Tag Archives: Alternative

Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, electro - rock, electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Synth Rock, Synth-pop

Bastille ‘Quarter Past Midnight’

Bastille have released their new single ‘Quarter Past Midnight’ which is the lead single from the band’s forthcoming third album, the follow-up to 2016’s UK No. 1 album ‘Wild World’. The past half-decade has certainly been a whirlwind for the four-piece, who comprise frontman Dan Smith (who is the sole songwriter, and co-produces all the tracks alongside Mark Crew), keyboardist Kyle Simmons, bassist and guitarist Will Farquarson, and drummer Chris Wood. They’ve played over 500 shows across six continents, including their recent, critically acclaimed ReOrchestrated tour, and have amassed 15 million single sales and 6 million album sales globally. Both ‘Bad Blood’ and its follow-up, ‘Wild World’, reached No.1 in the UK and the top 10 in the US, and their music has been streamed a staggering 3.3 billion times. They’ve not gone without awards recognition either: after winning British Breakthrough Act at the BRITs, they’ve earned Grammy, AMA and MTV Europe Awards nominations. The new single which was recorded and self-produced in the band’s newly built studio which also houses Smith’s record label Best Laid Plans (Rag N’Bone Man, Rationale), is set to follow their upward trend.

‘Quarter Past Midnight’ is a surging rush of the anthemic bliss Bastille do so well. Driven by a snapping breakbeat and adrenaline flooding drums which fill the track with a shot of exhilaration that dashes through your veins while the infectious melody melts on top of kinetic electronic soundscapes. Oozing tones of excitement and elation this track whizzes with an effervescence that grabs you and makes you want to let loose, dance, sing and just expel all your stress and worries. Sweet toned guitar jangles weave coolly between this delicious explosion of sounds creating a warm delicate braid –  tying all the luscious component parts together while injecting a little stream of zest throughout track. Smiths smooth vocals seamlessly flow between his velvety baritone and sweet falsetto making for a dynamic listen. It’s vivid cinematic chorus provides that final burst of ecstasy that will have you hooked and craving more. Bastille never disappoint.

About the track frontman Dan Smith says: “It’s just about trying to capture that Sliding Doors moment on a night out. Some people are gonna go home; for some this is just the beginning. It became about being in someone’s car, driving through the city, and I wanted to try and capture that sense of excitement, and that rush.”

Stream ‘Quarter Past Midnight’ below

 


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, New Music

Darce ‘Who You Loving Now’

Irish alternative Rap/Pop artist Darce has released his latest offering ‘Who You Loving Now’. The track, produced by Dale Holland and Wavefield Studios, features vocals from Becky Phillips and deals with the insecurities of the aftermath of infidelity. ‘Who You Loving Now’ is Darce’s most electronic venture to date as the addictive dance influenced beats slap and whack about the track setting a hypnotic steady foundation for the flashing electronics to rebound off. He’s brimming with confidence – his raps flow like melting butter over the dazzling soundscapes. It’s a summer ready jam that is both chilled and breezy yet sticky and sweltering hot all at once. Becky Phillips’ vocals are the icing on the cake- beautifully placed in the song she adds a creamy lush quality and melancholic airy sweetness that cools the tune down and sets a slow motion effect as you focus on the lyrics.  Another sublime radio ready track from Darce.

Stream ‘Who You Loving Now’ below


90's Grunge, Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From LIERS 

Dublin’s alternative female fronted four piece LIERS have released their new single ‘Universal Female’. LIERS started life when lead singer Liz Seaver was looking for the right talent to compliment her self-penned music titles. An established singer/songwriter in her own right with two independent albums to her name, Liz has been performing with the line-up of Lead guitarist Ed Scanlan, Bassist Stephen Farrell and Drummer Ronan O’Hanlon for some time at festivals such as Castlepalooza and venues such as the Sugar Club. These four talented musicians are not new to the Irish scene. Liz has previously toured with the inimitable Jack Lukeman and shared the stage with other Irish greats such as Mundy, Damien Dempsey and Paddy Casey. While playing alongside Liz over the years Ed, Stephen and Ronan also formed three-piece ‘Long Tail’ who released the EP “Your Time” and have toured nationwide with Fangclub. The energetic and experienced LIERS are now being repped by Polite Society (Fangclub, Long Tail, Vulpynes).

‘Universal Female’ is a smooth, melodic adrenaline shot of alternative rock. It’s chilled and cool with a whirring buzz fuelled wall of sound. These guys blend a sultry infectious melody with rowdy crashing instrumentation seamlessly to create a wholly satisfying listen. Strident sharp guitars pierce and shred through an elastic rumbly bass and punchy drums while Liz’s dynamic luring vocals slap a hefty dose of sass and power on top. This track is a catchy hook-filled force of nature that steam rolls in and invades your brain leaving you jumping around the room thinking you’re a bad ass. It’s brimming with kinetic energy and blazing spirit with a sing along ready chorus, its sure to be epic live. These guys are ones to watch for sure. ‘Universal Female’ is compact, rhythmically rich and vibrantly explosive in all the right places. It’s definitely worth a listen.

