Wild Youth have released their new single ‘Next to You’.Already making a major impact across streaming services with pop gems like “Can’t Move On” and “Making Me Dance” racking up millions of plays, the band’s blood-pounding choruses, heart-stompingly gorgeous melodies, and deft lyricism have seen them share the stage with the likes of Mumford and Sons, Niall Horan, The Script, Kodaline and Zara Larsson on arena-sized shows.The Irish quartet is comprised of lead vocalist David Whelan, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Conor O’Donohoe, lead guitarist Ed Porter and drummer Callum McAdam.
Steeped in funky indie pop and an 80’s pop sheen ‘Next to You’ is the glitzy new addition to Wild Youth’s charming repertoire. With a dreamy euphoric melody drifting over a bubbling backdrop the band create another foot-tapping, get up and strut delight. Shimmering guitar hooks entwine a glitter-ball soundscape of scintillating pop as this chic smooth number oozes the panache and passion Wild Youth have become known for. It’s easy to get lost in the lush intricacies of ‘Next to You’ as the track builds into a sing along delight. The band embellish and craft this track beautifully creating a light indie pop number boasting an irresistible funky bass line which will entice you to the dance floor. Wild Youth have knocked it out of the park once again.
Speaking on the track, Wild Youth shared: “Next to You’ is about an immediate connection with somebody; that overwhelming feeling of meeting “the one”, and wanting to spend every single minute by their side. Regardless of whatever that involves, you’ll literally do anything.”
27 year old Dubliner, Nathan Mac has released his second single ‘Carolina’.‘Carolina’ is the latest link in the chain of the ‘Start of Something Blue’ project. As the second major release, the bar has been set by the success of his first single ‘Better Off Without You’. This song hit 70,000 streams on Spotify in the first two months alone and has received acclaim internationally from the likes of ‘Buzz music LA’, and ‘The Music Nerd’.
With emotive songwriting laced in pristine ethereal synths and moving melodies, ‘Carolina’ showcases the mature, earnest and poignant musicianship of Nathan Mac. With coiling sticky beats twisting between twinkling synths ‘Carolina’ oozes a dark undertone. The song has a push and pull effect as it flows through darker elements and glimmers of bright scintillation which provide innocent moments of hope. Nathan’s smooth emotive vocals coo and tenderly whisper through the bottomless flickering soundscapes adding a contrasting sweet, velvety tone the the tracks more icy elements. The heavier beats slowly venture into EDM pop without fully committing to the genre as Nathan surges his alternative pop with emotion and passion. With reverb vocals and clean production this wistful gem is a relatable earworm ready for repeat listens. An exceptionally rich and lyrically deep second single from this promising artist.
‘Carolina’ is a song of second chances. Once again this track is an outstretched hand to anyone struggling with self-worth. Through his lyrics, Nathan explores the power of being seen by a stranger (and artist) by the name of Carolina. They met online when Nathan commissioned a portrait of his little sister. “Back then I was so low that any interaction with a stranger would add to my self-worth. The people who liked my songs or just wanted to say ‘hi’ made me feel like I had value.” Using the metaphor of an artist drawing him back into existence, Nathan set about writing this song as a thank you to Carolina, not just for the wonderful portrait, but for giving him a new sense of self.
Soda Blonde have announced their newest single ‘Love Me World’ will be released across streaming platforms on September 24th alongside the band’s first live-streamed launch show. In celebration of the single release, the band will perform an exclusive launch show to be streamed from a secret location in Ireland’s capital on September 23rd.Tickets for the show are available now through this link https://sodablonde.veeps.com/stream/events/a517ce36fc67?ffm=FFM_4e10739c3f6fff7dafe6a81f48e253d2.
The single follows the band’s second EP ‘isolation content’ released in May this year. The EP saw support from BBC Radio One’s Huw Stephens, Janice Long of BBC Radio Wales and Ireland’s biggest stations RTÉ Radio 1, Today FM and 2FM.Soda Blonde emerged from the ashes of internationally acclaimed band Little Green Cars; whose debut album saw them sky rocket to number one in the Irish album charts. The band is fronted by singer-songstress Faye O’Rourke with Adam O’Regan on keys and guitar, Donagh Seaver O’Leary on bass and Dylan Lynch on drums.
