Tag Archives: Alternative Pop

Alt- Pop, Garage Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Johnny Kills

Following  on from the  success of ‘’Who’s  Counting?͛, their first  release via Killing Moon, Johnny  Kills emerge for the second time  in 2018 with their new tune ‘Seems’.  Earning champions including BBC Introducing,  The Line of Best Fit, DORK, Indie Shuffle and  The Metro plus dozens more tastemaker radio stations  and blogs with their flair for delivering scuzzy pop  off-cuts, the trio are made up of Tim, biological brother  Lewis Lloyd-Kinnings and spiritual brother Cameron Gipp. Aiding them  in bringing their tracks to an acceptable auditory standard is Leeds  based producer and Forever Cult bassist Alex Greaves (TRASH, PLAZA, Seeing Hands)  on production and mixing duties, with Pete Maher (Pixies, Lana Del Rey, Scissor Sisters)  on mastering.

‘Seems’ is a glam rock dash of bedazzlement propelled into a fuzz fueled  garage-rock setting to create a whirlpool of blistering bliss. A pounding relentless bass line forces its punk-esque ego  through the glittery bravado with relentless ground shaking ferocity while the falsetto vocals subdue this pounding with its flamboyant sleekness. This track weaves a wiggly wonky thread through the instrumental battery to make for a scuzzy quirky listening experience filled with angst and vigor.

Stream ‘Seems’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Freeda ‘Go Home’

Manchester five piece indie rock band Freeda have released their new single ‘Go Home’ comprised of Sean Rowles, Callum Hignett, Cameron Meekums-Spence, Adam Barton and Adam Jackson Freeda formed in early 2017. The band spent their first year establishing themselves in their hometown, selling out headline shows along the way and progressing to 500+ Capacity venues. In February 2018 Freeda released their debut single ‘Plug It In’, which was recorded by producers Sugar House (Viola Beach, Pale Waves) and featured here on Indie Buddie and was featured on Hype Machine’s ‘Latest Music’ Spotify playlist. 2018 has since seen the band play two headline shows in Manchester, travel to Paris to headline the famous Le Truskel Club, perform at Dot 2 Dot festival and play in front of over 3000 people on the Cotton Clouds Festival main stage.With their biggest hometown show confirmed for the 8th September at Gorilla, Freeda look set to cement their status as one of Manchester’s fastest growing bands.

‘Go Home’ was once again produced by production duo Sugar House and showcases the bands intoxicating snappy indie rock at its best. With a glossy infectious melody doused in foot tapping rich rhythms this track lays out its foundation superbly creating the perfect groove infested backdrop for the glorious guitars and delicious melody to rebound and playfully weave around. Slick sharp guitar riffs tease through the verses with striking stings before surging the chorus with exhilarating euphoria. It’s a biting number as the guitars crash and tightly entangle the ear-worm melody and buoyant rhythm while the velvety vocals brood and coo through this little indie anthem. The chorus is big and sing along ready while the verses cruise and glide along in an intense gripping manner that is fantastic. These guys have created an enthralling number that ignites the soul making you want to dance and go wild.

You can catch Freeda Live at  Gorilla, Manchester – 08.09.2018

Steam  ‘Go Home’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Worth A Listen 

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Sad Boys Club

Sad Boys Club are an indie band  from Crouch End and are headed by frontman Jacob Wheldon. The band have worked with Duncan Mills (Spector, Peace, The Vaccines, Jake Bugg) and have  supported Spector on their UK tour as well as having played a BBC Introducing show. Now signed to Fierce Panda Records (The Maccabees) Sad Boys Club have released their new single ‘Sleepyhead’. This seductive dive into dark crawling indie is brimming with ethereal spine chilling guitar lines weaving their silken web through punchy drums and eerie soundscapes. There is something enthralling about Wheldon’s vocals. They mournfully wrap your ears in a haunting woefulness that is goosebump inducing  and somewhat unnerving yet thrilling to the core. Light keys twinkle as the creeping verses set the ghostly scene before exploding into a more vibrant indie doused chorus. The chorus is unleashed into your ears with crashing guitars and a heavier instrumental backdrop. These guys have a knack for creating meandering, haunting melodies that linger in your head for days. The acute and sensitive keyboard playing keeps the intensity of the track alight while the stinging guitars insert some urgency amid the dreamy haunting soundscapes.Keep an eye out for these guys, their tight creepy and  melodic compelling sound is mesmerising and refreshing to the ears.

