Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Academic
The Academic have released their new single ‘Anything Could Happen’.The single is the first new release from the band since signing a global record deal with Capitol Records. The band were hand-picked by Mick Jagger to support The Stones here in Ireland and with a number 1 album to their name and sold out shows all over the country, the band’s music is already finding very willing ears much further afied. They are heavily pencilled for more international tour dates when this lockdown lifts.
‘Anything Could Happen’ is a seamless perky indie-pop hit. The Academic display their knack for infectious melodies with this bright sharp track which is bursting with cool chic energy. With inspirational glimmers of Prince and Thin Lizzy the track ricochets off an elastic bass and irresistible guitar hook.The Academic have created one heck of a joyous bop. It’s cool and crisp with tasty little elements in between to keep it refreshing and intriguing. From sweet guitar licks, lush backing vocal coos, 80’s pop sheen and a driving infectious groove, the band weave wonderful intricate elements to keep this track subtly explosive. It’s a vibrant, upbeat and oh so catchy musical gem of euphoric bliss.
‘Anything Could Happen’, produced by Nick Hodgson, was released simultaneously with the accompanying video premiere on Youtube. Directed by Ronan Corrigan and Hope Kemp, the video is a real reflection of the current times we’re living in under lockdown, giving a brief insight in the lives of quarantined couples around the world
About the track the band said :.” Anything Could Happen’ is a rallying cry to the people in our lives who find themselves stuck in cycles of mundanity and monotony. We hope it inspires people to be kind to themselves and take control of their futures.”
Limerick Alt/Electronic/Indie duo Pity of the Sea have released their new single ‘A Swarming’ which was taken from the forthcoming debut album.Pity Of the Sea are comprised of Ger Cremins (Vox/Bass Synth) and Tony Monahan (Producer, Guitars, Synths, Bass and drum programming). The track follows the band’s last release ‘Headscarf’ which received plays on both national and local radio and was very well received.
Fizzing and swirling through dizzying synths and a crashing wall of sound ‘A Swarming’ is an energetic punk slapped track from Pity of the Sea. The duo consume your ears with an onslaught of shrilling guitars that churn through a groove-filled rumble on bass. The band use acid soaked psychedelia to create a track brimming with organised chaos while a punchy drum machine loop surrounds the backdrop. The band blend a raw post punk soundscape with sharp alternative rock to create an invigorating listening experience. The shimmering ethereal synths rush with adrenaline while the dynamic spoken vocals pound out the catchy chorus of respetitive lyrics. ‘A Swarming’ is a fantastic assault on the senses.
Bio : Driven by Italian brothers Matteo and Marco, on guitar and drums respectively, and completed by Liverpool artist Jasmin Nash, Violetear melds together elements of 60’s pop, 70’s progressive rock, and modern indie, with some jazz and psychedelia thrown in for good measure.The band have released their new single ‘Head Over Heels’.While technically 2 tracks, the single is meant to be considered as 1.
Track: Head Over Heels
Why We Like It: This slinky groovy gem drifts sweetly on a candied melody and lush soundscape as Violetear splurge warm jazz elements over shimmying 60’s pop. With balmy glistens on guitar melting over the soft beat the track slides in on a swanky charm and soothing bliss. The lush harmonies, velvety vocals and sunshine atmosphere create a delightful quality and dreamy texture to this cheery number.
Bio : Plastic Cowboys are a three piece indie punk band made up by members, Ciaran McGann (vocals, guitar), Joe Monaghan (drums) and Darren McCarthy (Bass).‘Not as Cool live at Station Studios’ is the second video of the bands ‘Live in Station Studios’ performances. This live track was recorded at Station Studios, produced by Kevin Brennan, and the video was shot by George Hooker.
Track: Not as Cool
Why We Like It: It’s an energetic fiery display as Plastic Cowboys present their bright indie punk with humorous lyrics and oodles of hooks. The jaunty guitar runs rampant through the track with intense vigor while the buoyant bass and punchy drums pound the foundation with beefy laced might. With rasp filled vocals and light indie weaved between dynamic punk slaps and quirky lyrics this explosive, catchy number is a fine belter from Plastic Cowboys.
Bio : Former Future Kings of Spain members guitarist Karl Hussey and drummer Bryan McMahon join ex-Bambi bassist Dan Barry to bring you Badself. Finally finding time in ‘Lockdown’, Badself released ‘Stay Down’, the opening track and first single from the band’s debut album ‘The Three Daughters of Mara’ which was recorded with producer Ronan McHugh (Def Leppard).
