Category Archives: Album Release

STK Sound ‘Reincarnation’ Album

Electro Pop artist STK Sound has released his debut album ‘Reincarnation’. The creative mind of STK Sound ties together the world of audio with visual representation, and this debut record is the perfect example of how he manages to shape perceptions through his art.

‘Reincarnation’ is an ambient collection of tracks that submerge you completely into the luxurious electronic fusions of STK Sound.Its a mellowed out experience as ‘Intro’ , ‘Awakening’ ‘Only One’ and ‘Death And Reincarnation’ begin the dreamy journey into STK Sound’s world of tranquil magic. The electronic elements are subtle and sweet as they flurry, wisp and twinkle between the sticky fluctuant beats. With warm vocals cooing over this floaty soundscape STK Sound transforms the listening experience with cosy textures. He blends some darker tones into his album with eerie subtly haunting atmospheres through tracks like ‘ Darkness Of The Magic’ without shocking the listener out of their dreamy haze. As the glistening soundscapes dazzle and delicately sparkle the track builds behind creating an ominous atmosphere with deep vocal samples and conflicted electronics, this provides a beautiful contrast through STK Sound’s creations. The raw and at times jittery percussion adds a rich and vibrant texture to the more melancholic tracks like ‘Do You Feel My Love’, the dazzling ‘Never Stop’ and skittish ‘Mirrors’. While ‘Atlas Love’ and ‘Life’ cool the sticky sultry vibes of those tracks with gentle ethereal tones, piano elements, and wispy soundscapes. However these tracks maintain a mystical and almost eerie atmosphere with some fuzzed elements and deep beat thuds. ‘Dark Sun’ brings the album to a close with a surge of peaceful vibes and glorious textures and tones. The sweet electronics flicker between quivering soundscapes and whispered vocals before becoming a little more obscure as gloopy sounds blop through the dreamy electronic whines. It’s a unique and intriguing track to close the album.

STK Sound takes the listener on a mystical journey of rich multi texture sounds through his refined ‘Reincarnation’ album as his blend of relaxing tunes and frazzling electronics both soothe and invigorate the mind.

Stream ‘Reincarnation’ below

https://soundcloud.com/stksound/sets/reincarnation/s-6L5jp


aLLriGhT ‘Music for Riots’

Alt-electronic collective, aLLriGhT have released their debut album ‘Music for Riots’.Hailing from London, band members MiKe and LuKe work together to perfect their skills in beat-making and remixes.

‘Music for Riots’ presents aLLriGhT’s ability to create a heavy dance infused electronic album with dazzling precision and thrilling production. From the jump, it’s clear that the details and particulars of the sound are important to these guys ‘Grasshopper’ sets the album in motion with intricate electronics, meaty beats and a dark sense of suspense that creeps behind a soundscape, evoking images of flashing lights, confusion and a body pounding wall of sound. Their riff – heavy EDM -eque sound is filled with luxurious styles and rich production techniques. Through ‘BreXit’, ‘Bee’, ‘Gazebbo Party’, ‘Get Yourself Up’ and ‘Love’ we get a mix of disco, haunting horror movie elements and dizzying alternative electronics with orchestral stabs and a few pinches of their squelching dance aesthetic. ‘Affanno’ brings us to aLLriGhT’s most chilling and eerie sound yet as ghostly keys chime and twinkle through the electronic bloops and dramatic bursts. It definitely fills you with that feeling you’re being followed down a dark alley to your demise. Slightly less ominous ‘Damned Machine’ brings us to the end of the album with its skittish beats and hyper wall of sound.

‘Music for Riots’ is an impressive collection of tracks from aLLriGhT that take you on a mind melting trip of intricate electronics and feverous soundscapes, all rendered with an amazing level of detail.