Stream ‘Sleepyhead’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

LOVR ‘Surf’s Up’ EP

LOVR is the solo project of Irish songwriter/producer Brendan McGlynn who has now released his new EP ‘Surf’s Up’. After his involvement in a number of successful Irish bands, he began this solo venture. LOVR combines rich pop melodies, 80s soft synths, layered guitars and vocal harmonies to create his sound. ‘Surf’s Up’ is the second EP from LOVR

‘Surf’s Up’ is a luscious, heavenly sweet collection of tracks that soothe the soul in a blanket of dreamy cosy soundscapes. Rushing with breezy freedom inducing synths and nostalgic honey drizzled melodies each track flows with a subtle adrenaline rush and blissful euphoric vibes. Pristine production and crisp textures evokes every emotion in the listener with flickering immaculate sea side images of euphoria. ‘Instructions For Surfing’ kicks all this off with McGlynn lamenting over warm keys and the calming sound of waves. His knack with delicate melodies becomes instantly apparent as he gently coos a sweet nostalgic melody with an 80’s pop undertone. The pace of this track is magnificent, it slowly burns with a glistening glow filled with soothing wholesomeness as McGlynn’s soulful vocals hit you right in the chest. The magical charming tunes continue with ‘Surf’s Up’ as a soft spongy beat accompanies chiming keys and lush dreamy vocals. These are tunes to fall in love with, they are filled with tender tones, heavenly sugar sweet melodies and sublime dreamy soundscapes that wisp about caressing your ears with ethereal graceful bliss. ‘Song Of The Sea’ adds a hint of vibrancy to the EP. With choir like backing vocals layered over a jungle like beat, cinematic soundscapes and instant gush of adrenaline. It’s the kind of track that evokes picturesque images like it should be in a  Disney movie as the main character runs to the freedom or joy they have always craved for. This is the most gripping and vivid track on the EP. It is pretty intense and flawless.  Each track lays you on a light fluffy cloud of tranquilising soundscapes floating about soft synths and sublime harmonies over delicious pop goodness to create a unique yet consoling familiarity. The time stopping ‘Survive, Hold On, All You, Need Is, Time’ and the elegant closing track ‘Movin’ To LA’ are prime examples of this. With a glistening lamenting guitar feature gracing the latter with an angelic embellishment like a dream just out of reach pulling at your heartstrings while calming synths drift about the fragile melody -it’s the perfect sweet end to a beautiful EP.

‘Surf’s Up’ is an EP to cherish. Its bitter sweet delicacy is one to be admired as McGlynn finely blends sweet mesmerising melodies to create a wholly enthralling and exquisite listening experience.

When asked about the EP McGlynn said  “I made this EP about surfing because I don’t surf, but I wanted to. I was drawn to the lifestyle surrounding surfers, their freedom and connection with nature. So I thought if I write about it then I’d have to go experience it and learn about it, so that’s what i did. This is why making music is so powerful. You can take one thing you love and use it to enable you to experience things you never have before.It’s the perfect catalyst.”

Stream ‘Surf’s Up’ below

 


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Run in Red ‘Fade Away’

Dublin based three piece Run in Red have released their new single ‘Fade Away’ which will be the first single from their upcoming second EP ‘Undercover, Overthrown’. This warm number coos and soothes with graceful guitar twinkles over ethereal soundscapes and a beautifully tender sing along melody. Raspy cosy vocals caress the charming melody with a sweet and easing tonality while jangly guitars and buoyant beat keep the backdrop bouncing along. It’s a heart warming number swooped in a cinematic swoony soundscape of bliss. This delightful gem is 90’s- esque, feathery light and well-crafted to grip your heart firmly and evoke those sweet, nostalgic and longing memories you had long suppressed.

