London songwriter Matt Portland has released his debut EP ‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ which includes the two lead singles ‘Secondary’ and ‘South Destruction’.
‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ is a warm passionate EP that evokes bittersweet emotions of love and loneliness through wonderful musicianship. With this subline EP Portland carves for himself a position as one of alternative pop’s prime retro-visionists. The melodies are delectably sweet and they melt smoothly and caressingly upon the ears providing comfort and tranquility while Portland’s equally velvety vocals lay delicately on the melody with passion and charm. His 1960’s soulful pop, sounds so fresh as he swathes ‘Paper Thin Reins’, ‘Secondary‘ and title track ‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ in warm guitar twangs and ethereal pop atmospheres while peppering the tracks with elegant piano and lush string glides. His graceful presentation of these songs is what makes them so mesmerising and beautiful. There is something to be admired within Portland’s musicianship – the longing guitar melodies, the smooth command at which his vocals dictate the pace, all of which lead to an enchanting chorus – an utterly breathtaking listening experience. There is a romantic velvety flow to each track. Even in the melancholic ‘Angels Of The Bay’ with its piano strides of grandeur, lush backing vocals and haunting atmosphere holds the heart breaking tear of romance.These tracks superbly boast Portland’s rich and vivid song writing, but Portland has one more trick up his sleeve , final track ‘South Destruction’. A time stopping gem that swoons with delicate piano twinkles, a sway-like flowing tempo and warm guitar. The track slowly builds becoming more intense as backing vocals are introduced. A soft beat graces our ears as the strings enter gliding through this captivating sombre backdrop. It’s a delicate, sweet gem that closes the EP on a heart stopping tone of nostalgia and regret.
‘The Wind Hit Hollow’ EP showcases the mature and compelling musicianship of Matt Portland as he has created a darling collection of tracks to treasure.
21 year old Wexford musician Daniel Furlong has independently released his debut single ‘Spread My Wings’. This track is a warm uplifting number that pulses with wholesome musicianship filled with passion and hope. Furlong’s vocals emotionally caress the cosy melody with sweet tenderness while the rich instrumentation drive the track home. The song gently glides through the gripping verses before breaking out into a vibrant catchy chorus that will have a live audience embracing the person beside them with bittersweet tears. It’s a well crafted gem with relatable lyrics and passion seeping from every note, It will warm the cockles of your heart.
Singer songwriter Sal the Musician has released his debut single ‘Low’ which was written by Sal the Musician and documents his struggle with depression and being suicidal.
This captivating track blends rock, pop and electronic music seamlessly to create a wholly intriguing and satisfying listen. With a catchy chorus and slinky melody floating through twinkling electronics and a steady throbbing beat its a darkly smothered luring number. Sal’s vocals are smooth and sweet as he emotionally coos the moving lyrics while the churning electronics meander between innocent flickers and shadowy thuds. The track builds sublimely to an elegant string fluttering crescendo. Sal floods this track with passion and emotion through both his lyrics and instrumentation. An enticing and fascinating debut from Sal the Musician.
Wicklow singer-songwriter David Boland has released his new single ‘You Carry’. David is a musical yogi determined to bring a smile to the face of the world through music. Formerly performing mopey singer-songwriter/emo style music under the project name “Scared to Be Seen” throughout 2016-2018 in Ireland and Canada, David rebooted under his own name releasing lighthearted and uplifting singles.
‘You Carry’ follows this uplifting tone perfectly as it floats delicately on a heartwarming bed of soft beats and warm guitar jangles. Bolands raspy vocals fill this wholesome track with coziness while the smooth melody and richly crafted instrumentation exudes depth and passion. It’s a swayable bouncy number that glows with sun-kissed illumination and nourishment. Its obvious Boland cultivates and cares for each component part of his tracks as they softly caress and cherish your ears with delightful melodies and instant purity.
Edinburgh singer songwriter Jonnie Wallace has released his new single ‘You’. This romantic sweet track is a stripped back ditty that floats along soft acoustic guitar accompaniment with soft piano injections. Its an elegant passionate track that allows Wallace’s warm vocals to shine as he coos the emotional heart warming lyrics. A lush backing vocal hums within an ethereal soundscape as velvety strings sprinkle the track with wholesome romantic tones. The track builds slowly into a powerful crescendo brimming with passion as the electric guitar enters with a vibrant zesty solo. Its an elegant sweep you off your feet gem that will swoon you into a stupor.
London-based singer/songwriter Izzy Eze has released her long awaited first single, titled ‘Woman’. It’s an upbeat catchy track filled with attitude and sass. Izzy’s powerful vocals saturate the song with confidence and soul while the snappy beat and infectious melody glide into your ears with sweetness and pop goodness. With R&B flavours adding a dash of spice through the dynamic soundscapes this anthmic powerful track stomps its way into your head until you are singing along. It’s a richly crafted vibrant declaration of confidence, self-love and authenticity and a sublime debut from Izzy Eze.
