Tag Archives: Alternative

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

THUMPER ‘The Loser’


THUMPER have released their new single ‘The Loser’. This follows the success of the rereleased’ Ad Nauseam’ which picked up support from BBC6, US Radio and playlisting on Spotify and Apple Music. This highly anticipated single is a fresh start, kicking off an extensive UK tour and the build up to their debut album.

‘The Loser‘ is a glorious seizure of alternative rock and THUMPER’s most ambitious display yet. The song’s relentless pace never ceases and is a blazing onslaught of gritty riffs, frantic bass, and mammoth drums from the get-go. This manic blitz maintains a hefty rhythmic foundation throughout as soaring guitars venture from sweet melodies to bloodthirsty gashes of distortion, swirling psychedelia, punk rock tones and fiery instrumentation with ease. Oisín Furlong’s vigorous exclaims anchor the listener within the track’s kinetic soundscape while at the same time evokes images of live crowds mercilessly chanting back the lyrics. The track is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish and a fine example of THUMPER’s powerful musicianship and impressive sound. Turn up the speakers, press play and enjoy.

Lead singer, Oisin, says that: ” ‘The Loser’ is presented as a love song but is howled by an unreliable narrator. A fishing-for-compliments style tirade of non-sequiturs, each verse is bursting at the seams with faux self-depreciation. The song races along at breakneck speed, each section pushing past the crescendo of the last. As the final chorus blasts through your speakers, the saccharine melody reveals a pathetic character that has spent the whole song talking about themselves.”

Stream ‘The Loser’ below


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Late Night Pharmacy ‘Grass-Eating Boys’

Dublin, Ireland-based alternative rock band Late Night Pharmacy have released their new single ‘Grass-Eating Boys’. The single is the band’s fourth single of 2021, following April’s “Too Late for the Rickshaws”, June’s “Slacktivist (Normalise This)” and July’s “Relapse”. Recording the single was only possible after Late Night Pharmacy were one of four Irish bands hand-picked to take part in the 2020 edition of the TiLT Development Deal. As part of this deal, the band received hours of free studio time in Dublin’s legendary Sun Studios (in which artists such as Rihanna, Kanye West and Sinéad O’Connor have recorded over the years). There, the band recorded two songs, of which “Grass-Eating Boys” is the second to be released.

Laced in biting guitars and swirling soundscapes, ‘Grass-Eating Boys’ is a thrilling new single from Late Night Pharmacy. The band create a tightly-knit wall of sound through soaring guitar embellishments and sharp riffs while a buoyant beat maintains a strong and flexible foundation throughout. Late Night Pharmacy layer and craft the song meticulously; a constant instrumental onslaught of propulsive rhythms and blitz on synths is deftly combined with sweet melodies and slight tempo changes to create spacious moments within the frantic soundscape and contrast the post-hardcore rock moments. This wonderful combination of elements is a joy to listen to and showcases how talented this band is. ‘Grass-Eating Boys’ is an exciting tune that boasts Late Night Pharmacy’s refined and powerful musicianship.

About the track, the band said: “Our lead guitarist read the article “The Sex Recession” in The Atlantic, in which he encountered the Japanese terms “sōshoku(-kei) danshi” (grass-eating boys) and “hikikomori” (pulling inwards): Japanese men who express no interest in pursuing careers, financial independence or romantic relationships, and who live the life of a modern hermit. The song was inspired by this phenomenon, which is quickly becoming as visible in the West as it is in Japan.”

Stream ‘Grass-Eating Boys’ below


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

InRetrospect ‘Open Eyes’

UK band InRetrospect have released their new single ‘Open Eyes’. Since late 2018, InRetrospect have grounded their footing in the music scene, playing shows throughout the UK. Releasing a small collective of singles from 2020 to date has earned the band radio play from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, Distortion Radio, ARFM, Kerrang Radio and more, and gained the band DSP playlisting with Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Pandora and Apple music, surpassing 120,000+ streams on Spotify alone.

‘Open Eyes’ roars with the blistering and manic sound of InRetrospect. The band create a battering tune laced in hefty drums and bloodthirsty riffs while a robust bass line carves an enticing groove throughout. The song balances sweet melodies with raw unbridled angst perfectly to create a heavy mosh-ready song that you can belt at the top of your lungs. Boasting an arena-worthy soundscape, the band pack in oodles of deft instrumentation, massive headbang moments, and lacerating guitars to create a tantalising and mind-crushing song of epic proportions with earnest lyrical content to boot “Realise you’re not the only one struggling with pain in your life So open your eyes. And take that step towards bettering yourself in time”. ‘Open Eyes’ is a powerful tune oozing a blood-curdling intensity that marks InRetrospect as a band to keep an eye on.

