Travi The Native has released his new single ‘Heavy Love’. Travi The Native is the latest alter ego of Belfast born frontman Travis Gilbert. Writing openly about personal struggles, Travi The Native is on his own crusade to shout about mental health, social media and toxic masculinity.
Effortlessly cool and mellow, ‘Heavy Love’ drifts with a chic relaxed persona on Travi The Native’s rich, melodic musicianship. The song is well crafted and tightly weaved. The backdrop is adorned in twinkling soundscapes which float on a slow Hip – hop hued beat while funky warm guitar lines radiate throughout. ‘Heavy love’ has a laid back, dreamy, irresistible charm which is emphasised even further through the rasped warm vocals. The zesty indie guitar adds a bite and refreshing lift to the track while also providing a glowing cosiness. This easy going ditty is a summer evening timeless classic to chill to.
Derry indie pop singer songwriter Stayne (pronounced like stain) has released his new single ‘Who’s Dead, How’s The Weather?’ ahead of his EP which is due for release later this year.This beautiful and tender track is an impeccable example of Stayne’s clean, honest and pure songwriting. With ethereal soundscapes wisping around elegant twinkles on piano it’s a heartwarming emotive gem. Stayne’s warm vocals have a rich depth and velvety tone as he glides over the melancholic smooth melody with ease. The track surges with uplifting tones as the buoyant beat and building backdrop lift the song to new heights for the crescendo. It’s a well crafted, beautiful number that flurries lightly around the earnest lyrics which speak of how we are only here for a short while and during our time on earth you should ‘be someone you’re proud of’. With a bubbling melodically rich chorus teamed with wonderful glistens on guitar ‘Who’s Dead, How’s The Weather? is a sublime track brimming with emotion, passion and refined musicianship.
Cork based noise pop outfit Deadbog have released their new self titled EP. The band formed in summer 2018 by friends Danny O’Shea (guitars and vocals) and Luke Daly (drums). After a number of gigs as a two piece, Rory Burke (guitar) and JJ Lee (bass) completed the line up.
Drenched in reverb with shoegaze elements swirling into a deep psychedelic pool of distortion, Deadbog’s EP is a richly blended four track concoction with equal measures of sweet and sour. The band melt soft dreamy melodies on top of acid soaked guitar and rich intricate rhythmic progressions to create intense moments of raw psych-tinged alternative rock through ‘Morning Swimmer’ and ‘Vending Machine’.With heavy instrumental crashes the tracks build becoming ominous and shrilling as light flickers on guitar progress to coarse pines soaring over thick heavy drum pounds and perilous rapid soundscapes. It’s a hard hitting collection of tracks however, amidst this onslaught of controlled chaos the band show glimpses of sweet delicacy and innocence.
There are very little vocals on the EP. When the vocals do appear it is through a wave of harmonies and expressions. In ’Behold the Coagula’ it’s the vocals and wistful melody that cool the tracks scorching intensity. Deadbog lay this melancholic melody and cooing vocals over a bubbling harsh backdrop of pounding drums and meandering guitars creating a wonderful contrast.‘Gurus’ begins with the most beautiful sweet guitar lament backed by a throbbing beat. The first half of this track ripples with clear and pristine clarity creating a time stopping moment within the EP before the band enhance the song building to its epic and hair raising crescendo.
Deadbog have created an EP that is rich in its intricacies with sweet melancholic and dreamy moments flickering between the band’s blast of controlled chaos. The intense and blistering instrumentation is created with such precision, as the band carefully allows the softer tender moments to flourish, almost untouched, in this frenzied atmosphere.It’s an impressive balancing act.
Rising Indie Rock band The Burma have just released their new EP ‘Sugar Moonlight’. At various stages over the past year the Irish indie band have holed up in Monique Studios with producer Christian Best (Mick Flannery, O Emperor, Jack O’Rourke, Marlene Enright) writing and recording their latest release.
‘Sugar Moonlight’ is a tidy collection of tracks exuding passionate pop melodies and blazing alternative rock with a healthy dose of indie rock at its heart. The band go all out with this EP – luscious textures and melodious highs, psychedelic rawness and tender broods create a well rounded enjoyable listening experience.
