Monthly Archives: March 2021

Alt- Pop, New Music, Synth-pop

Jackson Wang ‘LMLY’

Jackson Wang has released a video for his new single, ‘LMLY’, which stands for ‘Leave Me Loving You’.’ LMLY’ is Wang’s second solo single of 2021, following his Mandarin single ‘Alone’. However, the singer has also released a number of collaborations this year, including ‘Magnetic’ with Rain, ‘So Bad’ with Chinese rapper Vava and ‘M.I.A’ with Indonesian singer Afgan.‘LMLY’ is expected to appear on Wang’s forthcoming album, due for release later this year.

‘LMLY’ is a lush guzzle of synth pop as Wang spreads a bittersweet melody over an intricate 80’s hued backdrop. Saturated in shimmering synths and pulsing beats, the song has a danceable soundscape that is difficult to resist. Melding soft disco tones with crisp sparkling production, Wang adds layers of beautiful luxuriant sounds for the listener to indulge in. The song has a dreamy, melancholic melody that floats upon rich rhythms while ethereal electronics wisp about creating the song’s chilled soundscape. Wang blends nostalgic tones into this synth-pop gem to create a heartfelt tune that is immensely catchy and charming. This earworm sparkles with refined instrumentation and sweet tones while the punchy beat and elastic bass groove anchor the track.

‘LMLY’ is a passionate song exuding dynamic and emotive vocals that venture effortlessly into sweet falsetto heights and warm depths to create a compelling listening experience.

Watch the video for ‘LMLY’ below. 


Author : Danu

electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, Singer/Songwriter

Riley Holland ‘Say it First’

Riley

Riley Holland has released her new single ‘Say it First’. Riley Holland is a songwriter and performer from Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Riley has achieved much in her early career. In 2019 she was a semi- finalist in the Belfast-Nashville Young Songwriter Of The Year, making her live debut during this festival. She was also a finalist in the All-Ireland Star Nation competition. This earned her recording time in Ireland’s famous Windmill Lane studio.

‘Say it First’ is an infectious electronic pop tune saturated in Holland’s emotive songwriting. The track surges with luscious sun kissed electronics that wisp through balmy tones and sticky beats as Holland uses her knack with bittersweet melodies to create one heartfelt breakup bop. The tender lyrics contrast the song’s effervescent radiant backdrop; the warm guitars, tropical tones and bubbling rhythms make ‘Say it First’ a refreshing piece of pop perfection. Holland’s warm vocals coo “ don’t call me and tell me it’s over and we should just be friends”, over an intricately layered electronic pop backdrop creating a danceable radio-ready gem for listeners to indulge in.

‘Say it First’ is a slick, well-crafted earworm that marks Holland as an artist to keep an eye on.

Stream ‘Say it First’ below


Author : Danu

New Music

Caesar’s Brain Child ‘Paradise’

Caesar’s Brain Child has released a video for his single ‘Paradise’.Taken from his debut album ‘Caesar A.D.’, ‘Paradise’ is the first video to come from this collection of songs by Caesar’s Brain Child. Having worked with companies such as HBO, MTV, VH1 AMC, BBC, and PBS, Caesar is a multi-award winning and well-renowned recording artist, composer, director of stage and film, producer, screen and playwright. Caesar composed, directed and produced his most recent production, a New Rock Opera titled, “Seduction”, which completed a very successful run in Las Vegas and New York City. Caesar wrote, produced and directed the feature film, “Forgotten Savior”, which won Best Picture at the New York Independent Film Awards and was nominated at Cannes.

‘Paradise’ is an ethereal tune laced in the cinematic musicianship of Caesar’s Brain Child. Jaunty guitars and punchy drums boast indie rock bravado as warm vocals rasp over a dreamy soundscape filled with twinkling keys, soft bells and rich percussive elements. ‘Paradise’ is a well crafted and energetic new single.

The video for ‘Paradise’ contrasts the radiance of the tune. Using a black and white filter Caesar’s Brain Child performs with theatrical and ominous facial expressions. Filmed as a noir film and paying homage to films like ‘Sin City’, ‘Paradise’ came to Caesar in a dream and imagines what it would be like to fly through the astral plane. Written and recorded completely solo in his home studio, the video for ‘Paradise’ is a true reflection of Caesar’s Brain Child’s creative process.

Watch the video for ‘Paradise’ below


Author : Danu

Indie, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Tommy Cullen ‘Night Moves’

Photo Credit : Joanna O’Malley.

Tommy Cullen has released his new single ‘Night Moves’. Like many of us, Tommy Cullen spent 2020 locked away in his house. Perhaps more unusually, that house is essentially a small house-shaped box and sits on top of a river in the middle of a city. Here, Tommy spent a turbulent year creating songs about scary sharks, imaginary breakups, existential adventures and nice trains. The latest in a series of home-recorded singles, ‘Night Moves’ was written last year during Ireland’s first lockdown. The song has a delicate and plaintive tone, revealing a yearning for contact in a time of universal hurt. It was mixed by Marcus Jay and mastered by Ivan Jackman, while the single’s artwork features photography by Joanna O’Malley.