About the single Izzy says: “ I wrote Woman mainly because I wanted people, especially women, to know that they are strong, powerful and that they can do anything. As women, we tend to apologise for being who we are but this song does the exact opposite. It says, ‘hey, look at me! I am a woman, I am unapologetic about it and I am ready to conquer the world! Writing this song actually flowed quite naturally. I think I was tired of frequently being asked to get my eyebrows threaded… and then Woman happened.”
Co. Down singer songwriter Sam Wickens has released the first single ‘Falling’ from his breathtaking debut album set for release in May/June 2019. Having wowed legendary producer Tony Visconti with his Jeff Buckley-esque voice and mesmerising performances, he was picked up in 2018 to appear on Sky Arts Unsigned Heroes, being mentored by Stuart Copeland, Nitin Sawhney and Imelda May.
‘Falling’ is a deeply moving melodic track that pulses and buries itself into your head as Wickens’ passionate vocals create that spine chilling ”stop in time” feeling. A throbbing beat cuts deep into the flickering soundscape as Wickens takes a simple approach allowing his emotion-filled crisp and mesmerising vocals wrap you in a soft snuggle, shielding you from the biting backdrop. The track builds gradually as twinkling guitars lament through the gripping beat and brooding backing vocals. The song reaches its cinematic, wholly absorbing crescendo as Wickens pines and broods over a haunting atmosphere. It’s a well crafted, immersing track that chills and soothes all at once. Wickens’ vocals are outstanding and every note he sings holds its own depth. His voice is filled with passion and oodles of emotion – he’s is quite the outstanding singer.
On his new release Wickens says “I wanted to create a family of songs, I needed an open space to be able to get different aspects of my mind out! I wanted to make something new, something not everyone will like, but they all will respect. Music is my way of communicating with people and the world. – ‘Falling’ is honesty, when you don’t want to be honest or simply you can’t.”
Faraway Martin has released his second single ‘Falling In Your Sleep’. Faraway Martin hails from the West of Ireland, via Doha, Qatar, where he remains until this summer. He spent the past three years performing throughout the Middle East, USA and Ireland. Venues he has graced the stage of include the QNCC Arena in Doha, supporting international artists.
‘Falling In Your Sleep’ is a delightful melodic tune as Faraway Martin lays out a warm romantic spread with a sweet melody to devour. Richly crafted this track carefully blossoms from a twinkling cheery number to a heartfelt treasure. His warm vocals lilt and pour tender emotion over the honeyed melody while a cosy guitar jingles behind cherry whistles and a peppy beat. It’s a heart on your sleeve, longing track that is catchy and wholesome. Charming and mushy this song builds to its cinematic crescendo that embraces your ears with good vibes, vibrant instrumentation and a cosy horn feature. ‘Falling In Your Sleep’ is infectious, light, fluffy and sweet as angel cake.
Hausu’s pop troubadour Arthur Valentine makes his first on-record appearance with his debut single ‘Selfish’. Arthur Valentine is the eclectic pop project of Cork based singer/songwriter and producer Luke Aston.His forthcoming debut EP was recorded as a full-band effort, spanning over many sessions, with Hausu musicians chipping in.Originally debuted as a live performance on Mike McGrath Byran’s RedOnRed show on Red FM, ‘Selfish’ is a dreamy sweet track smouldering upon light finger picked guitar and a melty easy on the ears melody. His lush vocals coo and slip effortlessly into his sweet falsetto. Romantic and steeped in a honeyed melody this dreamy ditty flows rippleless-ly into your ears until you are wooed by this simple well crafted track. It’s clever, honest and charming.
Jack Woodward has released his new single ‘How Can I Fall In Love’. The track was recorded at Woodward’s old university, in the studios of Headingley Campus at Leeds Beckett University.Last year he played Live at Leeds, Manchester Academy 3, supporting Rae Morris at King Tuts, The Festival of Making for BBC Introducing in Lancashire and won a national competition to perform on the X Factor Live Tour in Brighton to 4500 people.
‘How Can I Fall In Love’ is a warm wholesome track that glistens with cosy tones, delicate instrumentation and Woodward’s pure passionate musicianship. With its sway-like tempo elegant piano twinkles and tender guitar twangs cradled beautifully in a catchy heartfelt melody – it’s one for the sweet moments, warm embraces and evening chilling. The piano adds a dash of grandeur and class with a jazzy tone sprinkled upon the country hued guitar flickers while Woodward’s velvety vocals hold everything together in a delicate emotional wrapping of bliss. It’s quite the charming organic ditty.
Watch the video for ‘How Can I Fall In Love’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
