Etaoin makes her stunning introduction with her new single, ‘Bedroom Walls’. Written by Etaoin, the song is the first to appear from a debut EP, due out later in the year.
Etaoin displays her knack with emotive pop melodies and tender expressive musicianship in her debut single ‘Bedroom Walls’. Etaoin takes a simple approach to create a sweet and earnest single.Warm rasped vocals coo over a tender bittersweet melody while supple picked guitar and delicate folk elements blend between pop to create a unique and engaging listening experience. The song builds softly as Etaoin’s vocals become more expressive while a soft wisping soundscape and suspenseful strums on guitar create an ethereal uplifting atmosphere for the crescendo. ‘Bedroom Walls’ is a moving and beautiful debut that marks Etaoin as an artist to keep an eye on. Looking forward to hearing more from Etaoin.
Rowlette is an indie-pop artist. As a solo performer with an acoustic guitar, she is recognised for her powerful vocals, inspirational lyrics and captivating performances. Hailing from Co. Mayo, she has a distinctive yet gripping writing style. Somehow not falling into the typical romance genre, you’re more likely to catch Rowlette singing about topics such as breaking the mould, friendship, embracing ambition and living in the present.
Before the pandemic struck, Rowlette was well known on the live scene, including Rowlette performing a packed-out headliner in Crowbar and joining Jack L on his latest tour, impressing audiences across the country in venues such Cork Opera House, Theatre Royal and the Pavillion.
Rowlette is a passionate performer. Her catchy indie-pop songs are sure to have you singing along in no time. Last year Rowlette took over our Indie Buddie Facebook and Instagram for a wonderful and engaging livestream that put a smile on everyone’s faces. Her charming and fun personality teamed with her mesmerising vocals is sure to make this event one not to miss.
About the event, Rowlette said:“I’m hosting it privately, as I want it to be an intimate experience. Attendees don’t have to take part, but all feedback will be welcomed and encouraged. It’s a chance to put on the kettle or pour a glass of wine, relax and hear some original and unheard music.”
Check it out at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17th.
Monaghan singer-songwriter Jim McHugh is back with his new single ‘Dave’ and a first taste of what’s to come from his upcoming third album ‘Pretending To Wake Up’, due for release May 28th. Working alongside producer Alex Borwick (Parliament Funkadelic, Catfish & The Bottlemen, Niamh Regan, Lankum) and session musicians Paul McCabe (bass) Paul Sherry (Electric Guitar) and Butch McNeill (Drums), McHugh brings a new dynamic and alluring sound to the rock genre.
‘Dave’ is a rousing rock number showcasing a darker side to Jim McHugh’s sound. Spreading bluesy guitar riffs over a hip seducing rhythm ‘Dave’ is a wild, infectious banger. The verse wriggles with rich percussion, dark bass rumbles, and deep vocals from McHugh hooking the listener instantly. Then without any warning, the chorus swarms in on a wave of rock n roll bravado. Clamorous guitars, punchy drums, and a thrilling vocal display from McHugh ensure the chorus isn’t leaving your head anytime soon. Blending funky guitar elements, with mosh ready frenzy, ‘Dave’ is a blazing new single from McHugh. Love it.
About ‘Dave’ Jim says….“In an original story of misspent youth, Dave unveils my interactions with a friend who was known for being on the wrong side of the law on numerous occasions.”
NI Music Prize Nominee Sam Wickens has released his new single ‘Murky Waters’ along with his new EP ‘Watson.’ The first single from the EP, ‘Strange.24’ was released on 24th November 2020 to much critical acclaim. The five-track ‘Watson EP’ is the second major release since his critically acclaimed debut album ‘All I’ve Seen’ in 2019.
There is no denying the depth of earnestness in Wickens’ songs. Within ‘Watson’, the listener is invited to delve deep and explore the crevices of his artistic mind through masterful songwriting and compelling musicianship.
The auto-tuned synth drone of opener ‘Sunday Smile, Pt 1’ introduces the EP. Wickens’ rich vocals flow over a jaunty guitar and buoyant rhythmic bounce, while subtle country warmth mangled within R&B hues and icy electronic soundscapes display the EP’s tight, dark, and intriguing production. ‘Watson, Pt 2’ elegantly chimes with lamenting picked guitar as thumping drums pulse in the background, creating the track’s increasing heartbeat through a skilful use of synths and static noises.
