Dublin-based new wave rock band Hook have released their new single, ‘I Want To See You Tonight’. The band formed in early 2019 consists of Eoin O’Donnell (vocals, guitar), Morgan O’Brien (drums) and Danny Spelman (bass, vocals). The tight-knit three-piece released their critically acclaimed debut EP back in March 2020 and received much-deserved airplay from around the world.
‘I Want To See You Tonight’ sees Hook take their irresistible sound and saturate it with emotion to create one glorious listening experience. Bright guitar glimmers between a pop-punk backdrop to create an uplifting and dynamic soundscape for listeners to indulge in. The track is brimming with gusto with rasped vocals exuding emotion and urgency as O’Donnell exclaims “ I want to see you tonight” between kinetic instrumental builds. Hook have become known for their richly layered, catchy tunes and ‘I Want To See You Tonight’ is a perfect example of this. The track is a magnificent new single that is sure to have you singing along in no time.
New wave indie band Hook have released their self titled debut EP. Hook are a three piece band from Dublin, Ireland comprised of Eoin O’Donnell (vox, guitars) Danny Spelman (bass) Morgan O’Brien (drums).Formed in early 2019 Hook spent the year writing and recording. The EP is just some of the songs created in that time. The EP was mixed and mastered by Grammy award winner Ciaran Byrne and produced by the band.
With jaunty catchy tunes swirled in an edgy indie coating Hook’s self titled EP is a short snappy enjoyable collection of tracks.The band inject perky light guitar lines into their music which creates wonderful, ethereal and zest stricken qualities in tracks ’The Light’ and ‘Fancy Dress’ as the punchy drums and intricate bass groove lay down the tight foundation. There is a messy fun atmosphere and sun kissed glow about each track that is quite infectious while the dreamy sweet melodies charm their way onto repeat. This trio blend in some grunge and gritty elements into the EP as well. ‘Spoiler Alert’ hints at the bands darker side. With jagged sharp guitars slicing through a rough bass line and relentless drums the band smother darker elements into their sound. Hook’s ability to create acute raw riffs and melodies with majestic flurries on guitar is impressive and they display these wonderfully throughout the EP. ‘I love the world because you’re in it’ brings the EP to a sweet upbeat end. With a warm wholesome melody and country hue this vibrant indie ditty is a charming finale.
Hook have presented a fine well rounded EP brimming with proficient musicianship and delightful catchy melodies. With tight layering, intricate instrumentation and witty lyrical content Hook have created a strong collection of tracks.
City Victim have released their new single ‘Out of Sight’. City Victim are an Irish post-punk/new wave band currently residing in Galway. The band have spent the last year and a half recording their debut album, with the help of Geoff French on drums (The Brilliant Things) and Fergal Davis on production (O Emperor, Muse).
‘Out of Sight’ is a finely cultured number that drifts and glides along a dreamy mellowed indie rock backdrop. The sweet nostalgic melody floats gracefully upon a driving bass line and twinkling guitar feature while swirling soundscapes soothe and cool the tone creating an ethereal freeing atmosphere. The track weaves its way gently through jangly biting guitar elements that create an itching nag and edgy quality to the cruising gem while a steady beat, 80’s vibes and lush vocals flesh out the track filling it with rich textures and prismatic speckles of colour. The tight production, refined musicianship, laid back fluidity and dazzling charm of ‘Out of Sight’ makes City Victim a band to keep an eye on.
Indie Rock 4-Piece Punketronic have released their debut single ‘Hello Mr Moonlight’, a tribute to the late David Bowie as a thank you for giving us inspiring and uplifting music. Based in Bristol, Punketronic was formed by songwriter and multi instrumentalist Paul Tronic. Made up of band mates of 20 years from covers bands, the four piece present a fusion of new wave, synth pop and power pop with a hint of modern indie rock, giving them an edge whilst still remaining current.
Their debut single ‘Hello Mr Moonlight’ is a punchy 3 minute track, written by Paul himself. Taking influence from the likes of Blondie, Talking Heads and David Bowie, with a brit pop energy. It’s a sweetly nostalgic synth pop number driven by edgy jangly guitars and a snappy beat. The melody flows upon a groovy danceable backdrop while the synth laced soundscapes wisp and swirl about creating a spacey vibrant breath of fresh air. This radio friendly ditty floods with a catchy chorus and luscious melodies wrapped in a swoosh of shimmering electronics. The dazzling soundscapes encase the track in a delightful nostalgic euphoria while the zesty guitar injects a healthy dose of indie rock. Recorded in Paul’s home studio, ‘Hello Mr Moonlight’ was written in around an hour and self-recorded. The track is accompanied by an interesting video, recorded by George Elliott, a hotly tipped film student from Bristol.
