After lighting up stages across North America and around the world this summer on a sold out tour and teasing eager fans about upcoming music releases, Thirty Seconds To Mars have released a new song for the first time in four years. “Walk On Water” marks the first single from the multi-platinum selling band’s highly anticipated forthcoming fifth studio album.
‘Walk On Water’ is a stomping adrenaline rushing anthem. With synth flickers between pounding march ready drums, it’s a mighty powerful statement. Leto’s strong raspy vocals resound over a booming soundscape. Exuding optimism and hope it’s a stand together and fight for what you believe in anthem. It’s a catchy tune with a synth rock surge that is sure to be epic live.
Next week, “Walk On Water” will have its world television debut in a can’t-miss performance on this year’s MTV VMAs on August 27th, 2017. Frontman Jared Leto first hinted at new music in a dramatic teaser video unveiled on his Instagram in June. The band then confirmed the new single in August with another video. The record follows the band’s 2013 studio album LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS, which debuted inside the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 as well as official charts across the UK and mainland Europe.
Dublin alternative rock band Motions have released their new single ‘All I’ve Ever Known’. The band was formed by Tom Daly and Dave Nulty in late 2015. They create a sound with powerful vocals accompanied by minimalist textures and driving guitars, their sound ranges from shimmering soundscapes to anthemic rock. 2016 saw the release of their well received debut single ‘Back To Where I Begun’. The band have been drawing attention worldwide with major industry interest in the UK and US. ‘All I’ve Ever Known’ is a tender gradually building track. Drenched in haunting tones and driven by a strong stabbing beat that rumbles and bubbles in the background building and growing in intensity as the track progresses into a breathtaking burst. Subtle instrumentation creates a magical almost eerie soundscape right up to the explosive crescendo which acts like an overwhelming rush of blood to the head. ‘All I’ve Ever Known’ is raw and tender with delicate emotional moments that are suppressed or muted and build into a dynamic explosive release.
Stream ‘All I’ve Ever Known’ below
Indie-pop quartet, Ivy Nations have released their new single ‘Live By Design’. The band are setting the dance-rock scene on fire in their native Dublin. Only two singles deep, the group have been praised for the refined sound that they have established with producer Phil Magee (Kodaline, The Script). Their previous releases have broken the HypeM chart top 5 and received international airplay in the US, Australia and Ireland. They’ve toured with major artists such as Kodaline and have also released their first ever music video, for ‘Live By Design’ directed and produced by Blacktooth Films.
‘Live By Design’ fleshes out Ivy Nations energetic dynamic indie pop only with darker tones. Haunting twinkling guitar gives flashes of light through the eerie shadowy mysterious track. A murky bass line gives the foundation to the ghostly verses. The track explodes into a fruitful full bodied sonic flashing chorus. The woozy hectic chorus accelerates the track into a dynamic dance anthem. Blending and churning intense dreamy verses with high energy chorus’ Ivy nations create a sublime fun track that hits all the right spots. The shredding stinging guitar solo builds the track up to the mighty crescendo. Ivy nations brings us a chilling track that is both goosebump inducing and thrilling while also vibrant and dynamic.
UK band Everywhere have announced their first 2017 offering in the form of new single ‘Man Up’. The single is currently available for streaming on Soundcloud and the official release to all digital stores including Spotify will happen on June 9th. At the end of last year, Everywhere released their critically praised sophomore EP ‘Fiction Act’. The EP single ‘Some Other Dude’ was featured on BBC Introducing in London and has received over a million streams on Spotify.
They made their first International appearance at the 2013 NME Awards in the UK, playing alongside Django Django and Palma Violets and later went on to support the Kaiser Chiefs and headline Notting Hill Arts Club in London. New single ‘Man Up’ continues the bands strike for world domination. ‘Man Up’ is a blissful explosion of sweet electro- pop. Swirling electronics kick the track off to a suspenseful start. Followed by a catchy chorus and infectious beat, this track seeps sugary pop from its core while holding enough raw cool tones to contain the sugar rush. The addition of vocals from Swedish singer-songwriter Rebecca Nohr blends smoothly and perfectly with the track and with Max Berga’s velvety vocals. With a funky dynamic bassline and shimmering synths this track is packed with oomph and honey coated melodies that will compel you to put ‘Man Up’ on repeat.
Stream ‘Man Up’ below
London-based duo Ten Fé have released their much anticipated debut album ‘Hit The Light’.Recorded in Berlin, Ben Moorhouse and Leo Duncan’s stunning debut is an album to get lost in. The duo effortlessly blend blissful soft rock with psychedelic electronic rock ’n’ roll creating an album where each track warrants its place and has its own identity on the album while gliding fluidly into the next track. ‘Overflow’ kicks the album off with sweet nostalgia. Moorhouse’s warm mellow baritone soothes and cushions the listener from the bittersweet sentimental drenched track. It becomes instantly obvious these guys have a knack for irresistible melodies that lull in the back of your mind portraying perhaps harsh sombre tones but with a grace and a delicacy that is just beautiful. With longing tapping synths, lush harmonies and rich layered echo textures Ten Fé begin to introduce us to their enthralling sound that will transport you to a mind numbing journey into a swirling world of emotions. ‘Turn’ follows dripping in sonic 80’s infused soft rock, Duncan mourns a strained relationship.Its wistful with an afflicted tone but by no means doleful. Psychedelic “wah wah” on guitar ripples through the track like a wobbly warping mirage while the soft beat peps the track up adding a lively bouncy effect. Lush harmonies are what these guy do effortlessly and it adds such a rich elegance to the track especially when teamed with a mind melting melody.
