Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Angel Olsen
Angel Olsen has released her new single ‘All Mirrors’, the title track of her upcoming fourth album out October 4th via Jagjaguwar Records.
This mesmerising track takes Olsen’s heart moving signature sound and lifts it into an ethereal atmosphere as her smokey vocal-lulls hold your attention. She glides and drifts through a melancholic silken melody while the brooding soundscapes ripple beneath. With a lush string arrangement creating a dark and ominous atmosphere the track majestically glides and swirls with grandeur as it intensifies to a captivating crescendo. A sense of restrained turmoil is expressed through the quivering synths as Olsen sweeps you up in her poetic passionate musicianship. The track is coated in delicate shimmers of magic and wonder with darker tones consuming the sweet and painful innocence. It’s a sublime and intricate track that flows on a lush cinematic soundscape to create a wholly consuming and chilling listening experience.
Limerick alternative indie band Pity of the Sea have released their new single ‘Headscarf’ which was mastered by Richard Dowling. The track was inspired by EVA 2018 International Artist, Mina Talaee. Mina’s sculpture Rapunzel & Roudabeh is featured on the cover of the single.
‘Headscarf’ is a whirring blast of tight alternative indie twisted through synths and mangled beneath a psychedelic hue to create the most thrilling and exhilarating listening experience. Pity of the Sea meticulously layer and build the track into a mind frazzling trip of euphoria from a simple synth loop with the entwining synth creating a hypnotic constant while the steady beat slaps and grooves through the spiraling soundscape. The track builds becoming more intense and epic as its progresses introducing sweet melodies between dazzling distortion and crashing instrumentation and that is all before the vocals kick in. With almost spoken vocals and sweet harmony on backing vocals the song increases in intensity as it leads you down its golden path to an epic crescendo. Clearly a lot of time was spent developing this track as each new section of the song introduces a new dimension and texture while still maintaining that simple loop throughout. The band tease and slip the synth melody through rich soundscapes and wonderful guitar and bass elements creating a very diverse and tantalizing listening experience. Keep an eye on these guys.
Working again with acclaimed producer Jamie Savage at Chem19 Studios [The Twilight Sad, Miaoux Miaoux], Glasgow’s wojtek the bear have released their new single ‘a long wait for bad news’. The song is the second of four singles being released by wojtek the bear during 2019, all of which will be collected on a limited edition 10” vinyl, ‘old names for new shapes’, in November.
‘a long wait for bad news’ is a twinkling light track that drifts along majestic instrumentation and sweet melodies as wojtek the bear present a melancholic yet uplifting number. Dainty guitar lines glisten and charmingly lament through the sombre soundscape as a steady beat and soft vocals cushion the track in smooth comforting tones. The track builds becoming more buoyant and uplifting as the chorus enters. The drums become more lively and spirited as the song approaches its crescendo before softening again for the melancholic end. Well crafted and richly textured ‘a long wait for bad news’ is a prime example of the emotive and beautiful musicianship of wojtek the bear.
Lyrically,singer Tam Killean explains his thought process, “I’ve been thinking a lot recently about smartphones, technology, and social media. In particular how they’ve affected all of us, how we interact with each other, how we feel about ourselves, and specifically my own relationship with them. The song deals with how I’ve struggled to restrict myself from these things in an attempt to walk back from the insidious, awful effect it can have on our self-esteem and mental health.”
London based trio Burnt Tongues have released their second single ‘Setting the Tone’. The band consisting of Chris Kelsey (vocals, bass), Jack Charles (guitar) and Piers Berryman (drums) have recruited a loyal fan base with ambitious live performances and debut single ‘Twist & Shake’. The band are set to release a stream of singles and collaborations throughout the year and anticipate an album in early 2020.
