Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Rollin’ Empire
Rollin’ Empire are a modern Irish rock and roll trio. The group consists of members Stephen McGurrin (songwriter, vocals and guitar), Callum Condron (songwriter, bass guitar, keyboards and vocals) and Thomas Campbell (percussion, vocals). Their mission is to lead their fans on a compelling journey where rock reigns supreme. Their energetic and passionate live performances are both lively and infectious, leaving fans demanding more and more.
Rollin’ Empire have released their new single ‘Nothing to Lose’ which is the third single from their debut album ‘Nowhere to Run’ which was released last November. The song, which is about taking a gamble and never giving up no matter what the odds, gives you all the dirty bluesy grit that you would expect with the added sprinkle of shimmying keyboards. This riff- heavy relentless track erupts with a fierce buzz filled riff and pounding rapid beat and bass that displays a slinky sensual flexibility giving the track smooth cool swagger. Strutting through the rubbery bounce of the verse with gritty brawny vocal attitude and hair raising panache, The synth infused chorus takes us to their brand of catchy rock fused with a pop element. Harmonised vocals freshens the track up giving a breather before the infectious burly beefy riff re enters.
Stream ‘Nothing to Lose’ below
Oxford based indie rock band Whyte Lytes have announced their debut video for their single ‘Go Get It!’. Band members, Josh Rawle (Bass/Vocals), Alex Rawle (Guitar/Vocals), Jonny Morrison (Guitar) and Jamie Langford (Drums) have gained a strong following since starting their band in it’s previous incarnation in 2014. With the early successes gained from their first EP’s, ‘Hold Up Hold Back’ and ‘Fight to Pay’, tracks of which received support from Aaron Phillips Amazing Radio Rock show and received rave reviews, the emerging newcomers are making waves with their cutting edge, gritty, guitar driven music. The four piece have supported the likes of VANT, The Hummingbirds and High Tyde as they display their infectious live energy with their anxious and passionately angsty sound aesthetic.
‘Go Get It!’ which was recorded at Safehouse Studios (Foals / Trophy Wife) produced by Tim Roberts, is stocked with bursts of staggeringly slick guitar. Whyte Lytes present us with a cool striking effortlessly smooth and razor sharp sound coated in sticky bendable rhythm. The supple elastic bass and rumble on drums adds a soft cushioned bounce and sensual flexibly to the track, while the guitar adds a raw stinging edge. The wobbly ripple effect blends perfectly with the track adding a slight hint of psychedelia that is so subtle yet effective. The shredding guitar solo leads to a vocally intense and repetitive “Go Get It” lyric. The clear confident and slightly raspy vocals add a dynamic and charismatic quality. ‘Go Get It!’ is an energetic yet rhythmically fluid and smooth track with crisp biting rawness.
Watch The video for ‘Go Get It!’ below
Wildera are an American rock duo formed in Los Angeles, CA. The group consists of a pair of childhood friends Rusty Redden (songwriter, vocals, guitar, bass and keyboards) and Loren Moore (producer, drums and vocals). I stumbled upon their track ‘Bad Habit’ today and had to share it with you. This sensual smooth gritty blues rock track exudes steamy fleshy swagger and dark shadowy tones brewed in lusty “oh so cool” and sleek musicianship. With velvety raspy coaxing vocals danger lurks in every corner of this tempting seductive track. Spine tingling slap beat and intoxicating elastic bass will lure and entice you into its smothering sultry entrapment. Sweltering zealous guitar adds edge and sharpness to the sticky drizzle of this charming temptress.
