Emily 7 have announced their new single ‘Somebody’ will be released on all digital streaming platforms on Friday, June 4th. Hot off the heels of a feature in RTE One’s My Tribe, the Dublin Four-piece are delighted to release a fan favourite from live sets as a single.
‘Somebody’ announces itself in a swarm of indie rock glory as Emily 7 drench their hook-laden sound in gritty instrumentation and oodles of swagger. This stomping anthem swirls into a backdrop of scorching guitars and rampant bass grooves while a pounding bloodthirsty drum foundation creates an infectious beat throughout. Warm rasped vocals anchor the listener within the song’s thrilling soundscape while expressing feelings of angst and longing “everybody’s got somebody I need someone… someone like you gonna take my blues away”. The song drifts between punk, blues flirtations and confident rock embellishments with ease as the band display their deft musical prowess and immersive musicianship. Boasting catchy lyrics, riveting instrumentation and Emily 7’s sharp lyrical content, ‘Somebody’ is a blistering new single sure to be stuck in your head for days.
Following their anti-racism debut hit ‘The Birth of a Nation’ and performances at the well-established and highly regarded showcases, Ireland Music Week, Eurosonic and SXSW, Belfast mob Enola Gay make their highly anticipated return with the first track they wrote, ‘Sofa Surfing’.
Riding in on a rampant bassline ‘Sofa Surfing’ is a manic post-punk triumph and a fantastic example of Enola Gay’s exhilarating sound. The song curdles with angst as it ferments within a dark reverb-filled soundscape while sharp guitars lacerate through the deft drum assault. The striking vocals spit venomous lyrics that reveal a deeply personal insight into the fallout of a turbulent chapter in the band’s teens. They discuss how subsequent substance abuse followed an eviction from their home. The swarming instrumentation and abrasive guitar highlights the destruction within the band’s lives at that time as the tune spirals into a psychedelic crescendo of turmoil. Enola Gay are not a band to pull punches. Their first-rate musicianship is laced in raw emotion, passionate songwriting and remarkable musical prowess. ‘Sofa Surfing’ is a spectacular example of this bands blossoming and exciting sound.
Dürtbürd have just released a brand new live single/video called ‘gRimjob’. Dürtbürd are a four piece ‘dürtrock’ band based in Leixlip. The band have released six live singles to date along with live videos for each which have together amassed over 200k views on facebook.
‘gRimjob’ is a stirring display of alternative rock. The track has a sleek sound that fluidly flows upon a driving bass and scorching guitar lines that venture between rampant strides and gritty riffs while allowing the punchy drums form the brawny foundation. In true Dürtbürd manner, the song ebbs and flows with genre-bending progressions. From raw metal assaults to moody grunge verses and ballsy rock crescendos ‘gRimjob’ is a thrilling roller coaster ride. These guys present a sound that holds an air of musical majesty while providing that lean mean soundscape that evokes manic moshing. Dürtbürd show their growing talent through this infectious raw new single.
Following the release of their latest single ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’, critically acclaimed and supported by Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music, London desert-rockers The Howlers have announced their debut EP ‘The Sum of Our Fears’, due for release on August 26th with the release of their new single ‘Lost Without You’. Produced and mixed by Theo Verney (Lazarus Kane, FEET, FUR) and Tarek Musa. Doused in greased back swagger (Circa Waves, Kagoule) at Echo Zoo Studios, and mastered at Third Man Records, the EP tackles navigating through struggles in life by remembering to find light in darkness, searching for beauty in despair. The Howlers are Adam Young (vocals, guitar), Cameron Black (drums) and Guus ter Braak (bass).the East London trio have undertaken three UK-wide tours since their formation over a year ago. The band quickly established themselves as one of the UK’s must-see live acts, gaining much deserved praise from radio royalty including BBC 6 Music, KEXP and BBC Radio 1 as well as major programming on BT Sport, SkySports and SoccerAm.
The Howlers drizzle a scorching desert guitar riff over bubbling beats and groovy bass line to create a sleek tune exuding confidence and sass. The shimmying rhythm oozes 60’s swag and an infectious hip coaxing groove while Young’s smooth vocals croon “did you ever know what it’s like to be alone, now your friends are far from home and left you on your own where do you suppose you go?”. His vocals tie the scorching instrumentation together with a cool nonchalant tone while the bright guitars ricochet off the rich rhythmic backdrop. Boasting oodles of charm and blazing instrumentation ‘Lost Without You‘ is well crafted, insanely catchy and feverishly thrilling.
