Noah Elliott has released his new single ‘Who Takes The Prize’. The Oregon native amassed 500k Spotify listens after releasing a string of self-produced singles created in his college dorm room. After graduating from the University of Miami and wandering around Asia for 6 months, Elliott moved to LA. There, he teamed up with Dylan Bauld (Halsey, Bea Miller, flor) to create his debut EP ‘Songs For The Optimist’. ‘Who Takes The Prize’ is the 5th single off the record.
‘Who Takes The Prize’ is a dark alternative pop tune lathered in rich electronics and infectious dance vibes. Elliott’s smooth vocals croon over intricate rhythms and push-pull electronic effects that venture into EDM and house elements at times. With lush synths weaving between bittersweet melodies, Elliott displays his engaging and catchy musicianship through this shadowy yet enticing gem. Elliott has a knack for creating infectious melodies and wrapping them in dense textures and tones to create eargasmic tunes that are sure to have you bopping and dancing in no time, and ‘Who Takes The Prize’ is the perfect example of this.
About the track, Elliott explains: “When I listen to this track, I can’t stop myself from dancing. I hope it has the same effect on you.”
Zach James Douglas has released his second single ‘Even As The Knife Went Through’ on ZJD Records via Faction Records. Zach James Douglas is an indie/alternative producer and songwriter, hailing from the South Dublin suburb of Tallaght.
‘Even As The Knife Went Through’ is a beautifully arranged tune that balances tender emotion with experimental electronics. Zach James Douglas layers the track spectacularly. He introduces fresh new sounds through guitar embellishments, twinkling sounds, elegant piano and synth flurries with each verse to create a constantly evolving listening experience. The track has an ethereal quality to it that is enhanced by the soft, soulful vocals from guest vocalist Saoirse. She coos over a dreamy melody while tropical tones and wispy atmospherics build throughout. Zach James Douglas is an impressive and extremely talented artist who uses rich and diverse soundscapes to create wholly immersive and engaging tunes that are simply a joy to listen to.
About the song Douglas says…“Even as the Knife Went Through explores the scarred mental state of someone who’s been hurt by a previous partner. It details the intimacy and trust issues that a person develops within future relationships and how despite being the target of such abuse, they still tend to carry a sense of guilt and a deeply hard wired love for their ex partner.”
Ria Rua has released her new single, ‘Asking For It’.Ria Rua is a modern Irish female electronic art-pop singer, songwriter and producer. After spending years as a professional drummer and touring the world with orchestras, she decided to take a chance on her own material. Her first three releases received national radio play in Ireland and the UK, and she was awarded International Artist of the Year 2020 by Nova Radio in the UK. Ria writes about power, love, obsession and control. Her debut single was about the global response to the coronavirus pandemic and has become a staple on Irish national radio. She has been awarded several Irish Arts bursaries, including the highly coveted Irish Arts Council’s National Music Bursary (2020) and has plans to release more singles in 2021, followed by her debut album.
Shrouded in gripping, nail-biting tension and unnerving electronics ‘Asking For It’ is a thrilling new single from Ria Rua. The track pulses with dark undertones as the artist blends heavy moments of EDM with head-spinning synths and techno flourishes. A dazed backdrop reminiscent of a rave has a muggy, lulling effect on the senses while Ria Rua’s vocals maintain an unimpressed matter of fact tone throughout. The striking lyrical content hits hard with bruising force as the artist pulls no punches, “people used to say to me you don’t walk around in short skirts cause they know what you’re asking for. No, it’s just implied cause you’re asking for it”. Boasting masterful production and thought-provoking lyrics ‘Asking For It’ is a fine example of Ria Rua’s boundless musical talent. Looking forward to hearing much more from Ria Rua.
Fresh off the release of his widely acclaimed EP ‘Transcendence’, Robert O’Connor presents his new single,’ Save You’.The track was produced by Gareth Shortland, who was recently recruited to remix hits for Steps and Will Young.
’Save You’ is an effervescent 90’s-infused dance anthem. Saturated in fizzing electronics, buoyant beats and chiming keys, the track swirls with infectious dance soundscapes while showcasing O’Connor’s impressive melodic prowess. A sweet melody glimmers through the shimmering backdrop while reverb vocals chime through the kinetic soundscape. ‘Save You’ is an upbeat bop that exudes an instant charm as O’Connor blends crisp production with catchy grooves to create an exciting dance floor filler. Press play and enjoy.