Track: Stay Down
Why We Like It: With a demon summoning dirty bass rumbling through the tracks underbelly Badself present a lean mean rock track set to revolve in your head for days. The track slithers its way into your head as bright guitars glisten with a swagger dipped slinky texture while the pounding drums maintain a solid raw foundation.This track is a powerful beast laced in sensual dark bluesy tones as its acute wallop of rock drives the songs backbone. With powerful vocals and no nonsense attitude ‘Stay Down’ is an old school sweat and leather rock anthem.
Bio : LA-based artist Lav shares her new single, ‘Wavvy’.
Track: Wavvy
Why We Like It: It’s a wispy sweet number that floats on a vapour of tenderness while a steady beat pulses in the darkened smoky backdrop. With lamentful electronics subtly building in the background between twinkling keys the song maintains an airy texture throughout. It’s Lav’s sultry sombre lulls that take the limelight. Her delicate yet pristine vocals caress the velvety dreamy melody with a mystical and enticing manner that is utterly compelling. This soft, brooding track is well crafted, rich in its delicacy yet simplistic in approach. Its just sublime.
Bio : After time spent in Nashville and LA as a songwriter and session guitarist, London-based GRAAW has released new single ‘Self-Sabotage’ which was produced by Fred Abbott (Noah and The Whale) and mastered at the legendary Abbey Road by Christian Wright,
Track: Self-Sabotage
Why We Like It: It’s an exhilarating rock-n-roll number doused in powerful positive musicianship and oodles of energy. With punchy drums, shredding guitars and glorious harmonies the track builds superbly to create a heart racing, blood pumping anthem. With warm rasp filled croons that progress into power filled blasts for the explosive chorus the song is crafted to fill your body with get up and go adrenaline.The cosy heart warming melody soothes with a sweet sense of compassion while the sharp pines on guitar flood the track with character as the track builds to its erupting crescendo. It’s an emotive classic rock gem exuding heartfelt vigor.
The Irish singer-songwriter Miles Graham has been establishing his reputation, first hittingBBC Radio 2’s playlist with ‘I Can’t Love You Again’ and then with high profile Billboard Dance hits withDon Diablo and L’Tric. During that time, Graham has focused upon honing his deeply affected songcraft, the first release of which comes with his brand new single ‘Don’t Change’.
Grahams velvety, soulful vocals and infectious tunes are going to make for one heck of a live stream.
Miles Graham has just released the live performance video to accompany his brand new single‘Don’t Change’ check it out below
Props has released his new single ‘wired’ taken for his upcoming EP of the same name. Props is the brainchild of Mark Gilyead, a multi-instrumentalist/producer living in south london, UK.The whole ‘wired’ EP drops on May 15th but until then Gilyead is putting out a song from it each week on Soundcloud. Props has had play on BBC, Amazing Radio and a spot in Tom Robinson’s Fresh Faves
Intricately layered, the chilled complexity of ‘wired’ showcases Props quirky and astute musicianship. The heavy beat burrows deep into the track wriggling a deft groove into its very core while the swirling electronics create an effervescent ethereal atmosphere. The sticky beat provides a gooey slap between the pop punk guitar chords and exhilarating electronic bursts. The track bubbles and ferments for the verses while the smooth lo fi vocals drift with a nonchalant tone over the catchy velvety melody. The song maintains an easygoing pace all the way through as Props builds and embellishes the backdrop in lush textures and prismatic colours of scintillation to create a rich, invigorating, refreshing track. With rich percussive builds and infectious vocal hooks teamed with intoxicating layering and kinetic production ‘wired’ is one vivacious track wrapped in a breezy laid back psych pop blanket.
whenyoung have released a powerful single as a show of empathy and support to people around the world that are experiencing so many different emotions right now. ‘The Prayer’, a brand-new song written and recorded by the band at their flat in Ramsgate where they’re currently all in lockdown, came as a response to the daily news reports filtering in and the overwhelming feelings evoked by the ways coronavirus is affecting everyone’s life.