Stream ‘Open Eyes’ below


Author: Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, Indie, New Music

Bouquet ‘Dressed Up Animal’ Album

Cuban rockers Bouquet have released their new album ‘Dressed Up Animal’ that features music written over the last 15 years. Planned as the first of three instalments, ‘Dressed Up Animal’ is a sample of the different sounds and styles that have influenced the band over the years.  Bouquet is a Cuban rock band founded in 2003 in Cienfuegos by Aivis Prieto (vocalist and composer) and Pavel Cama (vocalist and guitar) The band has been a pioneer in a unique style of Cuban rock, being faithful to its sound and showing an excellent performance on rock stages all over the island. Since their inception Bouquet have played at international and national festivals, including charity concerts in support of the fight against HIV AIDS and the Terry Fox tribute festival in the city of Cienfuegos. The current line up features founding members Aivis and Pavel, who have been joined by Daniel Jiménez on drums and Yunior Moiña García on bass and backing vocals. 

‘Dressed Up Animal’ balances heavy most worthy soundscapes with rock-driven theatrics to create a diverse and shredding collection of tracks. The band take raw heavy riffs and weave them between majestic melodic moments of jazz flavoured piano and 80’s- esque undertones to create a dynamic and all-consuming sound for songs ‘Mind Blower’ and ‘Candela’. There is sleek musical prowess displayed throughout. This is perfectly displayed within the swaggering blues-whacked grit of title track ‘Dressed Up Animals’ – with its sensual soundscapes evaporating off lean, mean riffs and raw vocals, the track is grounded in immersive instrumentation and rock bravado. Bouquet have a knack for creating cinematic soundscapes whether it’s the chilling dark grunge of ‘Good Thief’ or the metal- esque riffage in ‘Sobriety II’, the vivid and dramatic instrumentation lifts each track to epic heights. The band express their multi-genre aesthetic with elements of jazz speckled throughout the album teamed with Cuban rhythms, funky basslines and soaring alternative rock to create a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. ‘Dressed Up Animal’ is a tight and cohesive collection of tracks that boasts the refined and powerful sound of Bouquet.

Stream ‘Dressed Up Animal’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Kill ‘Em Charlie ’Hazey’

Kill ’em Charlie – Photo by @DanBrohan

Tipperary indie rock five-piece, Kill ‘Em Charlie have released their new single ’Hazey’. ‘Hazey’ is a blistering single that boasts the energetic sound of Kill ‘Em Charlie. The band swarm magnificent guitar lines through a tight rhythmic foundation to create an adrenaline-inducing listening experience. The track evokes images of manic live shows filled with rampant basslines and sing-along choruses while the sharp guitar riff resounds throughout like a thrilling siren. It’s a compact and cohesive tune brimming from the seams with indie rock bravado and tantalizing instrumental embellishments. Kill ‘Em Charlie are fleshing out their sound superbly, creating fun, youthful tunes that ooze energy and charm. ’Hazey’ is a fine example of this and the track is an absolute joy to listen to. Kill ‘Em Charlie are a talented band to get very excited about.

Stream ‘Hazey’ below


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Salvation Jayne ‘Violent Silence’

Photo Credit : Sean Hardy


UK alt-rock band Salvation Jayne have released their new single ‘Violent Silence’ via Jawdropper Music / Ingrooves. The track is the first release from their highly anticipated debut album ‘A Mouthful of Magnificent Spite’ set for release in February 2022, which was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios and mastered in the US by Dave Greenberg ( David Bowie etc). The track is about the power of being silent with someone’s ego, rather than feeding it and staying detached from the drama. 

‘Violent Silence’ is a blistering tune laced in Salvation Jayne’s energetic musicianship. The song travels on a dynamic backdrop of raw bass grooves, jangly guitars and driving drums that ping with headbanging enthusiasm while quirky keys create a refreshing interlude between the alternative rock onslaught. Charismatic vocals ooze emotion and angst throughout and is enhanced by the tracks emo-pop undertone and punk/ rock sensibilities – the result is a thrilling assault on the senses that evokes images of a mosh pit in a live setting. ‘Violent Silence’ is full of youthful vigour and emotion, and marks Salvation Jayne as a band to keep an eye on.

Stream ‘Violent Silence’ below 


Author: Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

HAVVK ‘Halfway Out’

Photo: HAVVK

HAVVK have released their new single ‘Halfway Out’. ‘Halfway Out’ is the final single to be released from the band’s upcoming album ‘Levelling’. It follows the success of ‘Automatic’, ‘Home’ and ‘No Patience’, which have all received excellent radio play worldwide on stations such as RTÉ 2fm, Today FM, BBC Radio Ulster, NewsTalk, 98fm and Beat 102103 (Ireland), Radio X, Amazing Radio (UK) and KEXP (USA). HAVVK are trio Julie Hough (Vocals, Bass), Matt Harris (Guitar) and Sam Campbell (Drums). Julie and Matt are also the founders of VETA Music – the artist-led record label that is home to Maria Kelly, Sive, DYVR and St. Bishop, as well as HAVVK themselves. Originally based in London, and then Berlin, the label now calls Dublin home.