‘Setting the Tone’ is an intoxicating swagger-dunked alternative number. Burnt Tongues intensify their blistering sound with sharp guitars which slice and shrill through the buoyant punchy drum and elastic bass foundation. This blustery track is lock and loaded, ready for repeat plays. The infectious melody drifts on a cool pop tone. The warm lead vocals exude a smooth rock ‘n’ roll vibe while the shouted backing vocals injecting a whack of punk into the mix. ‘Setting the Tone’ is an exhilarating track brimming with charm and kinetic instrumentation, making Burnt Tongues ones to keep an eye on.
You can catch Burnt Tongues live at:
29th August – The Monarch Camden / supporting The Famous Class
14th September – Nambucca / hosted by This Feeling.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From John Eatherly
John Eatherly of Public Access T.V. has returned with his second solo single ‘Burnout’. The track follows on from last month’s ‘All My Love’, and arrives with a video which was directed by Jonah Freudand Johann Rashid and stars Kaia Gerber and Oli Green. Always a master of melodies Eatherly presents us with yet another melodious treat with ‘Burnout’. This sweet melt into your ears melody floats delicately with innocence and charm over an electronic soundscape of brooding verses and crashing chorus. The track twinkles softly through the verses with glistening honeyed keys and a soft beat while Eatherly’s supple falsetto coos into the dreamy atmosphere. The track builds for the chorus as fiery guitars enter, creating a raw texture and spine-tingling explosion. Eatherly showcases his refined musicianship as he layers and builds this track superbly. Teasing electronic verses glimmer with hues of 80’s synth pop, which blend with undertones of alternative, indie rock throughout the carefree blasting chorus. The sweet moments in the track are just divine while the heavier elements are cleverly placed and hair raising. As a solo artist we get a glimpse into a life without the infectious riffs, 70’s sheen and sun sprinkling of the band aesthetic and its impressive, chilled and pretty cool.
Cumbria based alternative indie band Springfield have released their new single ‘105’ which was recorded at Catalyst Studios in St. Helens with production duo Sugar House. The track arises following their previous single ‘Footstep’, gaining 40K + streams and over 12K monthly listeners in 4 months on Spotify alone.
Springfield flesh out their mighty musicianship with ‘105’ – a short brisk alternative number that travels along strident guitars, pummeling snappy drums and a thrilling wall of sound. With a catchy pop melody surrounded by swirling synths, this kinetic number is a caffeine shot in the chest of energizing indie. Dynamic vocals spit the lyrics while backing vocals shout behind the rigorous backdrop creating a harsh and rough texture to this relentless track. It’s a fiery well layered speed ball that is sure to have you singing along in no time,
Tundra have released their new single ‘You’re Welcome’ today. Tundra are an indie-punk band from Bury St Edmunds, who have been picking up momentum nationally following the release of their single ‘Navy Red’, which was released in April 2019 and received national & international airplay including BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq), Amazing Radio (Charlie Ashcroft) and Radio X (John Kennedy). The band have previously supported Marmozets, Milk Teeth, Muncie Girls and Gaffa Tape Sandy, in addition to performing at Strawberry Fair, SwanFest and BNatural.
‘You’re Welcome’ is a blustery punk smacked indie number that whirlwinds in with Tundra’s brisk energetic sound and infectious songwriting. An elastic bass weaves between jangly guitar lines and punchy drums while expressive vocals ooze attitude and aggro into the track. The guitars crash and blast into the fiery backdrop with relentless stamina while the infectious melody and dynamic chorus is designed for live crowds to scream back. It’s a vigorous, razor sharp number brimming with adrenaline.
Middle Youth is the project of Harper James. He has released his Lo Fi solo EP ‘Heaven Is a Feeling’. Harper James is a producer, mixer and writer working out of Degraw Sound in Brooklyn, NY. He and his brother Abner James front the band Eighty Ninety. Harper’s productions, mixes and songs have over 20 million streams on Spotify and have been featured on numerous Spotify playlists including New Music Friday, Pop Rising, Fresh Finds to name a few.
