Dublin duo Midnight Chimes have created an EP of Halloween tracks packed with “Ghastly electro rock to haunt your dreams, Or for you to boogie to”. ‘Halloween Moon’ kicks off with ‘Witches Disco’ a funky track dripping in cheesy 80s “Time Warp” spook. With eerie organ effect on keyboards and a “dj funky clown” the image of that is enough to creep me out. Its catchy and definitely has a bouncy dance feel that will get those feet shuffling. You can even do a swift monster mash to it. The sweet backing vocals add a old time movie feel to the fun lively track. ‘Devil On The Loose’ follows with sinister keys that change the tone of the EP. It surprisingly blasts into a heavy rock sound with growl vocals for the “Devil On The Loose” lyrics. With shredding guitar and steady beat, its infectious and hypnotic. Its a mixture of gritty rock and pop with a sneaky nimble and slick guitar lick and riff thrown in that is so catchy its a head banger. ‘Boogie With The Boogieman’ is a swinging bluesy track with a sensual hip swaying groove. Its strut- like tempo and swagger teamed with a flexible beat keeps this track smooth and luring. I don’t know why but it gives me the image of a guy in a vampire costume trying to seduce you with his dancing and as he draws closer the music becomes intense as you panic to try and get away. ‘Werewolf Blues’ presents us with that heavier rock sound with effects-laden vocals and ghostly piano warning of danger. The pounding beat and vigorous guitar adds a mosh effect. The music fades as we hear a mysterious vampire speak which I will admit, alone in the dark is pretty frightening. ‘Dance Hall of the Dead’ begins with a trick or treat door bell followed by a fantastic riff and some otherworldly effects on keys. Its a light fun track with thrilling elements and gritty rock features that adds body and brawn. ‘Fortune Teller’ is a bewitching shimmy that tells the story of falling for a misleading temptress . This track oozes seduction and deceit with a smooth sensual beat, captivating guitar and the gently whisper of backing vocals. ‘Midnight, Vienna’ is the final track on the EP its a romantic track with a pop feel. Its light fluffy melody and sweet backing vocals give a boy band feel with bright glittering guitar while the keys keep things a little eerie. Its an unusual contrast but perfectly ends the EP on a good note. Its like the end of a horror movie and all is well, the morning has come and all the evil has vanished.
Stream ‘Halloween Moon’ below
The Chris Paterno Band are a seven -piece indie-pop-soul band from New York. They are releasing their self titled EP on 30th September and we were lucky enough to have a listen to it. The EP begins with ‘Unfaithful’ a peppy track with bouncy percussion and groovy beat that is sure to have you bopping along. The Chris Paterno Band waste no time in introducing their golden horn feature which lifts the track adding a refreshing and zesty texture. The raspy soulful vocals add warm tones to the track and a balmy feel. ‘Morning Light’ is a sweet delicate track with a creamy supple melody. Its an elegant ray of sunshine, fragile yet warm and soft. With tender vocals to start this track is relaxing with a sway-like catchy chorus, its perfect for sunny evenings. The horns are subtle and the beat has a tribal feel with the guitar taking strength and presenting us with a beautifully graceful accompaniment. The track builds becoming a little more intense vocally while still holding that dainty atmosphere. ‘Pressure’ follows with its groovy strut worthy sound. We reviewed this track earlier this year. Its swanky persona and swagger filled chorus makes this track a cool sassy example of the diversity of The Chris Paterno Band. ‘Lover, When You Gonna Come?’ presents itself with an air of country twang upon the honeyed lilt of harmonica from the start and throughout. The instrumentation paints a fantastic picture as they sound like a train chugging gently with the horns appearing as the toot toot. This track once again is aglow with bright tones and hopeful vibes. ‘Farther (…we grow)’ is a sensitive track with vocals filled with raw emotion and melancholy tones. The guitar features dramatic sombre strums with a light twinkle on piano. Its a tear- jerker that evokes feelings of sorrow and despair and self reflection. ‘Sweet Thing’ finishes this EP on a sweep of lavish percussion and rich textures with experimentation of auto tune on vocals and their signature luxurious horns. Its infectiously swayable and catchy, watch out for that deep bass vocal at the end.