‘Love Me World’ is an enticing example of the brooding sultry musicianship of Soda Blonde. The bubbly beat coils and simmers beneath wispy synths and sumptuous funky bass grooves while luring electronics unfold into a dark, slow jam that intoxicates and intensifies with each progression. Faye O’Rourke’s luring vocals coo over the velvet-textured soundscape with passionate longing while the rippling electronics exude an eerie, sinister tone. There is a glimmer of innocence expressed by twinkling keys and lush harmonies which creates brief sweet moments within this smouldering gem. This silky chic alternative pop number is another reason to love the musical prowess of Soda Blonde.
About the track Faye O’Rourke said “Love Me World’ is a song about acknowledging the darker moments of wanting to be loved by everyone. The idea of bending to fit the zeitgeist in the pursuit of acceptance and love.'”
I caught up with Norwegian singer songwriter Dagny [Norvoll Sandvik] ahead of the release of part two of her debut album ‘Strangers / Lovers’ which is out on the 2nd October. We discussed how she crafts her tracks, her emotional songwriting and how writing and potting plants has kept her busy over the last few months.
Dagny has officially solidified herself in recent years as one of Norway’s most exciting artists, live performers and songwriters: yielding over 450 million streams, as well as selling out international headline tours along with critical acclaim from Nylon and Billboard to The Guardian and Harper’s Bazaar. Her debut EP ‘Ultraviolet’ received unanimous praise from critics with features such as Billboard’s 10 Pop Stars To Watch In 2017, and VEVO’s Ones To Watch 2017.
When we spoke, Dagny was in Oslo. It was a beautiful day in Oslo while I sat facing a window displaying the gloomy dull Irish weather ( I was definitely experiencing weather envy). However I express my love for the beauty of the coming season, Autumn and we discuss the colours and magic that this time of year beholds as Dagny reveals to me it was London that sparked her own love for Autumn
“You know what, I’m the same actually, I love Autumn. My favorite time of the year and I lived in London for a long time. So, for some reason it just reminds me a lot of London weirdly, I don’t know what that is but this gives me a good feeling in my stomach this time of year.”
Dagny has been honing and perfecting her songwriting for a few years and she has been nominated for Songwriter of the Year and Song of the Year at 2019 Spellemannprisen Awards (Norwegian Grammys) – the third year in a row Dagny has been nominated. Among her many achievements, she also co-wrote Katy Perry’s recent single ‘Never Really Over’ – racking an impressive 300 million streams on Spotify alone but only now has she decided to release her debut album ‘Strangers / Lovers’. This is a collection of tracks she has been crafting and perfecting all this time for the album
“Yeah, absolutely. I started on this album and decided that I was going to do an album around springtime in 2019 and then we went into the studio in October and that’s kind of where we’ve been since October last year, so it’s been a long process…the fact that you have to see it as a whole, instead of just concentrating on singles and you have to work on the story and development throughout the album and the track list and how the songs are transitioning between each other, so it’s been a very different process than focusing on the singles. I think for me it was so exciting and challenging and inspiring to work on a bigger project and have a bigger body of work basically, so it is something that we’ve spent a lot of time on, yeah for sure.”
“I think the songwriting was mostly the same because I first started out by deciding what my favorite songs were. I listened through, basically my old catalogue that I’ve been writing the last few years and then I very quickly saw that there was a theme and it became very clear to me what the theme was and this whole thing about splitting the album into two. As I started working and diving into the album more and more ( obviously in periods during the last year I’ve also been writing a little bit ) I think the process was a bit different because I already knew what I had and what I felt was missing and if there was a little part of the story that I felt wasn’t really being communicated well enough then I could dig a bit deeper into that specific theme or you know, whether it’s an upbeat song or a really melancholic song, so I think the writing that I’ve been doing throughout the period has definitely been different, I’ve put my mind into trying to make something very specific.”
“Before I started making the album, it was very much like going to the studio and just see what happens and letting yourself be inspired in all kinds of directions. So in that sense I guess it’s been a little bit different but I think in general, when I write I try not get too caught up in what’s happening in music in general. I never try and go in and be like ‘oh yeah let’s try and write a single’ and stuff, it’s just whatever mood you’re in, you have to let that take the lead I guess on what you end up doing that day”.
