Blood Donor (the solo project of ex-Otherkin frontman Luke Reilly) returns with his debut four-track EP named after his new single, ‘Baby No More’. ‘Baby No More’ EP includes previous singles ‘Lonely Street’ and ‘Man, What Have You Done?’.His releases to date have drawn press acclaim and enjoyed considerable radio play, having been named a ‘Future Artist’ by BBC Radio One’s Jack Saunders and received rotation on RTÉ 2FM, Today FM and FM104.
‘Baby No More’ is an exciting blend of lush melodies and exquisite songwriting from Blood Donor. Wrapped in warm shoegaze melodies, balmy guitar and driving rhythms this EP is a consuming listening experience from start to finish.
‘Baby No More’ sets the EP in motion with sunkissed tones and irresistible soundscapes. The track plays like a daydream enhanced by shimmering synths, soft guitar twinkles and a sweet melody while Reilly’s vocals venture between warm rasps and falsetto coos. The song is a wonderful piece of music and perfectly sets the scene for the western-esque tones of ‘Lonely Street’ and woozy vibes of ‘Waking Up In The Emergency Room’ that follow.
An exciting musical element within this EP is Reilly’s use of synths. The artist’s ability to create expressive and evocative moments is admirable and the addition of synth elements wonderfully lifts the soundscapes to exciting heights. The EP is not the banging indie rock sound fans might have expected from the artist instead Reilly gives us expressive soundscapes filled with emotion, texture and movement that exude a timeless quality within. Sure, it’s filled with fiery guitar moments, pounding drums and beautiful psychedelic moments but these are balanced with elements of jazz and do-wop tones, glittering synth embellishment and sweet as-taffy melodies.
‘Baby No More’ is an absolute treat to listener’s ears.
Dublin-based band, KLDD, are set to release their new single ‘Little Help (Today)’ on March 24th. The song is an ode to the iconic sounds of Manchester and a tribute to bands like Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses. Comprised of Kilian Callegari on bass, Liam Bennati on drums, David Bradford on lead guitar, and Davy O’Toole on vocals and rhythm guitar, KLDD was originally formed by schoolmates over a shared love of dirty riffs, thumping bass lines, and soaring melodies.
Encased in a slick bassline and chiming guitar interludes ‘Little Help (Today)’ is a tight and impressive tune from KLDD. The band continue their run of mature and infectious releases with this atmospheric indie rock number. Venturing into hazy psychedelia at times, the band create a laid-back tune brimming with lush melodies and expressive instrumental refrains to create a sound that is nostalgic while still showcasing an indie edge. ‘Little Help (Today)’ is a fine display of musicianship from KLDD.
Off the tail end of their latest EP “Mongrel” Under Starling have released their new single ‘Trick of the Light”. Hailing from the Viking City of Ireland, Under Starling are breathing fresh air into the Irish music scene with their unique brand of alternative rock.“Trick of the Light” is a metaphor for the fantasies of a hopeless romantic. Throughout the song the band tether the line between the dream world and reality. Contrary to the Hollywood trope, the underdog does not get the person of their dreams. The closing message is one of self-growth and learning how to move on.
‘Trick of the Light’ pulses with the enchanting sound of Under Starling. The band take an 80’s pop undertone encased in their signature atmospheric sound to create a compelling tune that is glorious to listen to. With emotive vocals caressing a wonderful melody, the song surges with passion as the band rush flickering synths over reverb tones and propulsive beats to produce suspenseful soundscapes that keep the listener’s heart in a euphoric state. ‘Trick of the Light’ is an utterly time-stopping and beautiful new tune from Under Starling.
Binmen have released their new single ‘Abe’. The song is the first single off their debut EP ‘Hunger Hill’ which will be released in the Summer of 2023. ‘Abe’ uses the biblical story of Cain and Abel to explore themes of bullying, betrayal and anger.
‘Abe’ broods atop majestic instrumentation and moody tones as Binmen present their expressive sound in all its glory. The track is an intense rock ballad filled with wonderful atmospherics, mellow guitar work and punchy drums. ‘Abe’ is a delight to listen to. The song is a fine display of eloquent lyrics and refined musicianship that reveals new and exciting facets of Binmen’s sound.
Last Saturday was a night to remember in The Workman’s Cellar, Dublin. Headlining the venue and accompanied by Geoff Warner- Clayton on piano was duo Emily Aylmer and Kieran McGuinness under their new musical project moniker Driven Snow.
The duo have done limited shows to date ( Driven Snow is still relatively new, McGuiness calls it ” a baby band ” ) and I was absolutely thrilled at the chance to see them perform live having fallen in love with their recently released tracks ‘Trying’ and ‘Sunlight’.
I was not the only one who jumped at the chance to see the duo live. As I made my way through the packed venue towards the stage I overheard fans ( some stood in groups while others sat on the ground in circles ) talking excitedly amongst themselves about Driven Snow’s sound and wonderful harmonies. It was clear from the atmosphere in the venue that everyone was looking forward to a great night filled with wonderful music.
