Tag Archives: Alternative

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Savage Hearts ‘Gang War’ 

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Formed in 2022 and headed up by Evan Walsh (former drummer with The Strypes) The Savage Hearts have made several exciting appearances on the Irish scene including sets at Electric Picnic (2022 & 2023), Sea Sessions, Kaleidoscope and others. The band have performed support slots including a notable appearance as special guests of The Boomtown Rats in July 2023 (Evan later joined the Rats onstage for a jam of Mary Of The 4th Form and John Lee Hooker’s Boom Boom). The band have now released their first single ‘Gang War’(co-authored with Ste Kelly of Dublin’s own indie powerhouse Raglans). The track is released in collaboration with Galway-based Blowtorch Records, an Irish indie record label whose previous credits include Adore, Turnstiles, Search Results, TV People and The Swedish Railway Orchestra.

‘Gang War’ is a top-notch record. It is a thrilling concoction of garage rock, psychedelia and gritty rock and is an intriguing glimpse into the exciting potential of this band. The song opens on slinky keys, and sleazy howls on guitar while the drums stomp throughout; laying down a swaggering foundation that complements the 60’s psychedelic element on keys. With blasts of harmonica injecting a warm tone; the band create a prism of sounds that is both dazzling and tantalizing to the ears. ‘Gang War’ is an exciting new release from The Savage Hearts. Keep an eye on these guys. 

Stream ‘Gang War’ below 


Author:Danu

EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Blood Donor ‘Baby No More’ EP

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Blood Donor (the solo project of ex-Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly) returns with his debut four-track EP named after his new single, ‘Baby No More’. ‘Baby No More’ EP includes previous singles ‘Lonely Street’ and ‘Man, What Have You Done?’.His releases to date have drawn press acclaim and enjoyed considerable radio play, having been named a ‘Future Artist’ by BBC Radio One’s Jack Saunders and received rotation on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and FM104.

‘Baby No More’ is an exciting blend of lush melodies and exquisite songwriting from Blood Donor. Wrapped in warm shoegaze melodies, balmy guitar and driving rhythms this EP is a consuming listening experience from start to finish.

‘Baby No More’ sets the EP in motion with sunkissed tones and irresistible soundscapes. The track plays like a daydream enhanced by shimmering synths, soft guitar twinkles and a sweet melody while Reilly’s vocals venture between warm rasps and falsetto coos. The song is a wonderful piece of music and perfectly sets the scene for the western-esque tones of ‘Lonely Street’ and woozy vibes of ‘Waking Up In The Emergency Room’ that follow.

An exciting musical element within this EP is Reilly’s use of synths. The artist’s ability to create expressive and evocative moments is admirable and the addition of synth elements wonderfully lifts the soundscapes to exciting heights. The EP is not the banging indie rock sound fans might have expected from the artist instead Reilly gives us expressive soundscapes filled with emotion, texture and movement that exude a timeless quality within. Sure, it’s filled with fiery guitar moments, pounding drums and beautiful psychedelic moments but these are balanced with elements of jazz and do-wop tones, glittering synth embellishment and sweet as-taffy melodies.

‘Baby No More’ is an absolute treat to listener’s ears.

Stream ‘Baby No More’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, New Music

GLU ‘My Demons’

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Photo Credit: Will Norbury

GLU has announced his solo EP along with the official video for the title track ‘My Demons’ ft. Sarah Barthel of Phantogram. GLU is GRAMMY-nominated musician and multi-instrumentalist Michael Shuman. The frontman of Mini Mansions and member of Queens of the Stone Age is showing another side of himself with his independent debut EP, ‘MY DEMONS’, out February 24th. The title track release features Phantogram’s Sarah Barthel and explores how childhood traumas continue to seep into adult life. The coinciding video turns heads with a steamy, latex-laden Barthel symbolizing the demons that dominate GLU’s thoughts as he raps satirically through a leather ball gag.

‘My Demons’ is an honest and exciting glimpse into the many facets of Shuman as an artist. Stacking lo-fi- hip-hop alongside pop-hued melodies ‘My Demons’ is upbeat and endearing with cynical undertones. With a catchy melody interweaved between jangly keys, punchy beats and fuzzed bass the track is an exciting listening experience. Showcasing Shuman’s knack for creating musical melodies filled with rich rhythms ‘My Demons’ is a thrilling new tune. 

