Tipperary band, Locklin have released their new single ‘Shoot the Breeze’.Locklin is the brainchild of Barry McLoughlin. Under the pseudonym of Locklin, they released their debut EP in late 2018, entitled “Never Forget”. The band have played shows in The Crane Lane in Cork as well as Whelan’s in Dublin.’Shoot the Breeze’ was recorded prior to the initial lockdown of March 2020. The track features songwriter, Barry McLoughlin on guitar and vocals, Eoin Ryan on guitar and vocals and Cian Cronin on drums.
‘Shoot the Breeze’ is a melodic indie rock track saturated in the sun-soaked feel-good sound of Locklin. The song swarms in on a wave of adrenaline as the bouncy guitars ricochet off a rhythmic backdrop of driving basslines and punchy drums to create a mosh ready soundscape while the smooth melody and emotive vocals create that earworm infectiousness that is difficult to resist. Exuding sweet grunge melodies and 90’s alternative rock hues, ‘Shoot the Breeze’, boasts Locklin’s tight musicianship and refined songwriting.
I caught up with David Whelan and Conor O’Donohoe From Wild Youth to have a chat about the band’s new EP ‘Forever Girl’. We talked about how they experimented to create the lush sound on the EP, what inspired the songs as well as how they got through the lockdowns chatting fashion, watching movies and even cooking with their fans.
Dublin quartet Inhaler have released their new single ‘Cheer Up Baby’ alongside the announcement of their debut album, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This,’ which will be released on July 16th. The band comprised of Elijah Hewson (vocals and guitar), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), Robert Keating (bass), and Ryan McMahon (drums), have already released a string of captivating singles. Their fevered live shows have earned them a diehard fanbase – on their last tour, they sold over 10,000 tickets and played to sold-out crowds across Europe. Their tracks have been streamed over 50 million times globally.
‘Cheer Up Baby’ is a golden ray of sunshine as Inhaler builds their infectious indie sound to create a timeless heartfelt gem. In true Inhaler manner, the track pivots around a sweet guitar refrain. Within ‘Cheer Up Baby,’ this bright guitar melody flickers with catchy indie-rock hues while a groove-stricken bassline and dynamic drums exude the band’s brand of glittering indie finesse over the verses. The sun-kissed soundscape creates a wonderful state of nostalgia enhanced by Hewson’s warm vocal croons “oh, how to kill these February blues.” …“When I think of all the things, I didn’t do, Oh, I can’t help but blame it on you…..cheer up baby you’re not on your own”. His vocals cling to the evocative lyrics oozing uplifting emotion while at the same time embracing a sense of sadness and longing.
However the song does not remain lamentful for long. The brooding verses lead into a chorus eruption as a thunderous upsurge announces the anthemic blazing sound of Inhaler. The bright guitars swell around the punchy drums to create an expansive soundscape for the dizzying synths and rampant bass to fill with exhilarating tones and reverberations.The expressive instrumentation is a joy to the senses and compels the listener to press repeat.
Inhaler are cultivating their sound beautifully to create an intoxicating brand of indie rock, and the result is an anthemic, perfectly executed song in the form of ‘Cheer Up Baby’. Press play and enjoy.
About the track, the band say: “It’s just a great pop song,” says Hewson. “I think it really takes us back to our roots as a band.” “I think it just has that classic, feel-good, anthemic, hopeful feeling that everyone seems to relate to on some level,” says McMahon.
Last Of The Wonder Kids have released their new single ‘Weakness.’ Last Of The Wonder Kids are a three-piece alt/indie band based in Grimsby. Over the past few years, they have gigged up and down the U.K. and built a solid fan base across many major cities, garnering huge support from the likes of BBC Introducing and 6Music and securing slots at major festivals such as Kendal Calling.
Blazing with relentless indie rock energy, ‘Weakness’ is an exhilarating new single from Last Of The Wonder Kids. The band swirl a blitz of whirring fuzzy guitars over a savage drum assault to create their heavy mosh-ready wall of sound while a scorching bass warps the song’s energetic tone into a dark, relentless groove. The track ventures from crashing raw indie rock to lo-fi pop with ease as the band display their diverse and lush musicianship. With rampant hooks burrowing through the acute frenzied rhythm and piercing guitar, ‘Weakness’ is a force to be reckoned with. The band coat a dreamy melody with smooth vocals, tight harmonies, and biting instrumentation to provide a youthful animated new single that accelerates as the song progresses. ‘Weakness’ displays Last Of The Wonder Kids’ magnificent alternative sound in all its fizzing glory.