‘Night Moves’ is a beautifully melancholic and soothing song wrapped in the tender songwriting of Tommy Cullen. This wonderful gem floats upon soft guitar strums and wispy soundscapes, creating a calming, gentle number while Cullen injects a sense of longing through the poignant lyrics. His warm vocals croon, “Breathe deep, draw slow,The city’s putting on a show, No name, two friends, waiting for the world to end,” allowing the bittersweet melody drift through the airy and almost haunting soundscapes. Cullen’s ability to express a range of emotion through minimalist arrangements is mesmerising. He conveys the pain, and numbness of loneliness through warm and calming instrumentation along with innocent twinkles on piano and lush harmonies. ‘Night Moves’ is a remarkable and moving tune from Tommy Cullen. .

Stream ‘Night Moves’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic

School Disco ‘Echoes’

The Brighton-based School Disco have released their new single ‘Echoes’.The song follows on from the three-piece self-titled debut, which was highly regarded by fans new and old. ‘Echoes’ is the first track off the band’s second album, which will be announced soon

Within ‘Echoes’, School Disco display their fizzing blend of indie rock with mind-numbing psychedelia to create one thrilling tune. Melding abrasive guitar riffs with pounding drums, the band create a raw and heavy sound that stomps with glam rock panache and 60’s swagger.

The band have refined their sound into one intoxicating concoction. The riffs are catchy; the drums pound a body moving beat while the elastic bassline weaves lusty grooves throughout. As the song develops, it dissolves its heavy soundscapes into ripples of psychedelia. With lighter guitar embellishments, this hypnotic break in the song creates a numbing release before the crescendo brings a space rock onslaught of mania. Teaming deep hypnotic vocals with shrilling guitars and mind-crushing frenzy, ‘Echoes’ is a spectacular tune.

School Disco have constructed a solid sound. It is confident and loud, but the lyrics are full of mystery and vulnerability. Within short phrases of poetry such as, “Echoes Drone in the night, A sublet dream takes flight, Moving with the air above, Never giving his love Away”, the band capture a sweetly romantic yet eerie scene while the haunting instrumentation pulses around these echoed phrases.

‘Echoes’ is organic, sharp, and layered to perfection, making School Disco a band to keep an eye on.

Speaking on ‘Echoes’ School Disco frontman and producer Rory Lethbridge said. ‘‘Echoes is a really unique song for us and was the start of the new crop of songs from our 2nd album. Usually we write all the music first but this one started off as a poem. It also features one of my closest friends Elliot singing a dual lead harmony, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and he has an amazing ability to write and sing harmony. He really adds a unique dimension to the song’’

Stream ‘Echoes’ below


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Funk, Funk and Soul, New Music

Jungle ‘Keep Moving’

Photo Credit : Anna Victoria Best

The producer duo, Jungle, have returned with their new single ‘Keep Moving’. The track is taken from their forthcoming album ‘Loving In Stereo’ due for release in August this year. In their career to date, Jungle have gone from selling-out London’s 10,000 capacity Alexandra Palace to filling the Hollywood Palladium some 9,000 kilometres from home. They’ve performed on multiple continents, headlining shows from Sydney to Moscow while also winning new fans at festivals such as Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Their Mercury Prize-nominated, Gold-certified debut and 2018’s follow-up ‘For Ever’ both entered the UK Top 10. Those two records have since amassed 750,000 equivalent album sales and close to a billion streams.

Doused in strutting swagger and disco soul, ‘Keep Moving’ is a magnificent new tune. The track rides on a funky bass groove and rich percussive bounce while shimmering synths and 70’s chic disco elements create an infectious and vibrant soundscape. Jungle experiments with lush sounds to develop their dynamic songs, and ‘Keep Moving’ follows this trend superbly. Tropical steel drum tones exude a sweet sun-kissed radiance between danceable grooves as the duo spread velvety soulful vocals and tight harmonies over a chic melody. With balmy sweet guitar refrains creating an upbeat, positive tone to mirror the song’s uplifting theme of accepting who you are and moving forward positively, the track is a well-produced delight.

‘Keep Moving’ is ambitious, indulgent and above all, fun. Jungle display an exceptional level of attention to detail within the song, subtly swirling and blending new sounds and luxuriant instrumentation into ‘Keep Moving’ to create a fresh and invigorating listening experience.

Watch the video for ‘Keep Moving’ below 



Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Thrillhouse ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’

Brighton alt/indie band Thrillhouse have released their new single ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’.This nostalgic gem flows with the emotive, infectious and masterfully crafted sound we have come to love from Thrillhouse. The band use urging keys and meticulously layered sounds to create a lush and juicy backdrop for their heartfelt melodies. This band’s knack with irresistible melodies is awe-inspiring. Throughout their releases, Thrillhouse always deliver on sweet earworm tunes filled with passion and ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’ follows this trend superbly. The smooth vocals exude rich depths through warm coos while pulsing beats adorn the backdrop creating a heart-racing pace while shimmering synths add psychedelic hues into the mix. With bright guitars injecting zesty stings through the intoxicating soundscape, ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’ is a beautiful and wholly consuming new single from Thrillhouse.