Filled with whirring guitars and the perfect blend between hazy shoegaze and punk rock, ‘Halfway Out’ is a fantastic teaser for HAVVK’s upcoming album. The track ebbs and flows with lush melodies and ethereal guitar embellishments as Julie Hough’s sweet lulling vocals chime throughout. She croons with awe-inspiring vocal strength while the building instrumentation creates a swarm of chaos in the backdrop. The song travels like a thrilling roller coaster with buzzing instrumental builds and soft swooping releases as the song reaches its dynamic crescendo. HAVVK have created a musically balanced masterpiece that surges with emotion and expressive intricate instrumentation, if ‘Halfway Out’ is anything to go by, ‘Levelling’ will be one spectacular album.

Halfway Out is a song about disengaging from life and from going through the motions. About the track, Julie Hough said: “We wrote the song as a response to the pressure that comparison culture can put particularly on young people and how it can be such a blocker for finding joy and purpose. It’s also so easy to curate your life as if everything is going fine. The song is about connecting with someone and telling them you can see that they’re struggling and offering support.”

HAVVK have also announced that they will play The Workman’s Club, Dublin on Wednesday 29th September. Doors are at 8pm and tickets are €10. Tickets on sale Thursday 19th August at 10am

Stream ‘Halfway Out’ below 


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Munro ‘Demonic Headcase’

Photo Credit: Munro

Metal band Munro have recently released their new single ‘Demonic Headcase’. With throat-ripping howls from Jake Munro kicking the track into motion this searing tune is a roaring delve into the thrilling and menacing sound of Munro. Not for the faint-hearted, the track pivots around heavy electronic beats and mammoth drums while acute guitars lacerate throughout. The verses brood with a wall of thick asphyxiating soundscapes from which there is no escape until the melodic chorus softens the tune by exploring a more punk rock aesthetic. Dripping in eerie, haunting tones the band use a sinister key refrain to create a spine-chilling sense of innocence while drawing on tension from the relentless drum assault and agitated bass. Well crafted and tightly layered, Munro display their powerful, immersive sound in all its glory within ‘Demonic Headcase’ and boy it’s magnificent.

Watch the video for ‘Demonic Headcase’ below 


Author :Danu

Alt Rock, New Music

Crafted In Black ‘Sleeping With Devils’

Metal band Crafted In Black have released their debut single, ‘Sleeping With Devils’. Crafted In Black is the dark electronic metal project of solo artist and producer Marcel Helmar.  With over 20 years of creating music, he uses his knowledge to create unique projects that defy genres. Crafted In Black is his newest endeavour. Recorded in his home studio, Marcel wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered the project’s debut single ‘Sleeping With Devils’.

‘Sleeping With Devils’ is a gloriously chilling listening experience. Filled with jabbing guitars that lacerate between dizzying synths and heavy beat progressions, the song rushes throughout gaining momentum as it progresses. ‘Sleeping With Devils’ explores through the medium of chilling and sinister musicianship, the idea where demons can manifest and haunt their victims in excruciating ways. Marcel Helmar growls and ominously whispers through the electronic soundscape and heavy rhythms as the song unfolds into a dark and blood-curdling onslaught. ‘Sleeping With Devils’ is a thrilling debut from Crafted In Black. 

Stream ‘Sleeping With Devils’ below


Author: Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Single Premiere

Late Night Pharmacy ‘Relapse’ Premiere

Dublin-based alternative rock band Late Night Pharmacy have released their new single ‘Relapse’. ‘Relapse’ is the band’s third single of 2021, following April’s ‘Too Late for the Rickshaws’ and June’s ‘Slacktivist (Normalise This)’. Recording the single was only possible after Late Night Pharmacy were one of four Irish bands hand-picked to take part in the 2020 edition of the TiLT Development Deal. As part of this deal, the band received hours of free studio time in Dublin’s renowned Sun Studios (in which artists such as Rihanna, Kanye West and Sinéad O’Connor have recorded over the years). There, the band recorded two songs, ‘Relapse’ is the first to be released.

Saturated in sharp indie rock, ‘Relapse’ is a mighty new single from Late Night Pharmacy. The band present their intricate fizzing indie sound through a catchy summer bop filled with jangly guitars, buoyant drums and light percussion. The track meanders between airy tones and edgy rock as the band drift a laid back melody over jagged riffs and driving bass lines to create a thrilling balance of mosh ready rock and infectious pop. With vivid metaphorical lyrics, “Oh my old friend, you were the scars on my skin. My veins have blown since we packed it in And now I’ve got the shakes, I’m craving my fix”, teamed with acute instrumentation and a shredding guitar solo the band pull out all the stops with this glistening gem. Late Night Pharmacy are blossoming wonderfully as a band. With each release, they delve deeper into their refined and exuberant sound while showcasing their deft lyrical prowess. ‘Relapse’ is a vibrant indie anthem ready for repeat plays. Press play and enjoy.

About the track, the band said: “Relapse” is a song about breaking up with your girlfriend, falling back into bed with her, regretting it, and then the whole cycle starting again. The lyrics compare this to a recovering drug addict repeatedly falling off the wagon, alluding to Oscar Wilde and The Undertones.“

Stream ‘Relapse’ below


Author:Danu