Driven Snow walked on stage to rapturous applause. Both Aylmer and McGuiness seemed taken aback by the crowd’s enthusiasm before even having begun their set. Their faces beaming with delight they set the music of the night in motion with ‘Trying’. The crowd instantly fell silent as glorious vocal harmonies from both Emily and Kieran resounded throughout the venue, beautifully complemented by gentle keys and soothing tones on guitar. ‘Nothing As Hard As Love’ set the calming tone for the night and the crowd loved every minute of it. ‘Moonlight’ also went down a treat with fans as some swayed while others embraced as they enjoyed Driven Snow’s beautiful sound, poetic lyrics and expressive vocal harmonies.
The duo put on a magical and compelling performance. They instantly connected with the audience as they gave comical anecdotes to their songs which kept fans laughing and engaged throughout their set while two Delorentos covers went down a treat with the crowd.
Driven Snow are a joy to listen to. Their wonderful vocal harmonies and evocative musicianship is a must listen and if you ever get the chance to experience the band live you won’t be disappointed.
INHALER have released their eagerly awaited second album ‘Cuts & Bruises’ on Polydor Records. Produced by Inhaler’s long-term collaborator Antony Genn, ‘Cuts & Bruises’ features 11 tracks including recent single ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’ as well as the uplifting ‘Love Will Get You There’ and last summer’s euphoric anthem ‘These Are The Days’. Following a prolonged period of touring, INHALER’s sophomore album began to take shape over Christmas 2021 in The Nunnery, their rehearsal space in hometown Dublin, with the four band members – vocalist and guitarist Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer Ryan McMahon – writing and rehearsing a clutch of new songs.’Cuts & Bruises’ is the follow-up to Inhaler’s debut album ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ which debuted at no.1 in both the UK & Irish Official Charts. Released in July 2021, ‘It Won’t Always Be Like This’ became the fastest-selling debut album on vinyl by any band this century and saw Inhaler become the first Irish group to top the Album Charts with a debut in 13 years.
Tastefully blended with various genres and musical elements ‘Cuts & Bruises’ is a treasure trove of engaging indie tracks. This album is the product of a band acutely aware of their place in the music scene. It is clear that with ‘Cuts & Bruises’, INHALER are confident to display their musical growth while staying true to themselves and they achieve this perfectly.
Filled with sharp guitar licks, driving rhythms and baselines each track rushes with the irresistible sound INHALER have become known for. From the get-go the band grab the listener’s attention with a catchy guitar hook, and hazy melody from ‘Just To Keep You Satisfied’. The track is an impressive start and beckons repeat plays before moving through the rest of the album. As the album progresses INHALER flesh out their sound and showcase other facets of their musicianship. ‘Love Will Get You There’ chugs with a western-esque undertone while ‘These Are The Days’ boasts raw indie rock swagger.
Amongst the fresh stadium bangers, the band sprinkle a healthy serving of brooding ballads throughout the album. A fine example of this is ‘If You’re Gonna Break My Heart’. The track contains wonderfully expressive jazzy keys that chime behind Hewson’s velvety vocals as he croons, “if your gonna break my heart smash it to pieces, ’cause I’m not gonna need it, as much as I do right now”. Another noteworthy ballad is the melancholic ‘Valentine’. This beautiful song surges with heartfelt yearning while a bubbling beat and chiming guitars complement an acoustic refrain and Hewson’s tender coo’s.
The slower more gentle tunes on the album are welcome interludes between the band’s more anthemic work, simply because we get to truly appreciate another aspect of this young band’s music; the lyrics and the emotive musical accompaniment each four members use to enhance the poetic elements to their sound. It’s an exciting experience to hear this part of the band’s music come to the fore through tracks such as ‘Valentine’ that display the meticulous amount of effort the four-piece put into this facet of their musicianship.
‘Cuts & Bruises’ presents a band who’ve grown exponentially in the last two years, both musically and lyrically, but still boasts plenty of pit-opening choruses, refined musicianship and oodles of youthful adrenaline.
About the album the band said: “It was just the four of us jamming in the live room and trying to come up with ideas on the spot,” says Keating. “Playing live for a few months beforehand really helped shape what kind of direction we wanted to take it in.”
“The subject matters of the songs are still all about coming-of-age stuff – the standard stuff you write when you’re a teenager,” adds Hewson, the band’s principal lyricist. “But it also became a little bit more about being in a band. These songs are less about the world around us, and more about what’s going on inside Inhaler.”
Irish indie band modernlove. have released their new alt-pop banger ‘Only Ever Only You’ ahead of their debut US Tour in March. modernlove.’s previous single ‘Ruin Your Night’ boosted the Irish alt-rock quartet’s growing fame, adding airplay from Gemma Bradley at BBC Radio 1 Introducing and John Kennedy at Radio X to previous support from Jack Saunders BBC Radio 1.
