Multi-genre Irish Five Piece Radio Mafia recently released their debut EP ‘Don’t Think About It’. Radio Mafia are in the process of putting the finishing touches on what is to become their debut album, titled ‘Can Anybody Hear Me’ which the band is aiming to release this summer.
‘Don’t Think About It’ is a tight collection of tracks as Radio Mafia meld alternative gusto with some slinky funk and blues elements to create a satisfying debut EP. With infectious grooves, sleek guitar lines and a buoyant beat, title track ‘Don’t Think About It’ sets the EP in motion.
The band allow each track its own identity within the EP without compromising on the overall flow and smooth transition from track to track. ‘B.R.S’ and ‘Fit to Die’ provide the brawn and alternative rock on the EP with gritty guitar lines, meaty drums, soul creeping rumble on bass and an overall harsh mosh rock attitude while ‘Glass Soldier’ brings a dash of swing into the mix. The finger clicking, foot tapping beat teamed with chic guitars and jazzy keys create a delightful break between the more alternative tracks and showcases the band’s ability to create a sound that is more classy and vibrant while still maintaining the bands bite and rawness. The smooth vocals, lush harmonies and pop sprinkled melodies hold all these tracks together and provide the component parts that puts Radio Mafia’s stamp and style on them.
Whether its a polished swing number or a rowdy alternative rock or punk influence Radio Mafia manage to create diverse and engaging tunes that have an instant likability and buoyancy. ‘Don’t Think About It’ is a solid debut EP.
Happy Science have released the first taste of what’s to come from the exciting North London based four piece, with the aptly named ‘An Introduction To… Happy Science’.Happy Science are a collective of producers, mix engineers and multi-instrumentalist songwriters.
‘An Introduction To… Happy Science’ is a smothering concoction of intricate musical prowess. The song ferments and bubbles beneath light twinkling on guitar to create a frothing track with dark ominous undertones. The distortion fizzes and shrills as the guitar develops into a classic rock aesthetic of epic proportion while a dizzying acid soaked soundscape swirls and dazzles in the backdrop.The sonics create a dark yet dreamy psychedelic atmosphere which chills with a Gothic post-punk charm. There are multiple swirling and churning components within the track as Happy Science find a sublime medium between assertive indie and energetic pop sensibilities . The song pulses with a heavy beat, majestic guitars and a rooted bass that wriggles with blood rushing stamina. Teamed with fantastic production and hypnotic vocals ‘An Introduction To… Happy Science’ is an impressive debut.
Edinburgh based indie band Bootlace have unveiled their new single ‘Wonderland’. Among support acts throughout the country with the likes of Declan Welsh & the Decadent West, The Ruvellas, and Neil Morrison, Bootlace have already headlined iconic venues Bannermans Bar and Sneaky Petes in the heart of the capital.
With prominent spaghetti western – esque guitar and a striking rhythm section ‘Wonderland’ cements the strong enduring sound of Bootlace. The rampant bass rumbles throughout reinforcing the elastic groove and brawny foundation while the strong punchy drums provide a rugged sturdiness.The band create dark intoxicating sounds as the scorching sultry riffs slice and gnaw through the track with a desert-like humidity. It’s a strong well crafted track with wild twangs on guitar oozing character into the song while laid back vocals and itchy melody are set alight by the rich instrumentation. ‘Wonderland’ is a precise and demanding track that showcases the prowess and fine musicianship of Bootlace.
Bio : The Vida Cult are an Indie Pop band from Hull. The band comprised of Will Kirby – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Jordon Clark – Lead Guitar/Synth, Jack Walker – Bass Guitar and Ted Preston – Drums/Baywatch have already gigged up and down the country in a short time as a band as well as an appearance at the Humber Street Sesh and support slot with Cassia.
Track: All The Things She Says
Why We Like It: This vibrant indie number flourishes off zealous dynamic guitar lines while a punchy beat and wiggle infused bass line charms you to get up and dance. With its crashing wall of sound blazing behind smooth vocals, the band present a catchy indie anthem sure to ignite a live audience. The swirling adrenaline on synth blends wonderful indie grit with a rushing sense of urgency to create a refined well balanced song. There is a kinetic explosive atmosphere about this track that is just infectious and those scorching intricate guitar lines are utterly sublime.