Speaking about the track, Adam Young says “‘Lost Without You’ represents understanding what you really want out of life, and realising what you may want might not be all it’s cracked up to be. Just because something is right for one person does not mean it’s necessarily right for you and that no matter how many times you may get knocked down you get back up, that you shouldnt be scared to fail and find the strength to face up to your fears and carve your own path through life.”
He adds “All of us have been picked on at some stage for whatever reason, we as a band know that better than most, the petty playground rubbish you should only have to put up with as kids, but in all that hate is where you find the confidence to form your own identity and believe in yourself.”
After playing main stage of BARE In the Woods in 2018, supporting Fangclub, and performing sell-out shows in venues such as The Loft & Roisin Dubh in Galway, Waterford based alternative rock group Under Starling have release the first single ‘Icarus’ from their upcoming self-titled album on May 7th, 2021. Under Starling, originating from Dungarvan (Waterford), consists of brothers Danny and Tommy Dunford as well as Colin Drummey and Alex Pollock.
‘Icarus’ is a fine example of the dynamic and passionate musicianship of Under Starling. The band take a heartfelt melody and drizzle it over a bubbling alternative backdrop to create a heart skipping, intense soundscape filled with potent lyrics and immersive musicianship. As the song veers from it’s brooding verses into the anthemic chorus the band flesh out their expressive instrumentation – twinkling guitars expand into the songs ethereal atmosphere becoming more raw while the tight rhythmic foundation raises in magnitude allowing the drums pound through the soundscape with a harsh and vehement force. Under Starling deliver tunes that speak from the heart while exuding cinematic undertones and ‘ICARUS’ follows this trend superbly. The track is masterfully crafted and an exhilarating ear worm to indulge in.
About the track Danny Dunford explains : “The narrative of the song goes back and forth between 2 characters, an optimist wading through life’s oncoming choices, and a pessimist attempting to “clip their wings”, however in the end the optimist would rather crash and burn trying, than to never try at all.”
SOMEFINN have released their debut single ‘Starlet’s Dream’. SOMEFINN are an alternative rock band whose story begins where that of another band ends. Paul Finn was lead vocalist and songwriter for Irish Choice Music Prize Nominees The Flaws, who called it quits in 2016. Finn then took up an offer from Shane Clarke, to tour as guitarist with his band Elephant, with whom he played shows all over Ireland to rave reviews. During this two-year period, Finn built a studio in his hometown of Killanny, Monaghan. There, he began writing and recording what would become SOMEFINN’s debut album, ‘…Tsk, Tsk…’. The band’s line-up was completed when an accomplished roster of multi-genre veterans came onboard. David Marron (Sanzkrit, Derek Ryan), Paul Markey (Sanzkrit), Paul Carolan (Finnian) and Darren Finn, Paul’s brother, are to be found on guitars, bass, drums and keyboards respectively.
‘Starlet’s Dream’ is a spectacular display of biting alternative rock. The track pivots around a driving bass line that weaves through an agitated soundscape of jangly guitars, haunting backing vocals and frenetic percussion creating a rich and meticulously layered tune for listeners to indulge in. Lyrically the song explores the paradox of a weakness becoming a strength and is greatly enhanced by the tracks instrumental backdrop, “strength ain’t a weakness of mind, is that a weakness of mine?”. Filled with complex textures and refined instrumentation the track is a fine display of musicianship. ‘Starlet’s Dream’ marks SOMEFINN as a band to keep an eye on
Limerick-based five-piece, Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets are back with their new single, ‘days’. Once again, this track comes self-recorded and produced by the band themselves. The track is released under the Limerick-based collective, BitDepth, of which Flynn is a founding member. Flynn and The Dead Poets have had a busy start to 2021, putting out a single and a collaboration EP with Culla. The band have amassed nearly 10k streams in just 4 months and have more singles to come this summer.
Dripping in passionate melodies and powerful instrumentation, ‘days’ is a blistering, lushly arranged new single from Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets. From the icy synth intro to the soaring chorus, the band layer and craft the song superbly. The song builds emotion right from the get-go while chiming guitars forge an ethereal and lonely soundscape for the verses. However, in true Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets manner, the song unfolds swiftly into an anthemic powerhouse filled with lively guitars, punchy drums and rampant bass lines that exude a mighty alternative rock persona. Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets have a captivating ability to capture emotion through their deft lyrics and sweet melodies, and ‘days’ is a perfect example of this. The lyrics of the song detail the state of the housing crisis in Ireland at the moment, and the band package this raw and powerful theme in expressive, dynamic and catchy musicianship to create a potent and enjoyable song to listen to.
About the track Flynn said – “This song is one I have had for a while now, and I feel it holds a strong message. I have never really written about social issues in my music before, but this track just ended up coming out of me. We are all really proud of this one and feel it’s one of our best productions to date. It’s been over a year since our last gig, so we can’t wait to get out and play this new music for people.”
