All posts by Indie Buddie

Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Dance, Indie Pop, New Music, Synth-pop, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From 10 O’Clock Chemical

Having met through Stoke On Trent’s local music scene, 10 O’Clock Chemical was formed in 2016 between four friends discovering a shared love for rock and electronica: songwriter, keyboardist and vocalist Rhys, drummer Danny, bassist Josh and guitarist Jack. An enigmatic group with a penchant for sci-fi imagery and witty, observational songwriting, they were quickly voted ‘Best New Artist’ by six hundred of their peers at the Staffordshire and Cheshire Music Awards in Spring 2017. Their debut single ‘Babylon is Fallen’ was released to critical acclaim in February 2018 via their own GRITPOP label, and the group plan to release their debut EP this June. The band have now released a video for their recent single ‘We Are Digital’.

‘We Are Digital’ is a flaunty, sublime strut of electronica that exudes the sass and sultriness of INXS with a Depeche Mode foundation. This catchy gem showcases the band’s opulent production, slithery grooves, and captivating allure.With a thick rhythmic base and light funk embellishment, this song fits all the needs of 1980s pop radio while maintaining a modern edge. The glossy infectious melody glides over a rippling guitar line and snappy skittering beat creating an infectious dancable number. The sumptuous production makes for a wholly satisfying listen –  tightly layered and darkly hued the song lures you into its infectious depths. The vibrant chorus is ridiculously buoyant as attitude soaked vocals rebound of its fluctuant, dizzying soundscapes while falsetto vocals sweeten the deal providing a lush melody to cling to. 10 O’Clock Chemical have created a hook laden intoxicating pop number to drool over.

The video for ‘We Are Digital’ was Co-directed by Will Hutchinson and band member Rhys Oakes – watch it below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, electro - rock, electro- pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Synth Rock, Synth-pop

Bastille ‘Quarter Past Midnight’

Bastille have released their new single ‘Quarter Past Midnight’ which is the lead single from the band’s forthcoming third album, the follow-up to 2016’s UK No. 1 album ‘Wild World’. The past half-decade has certainly been a whirlwind for the four-piece, who comprise frontman Dan Smith (who is the sole songwriter, and co-produces all the tracks alongside Mark Crew), keyboardist Kyle Simmons, bassist and guitarist Will Farquarson, and drummer Chris Wood. They’ve played over 500 shows across six continents, including their recent, critically acclaimed ReOrchestrated tour, and have amassed 15 million single sales and 6 million album sales globally. Both ‘Bad Blood’ and its follow-up, ‘Wild World’, reached No.1 in the UK and the top 10 in the US, and their music has been streamed a staggering 3.3 billion times. They’ve not gone without awards recognition either: after winning British Breakthrough Act at the BRITs, they’ve earned Grammy, AMA and MTV Europe Awards nominations. The new single which was recorded and self-produced in the band’s newly built studio which also houses Smith’s record label Best Laid Plans (Rag N’Bone Man, Rationale), is set to follow their upward trend.

‘Quarter Past Midnight’ is a surging rush of the anthemic bliss Bastille do so well. Driven by a snapping breakbeat and adrenaline flooding drums which fill the track with a shot of exhilaration that dashes through your veins while the infectious melody melts on top of kinetic electronic soundscapes. Oozing tones of excitement and elation this track whizzes with an effervescence that grabs you and makes you want to let loose, dance, sing and just expel all your stress and worries. Sweet toned guitar jangles weave coolly between this delicious explosion of sounds creating a warm delicate braid –  tying all the luscious component parts together while injecting a little stream of zest throughout track. Smiths smooth vocals seamlessly flow between his velvety baritone and sweet falsetto making for a dynamic listen. It’s vivid cinematic chorus provides that final burst of ecstasy that will have you hooked and craving more. Bastille never disappoint.

About the track frontman Dan Smith says: “It’s just about trying to capture that Sliding Doors moment on a night out. Some people are gonna go home; for some this is just the beginning. It became about being in someone’s car, driving through the city, and I wanted to try and capture that sense of excitement, and that rush.”