To celebrate this release, the band will play their first headline show in The Sound House on Eden Quay tonight if you are around make sure to check it out

Watch the video for ‘Fade Away’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Winter Heart

Irish band Winter Heart have released their new single, ‘Light A Match’. Winter  Heart  was formed  in  2016  by  childhood friends  James O’Donnell and Mikey  Aldridge  through  a  shared  love  of  big  choruses  and  honest  lyrics.  They’ve  played  two  headline  shows  both  selling  out  and  released  three  singles.They  describe  their  music  as  “Honest  music,  we  are  writing  about  our  lives  and  what  we  go  through,  i  don’t  see  much  point  in  writing  a  song  that  means  nothing  to  us”states  James.The  new  single  ‘Light  A  Match’  showcases a  new  mature  sound  for  the  band  and  has  gained  the  most  attention  gathering  over  10,000  views  in  its  first  two  days.

‘Light A Match’ is a breezy soaring display from this duo. Filled with heart racing soundscapes over a throbbing drum beat, it’s perfect for a gripping cinematic scene as a sweet emotion filled melody floods over swirling biting soundscapes and a fantastic rhythmic section. The passionate vocals add hues of raspy grit while ethereal guitars give the track a lofty heart gripping suspenseful lift. The divine melody fills you with a sombre sweet longing while the backing vocals surge a haunting airy quality to this exhilarating track. Winter Heart have displayed an ability to firmly consume the listener in their breathtaking wholly intoxicating sound leaving you craving more. The song builds to a thumping crescendo that sparks images of a live crowd chanting and clapping along- it’s one for arenas for sure. Keep an eye out for these guys.

Stream ‘Light A Match’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Saltwater Sun ‘Hot  Mess’

                                           Photo  credit:  Rosie  Florence

Reading’s guitar pop maestros Saltwater Sun have released their  exhilarating  new single ‘Hot  Mess ‘. The track is  produced  by  Alex  Loring and released via Hand In Hive (Dama  Scout,  Swimming  Tapes,  Zuzu). The band comprised of Jen Stearnes (vocals), Joel  Neale (guitar),  Dan Kingham (guitar),  Rob  Carter (bass) and Ben  Chandler (drums) returned with tenacious offering ‘The  Wire’  earlier this year which attracted widespread press coverage and  radio play on the BBC Radio 1 and Radio  X airwaves (Huw  Stephens,  John  Kennedy) . Thriving on their return to the live  circuit with capacity shows at The Great Escape and Are You  Listening? last  month, the band will be heading out on a UK tour in September.

‘Hot Mess’ is a sultry, retro hued shimmering indie anthem that steams and seeps with stuffy verses before exploding into a fiery infectious chorus. Stearnes’ vocals lure and coo through the dreamy hazy verses as a gently tapping rhythm section softly accompanies jangly zesty guitars weaving between a delicate drum beat. The lush backing vocals add a haunting sweet texture while the twinkling instrumentation soothe and tranquilise you into a euphoric state of bliss. The chorus blasts out a rock hued hefty crash of instrumentation as Stearnes charismatically wails over the psychedelic tinged distorted guitars and punchy drums. Saltwater Sun blend dreamy narcotic bliss with punchy indie rock perfectly to create a wholly enthralling, seriously engulfing number that is just divine.

