredding guitars crashing against pummeling drums and a groovy hip shakingly smooth bass line. It’s a scorching, blistering Lower Than Atlantis- esque sizzler. ‘Dark Waters’ cools the tone and takes the role of the slow burning tender mood shifter. Sway-like and sweet with a punchy bopping rhythm it’s nostalgic and delicate. Lush “oooh” vocals create a sing along friendly quality to the heart-warming track. The song builds becoming a little more heavy and emotional but still maintains a light bounce and breezy vibe. ‘Ready To Fly’ brings us to an explosive end to the EP. Flickering soundscapes flash bright scintillation while punchy drums, glistening guitars and fist pump anthemic chorus create a powerful energetic rush of intensity.

ZEALS have created an EP that shows their tight plucky musicianship. It’s a treasure of tunes glowing and sparkling packed with emotion and passion that makes the listener feel every note like a spark of electricity. Each track maintains a powerful explosive stamina to keep you pumped throughout. It’s bright, light indie pop grounded by some heavy elements adding a bit of punch and gravity. Overall a sublime satisfying listen.

Stream ‘Ready To Fly’ below

 


Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Miles Horn ‘Stranded In Emotions’

Singer songwriter Miles Horn has released his new single ‘Stranded In Emotions’.Born and raised in South West London Horn has won support from BBC Introducing in Oxford and has had features from credible tastemakers at Bittersweet Symphonies and Independent Clauses. ‘Stranded in Emotions’ displays Horn’s slick contemporary blend of soul rock and synth pop. The track is funky with an effortlessly cool groove and swagger. Its dark longing verses are drenched in sultry tones. Sharp guitar licks add a seductive steamy whine while a steady shimmy beat and sweet backing vocals give an almost disco effect. It’s catchy and richly layered with intricate warm guitar melodies interweaving playfully between Horns deep vocals. Smothered in sensual sleekness and yearning it’s a confident little dazzler that is vaporous and humid yet ridiculously groovy and infectious.

You can catch Miles Horn performing a headline show at the iconic Servant Jazz Quarters in Dalston on September 13th as well as an extensive London tour in the Autumn.

Stream ‘Stranded In Emotions’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Pepperhead ‘Unresolved’

Sydney locals, Pepperhead have released their new single, ‘Unresolved’. Available on all major digital stores, ‘Unresolved’ is the second track-release from their debut EP, ‘The Housefox Sessions’. Forming in 2015, Pepperhead (Kieron, Louisa, Mark, Dan) made their live debut rocking the notorious Annandale Hotel. Listing acts such as The Pixies, The Strokes and Radio Birdman as the band’s influences, Pepperhead opened last year’s inaugural Northern Beaches’ punk rock line up at ‘Housefox Fest’.

‘Unresolved’ is raw ruckus causing rock. Punchy and sharp with pounding drums belting against a distorted wall of crashing guitars. It’s a rapid assault to the senses of brawl ready roughness teamed with a catchy chorus and attitude driven vocals. While still pulverising your skull with their heavy sound Pepperhead manage to add a sensual skin crawling quality to the mix keeping their massively energetic sound multi-dimensional and slick. It’s a booming fiery aggressive track that will have a live audience in a manic frenzy.

Watch the video for ‘Unresolved’ below


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Beachwood Coyotes ‘I’m Tired Of Rolling My Eyes’

Indie rock four-piece Beachwood Coyotes have released their new single ‘I’m Tired Of Rolling My Eyes’. The new single features socially conscious lyrics, critiquing race relations in America. The Los Angeles based band have received acclaim from KROQ, Huffington Post, Wonderland Magazine and XS Noize among other tastemakers.

‘I’m Tired Of Rolling My Eyes’ is an energetic explosion of luscious indie pop soaked in electronic retro 80’s sounds. Rich rhythm and flickering soundscapes  create a lavish texture and blinding bedazzlement. With a vocal melody that rushes through like a surging flood, pumping adrenaline through your veins and an anthemic powerful chorus, these guys have written a track that is so intense and mighty yet glides with effortless breezy cool tones. With funky elements and hip hop hues it’s a multi faceted spurt of infectious songwriting and craftsmanship.

Beachwood Coyotes EP ‘Scrubby’ is set for release this Wednesday  September 6th  with a special release party at the Satellite in Los Angeles, California so make sure to check that out.