Bio : Red Sun Alert are an up and coming post-hardcore band from Cork City, Ireland.Since forming in late 2017, they have been busy making a name for themselves around the country, playing venues all around supporting renowned artists such as The Altered Hours, Making Monsters, Cherym and many more. It’s also worth mentioning their success in the college music scene, winning their college’s Battle of the Bands 2018.
Track: I’m Upside Down for That
Why We Like It: It’s a rampant fire ball of alternative rock filled with enormous ferocity and brawn. After hearing this song you will feel like you could be dragged through a shredder and gnawed by a bear and still come out on top. Displaying blazing guitars and hefty drums which creates a mammoth wall of sound the track is not for the faint hearted. With gravely shouty vocals and an unusual ukulele-esque jangly break every now and then Red Sun Alert crash through your brain with their mighty sound and batter all boundaries and expectations.
Bio : With appearances at Live At Leeds, The Great Escape, Hit The North, Stanton Calling and Cotton Clouds festivals, and joined Bob Dylan and Neil Young at their British Summer Time show in Hyde Park – Manchester-based Big Society kick off their 2020 with the release of their intoxicating new single ‘Feel’ which follows the release of 2019 singles ‘Marine Club Party’ and ‘Give Me My Name’.
Track: Feel
Why We Like It: With effervescent guitars bubbling deliciously into a fruity vibrant backdrop and infectious groove this track melts into the ears with ease. Lush and richly textured this catchy ditty weaves with tight sun kissed guitar melodies, buoyant foot tapping beat and a shimmering 80’s sheen. A dreamy soundscape creates a light ethereal texture while the sweet pop melody embraces smooth vocals. The vocals exude precise falsetto tones which soothe and instantly hook you into Big Society’s fine musicianship. Blending elements of fizzy distortion with a candy floss softness ‘Feel’ is an utter delight to listen to.
Bio : Liam Geddes is a singer-songwriter from Ballina, Co. Mayo but based In Dublin. His new track called ‘Too Young For Love’ has been playlisted on 2fm and hugely supported by many of the other great regional and national radio stations. Geddes has recently signed a management deal with multi Grammy winning producer Robert Cutarella and former head of virgin, Sony and Warner Brothers Philip Quatararo. Gedded is also scheduled to play SXSW Festival on March 18th in Austin texas as well as this years Vantastival.
Track: ‘Too Young For Love’
Why We Like It: It’s a piece of softly glittering pop prowess.With shimmering soundscapes heart felt lyrics and pulsing beat the track creates a sweet medium between passionate songwriting and crowd friendly anthem. With an electronically charge chorus, dynamic crescendo and catchy melody teamed with Geddes’ velvety vocals ‘Too Young For Love’ charms its way into your head effortlessly. There is a Lauv -esque quality about the track as Geddes creates an infectious sweet melody cushioned with emotion while the bubbling backdrop maintains a light danceable appeal.
Bio : Flynn, who made a name for himself as part of indie 4 piece Monday Villains took a year long hiatus before venturing into the solo field in August of 2017. Through a series of fortuitous encounters, Flynn met the Dead Poets through college and began gigging in early 2018. Flynn has gone down a DIY path with the process, by choosing to self produce and mix with his band members.
Track: ‘New York, August 12th’
Why We Like It: It’s a wholesome indie number brimming with heartfelt songwriting and a gripping sense of freedom and joy. With jangly guitars, warm vocals and a rumbling bubbling beat the track captures the suspenseful excitement of adventure. The radiant guitar surges the track with emotion and scintillation as the track blossoms beautifully becoming more anthemic. With a catchy dynamic chorus and erupting crescendo this cinematic delight is brimming with cosy warmth, nostalgia and jubilation.
About the track Dylan Flynn said : “New York, August 12th, was written after I returned from a summer of visiting my friends in the states. All the lines in the song tie back to memories from my holiday, so when I found myself back there last summer we tried to shoot as much footage as possible to create a video that allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the song.”
Bio :Connor Adams, is a 24 year old artist from Suffolk. ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’ is Connor Adams’ debut single from his second studio EP. The Singer-Songwriter hit the new decade running with his biggest headline show to date at The Apex in Bury St Edmunds on January 31st. This follows a string of accolades and career highlights, including touring with rock legends The Darkness, reaching No.5 in the iTunes charts, racking up BBC Introducing plays and sessions.
