Jack West is set to release his new single ‘Montreal’ on February 25th. Doused in washes of synths, bouncy keys and a heartfelt melody ‘Montreal’ is a sublime glimpse into a more electronic facet to West’s sound. Smooth vocals are dipped in moments of auto-tune while sticky beats and jazz speckled keys create a sonically intriguing backdrop. With fuzz laced electronics fleshing out the tracks ethereal soundscape, ‘Montreal’ is an enticing and earnest bop from Jack West. It’s interesting and always a joy to hear this artist experiment and express his diverse musicianship and style. He creates such fresh and exciting tunes with each release and ‘Montreal’ is a fine addition to the singer’s repertoire.
About the track, West said: “I started writing Montreal In September of 2020 in NYC with a few band members. I remember writing the lyrics, walking along the Hudson River looking at Manhattan …. It was a great feeling, writing this new music, in NYC, with people who are great at what they do ( Matt Bent and Abe Nouri). The main picture I guess of the song is running back to someone, and trying to get back what we had …”
The Assist, one of the UK’s most established underground groups formed of Mikey Stanton (Vocals), Jorge Poole (Bass), Luke Jones (Guitar), Ryan Stanton (Guitar) & Ben Faulkner (Drums), have released their new single, ‘Television Kid’.The Assist have sold out venues across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as well as shared the stage with The Happy Mondays and Blossoms. They also played in Paris with Black Honey and toured the main rooms of the UK’s O2 Academy’s with local heroes The Twang. Their 2018 EP, LOST, charted in both Spotify’s “Top 50 most-streamed tracks in the UK” and iTunes’ “Top 10 indie chart”.
‘Television Kid’ is a hook-laden delight that boasts the dynamic and bright indie sound of The Assist. Saturated in radiant guitar riffs slickly weaved between buoyant drums and elastic basslines the track has a feel-good vibe that is simply irresistible. It’s a fun vibrant bopper with sharp and relateable storytelling expressed through eloquent lyrics. The track narrates “the mischievous nature of a fictional socialite character who we will have all met at some point in our lives. The absorbent kind that becomes over-enthused by the smallest of occasions, takes on the role of Andy Murray during Wimbledon and Tyson Fury when there’s a boxing pay-per-view.” The band enhance this story through earworm melodies, lush guitar solos, sun-kissed atmospheres and upbeat indie rock that is easy on the ears and a joy to listen to again and again.
Bio: East Manchester indie band Palava have released their new single ‘Yesterday Is Calling’.The track is taken off the band’s upcoming EP.
Track: Yesterday Is Calling
Why We Like It: The track blisters with the dynamic indie rock of Palava. The band lace a driving rhythmic backdrop in acute raw guitar riffs to create an invigorating wall of sound while the anthemic chorus and soaring melodies evoke images of live crowd sing-alongs. Boasting a shredding crescendo and thrilling guitar work ‘Yesterday Is Calling’ is a fantastic new single from Palava.
Bio: Jack Joyce has released his new single, ‘Mountain and the Door’.The song follows on from Jack’s 6th single release and hit single ‘’Black Cat by the Bins’’ which was released back on 3rd September 2021. Early in 2020, Jack featured on Mute The TV band’s hit debut single ‘With You’ which got airplay around Ireland.
Track: Mountain and the Door
Why We Like It: ‘Mountain and the Door’ is exhilarating indie rock. With moments of dazed psychedelia weaved through swirling soundscapes, the track simmers with dark undertones while sharp guitar melodies triumphantly stride through a punchy drum foundation. Densely crafted and oozing suspense throughout, ‘Mountain and the Door’ is an impressive tune and a fine example of this artist’s growing talent.
Bio: Having just formed in April 2021, Dublin based alt-electronic artist wornoc (aka Conor Walsh) has carved out a niche in forward-pushing alternative-electronic sounds from these shores.