Stream ‘Where The Roads Don’t Go’ below 


Author : Danu

Album Review, Alt Rock, New Music

Maxwell-Thomas ‘Daisuki Baby’ Album

‘Daisuki Baby’ is the brand new 10-track album from Chicago based alternative rocker Maxwell-Thomas. Featuring the new single ‘Gaslighter’, this album sees Maxwell-Thomas teaming up with drummer James Mozina.

‘Daisuki Baby’ is a melodic collection of alternative rock that displays Maxwell-Thomas’ emotive and vibrant musicianship. This lush album is drenched in sun-soaked tones with bright guitars and buoyant rhythmic sections making each song a joy to the ears. The album is balanced superbly to create a collection that is stunning and musically rich. It’s clear ‘Daisuki Baby’ is designed to be enjoyed as a whole body of work as each song flows beautifully into the next. Blending dynamic alternative rock soundscapes with lush pop melodies and driving percussion, ‘Black’, ‘Gaslighter’ and ‘Collateral’ showcases Maxwell-Thomas’ tight and refined sound.

The phenomenal drumming of James Mozina holds the tracks together. He creates that brawn and power through the songs forming that sturdy lean mean backbone that is sure to ignite a live audience as well as cushioning the more tender moments within songs like ‘Closer. Here the steady drums contain the tender emotion and subtly lift the song to create an anthemic power rock ballad.

‘Daisuki Baby’ exudes energy throughout as Maxwell-Thomas fuses hook-filled sentiments of pop music with punk rock elements throughout the fiery ‘Hollywood’ while ‘Scattered’ ventures into a more grunge style. With dreamy melodies and smooth expressive vocals, Maxwell-Thomas creates a satisfying listening experience with ‘Daisuki Baby’.

Even the brooding ballads create a cinematic chill of goosebumps. The smoky melancholic ‘Goodbye, Goodnight’ is perhaps the most captivating example of this. Maxwell-Thomas builds the somber melody and lamenting backdrop of pining guitars and punchy drums to create an emotional tune that intensifies to a teary-eyed movie scene crescendo filled with oodles of emotion.

‘Daisuki Baby’ is a beautifully crafted album that showcases the deft songwriting and diverse musicianship of Maxwell-Thomas.

Stream ‘Daisuki Baby’ below 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2QglJNfaD4YHm7FbALwoXN?si=UQCqfE6mT_aRkFSK4yqVuA


Author : Danu

Indie, indie rock, New Music

Locklin ‘Shoot the Breeze’

Tipperary band, Locklin have released their new single ‘Shoot the Breeze’.Locklin is the brainchild of Barry McLoughlin. Under the pseudonym of Locklin, they released their debut EP in late 2018, entitled “Never Forget”. The band have played shows in The Crane Lane in Cork as well as Whelan’s in Dublin.’Shoot the Breeze’ was recorded prior to the initial lockdown of March 2020. The track features songwriter, Barry McLoughlin on guitar and vocals, Eoin Ryan on guitar and vocals and Cian Cronin on drums. 

‘Shoot the Breeze’ is a melodic indie rock track saturated in the sun-soaked feel-good sound of Locklin. The song swarms in on a wave of adrenaline as the bouncy guitars ricochet off a rhythmic backdrop of driving basslines and punchy drums to create a mosh ready soundscape while the smooth melody and emotive vocals create that earworm infectiousness that is difficult to resist. Exuding sweet grunge melodies and 90’s alternative rock hues, ‘Shoot the Breeze’, boasts Locklin’s tight musicianship and refined songwriting.

Stream ‘Shoot the Breeze’ below 


Author : Danu

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Singer/Songwriter

Calum Agnew ‘Don’t Think About It’

Calum Agnew has released his new single ‘Don’t Think About It’.Agnew is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter from Duleek, Co.Meath. Since writing his first song at the age of 9, he has composed hundreds of melodies with lyrics in both the Irish and English languages. Currently a 6th year student in St. Marys Diocesan School, Drogheda, Calum has been tipped by many as a ‘rising star’ on the Irish Music scene after reaching number 1 on the Irish iTunes charts with his debut single “Crazy”. Calum says that his music is Inspired by ‘Soul & Pop’ artists such as Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith and Hozier. Amid the Global Coronavirus pandemic, Calum used this time to craft his art, learning how to record and produce his own music from his bedroom, including his new single release ‘Don’t Think About It’. 

‘Don’t Think About It’ displays the bright and compelling alternative pop of Calum Agnew. With supple melodies wisping through delicate beats and warm guitars, the song has a bubbling and light backdrop. Agnew provides an emotive and intricately weaved song through an array of soft instruments that highlight his confident and impressive songwriting. The verses brood and simmer with folk-esque tones on guitar while a lush pop melody coats the song in sweetness and buoyancy. Agnew sweeps an elegant string arrangement into the song’s vibrant backdrop adding a dash of grandeur and drama while the lush backing vocals and bouncy percussion build to the cinematic and powerful crescendo. ‘Don’t Think About It’ is a catchy and well crafted new single that marks Calum Agnew as an artist to keep an eye on. 

Stream ‘Don’t Think About It’ below 


Author : Danu