LIERS will also be supporting Fangclub tonight in Whelan’s along with Sub Motion make sure to check them out.

Stream ‘Universal Female’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

whenyoung ‘The Collector’

Limerick’s whenyoung have revealed the video for new single ‘The Collector’ which is the third track from the hotly tipped three piece and follows stunning tracks ‘Actor’ and ‘Pretty Pure’. The clip was shot on location in London and directed by frontwoman Aoife Power. This superb gem is engaging and delightful as twinkling guitars and Aoife Power’s crisp vocals introduce the track delicately. The track builds becoming more dynamic as reverb laden guitars whir around her sweet immaculate vocals while the catchy chorus surges through with heart racing urgency. The Collector is subtly anthemic with a captivating melody that flurries around your brain for days. The instrumentation is breezy gripping and majestic without becoming over powering. A sublime track, keep an eye out for this young trio.

Speaking about the clip, Aoife Power said: “The video for The Collector documents the simple, everyday movements that everyone experiences. We are all carrying out the same routine to show that we are all connected in the universal tasks of daily life but still individually searching for a sense of place and belonging. The gentle tones and slow paced everyday storyline was inspired by the films of Eric Rohmer.”

‘The Collector’ comes in the midst of a series of support slots throughout spring for whenyoung, with the three piece touring with the likes of Peace, The Vaccines and Declan Mckenna later this month. Tickets are on sale now, and the full list of dates can be found below.

May

3rd – Headline Show @ The Grand Social, Dublin

4th  – Jimmy’s, Manchester

8th – St. Luke’s, Glasgow (with PEACE)

9th – Leadmill, Sheffield (with PEACE)

11th – Fibbers, York (with PEACE)

12th – The Venue, Derby (with PEACE)

13th – Welly, Hull (with PEACE)

 15th – Norwich, The Waterfront (with PEACE)

16th – Kentish Forum, London (with PEACE)

 19th – Engine Rooms Southampton (with PEACE)

23rd – Dryden Social, Leicester (with PEACE)

24th – Birmingham 02 (with PEACE)

Watch the video for ‘The Collector’ below

 


Album Review, New Music

The Fierce And The Dead ‘The Euphoric’ Album

The  Fierce  And The  Dead are an internationally acclaimed 4  piece  instrumental  rock  band  from  London  formed  in  2010.  Their  sound  has  constantly  evolved  since  debuting  with  a  19  minute  one  track  EP,  Part  1,  that  combined  epic  post  rock  with  electronica,  krautrock  and  psychedelia.  2011’s  debut  album  ‘If  It  Carries  On  Like  This  We  Are  Moving  To  Morecambe’  added  hardcore  punk,  jazz  and  ambient  influences  into  the  mix.  Over  the  course  of  these  two  releases  and  a  handful  of  live  performances  the  band  began  to  gain  a  cult  following and  critical  acclaim  from  the  underground  and  mainstream  music  press. They will release their third studio album “The Euphoric” on May 18th 2018, when they will play a sold out release show at The Black Heart, London.

‘The Euphoric’ is a nine-track collection of blissfully melodic mind dissolving tunes that burrow their way into you brain filling you with lush mellowness doused in gritty mosh worthy heaviness. Tracks like the jagged frenzy inducing ‘Truck’ and ‘48k’ slap you in the face with some slick rooted bass lines that unearth your inner rock deity while shredding guitars dance all over the punchy crashing drums with such prowess and swagger it leaves you gob smacked. These guys know their instruments and each track is a fluid example of their proficient ability to whack out some genre bending gems. ‘1991’ has a lightness that is one to be admired, this track is so nimble and sparkly yet locked down by a hefty anchored rhythm section. Jangly guitars twinkle and flutter about jittery keys creating a spacey trippy experience that would float away in a mirage of obscurity were it not for that meaty foundation keeping it grounded whereas ‘Dug Town’ bounces a sweet classic rock element off this brawny foundation. The synth start to ‘The Euphoric’ blends wispy trippy soundscapes with heavy grooves as the band layer and layer these, building in intensity then cooling down again to give those live moshers a small breather before beginning the mania again. ‘Dancing Robots’ is one hell of a track, it slithers, grooves and bops with sweet guitar melodies weaving between some skull bashing heavy injections. It’s never too much with these guys they walk the fine line between bulky, meaty rock and beautifully melodic seamlessly creating melodies that have you bobbing along headbanging and just going crazy with some swaying breathers in between. ‘Cadet Opal’ features a glorious keyboard refrain that shimmers and glistens about a steady beat. It’s a short little gem that is a little bit spacey and groovy with flickering scintillation throughout. The band then snap you out of the euphoria and calmness of ‘Cadet Opal’ with the dizzying distortion of ‘Verbose’ with its stinging guitars and vibrant rhythm. ‘Parts 7 & 8’ closes the album cool and smooth with some dazzling heavy interruptions to create a choppy wholly satisfying end to what is a mind boggling thrilling album.