Track: ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’
Why We Like It: With its dark smouldering verses developing into a sultry chorus the track broods and slides with slinky tones and power moments. There is R&B elements twisted superbly into the dynamic singer songwriter aesthetic to create a thrilling listening experience. With rich soundscapes whirling around rumbling drums and raw guitar riffs this fiery number builds superbly. The track becomes more turbulent and heavy as it progresses while Adams’ powerful passionate vocals venture from sultry coos to mighty expressions. A well crafted track ‘Don’t Play with a Heart’ boasts some impressing songwriting from Connor Adams.
Chappaqua Wrestling return with their new single ‘Early’. Chappaqua Wrestling are long-term writing partners Jake Mac and Charlie Woods, both 24, from Brighton via Manchester.The band have gained support from BBC Radio aficionados Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Jack Saunders and Annie Mac as well as supported Sports Team and Black Honey. The band have also performed at the Green Man and Latitude Festivals, before travelling to the US for their first stateside show at 4XFAR in California last month. Chappaqua Wrestling are set to release a new EP this spring.
With sweet melodies, hazy tones and lush delicate intricacies ‘Early’ continues Chappaqua Wrestling’s sublime musicianship. The band smooth a grunge hue over their irresistible sound to create a sublime edge. Twinkling guitars create a dreamy refrain with a sun speckled radiance as the velvety vocals caress the melty melody with a laid back tone. The duo unravel the track beautifully, building to a heavier chorus with a gritty tonality of raw guitars and heavy beat. The narcotic tranquilizing verses disperse elegantly into the ears with a butter on toast warmth and melting quality while the crashing chorus showcases Chappaqua Wrestling’s fine ability to blend genres seamlessly. These guys are talented for sure. The lushness and deft musicianship is presented in such a wonderful and subtle way it’s an utter delight to the ears.
About the track the duo explain : “Early is the resurrection of a group of parts and a chorus written a while back. It’s something of a time traveller but has only recently been put together as a live song. The earliest notions of it date back to 2014 when we were in college, but the intro came as recently as a few weeks ago when we were in California.It chronicles the early stages of a relationship and the late nights/early mornings that came with it, dipped in layered guitars and harmony riffs. It’s a helluva fun song to play, so we are hugely excited to release it.”
SLEEPTAPE have released their newest single ‘NO’. SLEEPTAPE are a four piece band based in the North East of England and consist of Jonathan Lott (Lead Vocals / Guitar), Luke Rogers (Lead Guitar), Stephen Wetherall (Bass) and Daniel Butterworth (Drums).
‘NO’ is a blistering wallop of alternative rock as SLEEPTAPE drape intense melodies over scorching frantic instrumentation to create a smothering thrilling soundscape. With ethereal ominous jingles on guitar piercing through a relentless drum progression the band create a frenetic and crashing wall of sound. The rooted rumble on bass strangles and twists around the massive resounding drums while the band use the light guitars to create a slight relief from this heavy mania. It’s a raw beast pounding with adrenaline as SLEEPTAPE return with a mammoth track brimming with finesse and might.
About the track the band said : “’NO is a song about feeling as if you’re running out of time to achieve what you want to, whilst struggling to cope with the noises and thoughts in your head of inadequacy.”
Birmingham alternative rock band Y!KES have released their debut EP. ‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’ is a compact grunge rock EP swirled in a whirlwind of crashing guitars, pummeling drums and slinky bass lines. This EP represents Y!KES sound in a complete well thought out body of work. Dark undertones haunt the tracks with an ominous quality as the band flesh out their heavy musicianship.
The band have created some great tracks in this EP. ‘Chekhov’s Gun’ sets the madness in motion. Moody, dark and smothered in a sulky tone this intoxicating track slithers and weaves between alternative rock and grunge as gritty guitars soar and strike between the buoyant backdrop with relentless stamina. The band build tension and showcase their ability to produce melodic, moving music with a heavy rock backbone.
Y!kes pack this EP to the brim with catchy alternative pop-punk songs that are tough to resist. ‘Hold On To Your Grudge’ and ‘Spitfire Salutes’ give you that edge-of-your-seat riffs and bass rumbles while the punchy tight drums maintain that pounding foundation. With whirring guitars, dynamic vocals and that instant rush of adrenaline pulsing through each track its difficult not to be impressed.
