Mind Redux is the alter ego of 25 year old songwriter/producer Harry Blackman from Farnham, Surrey. He has released his debut EP ‘Colour Of Dreams’ on which he self composed and produced over the winter of 2016/17 in a shed at the top of his garden huddled around an electric heater to stay warm.
‘Colour Of Dreams’ is a 5 track EP that perhaps personifies Blackmans desire for warmth in that shed. Glowing with laid back sunny vibes and laced in subtle sweet hooks its perfect to transport you to a hazy sunny daydream. ‘Divide’ kicks off the EP with peppy beats, swirling soundscapes and lo- fi vocals. Drowning in blissful psychedelia this track sweeps you up into the unique dreamy world of Mind Redux.’ Love Luck’ brings us sharp zesty guitar riffs against sweet melodies and trippy vibes. It’s a refreshing tutti frutti on a sweltering hot day. Smothered in easy going laid back vibes backed by slick instrumentation its euphoric bliss. ‘Moving To The City’ bounces and floats with jubilant elation. Bright guitar riffs and soft beats teamed with wispy breezy soundscapes create a cushion of summer sun to rest your head on. Blackman really knows how to set your mind at ease and place you happily in a content stupor of euphoria. ‘Coincide’ darkens the tone a little with hints of mystery and eerie qualities.The track perhaps acts as the unexpected cloud that covers the sun momentarily . Strong strides on guitar interweave the sticky beats as they swirl in a gentle opaque whirlpool. Final track ‘This Trap’ is a bubble of snappy catchy indie. Again featuring zealous bursts of honey-toned guitar teamed with a delicious melody and heavenly soundscapes. The sing along friendly chorus dripping in wistful tones creates a luscious track that is almost angelic and too sweet for our human ears. Blackman shows real talent with this EP. Looking forward to hearing more from Mind Redux.
When we asked Harry Blackman what were his plans for the future he said:
This project started just as a pastime for something to do after work and soon developed into a collection of songs I thought I should probably release rather than letting them collect dust. I decided to go under a name which could manifest itself into a band for a live setup. I have never wanted to do a solo project and would always rather be in a band setup but not knowing many musicians makes it slightly difficult. Also not having to consult fellow band members about a track works well with me. I do hope to meet musicians in the near future that would be willing to play the songs as a live setup. I’m very much looking forward to getting back into the shed to start another EP or even a full length album.
Follow Mind Redux on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/mindredux
The Revellions are a six piece band of misfits based in Dublin city that play a mixed sound of Garage Surf Rock with a side order of psychedelic music. Band members James Lister (Lead Vocals & Guitar) . Sean Adderley (Guitar). Edward Ãspel (Guitar & Backing Vocals). Juan Castilla ( Bass Guitar). Anna Mulhbach (Keys & Backing Vocals) and Mick Smith (Drums) have been taking their sound to the next level following their two well known albums “The Revellions” and “Give it Time”, being promoted by several successful tours in Germany, France, United Kingdom, Norway and Spain. The band is currently working on the final stages of their forthcoming 3rd album. Courtesy of Mersol Music Label The Revellions are also releasing a New Single for Record Store Day on April 22nd 2017 and will be having a launch party for that in the Grand Social. The Single is called ‘False Hope’ and will be released on 7″ vinyl in a textured card sleeve with superb artwork done by Blanca Fons. We had a listen to the track along with its b side ‘Carrie Ann’ to get a taste of what’s to come from the third album. ‘False Hope’ is a trippy moment into luscious floaty soundscapes with almost triumphant little bursts throughout. Its a groove-based shimmy flooded with an overwhelming exhalation of cool sensual swagger and euphoric bliss. Its mind numbing psychedelia which crashes over you in waves of sound, pulling back and pushing forward, becoming stronger as the track progresses. Wobbly guitars create a prism of thrilling distortion while punchy drums and elastic bass lure you into the inner depths of the track. Peppy and full of sultry tones its a steamy boogie that is insanely catchy and compelling while intense raspy vocals add grit and fight to the swirling enigma. The track builds to an intense dizzying crescendo bursting with life and energy before the final mighty chorus. ‘False Hope’ is tightly bound and well crafted creating a trippy bubble and a staggeringly good display from The Revellions. ‘Carrie Ann’ is a vibrant swagger filled strut of joy. Its a confidence-building ball of fire. Nimble slick guitar adds elation and oomph while the rapid spring of percussion lifts the track into a state of buzz filled exhilaration. Raspy vocals give us a rough and tumble quality while exceptional keys bring us depth and rich textures. Its an all round pleaser. ‘Carrie Ann’ is superbly layered and soaked in panache with a strut- like prance, its a blistering charmer. Soft lull of backing vocals adds an elevated feel to the track while instrumentally the track explodes with an illustrious blase.