Track: The Blackhole Paradox
Why We Like It: It’s an exciting piece of music that boasts rippling electronics and moments of heavy alternative rock alongside dreamy undertones. The track is an enthralling listening experience; twinkling guitar and soft keys give way to instrumental builds while intricate rhythms and driving beats add a contrasting element to the track’s ambient soundscapes. ‘The Blackhole Paradox’ is an immersive and compelling tune that marks warnoc an artist to keep an eye on.
Bio: With over 800 million streams to date, 5 million monthly listeners at Spotify, and international acclaim, the singer and songwriter LÉON will release her third studio album ‘Circles’ on March 4th. Released via LL Entertainment and BMG, the album is available to pre-save. The album is launched alongside the brand new single ‘Wishful Thinking’.
Track: Wishful Thinking
Why We Like It: It’s a nostalgic ballad that highlights the beautiful vocals of LÉON. Filled with warm soft instrumentation, the track blends soothing folk tones with tender pop sensibilities to create an elegant tune filled with passion and poignant lyrical content. Exuding a soothing earworm melody, ethereal soundscapes and buoyant guitar strums, ‘Wishful Thinking’ is a luxuriant new tune to indulge in.
Young rocker Minerva is pondering the meaning of life with her new single ‘My Kind’. Asking if there’s more to life than getting drunk at parties and falling in love, Minerva hones in on that all too familiar feeling of not quite fitting in with your peers, and asks if there’s more she can be looking for. Recorded at JBJ Studios on Portobello Road in London, ‘My Kind’ was mixed by Jamie Brown and features drums from Marko Obradovic and bass from Josh Dougherty with Dan Clark stepping in as recording engineer.
‘My Kind’ is an energetic, gritty rock tune that surges with dark tones and Minerva’s relatable lyricism. Jagged guitar riffs lacerate through a punchy drum and bass foundation while Minerva’s smooth attitude-laced vocals glide atop the catchy melody. The swarming alternative rock backdrop contrasts the sweet backing vocals and slight nonchalance within the main vocal to create an engaging listening experience. Filled with an infectious chorus and blazing guitar work, ‘My Kind’ is an impressive new single from Minerva.
Waterford musician Eoin Devereux has released his new single, ‘Set My Eyes On You’.
This alternative bedroom pop tune is a fine example of Devereux’s edgy, immersive musicianship. In true Devereux manner, the track balances a myriad of rich tones and sounds to create a brooding slow bop saturated in guitar distortion and swirling electronics. His melancholic vocals hold an air of nonchalance, creating an enticing contrast to the psychedelic hued alternative pop backdrop. Boasting irresistible guitar melodies, poignant lyrics and a catchy chorus, ‘Set My Eyes On You’ is a soothing, sombre and well-crafted tune that is a joy to listen to again and again.
About the track Eoin Devereux said: “It is about how we obsess over someone we like and end up loving them more than we love ourself. It’s really a truthful love song that doesn’t have a happy ending.”
Irish born singer-songwriter Megan O’Neill has released her highly anticipated new single ‘Wildfire’.Megan O’Neill’s songs have received great attention over the past year – including her recent single ‘Ireland’, which hit over 400,000 views on social media during release month. The video was also picked up and shared by none other than Olivia Newton-John as well as being added to the RTE Radio 1 playlist for three weeks running. Megan O’Neill released her second full-length studio album last year (March 12th, 2021) – titled ‘Getting Comfortable with Uncertainty’. This much-anticipated album follows her last release, ‘Ghost of You’ (June 2018) which hit #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in the UK and Ireland, and two EP’s previous to this (‘Coming Home’, 2015 and ‘Stories to Tell’, 2017).
Saturated in emotive pop melodies and cinematic soundscapes ‘Wildfire’ boasts the heartfelt songwriting of Megan O’Neill. She blends folk moments with indie tones and electronic embellishments to create a sound filled with vibrancy and gusto. As the track builds to its anthemic chorus, a twinkling piano exudes a sweet sense of innocence within the brooding verses, pulsing beats and adrenaline-filled tension. It’s a powerful burst of musicianship that radiates with passion, emotive vocals, uplifting tones and a freeing sense of euphoria. O’Neill’s music is a joy to listen to and ‘Wildfire’ is a fine display of just how diverse and exciting this artist is.