The jubilous indie guitar jingle of ‘Same Again’ kick starts the EP. It is light and infectious as the ethereal guitars create a wonderful animated bounce. The Burma construct tracks with a rich rhythmic foundation of rippling bass lines and buoyant snappy drums allowing the charming guitar refrains to soar and flourish off this backdrop with majestic tonalities. The band swoon smooth melty melodies into their vibrant indie sound effortlessly. ‘Quicksand’ shows this superbly as the soft bubbly melody wisps delicately through a crashing psychedelic backdrop of airy stings on guitar and rumbling drums.
With a refreshing bite, each track rolls coolly into the next. Whether it’s the icy sting of the melancholic ‘When You’re Gone’ or the darker synth swirling prance of ‘Phoney Personality’, the band use their ability to intricately weave multi layered synth textures and melodies to create a seamless transition between tracks while still maintaining each songs own identity. Final track ‘Buried Alive’ closes the EP on a high. It’s not a sugar rush but a sweet tender and mesmerising high as The Burma present their most delicious emotive and beautiful melody yet. Caressed with soft tender vocals and slow brooding instrumentation the track flurries on a light airy soundscape of glistening guitar and pulsing beat. Each timeless twinkle and bass wriggle coils and curdles the backdrop in sombre wistful tones. The track builds superbly becoming more dynamic as, in true The Burma fashion the song reaches its hair raising crescendo.
The Burma have a wonderful ability to create rich proficient tunes with first rate instrumentation, exhilarating guitar lines and intricate bass lines that surge with character. Their melodies are irresistible, oozing emotive, dreamy and sweet tones while the lo- fi grooves and heavy rhythmic pulses provide the element that hooks your ears and leaves you craving more. ‘Sugar Moonlight’ is a mature and impressive EP that makes The Burma ones to keep an eye on.
Priorland have released their new single ‘Moving To The Beat’.The track is the prologue to their ‘E.P. One’ which will debut later this year. Priorland is an original Irish band consisting of four members Calvin, Tommy, Davie and Conor. Their style ranges from Rock, Reggae, R&B, Soul, Blues and Pop.
With its funky flex creating a strutting groove ‘Moving To The Beat’ is that infectious tune sure to entice you onto the dance floor. The band douse the track in smooth silky instrumentation while slapping on healthy portions of indie rock on top. A pop, swagger-dipped melody prances about jangly guitar refrains and buoyant foot tapping beat. With smooth velvety vocals teamed with lush backing harmonies and glossy production Priorland have created one infectious bop which showcases their proficient, refined and classy musicianship. ‘Moving To The Beat’ blends chic, soul-hued funk with R&B elements and sprightly indie pop to create a well oiled dance infused gem.
Formed three years ago at BIMM College in Dublin State Lights consisting of band members: singer Shobsy, guitarist Joe Regan, drummer Paul Ridgeway and bassist Noel Perry have released their new single ‘Don’t Make Plays on My Heart’. The track follows the double-A from earlier this year featuring the band’s original ‘Let You Go’ and State Lights’s sublime cover of The Blue Nile’s Tinseltown In The Rain.The single was picked up by RTE 2FM’s flagship breakfast show as its single of the week and enjoyed support also from Independent radio including FM104, Spin1038, KCLR and others. In recent times the band has also tallied substantial airplay and support from KROQ Los Angeles, Radio X (UK) and a host of other International radio stations.
Saturated in a shimmering indie pop sheen ‘Don’t Make Plays on My Heart’ is a biting atmospheric track which exudes the exhilarating, bracing and utterly mesmerising musicianship of State Lights. The band swirl sharp ethereal guitars through a buoyant 80’s hued backdrop to create a breezy intoxicating soundscape. The jabbing guitars slice with acute precision through the punchy drums and sublime fluctuant bass.
State Lights lay down a magnificent pulsing rhythmic backbone for the track, which wiggles with relentless intensity throughout, allowing the elevating guitars to lift the track into anthemic heights. It’s arena ready indie pop with clean crisp production and superb songwriting. Shobsy’s sweet falsetto carries the song. His vocals surge with passion and emotion taking the track’s intensity and adrenaline to new heart racing heights as the track reaches its explosive crescendo.
State Lights are a band to keep an eye on. Their ability to cultivate this shimmering pearly track with such precision and refined musicianship is impressive. It’s going to be exciting watching this band flourish.
