Tag Archives: New Music

Alt Rock, Funk, Glam Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock

Hidden Charms ‘Cannonball’

                    Photo Credit : Phoebe Fox

London band Hidden Charms consist of Vincent Davies (singer, guitarist & bassist), Ranald Macdonald (co-singer, keyboardist, guitarist & bassist), Josh Lewis (guitarist & bassist) and Oscar Robertson (drummer). They have revealed their new single ‘Cannonball’ which follows their successful single ‘Love You Cause You’re There’ which was released in 2015 on Deltasonic records (The Coral, The Vryll Society). Hidden Charms had made a name for themselves as a psychedelic rock band but refuse to be tied down to one genre as we see from their new single.’ Cannonball’ which is now available to stream on Spotify and SoundCloud and will be available to purchase on iTunes on 17th June.
‘Cannonball’, produced by Mr Chop (production credits include MF Dooms/Stones Throw Records), is a confidant , funky tune full of swagger. They still however hold onto the psychedelic vibe with the distorted guitar solos but have added a bit more pop into the mix with this track. The funky beat gives a 70s glam rock strut to the track which adds a cool, daring, boldness to the song. This song has an infectious sing along quality to it. With a simple melody and “La La La La La” backing vocals that act as a call and response to the main vocals in the verse that makes this track so easy to love. Full of cool tones conveyed in the vocals and slick seductive guitars that add a provocative teasing effect while the drums give us a strong groovy bounce full of spirited energy. The track ends with the main vocals singing “Na Na Na Na” answered by the ‘La La La La La” backing vocals. This is perfect for engaging with a live crowd as its simple and so catchy.
Hidden Charms have played with  Benjamin Booker, Hanni El Khatib, X Ambassadors and YAK over the last 18 months alongside a four-week Club NME Koko residency, so they know how to put on a good show!
We highly recommend seeing these guys live!
You can catch them live at:
19 May – The Great Escape, Brighton
20 May – Republic of Music Courtyard, The Great Escape, Brighton
21 May – Stadtpak, Eupen Music Marathon, Belgium
29 May – Purple Turtle, Reading
04 June – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
10 June – Isle Of Wight Festival
18 June – Bushstock Festival, London
02 July – De Beschaving, Utrecht, Netherlands
03 July – Barn On The Farm Festival
09 July – Cornbury Festival
23 July – Smoked and Uncut Festival
24 July – Blackthorn Festival
31 July – Kendal Calling Festival
05 Aug – Euro Ye-Ye, Gijon, Spain
06 Aug – Field View Festival
12 Aug – Boardmasters Festival
14 Aug – Down To The Woods Festival
02 Sept – Lodestar Festival
04 Sept – BML Festival
Stream ‘Cannonball’ below

electro- pop, Electronic, Feel Good Music, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Lecaudé ‘Powder Blue’

Lecaudé (pron. ‘Le-co-day’) is the self-titled solo project of London based producer, songwriter and singer Jack Durtnall. Lecaudé has just released his second single of 2016 ‘Powder Blue’ from his Circles EP which is due for release 3rd June 2016 and sees Lecaudé continue to work with long time co-producer and mixer Fred Prest.
‘Powder Blue’ is an infectious synth pop and soul infused track with a cool light bouncy vibe. With its catchy melody and smooth vocals its a silky luxurious track with soft lush backing vocals. The contrast between the female backing vocals and Durtnall’s main vocals adds a refreshing and attractive element to the track. The shimmering synths and playful pop melody give this song a picturesque glow leaving you with a refreshing bright care-free vibe.
‘Powder Blue’ is a infectious track that you cant help but bop along to and is a strong single to follow ‘Circles’ which was released earlier this year. Can’t wait until the release of the EP next month! If ‘Powder Blue’ and ‘Circles’ are anything to go by its going to be an excellent EP for the summer.
Stream ‘Powder Blue’ below

 

Album Review, Alt Rock, Blues, indie rock, New Music, Rock

Jack Berry ‘Mean Machine’