The Revellions new album will see the light at the end of 2017 as the band has already started to showcase the new songs across the core venues of garage rock music in Dublin city and a tour over in Spain. These guys are ones to keep and eye out for.
You can catch them live at The Grand Social, Dublin 22nd April we’ll be there and it promises to be one hell of a show.
Follow The Revellions on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/therevellions/
MYA Project is the alternative, electronic/acoustic pop creation from Dalila Mya. Originating from Europe, now based in Los Angeles, this musical creativity comes from a background of classical training combined with a Sound Engineering Degree. MYA Project is a fusion of electronic and acoustic music, where Trip-Hop meets World Music and Pop Rock. Dalila’s background has seen her work as a Live Sound Engineer, working with artists such as Tool, Depeche Mode, Alabama Three and Massive Attack. Besides her live work, she has worked as a Studio Sound Engineer for several studios in England and the U.S.A., including Abbey Road in London and The Village Studio in Los Angeles. Dalila has her own recording studio in LA where she produces all her works including the new release ‘MK’. MYA Project released the 10-track debut, ‘MK’ on the 3rd of March through Milky Bomb Records and has now released the video for the single ‘It’s All About Imagination’. ‘It’s All About Imagination’ is haunting goosebump inducing euphoria. Subtle electronics seep in with eerie tones while the enchanting luring melody seduces, fused with slow groovy dance influenced beats. Swirling interweaving electronics create a dizzy narcotic effect while a captivating bassline and sting on guitars add a razor sharp edge and rock influence. Funky sway-like rhythm adds an elasticity and malleability to this bewitching track while spacey futuristic electronic flashes add a chilling obscurity. Velvety smooth sweet enticing vocals lead you down a musical rabbit hole of hazy spiralling delirium. With a mind numbing illusion rippling effect ‘It’s All About Imagination’ is an experience that will have you in a trance.
German rockers Odd Couple have released their new single ‘Gone Solid’ ahead of their second album ‘Flügge’ (meaning “independent” or “to spread one’s wings” in German) which is set for release April 21st. Odd Couple duo Tammo Dehn and Jascha Kreft’s modern approach to recording sound takes influence from hip hop and the kosmische musik experimentation of West Germany in the seventies. ‘Gone Solid’ is a blissfully brutal attack on the senses with a hybridisation of garage rock pummelling with ferocity and chilled with swagger filled vocals and waves of electronic psychedelia. With a beat that straddles the line between motorik rhythms and hip hop its a strut and display of effortless cool panache within the constraints and solid structure of the track. Infectious gritty chunky guitar riffs add brawn and a beefy punch. This track oozes attitude and slick swanky flamboyance all while packing a serious dose of heavy mosh worthy frenzy. The quality is on point ,richly layered and multi textured, you hear a new impressive feature of the song each time you listen. These guys are musical wizards. Its eccentric and retro while remaining fresh and original. ‘Gone Solid’ is the epiphanies and freakouts of decades past with hints of soul, garage rock, psychedelia and funk . You feel sure you recognise something to pin it down to a genre, but you don’t quite, hence mind blowing.