Brisbane indie-pop band LHD are back with their new single ‘Growing Up’. This shimmering indie-pop gem showcases LHD’s eargasmic, nostalgic sound in all its glory. The band injects intricate percussion and buoyant beats into a radiant synth backdrop to create a bubbling, ethereal atmosphere filled with lush harmonies and balmy guitar riffs. Intense brooding verses give way to dreamy melodies and humid soundscapes while velvety vocals frankly express the tracks motivational theme “raise the figurative middle finger to those people who judge you”. LHD have meticulously crafted this tune. Their skilful use of pacing, glorious melodies, and surging instrumentation makes LHD a band to keep an eye on. Boasting an uplifting chorus with passion bursting from every note, ‘Growing Up’ is a fresh guzzle of indie-pop that leaves you craving for more.
About the track the band said “Growing Up” raises the figurative middle finger to those people in your life that always seem to have an opinion about what you are or aren’t doing, and love to criticise others. Although this is the case, the song is ultimately motivational, and listeners will find it brings a message of hope and a confidence in staying true to yourself, despite what others think.”
Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Neil Dexter has launched his solo career and released his debut single, ‘Loving You.’ A founding member of defunct indie-rock quintet Spies, and active contributor to Tandem Felix and Royal Yellow, Dexter’s experiences playing with these acts have broadened his sonic palette and informed his artistry today.
Dexter presents a richly textured prismatic wall of sound within ‘Loving You’ that builds to become one infectious groove-laden bop. The song pivots around an insatiable groove as a pounding beat and bass direct the song’s flow. Dexter layers shimmering synths, clapping rhythms and melodic electronics atop heavy grooves to create a kaleidoscopic 80’s synth-pop backdrop blended with elements of 90s techno-pop. This lush array of textures is a joy to the senses as Dexter’s mesmerising vocal anchors the listener within the song’s ever-growing and immersive soundscape. There is a dark undertone crawling through the track. This is reinforced by Dexter’s deep vocals and haunting wisps on electronics which contrasts the lustrous production and synths, while the lyrics explore the guilt that often comes from not being more present for your partner “I should have spent more time loving you.”
‘Loving You’ is an exciting glimpse into the vast tantalising sound of Neil Dexter, and I, for one, am looking forward to what the artist has in store for us next.
KinetiX have released their new single ‘White Oil…’. The track is the third single released by the Offaly trio (consisting of brothers Arthur, Theodore, and Ademar Stones), ‘White Oil…’ is a drum and bass rallying call by KinetiX for listeners to retake the initiative within their lives.Before KinetiX formed in 2017, the trio started out as traditional musicians to great success, winning 23 All-Ireland at various Fleadh Cheoil na nÉireann competitions, as well as appearing on The Late Late Toy Show in 2010. Prior to KinetiX Arthur would go on to form Ruaile Buaile, which would release two studio albums, extensively tour North America, Europe, the UAE, and New Zealand. As KinetiX, the trio work out of their studio in Offaly, having previously worked in Diffusion Lab Studios alongside producers Chris Bubenzer and Marcin Ciszczon. The trio plan to release up to a dozen singles before the end of 2021, while continuing to perform gigs via live stream, with the aim of returning to physical gigs at the first opportunity ahead of the 2022 festival season.
‘White Oil…’ is a luscious pop anthem doused in the intricate production and sparkling electronic pop of KinetiX. The trio spread a dreamy melody over a driving drum and bass backdrop to create an energetic and irresistible bop for listeners to enjoy. The track oozes feel-good vibes as KinetiX swirl ethereal electronics through the bubbling backdrop to create light and airy elements throughout. With muggy verses that dissolve into the explosive and radiant chorus, ‘White Oil..’ is a well crafted and bright gem, ready for repeat summer plays.
A by-product of the ongoing pandemic, ‘White Oil…’ lyrically tries to look beyond this unprecedented period and encourages listeners not only to maintain connections with people but to use the easing of lockdown restrictions as a launchpad to start living in a way that makes life worthwhile: “We are trying to convey a simple message in this song…it’s time to open up your arms again and let people in. If you have had any negative thoughts or were being hard on yourself for the last few months, it is time to let that all go and start living your life again…get out there and start living your life for you.”
Irish electro-pop artist Slaney has released her new single, ‘Love Is Like A Drug’. The song follows the release of her previous single ‘Chameleon’, which dropped in February and picked up excellent radio and press support in Ireland and the UK.
‘Love Is Like A Drug’ is a refreshing guzzle of electronic pop that bubbles with the infectious musicianship of Slaney. She spreads ethereal electronics over a sticky beat creating a muggy and dance-infused backdrop for her sweet vocals to coo over. There is a beautiful contrast between Slaney’s hypnotic vocals, the honeyed melody and effervescent electronics that adds a bite and edge to the tune. Slaney pulls these different aspects together with the use of soft pop elements and catchy hooks allowing listeners to appreciate and immerse themselves in the tracks’ addictive and enticing soundscapes. ‘Love Is Like A Drug’ showcases Slaney’s musical prowess and sublime knack for melodies, marking her an artist to keep an eye on.
