Savonarola have released their new single ‘Byrds Gone Bad’.Formed in 2017, Savonarola knew that they had found something special from the get-go. Defined by a delicious blend of alternative rock and psychedelia, writing and recording oozed out of them, and they effortlessly created seven songs in less than a year. Since then, they have released their critically-acclaimed single, ‘Might Be Bad’, and 2020 EP, ‘Dischordant’.
‘Byrds Gone Bad’ showcases Savonarola’s swagger driven music as they delve deep into a psychedelic 60’s/70’s -esque sound to create a blistering tune for listeners to enjoy. Driving on a pounding rhythm, resounding bass and scorching guitars the track warps to become a mind-melting psychedelic listening experience. The track oozes a dynamic rock persona while a dark ominous atmosphere seeps in for the instrumental as the band introduce a Danish monologue executed by their bass player. Well crafted and brimming with vigour ‘Byrds Gone Bad’ is an energising new tune from Savonarola.
Dublin Producer, Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist, Cabin has released his new single ‘Dull’. Cabin (aka Adam McCabe) began crafting his songwriting and production skills as part of post-punk outfit Brass Phantoms, and has had his music featured on the likes of BBC Radio 6 with Steve Lamacq, Spotify’s Hot New Bands, and more, along with production credits for the likes of Fangclub.
Filled with lush textures, mouth-watering melodies and masterful instrumentation, ‘Dull’ is bursting from the seams with soul, and rich sonic embellishments as McCabe displays his production wizardry in this dynamic, trippy and consuming tune. Balancing light musical tones with dense undertones and sweet guitar melodies the track swirls through a backdrop of heavy rhythmic thuds and psychedelic rock while lush backing vocals and chiming lo-fi elements mellow out the tracks abrasive indie rock. McCabe’s vocals are on fine display within ‘Dull’. His vocals glide over the melody with ease, ooze passion and a vocal gusto that enhances the song’s dynamic aesthetic. ‘Dull’ is a compelling, impressive new single from Cabin that beckons repeat plays.
On the track, Cabin says; “In my mind, It’s a soaring, forceful, and expansive song, designed precisely for when I had felt the opposite, grounded, timid, and inhibited. I took those feelings, and flipped them.”
Dublin Producer, Songwriter and Multi-Instrumentalist, Cabin has released his new single ‘Evil Directions’.The song is the follow-up single to Cabin’s debut, ‘The Parasocialite’. Cabin (aka Adam McCabe) began crafting his songwriting and production skills as part of post-punk outfit Brass Phantoms, and has had his music featured on the likes of BBC Radio 6 with Steve Lamacq, Spotify’s Hot New Bands, and more, along with production credits for the likes of Fangclub.
‘Evil Directions’ is an intricate tapestry of psychedelic pop weaved together with lush melodies and rich textures throughout. Cabin presents a laid back tune that boasts elegant key refrains, swaying rhythms and mosaic guitar chimes to create a vibrant backdrop for listeners to indulge in. The artists’ knack with earworm melodies shines brightly in this song as he spreads a dreamy melody over the prismatic soundscapes to create a soothing yet enjoyable listening experience. There is a darker undertone within the track represented on keys, however, Cabin maintains a bright and bubbly retro tone throughout. ‘Evil Directions’ is a fantastic and tantalizing new tune that marks Cabin as an artist to keep an eye on.
On the track, Cabin says, “I’ve always adored the sounds and styles that this track draws from, but often found that those bright melodies hid darker sentiments. I see this track as my homage to that classic style of pop writing”
The Brighton-based School Disco have released their new single ‘Echoes’.The song follows on from the three-piece self-titled debut, which was highly regarded by fans new and old. ‘Echoes’ is the first track off the band’s second album, which will be announced soon
Within ‘Echoes’, School Disco display their fizzing blend of indie rock with mind-numbing psychedelia to create one thrilling tune. Melding abrasive guitar riffs with pounding drums, the band create a raw and heavy sound that stomps with glam rock panache and 60’s swagger.