You can catch aLLriGhT live at :

8th of June – Victoria Dalston, London – Release Party, aLLriGhT featuring a roster of talented artists

Stream ‘Music for Riots’ below


Think Sanity’s Debut Self- Titled Album

Alternative rock group Think Sanity have released their debut, self-titled album.Think Sanity began as a side project, thought up by original members Trent and Andie Johnson after their previous work with Daniel Brasher in band ‘Ink Mind’. Since then, Think Sanity have grown into a solid five piece which includes the talented, Breihan (Bob) Dryden who currently drums for 80’s themed alt-rock group ‘The Sunsets’ and is former vocalist of metal band, ‘Escapist.’ Newest member Jack Vermuth joins as guitarist and bassist to complete the team. Mental Health is a topic close to their hearts, so with careful lyricism and powerful rhythm the band deliver their sound as a route to escape.

With tracks laced in powerful alternative rock Think Sanity’s debut self titled album is a mature and well crafted collection. Crashing guitars, pulverising drums and a harsh brawny wall of sound create the fundamentals for opening track ‘Mothra’ as well as throughout ‘Sad Kaiju’, ‘Surgery’, ‘Automotan’  and ‘Breaking The Panorama’ with the more emotional delicate ‘Blood Thinners & Aspirin’ creating a sublime balance. The album features refined, epic guitar moments as they pine, whine or sultry soar throughout the tracks flooding them with character. Think Sanity flesh out their neck breaking speed with the fierce ‘I’m A Liar’ as the powerful vocals blend perfectly with screaming backing vocals and a mammoth instrumental backdrop. The band present their stomping ferocity in the disco hued ‘Sludge’ while ‘Questions’ sprinkles a dash of attitude onto a metal – esque backdrop. The band pack in layers of rich musicianship through their pummeling sound while lyrically dealing with relatable, emotional and powerful themes. Each track boasts the mighty, well crafted instrumental prowess of the band without compromising on quality. ‘I’m Real, I Think’ closes the album as the band began it, dynamic and vigorous as mighty drums and bass create a mosh worthy foundation for the slick guitars to crash and ricochet off while the vocals pine and exclaim over the catchy melody. The infectious riffage through this album is an admirable quality which Think Sanity have mastered along with a tight shredding wall of sound.

Think Sanity’s debut album is impressive with layers of creativity and intelligent musicianship.

Stream Think Sanity below


Paul Dunbar & The Black Winter Band ‘Made My Peace With You’ Album

Liverpool-born, Paul Dunbar is a soul, rock & blues singer-songwriter, playing live across the UK and Europe and has supported the likes of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Big Country, James Taylor Quartet & Frank Turner. He has announced the release of his new album ‘Made My Peace With You’ which is set for release in May with a subsequent album launch scheduled for Monday 7th May at Liverpool Philharmonic. Dunbar is recording with the newly formed Black Winter Band, Tom Cowley (Drums,Percussion,Vocals) and Callum Williams (Bass,Keys,Vocals) complete the lineup.

‘Made My Peace With You’ is a healthy dose of soul flavoured classic rock with some folk and country seasoning sprinkled on top. Dunbar straddles multiple styles in a seriously balanced mature manner. The classic rock opener of ‘The Losing Game’ and dynamic funky groove of ‘Made My Peace With You’ feature jangly guitars and heartfelt melodies which flood the track with passion while slick shredding solos create a steamy vaporous texture.The tender power ballads of ‘Ballad of Four Eyes’, ‘Set Free To Emotion’ pull at the heart strings  while  the dark brooding ‘Hands Down’ throws a trudging heftiness and heavy emotion into the mix. Dunbar’s raspy warm vocals exude emotion and soothing tenderness for the sweet tunes and vibrate powerful dynamism for those rock tinged beauties. Soul is definitely his calling as each track oozes, bleeds and seeps soulful passion. Warm glorious melodies caress every track whether it be the infectious heart stopping chorus of ‘Barely Holding On’ with is soothing country elements, mellow guitar and a steady spongy beat, Dunbar provides a cosy yet nostalgic tone to each song. The tracks glide fluidly into each other making for a smooth mellow listen. ‘Friends’ and ‘Earth Sky Or The Raging Sea’ whack out the bluesy meaty side to the album with slick guitar between an elastic slapping bass and attitude soaked vocals. They are  strut ready and vibrant oozing panache and sultry blazing swagger while the stomping rhythm in ‘Earth Sky Or The Raging Sea’ is mighty and staggeringly powerful. The snappy grittier rock and roll tracks like ‘Contort Yourself’ sets the adrenaline a blaze with a danceable rhythm and scorching guitar lines. ‘Whos Gunna Love You’ closes the album with sweet somber tones drenched in luscious country drizzled melodies. It’s an emotional end to the album and evokes images of broken hearts, rain and painful emotion.