Stream ‘Quarter Past Midnight’ below

 


Alt Rock, EP Review, New Music, Punk Rock

All Hope Remains ‘Hindsight’ EP

Four-piece punk rock outfit All Hope Remains have released their newest 7-track EP ‘Hindsight’. All Hope Remains is a punk-rock band taking a contemporary approach to a scene that boomed in the mid 90’s.Forming a little over 2 years ago, All Hope Remains is an amalgamation of members from former Surf Coast bands, LostBoyFound and Driveby Epic. Spending the first chunk of their time together behind closed doors writing and creating their sound before moving on to gigging under the band name Kill The King, which was eventually changed upon finding the name didn’t truly reflect the project they’d worked to build. The EP itself consists of a variation of early songs written at the start of their formation, and songs written more recently, offering an insight into the growth of the band over the past few years whilst remaining consistently tight and mature throughout. Taking influence from bands such as No Use For A Name, Strung Out and Bodyjar, who lead the uprise of the punk-rock scene in the early 90’s, All Hope Remains present a modern interpretation of the music that inspired their development as musicians.

‘Hindsight’ is a fast paced, gritty, guitar driven collection of tracks that pound with the youthful adrenaline of early 90’s punk rock. It’s a brisk EP that flies by in the blink of an eye as some of the tracks are short and sweet. ‘Sorrow Sustained’ sets the EP in motion with accelerated guitars crashing against punchy drums creating a hyper wall of sound for the ethereal melody to rebound off. The track runs along at a snappy pace while jagged start stop injections shake things up a bit ready for that mosh pit mania.‘Tolerate’ and ‘Smoke And Mirrors’ are two short numbers, both coming in at just over 1 and a half minutes of brisk heavy guitars and crunching soundscapes.  The band flesh out their emotion pop punk melodies in tracks such as ‘Bleed Regret’ and ‘These Machines’ as these soft sweet melodies melt over a hefty instrumental bashing. All Hope Remains flood a decent amount of sun soaked vibes through their sound as well as the guitars scorch and shred throughout. The bustling, vivacious punk rock relentlessly ploughs through right to the last track ‘Worthless’. The stamina throughout this EP travels at bubbling, high intense speeds to create a familiar yet refreshing listen.

‘Hindsight’ showcases All Hope Remains’ ability to produce listenable tunes and hefty doses of punk rock with some pop thrown on top to create a distinct and respectable sound that is sure to be insane live.

Stream ‘Hindsight’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Bend Sinister ‘Show Me How To Love’

Bend Sinister of Vancouver have released their new single ‘Show Me How To Love’ featuring Danny Vacon from The Dudes. The track is taken from their upcoming album ‘Foolish Games’ which is set for release later this month. The perky radiant track hops long in a fun playful manner that is sure to put a smile on your face. Jazzy piano bounces about vibrant guitars and buoyant rhythm while the animated melody adds a healthy slap of merriness and animation into the track. It’s a tight joyous number that oozes beaming energy and sun soaked luminosity. This get up and dance track is infectious as it bounces in and takes all the stress and tension away with its ray of sunshine, catchy chorus  and vivid instrumentation. It’s a light-hearted pop sprinkled little gem that surges with adrenaline, good times and positivity.

‘Show Me How To Love’ is an enjoyable song with a simple message.” Sometimes we forget what’s important and we always need to remember how to love and live life”

Stream ‘Show Me How To Love’ below

https://soundcloud.com/bend-sinister-new-ep/show-me-how-to-love


New Music

Idiot Grins ‘State of Health’ Album

California band Idiot Grins have teamed up with The Byrd Sisters for their incredible 12-track album release ‘State of Health’. ‘State of Health’ showcases Idiot Grins’ signature blend of rock and soul tones, complemented perfectly by the sublime backing vocals of The Byrd Sisters, together with an all-star horn line-up led by the legendary John Bamont. Idiot Grins’ sound draws from an assortment of diverse influences, including Otis Redding, Tower of Power, Gram Parsons and The Rolling Stones, encompassing genres ranging from Americana and country rock to R&B. ‘State of Health’ follows on flawlessly from their two previously released albums; ‘Quarry’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Big Man’. Idiot Grins are John Hansen (lead vocals),Evan Eustis (bass, mandolin and vocals), Mike Conner (keyboards),Michael Melgoza (drums) and Randy Strauss (guitar).Collaborating on the latest album are The Byrd Sisters (Lena Byrd-Miles, Lisa Byrd and Lauren Byrd), a singing sibling trio with music in their blood, who’ve been performing together since 1992.

