Category Archives: Hypnotic

Carnivals ‘City of Skulls’.

Carnivals are a four-piece psychedelic band from South East London. Band members Joe Hannen (Lead Guitar & Synth), Harry Wood (Drums), Cal Green (Lead Vocals/Guitar) and George Brimble (Bass/Backing Vocals) have developed a sound that embraces the odd psychedelia of the unknown, whilst keeping themselves tightly gripped to their roots of indie-pop. 2016 saw them release the single ‘Shadows’ which was recorded at Liverpool’s legendary Parr Street Studios, gain Radio play from the likes of Radio X whilst recruiting a budding fanbase on the road playing UK festival slots including Isle Of Wight Festival.
The Psych-Pop quartet have released their latest demo ‘City of Skulls’. This kaleidoscopic of darkened gritty hallucinogenic rock shows the band delving further into the realm of 60’s Psychedelia. The mind bending guitar glitters and flashes with narcotic effects that shimmer like glass facets catching your eye. The track races through at a frantic pace taking time out for the slick shredding kick ass guitar solo. Punchy drums drives the track into this rapid pace adding a heavy manic mosh effect that is perfect for the pit at a live show. Flexible sensual bass slaps with a malleable elastic texture adding an enticing luring quality to the track. The Joy Division- esque vocals exude swagger and charisma. ‘City of Skulls’ takes you on the most thrilling opiate trip of 60s psychedelia mixed with gritty frenzied rock that I can imagine is insane live. When asked about the track the band said “our intentions were to channel a frantic pace with an insight into the live experience, with the lyrics we tried to release the strain of the daily grind”.
Can’t wait to hear more from these guys keep an eye out for Carnivals in 2017.
If you want to catch the lads live you can see them at
January 27th- The Rocksteady, London (Independent venue week)
February 4th- Paper Dress Vintage, London
Follow the band on social media here
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/carnivalsofficial/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/CarnivalsBand?lang=en
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/carnivalsofficial/
https://musicglue.com/carnivalsofficial/about

Stream ‘City of Skulls’ below

Ivory Wave ‘Paradise’

Ivory Wave are a 5 piece band hailing from Birmingham. This unique indie band caught our attention earlier this week. Their recent single ‘Paradise’ is a floaty track that creates a bubbling fizzing world of its own. With sprinkles of psychedelia in swirling synths and sweet lush backing vocals its a fluffy trippy cloud of narcotic ecstasy. Bliss and euphoria ooze from every pulse of the track. With perky indie beats adding a gritty sandy pull to the track and infectious groove its effortlessly cool and chic with a dreamland anaesthetic thrown in. Raspy attitude soaked vocals tie the track up nicely relaying authentic lyrics. These guys have a strong steady impressive sound creating their own little Utopian hypnotic pocket in the indie scene. Once you hear this track you will be addicted.

Stream ‘Paradise’ below

Dia ‘Gambling Girl’

Dia is the stunning project of composer and performer, Danielle Birrittella. The Indie folk/baroque pop artist has released the beautiful, cinematic music video for her latest single, ‘Gambling Girl’ off her debut EP ‘Tiny Ocean’, which was released with Manimal Records and features songs produced by Joey Waronker (Beck, REM, Atoms for Peace), Tim Carr (The Americans, HAIM) and Frankie Siragusa (theLAB). Raised on a Hindu ashram, Dia sang ceremonial ragas as a child, which led to training and performing as an opera singer throughout the U.S. and Europe. Along these travels, she began experimenting with music and writing song fragments on a ukulele, which was gifted to her by her brother. Dia’s practice as a classically trained opera singer induced an incredibly critical ear. Her influences of classical music, such as Baroque and French Romantics are beautifully infused with modern experimental cinematic folk on her debut EP. A native of New England, and graduate of New York University (BA) and California Institute of the Arts (MFA), she has lived and worked as an artist in New York, France, and Italy. Highlighted performances have included Disney Hall’s REDCAT – Los Angeles, La Musica Lirica – Italy, The Chautauqua Institute – New York, La Main d’Or – Paris, and The Ludwig Foundation – Cuba.
‘Gambling Girl’ is a moody cinematic dream pop swirl that is more sticky than honey. The dark stuffy atmosphere suffocates you in a spiralling dreamy haze. The steady thump beat teamed with sultry bewitching lull on vocals give a narcotic hypnotic effect that draws you further and further into the calming opiate illusion. Dia’s vocals act as a sedative or tranquilliser cooing with soft mind numbing qualities. Driven by a seductive sway-like flow ‘Gambling Girl’ lures and entices with graceful delicate charm and daydream obscurity.
Watch the video for ‘Gambling Girl’ which portrays Dia and a cowboy beneath a sunset, riding horses and dancing in the desert below.

