Tag Archives: indie rock

Alt Rock, Garage Pop, Garage Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Smash Boom Pow ‘Way Too Much’

Smash Boom Pow are Vancouver, BC blood-brother duo Ulysses (Vocals / Guitar) and Zane (Drums). They have released their new single ‘Way Too Much’. The track is taken from the duo’s forthcoming sophomore EP, which is scheduled to be released later this year.

‘Way Too Much’ is a raw razor-sharp garage pop track brimming with gritty jagged riffs so harsh and dirty you will need a tetanus shot. Pounding drums are skull bashingly thrilling while Ulysses’ raspy vocals spit and exude attitude and almost disgust. It’s a splintery fiery track with a sick catchy pop drizzled melody that will be stuck in your head all day. You will have to forcefully prise this track from your head. Watch out for these guys they are just too good.

About the track the band said, “The lyric you’re asking way too much of me” is not about an unreasonable labour request, but rather unfair emotional demands and the psychic damage they can inflict. On one hand, you have love for someone and are inclined to compromise for the sake of the relationship, on the other you’ve gotta be true to your experience and set the record straight. It’s not worth living a lie.”

Stream ‘Way Too Much’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The OBGMs

The OBGMs (The oOohh Baby Gimme Mores) are a Canadian punk rock quartet based out of Toronto, Canada. Founded in 2007, by Densil McFarlane (Lead Vocals and Guitar) and Colanthony Humphrey (Percussion), the band fully formed their unique sound with additions Jemuel Roberts (Keyboard, Vocals) and Joseph Brosnan (Bass, Vocals).The bands forthcoming self-titled debut album will be released in a few weeks and the band have revealed a third track from the record in the form of ‘Beat Up Kidz’, which has been released alongside an illustrative music video. The video is full of colour and goes some way to demonstrating the punk rock dance party that is a The OBGMs live show. It’s a party vibe that The OBGMs brought to London’s Afropunk last month and they were even able to translate the good times to a stripped-down set for Sofarsounds.

‘Beat Up Kidz’ is a bruising blistering track, razor sharp and fiery from the start it’s a slap in the face of OBGMs harsh punk rock. Blustery and brutal shrilling guitars cut through the track with ear bleeding distortion while punchy drums wildly pulverize. It’s head crushing ferocity but slick and cool. Elastic groove on bass drives the track into a sensual state of delusion while spitting sneering vocals howl and wail. With a wall of bloodthirsty heavy sounds these guys would drive a live crowd crazy. It’s mighty powerful and absolutely electrifying.

Watch the video for  ‘Beat Up Kidz’ below

 

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

ZEALS ‘Ready To Fly’ EP

Somerset based three-piece, ZEALS have released their second EP ‘Ready To Fly’. The EP was recorded over the last few months at Longwave Studios in Cardiff with producer Romesh Dodangoda who’s best known for his work with the likes of Bring Me The Horizon, Motorhead, Funeral For A Friend, Lower Than Atlantis and Twin Atlantic. The follow up to their ‘Playing Games’ EP, the new collection features five pop flavoured and addictive indie – rock tracks and includes live favourite and lead single ‘Feel It’ which is accompanied by a stunning video. ZEALS current line-up of Harrisen Larner (Vocals & Guitar), Rob Whelan (Drums)and Toby Andrews (Lead Guitar & Vocals) formed eighteen months ago in Weston-Super-Mare after taking inspiration from and sharing a mutual love of acts such as The 1975, Fickle Friends, Prides and One Republic to heavier bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Don Broco, Lower Than Atlantis and Fatherson. Since then the band have developed a truly exciting and powerful live set that sees them play to ever growing and excitable audiences from around the Bristol area to as far afield as Austria and Hungary. This new found fanbase ensured that the aforementioned eight track long ‘Playing Games’ EP peaked at number 59 in the iTunes Rock Album Charts on its release last year.

