Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From 10 O’Clock Chemical
Having met through Stoke On Trent’s local music scene, 10 O’Clock Chemical was formed in 2016 between four friends discovering a shared love for rock and electronica: songwriter, keyboardist and vocalist Rhys, drummer Danny, bassist Josh and guitarist Jack. An enigmatic group with a penchant for sci-fi imagery and witty, observational songwriting, they were quickly voted ‘Best New Artist’ by six hundred of their peers at the Staffordshire and Cheshire Music Awards in Spring 2017. Their debut single ‘Babylon is Fallen’ was released to critical acclaim in February 2018 via their own GRITPOP label, and the group plan to release their debut EP this June. The band have now released a video for their recent single ‘We Are Digital’.
‘We Are Digital’ is a flaunty, sublime strut of electronica that exudes the sass and sultriness of INXS with a Depeche Mode foundation. This catchy gem showcases the band’s opulent production, slithery grooves, and captivating allure.With a thick rhythmic base and light funk embellishment, this song fits all the needs of 1980s pop radio while maintaining a modern edge. The glossy infectious melody glides over a rippling guitar line and snappy skittering beat creating an infectious dancable number. The sumptuous production makes for a wholly satisfying listen – tightly layered and darkly hued the song lures you into its infectious depths. The vibrant chorus is ridiculously buoyant as attitude soaked vocals rebound of its fluctuant, dizzying soundscapes while falsetto vocals sweeten the deal providing a lush melody to cling to. 10 O’Clock Chemical have created a hook laden intoxicating pop number to drool over.
The video for ‘We Are Digital’ was Co-directed by Will Hutchinson and band member Rhys Oakes – watch it below
Bio: La Bête Blooms are a Post-Punk band from Hull. The band consists of members Daniel Mawer (Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Jack Gallagher (Bass) , John Copley (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Louisa Robinson (Keyboard) and James Coggin (Drums).
Track: Take Arms
Why We Like It: It’s a glorious fizzing assault of the post punk this band do so well. Acid stinging scratchy guitars blast feed back into your ears while effervescent synths fizz throughout a drum and rumbling bass foundation. It’s filled with angst and adrenaline with some witty lyrics thrown in. Its biting and sharp but a thrilling buzz to the head.
Bio: Powerbleeder is an indie pop band from Seattle. The band members are David Plell (songwriter, vocals, guitar), Martin Selasco (keys), Mike Sampson (drums), and Craig Peters (bass). The single is out now and their upcoming EP, “G u s h,” will be released on April 10, 2018.
Track: Donnie Wants You Dead
Why We Like It: It’s a melodic pop soaked track with a melody that hops along with the sweetness of a doo-wop tune while harsh grunge instrumentation floods the background of the chorus. The verses jingle and bounce like a happy bunny while the chorus swarms in like a harrowing wolf wanting to make rabbit stew. Meticulously layered well-crafted it’s a suspense filled joy ride.
Bio: Emma Saunders is a singer song writer from London. She has been involved in music from a young age and has worked with various artists most recently, French producer Don Low. At the start of this year she started writing her own music, it’s heavily inspired by the ‘Doo Wop’ genre, with more modern elements and she has her first solo gig coming up in London on 2nd of April at ‘The Old Queens Head’.
Track: I Feel Alive
Why We Like It: It’s soulful, passionate and timelessly pristine. Saunders vocals are crisp, pure and expressive. Simple piano accompaniment creates an elegant quality to the track while her vocals lure and entice with a rich depth and effortless power. The sweet lull in the backing vocals create a doo wop vibe as Saunders vocals take the limelight mesmerising you with every note. The track is melodically beautiful and passionate with a maturity and sophistication that is timeless. It’s classy, vintage with some subtle eerie tones mixed in.
Bio: Death By Piano is a Brooklyn based duo comprised of singer/keyboardist Kalen Lister and producer/instrumentalist Greywolf. ‘Bender’ Is taken off their upcoming debut EP, ‘Countdown’ which is set for release 6th April.
Track: Bender
Why We Like It: It’s a delicate sweet electronic track that soothes and eases the mind with tranquil electronics floating around a sticky slapping beat and beautiful crisp vocals. Mellow and aerial this track is a swishing flickering dreamy example of fine musicianship and refined production..
Bio: Birmingham’s Ivory Wave have released their new single ‘Cool Kids’. Since mid 2016 the band have enjoyed a fast ascent from a gang of mates to local heroes selling out hometown shows which now erupt into chaotic, sing-along frenzies
Track: ‘Cool Kids’
What inspired the track: The bands frontman George Johnson explains the inspiration behind ‘Cool Kids’; “It should be us who shape our own future as we will be the ones who are living it. It’s a celebration of being able to wear what you want, a celebration of being who you want to be and most importantly a celebration of youth.”
Why We Like It: It’s a vibrant fun indie track that will have you bopping along in no time. With flappy beats rebounding off groovy buoyant bass lines and wobbly silky guitars this track is instantly likeable and strut ready. They even throw in a sleazy sax feature. Who can resist this tune.
Bio: 10 O’Clock Chemical are comprised of songwriter, keyboardist and vocalist Rhys, drummer Danny, bassist Josh and guitarist Jack. The four of them met through Stoke On Trent’s local music scene, sharing a deep love for rock and electronica. In addition to the core lineup is a mysterious cyber entity called Zed, who carries administrative duties for the band and even makes the odd cameo appearance. With radio support from BBC Introducing Stoke, and the accolade ‘Best New Artist’ as voted by six hundred of their peers at the Staffordshire and Cheshire Music Awards in Spring 2017, they have now released their debut single ‘Babylon is Fallen’ via the group’s own label GRITPOP. A still from the locally filmed video, made on a snowy January day, forms the single’s sleeve. Their follow-up will arrive in April ahead of their debut EP in June.
Track: Babylon Is Fallen
Why We Like It: It’s a laid-back electro dance number that slaps grooves and throbs with a chilled cool vibe while still packing in some edgy jabs. Its addictive and catchy with itchy funky elements springing against a slippery bass and dizzying electronics. The verses lure and entice you into the hypnotic mind melting entrapment of the chorus. It’s a trippy rave-ready, danceable track that has a Kasabian vibe.
Bio: Irish alternative band Snow Patrol have released ‘Don’t Give In’ the lead single from ‘Wildness’, their first record in seven years. Since their 1998 debut, Songs for Polarbears, Snow Patrol have racked up an impressive number of critical and commercial accolades, including 15 million global album sales, 1+ billion global track streams, five UK Platinum Albums, and are Grammy, BRIT Award and Mercury Music Prize nominated. After their Fallen Empires tour ended in 2012, band members —which also include multi-instrumentalist Johnny McDaid, guitarist Nathan Connolly, bassist Paul Wilson, and drummer Jonny Quinn — decided to take a step back from the band, and focus on their own projects. Gary Lightbody continued his work with his Tired Pony side project with members of Belle and Sebastian, R.E.M, Reindeer Section and Fresh Young Fellows and moved to Los Angeles to begin writing songs for movies (including “This Is How You Walk On” for 2017’s Gifted), and doing a number of high-profile co-writes with Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Biffy Clyro.
Track: Don’t Give In
Why We Like It: It’s a heart warming number backed with sweet melodies and tender tones. A touch of Americana warms the track as a blood pumping beat and mighty sing along ready chorus drives the track to anthemic heights. With raspy emotional vocals, mellow guitars and a shredding crescendo, its passionate, powerfully wholesome and tender yet motivational.
