Carrick on Suir singer songwriter and music producer Mike Paul has released his new single ‘Games with My Heart’ following his debut single ‘Blame It on the Sun’ which was released on January 21st and had great success in its first month on Spotify gaining nearly 40,000 streams.
‘Games with My Heart’ is a charming upbeat synth pop number sparkling with light instrumentation and delightful tones. With a shaky rhythm and steady beat keeping a buoyant foundation for the shimmering synths and peppy guitar melodies, Mike Paul brings a funk flavour to his indie pop. Soulful vocals glide effortlessly over the velvety melody while a groove infested bass drifts suavely over the glistening soundscape. It’s a delightful bounce and laid-back display of Mike Paul’s absorbing musicianship.
Independent, synth pop artist ‘Ink Pix’ is releasing his next new single on the 31st of May, entitled ‘How R U?’.A preview in the form of a lyric video will also be available on the 28th of May. The song will be the first in a continuous run of singles Ink Pix will be releasing every 3 weeks.
‘How R U?’ is a catchy synth pop flutter as Ink Pix presents an intricately crafted number with playful instrumentation and rich rhythms. The synths glimmer and bloop behind the rapid vocal coos. It is tightly layered with a sticky beat holding the infectious buoyant foundation while the crisp production polishes off the song with a glossy sheen. Catchy with a sugar coated melody and relatable lyrics Ink Pix has crafted his own tasty brand of synth pop.
Electric Shore have released their new single ‘Hurricane’. Electric Shore are a three piece indie rock band from Ratoath Co.Meath, Ireland. Their debut single ‘Too Different’ which was released in 2018 was followed by the even more successful ‘Someone New’. The band participated and won RTÉ 2Fm’s Play The Picnic Competition, which landed them a slot at the Iconic Irish Festival. Last February the band released the highly successful track, ‘Darkness Of You’ which received nationwide radio play, and accumulated thousands of Spotify streams.
‘Hurricane’ is a melodically lush indie pop-rock gem that floods with emotion,catchy hooks and the rich musicianship we have come to love from Electric Shore. Intricate guitar lines weave sharp stings of delight through the track adding hues of bright scintillation while also creating sweet tones of longing. The band have crafted and layered the song perfectly as the rhythm shuffles, pulses and builds, creating tension before the massive chorus. With a thrilling rumble on bass, anthemic vibe and powerful vocals ‘Hurricane’ is a driving, exhilarating number that is sure to compel repeat plays. The western- esque desert guitars flicker between the ethereal soundscapes creating the perfect atmosphere for summer listening as Electric Shore balance exhilarating instrumentation with moving lyricism. ‘Hurricane’ is another mesmerising track from Electric Shore.
Electric Shore will launch this brand new single with a headline gig Upstairs in Whelan’s on the 16th of June. It’s one not to miss.
Meath-based five-piece, Lady Landscape have released their new EP ‘2’. Founded by Alex Harrison and Ryan McDonnell in late 2018, Lady Landscape embrace a lo-fi sound that combines rich synth textures, dreamy guitar rhythms and smooth baritone vocals. Upon forming, the then two piece band released their first EP ‘1’ in 2018, before taking a short hiatus, whilst Harrison spent some time in Vancouver, Canada to work on new demos. McDonnell and Harrison then returned to work in their makeshift bedroom studios to craft and shape their second release ‘2’. Constantly developing their sound with each release, Lady Landscape became a five-piece in 2019, incorporating friends of the group: Jamie Reynolds (Drums), Tiernan Buckley (Bass) and Adam Ollin (Lead Guitar), for a series of live shows in Dublin.