Stream ‘Bad Habit ‘ below
Finnish garage-rock band, Varvara have announced the release of their upcoming album ‘Death Defying Tricks’ which is set for release on 4th November. Band members Mikko Kiri (Vocals/Guitar), Tommi Muhli (Guitar), Toni Raukola (Guitar/Vocals), Simo Kuhlman (Bass) and Lauri Tattari (Drums) present us with their blusterous hefty headbanging rock. ‘Sons’ and ‘Caught’ waist no time in pelting us into Varvara’s pummelling strike of killer riffs and pounding drums. With tuneful melodies and luring Queens of the Stone Age- esque vocals Varvara display their hardcore moshing teamed with intense melodic sways. ‘Warning Sign’ changes the tone a little the song starts with striking guitar and gentle vocals. The track builds for the gritty trashing chorus with strident crash on guitars and burly drums. However it maintains a flexibility and elasticity with the malleable sensual bass and change to a smooth bounce on drums at times. ‘Human Being’ has a massive chorus and clap along beat combined with shredding screeching guitars its a balls out energetic anthem. ‘No Reason’ gritty swagger filled rock and roll gives us a sensual side to the five piece. Slick riffs and striking guitars mixed with attitude and aggression its a punchy pulveriser .‘Arrows’ slows the mood with a sway like atmosphere to start with gentle twinkle on guitar. Sweet vocals and eerie haunting atmosphere set the tone. The track builds into body pounding chorus and sharp guitars. The thick heavy intensity of the verse is broken by a dropping head bang instrumental and a shredding guitar feature that is sure to have a live audience going crazy. ‘Since We Cant Explain’ ‘Shadow of Mistrust’ and ‘Headlights’ continues to display Varvara’s acute melodies infectious hooks and haunting vocals wrapped up in sticky gooey atmospheres with mosh worthy gritty rock thrown in. The album finishes with ‘Crossed My Mind’ which displays idiosyncratic quirky indie elements with a bizarre theatrical vocal accompanied by bright energetic tones. It closes the album on a vibrant note while ensuring that Varvara cannot be pinned down into a style or genre. They do whatever they want.
Stream ‘Caught’ below
This Place Is Death are an three piece alternative rock band from Cork. They released an EP ‘Low Light’ in 2013, and in 2016 were signed with UK Indie label Sound Hub Records. Band members Frank (Vocals,Guitars), Barry (Bass) and Eoin (Drums,Backing Vocals) have now released their new single ‘Caught Inside’ which was recorded and mixed at Sound Hub Studios and mastered at Metropolis Studios , London. ‘Caught Inside’ is a pulverising backlash of fiery neck breaking alternative rock. With thunderous splintering drums that develop into a rapid rumple that forces its way into your brain becoming a pounding ear worm beat. Vigorous striking guitars and rooted limber bass keep the track bound and gives a boomerang spring back effect. The haunting moody vocals add an eerie danger and suppressed aggression to the track. But for me that rolling drum at the end kicks ass with its brisk demolishing finesse. Its a head banger.
Watch ‘Caught Inside’ below
St Van Cortlandt & the 101 have released the first track off their forth coming EP ‘The Lion Tree’. The single ‘Like The Arrow Miss The Stone’ is about a “younger brother’s relationship with his older brother. It touches on the ideas of idolising an older sibling to the point of wanting to be them, while still being sheltered and protected and guided by them almost to a point that it becomes unhealthy”. Band members Daniel Van Cortlandt (Vocals/Guitar), Troy Fannin (Lead Guitar/Vocals), Chika Obiora (Bass), David LeBlanc (Drums) and Matthew Watanabe (Keyboards) display their straight shooter beefy rock with ‘Like The Arrow Miss The Stone’. Its a “bull by the horns’ punchy energetic track. With thumping drums and raspy rugged vocals that give the track muscle and a meaty substance. The mighty driving riff pulses throughout the track keeping a flexible energy and power. While that forceful bounce beat is the strong arm giving the track sturdiness and support. The refreshing addition of keyboard softens the track a little and adds a sticky slap of psychedelia that takes St Van Cortlandt & the 101 to another level and makes their sound unique.