The band have refined their sound into one intoxicating concoction. The riffs are catchy; the drums pound a body moving beat while the elastic bassline weaves lusty grooves throughout. As the song develops, it dissolves its heavy soundscapes into ripples of psychedelia. With lighter guitar embellishments, this hypnotic break in the song creates a numbing release before the crescendo brings a space rock onslaught of mania. Teaming deep hypnotic vocals with shrilling guitars and mind-crushing frenzy, ‘Echoes’ is a spectacular tune.
School Disco have constructed a solid sound. It is confident and loud, but the lyrics are full of mystery and vulnerability. Within short phrases of poetry such as, “Echoes Drone in the night, A sublet dream takes flight, Moving with the air above, Never giving his love Away”, the band capture a sweetly romantic yet eerie scene while the haunting instrumentation pulses around these echoed phrases.
‘Echoes’ is organic, sharp, and layered to perfection, making School Disco a band to keep an eye on.
Speaking on ‘Echoes’ School Disco frontman and producer Rory Lethbridge said. ‘‘Echoes is a really unique song for us and was the start of the new crop of songs from our 2nd album. Usually we write all the music first but this one started off as a poem. It also features one of my closest friends Elliot singing a dual lead harmony, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and he has an amazing ability to write and sing harmony. He really adds a unique dimension to the song’’
Sun Mahshene have released their new single, ‘The Righteous One.’ Sun Mahshene’s collective years of experience have helped them deliver some incredible live shows, including appearances at Whelan’s Ones to Watch 2018 and 2019, Ireland Music Week 2019, and high-profile support slots including Black Doldrums (UK), Magic Shoppe (US), Stony Sugarskull (DE) and Wand (US). Releases to date include three self-published EP’s, followed by three critically acclaimed singles on Reckless Records IE. Spotify and extensive national and international airplay supported these singles with playlists on the BBC and RTÉ Radio radio.
‘The Righteous One’ is an exhilarating psychedelic rock anthem that fizzes with the luring musicianship of Sun Mahshene. The track effortlessly weaves between hazy shoegaze, crashing indie rock, and dazzling psychedelia to create a high-quality gem that is a joy to listen to. Layering fuzzed guitars over agile rhythms the band provide an expansive and biting wall of sound. The whirring on guitars creates an ominous and mysterious quality within the band’s brand of psychedelic shoegaze whilst also capturing the most captivating sonic elements of 90’s guitar music.
The blazing instrumentation swirls around a sweet, delicate melody while supple vocals from Nathan Henderson anchors the listener within the musical maelstrom. He coos through the bewitching soundscape with a cool, emotive tone while bass rumbles, and pounding drums, wrestle for dominance in the thrilling background. Frenetic distortion covers the atmosphere in a crazed frenzy of crashing guitars, agitated bass and resounding drums as the harsh backdrop becomes aggressive for the building crescendo. At the same time, Henderson’s vocals echo gently, creating a blissfully dreamy, hypnotic contrast for the listener to indulge in.
‘The Righteous One’ is a glorious assault on the senses. Sun Mahshene have a masterful ability to express emotion through the medium of music. This is what makes them so special. They have a remarkable sound that entrances the listener from the very first note. ‘The Righteous One’ takes their music to a new level of achievement as Sun Mahshene continue to explore the depths of their unique, mesmerising musicianship.
Dublin artist James Lonergan is set to release his new single ‘Braid’ on January 29th. Lonergan joined his first band, aged 10; since then, he has steadily fronted bands – most notably as the vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the recently disbanded progressive band, Synk.
‘Braid’ is an elegantly evolving work of art. Exuding rich folk textures and lush melodies the mystical atmosphere created by Lonergan is masterful as he takes a nimble guitar hook and builds a compelling soundscape around it. An array of rhythms flutter through the track as Lonergan unravels grand orchestral arrangements to create an expansive and ethereal wall of sound. As the guitars freely dance through the song, the atmosphere meanders from a celestial earthy nature to moody dark brought on by a swift key change.