Stream ‘Gone Solid’ below
Future Lover has released a new single ‘Dead Soul Dagger’ Colin Lime is Future Lover, He writes, records, and produces all the music, with occasional contributions from far-out friends. Originally hailing from Indianapolis, and having spent more than a decade touring the country and living in New York, the sound of Future Lover reflects that journey. It evokes a psychedelic trip through inner and outer space, lighting up the darkness and rocketing out into the universe. He calls his sound “Psych-Wave”. ‘Dead Soul Dagger’ is taken from ‘Reverb Tales’, the forthcoming LP out May 2017 on Crystal Cave Records. ‘Dead Soul Dagger’ is a fuzzed kaleidoscopic prism of psychedelic rock swirling with trippy confusion. Opiate vocals sooth with a narcotic numbing effect while weaving electronics act as a wobbly wave like mirage causing a blissful daydream head trip. Razor sharp fuzzed guitar becomes the constant, keeping you from dangerously slipping into the enticing enigma. The shredding guitar riff is gritty and hypnotic with steamy flashes of disorientation. Strong punchy drums give the track a heavy sound that will cause your glazed head to mosh messily and uncontrollably while you become consumed in the dark bewitchment of this fascinating track. Haunting falsetto vocals echo in the background while the track swirls and weaves with liquid blurred fluidity. Let Future Lover dissolve your brain in trippy ecstasy.
Stream ‘Dead Soul Dagger’ below
MUX, a brand new electro-stoner band from London is to release at the end of March their EP entitled ‘Can you see who?’. MUX blend elements of electronica, stoner, trip-hop and punk leaving you in a twisted knot of thrilling euphoric disorientation. Comprised of members Tiz, Paul, and Jonas, MUX present an EP that is a gripping electrifying enigma fuzzed and gritty and smothered in obscure darkness. The band officially started in the summer of 2016 when Tiz and Paul (drums) met in Brighton, while shopping for souvenirs. They started fighting over a seashell ashtray and ended talking about Kendrick Lamar’s latest album. A couple of months later, the pair met Jonas (Guitar) at a Mac DeMarco concert in Camden. Jonas was headbanging harder than everyone else. ‘MDMA’ kicks off the EP with a creepy sinister shadowy tone. Raspy whisper-like vocals are hair-raisingly chilling while the gritty distorted guitar adds a rough round the edges sharpness. Its like a psychedelic trip that’s freaked you out but still feels good. A rapid elastic rhythm gives a sticky gooey glooping effect. The track becomes more dynamic as it progress with the intense electronics becoming more frantic while the shredding guitar pierces with shrilling ferocity. The electronic woodblock-like feature is a recurring element in the EP’s tracks and it adds a plump texture and unusual refreshing contrast to the dark psychedelic swirling surround. It acts like a conscious anchor keeping your mind from becoming completely engulfed by the musical whirlwind. ‘Gold and Prozac’ follows with shivering fuzzed guitar against a tapping rhythm. The track oozes lurid gloppy liquid- like electronics that seep throughout the track, broken only by hypnotic trance inducing psychedelia. Eerie dark vocals are ghostly with a theatrical tint of evil. Epic basslines travel through each track providing a weighty beefy foundation to sink your teeth into. ‘Teenage Father’ begins with the sweet request “Kill Me” building into a thunderous mighty headbanger. This frenzy causing hysteria is sticky mosh pit neck-breaking head banging ready. Snapping bass is teamed with a fantastic driving guitar that shrills with blissful ear-piercing capability. Its a blood pumping smashing monster of a track that is convulsion causing derangement but so good. ‘Stray’ finishes the EP with a sensual riveting all absorbing guitar feature, lusty crescendo and pounding rhythm mixed with electronic blurring perplexity, all bashed out and liquored up leaving you in a glazed mind boggled mush. Blending heavy turmoil with sensual steamy red hot piercing guitar and luring vocals, this track penetrates your skull with relentless soundscapes and acute powerful momentum.
Each track flows fluidly into the next as MUX take you on a riveting complex journey through their proficient composition and exquisite craftsmanship. Its dark, its gritty and fuzzed with narcotic effects. ‘Can you see who?’ is a swirling invasion into your mind showing you a shadowy kaleidoscope of abstruseness.
