Tag Archives: Alternative

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Sugarwolf ‘Changes’

Derry/Belfast based quartet Sugarwolf have released their new single ‘Changes’. Led by front woman Emma Gallagher the band previously secured a reputation as one of Ireland’s most exciting rock outfits and plan to continue to do so. Sharing the stage on tours with the likes of Fightstar, Black Peaks, Queen Zee, Employed To Serve and Skindred helped earn the band the reputation as one of the best live acts in the country and have since gained the support and endorsement deals with Jägermeister, Orange Amps and Ruach Music.

‘Changes’ is a robust, raw number dripping in Sugarwolf’s coarse and ferocious musicianship as the band swirl exhilarating soundscapes into abrasive rock to create an electrifying new single. There are rich and explosive elements packed into this fiery track however the band manage to rein it in and control the eruption within their masterful thrilling soundscape. The pulverising demonic rumble on drums splinters the track while the darkly smeared guitars soar, crash and ricochet off the merciless backdrop.

There is a The Prodigy feel to this frenetic track. Emma Gallagher’s vocals are powerful, she bellows, coos and screams through the catchy melody. This band exude scorching swagger while maintaining a cool yet mysterious aura as they present a song with oodles of power both sonically and vocally. The turmoil and frustration presented within the music is complimented by the lyrics which depict emotions of loneliness, yearning, heartache and anger “I need somebody somebody to love You’re alone like me…Wish i, wish i could hate you” . It’s utterly mind blowing.

Sugarwolf have a full bodied, relentless and savage sound. They merge the gusto of Bring Me The Horizon with clever ambient soundscapes reminiscent of Wolf Alice with some Within Temptation sprinkled on top. I love how this band build and layer the track for maximum impact. The raw strikes on guitar teamed with wriggling bass create a superb ominous atmosphere as the track flourishes into a frenzy of mammoth alternative rock. The deft musicianship within this song is outstanding. Sugarwolf are ones to keep an eye on. Their ability to flood a track with so much angst and emotion with rich textures and shimmering undertones is a joy to the listeners ears and impressive to say the least.

Stream ‘Changes’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Inhaler ‘Falling In’

Taken from their forthcoming debut album which is currently in the works ‘Falling In’ is the latest release from Dublin quartet Inhaler. The band worked with renowned filmmaker & former Jesus & Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart (Paul Weller, The Horrors, The Libertines) and Antony Genn on the song’s video, which was shot entirely over Zoom with each member in isolation.The band have amassed a die hard fanbase and their tracks have been streamed over 25 million times globally.

Filled with swirling synths and exhilarating youthful indie ‘Falling In’ presents Inhalers ever growing sound with a dash of 80’s swag. Shimmying percussion and an enticing bass groove create the tracks irresistible rhythmic flow. Robert Keating plays bass like the best of them; his ability to fluidly slide slinky bass grooves into a fuzzy dazing soundscape or rocking indie pop gem is impressive. While Keating’s bass is responsible for the smooth swanky gloss of each Inhaler track, Ryan McMahon whacks out that all important nimble yet all powerful drum backbone.

The track lifts to ebullient heights as it progresses to the euphoric crescendo. Josh Jenkinson’s free flying sleek guitar refrains soar and squall through the infectious beat. His shredding guitar solo ignites with a vaporous sting while Elijah Hewson’s warm and passionate vocals melt with a cool tone over the catchy bubbling backdrop.

Inhaler have created a psychedelic-hued track with dizzying synth swirls and grounding funk flexes to soundtrack the lyrical document on how their lives have changed over the past year as they reflect on the pitfalls of success. Lyrically the track shows great promise and growth in the band. Their songwriting displays depth, perspective and maturity. There is oodles of vibrancy and potential blossoming beneath the raw moments within the song while the effortless charisma the band members themselves exude, makes the song charming and instantly mesmerising.

‘Falling In’ hints Inhaler’s instrumental prowess is becoming more refined; subtle layering and musical treats are hidden and weaved throughout the track’s exhilarating soundscape.Another fine addition to Inhalers catalogue.