Dagny has already released the first half of ‘Strangers / Lovers’ earlier this year and the second half is due in October. I wondered why she chose to separate the album into two halves and if it was to give all the tracks a chance to be heard and appreciated
“ Well, it was actually when I started listening through all the songs that I’ve written and I found my 15 favorites or something. I just felt like there was a very clear story but it sounds like two sides of the story. I played it to some of my band members while we were doing festival season last year and I remember them giving me the same reaction like, ‘this feels great, but it kind of feels like two sides of the story’. So you have one side which is very much like the start and happy time of a relationship and then you have the other half which is showing a breakup or post a breakup. So it just felt like a natural way of telling the story even clearer. Also it felt very natural to put out the first half, which is very upbeat and happy, before the summer and then maybe leaving the more darker side of it to the autumn. Just because for me music can be a little bit season based, but in a positive way because I just want to enhance certain feelings that I have with different seasons.”
“So it was a lot of things that made me draw that conclusion and then working on the visuals and working on the album, I wanted to make it really clear that it’s an album and not an EP, that’s something that we really put a lot of time and effort into…. there’s a lot of stuff going on all the time, a lot of information constantly to take in and I want my album to be something that you sit down with and you listen to. In a way, I guess you’re right, it gives all the songs an opportunity to be heard which I think is a nice thought. “
‘It’s Only A Heartbreak’ is the first taste of what we can expect from the second half. It’s quite the empowering electronic pop track that was in fact inspired by the classic movie Casablanca.
“With that song I think we started with music and we were very inspired by the track and the sound of the track. It was funny because you can get inspired by lots of different things and then at the end of the day when you write it, it’s like, you put your own experiences and your own thoughts into it. So actually what first sparked that song, like the idea of that song was this old movie, a classic, it’s called Casablanca, it’s from 1942 or something and it’s a love story. The main character, the male character in the film he has this quote that he says several times throughout the movie where he goes “here’s looking at you kid” and I guess the way that we kind of interpreted that was, it’s something that he says when he realizes he can’t have the love of his life or they can’t be together but he can still look at her and admire her. It doesn’t really change how he feels about her and so I was just inspired by that”
The first half of the album is laced in shimmering sunny pop tracks with sugary synths and rich electronic beats. Dagny explains she gets her inspiration from anywhere and the format of how she writes varies with each song
“Actually, a lot of the time for me, both happen at the same time. I very rarely write a song like on a piano and then put production on it, because I find that I can equally get inspired by what’s happening in the track. The sounds and the feeling that I get from the track can be part of inspiring what the song is about or how I write the melodies and stuff, so it often feels like things happen almost at the same time. Once the song is written and for me, very quickly, I get an idea of whether this feels like something special or not and then you spend a lot of time crafting it after the song is there, but I think working with a team like me and another songwriter and a producer for example then, I love that. Those things kind of happen very much around the same time, I guess. On the record I think the only song that really changed was on the first half, there was a song called ‘Tension’ and that was actually a really upbeat super, kind of pop-y vibe. It just didn’t really feel right so we completely changed it and it became the most, I guess melancholic song of the first half but other than that, I think, a lot of the foundation of the song is already there from when it was written”
One of my favourite songs on the first half of the album is ‘Paris’. I love the swoony, dreamy, delicacy of the track. Each song on the album has a special place in Dagny’s heart and depicts a special emotion for her as well, its difficult for her to pick a favourite.
“Oh, that’s a tricky question. I think for me, honestly, it has changed very much throughout the process. I think I’ve probably had a phase with all of them like there’s been, one month that I’ve been listening to this song and it’s like ‘oh this is my favorite’ and then maybe another month where I don’t listen to that song at all and I listened to one of the other songs, I’m like ‘no, this is my favorite’. I mean obviously they’re all picked because they’re special to me in some way, and there’s some songs that I’m very excited to play live, while other songs that you know, just hit me more emotionally. I often find that about stuff in a live sense and I think, ‘Come Over’ has always been special to me I guess. I don’t know why, and ‘Somebody’ too. So, I don’t know, I love them all in different ways.”