Sad Palace ‘Breeze/ Rainbow Melt’

 

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Sad Palace are a really smooth effortlessly cool indie band I stumbled upon, don’t you just love when that happens. Sad Palace present us with coastal fresh indie pop bursting with rich juicy melodies and slick musicianship while spacing us out with hints of psychedelia.
‘Rainbow Melt’ gives us a sensual sway-like groove and tender velvety vocals wrapped up in edgy indie pop. The razor sharp sting on guitar adds spice and zest to the track while the ripply rhythm keeps the track bouncing along in an almost 70s psychedelic groove. With luring tempting bass and vocals that ooze panache and swagger this track will coax and sweet talk you into pressing repeat. Rich luscious textures and layers gives the track depth and showcases this band’s solid musicianship. While the brazen flashy guitar licks whip and flatter the flaunting track pulling you further into the groove.
‘Breeze’ lulls you into its melodic funky strut almost instantly. With velvety vocals to start cooing and soothing right into the hook driven feet shuffling riff. With psychedelic entrancing instrumentals, this track swirls you into a dreamy blissful euphoric stupor before slapping you back into the rapid bouncy slice of indie pop. The vocals smoothly glide from creamy dreamy haze to bright and bubbly effortlessly, as the guitar illuminates the track with zealous licks and peppy bounce. This track is infectiously catchy and like honey to the ears. Sad Palace know how to write and craft earworm melodies, mix and blend them with fantastic instrumentation. Watch out for these guys.
Stream ‘Rainbow Melt’ and ‘Breeze’ below

 

The Fin.’Through The Deep’ Remix EP

Japanese masters of shimmering ethereal pop, The Fin. have announced an exclusive remix EP, featuring versions remixed by The Field, Ten Fé and All We Are. The ‘Through The Deep’ remix EP features four adventurous reworkings of tracks from their ocean-inspired dream-pop nugget ‘Through The Deep’ which was released in the summer. The remix EP will also serve as a key component of the launch of Spotify in Japan. Hailing from the vibrant Japanese port city of Kobe, The Fin. elected to temporarily relocate to England’s equally bustling capital in autumn 2016 to explore the impact that life in London might bring to bear on their new material. Having signed to Lost In The Manor Records the previous year, the band’s growing renown on these shores has led to a surge of media interest and prime headline slots such as this year’s Great Escape Festival. The Fin. have performed before thousands of rapturous fans at major Japanese festivals including Fuji Rock, Rising Sun and Viva La Rock. Not content with such acclaim in one country alone, Yuto Uchino (vocals and synths), Ryosuke Odagaki (guitar), Takayasu Taguchi (bass) and Kaoru Nakazawa (drums) set their sights worldwide and in 2015 embarked on a major tour of the US, which included a performance at SXSW, before signing to Lost In The Manor and releasing their debut UK EP, ‘Night Time’.
All We Are step up to the plate first with their exceptional rework of ‘Anchorless Ship’. Guro and Luis convert the sparse funk of the original into a haunting cut of anthemic techno, upping the tempo, bottoming out the bass end and decorating the track with dissonant acid stabs. True to All We Are’s psych-disco leanings, their ‘Anchorless Ship’ evolves into a second act with a ferocious tribal edge, and psychedelic stinging acid trip that livens up the original dream pop and introduces an invitation to dance that can’t be refused.
London’s blissful electro-indie pairing Ten Fé follow next artfully crafting their mix around the melodic synth washes of The Fin.’s 60-second ‘Heat’, originally the track shimmers with a chillwave and beautiful ocean lit glittering synths. Ten Fé expand the groove via a punchy bassline set to a motorik pulse, adding a kick and edge to the track. Phasing the original sine-wave oscillations and warping frontman Yuto’s vocal into an alien drawl. This singular piece of extra-terrestrial kraut-funk builds to a euphoric climax, as horn stabs and sustained harmonics add colour to an irresistible clubland vibe.
Stockholm-born, Berlin-based ambient techno producer Axel Willner, aka The Field, transcends the rapturous dream-pop of the EP’s title track ‘Through The Deep ‘ with an extraordinary 12-minute canvas of electro-minimalism. A hypnotic raga for our time, ‘Through The Deep’ here becomes an unusual jewel of rich, breathy experimentalism, almost imperceptibly peaking and trudging along luring and drawing you onto its mesmerising sonic path.
Finally ‘White Breath’ a remix by The Fin.’s vocalist Yuto Uchino takes us to the end of our psychedelic trance with soft electronic waves weaving and swirling in a blissful mind-bending kaleidoscope. Removing the delicate vocals of the original and becoming completely consumed in thick electronic experimental psychedelia. Beautiful warm tones on guitar give us a strong melody to hold onto keeping us afloat from the pulling and swirling abyss of the track.
The ‘Through The Deep’ remix EP is a Pandora box delight, full of mesmerising waves of synths interweaving and washing with acid elements and sonic depths with reverb weighty guitars on top of blissful melodies. The guys did a fantastic job with the remixes however I will say check out the originals first, you will fall in love with them and will only then appreciate the true talent of The Fin. and the effort and craft that went into creating the remixes.