Chay Snowdon have released their debut EP ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’.Chay Snowdon are a four-piece alternative rock outfit based in the South West of England.
Boasting anthemic tunes and blazing instrumentation ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ is a relentless onslaught of Chay Snowdon’s powerful sound. Setting a strong foundation the band’s previously released, spectacular singles; ‘What the Kids Want’, ‘Tough Guys Die First’, ’Loud Shirts’ and ‘Men Cry Too’ grace the EP. These are the tantalizing singles that have secured Chay Snowdon’s strong and devoted fan base. With soaring guitar licks, solos, and riffs embellishing the tracks, each song has crafted a fiery and impressive pathway for the EP.
The band’s enthusiasm pushes the album along at a relentless, breathless pace. Spreading soaring choruses over an energetic indie rock backdrop ‘Tough Guys Die First’ and ’Loud Shirts’ surge with adrenaline and anthemic rock vigor – the latter displaying the band’s magnificent frenzied crescendo’s and blues-hued rock in all its glory.
Chay’s rasped vocals glide over the smooth melodies with ease injecting emotion and charm into each song. This is perhaps most noticeable within ‘Men Cry Too’. His passionate vocals hold a strong stance over the bubbling backdrop and jaunty guitar jabs. With rumbling drums and an insatiable groove on bass, ‘Men Cry Too’ is an exceptional display of musicianship and a noteworthy highlight on the EP.
Chay Snowdon create their songs to deliver on all fronts making their infectious indie bangers timeless and utterly enjoyable – this is perhaps best shown within the four piece’s lyrical content. Throughout ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ the band display their deft, witty and catchy songwriting. The clever lyrical content is expressed through beautiful storytelling and sharp turn of phrase. This is most prominent within ‘Cash Only’“I met her in the park she caught my eye, you know it started with a spark oh my my and we talked until the dark I proclaimed I’m lonely with the deepest of regrets she said cash only “.
‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ is an exhilarating collection of glam rock, indie, and rock n’ roll. The wailing guitars, thrilling vocals and slick rhythms all feel like a treat just waiting for eager live crowds to unwrap and enjoy. This EP is extremely well put together and cements Chay Snowdon’s reputation as an exciting band to keep an eye on.
Stream ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably? (Then We’ll Begin)’ below
Dublin’s own indie-rock sensation Somebody’s Child have released their latest 4-track EP ‘Hope, Amongst Other Things’ along with their new single ‘Brother.’ Inspired by lead-singer Cian’s own experiences, the record’s candid narrative seeks to observe the challenges with mental health prominent amongst people in their early twenties and more specifically those who are struggling to establish their own identities.
Steeped in intense energy and cinematic bursts of indie rock, ‘Brother’ is a passionate display of musicianship from Somebody’s Child. Cian Godfrey’s rasped vocals exude emotion as he injects a sense of desperation and intensity into the atmospheric backdrop. With ethereal guitar melodies weaving a melodic thread between expressive drum progressions and dynamic bass grooves, the track is a sleek and powerful anthem.
Somebody’s Child craft the song superbly – brooding verses exude dark undertones of rumbling bass and light glimmers on guitar before erupting into the rock-smattered anthemic chorus. With a scorching solo and choir backing vocals leading to the kinetic crescendo, this remarkable track showcases Somebody’s Child’s refined and beautifully crafted sound in all its glory. Love it.
East London Desert Rockers, The Howlers, are back with their new single, ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time.’The 3-piece consisting of Adam Young (vocals, guitar), Cameron Black (drums), and Guus ter Braak (bass) 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 and major programming on BT Sport, SkySports, and SoccerAm.
‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ surges with blazing desert rock swagger as The Howlers balance psychedelic rock with sleek 60’s pop sensibilities to create one heck of an anthemic belter. The band add rich layers to their sound by dripping spaghetti western-esque guitar lines over elastic bass grooves to create a hip-swaying wall of sound. They swiftly break this soundscape with a series of blitzing guitar riffs to announce the crashing chorus which is consumed in a fury of blazing instrumentation as lacerations on guitar splinters through the pummeling muggy rhythmic backdrop to create a thrilling fuzz-filled backdrop.
The Howlers have an impressive ability to drift from a dreamy sound to a sonic-filled frenzied display with ease. You can almost feel the sweltering desert heat emanating off the raw instrumental blasts as Adam Young’s vocals glide from a smooth croon to resounding rumbles.
The tight instrumental assault and clean production presented in ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ is exhilarating. The Howlers knock it out of the park with a single that is woozy with psychedelic touches and disorientating with intense grooves . A must listen.