UK Songwriter Lissy Taylor has released her new single ‘Quiet Rage’. Lissy Taylor is an emerging British artist with a distinct indie-pop sound. Originally from Stoke-on-Trent, Lissy moved to the USA in 2015 where she began experimenting with songwriting. Her earliest gigs and formative live musical experiences were spent playing in bars and restaurants across the States. Returning to the UK in 2017 to continue her studies at BIMM Manchester while continuing to perform with her band at music venues and festivals including Neverworld, Y Not and 110 Above and being the solo support for a UK Tour in October 2019. Following a commanding debut single ‘Mayday’ (Jan 2020), followed by the liberating single ‘Wildflowers’ (Apr) and debut EP in October 2020, ’Quiet Rage’ is the lead single from the forthcoming EP which is set for release this summer.
’Quiet Rage’ is a powerful and well crafted indie track that seethes with raw emotion and Lissy Taylor’s exhilarating musicianship. Taylor superbly balances the brooding dark verses with a mighty chorus to create a spine chilling new single as the song travels between soft glimmers on guitar and echoed spacious soundscapes, to an intoxicating sonic explosion of blazing raw riffs and pounding drums. Exuding an intense atmosphere shattered by cinematic melodies and wild energy, the song explores untapped anger and a recognition that everyone has their own hidden battles to fight. With Taylor’s warm, expressive vocals venturing from a soft, almost numb delivery to powerful angst, ‘Quiet Rage’ is a consuming and commanding new single that marks Lissy Taylor as an artist to keep an eye on.
The Stoke-on-Trent musician tells us the meaning behind ‘Quiet Rage’ : “Quiet Rage is essentially trapped anger and bottled-up feelings, not wanting to deal with emotions, you hide them instead. The lyrics ‘I will grow, I will blossom’ is the recognition of the emotional strength it takes to get through and rise.”
Thrillhouse return with their latest single ‘Just At The Right Time’.The song is a little love letter to anyone that comes along and helps you out in a time of need.
‘Just At The Right Time’ simmers with Thrillhouse’s intense indie sound as the band spread scorching instrumentation over a quivering rhythmic section to create one exhilarating gem. Pulsing synths ferment through the verses while deep vocals hurry through the lyrics with a sense of urgency. Driving rhythms, sparkling keys and lush melodies come to the fore as the chorus builds into the 80’s infused sound we have come to love from the band with bright guitar refrains glimmering through the muggy synth-heavy soundscape. Thrillhouse use precise layering and a cinematic crescendo to create an epic quality within their songs and ‘Just At The Right Time’ follows this trend perfectly allowing the listener to indulge in an immersive, hair raising listening experience. ‘Just At The Right Time’ is a passionate display of musicianship from Thrillhouse.
About the track singer Sam Strawberry says : “I wanted to say thanks to someone who’s done a lot for me. I’m no good with words in real life so I just wrote a song about them… I should probably send it to them at some point”
Rising London alternative group Oli Barton & The Movement return with their new single ‘Martyr’. ‘Martyr’ follows the release of last year’s ‘Get Out’ which proved to be their biggest hit yet. Having gained great support from BBC Introducing, the band played multiple festivals in the year before the pandemic where they stormed through many high-profile performances garnering significant attention. 2021 promises to be a huge year for Oli Barton & The Movement as they complete their debut mixtape ‘pipe dreams’ alongside producer Jules Gulon (Sam Smith, Liam Payne, Sam Fender)
‘Martyr’ is a cinematic, emotive tune that displays Oli Barton & The Movement’s passionate indie rock. Infusing powerful synths with biting indie sensibilities, the track is a mighty power ballad. The song is beautifully crafted and radiates a smooth bittersweet melody while Oli’s dynamic vocals exude emotion throughout. ‘Martyr’ builds to a dramatic crescendo as crashing guitars and pummeling drums collide into spacious synths allowing the band to display their fantastic musical prowess and vigorous indie rock sound in all its glory. Once again, Oli Barton & The Movement knock it out of the park with ‘Martyr’.
Speaking about the new single Oli says “This last year has really proved something to us. You have to look beyond the negativity, beyond the politics, beyond the media and you will find that people are ultimately always there for each other. We’ve seen these amazing people laying their lives on the line for others and being completely selfless. Lyrically, I wanted to pay tribute to these unsung heroes because they prove that we are always stronger together. The production on this track too is my favourite yet, utilising multiple synth layers and huge drums to bring that pure 80s vibe. . .”
Stream ‘Martyr’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
