Irish Alternative Rock band Paradox return with a guitar heavy sound and plenty of sarcasm for their new single ‘Welcome to the Happy Place’. Recorded by Brian Casey at Wavefield Recording Studios, West Cork the single sees Paradox returning to a more old school heavier sound than the bands previous single ‘All Life Matters’ which was also recorded at Wavefield Recording Studios. Jota Gambuzino is behind the artwork of the new single.
‘Welcome to the Happy Place‘ is a feisty grunge fist-pumper as Paradox create sweet moody moments between their signature explosive heavy sound. The band’s ability to blend sweet pockets of melancholia amidst raw blasts of rock reminiscent of Nirvana is impressive. Sulken verses of soft, whispered vocals and twinkling guitar coo before erupting into a mighty bulky chorus of crashing guitars, pulverising drums and powerful vocals.There is plenty of moshing moments within this track as the band take their edged sound and add gravel and grit to it when the track reaches its expressive manic crescendo. With it’s ominous dark atmosphere filled with delicate tonalities and a potent wall of sound ‘Welcome to the Happy Place’ is quite the hard hitting, gloomy anthem.A must listen.
About the track the band said : “The single itself takes a sarcastic view on today’s buy happy 9 to 5 society. The idea of the single artwork was to mimic a fast food restaurant with a familiar yet unfamiliar clown who’s sales pitch is Happy.”
Bio: Following the release of a slew of critically-acclaimed singles last year, leading to her debut EP ‘Fragile But Strong As Hell’ this January, Ea Kaya (the moniker of Danish singer Christine Kiberg) now unleashes her first offering of the year with ‘Cruel To Be Kind’.
Track: ‘Cruel To Be Kind’
Speaking on the track, she states: “The track was written for someone very close to me. They were drowning in frustration, feeling like nothing was going right at the time and so desperately tried to find a way to forget his reality. It was awful to watch, because he’s a gifted person who didn’t cultivate any of his abilities but also because his unhappiness lead to anger that affected his family. His self-pity blinded him to the fact that he was the only one who could actively change his situation and mindset.”
Why We Like It: It’s a sparkly pop number that glides effortlessly on a buoyant vibrant backdrop while the catchy melody drifts into your brain. With striking lyrics adding a dash of sass and attitude – this track is instantly likeable. The powerful vocals float upon the dynamic backdrop as jangly guitar twinkles behind spirited synths and dreamy ethereal soundscapes. It’s an illustrious pick me up that radiates sunshine and glorious tones.
Bio: slenderbodies came into existence in 2016. They have unleashed a bold new single ‘Belong’.
Track: Belong
About the track slenderbodies comment:“Pulse did such a wonderful job in visually capturing a made up word called “sonder”. It’s defined as the realisation that each random passer-by is living a life as vivid and as complex as your own. This concept is so prevalent in the heart of the film, and ‘Belong’ is meant to be a testament to the commonalities we all share across cultures and generations, how we all find beauty in the world to help us live with purpose.”
Why We Like It: It’s a dreamy lavishly layered number that ventures beautifully between shoegaze and indie dance with R&B hues flickering throughout. With a lush floaty soundscape weaving heavenly textures through a rich rhythmic bounce and glorious melody this track is instantly soothing and velvety on the ears.Soft almost whispered vocals tranquilise through twinkling, silky guitar lines as the track breaks into a more exotic sun-kissed chorus. This song is perfect for relaxed summer listening as these guys create a Californian dream pop gem filled with enticing soundscapes, tantalising textures and sublime musicianship.
Bio: Fell Runner are an experimental rock band from Los Angeles. The band have released the latest single from their upcoming sophomore album, ‘Talking’ set for release on 6/21/19 on Yes PLZ records. Fell Runner has frequented Los Angeles clubs including appearances at The Troubadour, The Echo, The New Parrish and a month long residency at The Bootleg Theater. They have opened for artists Julia Holter, Big Thief, Luke Temple (Here We Go Magic), and Tortoise.