Nashville-based alt/blues rocker, Jack Berry has released his album ‘Mean Machine’ via Consequence of Sound and it is a horde of gritty rock, lustful blues and swagger all mixed together, bubbling and festering creating a beast of a 9 track album.
The album begins with ‘King of Diamonds’ a slick groovy blues track with sizzling guitar riffs and punchy drums. Berry’s gritty vocals brings a bite to the track while the instrumental bridge gives us that groovy dance vibe. ‘Human Woman’ again is a bouncy blues rock track with a great hook and riff. The call and response feature in the bridge between the backing vocals and main vocals is a refreshing break before a final blast on instruments. ‘ Bad Dog’ is a “whisky warming” riff based catchy track. This song is full of swagger and confidence and is insanely infectious. Barry howls over a heavy guitar and drum sound as you feel every drum beat pulse through you and make you move while the guitars demand attention with their enticing luring solos.
‘Other Shoe’ slows things down with an emotion filled vocal full of regret and sorrow. Berry’s vocals become more husky in this track with harmony on backing vocals in parts. This track is full of anguish and pain which is conveyed exceptionally through Berry’s amazing vocals. ‘The Bull’ and ‘Told Me Not To’ follow in a similar blues emotion filled melody with attitude, laying the path for ‘Coal’.
‘Coal’ has a  “Black Keys ” feel yet with Berry still maintaining his individuality. With a dirty bass line, slick guitars and a pulse beat that hits you like a hammer in the chest this song packs a punch. ‘Kiss Like’ is a mosh worthy heavy driving track full of energy. This track is full of smouldering emotions with lustful fiery guitars and ravaging drums. ‘Heavy Hopes’ finishes off the album on a high with a “Led Zeppelin” style sultry vocals, kicking beats and of course no song on this album would be complete without the dynamite guitar riffs.
‘Mean Machine’ is a brilliant gritty album from the ever talented Jack Berry
Stream ‘Mean Machine’ below

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Rock

Of Clocks And Clouds ‘She Had To Go’

Founded in 2013, Brooklyn band Of Clocks And Clouds are Joe Salgo ( vocals, guitar, electronics ) and Ross Procaccio (drums, vocals, electronics ). They combine classic and modern rock with a hint of electronic and psychedelic influences. They have released their new single ‘She Had To Go’ from their forthcoming, self-produced album, Better Off, due out July 15th.
‘She Had to Go’ is a heavy brawl like track full of intense festering emotion and dark, driving, electric guitar. The track begins with a strong infectious guitar hook that runs throughout the track. The husky smooth vocals adds a psychedelic trance feel to the song. The addition of a slick seductive guitar lick in parts reinforces a tone of conflicting emotions. The intensity of the song breaks briefly for the bridge into softer strumming on guitar with vocal harmony. This then builds into a massive mosh instrumentally into the verse that follows, which gives you a breather before the final chorus where the vocals intensify for the final chorus.
This is a huge rock track showcasing Of Clocks And Clouds  talent for song writing. We are eagerly awaiting the release of their new album this summer.
Stream ‘She Had To Go’ below

https://soundcloud.com/ofclocksandclouds/she-had-to-go

Feel Good Music, Indie, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen track this week is Stevie Appleton’s ‘This Is America’

Stevie Appleton is a Twenty six year old multi-instrumentalist from London, his long awaited new single ‘This Is America’ which was released on the 6th of May via Stevie Appleton’s own label Lucky Busker, is a bright, catchy,  feel good track full of hopeful vibes. Appletons tender voice with a slight rasp tells us a story of hope and gives a smooth feeling of optimism. With soft bouncy rhythm and beautiful piano feature this song gives you that lift you need when you feel all is lost. This song gives you a comforting support or assurance that maybe your dreams can come true. The added country twang in the middle gives a refreshing break in the song and enhances the bright vibe.
‘This Is America’ is a great introduction to Appletons style of music and we will look forward to hearing more.
You can catch Stevie Appleton on May 20 at The Mesmerist, Brighton.
Stream ‘This Is America’ below

https://soundcloud.com/stevieappleton/this-is-america-1

electro - rock, electro- pop, Electronic, Feel Good Music, Indie, New Music

ISLE

 

ISLE are Scottish electro-pop duo Liam Rutherford and Ben Singer. The have created a refreshing blend of electro pop and rock that is just infectious. Their track ‘Kid’ is an energetic explosion of dynamic synths winding guitar and snapping beats. With beautiful piano feature in the background and even a Celtic undertone this song has everything and more. From just seconds into the song you are blasted into a swarm of amazing sounds that blend remarkably well together. The animated spirited vocals adds an anthem-like quality to the song with fist pumping intensity that makes this song vibrant and enthusiastic.
‘Surrender’ is a melodic track with again a beautiful piano feature running throughout. Its upbeat positive tone is conveyed with clap along bridge, snapping snare and uplifting “oh wo-oh” backing vocals. Its a catchy rhythmic track that you can’t help but sing and clap along to.
Stream ‘Kid’ and ‘Surrender’ below