About the track frontman Elijah Hewson says :  “Falling In is a song about the battles that we all have with our own ego.I think being a young band on tour, and seeing our music connect with audiences from different parts of the world has opened our eyes to the excitement and exhilaration of life and being up on stage and feeling wanted and loved can be a very powerful drug. We are just beginning to encounter our own egos and becoming aware that allowing it to be in charge of who you are can be your downfall. You can cut yourself on its sharp edges and bleed to death if you’re not careful. We want to meet our egos head on, shake their hands and give them a hug. We are not afraid of them… we know we need each other. Your ego can be your friend, but you need your mates to make sure it doesn’t boss you around.”

Stream ‘Falling In’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, electro - rock, Electronic, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Single Premiere

KOU ‘Burn’ Permiere

Jon Wilkes, formerly the drummer in The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus has released his new single ‘Burn’ under the name KOU, his new musical revolution. Wilkes was a key member of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, recording albums with hit producers such as David Bendeth (Paramore, Papa Roach, Underoath), Howard Benson (Daughtry, Kelly Clarkson, The All-American Rejects) and John Feldman (Goldfinger, Good Charlotte, The Used). With WILKES on drums, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus released 3 full-length records: Don’t You Fake It (2006), Lonely Road (2008) and Am I The Enemy (2011).Don’t You Fake It featured the hit single “Face Down” and was certified gold in November 2006 by the RIAA for selling over 500,000 copies and in June 2016 was certified platinum for selling over 1,000,000 copies.

Ignited with passionate and raw alternative rock ‘Burn’ is a wholly immersive and explosive track from KOU. Wilkes uses light twinkling soundscapes to begin the track, swirling airy synths into a flashing beat, creating a delicate intro before erupting into a mammoth outburst of pounding drums and sharp guitars. His powerful vocals express painful emotion as they bellow and coo the heartfelt lyrics.

There is plenty of verve, emotion and instrumental prowess in this track to make it relatable and a feature on every alternative rock playlist. The lyrics depict how cruel humans can be and how hatred can consume everything. Wilkes calls for everyone to revolt against this bitter hate and as he does so the song becomes more intense and animated. With an acute rough wall of sound battering the backdrop with alternative rock,Wilkes portrays the raw unadulterated hatred while using majestic guitars and ethereal synths to create tender delicate moments between the chaos. Lushly intricate and well layered ‘Burn’ is a beautiful fusion of electronic and alternative rock.

About the track and his new project Wilkes said : “KOU Stands for “Kingdom Of Us” and The idea of running a (KOU)coup in defense of our livelihood as humans and anything that holds us back. It’s about following your dreams no matter the cost.“BURN’ is about how as humans we have let hatred and the media consume us for decades and it’s time for a transformation.”

Watch the video for ‘Burn’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen – SICK LOVE

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From SICK LOVE

Dublin band SICK LOVE have released their new single ‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’. Following a string of acclaimed single releases, the track is the final installment of their new EP, ‘Baby, It’s You.’ 

Wrapped in a blistering swarm of raw indie rock ‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’ announces SICK LOVE’s return. This band has always created a thrilling wall of sound and this new number doesn’t disappoint. Blending the pulverizing gorilla might on drums with shredding blazing guitars SICK LOVE provides an exhilarating soundscape for listeners to immerse in. The acute assault of alternative rock blends with the smattering of sultry indie pop seamlessly.

Rebecca Geary’s vocals are uncompromising and dynamic as she pines and bellows with attitude and aggro between sultry coos. The band layer the track superbly. They create explosive moments between brooding elements within the ragged and tattered backdrop while a wriggling dark bass line grooves underneath.

‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’ takes the band’s raucous sound to a new, intoxicating level reminiscent of Blondie’s swagger and the brooding deft sound of Garbage yet with SICK LOVE’s own personal musical stamp. Their sound is getting better and becoming more unique with each release.

There is something invigorating about the tracks SICK LOVE creates. ‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’ takes their messy explosive sound and refines it into rich elements of heavy slick guitar work, ravenous bass and fierce drums to create a sound laced in controlled emotive anarchy. This loud angst-filled track is the power song I needed today. 

Stream ‘I’m So (Fucked Without You)’ below 


Author : Danu

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

Travi The Native ‘Heavy Love’

Travi The Native has released his new single ‘Heavy Love’. Travi The Native is the latest alter ego of Belfast born frontman Travis Gilbert. Writing openly about personal struggles, Travi The Native is on his own crusade to shout about mental health, social media and toxic masculinity.