Speaking of the new single Megan O’Neill said “For me, Wildfire feels like the beginning of the next phase of my career – merging my folk, storytelling roots with more pop and electronic elements. The past two years have been a really creative time for me thankfully, despite what’s been going on! I’ve immersed myself in new music, new styles and new sounds and I’ve been working with many different songwriters and producers in varying genres, as well as improving my own skills as a producer, writer and musician. All of that exploration and work has led me here – to this new sonic direction. It feels very authentically me and I’m excited for people to hear it.”
Fly The Nest has released his new single ‘Say Hello’. Ballinteer native Fly the Nest (aka Stephen Cooper) started playing music at a young age, performing in various bands. He started solo project Fly the Nest two years ago, inspired by a life of moving from place to place. When not writing music for an advertising company in LA, he may be found working on his unique blend of film-inspired anthems, which he calls “cinematic rock.” Cooper now spends his time between Ireland and Denmark, and after a breakout year in 2021, has been tipped as one of the strongest rock acts to watch in Ireland in 2022.
‘Say Hello’ presents Fly The Nest’s invigorating musicianship in all its glory. The track begins with sparse sprawling guitar chimes that expand into epic strides as the song reaches its dynamic chorus. Pulsing drums create an intense rush of adrenaline throughout while echoed backing vocals, tight bass lines and Cooper’s warm rasped vocals ooze tones of longing and classic rock energy. Boasting anthemic rock elements and masterfully woven guitar lines, ‘Say Hello’ is a compelling and cinematic song from Fly The Nest.
Irish singer-songwriter and recording artist Hallie has released her new single ‘Impact’. Hallie emerged in May 2020 with her debut single ‘Familiar Place’. Since then she has released three more singles to critical acclaim, with rotation on multiple national/worldwide radio stations. Hallie has made the ‘RTE Recommends Playlist’ with all her singles to date. Hallie is an avid mental health and chronic pain advocate living with chronic illnesses. She wants to use her platform to advocate and remind others who’ve struggled that they’re never alone. She began writing poems and songs as a personal release to soothe and channel her lifelong battle with depression, anxiety and chronic pain. Hallie won the first Golden Discs Golden Busker Competition ’19 & Best Original Song in the Guinness Singing & Swinging Awards. With her Golden Disc’s prize she recorded her music professionally for the first time at The Orchard Recording Studio.
‘Impact’ is a fine display of Hallie’s emotive musicianship. The song reflects on “a past turbulent relationship, with a plea for understanding and acceptance, following a breakup without closure and wounds that never seem to heal.” Hallie expresses this perfectly as she strips back her alternative pop sound to create a raw, earnest tune that highlights the warm depth of her vocals as well as the pain and emotion within the song perfectly “you hurt me like a stranger. I took beatings from your words”. The spacious soundscape, delicate piano accompaniment and emotional sting within the lyrical content make ‘Impact’ a compelling listen from start to finish. Looking forward to hearing more from this exciting artist.
UK alt-pop trio Lycio have released their new single, ‘I Wanna Know’ via Lycio Records. Lycio have received significant support from BBC Introducing with presenters Andrew Marston, Alex Noble, Tim Senna and Louise Brierly all giving them radio play, a three-track acoustic session for BBC Introducing West Midlands and twice performing at The Big Feastival. The associations with the BBC continue as Lycio performed at Chris Evans’ CarFest for BBC Children in Need in both 2017 and 2018 and a feature of ‘Evil People’ on BBC 6 Tom Robinson’s Fresh Favs in 2018. Lycio have performed at The Great Escape’s little sister, The Alternative Escape 2019 as well as provided support for YONAKA, Rae Morris and Self Esteem.