‘The Euphoric’ is a tight album, it’s cool well crafted and one wild ride and is sure to be awesome when performed live.

The Fierce And The Dead  ‘The Euphoric’ album is out on May 18th make sure to check it out.

Watch the video for ‘Truck’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Central Hall ‘Social Awareness’

Waterfords alternative four piece Central Hall have released their new single ‘Social Awareness’.The band which consists of members Jordan Gough (Lead Vocal), Eamon Ganley (Lead Guitar), Alex Gough (Drums and Vocals) and R.J Kavanagh (Bass) have evolved constantly over the last two and a half years, from their young indie darling beginnings to consistently bringing the house down in all their gigs. Having recently being crowned winners of the prestigious UCC Battle Of The Bands 2018, Central Hall have developed a name for themselves in the Cork music scene as well as holding down their roots in the Waterford scene. Starting as a two piece ambient jam band project between Eamon and Alex the group quickly added Ross and Alex’s brother Jordan to create a more varied and fuller sounding group.

‘Social Awareness’ spreads out catchy vibrant indie jangles evenly upon an alternative backdrop of crashing alternative rock with some hip hop elements thrown into the mix. The track gradually builds -fermenting with sweet toned guitar weaving between a progressive snappy rhythm while dynamic vocals move between rap and singing. It’s brisk yet infectiously melodic as swift jagged soundscapes dart in between luscious cruising melodies. This track ventures from smooth, vividly golden tones to rushing mosh ready heaviness, creating a unique enthralling listen. The production on this track is outstanding, compact and dense keeping the listener engaged in suspense right up to the shredding shrilling guitar laced crescendo. These guys display their fine musicianship creating a track that groves with a slinky swagger as well as battering with some gritty rough instrumentation. It’s a refreshing track that makes these guys ones to watch out for.

Stream ‘Social Awareness’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

The Kerbs ‘Creep’

The Kerbs are a four piece independent rock band from Foxford, Co. Mayo, Ireland that formed Spring 2017. Growing up in a rural town with a strong counter-culture music scene the lads found common interests in bands like Pearl Jam, The Doors and Stone Roses which remnants of this is evident in their sound. The last 5 months have seen them release 2 hotly received singles (‘Changes’ and  ‘I Am Zeus͟’) which have received support from iRADIO, RTE 2XM, KCLR 96 FM, 8RADIO, Mid-West Radio. After a successful few months on the road, and number of sold out shows on both East and West coasts of Ireland, the lads are already proving that the best is yet to come with planning their first full Irish/UK tour, lots of new music and have already been invited to do sessions on radio. The band comprised of members Mark McHale (Vocals and Guitar), Alex Stupar (Lead Guitar), Noel Gallagher (Bass Guitar) and Kevin Holmes (Drums) have released their new single ‘Creep’. The single  has already received airplay on WLRFM, Spin 1038, KCLR 96 FM, Cork 96FM,Dublin City FM, U Radio, 8RADIO, a live performance on FM 104 and published on the IMRO Ireland website.

‘Creep’ is a spine chillingly dark concoction from the four piece as it crawls in with eerie guitar riffs biting between a rooted groovy bassline and steady beat. This track slithers in with enchanting luring verses while raspy vocals coax with an alluring temptation before building in intensity and becoming more emotional. The soft tapping beat lulls you into a false sense of security while the twinkling mournfully sweet guitar laments behind the whiskey soaked catchy melody. With a dash of jazzy tones thrown in by the buoyant beat this track is perplexing and mesmerising all while chilling you to the core. It’s superbly composed as The Kerbs slowly build the tension relinquishing a bit more as each verse progresses- brooding and fermenting into a mighty thrilling crescendo. This is an impressive piece of work, these guys are ones to keep an eye out for.