Watch a snippet of what you can expect below
London-based duo Ten Fé have released their much anticipated debut album ‘Hit The Light’.Recorded in Berlin, Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan’s stunning debut is an album to get lost in. The duo effortlessly blend blissful soft rock with psychedelic electronic rock ’n’ roll creating an album where each track warrants its place and has its own identity on the album while gliding fluidly into the next track. ‘Overflow’ kicks the album off with sweet nostalgia. Moorhouse’s warm mellow baritone soothes and cushions the listener from the bittersweet sentimental drenched track. It becomes instantly obvious these guys have a knack for irresistible melodies that lull in the back of your mind portraying perhaps harsh sombre tones but with a grace and a delicacy that is just beautiful. With longing tapping synths, lush harmonies and rich layered echo textures Ten Fé begin to introduce us to their enthralling sound that will transport you to a mind numbing journey into a swirling world of emotions. ‘Turn’ follows dripping in sonic 80’s infused soft rock, Duncan mourns a strained relationship.Its wistful with an afflicted tone but by no means doleful. Psychedelic “wah wah” on guitar ripples through the track like a wobbly warping mirage while the soft beat peps the track up adding a lively bouncy effect. Lush harmonies are what these guy do effortlessly and it adds such a rich elegance to the track especially when teamed with a mind melting melody.
Moorhouse takes on lead vocals on the dreamy ‘Elodie’. I must confess my favourite track on the album, ‘Elodie’ is the kind of track that you fall in love with. It reduces you to a liquid substance and really shows off the duos fine musicianship. The rich, daydream tone on vocals coo and lull with lavish qualities. Its heart on your sleeve raw emotion, tender and sweet yet radiating bright vibes. With yearning lyrics and lamenting “sigh-like” backing vocals, it swoons you into a bubble of nostalgic dreaminess. The rolling piano refrain creates a swan-like elegance while the steady tempo, warm feelings and heavenly melody make this track a perfect treasure. ‘Twist Your Arm’ flurries with loose floaty ecstasy featuring a propulsive strong beat and elastic bass teamed with a stinging slide guitar. The swirling electronics chilled with breezy natural tones add a psychedelic feel. The track builds into a massive full bodied chorus with hand clapping, swaying and almost Gospel- like crescendo. With smooth vocals reaching to a dynamic falsetto this track is dynamite. ‘Another Way’ is summer in a bottle. Open roads sunshine relax and chill. Limber dainty guitar adds to the bright luminous vibe while the washed-out keys flood the track with cool relaxed tones. Its mind easing bliss with falsetto vocals and rich harmonies creating the perfect backdrop to just let everything go. ‘In The Air’ jogs along again displaying Ten Fé’s knack for ear-worm indie pop. Zesty bright guitars interplay with a steady consistent beat while Moorhouse and Duncan’s vocal harmonies intertwine. Its effortless cool melody and vocals give the track a mellow bright free vibe. ‘Don’t Forget’ brings us a beat driven track with a darker tone. Flashes of sharp guitar add piercing scintillation to the track while soft backing vocals echo. The track becomes more electronically heavy as it progresses building to almost an 80’s rock balled classic. Its all fist pumping vibes by the shredding guitar solo. ‘Follow’ another delightful melodic banger. Smothered in uplifting vibes with nostalgic undertones and gentle vocals. With wistful synth swirls, its tear jerking stuff that still makes you feel good. ‘Make Me Better’ blast us with strings, sticky snappy beats and a The Verve vibe mixed with Roy Orbison-esque elements. Its dark dramatic and fantastically sharp.Its a rush of blood churning with bubbling emotions and flashes of blazing synths.Epic orchestral peaks create an anthemic explosion while a calm steady bassline grounds the track adding depth. Its larger than life and immense yet majestic. You will have stuck song syndrome with that hook on strings it will be in your head all day. ‘Burst’ bops with hopeful vitality. The use of reverb changes the track that would perhaps have been more country into a fusion with psychedelic trippy electronics. Its catchy fun and lively and twangs in all the right places.
