Victors have released their new single ‘I’ve Been Missing You’. Few can lay claim to performing at The Jacksons’ VIP party, having their tracks played at NFL Stadiums all over America and reaching nearly 2 million Spotify streams on their first release, yet Victors have found a formula in their undeniably catchy sound that is winning people over time and time again.
‘I’ve Been Missing You’ is a pristine sweet pop number as Victors flesh out their smooth clean sound with ethereal synths and lush melodies. Laid back and easy on the ears this velvety track floats beautifully on precise warm guitars while the shimmering synths soothe the backdrop in blissful delight.With soulful vocals and infectious beat this is one mellowed passionate song. Guest vocals are provided by up and coming artist Pippa, making this creamy track take on a glittering euphoric high for the candied chorus. With a luscious haze of pop sprinkled goodness coating the song ‘I’ve Been Missing You’ is an impressive tune with a slushy sweet 90’s boy band sheen. .
Following on from their last record ‘Big City,’ ‘I’ve Been Missing You’ acts as the other half to its predecessor, linking together lyrically and maintaining that signature Victors sound. The band added:“I’ve Been Missing You follows on from Big City. They kinda come as a pair.Realizing you’ve made mistakes but finding yourself in similar situations over and over”
Bio: Pelicandy are a London alt-pop duo who shared their first release of 2019 ‘Silent Treatment’ earlier this spring, the two-piece have already received widespread acclaim throughout the tastemaker community and across the airwaves (BBC Radio 1, Virgin),
Track: White Sky
About the track vocalist TC stated:“White Sky is about realising the ability to focus and reframe your own thoughts and perception of reality. Choosing what world you want to live in depending more on your mind-set than your surrounding environment, it’s like a superpower that anyone can learn. Depending on how we direct our thoughts we can even change our body’s own biology. It sounds like science fiction or new-age spirituality but it’s legit psychology and neuroscience”!
Why We Like It: It’s a shimmering funk flavoured synth driven track that glides upon cool chilled tones and a laid back atmosphere. With refreshing crisp synths glistening through snappy drums and breezy soundscapes this electronic number is brimming with swagger and summer vibes. Featuring a zesty stinging guitar solo and an infectious melody this velvety gem is instantly likeable.
Bio: Michael Jablonka has been gigging since the tender age of 14 as an in-demand guitarist for hire. His skills have been utilised by some of the country’s major rock and pop acts, and this summer Jablonka continues his tour of arenas and festivals worldwide with fellow North Londoner and Brit-soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka
Track: ‘Go- Go’
Why We Like It: It’s a haunting number that broods Jablonka’s refined thrilling musicianship. A steady drum beat sets a hypnotic tone for this thrilling track to flourish off while the sweet lamenting guitar chimes between this eerie sulky backdrop. The song builds becoming more passionate as distorted guitar pines and shrills flesh out Jablonka’s raw edgy sound. The song progresses beautifully from its laid back beginnings, gradually building to a soul infused rock crescendo brimming with intensity as the gritty guitar solo taking the track to spine chilling heights.
Bio: Following a whirlwind start to the year, which saw them being named as the only band on the BBC’s Sound of 2019 list and playing their biggest ever sold out live show at London’s Heaven, Sea Girls are excited to share the news that they have signed a record deal with Polydor Records (Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, The 1975). Earlier this month, the band announced their biggest UK shows for this autumn, kicking off in Nottingham on 2nd October
Track: Damage Done
Vocalist and songwriter Henry Camamile explains the track:“Damage Done is about young love and moving on. The night before the song was written I recognised that a part of my past was amazing, a bit flawed and broken all at the same time. I wanted to try to be at peace with it, and to realise that better things are to come rather than holding onto the past. I sort of told myself I’m singing to no one if I’m not thinking of the future.”
Why We Like It: It’s another passionate compelling track from Sea Girls that sweeps you up into a clenching surge of adrenaline. The sweet toned guitar twinkles between a snappy pulsing beat creating the tense and suspenseful verses that tease the anthemic chorus to come. These guys have an insane ability to create gripping, youthful tunes that rush into your veins with the expectation, kinetic energy and flutter of a first kiss while packing in some impressive indie backing to keep everything invigorating and refreshing. With an infectious melody, energetic bass, passionate warm vocals and precise exhilarating musicianship- it’s one sublime whoosh of indie to have you hooked in seconds.