‘Made My Peace With You’ is a refined and energized product from Paul Dunbar & The Black Winter Band. It’s a dignified, well-written piece of work that is honest, mature and thought provoking. Housed within are arm-waving choruses, easy-on-the-ear melodies and modern country/ classic rock songs that are powerful and timeless.

Stream ‘Barely Holding On’ below

 


Maker ‘DEA’ Album

Kent four piece Maker will release their twelve track debut long-player, ‘DEA’, on Kidda Records on 6th April 2018. Made up of band members Alessandro Marinelli (vocals), brothers Andrew Donaldson (guitar) and Gavin Donaldson (drums) and John Austin (bass) Maker bring a sound brimming with psychedelic bluesy punch and stirred with a fist full of soul. The band have already picked-up fans in one of the world’s most acclaimed guitarists, Rich Robinson (The Black Crowes/Magpie Salute), as well as Simone Marie (Primal Scream) and Tom Meighan (Kasabian). Their debut album ‘DEA’ was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales where artists such as Oasis, The Stone Roses, Queen, Black Sabbath, Kasabian plus many more have all recorded seminal albums. Produced by Nick Brine (The Stone Roses, Oasis, Teenage Fanclub, Imelda May), the album was recorded over just fourteen days and every track was recorded with the band all together playing in the same room.

‘DEA’ is a timeless swagger filled pure rock album with all the boozy soaked blues, fire loaded soul and leather dressed suave you’d expect from this four piece. From the first shredding riff of ‘Soul’ you know your in for one hell of an album. Its gritty, rough around the edges rock with enough sass and swagger thrown in to create a sleek steamy blazing rock track. With powerful vocals and strut ready atmosphere teamed with passion and soul, it’s an anthemic and fiery start. The debut album’s title, ‘DEA’, comes from the initials of the album track ‘Dead Ends & Avenues’, a track which is about triumph in the face of adversity, making your own luck and succeeding despite life’s hurdles.It’s a foot stomping infectious number that shuffles and prances with a rebellious two finger salute. These guys keep pelting out the sizzling licks brain crashing drums and rugged brawny riffs over infectious melodies and feel good blistering stamina to create an album that is wholly satisfying and invigorating. With shredding guitar solos and oodles of red hot energy this album is locked and loaded and set to scalding temperatures. The Lenny Kravitz– esque ‘Move Your Feet’, bluesy sensual ‘Quick Getaway’ and funky flavoured ‘Curtain Call’ all ooze trade mark shots of their raw, brawny, slick rock and roll. While the sultry ‘Girl Quit Your Crying’ brings a slower tonality with its bluesy and soulful tone and sensual sway -like tempo. Featuring steamy guitar licks and a elegant piano feature before building to a mighty crescendo with punchy drums and expressive vocals this track is passionate and powerfully sharp all while cruising on sultry and sensually smooth swagger. Maker use this album to showcase the versatility in their sound as they whack out the twanging glorious ‘John’s Pharmacy’. With its country- esque twangs and glowing warmth teamed with peppy piano, it’s a joyous little ditty.There is no end to their slick rock and roll, ‘Soaked Up’ floods through reinforcing their golden rock and roll drenched flamboyance that makes you want to dance. Each anthemic track is like an instant shot of confidence and a strut ready soundtrack to boost you with feel good vibes and make you feel like you’re the sh*t. While the smooth tender tracks like ‘Comin In From The Rain’ cools the tone and sets the perfect scene for summer evening chill time. It’s delicate and passionate without becoming sappy. It is tender and emotional in a raspy sweet rock and roll way. ‘She’s On A Replay’ is a sultry dark mysterious track that is worth the wait, slotting in second last on the album it’s a strident laid back swagger laden banger steeped in spine chilling blues that creeps in, all mysterious and eerie before the explosive chorus. The intensity of the verses tease the thrilling chorus to come while slick guitar licks slither around the brawny melody and blistering riffs.The sweet warm twangs of  ‘(Little Bit Of) Soul’ brings us to a calming mellow end to the album. It’s soulful and charming with glimmering guitars behind a melty passionate melody and punchy drums which then builds into a stomping anthem. It’s a euphoric sublime end to an album that packs some mighty beefy punches and swagger soaked kicks.