Effortlessly cool and mellow, ‘Heavy Love’ drifts with a chic relaxed persona on Travi The Native’s rich, melodic musicianship. The song is well crafted and tightly weaved. The backdrop is adorned in twinkling soundscapes which float on a slow Hip – hop hued beat while funky warm guitar lines radiate throughout. ‘Heavy love’ has a laid back, dreamy, irresistible charm which is emphasised even further through the rasped warm vocals. The zesty indie guitar adds a bite and refreshing lift to the track while also providing a glowing cosiness. This easy going ditty is a summer evening timeless classic to chill to.

Stream ‘Heavy Love’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Chris Birdsall ‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind’

Alternative rocker and songwriter Chris Birdsall has released his latest single ‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind’. Coming from a string of bands in his youth, Chris Birdsall struck out on his own and released his debut solo album ’13 Songs’ in 2015. With his sound influenced by Eric Clapton and John Martyn, he continues to explore the bounds of his musical talent, pushing it further each time. ‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind’ is the first single to come from his upcoming album.

‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind’ is a slick rock track that thrives on a bluesy refrain and Chris Birdsall’s raw musicianship. With a stomping beat, swagger drenched guitar and powerful vocals the track is brimming with oodles of brawn.Birdsall builds the track from a groove infested sultry number into a ballsy power anthem. With a twanging western-esque guitar creating scorching fragments of delight between the muggy humid beat the song’s simplistic approach is quite versatile and striking. The mighty crescendo and sheer swagger dripping from this track is impressive. ‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind’ is catchy, fine blues rock tune sure to be stuck in your head for days. 

Stream ‘Deaf, Dumb and Blind’ below 


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

The White Lakes ‘Summer (She Won’t Wait)’

The White Lakes are set to release their new single ‘Summer (She Won’t Wait)’ on May 18th. The White Lakes are a four-piece Indie Rock Band, based near London. The band members, Matt Ellacott (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals), Finlay Carson (Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals), Logan McQuirk (Bass) and Kyle Oliveira (Drums) are all under the age of 21, they originally formed in Oxford and have been together just over two years. Over the last 2 years the band have grown from small clubs to headline shows and festivals stages. Performances include: The Wedgewood Rooms (Portsmouth), Truckfest, Carfest, Summer Live, SOMA Festival, The Boiler Room (Guildford), Live Wyre Festival and The Camden Assembly. The White Lakes were recently invited to support Razorlight at a sold out O2 Indigo, in London.

‘Summer (She Won’t Wait)’ is fun, fresh and full of exuberance as The White Lakes take their explosive indie sound and douse it in sun-kissed summer radiance. The band have created a dynamic number with a driving bass line weaving elastic rumbles into its punchy foundation. With massive arena worthy sing along lyrics and an infectious melody it’s a sparkling indie fire cracker.The jubilant jangling guitars chime and glisten throughout the track with a blazing intensity for the chorus while gliding through the verses with sweet glossy refrains. The White Lakes sprint through the song at a rapid pace sprinkling their buoyant peppy backdrop with raw indie fragments of delight before injecting vibrant pop elements into the track to keep the sugar rush alive. With warm vocals and crisp production ‘Summer (She Won’t Wait)’ is an infectious, youthful shot of adrenaline sure to have you dancing around the room in no time. 

‘Summer (She Won’t Wait)’ is set for release on 18th May for more you can follow The White Lakes on Facebook here  https://www.facebook.com/thewhitelakes/


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Atticus ‘Tony’

Atticus are set to release their new single ‘Tony’ on May 22nd. Atticus are a four piece alt rock band from Dublin, comprised of Dan Wigglesworth, Steph Comiskey, Daragh O’Connor, and Paul Gleeson. They strive to take the best aspects of pop, rock, metal and rap to create an energetic and intriguing sound that is brought to life with riveting live shows. They have released 2 EPs to date: “Coherence” and “Deadlines”, both of which were self produced and recorded by the band themselves.

