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.
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.
Barcelona indie pop band Hola Chica have returned with their latest album, ‘Marbella’. The five piece have been on tour since the release of their first album ‘Magnetism’ in 2016. Playing at Taubertal Festival and BIME Festival, as well as all over Spain they have been creating an energetic and psychedelic live show that is communicated through their latest release.
‘Marbella’ is a wonderfully colourful display of Hola Chica’s indie psychedelic pop as the band ease you into their smooth sound with intricate musicianship which leads effortlessly into their massive bag of sonic tricks. The band conjure disco funk and snappy beats to create a clean polished sound. With beautifully manicured synths weaving between floaty melodies and zesty radiant guitars, tracks like ‘Asleep’,Off My Mind’ and ‘Feels Like’ rush with a danceable groove that is infectious while velvety vocals coo through prismatic soundscapes and dreamy melodies.
‘Free Your Soul’ wraps layers of shimmering synths over catchy pop melodies while scorching guitars and humid beats intoxicate and smother the buoyant and vibrant background.The band glitter the album in 70’s disco elements and 80’s pop sheens as they inject a hazy shade of hippie splendour and trip hop hues through ‘Same Old Thing’ and ‘Falling Apart’. Hola Chica have managed to create a psych album that is so drifty and light however, they use dazzling soundscapes and adrenaline rushing instrumentation to keep the album rushing along.
‘Never Gonna See You Again’ slows the pace a little as brooding melodies float over a subtle bubbling soundscape and chiming light atmosphere. The lamenting guitars pine over the dreamy backdrop with a piercing sting while the keys twinkle through a steady beat creating a rich and wistful number brimming with emotive qualities.The detailed production and rich instrumentation throughout the album adds a dash of sunshine in each track. From the soft rock groove and elastic bass line of ‘Make It’, the glistening epic guitar in ‘Your Time’ to the glimmering suave charm of final track ‘Fade Away’, Hola Chica make sure you are bouncing and swirling in their trippy soothing sounds and lush instrumentation all the way through.
‘Marbella’ is a luminous album laced in fresh, sun kissed vibes, good times and utterly mesmerising instrumentation as Hola Chica blend, refine and brew their fruity, floaty psychedelic pop with a dash of indie and a hint of funk to create a euphoric and vibrant listening experience.
Sun Mahshene, Ireland’s premier shoegaze / noise-rock band have released a new digital EP , ‘Contradictions and Tales of Fiction’. Coming off the back of a successful 2019, the EP contains two previously unreleased Sun Mahshene tracks along with their three critically acclaimed singles, Tales of Fiction, Leave This City and This Girl I Know. All tracks were recorded at Darklands Audio, Dublin and co-produced with Daniel Doherty (Fontaines DC, Vulpynes, Slyrydes, Damien Dempsey, Sombodys Child).
With psychedelic adrenaline-filled highs and fuzz fueled intensity smudged into sweet melodies and a thrilling wall of sound ‘Contradictions and Tales of Fiction’ is laced in Sun Mahshene’s first rate and exhilarating musicianship. The EP is the prismatic swirling home of ‘Tales of Fiction’, ‘Leave This City’ and ‘This Girl I Know’ – three sublime singles previously featured on Indie Buddie. The composition within these tracks are rich and thoughtful as dreamy melodies drift above a fizzing underbelly of dynamic, crashing and frenetic instrumentation. It is easy to get lost in the layers of intricate wobbly guitars lines, rooted bass grooves and punchy drums as acid soaked distortion swirls prismatic facets of blinding scintillation between the effortless cool vocal delivery by Nathan Henderson.
The band warp, dazzle and bend genres with tracks like ‘Ride The Wave’. Opulent textures create a psych pop mirage through a heavy alternative sonic sheen while a moody grunge – esque melody floats lucidly over this dazing harsh backdrop as if aloof to the bubbling mania beneath. ‘Demons Gold’ closes the EP on a high. The band craft wonderful component parts to produce a mellowed gem brimming with intricacies. From the lamenting guitars weaving elegantly between thumping drums and shimmering keys the track maintains the band’s majestic intense sound with a level of grace and prowess only Sun Mahshene can do.
‘Contradictions and Tales of Fiction’ is an impressive display of musicianship from Sun Mahshene.Their ability to create implosive epic tunes which exude exquisite production is mesmerising.
Stream ‘Contradictions and Tales of Fiction’ below
Brighton three-piece Something Leather is set to release their debut EP ‘Midnight Reverie’, on 17th April.The trio have already gained a reputation for explosive live shows thanks to a host of support slots with up-and-coming bands including Black Midi, Saint Agnes, Sophie and the Giants, Calva Louise and Phobophobes.A triumphant 2019 saw successful UK and European tours establish an increasing following for the band.The year culminated with latest single ‘Lullaby’ garnering further support from BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq.
‘Midnight Reverie’ is a sleek streamlined EP swirled in sultry dark psychedelic tones. Something Leather inject gritty indie rock, opaque pop and ominous atmospheres into ‘Midnight Reverie ‘to create a sublime EP of tremendous magnitude. The production and craftsmanship of this EP is fantastic. The band take their elegant psych rock and mince it into a mirage of dazed pop elements. Each track drags you further into their mesmerising and bewitching sound.