Feel Good Music, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

PALE WAVES

Manchester’s PALE WAVES are Heather, Ciara, Hugo and Charlie. They are making a name for themselves for their infectious indie pop sound. ‘The Tide’ Is a bright pop track with a daydream beach feel. The longing vocals give this track a sentimental tone while the guitar bursts give a hazy fantasy feel that you can lose yourself in. The smooth drum beats and slick lustrous guitar riff make this song easy to listen and enjoy every minute of it. It has a youthful “run away with me” freedom vibe.
‘Heavenly’ is a fantastic catchy melodic track. It radiates sunshine with gleaming, light airy vocals that is appealing to the ear. The glistening sun kissed guitar riffs are stunning yet subtle and give a free and easy vibe. This is a bright bouncy tune that you can get up and dance along to or sit back in the sun with a drink in you hand and let Pale Waves take your imagination on a shimmering sun lit journey

PALE WAVES have a bright future ahead of them!
Stream ‘The Tide’ and ‘Heavenly’ below

https://soundcloud.com/palewaves/the-tide

https://soundcloud.com/palewaves/heavenly

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Punk Rock

LIFE ‘ Popular Music’

 

LIFE are an alternative punk-rock band from Hull. Band members Mez , Loz, Mick and Stew released their new single ‘Popular Music’ in February this year and it has caused an instant frenzy on the airwaves bagging multiple spot plays from Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart on Radio 1 as well as Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music. These guys are a force to be reckoned with.
‘Popular Music’ is a fierce track that is fast passed from the start with accelerated verses that make you feel like your running a marathon at a hundred miles an hour and cant keep up. With powerful, ferocious screeching guitars and pounding drums you are taken in to a frenzy created by a savage tune that refuses to let you go. You get a moment to breath as they break into an addictive chorus where the music breaks and the vocals repeat in an almost whisper ” feels like she’s pealing off” and then you are rushed off again into a whirlwind of psychedelia where you are thrown back into the race. By the end of the experience you feel exhausted but want to do it all again. This is a turbulent track and not for the light hearted but a must listen!
Look forward to more from these guys!
Stream ‘Popular Music’ Below

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Bel Esprit ‘Leave Me Here’

Picture by James Polley

Bel Esprit are an Indie/Alternative Rock band based in Southampton. With sets at Common People, Wickham, Independence and Icebreaker Festival under their belts and playing sold out shows at Southampton’s Joiners, Sheffield’s Plug and Camden’s prestigious Barfly supporting acts such as Ezra Furman, Sundara Karma and Nothing But Thieves, band members,Billy Herklots, Fahad Siddiqui, George Wardley and Sachin Croker are really making a name for themselves. Their début single ‘Lose My Mind’ has scored over 150,000 plays across all platforms and their most recent release ‘Leave Me Here’ is sure to follow in its footsteps.
‘Leave Me Here’ is a smooth and groovy track with gritty guitar and sizzling sultry vocal. The seductive guitars featuring distortion and addictive hooks give this song a confident and alluring vibe. Herklots’ effortlessly cool vocals is full of suave and swagger and conveys the lyrical yearning. The foot tapping rhythm and sensual bass gives this song its groove feel.
Looking forward to more from these guys.
Stream ‘Leave Me Here’ below

https://soundcloud.com/bel-esprit-uk/leave-me-here

 

Feel Good Music, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

VITAMIN ‘Waterfall’

 

VITAMIN are a four piece indie band from Leeds, band members Jared, Theo, Harrison and Cameron, who are signed to National Anthem records have just released their new single ‘Waterfall’. This is an upbeat, uplifting track with tropical melodies and shimmering synths radiating sunny vibes from every note. With beaming guitars and a pop bouncy beat you just wont be able to stop yourself from dancing! Its definitely a track that sticks in your head. The infectious chorus and strong vocals keeps you wanting more, like a soft sponge cake you can’t refuse. ‘Waterfall’ is definitely a track to add to your summer playlist
VITAMIN have toured with other incredible indie bands such as Sundara Karma and The Magic Gang so they have great experience performing live. Definitely a must see if you can,  they are playing at:
Sat 21 May, The Great Escape, Brighton
Sun 29 May, Lost Village Festival, Lincoln
Fri 03 Jun, Studio 24, Leeds
Fri 10 Jun , X&Y Festival, Liverpool
Fri 24 Jun, Studio 24,Leeds
Listen to ‘Waterfall’ below