‘Ready To Fly’ is a blood pumping rush to the head of indie rock that makes you feel every note from delicate tender to ballsy energetic anthems. It’s a youth filled five track collection to enjoy and hold dear. Lead single ‘Feel It’ kicks off the EP with bright bubbly vibes surrounded by squirts of zesty guitar and hip shaking rhythm. It’s light warm and sun kissed with a catchy chorus that displays a grittier sharp side without becoming overpowering. The sweet honey drizzled melody is so infectious and dreamy and with Larner’s velvety smooth soul infused vocals, it’s the perfect start to the EP. ’Do You Really Care’  is a massive passionate track brimming with punchy drums, razor sharp guitar and adrenaline pumping energy. It’s mosh pit, crazy jumping ready with feathery light blissful guitar and a hefty meaty rhythm. Dancing embarrassingly around the room is guaranteed with this emotionally and instrumentally explosive track. ‘Paddles’ is oh so slick. This track really shows off the sensual bluesy tinged sound of ZEALS. Swagger soaked and fiery with shredding guitars crashing against pummeling drums and a groovy hip shakingly smooth bass line. It’s a scorching, blistering Lower Than Atlantis- esque sizzler. ‘Dark Waters’ cools the tone and takes the role of the slow burning tender mood shifter. Sway-like and sweet with a punchy bopping rhythm it’s nostalgic and delicate. Lush “oooh” vocals create a sing along friendly quality to the heart-warming track. The song builds becoming a little more heavy and emotional but still maintains a light bounce and breezy vibe. ‘Ready To Fly’ brings us to an explosive end to the EP. Flickering soundscapes flash bright scintillation while punchy drums, glistening guitars and fist pump anthemic chorus create a powerful energetic rush of intensity.

ZEALS have created an EP that shows their tight plucky musicianship. It’s a treasure of tunes glowing and sparkling packed with emotion and passion that makes the listener feel every note like a spark of electricity. Each track maintains a powerful explosive stamina to keep you pumped throughout. It’s bright, light indie pop grounded by some heavy elements adding a bit of punch and gravity. Overall a sublime satisfying listen.

Stream ‘Ready To Fly’ below

 


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Pepperhead ‘Unresolved’

Sydney locals, Pepperhead have released their new single, ‘Unresolved’. Available on all major digital stores, ‘Unresolved’ is the second track-release from their debut EP, ‘The Housefox Sessions’. Forming in 2015, Pepperhead (Kieron, Louisa, Mark, Dan) made their live debut rocking the notorious Annandale Hotel. Listing acts such as The Pixies, The Strokes and Radio Birdman as the band’s influences, Pepperhead opened last year’s inaugural Northern Beaches’ punk rock line up at ‘Housefox Fest’.

‘Unresolved’ is raw ruckus causing rock. Punchy and sharp with pounding drums belting against a distorted wall of crashing guitars. It’s a rapid assault to the senses of brawl ready roughness teamed with a catchy chorus and attitude driven vocals. While still pulverising your skull with their heavy sound Pepperhead manage to add a sensual skin crawling quality to the mix keeping their massively energetic sound multi-dimensional and slick. It’s a booming fiery aggressive track that will have a live audience in a manic frenzy.

Watch the video for ‘Unresolved’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, Indie Soul, Indie-Pop-Soul, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

James Ghareeb ‘Do It With Luv’

Singer-songwriter James Ghareeb has announced the release of his new single ‘Do It With Luv’ from his forthcoming EP available later this year. Ghareeb first found success after becoming a social media breakout star through his Vine videos. He started making short clips covering the likes of Justin Bieber, surpassing over 6 million views along the way.  In 2015 James recorded his first EP ‘Hanging From The Stars’ which debuted at number 4 on the iTunes chart upon release. During that time, the Lebanese American, caught the attention of critically acclaimed produced Tony Ghantous (Kris Allen, Disney), who quickly began work on Ghareeb’s sophomore release.

 ‘Do It With Luv’ is a crisp fresh sun soaked tune that radiates laid back vibes and good times. Laced in tropical rhythms with rock pop elements and an infectious delicious melody it’s slick cool and oh so catchy. Sharp zests of guitar squirts between rich clap along rhythms and velvety vocals. Lush backing vocals “woo” adding colour and vibrancy. The track cruises with mellow easy-going euphoria and elastic bounce. It’s breezy sun kissed and mind numbingly dreamy all while packing some nice perky stabs of R&B and soul. Tightly wrapped in intricate sleek production and fine musicianship this track rolls in on a wave of carefree bliss. I’ll look forward to hearing more from James Ghareeb

Stream ‘Do It With Luv’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Buddie Introducing, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Indie Buddie Introducing: MRYGLD

MRYGLD (pronounced ‘marigold’) is a rock band from Birmingham, Alabama formed in 2017. This band is as fresh as they come, formed by Brandon Snipes (vocals, guitar) and the musical “dynamic duo” of Shane (lead guitar) and Alyssa Jewell (vocals, keys). After recruiting drummer Kyle Blair and bassist James McCauley, the lineup was set and MRYGLD was born. They have released their debut music video for their single ‘Cool Kids’.