With a sinister flurry of guitars ’Trip To The Sun’ kick starts the EP. Sultry and mind melting the track whirls through dizzying acid dipped electronics while a steady pounding beat and eerie organ – esque elements create that spine chilling backbone. Phillie Etta Jane’s vocals are the sweet hauntingly lulling constant within each track. She creates a soft delicate moment within each song while exuding a sultry panache effortlessly. The dreamy melodies compliment her vocals superbly as they hush and entice you into the harrowing entrapment created by the instrumentation – it’s a bait your ears will willingly take.
The trio write catchy and mystical tunes with a heavy backdrop that is irresistible.’Farewell Fareworse’ has a Sleater-Kinney residue over the distorted electrical mayhem while the prowess on guitars pine and wail with intent over the crashing wall of sound. There is controlled chaos within this EP as the band weave vintage qualities with wild guitars and relentless synths to create their own unique, harrowing yet velvety sleek sound.The noir pop peppered ‘Midnight Dive’ shows a melancholic side to Something Leather. The dreamy whimsical brooding display flows with flashings of black and white west coast images of sulky bliss. This narcotic soothing track drifts with twanging pines on guitar as the track dissolves into multi fragments of laid back moody indie pop. Like all Something Leather songs the track builds to a fizzing crescendo that evaporates your mind. It’s a tragic, beautiful and darkly-shaded pinnacle moment of the EP.
The band return to their seductive and menacing grit for final track ‘Down Another One’. Another stand out number, the drama and intensity of this song is immense. Like daggers, the drums relentlessly pierce and pound while growling backing vocals haunt the backdrop. The jabbing guitars, distorted roars and spine chilling wall of sound create a creepy gut wrenching atmosphere while Phillie Etta Jane’s breathy yet sweet vocals build the tracks momentum. It’s heavy, dark and brilliant.
‘Midnight Reverie’ is a dark concoction of tracks to bask and submerge yourself in. With such murky and sultry cinematic melancholia steeped in elements of psychedelia, indie rock and electronic pop Something Leather have created one first rate body of work. There are distinct moments of brilliance within ‘Midnight Reverie’ that set the bar high making Something Leather one of the most exciting bands around right now.
‘Midnight Reverie’ EP will be released on April 17th until then check out the video for the bands recent single ‘Farewell Fareworse’ below
Dublin electronic rock band Synk have recently released their new single ‘Waiting Room’.The track was written during the transition into Autumn 2019 and was recorded in isolation in Co. Leitrim shortly after itʼs conception and is self-produced by Synk. Synk is comprised of James Lonergan on Vocals, Guitar, Daniel Smith on Guitar, Phil Noone on Drums, Evan Kennedy on Bass, Vocals, Keys and Fergus Grant on Keys, Guitar, Vocals.
Once again Synk entwines and coils sweet lush moments between chaotic bursts to create a satisfying and mystical track. ‘Waiting Room’ twinkles to an airy fresh start as glistening light flurries of guitar trickle behind a warm vocal lilt. The track fluctuates becoming more dark as rich ominous rhythms weave with jittery angst. I love the opulent textures and sounds this band flood their music with – each quiver, beat and pulse is vibrant and emotive expressing something quite beautiful. The ethereal electronics add a mysterious quality and magical wonder element while the beat is the elastic band that releases the whimsical dream-like soundscape into the atmosphere and pulls it back just as effortlessly. With jangly flutters on guitars the band show character with luminous bursts through the darker smudged depths and moody elements.
Synk keep their tracks pulsing and simmering right up to their crescendos which are always exhilarating and ‘Waiting Room’ follows this superbly keeping your ears bound in a mesmerising daze hanging on every bewitching earthy note. The vocals are shared by James Lonergan and Evan Kennedy, with James singing the first half of the song, and the ending coda sung by Kennedy.
‘Waiting Room’ is an intricate rippling mirage, shimmering with the masterful and compelling musicianship of Synk. I love how they convey so much emotion through contrasting sounds with such beauty and balance, it’s quite masterful.
Cabbage return with their new single ‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’.Since forming in 2014, Cabbage have occupied provocative territory by promoting progressive politics and supporting charitable causes through their live shows, leading them to be featured the BBC Radio Four documentary ‘The Art of Now: Band Politics’. At the same time as headlining sell-out UK tours, the band played Edgeley Park with Blossoms in 2019 and launched their debut album with a one-off, specially-curated exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery.
‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’ fizzes with a sweet sugary splash as Cabbage splurge melodic indie pop over an edged post punk canvas. The band create one nectarous irresistible gem as they swirl sharp buzzing guitars over a punchy acute wall of sound while the lush honeyed melody and soft backing vocals sweeten the blistering backdrop with a hazy shoegaze tonality. The band melt a hefty dose of psychedelia over the track creating a multi layered song that bubbles and broods within a prismatic sunny glow of delight while an acidic sting ferments beneath this rosy hue. The lyrics discuss the theme of mental health and suicide as Cabbage use gripping, woozy and blazing musicianship to create a truly invigorating track.