A delicate and emotive ballad ‘The Prayer’ flows with whenyoung’s powerful, striking and pure songwriting. Aoife Power’s immaculate vocals coo and lament over gentle piano accompaniment while light percussion adorns the backdrop with a mystical and soothing tone. Power’s vocals carry the ethereal sweet melody with a clean and mesmerising grace while the airy guitars chime and echo with a wistful yearn.’The Prayer’ is a tranquil lullaby exuding melancholic tones of loneliness and soothing tones of comfort all at once. It is a calming, time stopping gem from the Irish trio.
About the track the band explain “We wanted to create something meditative to soothe the anxiety and fear we are feeling. Reading through the news every day and hearing stories of grief and sadness filtered into the writing. It’s a song about our immediate reactions to being quarantined, imagining the pain of others and our own being unable to see loved ones. To coincide with the release of ‘The Prayer’ we will be raising money for Women’s Aid Ireland and U.K. with the sale of a limited-edition t-shirt and other events on our social media.”
As well the proceeds from the limited edition t-shirt the band will be making a donation from the money raised from the release to Women’s Aid UK and Ireland.
Cork based solo effort, Mechner has released his new single/music video ‘Do You Wanna Go?’.Mechner; is the latest foray for Cork based artist Jack Ahern, completely self-funded and self-produced, Ahern had great success with debut single “Surfacing”, notable for its music video which garnered over 25k views and was included in Indie Cork’s Film Festival to great crowd reaction.’Do You Wanna Go?’ is the first glimpse into CLUB IDEM a mini-LP which will be released later in 2020. Mechner has supported the likes of Dermot Kennedy, Delerentos and The Coronas amongst many others.
With a catchy guitar refrain biting down into the alternative stained backdrop ‘Do You Wanna Go?’ presents Mechner’s enticing sound with an anthemic punch and irresistible melody. The guitar weaves its buoyant way through a swirling soundscape while the snappy beat and cinematic tension create a tantalizing listening experience. Mechner uses unique and dramatic musicianship to entice the listener. The rumble on bass coils beneath the light dance infused agitation as if foreshadowing an ominous event while the irresistible melody ferments through the verses. This push and pull effect creates sublime apprehension before the track erupts into its exhilarating chorus. The layering is superb, we see glimpses of pop, smeared upon jaunty indie rock while a bracing alternative soundscape brews a thick sticky concoction through the tracks underbelly, this is all seasoned with a fleshy light coating of tempestuous dance elements. Mechner displays a sublime ability to provide tantalizing intricacies within this track and he does this with dark atmospheric brooding that asphyxiates beneath light pop flashes and chilling vocal manoeuvres. ‘Do You Wanna Go?’ is an infectious, thrilling, juicy and well crafted track from Mechner.
Bio : Broozer are a Wolverhampton based Punk Rock Outfit. Since their formation they have played at iconic venues in Birmingham and the West Midlands. In their first year they were discovered by Wyatt Wendall of Planet Rock and featured on his New Rock Show several times and supported The Virgin Marys. They have now added long term good friend and previous drummer Dan Collins to their lineup.
Track: Taste For Blood
Why We Like It: Wrapped in gritty riffs ricocheting off a booming raw wall of sound, ‘Taste For Blood’ presents a more alternative blistering sound from Broozer. From the resounding guitars slicing with slinky raw stamina to the rampant bass and pounding drums the band wallop out a scorching new track. The track travels full throttle as the driving rhythm and sweat and leather rock persona spiral the track into a bloodthirsty frenzy. With panache dipped vocals slipping from spine chilling howls to sultry falsetto ‘Taste for Blood’ is a red hot mammoth ready to invade your brain.
Bio : With a distinctive,soulful vocal, James Burrage has been surprising many over the past year, making himself known in his local area of Colchester.
Track: Back In The Days
Why We Like It: There is something truly special about this track. Burrage has a sublime ability to create honest, pure and beautiful tunes. His emotive songwriting hits you hard in the chest and ‘Back In The Days’ strikes with a warm, bitter sweet melancholia. His comforting velvety vocals coo with a balmy rasp as the atmospheric guitar adorns the backdrop in ethereal twinkles. Utterly mesmerising this mature and charming track builds softly adding a clapping rhythmic buoyancy to the heart rushing crescendo. It’s simple, sweet and truly compelling as both the vocals and guitar ooze emotion while exuding a soft lamenting tone which flickers through a nostalgic haze.