‘Cool Kids’ is a dynamic infectious indie track bursting with oodles of catchy melodies honey coated and smothered in sweet heartfelt nostalgia. Sharp zealous riffs drive the track, cutting through the bubble bouncy beat and sublime melody. The blend of Snipes warm vocals with Jewell’s light sweet vocals creates a unique beautiful tone. It’s a delicious can of sugar coated indie pop with a refreshing sharp sting. Dreamy harmonies create a laid-back vibe while the driving rhythm adds a bounce quality and bop. Its instantly likable, gentle and gripping with a sway like quality and ear worm infectiousness. It’s a dainty melodic gem. Snipes vocals at times remind me of Brandon Flowers from The Killers and the guitar work is majestic, that solo is bright vibrant and energetic all while flooding you with nostalgia and reminiscence. These guys have written a track that makes you feel something. It’s pretty impressive.

Watch the video for ‘Cool Kids’ below


Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Beck

Beck has released his new single ‘Dear Life’. It is the third single from the upcoming album ‘Colors’. The album is Beck’s first full length offering of new material since 2014’s ‘Morning Phase’ took Album of the Year top honors at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, as well as Best Rock Album and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) category. The album also saw him nominated for ‘International Male Solo Artist’ at the 2015 BRIT Awards. In addition to the newly unveiled ‘Dear Life’ Colors includes both of Beck’s singles that preceded it, the new mix of the psych-dance summer jam ‘Dreams’ and the retro-futuristic earworm ‘Wow’.

‘Dear Life’ is a peppy piano driven little ditty. The cheery piano jingles flutter between a slapping beat and a lush pop melody. Drizzled in a 70’s Elton John- esque vibe Beck gives us a hip wiggly track rounded off and coated in hazy dreamy soundscapes. Soft backing vocals lull with sweet luscious tones creating a smooth blissful heavenly atmosphere. It’s laid back and calm with some nice sharp guitar zests squirted in to add a bit of edge and sharpness to the track. Beck layers this track seamlessly creating a contemporary swoony song with an almost jazzy foundation. Well crafted, refined  and so tightly bound it seems simple and laid back. With winding twists and turns  Beck proves when it comes to meticulously combining all the components of a track he is a master.

Watch the lyric video for ‘Dear Life’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock

The Rah’s ‘The Time Is Now’

The Rah’s are a five piece indie rock band from Prestonpans, a small seaside town on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The band was formed in 2011 by four friends Jack, Jordan, Neale and Andrew and produced 2 EPs ‘Give Me Life’ in 2012 and ‘Living The Dream’ in 2013.They have toured both EPs across their native Scotland to rave reviews supporting the likes of The Fratellis and The View along the way. In January 2016, local lad and friend Chris joined the band on keys and backing vocals.Now a five piece, the band took a fresh approach to new sounds and song structure, leading to the band’s single ‘Sweet Talker’ recorded with producer Roni Szpakowski at Peak Studio’s, Bradford in early 2017. The single was released late March via the bands new independent label, EH32RECORDS and was well received by the music press across the UK and Ireland gaining a wave of excitement. Off the back of the single release the band embarked on a mini UK tour over a 6 week period with a sell-out homecoming gig in their native Edinburgh as their last show on the tour.They are now back with their new single ‘The Time Is Now’, which was recorded in Maybank studios in Glasgow by Dublin based producer James Darkin and was mastered by Pete Maher.

‘The Time Is Now’ blisters, bubbles and boils with indie rock. Soaked in attitude it hooks and lures you into the dark depths of its core with a thrilling razor-sharp riff surrounded by punchy drums and swirling keys. With a dizzying frenzy soundscape, gritty elastic bassline and searing swagger soaked vocals this track is a serious force of nature. Blustery and powerful with infectious anthemic chorus and lush backing vocals it’s Kasabian- esque yet original and mighty. ‘The Time Is Now’ is a fiery brutal bash of The Rah’s indie rock and its brilliant and destined to be epic live.