Dagny’s passionate vocals exude an effortless sweetness. It would seem she was always a strong singer and confident vocalist however singing is not where she feels at her best
“Oh no, not at all. Absolutely not, for me songwriting was probably what grabbed me first and singing was just the way of communicating what I was writing, I guess. I’ve never been like a schooled singer and I’ve had so many issues with my voice so sometimes I can be really like ahh!. It’s just so annoying because I get so hoarse but I guess throughout lots and lots of years of songwriting I’ve just found my thing and what kind of works for my voice. But yeah, I think sometimes I also pick songs because they feel right for my voice, you know”
Music and writing is an art form and an expression of ideas and emotions etc. They are born from the creative genius and experiences of the artist. I have always wondered if it is difficult for an artist to hear someone else singing their songs as they may not sing or express the song the same way the songwriter would or even understand or correctly interpret the mindset the musician was in at the time of writing the song. Dagny is not as bothered by this as I might have thought, she wants the best for her songs. Almost like children she wants them nurtured and the best brought out in them even if its not her voice to do it
“I definitely know when I can’t do justice to a song. If I write a song and I feel like i’m not nailing this song and feel it would be so much better if someone else has sang it like I’m not precious with that stuff at all. The most important thing I do always is to make sure that the song is the best that it can be, whether it’s me singing it or someone else so sometimes I make songs and I quickly realize one out of three things, one, no, this lyrically does feel right to me, or two, this song I just cannot sing as good as it needs to be sung or three, it just doesn’t really fit in or, it doesn’t really hit me in the right way or it just doesn’t feel like a Dagny song. That’s how we explain it. It’s either a Dagny song or it’s not, but I think most of the time I always go into the studio thinking that I’m writing something for myself and then sometimes it just happens to come out differently. So then obviously I want that song to find another home so it doesn’t just lie in some inbox and never get heard. So, yeah that’s like my main focus to just try and do whatever is best for the song.”
“If I then ended up giving a song away then, in a way, I want that artist to make it their own and to communicate it in the way that they feel is right, so the second I give it away it’s not really up to me to decide anymore. Yeah, so I don’t think I’m precious with that because I feel if a song, felt right and I was able to do it in the right way, then I probably would have just kept it for myself. I mean for me, I obviously mainly focus on my own project but I do love writing for other people. I feel it’s a different type of creativity, where, I can just have a flow of ideas but I’m not the one who has to filter it and I don’t have to think about, ‘oh no I wouldn’t sing that line’ or that’s not how I really felt or you know those kind of things. So, sometimes it’s almost easier to write songs if it’s not for you.”
Dagny has released stripped back versions of her tracks; she recently released a beautiful version of ‘Somebody’. This version focuses on the lush quality of her melodies while also showcasing her rich vocals and the depth in her lyrics. Sometimes with a pop song these important elements can fall deaf on listeners ears and get lost in all the musical production. These moving, stripped back versions of her tracks truly display just how talented an artist Dagny is.
“ For me the more singer songwriter approach has always been how I started out and so that’s something that I really love doing, stripping things back like that. But I think, as you say, I believe if it’s a really strong song, then you can basically do it almost in any form and it will still shine through in a way. But I think, doing the more stripped back stuff you can convey a completely different emotion. I remember when we did an acoustic rendition of ‘Somebody’ people were like ‘oh that’s actually a really beautiful song’ and I think because the production is so up and kicking ( the way that it is on the main record), then as you say maybe people don’t really take in the emotion as much or that kind of emotion or maybe they don’t listen to the lyrics and the melody as much. So in a way, when you strip it back like that it suddenly becomes almost a whole different song or a whole different emotion, which I think is really nice and something that we’ve been doing with a lot of my singles. I think we’re gonna hopefully continue doing that.“
During this crazy covid time and lockdown Dagny got to focus on her album and spend time just taking a breather from all the chaos life can bring
“ In the beginning I was in quarantine so I had to stay at home. And it was actually for me at the time much needed. I think I needed to just slow down a little bit and, you know, re-pot some plants and sow and do other things that were just non music related and really just breathe a little bit. So, for me, that first period was actually really important. But then after that, you know, obviously the summer, not being able to do festivals and stuff, which I love and I missed a lot. I just kind of dug into the album even more and I started doing a lot more writing this summer so I’ve kind of kept busy for the whole time and been working a lot so it’s been very creative and just musical in a different way than I thought.”
“I think I prefer a non-Corona year if I’m going to be honest like most others, but I really feel at the same time that there has been some really nice parts of it as well. It’s just like slowing down sometimes you know when you travel all the time and you work all the time, sometimes it’s nice to just remember that there are other things to life too. People are feeling a lot of pressure as well because everyone’s constantly keeping busy and doing so much and being social and we’re always getting all the best sides through social media and I think a lot of people are feeling a lot of pressure. So I felt those first weeks when everyone was just staying at home we were all just in the same boat and there wasn’t so much pressure on constantly doing stuff and being social and all these things. I think it’s important sometimes to just stop and breathe, but it’s hard when you feel like everyone else is moving so fast and being so productive.”