When asked about the track the band said : “At its core the song speaks about rejection and the aftermath effect it has on our emotions, thinking and behaviours. Lyrically it tells a tale of a guy striving for attention from a girl he is attracted too but her thoughts lay elsewhere, which in turn sparks a feeling of self doubt and vulnerability bringing the song to its climatic finish. “

You can catch The Kerbs live at:

April 23rd– RTE 2XM interview and live acoustic performance

April 27th– Headline gig in The Sound House, Eden Quay, Dublin

May 5th– Support gig in the Roisin Dubh, Galway

May 6th– Charity Gig (SERVE) in The Hideout, Foxford, Mayo

Watch the video for ‘Creep’ below


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

JOY ‘Seahorse’

 

Bath based four – piece, JOY have released their new single ‘Seahorse’ (which was self-produced and recorded in their hometown studio) the follow up to their debut single ‘Tree’ which saw them receive critical acclaim locally and amass significant streams on Spotify on it’s release late last year. Available digitally at all major outlets, the new track recalls the dramatic and haunting yet bright guitar melodies of bands such as The Pixies, Wolf Alice and Helvetia. Fully formed last year from the ashes of Bristol outfit Big Fish, the JOY line up of Toby Ijbema (vocals), Ale Invernizzi (bass), Ben Roe (drums) and Callum Wutherspoon (lead guitar) have spent the last twelve months writing, recording and honing a new sound. During this time, Toby was found busking by YouTube personality Stefan Michalak in an underpass and was featured on Michalak’s channel, which subsequently introduced the band to a wider audience and an influx of fans worldwide. A truly exciting live band, JOY are building an ever growing fan base after making their live debut with a sold out show at the legendary Moles Club in Bath last year.

‘Seahorse’ is a deeply melodic track seeped in tender soulful tones. Delicate drums tap while elegant guitar twinkles behind the raspy warmth of Toby Ijbema’s vocals as this slow burner pines and broods its way into its powerful crescendo. They use subtle melancholic guitar melodies to fill the track with a heart warming glow as the supple vocal melody glides along swaying and sweeping across the elegant instrumentation. The track progresses becoming more heavy – distorted guitar add a cinematic shrill of urgency as the drums and bass become more rooted and punchy. It’s a well-crafted track which delicately swivels between mournful lows and glorious hair-raising highs. It’s a heavily emotional and moody experience which shows the maturity in the musicianship of this band.

Stream ‘Seahorse’ below

 


Alt Rock, Desert Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Willie Breeding ‘Ride On’

Nashville based newcomer Willie Breeding has released his new single ‘Ride On’ with his debut album ‘Big Sky’ set for release later this summer. This lonesomely haunting western- esque track is immersed in rich wavy melodies seeped between gritty guitars that churn and coil around Breeding’s deep country baritone. The ghostly yet sweet backing vocals provided by Emily Hagihara create a chilling atmosphere as they wisp about the track while the Americana- esque sound fills it with a head strong lone ranger vibe. The guitar riff instantly grabs attention as it builds into a shrilling cinematic tremble on guitar before the guns and holster showdown. It’s nostalgically sweet yet dangerously gripping and dramatic while the melty melancholic melody flurries along-lighthearted and carefree. Perfectly crafted this track is both picturesque and musically exciting. Willie Breeding is one to keep an eye out for, his style is magnificently unique and utterly thrilling.

When asked about the track Breeding explains “It’s a song making fun of myself, When I first moved to Nashville, I used to go out and often when I would walk into the bar, I would walk straight through it and out the back door. It wasn’t a conscious thing, I almost wouldn’t even remember being in the bar. Then I would have no idea where to go or what to do. Living in New York, I always loved going out by myself. Did it for years. Nashville seemed very different. So I wanted the music to sound huge, and I had this big riff. Seemed appropriate for a song making fun of myself.”

Stream ‘Ride On’ below

https://soundcloud.com/williebreedingmusic/ride-on


Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Electro, Indie Pop, New Music, Single Premiere

Niki Kand ‘Bleeding Hearts’

Niki Kand is a musician and visual artist based in Liverpool. She is a DIY musician whose love of Kate Bush and The Beatles mixed with her drive that comes from an imaginary world, has given life to her music. Her tunes are self-produced and entirely her own creation. She has recently released her new single ‘Bleeding Hearts’ which is the first single off her debut extended play ‘Pinkish’ which is set for release August 29.

‘Bleeding Hearts’ is a sultry concoction of swirling electronics playfully weaving between twinkling keys and a snappy beat. Niki’s clean, crisp vocals lure and entice over the sticky muggy beat while the catchy melody hooks you into the tracks magnetising depths. The flickering, breezy soundscapes have a hypnotic effect with an eerie quality that is darkly luring yet cheery enough to coax you to dance and sway joyously. It’s light and dreamy with grooves that make you want to move and clap along. This track is superbly produced and crafted. Its sound is pristine and clean with simple little effects that make this an ear worm you wont be able to prise from your mind.A superb track from an outstanding DIY musician.

Stream ‘Bleeding Hearts’ below