Bio: Fast establishing themselves as one of the North East’s finest emerging acts,Teesside quintet Llovers have released their debut EP ‘Things That I Don’t Understand’, preceded by sparkling lead single ‘Coming Loose’ out via Think Tank? Drawing widespread acclaim across the airwaves (BBC Radio, 1, BBC 6 Music) over the last 18 months with a series of early releases, the band have already demonstrated their buoyant live potential supporting acts including Sundara Karma, Dream Wife and VANT.
Track: Coming Loose
About the track co frontman Jack Brooks stated : “Coming Loose deals with the anxieties that can come from being in a relationship, specifically one in which there’s little affection given from a paramour on the surface. It describes these feelings while also establishing which is used as a form of comfort within thenarrative of the track”.
Why We Like It: It’s a sparkling indie pop delight that swoons and floats around a delicious melody, shimmering synths and warm velvety vocals. A lustrous soundscape floods the track in dazzling scintillation while glittering guitars and a steady beat provide a wispy dreamy quality making this track so easy on the ears. The bitter sweet melody contrasts sublimely with the vibrant instrumental backdrop as the song soaks in summer vibes, psychedelic pop embellishments and rich textures.
Independent, synth pop artist ‘Ink Pix’ is releasing his next new single on the 31st of May, entitled ‘How R U?’.A preview in the form of a lyric video will also be available on the 28th of May. The song will be the first in a continuous run of singles Ink Pix will be releasing every 3 weeks.
‘How R U?’ is a catchy synth pop flutter as Ink Pix presents an intricately crafted number with playful instrumentation and rich rhythms. The synths glimmer and bloop behind the rapid vocal coos. It is tightly layered with a sticky beat holding the infectious buoyant foundation while the crisp production polishes off the song with a glossy sheen. Catchy with a sugar coated melody and relatable lyrics Ink Pix has crafted his own tasty brand of synth pop.
Meath-based five-piece, Lady Landscape have released their new EP ‘2’. Founded by Alex Harrison and Ryan McDonnell in late 2018, Lady Landscape embrace a lo-fi sound that combines rich synth textures, dreamy guitar rhythms and smooth baritone vocals. Upon forming, the then two piece band released their first EP ‘1’ in 2018, before taking a short hiatus, whilst Harrison spent some time in Vancouver, Canada to work on new demos. McDonnell and Harrison then returned to work in their makeshift bedroom studios to craft and shape their second release ‘2’. Constantly developing their sound with each release, Lady Landscape became a five-piece in 2019, incorporating friends of the group: Jamie Reynolds (Drums), Tiernan Buckley (Bass) and Adam Ollin (Lead Guitar), for a series of live shows in Dublin.
‘2’ is a four track treasure of laid back dreamy tunes that melt into your brain with euphoric delight. The bands simplistic approach creates tracks that are easy on the ears as they fill the songs with mellow tones and luscious textures. ‘Nanaimo’ kick starts their sun kissed sound with an angel delight-dipped melody, nonchalant vocals and twinkling instrumentation. With glistening guitars flickering between the hazy soundscape while a buoyant beat keeps the track peppy and light, ‘Nanaimo’ flurries by with effortless charm and soothing tones. The band blend rich and rejuvenating musicianship with calm, soft lo-fi pop soundscapes and shimmering synths seamlessly. A good example of this is the ethereal ‘Kitsilano’ which was previously featured on Indie Buddie. With their tight musicianship and indie pop sprinkles, Lady Landscape create an EP that is delicious and refreshing. The tranquilizing tones continue with ‘Jericho’ , a sweet ditty with a mesmerising guitar melody and majestic synths. These guys have a knack for honeyed, velvety melodies and ‘Jericho’ takes that skill and turns it up a notch as they subtly surge the track with a 60’s flower power vibe all while layering the track in rich rhythms and glorious sun kissed textures. Final track ‘Varanasi’ brings the EP to a gentle and peaceful end as the tender melody drifts upon a glistening soundscape of soft guitar, and spacey synth elements while the baritone vocals coo the sweet lullaby- esque lyrics. This psychedelic hue closes out the EP allowing you to sail away into a delicate dreamland gracefully.