Stream ‘I’m Tired Of Rolling My Eyes’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, Indie Soul, Indie-Pop-Soul, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

James Ghareeb ‘Do It With Luv’

Singer-songwriter James Ghareeb has announced the release of his new single ‘Do It With Luv’ from his forthcoming EP available later this year. Ghareeb first found success after becoming a social media breakout star through his Vine videos. He started making short clips covering the likes of Justin Bieber, surpassing over 6 million views along the way.  In 2015 James recorded his first EP ‘Hanging From The Stars’ which debuted at number 4 on the iTunes chart upon release. During that time, the Lebanese American, caught the attention of critically acclaimed produced Tony Ghantous (Kris Allen, Disney), who quickly began work on Ghareeb’s sophomore release.

 ‘Do It With Luv’ is a crisp fresh sun soaked tune that radiates laid back vibes and good times. Laced in tropical rhythms with rock pop elements and an infectious delicious melody it’s slick cool and oh so catchy. Sharp zests of guitar squirts between rich clap along rhythms and velvety vocals. Lush backing vocals “woo” adding colour and vibrancy. The track cruises with mellow easy-going euphoria and elastic bounce. It’s breezy sun kissed and mind numbingly dreamy all while packing some nice perky stabs of R&B and soul. Tightly wrapped in intricate sleek production and fine musicianship this track rolls in on a wave of carefree bliss. I’ll look forward to hearing more from James Ghareeb

Stream ‘Do It With Luv’ below


Album Review, electro - rock, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, New Music

Heez ‘This time will be different’ Album

Heez has released his new album ‘This time will be different’. The sensual groovy ‘Aphysical’ kicks off the album featuring sweet vocals from Culture Child. Previously featured  on Indie Buddie this track has R&B soul entwined with  dark clammy sultry flexwave. ‘Whoa there’ is brimming with Heez’s swagger filled attitude and sauve. Sticky beats ricochet off ethnic tinged swirling  soundscapes while aggressive rapped vocals flow with venom-filled vigour. Its cruising slick and steamy while holding a nice bit of punch. ‘Sins’ featuring Trip Carter displays a brighter bubbly side to Heez’s sound. Still oozing swagger and panache from its core this sleek ditty radiates sunshine and good times. Sweet melody caresses the soft beat and gliding electronics. This is the perfect summer tune – cool breezy, sun kissed and catchy as hell. ‘Curfew’ bleeds emotion and passion to a body grooving beat and flashes of electronics. Dramatic and heavy its hard hitting and deeply emotive. With an exotic guitar feature its delicate and balmy and richly textured. ‘Slow me down’ featuring the beautiful voice of Kiki Halliday closes the album with pulsing beats dreamy tones and a delicious arrangement. Its melty melody is delicate and tender flowing with such grace and beauty while still maintaining Heez’s sticky drippy electronics. Halliday’s vocals blend perfectly with Heez’s it’s quite touching and sweet.

Heez has proven with ‘This time will be different’ album that he has a knack with melodies and a refined ear for complex sublime arrangements. At times, its tough and aggressive punchy and dark other times its sweet delicate and touching. He blends these seamlessly creating a unique exquisite album that’s absorbing.

Stream ‘This time will be different’ below

https://soundcloud.com/4heez/sets/ttwbd


Indie Folk, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Danny Wright ‘Is This Rock and Roll?’

London based Danny Wright is a self-taught, self-made singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor who rarely fits neatly into one stereotypical box. A former frontman of touring rock bands DissolvedIN and We Are Lost Boys, he played all over the world, performed at Download festival and enjoyed press acclaim from Kerrang! magazine. Now a solo artist he has a clutch of pop- influenced and intensely personal new songs to unveil. Helmed by You Me At Six/Lower Than Atlantis producer John Mitchell, he has released his new single ‘Is This Rock and Roll?’.

‘Is This Rock and Roll?’ is a melodic, warm heartfelt track. With the springy bounce of acoustic guitar and whispered backing vocals, it’s a tender yet bright take on a lyrically striking and potentially sad song. Wright’s vocals soothe with a slight raspy quality adding an emotional gritty texture. Though the tracks theme is melancholic it remains peppy and bright. It’s hopeful, optimistic and  full of bouncy little bursts of sunshine. With a catchy sweet melody and wiggle along beat Wright presents an honest pure tune that radiates golden warmth and cosy comfort.

When asked about the track Wright said “I wrote this song during a period in my life when I thought about giving up pursing music as a career, the song talks about the sacrifices i’ve made to ‘follow my dreams’ which have ultimately led to isolation and feeling lost”

Stream ‘Is This Rock and Roll?’ below


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

Indie Buddie Introducing: MRYGLD

MRYGLD (pronounced ‘marigold’) is a rock band from Birmingham, Alabama formed in 2017. This band is as fresh as they come, formed by Brandon Snipes (vocals, guitar) and the musical “dynamic duo” of Shane (lead guitar) and Alyssa Jewell (vocals, keys). After recruiting drummer Kyle Blair and bassist James McCauley, the lineup was set and MRYGLD was born. They have released their debut music video for their single ‘Cool Kids’.