Maker have already headlined many of the UK’s most prestigious venues (including rocking London’s legendary 100 Club in March 2017 as part of the ‘Best Of British Blues Explosion’), played as special guests to some of the UK’s finest artists (including band hero Wilko Johnson) and shared bills with the likes of The Cribs, Dizzee Rascal and Mark Ronson, to name but a few. The band have a handful of brand new live shows just confirmed (with further dates to be added in the near future).

‘DEA’ is released on Kidda Records on 6th April 2018 for more information head to Makers Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/Makeruk/

 

Stream ‘Soul’ below

 

 


Static Vision ‘What Is and Now’ Album

Static Vision are a punk band from Limerick who have just released their debut album ‘What Is and Now’. It’s a no nonsense assault to your eardrums of slickly presented swagger drenched punk rock with some powerful garage thrown in. Recorded in one day in the Music Hubb Studios in Limerick with Chris Quigley it’s a impressive collection of tunes. ‘The Unknown’ slaps you straight into their rowdy punk sound with shrilling distortion and an aggressive vocal. However, it’s not all shouting and bashing instruments these guys refine it down adding some sublime indie drizzled guitar riffs and an infectious melancholic sing along ready melody into the mix. ‘Tune’ introduces an Arctic Monkeys ‘Brianstorm’ – esque riff to start building into a sun soaked hazy verse which explodes with screaming vocals. It’s a fiery expressive album showcasing their raw kinetic sound. With tunes like ‘Got Soul’ and ‘Familiar Faces’    bringing us the light indie bops rooted in a ruckus causing explosion that I can imagine gets a crowd going crazy. Their tracks are well crafted leaving space to wiggle and dance between the frantic moshing and neck snapping headbanging. ‘Feels Like I’m Older’ is the mellow mood shifter of the album. With bright jangly guitar lines and a peppy sway-like tempo teamed with lush backing vocals it’s a breezy spurt of luminous indie. The vocals remain harsh and fiery but the instrumentation contrasts with a sweet Californian sun kissed vibe. The album is brimming with organic coarse tracks that exude the energy of a live show. Sure, it’s rough and tumble but that’s why it works it’s real and honest. ‘Dead’ is moody sulky bliss reminiscent of Nirvana while the vibrant ‘Alcoholic’ and the sultry ‘Girls’ bounce back with quirky vocals and an infectious indie elasticity which brightens the atmosphere. With psychedelic hues thrown on top and some shredding guitar features these guys are ones to watch.

Static Vision ‘What Is and Now’ Launch show is on tomorrow the 18th November in the Pharmacia Limerick if your around check them out.