This EP is a unique venture as The Chris Paterno Band present us with a rich lacquer of satisfying melodies and textures in their own unique style.
You can pre-order the EP at http://chrispaternomusic.com/ and the iTunes Store. 20% of sales will be donated to Project HOME and The Episcopal Academy’s Kennith R Balsley Memorial Fund.
Stream ‘Morning Light’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Alexandra Savior
Portland, Oregon’s mysterious bewitching singer songwriter Alexandra Savior is captivating audiences with her laid back desert rock and sultry crooning vocals. We did a feature on her single ‘Shades’ earlier in the summer and she is back with another addictive dose. ‘M.T.M.E.’ floods us with dark intoxicating tones, smouldering sultry vocals that lull and coax the listener with the sharp sting of guitar adding a sizzling and scorching sun effect. The bubbling beat consumes the listener in a muggy yet comfortable hypnotic enclosure. The added scream gives a shock to the system and adds danger to the shadowy tone. The scorching guitar solo teamed with menacing keys to finish adds a frightening eerie end.
Put it on repeat and become engrossed by this enthralling mesmerising track.
Stream ‘M.T.M.E.’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Good Water
The Birmingham duo Rob Clements (Guitar & Vocals) and Tom Fisher (Drums & Vocals) have developed their own unique psychedelic tinged style of indie, rhythm and blues. They have released their new single ‘See Your Light’. Its a groovy slick shimmy of smooth sensual rock and psychedelia. Its punchy pounding drums keep the chorus throbbing and driving forward while adding a flexible rhythm and a stirring brawn stomp to the track. Layered with swirling keys that add an intoxicated hypnotic effect, this track is rich in colourful quality and textures. The fuzz fuelled guitar riff is instantly catchy and adds an edge and an exhilarating charm. The vocals are simple, strut -like and smeared with lush harmony they exude a cool velvety swagger.The track builds to a shredding spine-tingling guitar solo and fantastic crescendo that leaves you wanting to hear more.
New Valley Wolves have released their new track ‘Silver Tongue’. Its a snarling, balls-out beast of a track bursting with the bluesy, gritty, frantic sound that the rock duo create. It’s a ferocious riff-driven wall of sound enriched with sensual elastic tones. With irate swagger infused vocals, primal drumming and a bass so skilfully wielded it lures the listener into a fuzzed haze of entrapment that could cause a frenzy-filed brawl amongst the most timid of people while still remaining tactile. Lyrically, ‘Silver Tongue’ is pure unadulterated macho rock. New Valley Wolves once again create an almighty racket as Joyce assaults the drums creating a turbulent pounding sound adding to the tracks speed driven fury.
New Valley Wolves have released a video for ‘Silver Tongue’ it captures the high intense energy and atmosphere of their live shows. Watch the video below.
Dublin’s Alternative band Swords released their new single ‘Betty Machete’ in July. Diane Anglim (vocals & piano), Jarlath Canning (bass, guitars & synth) and Ian Frawley (drums) have created a catchy beaming track that glows with bright textures and an upbeat snappy ball of elastic rhythm. The golden hook pulls you into a marshmallow of sweet lush melody. Anglim’s honeyed vocals are delicate and captivating while the fuzzed bass and guitars add a kick and psychedelic buzz to the track. The rapid soft slap beat drives the song and gives a playful quality and an infectious clap-along feature. ‘Betty Machete’ is instantly likeable and with an ear worm sing along chorus you will want to put it on repeat and enjoy its feel good vibe.