“In a way I hope we can take with us in some degree and maybe remember that it’s okay to stop a little bit sometimes. I just found that when Corona was happening, people were getting really crafty. They were like doing a lot of handwork whether it was knitting or sewing or potting plants and stuff and I just think there’s something really meditative with all of those kind of hobbies. A lot of people have continued that even after we were able to go out and meet people again.”
So what advice would Dagny have for aspiring songwriters and musicians?
“My advice would be to learn your craft, Just go out and write and write. At the end of the day the song is the most important thing; your music and the song. So constantly develop as a songwriter. Also play your instrument or play shows live and get training, that is really important or at least it has been for me. I also think not giving up is the best advice I can give because I was 25 when I released my first single, which, for a lot of people they would have probably just stopped, even before they reach 25 because they felt like, they needed to get on with plan B or whatever. But for me if I’d done that then I probably would have never been doing music like I do now, so just keep at it and persist and follow your gut and have fun with it.”
“At the end of the day we make music which is like, – I’m not a doctor or a nurse and like saving lives – but music really makes a difference to people’s life and emotionally its important for people. You can write a song to make someone feel uplifted or you can make a song to make people feel it’s allowed to just cry their heart out or whatever and that’s a really nice thing to do. For me at least, I try not lose track of that and not be too caught up in all of the other sides to music, you know, social media and business and all of that, but just remember that all I’m really trying to do is put sounds to an emotion, I guess. So, enjoy it.”
Dagny’s well-honed songwriting teamed with her mature, fun, synth-pop production creates vivid and passionate tunes. Each track is carefully crafted to present a relatable theme and energize the listener with a rush of emotions while giving something delightful to dance to at the same time. The first half of ‘Strangers / Lovers’ is an invigorating surge of deft instrumentation and wonderfully infectious songwriting, I can’t wait to hear what the second half brings.
Part two of ‘Strangers / Lovers’ is set for release on October 2nd. Until then check out the first half below
Dublin-based five-piece TOYGIRL are back with their third single out to date, ‘Poison’.Comprising Cork natives Aran Hopkinson (Bass), Ciaran Whelband (Guitar), Fiachra O’Mahony (Guitar), and Cian O’Leary Hegarty (Drums), and British / French lead singer Hannah Worrall the band have already notched up over 250K streams on Spotify and have been firmly established on the Irish music circuit, TOYGIRL is ready to extend their reach across international borders.
With layered ethereal synths shimmering over a rhythmic soundscape, ‘Poison’ ripples with the mesmerising musicianship of TOYGIRL. The majestic soundscapes fill the crevices of your mind with soft caresses while haunting whispered backing vocals lull in the backdrop creating a tranquil atmosphere for the listener to indulge in while the rich intricate drums build the tense and darker undertone.
TOYGIRL craft and layer their songs superbly so each listen reveals a new sound or hidden sonic delight which makes every replay just as compelling as the first. Chiming guitars delicately meander through the song’s vast pool of musical intricacies. Only for Hannah Worrall’s vocals (which exude passion, soul and rich tones) it would be easy for the listener to become lost within the track. Her sultry coos anchor and guide the listener through the tracks abyssal depths.The song builds in the later half. The intoxicating synths and bass intensify as the dark and sinister undertone bares its teeth and becomes more apparent.
‘Poison’ is an excellent display of the refined and immaculate musicianship of TOYGIRL. With each release TOYGIRL display musical prowess well beyond their years. Their music evokes a myriad of emotions and stimulates every sensory factor of the listeners imagination. ‘Poison’ is a joy to listen to again and again and again…
About the track Hannah Worrall said : “For me, this song is about deep infatuation, platonic, or romantic.The feeling that someone has accepted your purest form and loves you unconditionally. It’s one of the first songs that I wrote where my words felt transparent and straightforward, in some ways that makes me feel more vulnerable but also more connected to the song ”
Irish brothers Harry and Alfie Hudson-Taylor keep up the momentum with the release of new track ‘Where Did It All Go Wrong?’ taken from their number one album ‘Loving Everywhere I Go’. The release was triggered by some intense listening surges on streaming services, which has seen the song rise into their second most popular tune online. (‘Old Soul’ is currently their most-popular track in case you were wondering.) Their singles ‘Back To You’ and ‘What Do You Mean?’ (both included on the Number One album “Loving Everywhere I Go”) are in the Top 40 most-played Irish tracks of 2020 thus far.