You can catch Saltwater Sun Live  at  :

13  Sept  –  Heartbreakers,  Southampton

14  Sept  –  Sticky  Mike’s  Frog  Bar,  Brighton

20  Sept  –  Purple  Turtle,  Reading

22Sept  –  EBGBs,  Liverpool

27  Sept  –  Sebright  Arms,  London

 

Stream ‘Hot Mess’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth Rock, Synth-pop, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From BØRNS 

 

BØRNS is the stage name of American singer songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Garrett Borns. Borns released his second album ‘Blue Madonna’ earlier this year and I have been obsessed with the track ‘We Don’t Care’ ever since. Joined once again by producer Tommy English, Borns takes the delicious indie synth pop from his ‘Dopamine’ debut and fleshes it out blending in some dreamy, psychedelic, electric pop flavours along with a dash of glam sprinkled rock and roll which we see in ‘We Don’t Care’.  Its walloping Bo Diddley rhythm drives the infectious groove creating a Will Young ‘Switch It On’ – esque danceable foundation while jangly guitars slide and glide upon this sublime jittery backdrop. Borns’ nectarous vocals slither between a whisper for the enticing verses and lush falsetto for the infectious chorus. The melody is juicy and sweet honey to the ears. The sugary electronics swirl and seep between the clap along beat and fuzz filled guitar spreading a candied lusciousness throughout this electrifying gem. The layering is sublime and the track slowly builds in intensity to a dynamic feverous crescendo. It’s a slick swagger soaked display that struts with smooth precision in every note making for a consuming, enthralling and enjoyable experience. ‘We Don’t Care’ is an ear-worm you won’t be able to prise out of your mind as you dance and flop around the room.

Watch the video for ‘We Don’t Care’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Shoegaze

Galants ‘In Vain’

Dublin shoegaze band, Galants have released their new single ‘In Vain’ via Zen Ten Records . The track is the first to be taken from forthcoming EP ‘Follow’, set for release in the Autumn. It was partly self-recorded in an attic on the northside of Dublin City and subsequently produced by Dan Doherty of Darklands Audio. The song takes a sonic cue from Ride and The Jesus & Mary Chain and is informed by themes of social contradiction, disparity and introspection, musing on the importance of remembering what really matters; family, friends and the people we love.

‘In Vain’ is a refreshing whoosh of hazy laid back indie dream pop. Ethereal guitars soar and stride with sublime distortion above a pulsing beat and elastic bass backdrop. The lush melody disperses on the enthralling soundscapes adding a sweet delicacy while David Kennedy ‘s reverb laden vocals coo with tender emotion. It’s a breezy aerial number that builds into a subtly explosive crescendo. This song is a dreamy, euphoric and uncluttered track that oozes oodles of energy and gusto but within an elegant delightfully mellow setting. The distortion and guitar lines make for a biting razor sharp sting throughout the track and adds some rawness and edge that hits you like a youthful shot of adrenaline while the steady rhythm and easygoing vocals smoothen and soothe the track creating a pocket of mind melting bliss. ‘In Vain’ is a sublime new single from Galants filled with pure untarnished shoegaze and marshmallow softness.

You can catch Galants live at:
29 June 2018 – The Underground, Dublin
21 July 2018 – Metalman Bar, Waterford

Stream ‘In Vain’ below


Alt- Pop, Grunge Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Magic Lotus

The Magic Lotus is a garage rock band based in London whose 60s influenced pop melodicism comes with a minimalist grunge attack.The origins of the band, much like the origins of Western Civilization, are in Athens, Greece, where the guys started many moons ago.Moving to London in 2015, The Magic Lotus wasted no time hitting the capital’s club circuit. The Unsigned Guide picked up on the band, championing them in their mail outs. Local radio and arty blogs alike reacted to their psychedelic punk singalongs.The band have released their debut single ‘Feel Your Love’ by the independent label The Animal Farm records.

‘Feel Your Love’ is a sweeping surge of shredding rock and roll that smacks you in the face and wrestles you to the ground in the most slick, swagger drenched manner. The shredding guitar riff scorches through the track with red hot intensity while the dynamic rhythm punches with a hefty potency. It’s a highly energetic blistering track that rushes through your veins with that get up and go adrenaline. Sing along ready with its catchy chorus and attitude swagger riddled vocals, this track is a mighty infectious, sizzling mammoth that will be running riot in your mind all day.

Stream ‘Feel Your Love’ below