Boasting a frenetic wall of sound that surges with effervescent synths, bright guitars and pummeling drums ‘Only Ever Only You’ is a vibrant indie, pop-punk track from modernlove. This band are growing their sound superbly while still maintaining the raw indie charm that has always been at the centre of their songs. The lyrics rush with urgency over the bubbling instrumentation while telling the story of realising that “the object of your desire isn’t as infatuated as you are.” The track is an exciting piece of expressive musicianship from the band filled with driving bass lines, pounding rhythms and an irresistible refrain that sparks images of mass sing-alongs at a live show. ‘Only Ever Only You’is simply glorious.
The band commented, “‘Only Ever Only You’ chronicles the breaking down of communication in a relationship. It’s about being in love when it’s too late and trying to communicate with someone who has moved on and simply isn’t there anymore. It’s probably the most sincere and direct we’ve been as a band in a song and the music speaks to that. We’ve taken from our early inspirations and gone straight up pop punk on this track.”
Rowlette has released her new single “Dreamer”. 2022 was a busy year for the artist who hosted a packed-out headliner in the British capital with fellow musician Faraway Martin, supported CMAT, Rofi James and Junior Brother, and released a string of new tracks.
‘Dreamer’ is a song that displays Rowlette’s ability to capture the heart of listeners with her wonderful storytelling and warm musicianship. The song twinkles with soft guitar and folk tones over supple orchestral arrangements, and elegant piano creating a soothing backdrop for her sweet vocals. In the unusual setting of a discount store, the song captures the beauty in the everyday moment, and the feeling of knowing someone truly believes in you. Rowlette tells this story through charming melodies and comforting soundscapes making ‘Dreamer’ a delight to listen to.
About the track Rowlette said: “I love this song because of its simplicity. I wrote it about a day a friend of mine came to visit me in my hometown. It was a wintery Sunday evening during the pandemic and there was really nowhere to go. We ended up going to Mr. Price and having a great time – it’s one of those places you always find things you didn’t know you needed! I got a lovely journal to write down what I wanted for the year, and I assumed he would think I was a bit silly, but instead he was just really supportive. Obviously big gestures and that are nice, but I think there’s nothing better than when you can tell someone really believes in you and has your back.”
Irish singer-songwriter Isaac Butler has released his highly anticipated new single ‘Good Enough’. ‘Good Enough’ marks the start of a new musical journey for Isaac Butler as he embarks on what promises to be a very exciting 2023 – with the first quarter of the year seeing him set to headline Whelan’s main room with a full band on Friday, 31 March. Isaac Butler is no stranger to the stage or the airwaves amassing over 2.5 million Spotify streams and selling out shows in The Grand Social, The Soundhouse and Whelan’s while also playing festivals across the country including Electric Picnic. Two of Isaac Butler’s previous singles have also been chosen for as the ‘Select Irish’ Single of the Month across the Wireless Group.
Within ‘Good Enough’ Butler fleshes out his earnest songwriting over an intense backdrop of driving instrumentation and powerful melodic surges. The song boasts warm guitar refrains, driving beats and ethereal soundscapes that lift the track into an anthemic sing-along chorus. Butler’s soulful vocals create an emotive yet, warm atmosphere that carries the story along as he questions himself after a breakup, “maybe I did something wrong… maybe I just was not good enough”. Filled with lamenting keys, a hair-raising crescendo and an irresistible melody that will revolve in your head for days, ‘Good Enough’ is a compelling new single.
Speaking of the single Isaac Butler said: “Good Enough is the result of some post-relationship self-doubt. I think it’s only human nature to question yourself pretty intensely after something doesn’t work out. I love this one because there is what feels like a good balance of nostalgia and anger in there. The verses have a softness that describe those happy memories while the choruses are pretty gritty”
Following his acclaimed 2022 EP ‘Warm’ and a massive series of spectacular, sold-out shows across Europe, Irish-born singer and songwriter Moncrieff kickstarts 2023 with a sonic declaration of love – his new single ‘What Am I Here For’ out via German label energie.
Filled with 80’s tones, glistening guitars and a sense of urgency ‘What Am I Here For’ is a gripping and utterly invigorating new single from Moncrieff. It’s easy to get lost in the lush intricacies of ‘What Am I Here For’ as the track builds into a sing-along delight and fist-pump anthem. As a songwriter, Moncrieff continues to showcase his impressive ability to capture emotion through gripping and earnest lyricism. His passionate vocals perfectly express the intensity of the lyrics and instantly create a vivid image for the listener of a person rushing to save a relationship before it’s too late “running every red light and stop sign just to realise what I’m fighting for, cos if I’m not here to love you what am I here for”. Moncrieff crafts this track beautifully creating a light indie pop number that boasts the artist’s expressive and infectious sound in all its glory.
Stream ‘What Am I Here For’ below
Author: Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