‘State of Health’ is an album that packs soul, blues and rock and roll into twelve swanky, slinky tracks. ‘Get Busy Dying’ kicks of the album doused in funky tones and strut like panache. Triumphant brass injections add a dash of warm vibrancy while lush backing vocals and smooth soul infested vocals flood the track with chicness and effortless cool swagger. The arrangements are lavish as delicious melodies weave and rebound off dynamic rhythms and passionate musicianship. ‘Frock’, ‘Build It’ and ‘That’s Some Funky Business’ continues this flamboyant flex and swanky display as they give you that spring in your step boastfully strutting down the street charisma that is just too infectious and feel good. ‘Philly Belly Cheesy’ is the sweet slow dance gem. It’s sway like tempo refreshed by the joyful brass blasts while the beautiful melody swoons you into a stupor. This album is easy on the ears yet laced in rich instrumentation as jangly keys hop and bop between elegant glides while the warm guitars stride and bounce between a vibrant rhythm. The soulful ‘Unkind’ is a sublime example of this as it shifts and changes seamlessly from gentle glides to animated hops adding a dash of shimmy to its slow tempo croon. ‘Televised’ provides a sultry swing to the album while ‘Take It Back’ jumps in with a tempo that makes you want to dance on a glorious hot summers evening party. The peppy melody in ‘Dream’ is insanely catchy and deliciously wistful while ‘Mama’s Tears’ and ‘Breath’ twang with country influences and melancholic tones. Each track flows fluidly into the next making the genre shift hardly noticeable right up to closing track ‘Big Starry Night’ which glimmers with a rock and roll suave and peppiness backed by a buoyant beat snapping along between sublime melodies and a shredding guitar solo.

Idiot Grins have created an album which is a joy to listen to, vibrant, strut ready and melodious. They have packed a lot into this album to make it a rich full bodied experience.

Stream ‘State of Health’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, New Music, Video Premiere

Sydney Wright ‘Seiche’ Video Premiere

Austin-based loop-pedal pop musician Sydney Wright has released the video for her new single ‘Seiche’. Wright has been penning songs for over a decade, and while her huge voice often gets her compared to Florence and the Machine and Sara Bareilles, there’s a darker, more experimental edge to her work. Drawing heavily from hip-hop rhythms, with loops of piano, guitar, beatbox and doo-wops, Wright creates a sonically complex, live-looping, one-woman show.

‘Seiche’ is an enchanting track filled with magical melodies wrapped in a dark cloak of haunting soundscapes. Wright’s vocals are crisp and captivating as she coats the luscious melody with sweet passion. Breezy soundscapes wisp around warm elegant piano creating an ethereal heart stopping atmosphere while strings flicker in between.  The track progresses building into an anthemic power crescendo. As the track lifts to this soaring fist pumping climax Wright injects a surge of adrenaline into the song filling you with positivity and energy. She slowly crafts this track taking time to layer it meticulously, having you held in a motionless suspense feeling every note and flicker in a gripping intense manner before the great mighty release. This is a track that captures emotion and feeling perfectly and holds it, slowly dispensing it. It’s a sublime piece of work.

About the track Wright says, “The song is about hearing myself and following my own feelings and intuition, a cleansing sort of transcendence. We’re constantly bombarded with others’ projections, opinions and expectations of us. It’s easy to start believing and adopting these notions ourselves. ‘Seiche’ is about rejecting the influences that are reflections of others, and regaining freedom in our own choices and identity.”

Watch the video for ‘Seiche’ below


indie rock, New Music

Three Kings High ‘Bone Dry’

Bristol indie rock band Three Kings High have released a video for their track ‘Bone Dry’. This engrossing track creeps and crawls with a dark gritty riff driving it to its ominous glory. It grooves with a shimmying rhythm that is dance worthy while a catchy melody seeps into your brain leaving you singing along mindlessly. The punchy beat and attitude soaked vocals slap a healthy does of punk into the track while slick guitars steam and shred creating an effervescent fuzz to the song. It’s cool, slinky yet packs a hefty punch. The beat pulses and pounds through you while it holds you hooked firmly in its grasp. It’s an impressive track with a lot of body and movement to appeal to everyone.