Deft use of production sees Wickens increase the EP’s intensity as each song progresses, as if building to a massive pinnacle point…. ‘Murky Waters.’ This raw, rumbling maelstrom of mental torment is a fantastic display of Wickens’ first-rate musicianship. Shadowy drum rumbles, and bubbling electronics haunt in the background while a distorted guitar wail and chilling backing vocals express a harrowing sense of struggle within the music. A suffocating, muggy soundscape constricts and smothers an innocent twinkling on keys which at times rises to break free only to be pulled under and smothered again. The light, gentle keys provide a wonderful contrast to Wicken’s beautiful deep vocals which exude a soulless sense of sorrow. ‘Murky Waters’ is pain, struggle and release personified through music. It is utterly sublime and an enthralling piece of music.
Although ‘Murky Waters’ is a powerful and stand-out gem on the EP, within each track there is something special that allows them to shine just as brightly. My favourite track on the EP is arguably ‘This War of Mine‘. The raw emotion, hope, and pain expressed through Wicken’s lyrics is heartbreaking. “In time ill find some peace of mind. In time, I’ll lose this war of mine”. Suspenseful ethereal synths maintain an uplifting, hopeful tone while the pulsing beat covers the backdrop in an ominous shadow that is difficult to shake as Wickens coosa heartbreaking lyric “buried in the earth the last line of belief”.
Brooding electronics merge with country tones and oodles of soul in ‘Strange.24’ tobring ‘Watson’ to a perfect and epic finale. This song comforts, soothes, and caresses the visceral wounds of the tracks that went before. Maintaining its innocence and sweet tones an uplifting hopeful piano, which was smothered in other tracks such as ‘ Murky Waters’, comes to the forefront. Wispy synths and ethereal soundscapes raise the song’s atmosphere as Wickens’ warm rasped vocals discuss the acceptance of recovering from a battle with mental illness. “Feeling strange, it all just went away.” As the track drifts into its cinematic crescendo Wickens leaves us with hope and more tears, but these tears are of relief and joy this time.
‘Watson’ is an EP that reveals more and more with each listen allowing the listener to experience emotion, hope, pain, and mental anguish through the artist’s eyes. Wickens delivers this through heartfelt, honest, and passionate musicianship. His ability to stir the soul on such a deep level with his lyrics and music is exquisite. Sam Wickens is a rare talent. He has come a long way since his critically acclaimed debut album ‘All I’ve Seen’ in 2019 and has shown strong musical growth. Wickens has created an EP of solid, sincere, and equally compelling songs that carry the hallmarks of poetic, lyrical, and musical genius.
About his new single Sam Wickens says: “Murky Waters is the realisation that I was raised and put through terrible circumstances. Constantly feeling alone through every obstacle that was placed in front of me. Traumatic events seemed to follow me no matter where I ran, I started to believe that I was some sort of gatekeeper, that my purpose was to absorb the terrible things so others didn’t need too.”
American songwriting legend A.J. Croce is releasing his new album ‘By Request’ via Compass Records. ‘By Request’ is the first album Croce has released since losing his wife of 24 years, Marlo Croce, after a sudden heart ailment. It’s also the first album by Croce to feature his full touring band: Gary Mallaber on drums (Van Morrison, Steve Miller band), GRAMMY®-winning bassist David Barard (Allen Toussaint, Dr. John), and up-and-coming guitarist Garrett Stoner. Over the past three decades, A.J. Croce has established his reputation as a piano player and serious vocal stylist who pulls from a host of musical traditions and anti-heroes — part New Orleans, part juke joint, part soul. While his last album, ‘Just Like Medicine, paired him with soul legend Dan Penn and an all-star cast of players, his new album was born of memories — of favorite artists and shows, but mostly, of late-night gatherings with groups of friends, many of them fellow musicians, with Croce at the piano taking requests.
Croce revisits these musical memories on ‘By Request’, 12 personally curated covers that traverse decades and genres. With Croce’s animated jazz-infused piano at the helm, the album comes to life with blues tracks such as Allen Toussaint’s ‘Brickyard Blues’, and rock n’ roll bangers like Randy Newman’s ‘Have You Seen My Baby’. His loose and fun style floods the songs in swagger, aptly capturing the essence and energy of the late-night gatherings that inspired the album.
With the jaunty funky rendition of Billy Preston’s ‘Nothing from Nothing’ and a full band sound, each track is brimming with character, charm and warmth. Within ‘By Request’ there are many hidden musical gems to delight and tantalize listeners’ ears. One such gem which perhaps shines most brightly is Croce’s musical genius on piano. Croce puts his spin on songs by Neil Young, The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke, The Faces and more, with his unique piano-driven arrangements to create an engaging album brimming with passion and feel-good fun. Love it.