‘Cool Kids’ is a dynamic infectious indie track bursting with oodles of catchy melodies honey coated and smothered in sweet heartfelt nostalgia. Sharp zealous riffs drive the track, cutting through the bubble bouncy beat and sublime melody. The blend of Snipes warm vocals with Jewell’s light sweet vocals creates a unique beautiful tone. It’s a delicious can of sugar coated indie pop with a refreshing sharp sting. Dreamy harmonies create a laid-back vibe while the driving rhythm adds a bounce quality and bop. Its instantly likable, gentle and gripping with a sway like quality and ear worm infectiousness. It’s a dainty melodic gem. Snipes vocals at times remind me of Brandon Flowers from The Killers and the guitar work is majestic, that solo is bright vibrant and energetic all while flooding you with nostalgia and reminiscence. These guys have written a track that makes you feel something. It’s pretty impressive.

Watch the video for ‘Cool Kids’ below


Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Beck

Beck has released his new single ‘Dear Life’. It is the third single from the upcoming album ‘Colors’. The album is Beck’s first full length offering of new material since 2014’s ‘Morning Phase’ took Album of the Year top honors at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Best Rock Album and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) category. The album also saw him nominated for ‘International Male Solo Artist’ at the 2015 BRIT Awards. In addition to the newly unveiled ‘Dear Life’ Colors includes both of Beck’s singles that preceded it, the new mix of the psych-dance summer jam ‘Dreams’ and the retro-futuristic earworm ‘Wow’.

‘Dear Life’ is a peppy piano driven little ditty. The cheery piano jingles flutter between a slapping beat and a lush pop melody. Drizzled in a 70’s Elton John- esque vibe Beck gives us a hip wiggly track rounded off and coated in hazy dreamy soundscapes. Soft backing vocals lull with sweet luscious tones creating a smooth blissful heavenly atmosphere. It’s laid back and calm with some nice sharp guitar zests squirted in to add a bit of edge and sharpness to the track. Beck layers this track seamlessly creating a contemporary swoony song with an almost jazzy foundation. Well crafted, refined  and so tightly bound it seems simple and laid back. With winding twists and turns  Beck proves when it comes to meticulously combining all the components of a track he is a master.

Watch the lyric video for ‘Dear Life’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

The Rah’s ‘The Time Is Now’

The Rah’s are a five piece indie rock band from Prestonpans, a small seaside town on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The band was formed in 2011 by four friends Jack, Jordan, Neale and Andrew and produced 2 EPs ‘Give Me Life’ in 2012 and ‘Living The Dream’ in 2013.They have toured both EPs across their native Scotland to rave reviews supporting the likes of The Fratellis and The View along the way. In January 2016, local lad and friend Chris joined the band on keys and backing vocals.Now a five piece, the band took a fresh approach to new sounds and song structure, leading to the band’s single ‘Sweet Talker’ recorded with producer Roni Szpakowski at Peak Studio’s, Bradford in early 2017. The single was released late March via the bands new independent label, EH32RECORDS and was well received by the music press across the UK and Ireland gaining a wave of excitement. Off the back of the single release the band embarked on a mini UK tour over a 6 week period with a sell-out homecoming gig in their native Edinburgh as their last show on the tour.They are now back with their new single ‘The Time Is Now’, which was recorded in Maybank studios in Glasgow by Dublin based producer James Darkin and was mastered by Pete Maher.

‘The Time Is Now’ blisters, bubbles and boils with indie rock. Soaked in attitude it hooks and lures you into the dark depths of its core with a thrilling razor-sharp riff surrounded by punchy drums and swirling keys. With a dizzying frenzy soundscape, gritty elastic bassline and searing swagger soaked vocals this track is a serious force of nature. Blustery and powerful with infectious anthemic chorus and lush backing vocals it’s Kasabian- esque yet original and mighty. ‘The Time Is Now’ is a fiery brutal bash of The Rah’s indie rock and its brilliant and destined to be epic live.

You can catch The Rah’s live at

Saturday 16th September – Dublin Castle, London

Sunday 17th September – Jimmy’s, Manchester

Friday 3rd November – The Jacaranda, Liverpool

Watch the video for ‘The Time Is Now’ below