Stream both the original and the ‘Through The Deep’ remix EP below

Fauna Twin ‘Edge Of The Coin’

Fauna Twin are Parisian singer-songwriter Claire Jacquemard Ginsberg (leader of Hippies Vs Ghosts) and North Wales’ Owain Ginsberg (We Are Animal). They have released their single ‘Edge Of The Coin’ which is taken from their debut ‘The Hydra’ EP. Beginning with a dramatic chilling and eerie hair raisingly thrilling vibe, the track grabs your attention. It develops into a lightening strike of groovy beats and bouncy spirited synths. Swirling sonic waves interweave between playful melodies and rapid weighty textures on percussion creating a twirling euphoric surge of energy and blissful psychedelia. Jacquemard’s smooth soothing vocals lull you into a hypnotic stupor. The track coils and curls building to a dynamic crescendo with soaring vocals and bursting with energy. ‘Edge Of The Coin’ is infectiously catchy you will want to put it on repeat, dance and sway to its luring seductively rich sound and dynamic bounce and energy.
Steam ‘Edge Of The Coin’ below

Heez ‘Codependent’ EP

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Heez has released his EP ‘Codependent’ its a five track meandering labyrinth of intricate electronics churning with dark tones and poetic lyrics. Previously featured on Indie Buddie ‘Dancing’ kicks off the EP with its snappy beat, interweaving electronics and shadowy atmospheres. The heavy hearted vocals add emotion to the track while the rap adds rhythm and gives an edge. The quick synth-stabs which are a recurring feature in Heez’s EP give the track an elastic bendable quality while providing a strong sharp whack beat that has a trance effect. ‘The XX Makes Me Sad’ which we also featured this year is a deep rooted flex wave track that is sticky and muggy in thick slap beats and punchy electronics. The haunting lull of backing vocals give a subtle ghostly wailing effect to the track as if they groan and moan with anguish conveying the depression and sorrow of the track. ‘Cold Soul’ follows with distorted spoken vocals and simple accompaniment drawing the listeners attention to the lyrics. The slight echo and “wah wah” vibration to start has a psychedelic vibe. A strong beat enters giving something solid to hold onto before you slip into a trance. ‘Must Be Love’ brightens the tone of the EP with a catchy pop melody for the chorus. Rap vocals brings an R&B feel while the soft instrumentation has a feathery feel and cheery vibe which contrasts the entire EP up to now and showcases Heez can do happy but his way. ‘Sunday’ is a slick sensual light at the end of the dark swirling psychedelic black vortex tunnel that was the first half of the ‘Codependent’ EP. Filling us with hope for the future and optimism. Its a daydream of hazy sunshine with a hint of reggae thrown in and a brighter glimpse of that whack beat teamed with razor shape edgy guitar and strums from a  warm mellow acoustic guitar.
Stream the ‘Codependent’ EP below

The Grey Merchant ‘Spotless’

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The Grey Merchant are an alternative indie band from Cork. Their debut single ‘Spotless’ is set for release via Demeanour Records on November 8th. The Grey Merchant introduce us to their swirling concoction of psychedelic experimental rock that will blow your mind. Its a labyrinth of pulsating bass and distorted guitars swirling in an intoxicating brew of hallucinatory narcotic rock. This thick ecstasy of eye- popping exhilarating psychedelia resounds and winds around a vocal line sampled from Charlie Chaplin’s speech from ‘The Great Dictator’. With rapid punch and repetitive striking drums ‘Spotless’ lures you into a darkened  hair- raisingly thrilling atmosphere where there is no returning. Once you let yourself succumb to the crisp edgy sting and moody undertone you become swallowed and consumed in the tireless relentless onslaught of the meandering entwining coil of The Grey Merchant’s unique and fantastic masterpiece. These guys are ones to watch.
Stream ‘Spotless’ below