With cinematic strings, disco hues and a lonely western – esque coating ‘Where Did It All Go Wrong?’ is quite the catchy ditty. Charming guitar innocently twinkles through lamenting strings as the track blends icy isolated undertones with a buoyant pop beat to create quite the dramatic musical expression. With a catchy chorus, intense crescendo and swagger-filled rhythm, ‘Where Did It All Go Wrong?’ is beautifully sculpted to provide a mirage of emotions and soundscapes.The duo once again display their proficient and passionate song writing with this infectious number as the lyrics question personal experiences and relationships. ‘Where Did It All Go Wrong?’ is another thought provoking, emotive and radio ready gem from Hudson-Taylor.
Belfast alternative pop singer/songwriter Rebekah Fitch was the star of last night’s Virtual show organised by Fluttertone and dootdoot Records. With her merch strategically placed on the wall behind her and basked in golden-hued lighting the multi-instrumentalist takes her place ready to perform. The first bars of ‘Another Show’ which opens her set, displays her soulful R&B voice which is a shock to the system – pitch-perfect and masterfully balanced between angel-like sweetness and powerfully demanding. She weaves a few lines from Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ into the crescendo before bringing the track to a hair-raising finale. It is a fantastic opening song, and the rest of Fitch’s set only gets better and better.
Utilizing loops, drum machine and keys Fitch provides a knockout set with a full uncompromising sound. Virtual once again pulls in another outstanding tech genius to perform and boy does it make a difference. There is something special about an acoustic set but it’s these engaging live performances filled with a full bodied sound that ignite the platform.
Fitch makes music composition look easy as she wonderfully blends flute melodies into alternative pop and R&B tracks.This clash of earthy almost classical pop with contemporary allows Fitch to create a collection of compelling music to delight listeners with. ‘Guns With Guns’ is the most acoustic we see Fitch. A simple emotive piano ballad, the track showcases her voice in all its beauty and glory.
Her tracks flourish live and for the first time we get to hear ‘Take Me Apart’ played on piano. This passionate and tender track discussing her feelings during lockdown is a real treat. Fitch possesses all the criteria for major alternative pop stardom, her ability to write songs ( which hit you hard in the chest, exposing feelings you never knew you even had ) is mesmerising while her ear worm melodies, expressive vocals and rich compositions leave all her contemporaries behind. The maturity and understanding in her songwriting is such a soothing and beautiful comfort while the refined layering and instrumentation displays her creative genius.
Fitch is an intense performer sprawling her arms out while soaring through her perfect falsetto and sultry lower range. From the power of ‘Fake Smiles’ to the haunting ‘Not Myself’ we get to see Fitch multi task between loops, flute and big drum and synth builds.This set list is a reminder of the fantastic tunes she has in her arsenal and the new unreleased track ‘Dust’ is an impressive display of her songwriting prowess. Words cannot express how special this song is. It floored me. It’s a moving track about losing someone you thought you would always have and almost hurts to hear. Each word feels fresh and painful for Fitch as she lays emotion over a bittersweet melody while a building piano graces the backdrop in an equal measure of strength and tenderness.
‘A Love So Crazy’ brings the set to an epic end, leaving us craving for more. This was a professional, fun and engaging performance from a remarkable artist.
In true Virtual manner a Q&A follows the performance allowing fans to ask questions and get into the details of tracks. Fitch’s bubbly persona makes this a seamless and fun engagement as she discusses all from how she creates her tracks, the biggest obstacle she’s had to overcome and how she got into music as well as some technical intricacies about her set up for the live performance. Rebekah Fitch is an amazing artist and one everyone should check out.
For a taste of the compelling songwriting of Rebekah Fitch check out her track ‘A Love So Crazy’ below
Relaunching for 2020, PureGrand (part time popstar and photographer Luke Faulkner) releases his new single ‘Timeline’.The song was written and produced by Faulkner and is the first single from PureGrand’s debut album which marks a shift in his sound from the synthpop influence of his previous work towards a pop sound with a broader palette of flavours. It is being released alongside a new body of visual work photographed by Faulkner that will tie in with the album campaign as singles are released along with music videos.