Merseyside based indie five piece Weekend Wars have released their new single ‘Swim’ today. It is the fourth single from the indie quintet and was recorded at Liverpool’s Motor Museum Studio with producer Al Groves (Bring Me The Horizon, Paris Youth Foundation). Jack, Bec, Andy, Matt and Rolo formed the band in 2015. They are four University friends and a savant for hire singer currently reshaping the musical landscape of the North West of England. Challenging the notion that Northern guitar bands come with hubris and swagger, Weekend Wars are refreshingly attitude free. Their ethos takes inspiration from the push and pull of daily life, they want to take you from the week to the weekend. 2016 saw the band receive airplay and plaudits from 6 Music (Steve Lamacq and 6 Music Recommends), BBC Radio Scotland (Billy Sloan), Virgin Radio (Jon Jackson) as well as international exposure by being playlisted by Spotify Australia & New Zealand. ‘Swim’ is an upfront indie anthem bursting with ambition. Bringing a little sunshine to our otherwise dreary lives. The track is crammed with an animated sharp bubbly guitar that shrills with blissful distortion. This little indie rock ditty has everything to thrill and fill you with musical fizz. Uplifting lyrics foot tapping friendly beat and crunching guitars, its infectiously fascinating.With strong dynamic raspy vocals ‘Swim’ is fresh light and bright with enough rich heavy instrumentation to kick ass and motivate even the most dismal person.
Following the mini tour to promote the single, the band will regroup to plan their next musical endeavours. Expect the unexpected as there is still a willingness to experiment in order to find their definitive musical persona. For Weekend Wars it’s all about the fun of the journey, the journey to the weekend. You can catch Weekend Wars live at
SAT 4TH FEB – WARRINGTON: Friar’s Court
THU 9TH FEB – LIVERPOOL: Maguires
SAT 10TH FEB: ST HELENS: Tank (Single Launch)
SAT 18TH FEB: MANCHESTER – Castle Hotel
Finnish garage-rock band, Varvara have announced the release of their upcoming album ‘Death Defying Tricks’ which is set for release on 4th November. Band members Mikko Kiri (Vocals/Guitar), Tommi Muhli (Guitar), Toni Raukola (Guitar/Vocals), Simo Kuhlman (Bass) and Lauri Tattari (Drums) present us with their blusterous hefty headbanging rock. ‘Sons’ and ‘Caught’ waist no time in pelting us into Varvara’s pummelling strike of killer riffs and pounding drums. With tuneful melodies and luring Queens of the Stone Age- esque vocals Varvara display their hardcore moshing teamed with intense melodic sways. ‘Warning Sign’ changes the tone a little the song starts with striking guitar and gentle vocals. The track builds for the gritty trashing chorus with strident crash on guitars and burly drums. However it maintains a flexibility and elasticity with the malleable sensual bass and change to a smooth bounce on drums at times. ‘Human Being’ has a massive chorus and clap along beat combined with shredding screeching guitars its a balls out energetic anthem. ‘No Reason’ gritty swagger filled rock and roll gives us a sensual side to the five piece. Slick riffs and striking guitars mixed with attitude and aggression its a punchy pulveriser .‘Arrows’ slows the mood with a sway like atmosphere to start with gentle twinkle on guitar. Sweet vocals and eerie haunting atmosphere set the tone. The track builds into body pounding chorus and sharp guitars. The thick heavy intensity of the verse is broken by a dropping head bang instrumental and a shredding guitar feature that is sure to have a live audience going crazy. ‘Since We Cant Explain’ ‘Shadow of Mistrust’ and ‘Headlights’ continues to display Varvara’s acute melodies infectious hooks and haunting vocals wrapped up in sticky gooey atmospheres with mosh worthy gritty rock thrown in. The album finishes with ‘Crossed My Mind’ which displays idiosyncratic quirky indie elements with a bizarre theatrical vocal accompanied by bright energetic tones. It closes the album on a vibrant note while ensuring that Varvara cannot be pinned down into a style or genre. They do whatever they want.