 

Ocean Calling ‘Quiet Magic’

Ocean Calling aka Sophie Wilkie was formed at the end of 2013, in a little town called Bellingham in Washington State. Originally from Moseley in the UK, Sophie started making/programming music herself whilst living in the very top corner of the USA. As a musician Sophie is a competent pianist and vocalist, writing lyrics that in isolation could undoubtedly stand on their own as poetry, and as a photographer her work is represented in the USA across various platforms. Almost all of her songs are motivated by and about movement, and discuss, amongst other things, the various travels she has undertaken during the course of the past three years. Wilkie is releasing her album ‘Quiet Magic’ this week. It is bold and adventurous for her first work, soaring effortlessly within various electronic soundscapes, all while maintaining a light dreamy swirl of blissful euphoria blended with hints of dark undertones.

‘Mist and Pine’ introduces Ocean Calling’s 10 track experience. With sweet delicate vocals and aerial atmospheres it is picturesque and beautiful. With elegant piano and rapid spongy beat we instantly get an earthy image of beautiful spring and twinkling mist glistening and fragile.The backing vocals lull and blend calming the mind sweeping the listener up in Wilkies gentle delightful world.Its refreshing tones and echo vocals display fantastic imagery you can almost feel the breeze along with the poetic lyrics its like you are being whispered a secret in the form of honeyed melodies and swirling gentle instrumentation. The album continues this journey with track after track leading you deeper and deeper into a hypnosis of enchanting dreamy melodies daintily flowing and interweaving playfully together. Tracks such as ‘Silhouettes’ adapts a more electronic persona with darker tones surfacing to the top of the mixture every once and a while like subtle glimpses of shadowy tones in a swirling blend of colours. ‘Desert Sky Scarlet’ rushes the mind with a soft rapid sticky rolling beat that gives a feeling of freedom or searching for freedom. A refreshing breezy vibe teamed with bright hazy tones, its a vitalising track that leaves you feeling refreshed. ‘Quiet Magic’ gives us a slow song Ocean Calling style. It has a tender melody that is portrayed with a sensitivity that can draw a tear from your eye. Wilkie’s vocals are heavenly and gentle yet soothing and reassuring. ‘Spun Gold’ surprises with an edgy shadow soaked electronic sound. Deepened eerie vocals and a gooey beat hints trouble bubbling. The track releases tension with an expression of brighter tones like an explosion of a sparkle bomb. ‘Girl and the Road’ takes us to the end of our enchanting journey into Ocean Calling’s world of fascination and wonder. Displaying that daydream airy vibe and her beautifully poetic lyric, this track concludes the album with the sprinkling of enchanting magic and the enthralling yearning will to dream and experience the wonders of life.
Watch the video for ‘Black Sand’ below

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Hidden Charms

London band Hidden Charms have released their new single ‘I Just Wanna Be Left Alone’ ahead of their forthcoming EP ‘Harder From Here’, which is set for release on October 28th, the band consists of members Vincent Davies (singer, guitarist & bassist), Ranald Macdonald (co-singer, keyboardist, guitarist & bassist), Josh Lewis (guitarist & bassist) and Oscar Robertson (drummer). The four piece have scored support slots for the likes of Hanni El Khatib and Yak, a four-week NME Koko residency and radio airtime from Zane Lowe, Annie Mac and Huw Stephens. They have generated a mass of attention from successful slots at Kendal Calling, The Great Escape and the iconic Isle of Wight Festival. We previously featured their single ‘Cannonball’ on Indie Buddie and were extremely excited and eager to hear their new single.
‘I Just Wanna Be Left Alone’ is a hallucinatory rumble of spine chilling neurosis encased and composed in cool strutting swagger. Enduring smooth vocals repeat the chorus, engrossing and consuming you into a maze of intense claustrophobia. The rapid rumbling drums adds a thick gooey humid effect as the spin of psychedelic razor sharp guitar riffs give this track a sultry sensual luring quality while adding an eerie sting. The elastic slap bass gives that strutting prance, stride and groove keeping an upbeat charm and flaunt. Its an infectiously hypnotic and catchy track that creeps up behind and seeps into your brain replaying when you least expect it.
Stream ‘I Just Wanna Be Left Alone’ below