Golden Curtain is the collaborative relationship between an indie rock band from New Zealand and a California poet. The band consists of members Andrew Mckenzie (vocals, guitar), Andrew Gladstone (vocals, drums), Brad Gamble (bass).After striking up a friendship with Hawkes Bay’s Golden Curtain around the time their debut album came out in 2011, Alex Green and Golden Curtain front man Andrew Mckenzie started collaborating via Skype on a truly transpacific musical endeavour. The result is the release of the ‘Underwater Gospels’ album ‘Underwater Gospels’ is ten tracks of laid back indie pop. From the twinkling soundscapes coated in edgy guitar strides of ‘Heart Attack Summer’ to the almost country warmth and bounce of ‘Etc Etc’,Golden Curtain give an album that is light and cosy while also displaying a knack for sublime melody and rich rhythm. ‘ I Changed My Mind For You’ has a beachy reverb laden, catch a wave vibe. It’s relaxed with echoing backing vocals and a bouncy rhythm. ‘Amen’ blasts with soulful handclaps lushly textured rhythm and nautical basslines. With a catchy percussion section that draws you into its groove and sweet passionate melody, it’s hot summers evening fireside bliss. ‘So Easy’ is sun soaked nostalgia smooth with a day dream melody and bright guitar feature that flickers and glows lifting the track into a hazy vibe. Soft beat, velvety raspy vocals and warm tones it verges into country territory without actually crossing that line.’The Captain’ is your tender slow jam while ‘The Pier’ closes the album with a doo wop vibe mixed with subtle swirling guitars and bouncy drums. The “bop shoo be doo wop” lyrics add a quirky catchy element that will have you singing along in no time.
‘Underwater Gospels’ is a display of Golden Curtain’s intricate attention to detail as they create an album easy to listen to and relaxed while maintaining rich luscious soundscapes.
After 8 self booked tours Brighton’s Ragweed have released their debut AA single ‘Rust Box’ on Milky Bomb Records in November 2016, receiving mutual praise from radio stations and blogs alike. Their second single ‘Silver Spoon’ sees the trio exploring a much darker, sleazy and dirty corner of their minds. Their sound caught Alan Douches of West Side Music’s attention over in New York, most famous for his work with Motor Head, Cancer Bats, Every Time I Die and Screaming Females, who mastered the band’s second single ‘Silver Spoon’ was released with has 2 other tracks ‘Grey Matter’ and West Coast Pop’. ‘Silver Spoon’ announces itself with a gritty filthy riff shredding against punchy drums and creepy catchy melody. It’s mighty powerful and heavy perfect for sticky mosh pits and manic headbanging. ‘Grey Matter’ follows in a swarm of neck snapping fury. Yelling rasp on vocals and crashing guitars make for a frenzy soaked track with beating blood thirsty drums that create a massacre of sound. ‘West Coast Pop’ follows this whip-lashing trend with vigorous guitars and an aggressive bounce on drums that smash through the track with wild ferocity. Ragweed give us afierce 3 track powerhouse of savage pummelling punk rock.
Queens of the Stone Age have eased the ravenous hunger of their eagerly awaiting fans with the released their new single ‘The Way You Used to Do’ from their upcoming album, ‘Villains’ which was produced by Mark Ronson and is due for release August 25th. It’s a finger snapping danceable number soaked in a slick bluesy guitar riff. Doused in greased back swagger with an effortlessly cool saunter and prance, it’s light and bouncy with just the right amount of dark grit. Homme delicately glides between vocal croons and steamy wails while punchy drums and sultry guitars create a foot tapping hip shaking groove. It’s insanely catchy and feverishly thrilling. Once that riff takes hold of you you’re hooked compelled to blissfully put it on repeat.
Wolf Alice have released their new single ‘Yuk Foo’, the first track from their second LP ‘Visions of a Life’. This frenzied vicious track is a brutal beating, ear bleeding bash of punk rock. Ellie Rowsell screams, wails and cackles against the most fury filled enraged backdrop of savage crashing guitars and pummeling battering drums. It’s a vicious bloodthirsty bruising assault that is so manic and frenzied it’s adrenaline pumping thrilling lunacy. Rowsell’s vocals snarl in a whispered poison spitting rage for the verse which is oddly luring and entrapping before the dangerous riotous chorus kicks in. This track is a rush of ferocity that announces the triumphant return of Wolf Alice.
Stream ‘Yuk Foo’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Trooper Charlie
Dublin’s indie four piece Trooper Charlie have released their new single ‘Indigo’ which was self written and produced. The band consisting of members Adam Lunnon-Collery (Lead Vocals), Luke O’Brien ( Lead Guitar),Victor Bell (Bass Guitar & Vocals) and Colin Jackson (Drums & Percussion) have been playing together for the best part of almost 8 years since the age of 13 years old where they met in secondary school. They have played shows all over Dublin and Ireland from Cyprus Avenue in Cork to Whelan’s in Dublin.