Watch the video for ‘Bone Dry’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Kios ‘Right Now’

Nashville indie rock band Kios have released their new single ‘Right Now’. The three piece which is made up of Cole Suddarth (vocals/guitar), Aaron Krak (drums), and Mitch Wollenberg (bass) have created a clean crisp sound that gushes with luscious indie pop and vibrant instrumentation. ‘Right Now’ hops along at a steady pace as zesty guitars swirl about the sweet delicious melody while cool vocals chill the tone in a laid back effortless manner making the track a sweet freeze pop of delight.Though it flurries along with a sugar coated spring in its step the song builds becoming more fiery and edgy as punchy drums stomp while guitars shred with a razor sharp sting making for an intense sublime crescendo. It’s another well layered vivid, sun kissed track from the trio.

Stream ‘Right Now’ below


EP Review, Folk, Indie Folk, New Music

Billow Wood ‘Can You See Me’ EP

Brand new Irish band Billow Wood (formerly known as Flat Out) are a male/female four-piece who fuse their unique brand of instrumentation with multi-vocals and harmonies. Billow Wood are influenced by Irish and mainstream music and are now moving in a new direction often accompanied by a bass and drums, creating their own unique brand of folk, indie, pop and rock.The band have had a whirlwind of success with outstanding performances across the globe including Ireland, Europe and Africa as well as residency in Raglan Road, Orlando. They have also already performed in Indianapolis and the Irish Heritage Centre in Cincinnati as well as the ” Sláinte Asso” festival in France. The band consisting of Mark O’Donnell on fiddle and guitar, Harry Lawlor on Harp and guitar, Ciara O’Donnell on Bodhrán, flute and whistles and Bríd O’Donnell on accordion recently released their debut EP ‘Can You See Me’ to a sold out EP launch in Whelan’s Dublin.

‘Can You See Me’ is a five track collection brimming with warm, hearty melodies and glorious harmonies wrapped in a tight bow of rich vibrant instrumentation. From the magical twinkling harp opening of ‘Turn out the Light’ it fast becomes apparent this four piece know exactly where to place each instrument to fill out and lushly layer their tracks. The songs flood and surge with affluent textures and heart warming glows while maintaining a folky bounce and energy. The elegant ‘Two Doves’ uses tender harp glitters between cosy fiddle injections while the shift between female and male vocals adds a refreshing contrast throughout.The sweet harmonies blend flawlessly and so perfectly creating a sublime melodious quality that makes their tracks easy to listen to. ‘Hello Hello’ once again buoyantly springs with pure heartfelt passion and joy while filling you with homely vibes.The tracks are filled with that proud to be Irish charisma that is home baked, wholesome and authentic without becoming too cliche. Their tender songs such as ‘The Game’ are sweet, delicate and graceful as strings swoon and glide while guitar sways and the gentle drum taps create a sturdy backdrop for the immaculate vocals to float above. It’s twinkling starlit beauty and waltz ready which showcases a more fragile and sweet side to Billow Wood. ‘Dreamland’ closes the EP with an upbeat rhythmic hop while a pop drizzled melody sprinkles a bright infectiousness onto the folky traditional backdrop.

Billow Wood have created a collection of tracks that warm the cockles of your heart. They surge richly diverse soundscapes into each aspect of their songs to create a wholly satisfying listen. Admittedly folky, traditional flavoured tunes are not my usual cup of tea but this EP was so richly flavoured it was a delightful listen.

Stream ‘Can You See Me’ below

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Michael Jablonka ‘Flump’

Michael Jablonka has released his new single ‘Flump’. This searing track marks a grittier grunge infested shift in Jablonka’s sound. It’s a fierce shredding slice of indie rock, as raw course guitar riffs lacerate with adrenaline surging force through the groovy rhythm. With its pedal to the metal potency, Jablonka walks the fine line between edgy ferocity and chilled suaveness. His vocals are as cool as a cucumber while blistering guitar and pummelling drums twist, coil and combust behind him. This rich dynamic track is another fantastic reason to keep an eye out for this guy. His talent and skills are one to be admired and his tunes, frenzy inducing dynamite.

You can catch Michael Jablonka live on Sat 19 May at The Queen’s Hotel, Brighton (Great Escape Festival)

Stream ‘Flump’ below

https://soundcloud.com/jablonka-music/flump/s-6umfE