You can catch The Rah’s live at

Saturday 16th September – Dublin Castle, London

Sunday 17th September – Jimmy’s, Manchester

Friday 3rd November – The Jacaranda, Liverpool

Watch the video for ‘The Time Is Now’ below


Album Review, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Rock and Roll

Queens of the Stone Age ‘Villains’

Rock dare devils Queens of the Stone Age have released their new much anticipated album ‘Villains’. Eager fans have awaited the album nervously. Finger nails have been chewed to a measly stump as they hoped the Mark Ronson produced album wouldn’t disappoint. Mixing the funky pop production we know Ronson for, with the gritty heavy rock that we are used to from Homme &Co, it could have gone either way. But these guys pulled it out of the bag. They shame us for our doubt with the slickest tightest most thrilling album, arguably their best to date

‘Feet Don’t Fail Me’ keeps the suspense with nearly two minutes of a moody dark eerie intro before blasting into a vivid riff that bounces, rebounding off the swagger soaked hair raising sound these guys do so well. It’s slick well-oiled with razor sharp guitar and a tight rhythm that snaps with instant vibrancy and elastic effect. It’s just too cool. Shredding guitar solo blisters leaving burn marks behind. Homme’s vocals coo and wail with sizzling vigour. It’s the perfect start to the album. The strutting hip shaking danceable ‘The Way You Used to Do’ follows. Finger clicking and soaked in a slick bluesy guitar riff it’s insanely catchy and shimmy worthy. This track alone will have you dancing embarrassingly around the room with its ear worm melody and infectious foot tapping beat. ‘Domesticated Animals’ is a punchy dark throbbing track with a nice little clap feature. Its sultry guitar licks and pulsing rhythm create an eerie gliding dramatic atmosphere. With Bowie hints in places and spooky dark tones all wrapped in a cinematic striking soundscape, it’s a scorching dazzler.‘Fortress’ slows the pace becoming sombre and shadowy while still packing QOTSA’s gritty shaded punch. The rock and roll flamboyant swagger stained track ‘Head Like a Haunted House’ follows with a rush of gyrating hip causing grooves. With 60’s surf-like guitar glides punchy drums and Elvis-like vocals this track makes a delightful shift in the album. That running bass is just sublime. The spacey wails give a unique twist while whistles add a cheeky chappy charm to the song. Still remaining heavy, it’s fantastically obscure and diverse. ‘Un-Reborn Again’ follows the rock and roll laced style however with elegant string feature and sharp guitar stings. The track glides with feminine grace while still maintaining a razor-sharp edge. ‘Hideaway’ slinks in, sultry and stealthily with a hush hush manner. It’s scorching guitar blisters with steamy humidity while Homme’s vocals smoothly and enigmatically caress the lyrics. ‘The Evil Has Landed’ is a spray of bluesy groovy rock. It’s a flexing of their rock, psychedelic muscles between crunchy riffs and pulsing beats. Sinister with hints of sweetness Homme stays mostly in his falsetto range as the track builds to an electrifying crescendo. It shifts becoming heavier and mightier and mosh frantic. ‘Villains of Circumstance’ brings us to the end of our journey with the ‘Villains’ album. Delicate and gentle with sweet guitar jingles and breezy soundscapes the song starts tender yet eerie. Building into an almost anthemic bright chorus, they manage to pack so much into this track. With echo brooding passion-filled vocals its moving yet positive. The chorus is very hopeful and vibrant with sonic twinkles throughout and dramatic instrumentation it definitely leaves you wanting more.

Sweet luscious melodies instant danceable grooves and enough heaviness to make a room shake and shimmy at the same time ‘Villains’ hasn’t let us down. Queens of the Stone Age have been shifting  slightly since the ‘Rated R’ days but not negatively. ‘Villains’ is sophisticated refined and fun while still packing some gritty punches.

 

Stream ‘Villains’ below

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Synth Rock

Thirty Seconds To Mars ‘Walk On Water’

After lighting up stages across North America and around the world this summer on a sold out tour and teasing eager fans about upcoming music releases, Thirty Seconds To Mars have released a new song for the first time in four years. “Walk On Water” marks the first single from the multi-platinum selling band’s highly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album.

‘Walk On Water’ is a stomping adrenaline rushing anthem. With synth flickers between pounding march ready drums, it’s a mighty powerful statement. Leto’s strong raspy vocals resound over a booming soundscape. Exuding optimism and hope it’s a stand together and fight for what you believe in anthem. It’s a catchy tune with a synth rock surge that is sure to be epic live.

Next week, “Walk On Water” will have its world television debut in a can’t-miss performance on this year’s MTV VMAs on August 27th, 2017. Frontman Jared Leto first hinted at new music in a dramatic teaser video unveiled on his Instagram in June. The band then confirmed the new single in August with another video. The record follows the band’s 2013 studio album LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS, which debuted inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 as well as official charts across the UK and mainland Europe.

Watch the lyric video for ‘Walk On Water’ below