‘Heaven Is a Feeling’ EP is a luscious can of indie pop laced in sweet electronics, delicious melodies and Harper James’ emotive songwriting. James achieves an easy listening experience with some effervescent bits throughout with his diverse and rich musicianship. Opening track ‘Black Square’ is a delicate ditty that floats around brooding guitar accompaniment and whispered vocals. It’s a twinkling intro that begins the EP in a low key ethereal tone and an air of mystery. The hushed beginning swiftly changes as the electronic soaked 80’s synth pop number ‘Heaven Is a Feeling’ kicks in. With glistening electronics, foot tapping beat and candied 80’s sheen it’s instantly likable and fresh. With striking honest lyrics and a dazzling soundscape James uses the sparkling pop backdrop and darker lyrics to create a sublime contrast and give depth to this tune. It’s buoyant and vibrant with intricate weaving soundscapes and glittering guitar while the smooth vocals coo over the melty melody. This EP presents us with sublime melodies from the peppy title track to the more melancholic ‘ Open Your Eyes’ and ‘Sublight’ . With gritty guitar moments and a thudding beat in the former and stripped back acoustic accompaniment for ‘Sublight’ James sets a sombre lamenting tone. ‘Wanna Be True’ is the tender ballad-esque tune that warms the cockles of your heart with its sweet lyrics and warm guitar accompaniment. ‘My Phone’ brings the EP to a close with a biting ethereal atmosphere sticky beat and lonely lyrical content.
Throughout the EP Harper James showcases his ability to create sublime stripped back tracks, lo -fi tunes drizzled in wispy soundscapes as well as a full throttle electronic number. With modern themes of technology, loneliness and love it is a relatable and chilled EP.
About the EP Harper James said : “These are songs about growing up, trying to be true to the people you love, becoming disenchanted with some things you used to believe in, and seeing the magic in other things; feeling old, hating my phone, getting it wrong, getting it right, becoming acquainted with mortality and experiencing love in many forms. The project is called @middle.youth — I realize my friends and artists I’ve worked with have maybe heard my music in other contexts but never as a platform for me to say my thing.”
Irish, indie-artist Rowlette has released her second single ‘Footprints on the Moon’. Rowlette is well known on the Dublin live scene, with performances this summer in Workman’s, The Grand Social, The Wiley Fox and providing support to Jack L.
‘Footprints On The Moon’ is a beautifully crafted number that floats effortlessly on warm guitar and twinkling piano while Rowlette’s charming vocals coo and melt upon the catchy melody. With a dark percussion progression, lush harmonies and a chilled ethereal tone this pop sprinkled track is a motivational gem. There is power throughout from the strong vocals to thumping beat and striding guitar – the track layers and develops adding depth and new strength with each section. The piano adds elegance and grandeur while the haunting backing vocals provide an eerie quality, reinforcing the shadowy percussion. Its an empowering, well crafted track from Rowlette.
Talking about the inspiration for the song Rowlette explains; “For some reason, we are all accustomed to believing we have to live our lives a certain way and write so much off as impossible. When you think about the fact we are a tiny little planet in an infinite universe, and all that mankind has done, your dreams suddenly seem somehow achievable”
Brooklyn based singer and producer Dan Rico has released his new single ‘Let’s Go Back’. After his debut album ‘Endless Love’ in 2016, he released the follow-up ‘Dreamy’ in 2018 and ‘Basement Pop’ in 2019, along with a series of EP’s and singles. ’Let’s Go Back’ anticipates a new album will be self-released in the autumn of 2019.
‘Let’s Go Back’ is a tender delicate track that strips back Dan Rico’s songwriting and sound to create something quite special and wholesome. The depths of the track root themselves within your mind as the strong warm beat rumbles through twinkling guitar. The track is simple and melodic as Rico’s vocals lull the sweet melody. With soft intricate guitar embellishment and earthy atmosphere ‘Lets Go Back’ is a nostalgic organic number that showcases the rich and rooted musicianship of Dan Rico.
Stream ‘Let’s Go Back’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