Stream ‘What is and Now’ below


Deep City Diver Self-Titled Debut Album

Hackney indie rock band Deep City Diver will release their self-titled debut album on the 6th October. This trio have crafted an album with tracks anthemic in every way with their brand of guitar pop stamped all over it. Doused in synth soundscapes they bring each track to life and evoke every fiber of emotion in the listener. Their sound is ambitious and exciting fully polished and meticulously formulated, it doesn’t feel like a debut album it feels like the fourth or fifth album of a well-established  band. They know their sound and it’s so familiar and comfortable it’s like they have been around for years, yet fresh and new. ‘Easy Prey’ kicks off the album smothered in 80’s synth pop shimmer and sparkle. The melody is sombre and sway-like and Nico’s vocals coo and brood for the verses before becoming dynamic for the anthemic chorus. Running basslines and a snappy beat adds a dance-like shuffle while jingley guitars flicker and stride with swagger and panache. It’s an infectious 80’s flashback. This trio do exuberant fist pump anthems well and ‘Everyone Is Alone’ and ‘Another World’ display this perfectly. With Bon Jovi-esque fiery choruses, powerful vocals and that adrenaline pumping get up and dance your worries away vibe. They bring the rock and roll nostalgia to the album with melty ear worm melodies and some sharp guitar injections adding a bit of edge and rawness to their sound. ‘As the Crow Flies’ is a beautiful melodic tune. Wandering soundscapes wisp around strident guitars. It’s pretty sweet and tender however the musical background adds a film like dramatic sorrow and breezy sharpness. ‘Down On Wreckyn Street, I’m Ruined’ is another indie rock thumper. Energetic, boppy and vibrant smothered in vitality with a dash of airy synths filling out the sound and giving a refreshing little multi dimension to the track. ‘Nothing Hurts’ is an elastic guitar driven tune. A rebounding spring on guitars adds buoyancy before the shredding air guitar worthy solo. ‘Honeyeater’ another slow burner with a strong thumping beat and elegant honey drizzled melody gives a 60’s feel mixed with a bit of the The Smiths. Probably my favourite track on the album for its depth and sweet sorrow filled guitar feature. It’s richly emotive and Nico’s vocals are immensely passionate and divine. It’s a tearjerker for sure utterly romantic and raw, just sublime to listen to.‘Living In The Hyphen’ and album closer ‘Youth’ are the delicate ballads. Beautiful melodies and smouldering synths create a dark sorrowful atmosphere swirling around Nico’s compelling emotion-filled vocals. ‘Youth’ displays Nico’s vocal depth.It’s a little organ-y which adds warmth to the track and once again this track is very passionate and heart wrenching. It’s a short track, just over two minutes bringing a nice end to the album. With simple accompaniment it leaves space for contemplation.

Deep City Diver have compiled a collection of tracks that speak to the heart, live in the moment whatever that moment is and makes you feel something. It’s an emotional journey of highs and lows dramatic anthemic tracks that are massive and fiery to slow tender pure passion and raw emotion. It’s epic guitar pop at its best.

You can catch Deep City Diver at their Vinyl Launch Gigs at

20th October 2017 – The Underground, Stoke-on-Trent (w/ DIVENIRE)

21st October 2017 – Blondies, London (w/ Bear Muda)

Stream ‘Another World’  below

 

 


Aja Volkman ‘Sandy’ Album Review

Aja Volkman, the former female front for the LA rock-trio Nico Vega, has announced her long awaited solo debut with the release of her debut album ‘Sandy’. Featuring the lead single ‘My Man’, the album will be available to download on all major media providers from May 19th. Born and raised in Oregon, Aja Volkman began her musical career at a young age and it quickly progressed into a prodigious talent. Volkman’s musical career opened up after she joined forces with War Paint front woman Emily Kohal and for the first time in the public sphere, she unleashed a provocative vocal that would soon define her career. Her foray into the music world continued in 2004 when she forged the successful LA rock trio Nico Vega. After teaming up with Linda Perry (Gwen Stefani, Pink, Christina Aguilera), Nico Vega released their first full-length album in 2009, which received critical acclaim. In 2015 Nico Vega continued to gain popularity after landing an opening slot for Imagine Dragons and now after a short hiatus, Aja Volkman announces her return to music with her debut solo album ‘Sandy’.
‘Sandy’ is a cosy intimate album immersed in beautiful heartfelt delicate tones with country twangs drizzled on top to add a speckle of fun and vibrancy to the album. Dripping in vintage bluesy soul the album displays a sophisticated sound with rich depth and satisfying textures. ‘My Man’ kicks off the album setting a 50’s or 60’s romantic sway-like scene. Elegant and graceful it glides like a fairy tale waltz. The soft instrumentation and sweet lulling backing “sha la la” vocals create a dreamy swoony affectionate flow and glide to this beautiful track. Volkman’s honey soaked vocals coo the luscious melody creating the perfect soothing fanciful scene to blissfully loose yourself  in. This track is irresistibly smooth and velvety as it oozes and seeps idyllic romance. Volkman follows this with track after track featuring  sweet gentle lusciously rich textures. ‘Bother Me’ brings warm country twangs to the candied delicious sound. While ‘Nobody’ adds a bounce and vibrancy with a sassy attitude. The album is speckled with jazzy piano elements in tracks such as ‘Deep Love’ and mysterious steamy tones in ‘Skeletons’ all while maintaining an exquisite knack for ear worm melodies. ‘Sandy’ winds down to a graceful, tender almost peaceful end with ‘Cracked’. Volkman has created a collection of heartfelt eloquent tracks that display her classy elegant and affluent musicianship.
Aja Volkman recorded the album with singer-songwriter Joshua James in Utah and it has taken over a year to put together. ‘Sandy’ is out May 19th and you can get her brand new single ‘My Man’ as an instant download when you pre-order the album from April 28th.
Stream ‘My Man’ below