Boasting intense, bubbling electronics ‘I Wanna Know’ is an invigorating listening experience. The track is an absolute gem to listen to as the listener is treated to subtle contrasting elements within the tracks dynamic wall of sound: Genie Mendez’s smooth yet powerful vocals coo atop a swirling backdrop of effervescent synths, driving rhythms and explosive choruses while pop laced hooks, sensual bass grooves, and elegant piano smoulder underneath. ‘I Wanna Know’ is a hair raising new addition to Lycio’s repertoire and an exquisite example of this band’s diverse and lush sound.
The Wombats are set to release their fifth studio album, ‘Fix Yourself, Not The World’ on the 14th of January. I caught up with Dan Haggis to chat about the album, it’s recording and Murph’s falsetto range.
“It’s about looking inwards to solve and confront your own problems rather than avoiding your demons by filling your time with endless distractions. I think we’ve always had an introspective side to our songs but after going through the pandemic where most distractions were taken away, there was nowhere else to look other than inwards and I think a lot of people went through some tough times mentally trying to reevaluate who they were and what they need to function. When Murph [Matthew Murphy], suggested the title we all had lots of thoughts about what it means. We really wanted an album title that made people think. Everyone will hopefully have their own take on the title and album and with any luck a few conversations will be started as a result.”
The album was recorded remotely from the band’s respective homes over the past year. They discussed each day’s plan via Zoom, then recorded separately, and sent individual files to producers. I wondered how the band found the remote process and if Dan thought the album would have sounded different if the band had been able to be together in the same place writing and recording.
“We’ve lived in different countries for over 6 years now so we’re used to sending ideas and files back and forth but we’ve never done a full album! As with most things in life there were upsides and downsides, fortunately we had some really organised producers working with us so keeping all the parts in the right folders, everything recorded at the same bit rate, at the right tempo etc was pretty smooth. It was fun hearing the songs come together in a slightly different way than before too. We always have pretty solid demos of the songs we’re recording by the time we make an album and this was more important than ever on this album. We had worked out what we needed to re-record, what we were going to keep and what needed work, our producer even made a nice pdf sheet with each track and the notes we all had!”
“We did write half the album all together in LA throughout 2019 which was great and gave us a good platform for the album once the pandemic hit. Of course the album would’ve been a bit different, you can’t help but be influenced by where you are and who you’re with. Just being in a different studio usually means you have access to slightly different microphones, instruments and outboard gear, not to mention the room itself sounding different so I actually think this album sounds even better and richer than it otherwise would because of that! There was a sitar lying around in Murph’s studio so that is on a few songs, if it hadn’t been there I’m not sure we would’ve necessarily hired one in! (It’s on ‘Ready For The High’ and ‘Wildfire’ for sure if anyone wants to try to listen out for it!)”
‘Fix Yourself, Not The World’ is a vibrant album that boasts The Wombats’ dynamic indie rock sound. The album is awash with irresistible musical gems for the listener to indulge in again and again; for example, ‘Flip Me Upside Down’, ‘Ready For The High’ and ‘Wildfire’ all highlight the infectious, fun and insatiable groove-filled sound we have come to love from The Wombats. It’s a cohesive collection of tracks.
“Thanks! Yeah we always write between 20-30 songs for an album then the album usually starts emerging from the songs and towards the end of the process we get an idea of what’s missing.”
There are such great guitar moments in the album. The Wombats allow the guitar to flourish within each of the songs. The guitar has always been an enticing factor in the band’s sound and within this album, they venture into many genres with the guitar from indie elements to heavier rock, psychedelic and more.
“The first song we made for the album was Ready For The High, I started playing the opening riff on acoustic guitar and we built the song around it, it felt like it could be grungy so we plugged in to this little cigarette packet sized amp which sounds insane and that was the sound we kept for the album. The guitar sounds in the chorus changes completely from the opening, we tried to make all the transitions as dramatic and drastic as possible on this album, Basically, each song we make, we imagine what we’re aiming for sonically and then start playing with guitar sounds, sometimes we’ll use references from other genres to help us find the right sound, it’s such a fun process.”