Manchester indie rock band Freeda have released their new single ‘Let Me Down’.Forming in 2017, Freeda spent their formative years establishing themselves in their hometown, building a committed following and selling out headline shows along the way. In 2019, working with highly acclaimed production duo Sugar House, Freeda released three singles ‘Plead’, ‘Replay’ and ‘Wash’. Collectively, these went on to reach in excess of 100,000 streams on Spotify, received extensive backing from BBC Introducing, and continued support from XS Manchester and Amazing radio.’Let Me Down’ is the fourth single to be taken from an upcoming EP set to be released later this year.
‘Let Me Down’ is a fizzing melodic overdose of joyous indie. Saturated in effervescent synths, jaunty guitar lines and an infectious beat, the track is an instant shot of adrenaline. A wonderful indie jangle weaves between raw punchy drum and bass combo. Lush melodies flourish with a zinging pop persuasion as the band craft that rushing youthful sound to ensure repeat listens. The smooth vocals are the icing on the cake as Sean Rowles coaxes you into the catchy melodic hook with soft croons while the rich electronic percussion ripples in the backdrop.The coiling, skittish and ethereal synths mirror the lyrics tones of disappointment while the bubbly instrumentation creates a sublime peppy contrast. Freeda entwine subtle psychedelic elements and vibrant indie to create an invigorating track soaked in summer vibes.
Isaac Butler has just released his new single ‘Paranoid’, today. ‘Paranoid’ follows Isaac Butler’s previous singles ‘Moon Song’, ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Young Forever’ which have together racked up an amazing 1 million streams on Spotify so far.Isaac Butler’s show at The Sound House is now rescheduled to 9 October 2020, with all original tickets valid for the new date. It is his second headline show, having sold out his debut in Whelan’s last November and follows a jam-packed festival season in 2019, which saw Isaac Butler play a host of festival dates around the country including Electric Picnic and Kaleidoscope.
‘Paranoid‘ is a bubbly sprinkle of the infectious, honest and wonderfully melodic songwriting of Isaac Butler. Doused in summer vibes the track drifts effortlessly along Butler’s smooth passionate vocals and light breezy melody while glossy guitar-licks radiate warm golden sunshine. It’s an upbeat number with an ethereal scorching soundscape while the lyrics, which candidly detail the breakdown of a romantic relationship provide a wonderful contrast. Butler has provided an enjoyable, buoyant radio ready track with depth and substance.The catchy vocal hooks teamed with crisp production and lustrous musicianship make ‘Paranoid’ one satisfying summer tune.
Speaking of ‘Paranoid’ Isaac Butler said: “It’s about a relationship I was in and totally had the feeling I was getting messed around but constantly being told that nothing was going on. The music is happy and upbeat but ironically it’s quite a cynical song. I wrote it as a reflection on something that was a bad situation at the time but that doesn’t bother me anymore.”
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Academic
The Academic have released their new single ‘Anything Could Happen’.The single is the first new release from the band since signing a global record deal with Capitol Records. The band were hand-picked by Mick Jagger to support The Stones here in Ireland and with a number 1 album to their name and sold out shows all over the country, the band’s music is already finding very willing ears much further afied. They are heavily pencilled for more international tour dates when this lockdown lifts.
‘Anything Could Happen’ is a seamless perky indie-pop hit. The Academic display their knack for infectious melodies with this bright sharp track which is bursting with cool chic energy. With inspirational glimmers of Prince and Thin Lizzy the track ricochets off an elastic bass and irresistible guitar hook.The Academic have created one heck of a joyous bop. It’s cool and crisp with tasty little elements in between to keep it refreshing and intriguing. From sweet guitar licks, lush backing vocal coos, 80’s pop sheen and a driving infectious groove, the band weave wonderful intricate elements to keep this track subtly explosive. It’s a vibrant, upbeat and oh so catchy musical gem of euphoric bliss.
‘Anything Could Happen’, produced by Nick Hodgson, was released simultaneously with the accompanying video premiere on Youtube. Directed by Ronan Corrigan and Hope Kemp, the video is a real reflection of the current times we’re living in under lockdown, giving a brief insight in the lives of quarantined couples around the world
About the track the band said :.” Anything Could Happen’ is a rallying cry to the people in our lives who find themselves stuck in cycles of mundanity and monotony. We hope it inspires people to be kind to themselves and take control of their futures.”
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.
Stream ‘wired’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