Watch the video for ‘My Demons’ below 


Author: Danu

Album Review, New Music

Luke Beavis Self-Titled Album

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Luke Beavis returns with his latest self-titled album, an Alt Rock project filled with ups, downs and everything in between. Written and recorded in his home and sent out to producers Zac Barter and David Wilson for final polishing, the album is yet another all-encompassing Luke project. 

Luke Beavis presents an album of passionate alternative rock anthems. Coating each track in raspy vocals, brooding lyrics and shredding guitar moments the artist showcases his diverse musicianship throughout. From soft ballads ‘I’m Gonna Be A Mega Star’ and ‘This Is A Love Song’ to the neck-snapping riffs and gritty rock soundscapes of ‘No More Victim from a Gun’ and lush pop shimmy of ‘Whale of a Time’ Beavis presents an album that has something for every music lover. Featuring pounding brisk drums and tight production it’s a thrilling and expressive new album.

Stream Luke Beavis’ self-titled album below 

Check Out The Video For Destiny below


Author:Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, New Music

This New Dawn ‘Regret’

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London Rockers, This New Dawn have released their new single ‘Regret’. The single was born from the band’s vocalist who, after a long break from music, returned with a fierce determination to imprint her mark on an industry that she had previously archived. Fate was on This New Dawn’s side as ‘Regret’ originated from a demo used by the band’s other members to audition singers. Their vocalist conceived the song’s concept at home following a continuous listening session to the unpolished demo on loop and perfected the lyrics and melody on the bus ride to the audition! The video mirrors the lyrics of ‘Regret,’ utilising the effects of lighting & differential scenery in symmetry with the lyricism and the polarised emotions of heartbroken anguish with the bittersweet resolution of emancipation.

‘Regret’ is a heavy belter. This haunting, alternative rock tune seamlessly balances earnest lyrics with gutsy rock and metal elements to create a wholly immersive listening experience. Filled with chiming guitars, resounding bass rumbles and pounding drums ‘Regret’ is a compelling new tune. 

Stream ‘Regret’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Red Sun Alert ‘Literally’

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Post-hardcore four-piece Red Sun Alert have released the second single ‘Literally’ off their upcoming EP, titled ‘Assume Power’. The Cork-based group recorded at the studio in Munster Technological University, Cork School of Music, where the four members have just graduated. It was recorded and mixed by Eoin Hayes of Rebel Recordings and Drew Linehan of Hausu.

‘Literally’ deftly displays the intricate and enigmatic musicianship of Red Sun Alert. The band place ethereal vocals over a dark backdrop of choppy drum progression and turbulent bass lines while sharp guitars create waves of acute, blustery alternative rock throughout. Well crafted and laced in intricate instrumentation the track is a wholly immersive listening experience. ‘Literally’ is a fantastic new tune from Red Sun Alert. 

Stream ‘Literally’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Chalk ‘Velodrome’

Photo Credit: Sienna Lillie Munn

Following their acclaimed debut single, ‘Them’, Irish post-punk/electronic 3-piece Chalk have released their new single, ‘Velodrome’.Recorded with producer Chris W Ryan (Just Mustard, Enola Gay, NewDad), Velodrome is the second track from their upcoming EP. Their debut single, ‘Them,’ won Steve Lamacq’s 6 Music Roundtable Record of the Week in April this year. Already selected as part of the First Fifty for The Great Escape Festival 2023, Chalk has become one to watch within the Irl/UK music scene. 

Gushing with angst and the thrilling musicianship of Chalk, ‘Velodrome’ is a mammoth-sounding blast to the ears. The tune spirals in an intoxicating soundscape of shrilling guitars pummeling drums and acid-baked fury. The expressive soundscape mangled within the anthemic blasts and frenzied techno elements makes for a wholly consuming listening experience. Shredding guitars gnash over mighty drum strikes and groove-infested basslines while Ross Cullen’s primal gritty vocals howl throughout as the band take hypnotic lyrics and wrap them in a manic whirlwind of instrumentation to create a relentless onslaught that is harrowingly frantic yet euphoric at the same time. ‘Velodrome’ is an impressive song that roars with the incomparable talent of Chalk. 