Dublin based dance/pop artist Butler has released the video for his new single ‘ME & YOU’ featuring White Wax. This vibrant tune oozes Butler’s signature sun kissed pop sound. I caught up with Luke Thomas aka Butler to talk about the new single, working with Wax White and the possibility of an EP.
“I love trying to discover different artists and I’m always on the lookout for different acts, particularly when the media will focus on maybe 10 of the best up and coming acts, there’s another 50 that are just outside the spotlight that you don’t see that are doing just as good. I like going down different paths and different rabbit holes to find different acts. I came across these guys and they had a couple of great songs out and I was like, I have to work with these guys. I never thought they would actually agree to do it. They’re two cool guys, two cool rappers and I reached out to them and thankfully they said yes. So we put the song together around Christmas and we felt the time was right now to get it out there”
“ With the lockdown you have to work within the parameters that you can and from the previous summer I had vocals and we had an idea on the guitar so we were able to put that together and send over that to the guys in December. They worked on it, got it back to us, we got it mastered. The process going back and forth can take time but it was worth it in the end. It was a few back and forths and I suppose, by the time we met up to do the video, it was actually the first time we’d ever met, physically, which is crazy.”
Remote recording and collaborating has created an opportunity for artists to work with other artists and producers that they perhaps wouldn’t have been able to work with before. I wondered if Luke thought remote recording is something that will be a lasting addition to recording music in the future after the pandemic is over
“I think it’s the way forward, certainly for electronic music anyway, because the digital stuff is so strong now, it’s so advanced. You have the opportunity to finely tune parts of songs and get them ready way before even going into a studio and that cuts down costs. People can produce albums from their house now. I know they’ve been able to do that for years but it’s really gotten a hell of a lot stronger. So I do think it’s the way forward. Absolutely.”
“Even the microphones people use now are so much better. The technology, the post production software, there’s presets…obviously you need to be able to sing to begin with, but to get to that studio level quality is not as hard to do anymore, which is great. It’s great for the underdogs. It’s great for people who are really struggling to get a record deal, or, they might have written some songs and they’re up and coming, it’s great to see that it is possible for those guys to get through and break through.”
Luke regularly collaborates with a variety of artists for his Butler project. For Luke each artist brings their own sound and style to the tunes. This blending of musical talent creates engaging and refreshing music for listeners to indulge in.
“I suppose that’s another reason why I wanted to work with so many different people because you grow yourself when you work with different people. You grow as an artist and you can learn so much. No matter what age, what genre those people that you’re working with are. It really, helps you and you’d be foolish to think that you know everything, in any field so it’s always good to absorb more knowledge, skills, information, all that sort of stuff. I love it“
Luke is a master at creating sweet earworm melodies that stick in your head for days and make you crave to hear them again. Within ‘ME & YOU’ the doo wop -esque melody is utterly irresistible. Teamed with the love saturated lyrical content, Luke once again proves his song writing prowess.
“I have been writing melody and stuff like that for years and, yeah, it’s just the way the track was. [The] strummed guitar part, we decided to cut it up a little bit, and cut down some of the strums and just make them a bit more staccato. I think that worked and that helped give more room between the chords to get a bit more melody in there, a bit more feeling in there and I think that came out in the song, it’s benefited hugely from that.”
“I was trying to put myself back as a teenager, maybe 15 years ago, when you’re that age and it’s us against everybody you know. It’s kind of naive hopeful love, that side of things where anything is possible in life and it’s just about what’s happening right there and then. Nothing else matters. That is what it was aiming for. I’m quite used to putting myself in certain situations where I can draw on experience or draw on past situations and things that might have happened, maybe not exactly but close enough”
Dublin’s charismatic duo Wax White and their fluid, edgy raps add a cheeky edge to the song. Their clever rhymes perfectly contrast the track’s sweet melody.
“That was one of the reasons why I wanted them on board. It’s like yin and yang at times. Where I’d have more of a sweeter pop delivery and vocal, and then the guys come in [with] a different kind of energy, which is great. It keeps the track interesting and lively. You always have to have one eye on that. That a song or a piece of work doesn’t plateau and make sure it’s interesting for the listener, which is key.”
Luke has also released a video for ‘ME & YOU’. It’s a fun and charming video featuring a random panda head, bikes and the guys dressed in sleek suits. Being able to make a video is a treasured experience in the middle of this pandemic.