Bio : California-based indie pop foursome Fialta have released their first original song in two years. The single is called ‘Made It This Far’, and is from their upcoming full-length album. The folk-rock anthem is a departure from the synth-driven sounds of Fialta’s sophomore record, ‘Shadow of a Drought’. Fialta are Beth Leibovich, David Provenzano, Michael Leibovich, and Sarah Shotwell).They have received over two million plays on Spotify, and have been featured on TV shows including Parenthood, Atypical, Awkward, and Bojack Horseman
Track: Made It This Far
Why We Like It: It’s a cheery upbeat ditty wrapped in a warm indie pop blanket of bliss. With sun kissed acoustic guitar gliding effortlessly over a pulsing rhythmic backdrop the track has a vibrant and buoyant atmosphere. The radiant strings drift in and out with a mellow warmth while the wonderful organic harmonies and catchy sweet melody lift the track into a euphoric and uplifting state. ‘Made It This Far’ is the adrenaline inducing feel good track that injects sunshine, wonderful nostalgia and joy into your day.
Bio : West Marsh, Grimsby band Mint have enjoyed UK radio support from Radio 1 and playlisting on Radio X and have performed at all major UK festivals.Recently they have begun work with award-winning production team Sugar House and taken on management.The band have released their new single ‘Turbulence’. The accompanying video ostensibly appears to be the fulfilment of a male fantasy – the horny teenager and the sexually available teacher. It was filmed during the Coronavirus pandemic adhering to safety measures. Keen-eyed treasure hunters will also find an easter egg somewhere in the video
Track: Turbulence
Why We Like It: Once again Mint knock it out of the park with their rampant, stuffy and exhilarating sound. The band whirlwind into a neck snapping frantic run from the get go with jabbing drums clammering through a fuzz fuelled backdrop while the chorus swivels around acid eroding guitar lines. The track is hinged around the infectious vocal hook “this is your captain speaking / Never forget this feeling” as the vocal exclaim grabs your mind with force until your singing along by the second chorus. ‘Turbulence’ is a intoxicating, punk-punched, grunge-smeared alternative track from Mint.
About the track Rashid says“it’s a nod to mental health seen through a cinematic plane crash.”
Bio : Having initially built a healthy fanbase in their home county via their dynamic live shows, Nick Acton (vocals/guitar), Will Daly (drums), Steve Wheate (bass) and George Wood (lead guitar), took their cinematic indie to towns and cities across the UK, from Brighton to Manchester, as well as across the channel in Paris They became in-demand contributors to the soundtracks of primetime TV shows, including Queer Eye, Made in Chelsea and Catastrophe, while the four-piece have also served as show-stopping support acts for such artists as Nothing But Thieves, Bloc Party, Magistrates, Asylums and Ed Sheeran.
Track: The Coast
Why We Like It: ‘The Coast’ is an infectious delight. It’s a sun baked jaunty slice of indie pop sure to cheer up your day. A glistening tropical guitar injects a balmy radiance into the track while the infectious drum bounce and wiggle infused bass embellishes the song with an infectious groove.With shimmering pop melodies atop a luminous backdrop ‘The Coast’ is a refreshing new single sure to charm its way onto repeat.
About the track vocalist Nick Acton says : “‘The Coast’ is about that situation we all find ourselves in from time-to-time – fundamentally disagreeing with someone who you have to spend time with, be it a family member, a friend of a friend, a co-worker. It muses on the things that you’d really like to say to that person, knowing that you can’t and never will.”
London alternative rock band Escape The Box will be releasing their new single ‘Grey’ on May 1st. The band comprised of Ziey Kizzy (Vocals),LouZy Hero (Drums), Stephen Smith (Bass) and Aaron Maullin (Guitar) formed in November 2018 and released their debut EP towards the end of 2019.
‘Grey’ is a robust alternative rock track that boasts Escape The Box’s frenetic crashing wall of sound. Raw, jagged guitar slashes through a punchy rhythmic backdrop as the band present a sound full of vigor. They swirl a catchy pop smacked melody over the brawny instrumentation to soften the punk aggro while the smooth expressive vocals hook the listeners ears. The verses bubble and build on a bright sun speckled indie backdrop while the chorus hits like a bolt of lightning setting the track ablaze with heavy guitars ricocheting off the meaty drums while the vocals soar above with thrilling intensity. The band utilise the raw bass and drum interaction to provide something to mosh and headbang to.
Escape The Box have created a tune that is loaded with rock heavyweights and immense intensity with short moments of release.