Stream ‘Velodrome’ below 


Author: Danu

Album Review, New Music

STRICKLAND ‘Superficial Chaos’ Album

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STRICKLAND makes his debut with his first album ‘Superficial Chaos’. The album will help a good cause, as the artist plans to donate 20% of any royalties to Macmillan Cancer Support and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

‘Superficial Chaos’ is a diverse album that oozes indie and classic rock tones with some retro flirtations and pop melodies glimmering throughout. The songs are filled with easy-on-the-ears melodies with driving guitars and steady beats that create a nostalgic 90’s vibe within tracks ‘Time of Your Life’ and ‘Brothers Sisters’ while the bluesy ‘The Rolling Stone’ and ’70s filtered ‘Tonight’ add a dash of sass and edge into the albums aesthetic. Throughout ‘Superficial Chaos’ STRICKLAND displays his knack for melody and witty lyrics. The artist’s tunes are an enjoyable listen from start to finish. 

Stream ‘Superficial Chaos’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Xcean ‘Final Lullaby’

Xcean has released his new single, ‘Final Lullaby’.Xcean brings his own stylish blend of emo, pop-punk, metal-core and post-hardcore music to the forefront, this sound can be heard on tracks like ‘Late October’, which has amassed over 3 thousand streams on Spotify. The origins of this artist actually began in a wrestling ring, where he worked as a professional ‘death-match’ wrestler named ‘Alex Ocean’. An obviously impactful era of his life, aspects of this scene have even transferred into his music career, with fellow wrestler ‘Top Dollar’ featuring as Fran¢ on his most recent track, titled ‘Daddy Issues’.

Melding alternative rock with metal elements while tender emotion pours from every note ‘Final Lullaby’ is a compelling new tune from Xcean. Icy keys chill between steady beats, dark soundscapes and driving guitars as Xcean creates a dynamic wall of sound while painful lyrics provide substance and deep meaning; “You do not know the tears I’ve cried, I can accept that it’s my time and now it’s time to say goodbye, this is my final lullaby”. Filled with emotive vocals and harrowing growl backing vocals ‘Final Lullaby’ balances dark sinister tones with raw emotion and refined musicianship to create a satisfying listening experience. 

Stream ‘Final Lullaby’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Blood Donor ‘Lonely Street’

Blood Donor has released his new single ‘Lonely Street’. Blood Donor is an alt-pop artist based out of Dublin, Ireland. The solo project of ex-Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly, he has released two singles thus far (the euphoric pop belters ‘Bienvenue’ and ‘Under the Sun’) and is now on the cusp of releasing his debut album (due summer 2023). Blood Donor will debut his new material alongside ‘Lonely Street’ with a 5-piece band in the Workman’s Cellar in Dublin on October 29th and plans on releasing a new single every couple of months in the lead-up to his debut album.

Saturated in hazy nostalgia, ethereal pines on guitar and delicate shimmers on synths, ‘Lonely Street’ is a compelling new tune from Blood Donor. Reilly’s warm vocals soothe atop a country – esque melody while buoyant beats create a soft cushion from the sombre lyrics “A sad sad song, a sad sad scene We waste our time with fever dreams”.  The song is a well-crafted tune that reveals many instrumental gems with each subsequent listen; ethereal keys, western-toned guitar and glorious musical embellishments to name a few. The track subtly builds becoming more cinematic as a shredding classic guitar solo leads the song to its lingering fade out. With ripples of delicate ambient soundscapes and rich instrumental moments; ‘Lonely Street’ is a fine display of Blood Donor’s emotive musicianship and deft musical prowess.

About the upcoming album Blood Donor said:  ‘’The album has been a long time coming. It was supposed to be out in 2020 but when COVID kicked off I went back to working in medicine. It was a very intense time in my life to be honest, and for the guts of a year and a half I lost all contact with music-making. It was only when I played a gig with some friends in March 2022 that I realised the extent of the void in my life. It was an Indie Covers night with James Vincent McMorrow and other Irish musicians, and it such a cathartic and life-affirming experience for everyone involved. I resolved myself to get the album finished and get back to playing live.’’

Stream ‘Lonely Street’ below 


Author: Danu