Stream ‘Caught’ below
Our Worth A Listen This Week is Mini Mansions ‘Flashbacks’
Los Angeles’ finest Mini Mansions have released a collection of unreleased/unheard B-Side tracks entitled ‘Flashbacks’. This follows their critically acclaimed second album ‘The Great Pretenders’ which was released in 2015. The trio , vocals and drummer Michael Shuman, vocals and keyboardist Tyler Parkford, bassist and multi instrumentalist Zachary Dawes have compiled a collection of nine ravishing tracks that smash all boundaries. We couldn’t choose just one track for our worth a listen but then, why would you choose one when their are nine spine tingling beauties. ‘Flashbacks’ kicks things off with ‘Drive’ a snappy quick step luscious track with Dawes’ fuzzed bass giving an ecstatic bounce. Parkford’s sweet delicate vocals introduces the nectarous melody with Shuman’s backing vocals adding a lush heavenly texture. The fluidity of this track makes it so easy on the ears and soothing with sugar coated sparkle. Building into heavier fuzzed rock instrumentation Mini Mansions introduce us to their gritty glam rock sprinkled with a smooth mouthwatering sweet 60s texture. With the sudden change to deep bass vocals by Shuman a warm mellow tone is added to the rich mix. ‘Drive’ knocks it out of the park and hooks you into the trio’s unique dreamy world of psychedelia and rock.‘Bored To Death’ coos and lulls into a gentle slow dance. With raspy vocals and tender lyrics teamed with elegant keys and dexterous chord progression creating a catchy soothing track that stops time, stilling everything around except for the beautiful melody. Lush harmony and gently sorrowful tones add purity and elegance. The track builds in intensity as a heartbroken tone takes over with heavy rhythm. The sweetened sting on guitar with soft piano and a light beat plays the track out with echoing gingerly soft repetitive vocals. ‘Ticket For One’ illuminates with a bright melody and multi-textures. The infectious slap whack beat combined with nimble keys and Dawes’ sharp elastic bass giving the track a rubber ball rebound effect. The call and response vocals between soft Parkford and deep Shuman as they interact with syrupy smooth melodies that will give you “stuck song syndrome”. Leading effortlessly and perfectly into ‘Ticket For Two’ a witty bouncy track with the catchy and almost “dollish” twinkle piano effect. Adding a catchy “clap clap” effect and steady striking bass ‘Ticket for two’ is a “tour de force” as it pulls similarities from ‘Ticket For One’ while developing a distinctive sound. Of course there is no great genius without a mixture of madness especially where Mini Mansions are concerned as they lead us into a frenzy of heavy manical moshing to end this fantastic track. ‘Fiona’ which we previously featured on Indie Buddie has a darkened dreamy tone and swoon-like atmosphere coated in hazy psychedelia. Once again Parkford and Shuman share vocals as they weave and intertwine melodies with warm seductive textures. The drums exude an oomph and panache to start and then seduce and coax when teamed with the smooth velvety vocals. They build into a sweep and bluster for the intense massive crescendo before the tone slows to a soft gentle echo finish. ‘Shape Recorder‘ has a spooky Halloween party track feeling to start with the peppy organ. The track maintains a sneaky eerie tone with psychedelic fuzz and heavy daunting instrumentation. Its a swirling confusion of blurry haunting fun and dangerous shady obscurity. The intensity of the track fades to a sweet soft vocal with lush harmonies before a final burst of instrumentation. ‘Valet’ is our taste of sensual reggae with Hendrix- esque guitar to start. This body grooving track is effortlessly cool and sleek and shows Mini Mansions in a new light. Its a sit back and bop to the music feel good tasteful track. Shuman’s warm deep vocals contrasting with Parkford’s candied falsetto towards the end adds a charming multi dimension. Exuding fiery strutting swagger with a captivating stride and flaunt this track is magnetic and tantalising. ‘Little Al Capone’ begins with a strong “digging” labour intensive beat and bass vocals adding grounding and depth. The track builds into a theatrical quick passed track with rapid beat and sprightly piano. Tight harmony on vocals and a vibrant dynamism and oomph instrumentation add passion and slappy elasticity. The track sounds like it could have been taken from a scene from a musical where the actors are hard at work, slogging through the daily grindstone. ‘Shadow’ completes our musical journey with the mysterious Mini Mansions in a sombre nostalgic tone. Its labyrinth of interweaving textures meandering through a delicate tender melody and heavenly sweet lavish vocals give this track opulent textures and diversity. The dreamy Utopian wistfulness and visionary fantasy set to swirling rapid beat and whine on guitars in a sway – like motion gives this track an abstracted feeling, like it was all a dream.
Mini Mansions are like a fine wine maturing and coming into their own. ‘Flashbacks’ could have been an album as each track opens your mind to their unique classy musicianship as they guide you into a journey of fantasy and rich textures unwinding your mind and unravelling your senses.