‘2’ is a four track treasure of laid back dreamy tunes that melt into your brain with euphoric delight. The bands simplistic approach creates tracks that are easy on the ears as they fill the songs with mellow tones and luscious textures. ‘Nanaimo’ kick starts their sun kissed sound with an angel delight-dipped melody, nonchalant vocals and twinkling instrumentation. With glistening guitars flickering between the hazy soundscape while a buoyant beat keeps the track peppy and light, ‘Nanaimo’ flurries by with effortless charm and soothing tones. The band blend rich and rejuvenating musicianship with calm, soft lo-fi pop soundscapes and shimmering synths seamlessly. A good example of this is the ethereal ‘Kitsilano’ which was previously featured on Indie Buddie. With their tight musicianship and indie pop sprinkles, Lady Landscape create an EP that is delicious and refreshing. The tranquilizing tones continue with ‘Jericho’ , a sweet ditty with a mesmerising guitar melody and majestic synths. These guys have a knack for honeyed, velvety melodies and ‘Jericho’ takes that skill and turns it up a notch as they subtly surge the track with a 60’s flower power vibe all while layering the track in rich rhythms and glorious sun kissed textures. Final track ‘Varanasi’ brings the EP to a gentle and peaceful end as the tender melody drifts upon a glistening soundscape of soft guitar, and spacey synth elements while the baritone vocals coo the sweet lullaby- esque lyrics. This psychedelic hue closes out the EP allowing you to sail away into a delicate dreamland gracefully.
‘2’ is a wholly satisfying EP as Lady Landscape’s mature, beautiful sound gently blossoms with refinement and grace – it’s captivating and unique.
Mushroom People have released their new single ‘Vertigo’. Mushroom People want to start a new chapter of their career. ”Vertigo’ is about freedom, it’s about letting go, outgrowing yourself–and all the fears that are coming with it.”
‘Vertigo’ places the luscious pop sound of Mushroom People firmly in our minds and hearts. With its twinkling guitars, dreamy melody and exhilarating electronics this track builds superbly into Mushroom People’s most captivating sound to date. An enchanting bass groove weaves beneath massive beat drops and pulses while the spiritual guitar illuminates the track with sun kissed sprinkles of delight. Lenny’s deep vocals charm and soothe while that delicious catchy melody seeps gently into the ears with an easy going warmth compelling you to put this track on repeat. With a sweet flurrying string element blended within this sublime number Mushroom People have created one heart stopping gem.
About the track vocalist Lenny said “At some point last year we found ourselves not writing the music we really like, but now with some time to rethink the whole project we finally managed to create something we deeply care about.”
Cleveland-based Indie/Alternative artist Holden Laurence has released his Sophomore album ‘Rewire’ and will celebrate with a release show at Mahall’s on May 17th alongside Niights and Punch Drunk Tagalongs. Like his previous release ‘Wild Empty Promises’, Laurence once again recruited drummer Michael O’Brien of The Modern Electric to provide the pulse of Rewire. The Rewire sessions were recorded at Fe True Productions(Cleveland) and Bobby Peru Recording Studios (Milwaukee), and were engineered, mixed, and mastered by Shane Olivo, in partnership with executive producer Dr. Michael Bell.In addition to self-producing for the second time, all instruments and vocals, with the exception of drums and percussion, were performed by Holden Laurence
‘Rewire’ is a luscious and compelling collection of alternative 80’s pop submerged in beautiful vivid musicianship as Laurence wraps each track in glorious sugary synths that flash and seep their glucose sweetness through tracks like ‘Shadows of Old Love’, ‘Friendship and The Fever’ and ‘Speaking in Tongues’ .The emotional melodies melt into the tracks effortlessly and rest easily on the ear with bittersweet nostalgia blending with melancholic tones. The velvety vocals exude passion as the glistening sharp guitars weave zesty melodies throughout. The tracks whirl and glissade smoothly from vivid bass grooves and meaty drum progressions to ethereal dreamy tones seamlessly creating a vibrant and texture throughout the album. The emotional tender tracks like ‘Lightning Strikes’, ‘Rewire’,‘Desire’ and ‘Roses and a Romeo Mask’ are beautifully presented with delicate passion and gripping soundscapes while the more upbeat, indie speckled, sun kissed gems like ‘We’ll Always Have the Radio’ illuminate the album with a euphoric laid back tone of delight. Laurence brings us down a sultry nostalgic road of longing with ‘Mary Magdalene’ with its wistful, heart stopping melody and gripping soundscapes that is sure to rest charmingly in the heart of any one who listens to it. The album comes to a beautiful and delicate end with the track ‘The Southern Wind’ as warm guitar twinkles about a soft melody and lush harmony. It’s a charming number that builds becoming more dynamic as it blossoms into a heart warming ditty with honest lyrical content and pure emotional tones.