Columbia Mills have released their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘CCTV’. 2019 saw the band release two singles from the album; ‘Strange Game’ and ‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ which garnered huge radio support here at Indie Buddie and in the UK including John Kennedy Radio X, RTE Radio 1, Ed Smith (Today FM) choosing the band as his Play Irish Artist of the week and ‘Recent and Decent’ on Today FM, Dan Hegartys (2FM) Track of The Week, and heavy rotation on Paul Mc Loones Today FM show, as well as heavy airplay across all national and regional radio stations. 2020 has already seen the release of ‘UNDERSTAND’ (31/01/20), the third single from ‘CCTV’ which also received huge radio support.
With passion exuding from each melty, infectious melody, rich rhythmic progression and superb guitar lament ‘CCTV’ is quite the first rate body of work from Columbia Mills. These guys don’t pull punches, they give this album their all, entwining electronic elements into their alternative indie rock to create an album that holds you in animated suspense while the spinning sublime instrumentation, intricate layering and wonderful pacing intoxicate and invade your mind.
From the start this album is a whirlwind. The gripping heartfelt ‘Car Crash TV’ begins our breathtaking journey into the album. To be honest, I was totally consumed within this track’s melancholic tone, soft instrumental build and utterly beautiful, raw presentation. The twinkling ethereal guitars encase Fiachra Treacy’s warm emotive vocals in a wispy delicate coating as the track progresses to its more distorted electronic half. Like a masterful puppeteer Treacy’s vocals control the tone and ambiance of the tracks within this album. He has the power to pull tears from your eyes as he digs beneath the surface and unravels the listeners joy, pain and thrills and it is from here the tracks flourish from.
The band use synths and dizzying electronics to build the songs and ferment them into either a dazing dark crescendo like in ‘Car Crash TV’ or spiral into an intoxicating, dance-evoking whirl as in the infectious pulses of ‘Understand’. The synth elements within each track either flicker with tantalizing illumination providing sweet flirtatious moments between the rich indie backdrop or drape the songs in crashing twisting and asphyxiating soundscapes.
‘Isolate’,‘Who Am I Supposed To Talk To Now?’ and‘The Greatest Love’ are a mesmerising display of artistic flair and proficient musicianship, evoking complex themes and emotions of lonliness, guilt and depression.
The band flood their tracks with emotive instrumentation as they surge smoky downcast atmospheres with lamenting pines or western- esque warm tones on guitar. The guitars soar and ooze rich textures and almost convey the characters within the tracks while braided beneath are rooted bass lines and pulsing drums. ‘You’re Not The Answer’, ‘Strange Game’, ‘Heart And Soul’ and ‘Trees’ convey this perfectly as Columbia Mills immerse striking earnest lyrics in time stopping soundscapes.
The lyrical content in this album is profoundly poetic. Lines like “You said watching you control yourself, Is like watching blood dry”, “Crawled through the shit of old romance” and “Or is it in the vacuum of the struggle Where our love always thrives” shroud the album in dark times and griited struggles. Columbia Mills present these honest and gripping themes with outstanding elegance and grace. At times Treacy’s vocals are icy and almost matter of fact in his portrayal of these lyrics however he still manages to depict heart breaking emotion through his delivery.
Columbia Mills bring the album to a sublime end with ‘Mirror On The Front Seat’. The track blossoms superbly with glistening guitars and a brooding indie rock ballad -esque soundscape. It is beautifully crafted, lush in its intricacies yet simple in its approach. There is a warm country element to this track that evokes images of a dry desert night while the glistening airy guitar paints the sky an indigo hue. The loneliness and isolation is briefly lightened with warm instrumental builds while a sustained fuzz and steady beat trap tension beneath the emotive velvety vocals. Once again the band build the track allowing it to unravel for the dynamic thumping crescendo. It’s a spine tingling and utterly superb finale.
There are so many textures, sounds and wonderful elements within ‘CCTV’. Columbia Mills are only on their second album and their maturity and ability to grasp your very soul with their tunes is so precise and powerful it is mesmerising. ‘CCTV’ is a moving, intoxicating album with solid musicianship. The listener beholds musical majesty, depth and a mystical quality which bewitches with every track. The bands layering and building of the songs is first rate and clean while the indie rock, electronic hybrid sound is seamless and exquisite. This is a band you need to know, they have achieved so much with ‘CCTV’. It is exciting to imagine what Columbia Mills will release next
Stream ‘CCTV’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