Moorhouse takes on lead vocals on the dreamy ‘Elodie’. I must confess my favourite track on the album, ‘Elodie’ is the kind of track that you fall in love with. It reduces you to a liquid substance and really shows off the duos fine musicianship. The rich, daydream tone on vocals coo and lull with lavish qualities. Its heart on your sleeve raw emotion, tender and sweet yet radiating bright vibes. With yearning lyrics and lamenting “sigh-like” backing vocals, it swoons you into a bubble of nostalgic dreaminess. The rolling piano refrain creates a swan-like elegance while the steady tempo, warm feelings and heavenly melody make this track a perfect treasure. ‘Twist Your Arm’ flurries with loose floaty ecstasy featuring a propulsive strong beat and elastic bass teamed with a stinging slide guitar. The swirling electronics chilled with breezy natural tones add a psychedelic feel. The track builds into a massive full bodied chorus with hand clapping, swaying and almost Gospel- like crescendo. With smooth vocals reaching to a dynamic falsetto this track is dynamite. ‘Another Way’ is summer in a bottle. Open roads sunshine relax and chill. Limber dainty guitar adds to the bright luminous vibe while the washed-out keys flood the track with cool relaxed tones. Its mind easing bliss with falsetto vocals and rich harmonies creating the perfect backdrop to just let everything go. ‘In The Air’ jogs along again displaying Ten Fé’s knack for ear-worm indie pop. Zesty bright guitars interplay with a steady consistent beat while Moorhouse and Duncan’s vocal harmonies intertwine. Its effortless cool melody and vocals give the track a mellow bright free vibe. ‘Don’t Forget’ brings us a beat driven track with a darker tone. Flashes of sharp guitar add piercing scintillation to the track while soft backing vocals echo. The track becomes more electronically heavy as it progresses building to almost an 80’s rock balled classic. Its all fist pumping vibes by the shredding guitar solo. ‘Follow’ another delightful melodic banger. Smothered in uplifting vibes with nostalgic undertones and gentle vocals. With wistful synth swirls, its tear jerking stuff that still makes you feel good. ‘Make Me Better’ blast us with strings, sticky snappy beats and a The Verve vibe mixed with Roy Orbison-esque elements. Its dark dramatic and fantastically sharp.Its a rush of blood churning with bubbling emotions and flashes of blazing synths.Epic orchestral peaks create an anthemic explosion while a calm steady bassline grounds the track adding depth. Its larger than life and immense yet majestic. You will have stuck song syndrome with that hook on strings it will be in your head all day. ‘Burst’ bops with hopeful vitality. The use of reverb changes the track that would perhaps have been more country into a fusion with psychedelic trippy electronics. Its catchy fun and lively and twangs in all the right places.
Our journey with Ten Fé comes to and end with the tender emotional ‘July Rain’. Rich percussion perfectly placed throbs and kicks with a stomping beat.Light pitter patter adds a rain like quality while a beautiful piano feature adds grace and elegance to this emotional track. This duo are not afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve and its beautiful aching tracks like ‘July Rain’ that come to fruition because of this. Delicate backing vocals heighten the emotional vocals and raw lyrics. This stunning track brings the album to a heart wrenching yet satisfying end.
Ten Fé compiled a combination of impeccable songs that are a treasure. Each track flows perfectly into the next. Its an emotional journey that the band take you on with them. Giving a personal experience to every listener that makes you hold the album close to your heart. As expected Ten Fé knocked it out of the park with catchy melodies and well crafted musicianship, ‘Hit The Light’ is what we expected and more, majestic personal and larger than life.
Stream ‘Hit The Light’ below
Cork based recording collaborative, The Grey Merchant, have announced details of a second single release, ‘The Last Transmission’ which will be released on February 23 2017. The Grey Merchant is the collaborative recording project of Cork based Indie trio Neon Atlas’ bassist Enda O’Flaherty and a collection of friends and fellow musicians ‘The Last Transmission’ is the follow up to their debut single release ‘Spotless (The Protecting Veil’ which was released in November last year, receiving significant airplay both in Ireland and internationally, particularly in the UK, USA, France, Canada and The Mauritius. ‘The Last Transmission’ is a flaming burst of raw rock ignited with shredding guitars mighty percussion and sublime soaring synths. The track is jam packed and richly layered showcasing fine musicianship from theses guys. Perfectly placed reverb brings the track to red hot intensity as it scorches all in its path while the cool effortless yet dynamic vocals cool the track slightly. The guitars pierce through with an electrifying blood-tingling shrill. Instrumentally deep and luxurious ‘The Last Transmission’ is a rip-roaring sonic seizure blazing from start to finish swooping you into a whirlwind of high powered vivacious instrumentation and a blistering intricate production that boasts the talent and craftsmanship of The Grey Merchant.