‘2’ is a wholly satisfying EP as Lady Landscape’s mature, beautiful sound gently blossoms with refinement and grace – it’s captivating and unique.
Cleveland-based Indie/Alternative artist Holden Laurence has released his Sophomore album ‘Rewire’ and will celebrate with a release show at Mahall’s on May 17th alongside Niights and Punch Drunk Tagalongs. Like his previous release ‘Wild Empty Promises’, Laurence once again recruited drummer Michael O’Brien of The Modern Electric to provide the pulse of Rewire. The Rewire sessions were recorded at Fe True Productions(Cleveland) and Bobby Peru Recording Studios (Milwaukee), and were engineered, mixed, and mastered by Shane Olivo, in partnership with executive producer Dr. Michael Bell.In addition to self-producing for the second time, all instruments and vocals, with the exception of drums and percussion, were performed by Holden Laurence
‘Rewire’ is a luscious and compelling collection of alternative 80’s pop submerged in beautiful vivid musicianship as Laurence wraps each track in glorious sugary synths that flash and seep their glucose sweetness through tracks like ‘Shadows of Old Love’, ‘Friendship and The Fever’ and ‘Speaking in Tongues’ .The emotional melodies melt into the tracks effortlessly and rest easily on the ear with bittersweet nostalgia blending with melancholic tones. The velvety vocals exude passion as the glistening sharp guitars weave zesty melodies throughout. The tracks whirl and glissade smoothly from vivid bass grooves and meaty drum progressions to ethereal dreamy tones seamlessly creating a vibrant and texture throughout the album. The emotional tender tracks like ‘Lightning Strikes’, ‘Rewire’,‘Desire’ and ‘Roses and a Romeo Mask’ are beautifully presented with delicate passion and gripping soundscapes while the more upbeat, indie speckled, sun kissed gems like ‘We’ll Always Have the Radio’ illuminate the album with a euphoric laid back tone of delight. Laurence brings us down a sultry nostalgic road of longing with ‘Mary Magdalene’ with its wistful, heart stopping melody and gripping soundscapes that is sure to rest charmingly in the heart of any one who listens to it. The album comes to a beautiful and delicate end with the track ‘The Southern Wind’ as warm guitar twinkles about a soft melody and lush harmony. It’s a charming number that builds becoming more dynamic as it blossoms into a heart warming ditty with honest lyrical content and pure emotional tones.
‘Rewire’ is a richly satisfying album that boasts Holden Laurence’s immaculate, passionate and rich musicianship.
Newcastle moody synth-pop duo SADSUN have released their new single ‘Heads or (Tails)’. SADSUN made their debut on the scene in February with their single ‘Control’, an addictively delirious synth-pop track with dark and atmospheric undertones. Gaining praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, God Is In The TV and BBC Music Introducing North East, founded by talented musicians, Aimy Miller (vocals/production) and Simon Atkinson (synths/guitar/production), SADSUN blend uplifting vintage pop sensibilities and brooding introspective lyricism with a cinematic backdrop.
‘Heads or (Tails)’ is a refreshing burst of synth pop shimmering with a glorious 80’s pop sheen. The funky guitars inject and weave a groovy thread throughout this laid back summer number while the glistening synths and sticky, pulsing beat create a breathtaking ethereal atmosphere. With smooth vocals caressing the nostalgic melody this sweet, summer baked gem is an easy listening catchy track to put on repeat.
Speaking on ‘Heads or (Tails)’, vocalist, Aimy Miller explained: “Heads or (Tails) is an attempt at exploring the chaos of emotions. When it was written, I was struggling to get a grip on how I was feeling day to day – it felt as though it could literally be down to a flip of a coin. One moment I was over the moon happy, the next I was through the floor hopeless and experiencing a lot of physical pain. I was aware how it must have been for someone to see me like that and i just wanted everything to stop.”