Throughout the album, The Wombats fill out their sound with experimental synths. ‘Work Is Easy, Life Is Hard’ has a subtle electronic punk/indie vibe. I wondered if the band have multiple versions of each song as they figured out what they wanted.
“We do have pretty solid, well thought through demos of all the songs but yeah, when we record we often do LOTS of options for each section just we try enough ideas and make sure we’re not missing any mind-blowing sounds or moments.”
‘Don’t Poke The Bear’ is another great track. Witty lyrics and jaunty guitar drive the track while rooted bass and buoyant drums create an upbeat foundation. Dan explained to me what inspired the song.
“I wanted us to make a bouncy swing song and so we started messing aroundand before long we had the music pounding, then we usually make a rough backing track for Murph to listen to and he walks around writing lyrics. When we were making this song he had a cold and his wife was worried he’d give it to his daughter so it was a little bit stressful for him. I’m guessing it was about not pushing people too far and knowing when to give each other space.”
Murph’s vocals slip into falsetto for a few tracks on the album. The effect creates a dynamic texture within each tune. The band’s ability to produce fresh and exciting elements in their sound is inspiring and Murph’s sweet falsetto adds an impressive aspect to the album.
“Yeah it’s fun messing with range and melodies, we’d never really done full verses (apart from maybe Emoticons) with just falsetto so on this album Wildfire and Ready For The High it was fun to go from falsetto in the verses to full voice in the choruses. You ultimately come up with slightly different melodies depending on whether you sing full voice or falsetto so it keeps us, and hopefully the fans, on our toes.”
The Wombats bring the album to a close with ‘Fix Yourself, Then The World (Reach Beyond Your Fingers)’. The track is a subtle psychedelic gem and the perfect end to this riveting album. Deciding on an album track list is a gruelling task especially the closing tune. Dan explained how the band decided on their closing song.
“Yeah we always spend a while going back and forth with the track listing, we always try to make album’s that you can listen to all the way through from start to finish. The album closer was potentially going to be an interlude on the album at one point but we realised that Method to the Madness did a similar job on giving the album a couple of minutes breathing space so then we realised it was the perfect album closer. From the chaos of Flip Me Upside Down to the eventual calm of the last track. It was actually a jam we had in Murph’s studio after smoking a little CBD stick and it felt so good we just left it as it was originally recorded.”
The Wombats have announced a series of eleven exclusive UK intimate shows which started on January 6th, 2022 at PRYZM, Kingston to celebrate the album’s release. This is an extraordinary opportunity for fans to catch the band in such an intimate set-up before they go on the road for their biggest ever UK headline tour set for 2022. Dan told me what fans can expect from their upcoming shows.
“Lots of energy and new music!. Yeah we can’t wait. Playing the new album live is the final piece in the jigsaw for us so fingers crossed we get to play the shows!”
With five album’s under their belt since forming in 2003 and numerous shows and tours to date, I wondered what advice Dan would give to an aspiring musician or band beginning their career in music.
“Just enjoy and focus on making music with your mates, don’t worry about getting signed or anything other than being the best musician you can and expressing yourself honestly through your art. If anything else comes along it’s a bonus.”
The Wombats are notorious for their dynamic indie anthems, irresistible hooks, and glorious dance floor boppers. ‘Fix Yourself, Not The World’ follows this trend superbly and highlights the band’s knack for insatiable melodies, witty lyrics and refined musicianship. The album is a thrilling listening experience.
‘Fix Yourself, Not The World’ is set for release on the 14th of January. You can pre-order/pre-save the album here https://thewombats.ffm.to/fyntw.oyd
Watch the video for ‘Everything I Love Is Going To Die’ below.
Author: Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