Stream ‘Like The Arrow Miss The Stone’ below
Our Worth A Listen This Week is Mini Mansions ‘Flashbacks’
Los Angeles’ finest Mini Mansions have released a collection of unreleased/unheard B-Side tracks entitled ‘Flashbacks’. This follows their critically acclaimed second album ‘The Great Pretenders’ which was released in 2015. The trio , vocals and drummer Michael Shuman, vocals and keyboardist Tyler Parkford, bassist and multi instrumentalist Zachary Dawes have compiled a collection of nine ravishing tracks that smash all boundaries. We couldn’t choose just one track for our worth a listen but then, why would you choose one when their are nine spine tingling beauties. ‘Flashbacks’ kicks things off with ‘Drive’ a snappy quick step luscious track with Dawes’ fuzzed bass giving an ecstatic bounce. Parkford’s sweet delicate vocals introduces the nectarous melody with Shuman’s backing vocals adding a lush heavenly texture. The fluidity of this track makes it so easy on the ears and soothing with sugar coated sparkle. Building into heavier fuzzed rock instrumentation Mini Mansions introduce us to their gritty glam rock sprinkled with a smooth mouthwatering sweet 60s texture. With the sudden change to deep bass vocals by Shuman a warm mellow tone is added to the rich mix. ‘Drive’ knocks it out of the park and hooks you into the trio’s unique dreamy world of psychedelia and rock.‘Bored To Death’ coos and lulls into a gentle slow dance. With raspy vocals and tender lyrics teamed with elegant keys and dexterous chord progression creating a catchy soothing track that stops time, stilling everything around except for the beautiful melody. Lush harmony and gently sorrowful tones add purity and elegance. The track builds in intensity as a heartbroken tone takes over with heavy rhythm. The sweetened sting on guitar with soft piano and a light beat plays the track out with echoing gingerly soft repetitive vocals. ‘Ticket For One’ illuminates with a bright melody and multi-textures. The infectious slap whack beat combined with nimble keys and Dawes’ sharp elastic bass giving the track a rubber ball rebound effect. The call and response vocals between soft Parkford and deep Shuman as they interact with syrupy smooth melodies that will give you “stuck song syndrome”. Leading effortlessly and perfectly into ‘Ticket For Two’ a witty bouncy track with the catchy and almost “dollish” twinkle piano effect. Adding a catchy “clap clap” effect and steady striking bass ‘Ticket for two’ is a “tour de force” as it pulls similarities from ‘Ticket For One’ while developing a distinctive sound. Of course there is no great genius without a mixture of madness especially where Mini Mansions are concerned as they lead us into a frenzy of heavy manical moshing to end this fantastic track. ‘Fiona’ which we previously featured on Indie Buddie has a darkened dreamy tone and swoon-like atmosphere coated in hazy psychedelia. Once again Parkford and Shuman share vocals as they weave and intertwine melodies with warm seductive textures. The drums exude an oomph and panache to start and then seduce and coax when teamed with the smooth velvety vocals. They build into a sweep and bluster for the intense massive crescendo before the tone slows to a soft gentle echo finish. ‘Shape Recorder‘ has a spooky Halloween party track feeling to start with the peppy organ. The track maintains a sneaky eerie tone with psychedelic fuzz and heavy daunting instrumentation. Its a swirling confusion of blurry haunting fun and dangerous shady obscurity. The intensity of the track fades to a sweet soft vocal with lush harmonies before a final burst of instrumentation. ‘Valet’ is our taste of sensual reggae with Hendrix- esque guitar to start. This body grooving track is effortlessly cool and sleek and shows Mini Mansions in a new light. Its a sit back and bop to the music feel good tasteful track. Shuman’s warm deep vocals contrasting with Parkford’s candied falsetto towards the end adds a charming multi dimension. Exuding fiery strutting swagger with a captivating stride and flaunt this track is magnetic and tantalising. ‘Little Al Capone’ begins with a strong “digging” labour intensive beat and bass vocals adding grounding and depth. The track builds into a theatrical quick passed track with rapid beat and sprightly piano. Tight harmony on vocals and a vibrant dynamism and oomph instrumentation add passion and slappy elasticity. The track sounds like it could have been taken from a scene from a musical where the actors are hard at work, slogging through the daily grindstone. ‘Shadow’ completes our musical journey with the mysterious Mini Mansions in a sombre nostalgic tone. Its labyrinth of interweaving textures meandering through a delicate tender melody and heavenly sweet lavish vocals give this track opulent textures and diversity. The dreamy Utopian wistfulness and visionary fantasy set to swirling rapid beat and whine on guitars in a sway – like motion gives this track an abstracted feeling, like it was all a dream.
Mini Mansions are like a fine wine maturing and coming into their own. ‘Flashbacks’ could have been an album as each track opens your mind to their unique classy musicianship as they guide you into a journey of fantasy and rich textures unwinding your mind and unravelling your senses.
Five piece Ghost Robots are an alternative rock band from Waterford. Band members Michael Doyle (Vocals), Dael O’Brien (Drums), Evan Hayes (Bass), David Hearne (Rhythm Guitar) and David Rudden (Lead Guitar) will be releasing their self titled album early next year and we had a little listen to it. As expected Ghost Robots sucker punch you into their unique sticky indie rock with flashes of epileptic psychedelia. This high intensity album is jam packed with catchy melodies and body pounding instrumentation that will have you completely immersed and engulfed in their darkened entrancing sound.