Our journey with Ten Fé comes to and end with the tender emotional ‘July Rain’. Rich percussion perfectly placed throbs and kicks with a stomping beat.Light pitter patter adds a rain like quality while a beautiful piano feature adds grace and elegance to this emotional track. This duo are not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve and its beautiful aching tracks like ‘July Rain’ that come to fruition because of this. Delicate backing vocals heighten the emotional vocals and raw lyrics. This stunning track brings the album to a heart wrenching yet satisfying end.
Ten Fé compiled a combination of impeccable songs that are a treasure. Each track flows perfectly into the next. Its an emotional journey that the band take you on with them. Giving a personal experience to every listener that makes you hold the album close to your heart. As expected Ten Fé knocked it out of the park with catchy melodies and well crafted musicianship, ‘Hit The Light’ is what we expected and more, majestic personal and larger than life.
Stream ‘Hit The Light’ below
Toronto-based garage psych trio Crazy Bones have released their new video for the single ‘Melting’, taken off their forthcoming debut EP ‘Cosmic Drips’. ‘Melting’ is a fuzz drenched mind liquefying heavy mosh worthy track. Easing us into their sound Crazy Bones begin with a psychedelic trippy gentle verse which leads into pulverising frantic heavy rock. Hefty drums pound through your skull with weighty abolishing force while shredding crushing guitar solos shrill with earsplitting intensity. Smooth sensual raspy vocals coax throughout the mania of this psychotic acid trip. Its foaming at the mouth bombardment that is deliriously good and thrilling to listen to.
Watch the swirling kaleidoscope colours of the video for ‘Melting’ below
Hailing from the deepest darkest Cornwall, UK band Flashes have released their new single ‘The Upset’. Consisting of members Jim (vocals/guitar), Peasy (guitar/laptop), Dan (guitar) and Graham (bass), Flashes have released 2 albums (Latency and Flashes) and a handful of one-off singles, receiving coverage from Consequence of Sound, Thought Catalog, Amazing Radio and BBC Radio 1.
New single ‘The Upset’ is a hypnotic psyched-out tale of perceived reality recorded in a run-down 19th century chapel where some of the band live. Its woozy dark pop at its best with a thick sticky beat the track oozes and glops surrounded by hazy dizzy psychedelia. Saturated in eerie shadowy tones teamed with haunting whispered vocals the track lures you into a wispy swirling dark abyss. The elastic luring bass adds a sensual quality to the trippy opaque track. The guitar glistens with sharp sparkles through the murky exterior of the track as it churns and sways around revealing light little melodic guitar glimmers. ‘The Upset’ is spine chilling and hair raisingly superb, a must listen.
Stream ‘The Upset’ below
Birmingham-based garage-psych-rockers The Good Water have released their new single ‘Mansaid’. The track comes hot on the heels of their previous single ‘See Your Light’ which received airplay with Steve Lamacq, Mary-Anne Hobbes and Shaun Keaveny at BBC 6Music as well as tastemakers at Amazing Radio and influential LA stations KROQ and Indie 1031). Since forming in early 2015, The Good Water have been busy. The boys quickly picked up loyal support from Brum Radio with their drone-rock debut single ‘Everything Is’, They have gained new fans at raucous shows around the Midlands and blew away audiences supporting Mercury Rev, Super Furry Animals and Bill Ryder-Jones at Lunar Festival. The duo’s brand of psychedelic rock grooves, obscure lyrics and nimble riffs is streamlined into tight garage-pop frameworks and press has been quick to spot their talents, with rave reviews from Soundsphere Magazine, Ear To The Ground Music, Slap Magazine, Diamond Deposits, Born Music Online and Mytacism Music amongst many others. ‘Mansaid’ is red hot fiery garage rock smothered in a gritty fuzzed mind trip of psych-pop. Its a strutting frantic rush of effortless cool puzzlement that exudes swagger and blistering slick flamboyance. Blazing riffs give the track a scorching intensity while the psychedelic pop harmonies soothe and cool the track down before it kicks into the shredding frenzied mosh worthy chorus. With verses that glide in with liquid fluidity backed by feverish flaming guitar riffs and a driving punch on drums its insanely addictive. These guys are ones to watch.
Stream ‘Mansaid’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