Meath-based indie pop band, Lady Landscape have released their debut single, ‘Kitsilano’. Founded by Alex Harrison and Ryan McDonnell in late 2018, Lady Landscape embrace a lo-fi sound that combines rich synth textures, dreamy guitar rhythms and smooth baritone vocals. Taking their name from an inside joke concerning McDonell’s avoidance of the dating scene. Lady Landscape became a five-piece in 2019, incorporating friends of the group: Jamie Reynolds (Drums), Tiernan Buckley (Bass) and Adam Ollin (Lead Guitar), for a series of live shows in Dublin.
‘Kitsilano’ is a dreamy wisp of indie that binds Lady Landscape’s sound with sweet flurries of lo-fi pop. Soft guitar strums and jingles around an ethereal backdrop of twinkling synths. The steady beat weaves and hops about the track while the jangly keys playfully wander through this blissful mellow song. The nonchalant baritone vocals murmur through the majestic soundscape and sun sprinkled instrumentation. Filled with laid back tones Lady Landscape create a supple tune that is smooth and easy on the ears.
Indie band No Alarms have released their new single ‘Marble Bars’.No Alarms was born in Texas as the solo passion project of multi-instrumentalist Andrew Boles, and has since bloomed into a Detroit-based, fully-fledged, five-piece. Their single ‘Right is What’s Left’ was featured in an episode of ABC’s “Kevin Probably Saves the World’ and their ‘No Alarms’ EP was the 13th most added record on NACC college charts its debut week, and has since peaked at #132 on the NACC 200.
‘Marble Bars’ is a slick ethereal burst of youthful indie. it is brimming with lush synths creating that instant rush of adrenaline while a rooted rhythmic backdrop stomps and bounces on a fluctuant meaty heart thumping foundation. The track is compelling and filled with passion as the warm vocals caress the catchy sweet melody. No Alarms showcase their fine musicianship as they grip your heart firmly with every note, synth lick and guitar flutter. They douse the track in a youthful flurry of urgency while light zesty twinkles on guitar flicker in and out with an edgy sting and refreshing burst of energy. Its feel good exhilarating indie at its best.
Birmingham band Lycio have released their new single ‘Young Ties’. This latest cut is one of the bands oldest compositions, and sees a return to their darker side. The track was mastered at Metropolis Studios by Stuart Hawkes (Jack Garratt, Rae Morris, Lorde, Fickle Friends, Rudimental, Mura Masa).
‘Young Ties’ is a wispy ethereal slice of atmospheric indie wrapped in swirling, fluctuant synths while an elegant piano and flashing drum arrangement provide a gripping and meaty backdrop to this airy number. Mendez’ passionate vocals powerfully plough through the chorus with oodles of expression while gently cooing through the delicate brooding verses. The track is doused in sweet melancholy as swoony dreamy soundscapes flurry and delicately rebound off the luscious melody and sway-able synths. Richly layered, each gripping note is laced in emotion as the track gracefully and beautifully dances with its darker tones creating an ambient full-bodied sound. Another majestic track from Lycio.
Of the track, frontwoman Genie Mendez explains – “Young Ties is about mental health. Trying to understand how my head works, whether it’s a gift or a curse (‘the beauty that’s inside my mind’), and then trying to accept it (‘I’ll go where you are taking me’). Then of course everyone’s getting on with their daily routine not knowing the struggle of those around them (‘all the young men in long ties…’). And of course ‘can you bring me home/can you take control’ is a question for my own head. I’m asking my mind if it can really handle this, if we can bounce back from it.”
Motions are an indie band from Dublin. Following the release of their well received ‘Late Night Calls’ EP in 2018, alongside a string of gigs and festival appearances across Ireland they have released their new single ‘Play The Hits’. . The track was written by Dave Nulty & Tom Daly and produced by Alessio Buso.
‘Play The Hits’ is a synth laced dance number luxuriate in 80’s speckled electronics. This catchy dance number is infused with rich flashing soundscapes as shimmering synths flicker and playfully ricochet off snappy beats and skittish rhythms. With a swirling ethereal atmosphere jangly guitars and smooth warm vocals this infectious number struts in cool and effortless with sticky scorching sun kissed electronics hooking it firmly into your brain. A few pinches of indie zest is sprinkled on top of this pop steeped anthem making it a charming shuffle-ready tune from Motions.
Watch the video for ‘Play The Hits’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