The Grey Merchant are currently in the studio putting the final touches to their debut long-player release which is expected sometime in the late spring of 2017 so keep an eye out for that.
Stream ‘The Last Transmission’ below
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.
Sunderland based indie, electro ,alt rock outfit Rayne have released their latest single ‘Subject A’ which is taken from their highly anticipated ‘Complex By Design’ album. With well over one year hidden away in the recording studio, Rayne members Ben Potts (Vox/Bass), Adam Dagg (Guitar/Synths) and Steve Naisbet (Drums) are committed to unearthing their very best material to date. ‘Subject A’ is an elevated guitar driven anthem with an epic fist pumping arrangement and soaring vocals that can make you feel like you can do anything. Intensifying synth grooves and dynamic guitars create a massive , galvanic experience that will knock you for six. Blood pumping drums rushes like an elastic speed ball and teamed with the emotional compelling vocals leaves you breathless in a whirlwind rush of swirling soaring musicianship. Its a cool, airy, energetic rapture rock anthem drizzled with dark undertones and mighty walloping hooks.
Rayne will be announcing the full album release details and UK live dates in coming weeks so look out for that. In the meantime stream ‘Subject A’ below
London Alt Rock band Everywhere have announced the release of their second EP ‘Fiction Act’ available on iTunes December 9. This follows the success of acclaimed track ‘Some Other Dude’. The Band recently finished their first proper UK tour with stops in Brighton, Liverpool and Glasgow amongst others. Since their Hypemachine charting debut ‘Eddie’, Everywhere’s music has been streamed millions of times on YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify. They made their first International appearance at the 2013 NME Awards in the UK, playing alongside Django Django and Palma Violets, and later went on to support the Kaiser Chiefs and headline Notting Hill Arts Club in London. The lead single on the EP ‘Some Other Dude’ now has over 1 million plays on Spotify and gained them a feature on BBC Introducing London. This advance success certainly helped pave the way for ‘Fiction Act’. During the recording process of the EP the boys have divided their time between Stockholm, Los Angeles and London to collaborate with multiple producers, including American hit maker Mark Needham (The 1975, The Killers). ‘Shades At Night’ kicks off the ‘Fiction Act’ EP giving us a massive anthem to wrap our ears around. Rich with a luxurious ear-worm melody and a ravishing textured rhythm that gives the track depth leaving you craving more. Shimmering synths keep the track bright and glowing with dazzling scintillation that evokes thoughts of an arena worthy flashing lights display. Its a track that is sure to have a live audience on their feet jumping , dancing and bellowing out the sing-along lyrics. An explosive attention grabbing start to the EP. ‘Heroine’ follows gushing with high spirited energy and lush soaring vocals. Snappy beat gives the track steady bounce and lift while the weaving melodies on synths add a spacey aerial feel. This track is well formed and crafted giving us lavish textures to devour. ‘Some Other Dude’ follows next, a track which we previously featured on Indie Buddie. Its a “go for it” piece of advise full of “carpe diem” vibes and fist pumping high energy. With escalating dynamic vocals, elastic groovy bass and bopping punchy drums this track oozes swagger infused dance vibes. You wont be able to sit still with another irresistibly catchy chorus, its a crowd pleaser. ‘ Let It Go’ brings the EP to a tender close. Synths glitter and glisten with gentle elegance. The track twinkles and sparkles delicately becoming more intense and rich for the chorus. Soaring backing vocals add a dreamy hazy vibe to the track. Its a beautiful graceful end to the EP.
‘Fiction Act’ is a treasure trove of rich melodies that shows Everywhere are blossoming into something quite potent. They are a band that should most definitely be sought after.
Stream ‘Fiction Act’ below
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Idle Frets
Liverpool band Idle Frets are Ben (Guitar, Vocals), Dave (Guitar), Luke (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals) and Erin (Drums, Backing Vocals). They have been wowing crowds all over the country with their live shows and now the four piece are back with their new single ‘Glow’. It’s a big-hitting single that exudes effortless cool tones and exhibits the bands arena-ready all driving, rousing indie. Dripping in sticky hot summer night vibes and layered syrupy synths ‘Glow’ shimmers and glitters with gooey sweltering radiance. Raspy emotive vocals ooze charisma and smooth cool swagger. The driving rhythm creates heart racing indie that is fist pumping anthem ready. With slick edgy guitar and a dynamic malleable slap on bass Idle Frets have created a track that is richly textured with an instantly catchy massive chorus. Its a killer radio worthy ear-worm. These guys are ones to watch.
You can catch Idle Frets live at:
11/11 – The Bristol Pear, Birmingham
10/12 – Arts Club Loft, Liverpool
15/12 – Sofar Sounds, Manchester
16/12 – Sofar Sounds, London
17/12 – Camden Assembly, London
Stream ‘Glow’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