Track: Dog Inside A Car
Why We Like It: This tightly knit track weaves cleverly between jangly indie and smooth dream pop effortlessly. The track begins heavy with zesty guitar and a punchy rhythm introducing the track.The song spaces out beautifully to become more breezy as the band entwine their instruments in lush tangles to create a unique and diverse – almost psychedelic, listening experience.With a creamy pop melody cruising and floating over the intricate backdrop while the zealous guitar pirouettes and jingles throughout – its an impressive lush track to wrap your ears around.
Bio: Paradox were formed in 1997 Cork, Ireland by brothers Pete Mac and Mike Mac. The early Paradox sound was heavily influenced by the Grunge Era of the 90’s. The band have released 4 studio albums to date. Their debut album ‘Circle of Growth’ was recorded in Los Angeles in 2000 and released on a US label. Paradox have toured both Europe and the US as well as playing support to the likes of Therapy?, Kerbdog and Shonen Knife.
Track: ‘Here Comes the Pain’
Why We Like It: It’s a darkly smothered sulky number that ferments and broods through the verses before exploding into a powerful chorus. With shredding guitars crashing and ricocheting off the punchy drum and brawny bass this track is an all consuming grunge laced number that is utterly thrilling to the core. Raspy vocals mope and bleed over the catchy melody with a laid back sense of inevitable gloom while the kinetic instrumental backdrop erupts behind, creating an intense and eerie number that is perfect for moshing to. Filled with passion and brawn in equal parts ‘Here Comes the Pain’ is a slick product of mature satisfying musicianship from Paradox.
Bio: London extrovert L.A.Peach has released his soulful new offering ‘I Can Remember Where You Are’. Widely influenced by contemporaries such as PJ Harvey, Father John Misty and Kurt Vile,the Welsh-born father of two John James Davies has already impressed much of the online community with his tales of love and lost summer romances.
Track: I Can Remember Where You Are
Discussing his forthcoming release, the newcomer revealed: “It took me a while to figure out what I’d written after I’d written it, but now I know, it’s a song about love – a person love another person so much that he kidnaps her and steals her skin. The scariest part is, I remember staring into my partner’s eyes as we sat on the bed whilst I wrote it”
Why We Like It: It’s a sweet lilting ditty that rides on a foot tapping beat while twanging guitars chime and twinkle between the swoony soundscapes. The warm raspy vocals caress the dreamy melody as it floats daintily around your ears. With lush harmonies creating a smooth velvety texture to the track- this slow burning number is charming luscious and very catchy.
Corks Alternative Rock band Paradox have released their new single ‘All Life Matters’. It is the eagerly awaited follow up single to their last album ‘Chapters’. Paradox have released 4 studio albums to date. Their debut album ‘Circle of Growth’ was recorded in Los Angeles in 2000 and released on a US label. Their second album ‘Sacred’ was recorded and released in 2004, ‘Corporate Pollution’ was released in 2011 and their latest album ‘Chapters’ released in 2015. They have toured both Europe and the US as well as playing support to the likes of Therapy?, Kerbdog and Shonen Knife. 2014 saw Paradox back in the studio recording their 4th album to date at Wavefield Recording Studios in Bantry, West Cork with multi tasking musician and engineer Brian Casey on the desk. ‘All Life Matters’ flows like a rock ballad brimming with emotion but packing a mighty punch.Starting melodic with soft drum beats and warm acoustic guitar the track glides with a sway-like comforting quality.The raspy vocals soothe with a melancholic melody dowsed in tender tones.The track builds becoming more grunge infused breaking into a proper hard hitting almost fist pumping fury filled classic rock anthem.With a shredding shrilling guitar feature that rips gripping emotion while the drums become more punchy and mighty. The lyrics criticise the current media climate creating a gloomy and dismal almost heartbreaking tone. However Paradox tell it how it is while strongly knocking us back to our senses relaying how it should be “All Life Matters Whatever race or colour All Life Matters”. There is depth behind this band and it really come across in this track.
Stream ‘All Life Matters’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