‘Indigo’ is a lush laid back sun soaked track drenched in tropical tones and hazy vibes. Sharp zesty guitar and elegant twinkling keys add spurts of fruity freshness while smooth bouncy percussion and mellow vocals soothe creating a calm relaxed atmosphere. This catchy daydream laced track cruises with an effortless flow and infectious groove. It’s polished and breezy, well layered and richly textured. These guys have created a slick fluently smooth track that is just heavenly.
Cumbria’s three piece Serene have released their new single ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ along with a video. The band consists of Kieran Day (vocals, guitar, bass, synth), Ryan Patterson ( lead guitar and synth) and Matthew Southwell (drums and percussion). ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ is darkened dreamy summer-scented bliss that glides with tender delicate emotion. Warm melancholic guitar chimes add flickers of light while the the swooning track dowses you in waves of cool hazy tones. Slight guitar wobbles add a psychedelic flicker throughout the calm verses while raspy passionate vocals bleed and coo the lyrics and sweet melody. The track builds in intensity to a punchy mosh worthy bounce and might. With full bodied bass and shredding razor sharp solo it becomes more spine chilling and piercing with tints of hallucinogenic hues. Serene have tightened up their sound refined it and created a thrilling moving piece that shows maturity and skill.
Watch the video for ‘Chemtrails and Fairytales (Exhale)’ below
Fresh off the back of their latest EP ‘I Know It’s Nothing’, the Hull post-punk collective La Bête Blooms have moved fast to release their new brash and bold song, ‘Lost and Found’ portrays the plight of a modern couple seeing the world crumble around them in 2017. This shrilling track oozes their scorching fuzzed up grunge with blasts of thrilling bruising noise however this song takes a more polished refined approach. Its rounded off while still packing some serious punch with razor sharp rawness. Sneering briery guitars pierce with a splintery sting while punchy drums pummel throughout. Wrapped in sweltering hazy tones and shoegazey vibes, it’s tight and slick yet extremely spiky and sharp.
The Real Fits are a rock band from Phoenix, Arizona the band consists of members Nick Smith,Raquel Willand, Blair Furmanski, Jared Wood and Johl Driscoll. They have just released their new single ‘Pretty Bastard’. Exuding slick effortlessly cool swagger wrapped in a hazy dreamy mirage-like vibe. Infectious sharp guitar lines glide throughout the track adding a zesty sting while the punchy drums and elastic bass round out the sound with a cushioned yet mighty punch and rapid flexibility. Willand’s compelling vocals are filled with emotion and vulnerability. The slight rasp in her vocals add a luring almost fascinating quality that draws you into the track. Tightly layered these guys have created a catchy compact track that grooves and fluidly flows all while blasting a mosh worthy chorus and bewitching you with dark tinted verses.
Danny Ayala (Of The Lemon Twigs) has announced his debut Solo Project ‘Dr Danny’ and new single ‘Nothing But Love’ which is coming soon. While mastering timeless songwriting is a lifelong pursuit for most, Dr Danny (Danny Ayala) has a clear grasp on the concept at just 19 years old. Born in Long Island, NY, Dr Danny began his musical career at a young age and it quickly progressed into a prodigious talent.Danny’s musical career opened up after crossing paths with fellow wunderkind bothers Brian and Michael D’Addario at an elementary school talent show. Recognizing Danny’s skills they quickly began making music together. For the past 10 years they have been a musical family, with Danny becoming a live member of the largely successful and internationally recognised band, The Lemon Twigs. Although continuing to perform with The Lemon Twigs, Danny has announced his new solo project Dr Danny, with his debut EP ‘Lay It On Me Straight’ due for release this summer. Featuring the lead single ‘Nothing But Love’, all tracks on the EP features performances with the D’Addario brothers, who make up the backing band for Danny’s project. ‘Nothing But Love’ is a sparkling 60’s pop delight complete with an infectious syrupy melody, lush vocals and bright little instrumental bursts that explode with shimmer and glittering scintillation. Showcasing his exceptional songwriting skills and knack for a memorable melody this little gem is instantly likeable and displays a musical knowledge beyond his years. Triumphant chorus and sublime richly textured instrumentation, it’s a juicy rush of dazzling glitz. Full of pizzazz with a refined attention to detail that creates the perfect introduction to the EP.
‘Lay It On Me Straight’ is out later this summer.
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Fontaines
Los Angeles based The Fontaines have released their video for their new track ‘Two Bodies’ due for release on 9th June. Continuing the rich lush sound of their previous releases this year ‘Vacant’ and ‘Evaporate’, ‘Two Bodies’ is a sultry silky track that glides with effortless smooth swagger. The silky melody is melty and creamy while Charlotte Fontaine’s vocals coo with a soft soul tinged entrapment. Smothered in a hazy dreamy vibe, it’s a sticky muggy bubble. The fuzzed sharp guitar injections add a zesty sting and almost tropical flavour to this sensual indulgent track. The elastic spring on bass and soft beat gives the track a limber pliable texture. It glides with a steamy heavenly grace that is simply splendid. The Fontaines never disappoint, their sound is so refined and sublime they really are first rate musicians.
Watch the video for ‘Two Bodies’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