‘Hiding In Plain Sight’ is a refreshing lift from the bands dark sound as they venture into Pixies territory with light indie guitar jangles, sunkissed melodies and a laid back nostalgic atmosphere. Giving us a glimpse of their sweeter melodies and melancholic tones it’s a lovable track lying between some hefty bangers.
However its ‘Repeat The Objective’ that holds my attention – a gritty, raw force of nature showcasing Y!kes unbridled ambition. With razor sharp guitars and acute bass, the verse lures and lacerates with a heavy consistency and intoxicating quality. The vocals wail and growl between the mighty wall of sound ( I have to hand it to Oli Long, those vocals are sublimely expressive and harrowing). It’s a searing, thrilling and frantic number rich in intricacies and deft musicianship.
‘Everything Pointless Is Correct’ is an impressive debut EP from Y!kes and a keyhole glimpse of their raw talent and potential. A fantastic, impressive EP which sets the band up for great things.
Leeds indie four piece Ten Hands High have released their new single ‘Red Wine’. After releasing their debut single in January 2019, which racked up 30k streams in three weeks on Spotify, Ten Hands High proceeded to play several packed out shows in their hometown of Leeds. The band then went on to release 5 more tracks in the space of 5 months, selling out their debut London headline at the Hope and Anchor in Islington along the way. Currently based in London, Ten Hands High have a busy 2020, with new music in the works and a mini-tour for early 2020.
‘Red Wine’ is that heart gripping, adrenaline rush of indie that seeps into your brain with catchy hooks, vibrant instrumentation and explosive energy. Ten Hands High build and layer this track superbly creating a new suspenseful burst with each musical flurry. From zest stricken guitar lines, warm melodies, and rooted wiggle on bass- this track hits all the marks. With a massive blasting crescendo embroidered with distortion, the band smashes and flourishes through the intensity with powerful vigor. As the crashing wall of sound causes goosebumps for the chorus the indie pop sprinkled verses glitter radiance, youthful adrenaline and blood rushing tension throughout. With pulsing rumble on drums, shaking percussion and majestic ethereal guitars teamed with warm vocals ‘Red Wine’ is a smashing indie banger ready to make you smile and bop. A sublime new track from this rising indie band .
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Blood Republic
The Blood Republic have released their new single ‘Mr. Lucifer’. Zak Muller begins a fresh venture with his new band The Blood Republic offering a bold re-imagining of the grunge genre. The Blood Republic was launched in September 2018 with debut single ‘Ditch’ which ended up generating the band over 11,000 followers on their Facebook page in just two months. Zak Muller has taken a one man band approach, writing and recording all of the music himself as well creating the bands music videos, album covers and merchandise.
‘Mr. Lucifer’ is a luring, brutal and beautiful result of The Blood Republic’s passionate, compact and dark musicianship. The track slithers and creeps with chilling ominous tones as elastic bass slaps and intricate guitar lines weave tense haunting melodies throughout. The track explodes for the chorus like a beast pouncing on its unsuspecting prey. The groovy undertone is saturated in a dizzying heavy thick abyss of swirling metal infused rock as the kinetic wall of sound rushes to a frenzied crescendo. With enticing vocals and the infectious bleeding melody the track entraps you in its churning darkness, consuming you in a narcotic haze of peril. With lyrics that creatively express the struggles of addiction ‘Mr. Lucifer’ is an asphyxiating and thrilling piece of music.
Indie Rock band Killing Roy have released their new single ‘Applier’. Coming from different parts of England, Kel Bennett (Vocals), George Woodford (Guitar), Adam Mason (Bass) and Louis Cowling (Drums) met together at university.Last year Killing Roy played across multiple venues in London such as Half Moon Putney, Hope and Anchor, Dublin Castle and made their first steps in playing for bigger audiences performing on a festival stage at 2000Trees Festival.
Slicing through with kinetic riffs and a vigorous rhythm ‘Applier’ is a frazzling display of Killing Roy’s intense scorching sound. The intricate sting on guitar pierces with a lamenting, yet, biting intensity while the muggy heated backdrop of smouldering bass lines and pummeling drums ignites the track. Dynamic warm vocals glide over the catchy melody creating a smoothness within the blistering mania. With a shredding solo and gripping indie rock backdrop ‘Applier’ keeps you in a thrilling sense of suspense throughout. Well crafted and bursting from the seams with passion and sharp sultry instrumentation this utterly consuming track is a fine piece of musicianship from Killing Roy
Stream ‘Applier’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