The album kicks things off with ‘Bad Habit’ this gritty riff ear worm is the perfect track to reel you in with pounding drums and dynamic soaring vocals. Strident blazes of guitar and blissful pop melodies make it a fiery anthem ablaze with motivational fist pump attitude and spirit. ‘Hollow Thoughts’ is a hungry razor sharp composition of nimble acute guitar and a snappy forceful beat. It is gravelly rough and ready frenzy, coated in swirling psychedelia and mind bending aggression. ‘Invader’ is an attack of euphoric rock. The edgy shrill of earsplitting guitars on top of hard pummelling drums give the sound of headbangingly good rock. Its a hyped intense track exuding aggressive swagger and a forceful characteristic. It is a “tour de force” with mesmerising electric power driven vocals. ‘Louder Louder’ , ‘Lights Out’ and ‘Richer Than Kings’ continue the five pieces’s unique, energetic whip lash rock with sizzling riffs and flexible rhythms all while maintaining a smooth refreshing cool tone. ‘Geronimo’ gives us a sensual almost strut- like punchy swagger. With fuzzed steamy guitar and sticky beat this track oozes stuffy attitude and gluey textures. ‘Razor Blades and Ashtrays’ is a rush of hair raising eerie tones and mystery. With an infectious piercing guitar riff and whisper vocals for the bridge its a spooky warning of dangerous occurrences with outburst of frustration. The album concludes with ‘I Am Not Contagious’ a swirling brew of spiralling psychedelia and chilling haunting vocals teamed with a heavy sturdy beat that remains the foundation and a solid to hold on to as the rest of the track swirls and intoxicatingly weaves around pulling you into its deep pit of trance-inducing danger. The coaxing velvety vocals bewitch and charm you into its spellbinding entrapment leaving you dizzy, confused and wanting to hear more.
An incredible album from Ghost Robots these guys have a bright future ahead looking forward to the release next year.
Ghost Robots will be playing at Whelan’s on OCT 15th make sure you check them out they are brilliant live.
While you are waiting for the album release watch the video for ‘Under Fire’ taken from Ghost Robots EP ‘Sell It To Me’ below
I Drink Therefore There’s Darkness are a melodic, melancholy driven band from Blackpool formed in January 2015 by ex members of post-rock band Goonies Never Say Die. Band members Barry Parkinson, Dan Kerr, Warren Brown and Joel Winters have released their the first song ‘There’s Always Another Summer’ from their forthcoming album ‘élan vital’. The album is currently being mixed by James Routh of Sonic Boom Six and though there’s no release date yet, this first song is taken from a charity compilation CD album called ‘Streetlive’ for the Street Life charity, helping homeless youths in Blackpool. ‘There’s Always Another Summer’ is a refreshing track with a bright peppy guitar riff that seeps into your brain and rests in a chirpy bubble of fun. The track develops with moody raspy vocals and a melancholy tone. The interchanging between chirpy guitar and bubbly beat to sulky gloomy vocals adds a fresh and unique contrast that makes this track captivating. The guitar solo adds a twinkle of charm and charisma before the song rests finally on a heavier gritty rock almost mosh worthy crescendo. The drums become more hefty and the vocals more dynamic and rusty. A fantastic debut from I Drink Therefore There’s Darkness looking forward to hearing the album.
Stream ‘There’s Always Another Summer’
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Jacques
Bristol four piece Finn (lead vocals), Elliot (drums), Oliver (vocals/bass) and Jake (guitar) comprise The Jacques. They released their new single ‘Eleanor Ring Me’ earlier this year. Its a witty guitar driven track that is performed like an ode or a story telling limerick. Smoothly spoken verses tell us the tale in a cool indifferent tone with a Blur “Parklife” feel to the track. With raspy vocals for the chorus this track oozes infectious effortless moody swagger and magnetism. The bright zealous guitar flurries and glides with slick whirling agility. The steady beat and elastic bass gives the track a gooey rebound bounce.
Look forward to hearing more from The Jacques.
Stream ‘Eleanor Ring Me’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