‘Rewire’ is a richly satisfying album that boasts Holden Laurence’s immaculate, passionate and rich musicianship.
South-East London artist Lonnie Storey has released his new single ‘Silver and Glass’. This dreamy sun specked number floats upon a melted ice cream sundae melody while a sweet vaporous indie soundscape jingles and glimmers in the background. The track glides and sluggishly droops between energetic bursts and laid back breezy vibes with zest-stricken guitar melodies, elastic bass grooves and a danceable beat. It’s infectious, vibrant and quirky with nonchalant vocals cooing through the verses before becoming more dynamic for the catchy chorus. Filled with swagger and effortless suaveness this glossy, fizzing pop gem builds to a psych hued crescendo that is simply divine.
On ‘Silver and Glass’ Lonnie shares: ‘Silver and Glass is all about becoming a hot vapid mess,being so obsessed with image and presentation, hoping it will cover the cracks in a fragile, unhinged personality, whose self esteem leaked out of them overnight.”
Liverpool artist Aimée Steven has released her debut single ‘My Name’ on At Large Records. The track which has already been featured on BBC 6 Music and received multiple plays on BBC Merseyside is a compelling 60’s – esque chic number that boasts Steven’s slinky, vintage musicianship.Her smooth velvety vocals emanate a rich quality and warm texture over the suave melody as she coolly strolls over the lyrics with sass and swagger while a shimmy chic backdrop glimmers behind. The jangly guitar stridently weaves between the shaky rhythms and steady beat as they lay down that effortless 60’s- esque foundation. It’s a rich vibrant sassy track that is sure to have the feet tapping and hips grooving in no time. A sublime debut from Aimée Steven.
Newcastle moody synth-pop duo SADSUN have released their new single ‘Heads or (Tails)’. SADSUN made their debut on the scene in February with their single ‘Control’, an addictively delirious synth-pop track with dark and atmospheric undertones. Gaining praise from the likes of The Line of Best Fit, God Is In The TV and BBC Music Introducing North East, founded by talented musicians, Aimy Miller (vocals/production) and Simon Atkinson (synths/guitar/production), SADSUN blend uplifting vintage pop sensibilities and brooding introspective lyricism with a cinematic backdrop.
‘Heads or (Tails)’ is a refreshing burst of synth pop shimmering with a glorious 80’s pop sheen. The funky guitars inject and weave a groovy thread throughout this laid back summer number while the glistening synths and sticky, pulsing beat create a breathtaking ethereal atmosphere. With smooth vocals caressing the nostalgic melody this sweet, summer baked gem is an easy listening catchy track to put on repeat.
Speaking on ‘Heads or (Tails)’, vocalist, Aimy Miller explained: “Heads or (Tails) is an attempt at exploring the chaos of emotions. When it was written, I was struggling to get a grip on how I was feeling day to day – it felt as though it could literally be down to a flip of a coin. One moment I was over the moon happy, the next I was through the floor hopeless and experiencing a lot of physical pain. I was aware how it must have been for someone to see me like that and i just wanted everything to stop.”
Liverpool band NULLA have released their debut single ‘Sunyata’. With its infectious groove, laid back swagger and silken guitar lines ‘Sunyata’ is a tight impressive debut from Nulla. The guitars inject a zesty refreshness into the track as they shrill and lightly zing through the ethereal soundscape. A melty pop melody floats upon the dreamy soundscape with a buoyant beat and elastic bass groove creating that charming hip moving foundation for this easy going gem. With its catchy melody, velvety vocals, shredding solo and sun kissed radiance ‘Sunyata’ is a glorious jazz-drizzled ditty to keep you smiling all day.
Stream ‘Sunyata’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