“That was the first time, physically together. It was crazy we were on the phone a lot and zoom and various different avenues getting back and forth to each other, but it was great to actually be there face to face, and have a laugh and the director just kept the camera rolling at times when we had the football there and so forth. Just to have fun with the whole thing and not take it too seriously, I think that’s the key. That’s the key with this stuff, so it naturally came out that we were enjoying ourselves. You can overthink stuff and it just causes more issues and there’s more opportunities for it to go sideways if you overthink it, as opposed to doing a simple idea very well.“
Last time I spoke to Luke he told me he was building up his tunes for a potential EP. I wondered how the EP was progressing.
“Yeah I have enough tunes for the Butler EP, I’m going to put it on ice till closer to Christmas because I might have another single, maybe in September as well just to build with the EP, and there’s no massive rush, I would like to coincide the EP with a live performance. So, I’m holding out to maybe closer to Christmas if I can get a venue, you know, just a small intimate venue maybe 100 people, and see if I can do it that way to get across what Butler is properly and see what people think of it live. That would be the idea. Everything, obviously has been pushed back a little bit with the times we are in which is fine. I’ll just be ready and waiting in the background locked and loaded, ready to go.”
Butler is an electronic pop project and the prospect of live shows soon had Luke and I discussing what a Butler show would look like
“Yeah, it’s heavily based with acoustic guitar, sample bass and drum machines, that’s the way we’d start off anyway and probably keyboards at the start. There’d be no point having a huge band, initially, until we see what sort of reaction we get and what sort of venues we’re playing. It would be like what you see electronic artists do on the likes of Jools Holland and stuff like that. They would set up for two or three musicians and they would cover the spectrum of instruments, between them. Initially, that’s what we are looking at”
So what can eager fans look forward to from Butler in the coming months?
“The plans are to promote this [‘ME & YOU’] as much as possible, look at maybe another single in September, with an EP around Christmas and hopefully a live gig to go with that. That’s the big plan and hopefully looking at collaborating with some other people as well. I have a few in mind, but I won’t say anything yet until they say yes or no to me, and just to create music to keep building on the brand.“
Luke Thomas is an ambitious and talented artist. His catchy pop songs and melody wizardry is mesmerizing. ‘ME & YOU’ is a fantastic example of his earworm magic. This upbeat radiant tune is the perfect pick me up we all need. I’m looking forward to hearing the tunes Butler releases next.
Irish glam-pop artist Jack Rua and American hyper-pop artist Saint Taint have teamed up on a scintillating EP called ‘I Don’t Party Enough Anymore’.
‘I Don’t Party Enough Anymore’ is a tantalizing body of work that melds heavy electronics with intricate instrumentation and dazzling production. The artists knock it out of the park with their sugar rush of sounds while allowing each track to evoke the wide range of emotions everyone has been feeling since the pandemic began. ‘Contact’ kicks the EP into motion. With smooth vocals gliding sweetly over a bubbling backdrop of ethereal synths, infectious rhythms and swirling soundscapes, Jack Rua and Saint Taint provide a punchy assault to the senses. Title track ‘I Don’t Party Enough Anymore’, continues the lush textural blitz of its predecessor as it spirals into a chaotic dizzying explosion of electronics between staccato synth and dance immersed beats that create surges of adrenaline between the chilled verses.
As the EP progresses the quality of earworm melodies and glitter pop backdrops intensify, completely absorbing the listener in vibrant electronics, EDM elements and tropical tones. A fine example of this is ‘Lovemelikeiloveyou’ – a glorious moment within the EP. This bright tune radiates sun kissed tones, shimmering synths and deft beats. Within ‘Lovemelikeiloveyou’ Jack Rua and Saint Taint lyrically capture 2020’s feelings of frustration, loneliness and anxiety “my paranoia’s been keeping me company”. The high energy and infectious melodies continue throughout until the grand finale, ‘Bike Ride’.A piano reverb laced tune layered with sticky beats and quirky samples that provides a biting backdrop for Saint Taint’s poignant depiction of life in America amidst the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests.
Over four tracks Jack Rua and Saint Taint succinctly explore the impact of 2020 and covid 19. It’s a remarkably confident EP boasting exquisite melodies and bewitching electronic pop sounds creating a contemporary and unique listening experience. Within ‘I Don’t Party Enough Anymore’, the listener witnesses two dynamic, talented artists showcase their musical prowess and hone their craft to create an EP that is as passionate and emotive as it is engaging and enjoyable.
Stream ‘I Don’t Party Enough Anymore’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