‘Timeline’ is a 90’s hued pop number swirling in dark soundscapes and repetitive hooks as PureGrand uses a rich tapestry of electronics and earnest songwriting to create a chilled and haunting track. A blanket of synths cover the backdrop in dark airy tones while the skittish beats and breathy backing vocals fill in the tracks gaps amplifying the unease in the verse. With R&B elements which drift between hip hop rhythms and smooth vocals the track has a clean and polished shell. The lyrics shed light on the frustrations felt by many young millenials about being stuck at a point in your life beyond your control and the pressures and conflict between different generations that come with that. There are elements reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys within the track but PureGrand adds a modern pop shimmer to their sound as he weaves ominous tones and fluctuant, coiling textures through pop melodies and crisp production to create an engaging and passionate number.
Exhilarating Manchester indie-rock band The Covasettes have released their new single, ‘Be Mine’ today. Firm favourites on any indie music fan’s playlists, the four-piece have totted up an impressive 1 million streams on Spotify alone, after being added to ‘The Indie List’ and ‘Summer Indie’ playlists. The Covasettes have already had a game-changing start to the year – previous single ‘Spin’ buzzed through the airwaves in February and in April they made the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition longlist.
With adrenaline pouring from the curdling rhythm, blazing guitars and dirty bass rumble, ‘Be Mine’ is another irresistible anthem from The Covasettes. There is swagger dripping off every note as the band flourish a raw driving indie rock backdrop with scorching guitar refrains and sultry licks while the rampant beat stamps the track firmly into your head. With cool vocals spread upon a catchy blues-hued melody the band present a chilled attitude driven sound brimming with confidence and blazing instrumentation. The Covasettes are building and crafting their sound superbly creating pockets of refined splendour within their blistering indie rock format. These guys write vibrant tunes for you to dance and mosh to. Another absolute smasher from the quartet.
About the track the band said: “Be Mine is one of our favourite tracks ever. As soon as we’d written it, we couldn’t wait to play it live and get it recorded in the studio.Every time we play Be Mine at gigs, it gets such a lively reaction and creates a real buzz in the room, so when it came to deciding our next single, Be Mine was the clear favourite. We think it follows on really well from Spin as it has a raw, gritty sound that is more rock driven than some of our previous releases. We’ve had Be Mine ready to go for a long time now and we can’t wait to get it out there for everyone to hear. We hope that people get behind it like they have with our other releases and come and sing it back to us at the live shows.”
Arthur Valentine is delighted to announce the release of his latest single, ‘Fruit Juice’, ‘Fruit Juice’ was born out of quarantine, the making of which has been described as a “cathartic exercise” by Arthur. Recorded over two weeks between tea and basketball breaks in the back garden, Fruit Juice is the brain child of Arthur and fellow Hausu collaborators-turned-roommates Actualacid and Automatic Blue.Despite relative newcomer status, Arthur has already clocked up a lot of ‘gig-miles’ on the Irish circuit including headline slots at the Button Factory’s Crowbar, Cork’s Cyprus Avenue, Bodytonic’s Pot Duggans and a sold out Ruby Sessions show. In addition to this, he has performed numerous times in Cork’s Plugd (The Roundy) and Coughlan’s, as well as an additional performance in Cyprus Avenue supporting Sorcha Richardson.
‘Fruit Juice’ blends Arthur Valentine’s intricate, velvety sound with R&B elements and smooth pop to create a luscious summer track. The melody and sugary production seeps into the ears with ease while the bubbling electronics and jaunty guitar provide zesty bursts of scintillation throughout. A buoyant bass weaves through the tracks elastic backdrop while rich percussive spurts and vibrant beat lay down a hip hop hued foundation for the swirling soundscapes to flourish off.
Arthur Valentine has a wonderful ability to create ear-worm worthy tracks which ooze subtle sonic intricacies and ‘Fruit Juice’ is a perfect example of this. It is a wholly satisfying, irresistible track that is both wonderfully euphoric and masterfully crafted.With elements of Lauv glimmering through the sweet emotion and a Mac Miller sprinkling on top, Arthur Valentine has created a sound that builds on the balmy bliss of lo fi debut single ‘Selfish’ – ‘Fruit Juice’ is a fantastic example of the suave musicianship and precise alternative/pop of Arthur Valentine.
Stream ‘Fruit Juice’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