With a swarm of raw alternative rock Atticus present their most invigorating release to date with ‘Tony’. This track was destined to be blasted from the speakers. With dark murky soundscapes swirling through a crashing hyperactive wall of sound, Atticus have created one heavy mosh smothered anthem. The band pummel and pulverise with ground shaking drums and a dynamic dirty bass line that could summon the dead while harsh guitar lacerations cut shreds into the beefy backdrop. The band create wonderful tension through the acute luring verses while the explosive chorus erupts with a harsh shrill and enraged fury. Showcasing their refined majestic side the band embellish the song with rich rhythms and slick precise guitar maneuvers that boasts the quartet’s musical bravado in all its glory. Blending swagger saturated rock with moody grunge hues, dynamic rasped vocal howls and alternative rock anarchy, Atticus have created another thrilling banger. 

‘Tony’ will be released on May 22nd for more you can follow Atticus on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/atticustheband/


Author : Danu

EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, Shoegaze

Deadbog Self Titled EP

Cork based noise pop outfit Deadbog have released their new self titled EP.  The band formed in summer 2018 by friends Danny O’Shea (guitars and vocals) and Luke Daly (drums). After a number of gigs as a two piece, Rory Burke (guitar) and JJ Lee (bass) completed the line up. 

Drenched in reverb with shoegaze elements swirling into a deep psychedelic pool of distortion, Deadbog’s EP is a richly blended four track concoction with equal measures of sweet and sour. The band melt soft dreamy melodies on top of acid soaked guitar and rich intricate rhythmic progressions to create intense moments of raw psych-tinged alternative rock through ‘Morning Swimmer’ and ‘Vending Machine’.With heavy instrumental crashes the tracks build becoming ominous and shrilling as light flickers on guitar progress to coarse pines soaring over thick heavy drum pounds and perilous rapid soundscapes. It’s a hard hitting collection of tracks however, amidst this onslaught of controlled chaos the band show glimpses of sweet delicacy and innocence.

There are very little vocals on the EP. When the vocals do appear it is through a wave of harmonies and expressions. In ’Behold the Coagula’ it’s the vocals and wistful melody that cool the tracks scorching intensity. Deadbog lay this melancholic melody and cooing vocals over a bubbling harsh backdrop of pounding drums and meandering guitars creating a wonderful contrast.‘Gurus’ begins with the most beautiful sweet guitar lament backed by a throbbing beat. The first half of this track ripples with clear and pristine clarity creating a time stopping moment within the EP before the band enhance the song building to its epic and hair raising crescendo. 

Deadbog have created an EP that is rich in its intricacies with sweet melancholic and dreamy moments flickering between the band’s blast of controlled chaos. The intense and blistering instrumentation is created with such precision, as the band carefully allows the softer tender moments to flourish, almost untouched, in this frenzied atmosphere.It’s an impressive balancing act.  

Stream ‘Deadbog’ EP below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Lady Landscape ‘Apartment Song’

After receiving critical acclaim for the singles ‘Versailles,’ and ‘25’ this year, indie quintet, Lady Landscape have released ‘Apartment Song’, their final single before the release of their much anticipated third EP, ‘3’. Founded by Alex Harrison and Ryan McDonnell in late 2018, Meath-based five-piece Lady Landscape embrace a mellow tone that combines rich synth textures, dreamy guitar rhythms and nonchalant vocals.In late-2019 the band decided to take a break from gigging to finish their highly anticipated third EP, ‘3’, which is due to be released next month.

‘Apartment Song’ continues Lady Ladscape’s lo -fi dreamy brand of indie as they drift a smooth melody over a chiming bouncy backdrop. With shaking percussion injected between soft glistening guitars and a hazy shoegaze-hued soundscape the track is a sun kissed, easy on the ears gem. One instantly recognisable feature of Lady Landscape’s sound is the nonchalant deep vocals that depict the striking and honest lyrics. This band take themes of self disappointment and normal life occurrences and expresses them through wonderfully bitter/sweet musicianship. The guitar in this track is quite beautiful and elegant as it weaves a delicate twinkling melody through the wispy synths and floating soundscapes. ‘Apartment Song’ is a spacy laid back track that has a soft yet glum candy-floss atmosphere created through intricate and refined musicianship.

Stream ‘Apartment Song’ below 


Author : Danu