About the album Croce says : “BY Request’ is my way of inviting you over for a private gathering at my place. We listen to great music, laugh, make great food and after a few drinks and maybe a few more we end up in my music room and I start taking requests of every genre and era. The music is always fun and completely diverse. We’ll play and sing all kinds of music. Some of my friends are professional musicians, some do it for fun and many friends are just serious music fans. So you’ll fit right in. There’s no way that I could record the thousands of songs I’ve performed at home over the years, nevertheless every song on this album has been requested by close friends who have hung out at my place many times for many years. “Welcome to my home, by request, you’re hereby invited to join the party.”
Following on from the laid back vibe of previous single ‘Summertime Somewhere’, Dublin multi-instrumentalist Sam Ludlow has released his new single ‘Cruise.’Sam Ludlow spreads hip hop elements over a dreamy melody filled with soft, intricate instrumentation. The song exudes an instant soothing charm with jazz-drizzled piano twinkling between radiant guitar licks and warm melodies as Sam’s vocals venture from velvety croons to rap. Blending themes of escapism and reality through rosy-hued, witty lyrics, ‘Cruise’ is a well-crafted display of refined musicianship from Sam Ludlow.
‘The Barrios (The Mask Mixes 2)’ is the fresh new single to come from Australian progressive pop act SweetCell. A remix of a single from their 2020 debut album, ‘The Barrios (The Mask Mixes 2)’ was initially inspired by a series of photographs depicting a Spanish neighbourhood. It is the second single to be released in the Mask Mixes series.
Cinematic and doused in psychedelic hues ‘The Barrios (The Mask Mixes 2)’ is an engaging remix from SweetCell. The track swirls through a darker soundscape for the remix as SweetCell spreads synths over an icy backdrop of jaunty guitars and punchy drums to create a striking and eerie rendition that contrasts the anthemic rock sound represented in the original. Melodically lush and well crafted ‘The Barrios (The Mask Mixes 2)’ provides an intriguing glimpse into the versatility of SweetCell.
‘2020 Reprise’ is the latest single to come from Canadian singer-songwriter Norine Braun. Initially released in 2020 on bandcamp, ‘2020 Reprise’ takes the reflective song and gives it the full band treatment. Norine Braun is an award-winning artist (Canada Council For the Arts Award, Los Angeles Music Awards) based in Vancouver, Canada. From New York City to Quebec City to Tokyo and beyond, Braun has performed at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, at theatres, festivals, coffeehouses, casinos, and clubs.
Electronic soundscapes swirl through a punchy alternative setting in ‘2020 Reprise’ -aptly expressing Braun’s powerful songwriting. With sharp whines on guitar cutting through a muggy synth backdrop, the track creates a gripping atmosphere. Heartfelt vocals provide the song’s emotional core while turbulent and edgy instrumentation curves and pivots around a strong drum beat creating a dynamic and emotional listening experience. The song progresses to a shredding guitar solo and expressive crescendo as Braun displays her engaging and passionate musicianship through this emotive gem.
Macca Taylor has released his new single, ‘How It Goes.’Growing up with a healthy obsession for music, Macca started to write and produce original material from his Birkenhead loft in early 2017. He released three singles in 2020 and received support from BBC Introducing via Dave Monks on Radio Merseyside and Tom Robinson on Radio 6 Music, crowned ‘Waters Unknown’ as Macca’s ‘strongest release to date.’
‘How It Goes’ is a soothing lo-fi pop track glittering with the bright and deft songwriting of Macca Taylor. Coating the song in soft, comforting tones, Taylor drifts a sweet, dreamy melody over a cushioned beat, and catchy guitar refrains to create a buoyant and mellow tune. From the laid-back bedroom pop hues to acoustic sounds and electronic embellishments, ‘How It Goes’ is a joy to listen to. Accompanied by ethereal synths Taylor’s velvety vocals provide an airy, light texture to the song allowing the infectious groove on bass and drums to anchor the listener within the song’s breezy atmosphere. With elements of nostalgia and melancholia blended among the cheery foot-tapping instrumentation, ‘How It Goes’ is a well crafted delight for listeners to indulge in.
New Yorker Sophia B has released her debut single ‘Boys are So Overrated’. After living in Bangkok and Prague as a child, Sophia B and her family settled in the Upper East Side of New York City. Sophia B certainly uses her heritage and multi-cultural experiences as well as her extensive experience in musical theatre to her advantage in her songwriting.
Sophia B blends pop with indie riffs to create a tight debut with ‘Boys are So Overrated’. With catchy lyrics and sweet vocals, the track is compact and relatable. Looking forward to hearing more from this budding new artist.
Stream ‘Boys are So Overrated’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