Stream ‘Betty Machete’ below
Born in Mexico City, 22 year old Heez grew up in Dallas, Texas and now resides in Downtown Los Angeles. The first story he wants to tell is about codependency and having such a strong connection with someone that both identities begin to blur into one. He achieves this through his debut single ‘Dancing’. Heez embarked on this musical journey from his Los Angeles dorm room while studying music industry at the University of Southern California, finding inspiration from his past heartbreaks. ‘Dancing’ was released earlier this year. Its a catchy flex wave track with a snappy beat interweaving electronics glazed in shadowy melancholy tones. The heavy hearted vocals add emotion to the track while the rap adds rhythm and gives an edge. The track is richly textured and portrays Heez’ lyrics poetically while holding a grit and darkened atmosphere. The quick synth stabs give the track an elastic bendable quality while providing a strong sharp whack beat that has a trance effect. ‘Dancing’ presents us with an airy hazy vibe you can loose yourself in while maintaining a bite and grit that gives this track substance and attitude.
Stream ‘Dancing’ below
Fauna Twin are Parisian singer-songwriter Claire Jacquemard Ginsberg (leader of Hippies Vs Ghosts) and North Wales’ Owain Ginsberg (We Are Animal). The duo have recently signed to Crammed Discs Records and they released their new single ‘Water on Mars’ taken from their debut ‘The HYDRA EP’, which will be released in October followed by a string of shows around Europe. ‘Water on Mars’ is a dark intoxicating swirling concoction of alternative synth pop. The track lures you into its bewitching atmosphere from the very start with meandering instrumentation that draws you into a psychedelic labyrinth of complexity and confusion while enticing and coaxing you into its rich interweaving textures. Jacquemard’s vocals are haunting and gently coo and soothe the listener while giving a mysterious eerie tone to the track. The guitar adds grit and gives that final pull, drawing the listener in and trapping them in an enthralling brooding atmosphere. The track is coated in mesmerising rhythm and shadowy hints of tribal beats that give this track a fantastic bounce and multi texture.
Put ‘Water on Mars’ on repeat and let yourself become consumed and enraptured by this fantastic dark enchanting track.
Watch ‘Water on Mars’ below
Atlantic Fire are a Synth heavy pop/rock band from Guildford. The band consists of members Gary Nicks (vocals & guitar) Ryan Nicks (Drums, synths & backing vocals) Will Gray (lead guitar,synths & backing vocals) Ian Cooke (bass & synths).They have released their debut single ‘Running Out’ and have recently finished their debut album which will be released later this year. ‘Running Out’ is a tightly compact melodic indie track, featuring soft dynamic synths and a flexible spongy beat. The sharp sting of the guitar adds an edge to the track while soaring backing vocals raises the track and gives an aerial feel. The song is coated in a melancholy nostalgic tone which is highlighted perfectly by the synths and wistful vocals. The track flows fluidly and consistently with bright tones acting as a ray of sunlight provided by the zealous guitars illuminating and raising the song up. The synths add a contrasting eerie and mysterious tone to the track at times which disperses for the vitalising and energising crescendo.
A strong debut from Atlantic Fire
Stream ‘Running Out’ below
Rat Ta’Mango are an Adelaide band who play a unique brand of blues rock, fusing elements of garage, psych and funk. The three piece have recently released their debut self titled EP. The 5 track Ep is bursting with a mixture of garage rock, blues and Latin-jam influences intertwining and blending together while creating a massive raw sound that packs a punch.
It was their first single ‘Let It Go’ that caught our attention. Its heavy furious fuzzed intro teases their garage rock mosh worthy sound before revealing a funky slick verse. The sensual swagger and opulent rhythmic groove and percussion-soaked bounce adds an elasticity and addictive energy to the track. The vocals are passionate and dynamic giving a steamy exhilarating strut quality and confidence. The track spirals into a shredding guitar solo and intense weighty burly headbang. ‘Let It Go’ softens to gentle vocals and light accompaniment before a final beefy robust crescendo to end. Rat Ta’Mango show us how to mix raw gritty bluesy sound with funky sensual guitar licks and fantastic brawny hooks leaving you wanting to hear more.
Stream ‘Let It Go’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