Speaking about the track, Adam says,“‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ is an ode to the trials and tribulations of love and loss in modern times, an observation about understanding how to come to terms with falling out of love whilst at the same time longing to be loved in kind.”
Watch the video for ‘I Don’t Love You All The Time’ below.
Back with their very first single of 2021 ‘A Poet’s World’, Manchester-based indie-punk band Urban Theory are set to take new heights in the year ahead. Forming in 2016, this four piece guitar band has set about becoming a firm favourite on the Manchester indie-punk scene. In their short reign they have already sold out a number of notable North West venues, supported a host of big names and gained numerous plays on BBC Introducing and XS Manchester.
Gritty and seeping with energy, ‘A Poet’s World’ displays the catchy punk rock of Urban Theory. The band introduce the track with a raw guitar riff that slices through a punchy drum and resounding bass foundation. Urban Theory layer and craft the track meticulously to create maximum impact through teased instrumental explosions throughout the song.
The verses simmer in dark soundscapes as the band use the gnawing backdrop to create a tense and jogging pace before the powerful chorus erupts into an instrumental frenzy. Melding punk aggression with infectious indie and edgy rock, the band present a sound that is both intoxicating and rousing. ‘A Poets World’ is a wonderfully fierce, well-crafted indie punk track ready for the mania of live shows.
London-based indie rock band Halloween Jack have released their new single ‘Musica Da “Giallo In Albion”’.After a hiatus of a few years following the release of their first album back in 2015, band members Adam Camm and Ian McEwan have sustained Halloween Jack’s strong industry position and rock’n’roll identity, whilst also progressing its sound through heavier production and undercurrents of pop music. In preparation for the return of live music, the duo are set to release a wealth of new music in the year ahead.
‘Musica Da “Giallo In Albion”’ is a thrilling display of rock n roll as Halloween Jack mix their swagger-drenched sound through dark soundscapes to create quite the infectious bop. With shredding guitar slicing through a strutting bass and punchy drums, the track stomps in full of energy. This dynamic wall of sound soars over a wave of 70’s chic panache while smooth melodies and rich percussion layer the track in vibrancy. The rasped vocals coo through the building backdrop as the song becomes more intoxicating and psychedelic. With swirling synths injecting an ominous tone into the track while the resounding rhythmic thumps drive the infectious disco tones, ‘Musica Da “Giallo In Albion”’ is a well-crafted sultry banger from Halloween Jack.
Taking influence from the nostalgic, paperback thriller aesthetic of 70s Italian ‘Giallo’ movies, ‘Musica Da “Giallo in Albion”‘ sees the band take the unease and malevolence of these early cult films and mirror it both instrumentally and melodically in the track’s eerie music box chime, strange backing vocal, and highly crafted lyrics to create a tantalizing listening experience.
Star Comedy Democrats have released their debut EP ‘Imitation Road.’ A catchy and powerful modern rock band, Star Comedy Democrats, is a tight three-piece outfit based in Kilkenny, fronted by Mark Bolger with Briain Casey on Bass and Rory Cooper on Drums.
‘Imitation Road’ is a bright and raw collection of alternative rock from Star Comedy Democrats. The band create an EP of lush melodies and refined instrumentation that becomes more radiant and exciting with each subsequent listen.
With clean jangly guitars driving the radiant energy between the punchy and rhythmic ‘Ghost’ and title track ‘Imitation Road’ Star Comedy Democrats display their tight and slick sound in all its glory. The songs are well-paced and brimming with intricate guitar embellishments, elastic flirtation on bass, and infectious alternative rock-esque melodies. Each song flows fluidly into the next with ease as Bolger’s warm, rasped vocals inject a dash of grit into the band’s energetic aesthetic.
Star Comedy Democrats have crafted a melody-rich EP that you can croon along to as well as mosh manically to. They build laid-back tunes like ‘Fire and Teeth’ with brooding lush harmonies and sullen verses while vibrant biting choruses and heartfelt air-punching crescendos drive the trio’s dynamic sound with vigor. However, the grunge-hued ‘Happy Valley’ is perhaps the EP’s pinnacle moment. A dark luring bass rumbles alongside a resounding drum while a steamy guitar pines, stings, and crashes throughout. This meticulous layering creates a sound that is fresh and intoxicating.
Star Comedy Democrats have created a tight well rounded, and enjoyable EP. For a debut, the EP showcases the growing talent and raw, authentic sound of Star Comedy Democrats. Love it.
Stream ‘Imitation Road’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