A gravitational pull within the song seems to lure the listener into the bewitching and vibrant psychedelic soundscape as Lonergan’s smooth vocals drift with ease upon the folk hued melody while haunting harmonies wisp in the background.
‘Braid’ is an absolute treasure that displays Lonergan’s mesmerising musical ability and production skills. Lonergan proves he is one to watch with this beautiful and compelling track. Love it!
Reading-based alternative three-piece doops have released their new EP ‘deflections.’ In true doops manner, the band weaves their refined alternative indie into a first-rate tapestry of musical mastery.
Simmering in dark, ominous soundscapes, ‘The Things We Are,’ and ‘Shangri-La’ set the EP’s tone. Psychedelic, sweet, and shrouded in mystery, the band blend 60’s dreamy melodies with ethereal guitar and reverb vocals to create a whimsical intro before the tracks unfold into a punchy punk rock display. Almost rap-like vocals rapidly spit over rolling, fuzzed bass lines and snappy drums. There is a sense of innocence in ‘The Things We Are,’ which is enhanced by the vibrant instrumentation, whereas ‘Shangri-La’ takes on a more sultry tone. These two wonderfully dark tracks are meticulously layered and announce doops new EP with triumphant vigor.
Perhaps my favourite track on the album is ‘Loopholes’; deep brooding vocals croon over a building disoriented instrumental while a tearful guitar laments in the background. The guitar mirrors the lyrics’ theme of entrapment as it wriggles in panic through the chorus while the sweet melody and steady beat succumb to the hazy musical bewilderment.
Just as the ghostly waft of ‘Loopholes’ reaches a cinematic end, the brash drone of ‘Rehash’ enters like a fire-spewing demon of alternative rock. The buzzing on guitar builds, becoming more distorted and harsh as the bass stomps with destructive tendencies in the backdrop. The vocals are urgent and race with an echo of drama and mania as the track spirals to its explosive crescendo. The song is a mesmerising display of deft musicianship.
Filled with cinematic soundscapes and impressive guitar hooks, doop’s ferocious alternative sound is well crafted. They allow it to blossom and venture down a path of sweet psychedelia in ‘Pull Back The Shades’ before firmly wrenching it back into a shredding maelstrom of emotional chaos.
There is a residue of electronic dance within the haunting ‘F.W.W.M’ before the harrowing strides on guitar billow out into a more funk impulse. This lighter tone contrasts the haunting vocals and lyrics, “It’s killing me. Is it killing you. So who’s killing who”. Building to a compelling guitar solo, the track is a fantastic and prodigious finale to the EP.
doops have knocked it out of the park with ‘deflections’. The EP is a breathtaking display of proficient musicianship. The pacing, attention to detail, and sheer beauty within this EP is captivating. The songs are confident, slick, and riddled with tangled emotion. ‘deflections’ is a magnificent glimpse into the artistic mind of doops.
Thom Southern has released his highly anticipated second single ‘Perfect Someone’. The song was co-produced by the legendary Adrian Bushby (Muse, Foo Fighters, Feeder).After recently bursting onto the scene with the fuzzy debut single ‘Shivers’, the Belfast based artist is already making a powerful and unforgettable first impression.Thom Southern also co-writes and produces for his sister Lucy Gaffney. Following the success of their previous joint ventures Southern and MMODE, the pair are both now simultaneously striking out with exciting solo projects.
‘Perfect Someone’ is a sweet slice of shoegaze. Thom Southern has created a song doused in rich textures and lush tones, he builds the track superbly creating soundscapes so pure and passionate it holds your heart in suspense for each note. With pulsing beats and dreamy melody this chillwave pop tune is saturated in sweet nostalgia. The flashing synths create a mystifying wall of sound as Southern’s velvety vocals coo through the rush of sonic flurries to soothe the scorching backdrop. Exuding tight production and superb musicianship ‘Perfect Someone’ is a beautifully crafted track from Thom Southern.