About the track the band’s co-frontman and songwriter, Joe Martin says its a “brutally honest exploration of mental health and suicide within young men and the survivalist, Victoria Wood-esque juxtaposition of salvaging a smile through dreariness and despair. After much deliberation, we feel that the time is right to share this. The chorus line actually originated in a ‘Coronation Street’ script in 1988, with Deirdre remarking to Ken: ‘I wonder what advanced state of dither we’ll find you in today, Ken, you make an art form from falling to pieces.’ We don’t mind sharing our complete love and adoration for those old, hilariously crafted dialogues.”
Watch the video for ‘You’ve Made An Art Form (From Falling To Pieces)’ below
Dublin five-piece Electronic Rock band Synk have released a live video of their song ‘Make it Swim’ When we asked the band about the video James Lonergan told us : “We shot the video in our rehearsal room in North Strand which is literally a railway arch beneath the Dublin – Sligo line. The train passes overhead every 10/15 minutes. While mixing the audio for the video we noticed that it can be heard faintly during the first crescendo. Our dear friend Jason Brennan shot the video a week before moving to Texas and did the edit in a trailer out somebody’s back garden in Austin. The audio was mixed by our own Daniel Smith & Evan Kennedy.”
‘Make it Swim’ is a dark, lulling and sometimes turbulent musical labyrinth as Synk entwine the mind in themes of fear and loss through deep passionate musicianship. A sombre melody is emotionally caressed and tenderly expressed through touching soulful vocals with a rock -esque rasp that floods the track in powerful outbursts. The band create a chilling shadowy atmosphere with pulsing thuds on drums while glistening melodies on guitar meander with a majestic delicate innocence and poignant pines. ‘Make it Swim’ takes you on an emotional journey as the band weave psychedelic tones masterfully with rock, electronic and indie elements to create something utterly compelling. The track takes on many forms, from a heavy crashing wall of sound drowning in pain and bitterness to lulling sweet calms of dreamy numbness to create a vivid listening experience which is rich in depth and refined intricacies. There is something truly compelling about this band’s tunes and ‘Make It Swim’ submerges you in the intense and broad spectrum that is Synk’s wonderful sound.
Dublin alternative pop duo Shaky Shack have released their new single ‘In Honey’. The duo comprised of Alex Winter and Mateusz Kosnik have created a wonderfully faceted gem that weaves with mellowed psych pop, shimmering soundscapes and intricate rich depths that take you on a velvety journey into the bottomless pristine pool that is Shaky Shack’s sound.The band create a flickering wave of calm and tranquility as tight guitar elements swirl in subtle fuzz and heady moments of distortion between warm twinkling melodies. Time stops as this track develops. The pulsing almost hip hop beat encases the background in a smoky subconscious reality. A balmy passionate Saxophone melody provided by Andrea Jones brings a pausing glimmer of warmth into the track with a lamenting delicate tone. The intricacies and layering within the track is masterful as the duo weave sweet, melancholic and icy tones into thick rich production with glimmering rays of light thawing the track softly throughout. The deep, moving vocals coo and caress the dreamy melody with a feathery light delicacy while oozing emotion in a laid back hazy manner. There is no denying the sophisticated, passionate and mesmerising talent of this duo as ‘ In Honey’ creates it’s own little pocket in your mind, like a soothing tranquil dream.
Dublin based Jangle Pop outfit Father! have released their sophomore album ‘Queen of Spain’ which is mixed and mastered by Mark Chester of Autre Monde, Ginnels, No Monster Club.
‘Queen of Spain’ is a woozy psychedelic trip as Father! entice and lead you down a jangly lo-fi path into their dream pop labyrinth. ‘to Stockholm’, ‘Carcassonne’ and ‘Liebe’ frazzle with distortion and tightly woven soundscapes while the sweet jingle on guitar breaks through the deft backdrop with a hazy bright melody as the lo fi vocals murmur throughout. The tracks lead you deep into Father!’s heavy psychedelic sound before the light ‘Left You This Morning’, ‘Feeling So’ and ‘Desire Lines’ provides some relief. With chiming guitars, indie dream pop melodies and retro soundscapes the tracks create a daydream world to chill and mellow out in. The band showcase their fine ability to blend and ferment their sound to create something truly mesmerising and hypnotic. ‘Queen Of Spain’ and ‘Devotion #2’ bring the album to a close. With enthralling intricacies weaved through the instrumentation Father! create tunes exuding character and vitality while maintaining a breezy laid back tone. Each track is meticulously layered and crafted to create a streamline effect while showing flashing glimmerings of dazzling scintillation through their psychedelic tones and wobbly mirroring instrumentation.
Father! have taken all the vibrant and dark intricacies from their ‘Beach Cloud Daze’ release in 2018 and refined it into a pure concoction of new wave indie before saturating their sound with heavier psychedelia. Each track is doused in luscious pop elements and indie tones making ‘Queen of Spain’ a vivid trip filled with lucid rich musicianship. ‘Queen of Spain’ is an enjoyable, interesting and fascinating sophomore album from Father!
Stream ‘Queen of Spain’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