Thom Southern elaborates on the lyrical sentiment for the new single…“Perfect Someone is a bittersweet story of nostalgia and young love. I wanted to write a song about that moment when out of the blue an old romance pops into your head and takes you straight back to a specific time and place. The lyrics are about finding an old coat that hasn’t been worn in years with a photograph inside one of the pockets. You remember how good that day was but inevitably you know it will never be the same again. I wanted to embody the track with repetitive melodies which create the immediate atmosphere of nostalgia. I used an 808 drum machine to make the track hypnotic to take you through the story in a quick, simple way just like when a memory flashes into your head and then it’s gone.”
James Lonergan is set to release his debut single ‘Brendan Valeʼ tomorrow September 25th. James began playing guitar and writing music aged 9 when, amidst a recently admitted period of “unexplained, unwarrented childhood depression”, his father brought him home a battered old classical guitar. This awoke James into the current stream of conciousness he now exists in. Inspired by his father, who worked as a gigging musician in pubs around the county, James immediately began writing music – joining his first band aged 10. Throughout the years James has fronted a range of bands, as a vocalist, guitarist & keyboardist, most notably being the vocalist, guitarist & principal songwriter of the recently disbanded progressive band, Synk. Now self-producing his debut solo album, James is seen to be furthering the development of his own breed of contemporary alternative/ folk/electronic music.
‘Brendan Valeʼ is an immersive track which exudes ambient electronic soundscapes and the spellbinding songwriting of James Lonergan. Lonergan’s ability to weave wonderfully rich textures and tones through haunting sombre melodies and intricate progressive guitar flurries is mesmerising. The track seems to carry the listener into an otherworldly utopia of melancholy as Lonergan effortlessly draws the listener further into the songs rippling depths. With wispy electronics hovering over the soothing guitar and cushioning beat, Lonergan creates an eerie contrast to the song’s tranquilizing outer shell. A trotting rhythm embellishes the backdrop in a country hue while Lonergan’s vocals soothe and coo with tender and soft tones, however there is a tense and slightly asphyxiating undercurrent to the track which is displayed through the electronic pulses and brooding alternative rock elements. ‘Brendan Valeʼ is a richly crafted number with varied emotions presented through psychedelic flourishments, thought provoking lyrics and bubbling rhythms. Lonergan’s ability to create such emotive and expressive music is what makes him such a treasured talent.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From INSIDEAWAVE
Following the release of singles ‘Ivy Honey’ and ‘Bright Windows In The Night’, Dublin five-piece indie rock band, INSIDEAWAVE have released their self titled debut EP with lead single ‘Tour Guides’. To date, the band have amassed over 15,000 streams on Spotify, with ‘Ivy Honey’ having achieved 4,000 streams in 2 months.Their mid-tempo, heartening indie vibes have led them to performing extensively in premier music venues in Ireland such as Whelan’s & The Grand Social, The Bello Bar, Workman’s Club, The Wiley Fox, Bruxelle’s, Tramline, Spirit Store and many more.
‘Tour Guides’ is an intriguing listening experience. Presented within clean production the band create a spacious and airy track with soft falsetto vocal coo’s and dreamy melody. Guitar stings slice through a wispy atmosphere as the band blend dark psychedelic elements with raw indie to create an invigorating soundscape.The rumbling bass entwines the track in an ominous sense of mystery while the rich rhythm and percussion create a bubbling foundation. There is a wonderful contrast between the brooding darker verses and blossoming burst of the chorus as the band slip effortlessly into a brighter luminous soundscape. With haunting vocals wailing as the track fades to its end INSIDEAWAVE keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. These guys are master musicians.Their ability to compress so much wonderful sounds and elements into one track is impressive. INSIDEAWAVE are a band to keep an eye on.
Stream ‘Tour Guides’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