Amaru Tribe Album

Amaru Tribe have released their debut self titled LP. Emerging from their trans-oceanic journeys the six piece gathered by the laws of creative gravity in the city of Melbourne to resonate with a new sound vision. In the Quechua language of the Andes, Amaru means “a serpent which connects the spiritual and the subterranean world”. The album is produced by Oscar Jimenez aka Chibcha (Watussi, Madre Monte, Miss Colombia) and Amaru Tribe. Its unique energy showcases collaborations with artists from all around the world including Tonolec (Argentina), QVLN (USA), Stuart Fergie from OKA (Australia) and more. Their strong musical heritage imbues their compositions, which explore electronics fused with tribal instrumentation, uniting South America and Oceania into one musical vibration. Amaru Tribe calls this style Oceanic Cumbia or in spanish: Cumbia Oceanica, which gives the name to their first track in the album and introduction to their sound.
Rich in textures and overflowing with delicious spicy flavours blending with Amazonic drums, vibrating charangos and powerful vocal harmonies. Amaru Tribe have created a sound that is opulent and almost soul fulfilling. Heavenly melodies and dance along rhythms keep the party flowing throughout the album while radiating sunny vibes. With warm mellow tones on guitar and body moving grooves this album is perfect for BBQS in the sun. With songs connected to topics of social change, ancestral wisdom, love and life, its affluent and full of substance. The album’s bilingual nature allows the listener to discover connections between Australia’s diverse cultural backgrounds and it consolidates its place in a new global identity while also being fun to dance to.
Stream the Amaru Tribe LP below


The Raise ‘Chasing Time’ Album

The Raise are a three piece British rock band who are set to release their newest album ‘Chasing Time’ on the 22nd of April. Comprised of band members Rob Elton (guitars and lead vocals), Nick Gunn (bass guitar, guitar and backing vocals), and Nige Masters (drums, percussion and backing vocals). For a small band of only three members, ‘The Raise’ certainly create a big sound. The album features melodic songs, lush vocal harmonies, and massive  guitar riffs. ‘Chasing Time’ was written, performed, recorded, engineered and produced by the band themselves and throughout the recording process their aim was to keep the tracks as close to the live version as possible.

From the hefty riff driven start of ‘Inside’ The Raise display their slick beefy and sultry smooth rock. Featuring punchy drums and nimble shredding wailing guitar solos teamed with brawny flexible bass these guys create catchy tunes that pack a mighty punch. Each track flows effortlessly into the next from slower tempo ‘Live The Dream’ to steamy ‘Reel To Reel’. Packed with catchy chorus’ and trippy flashes of distortion glimmering in and out between mighty rhythm and sensual riffs The Raise add hints of diversity amongst their catalog. Loaded with proficient guitar work each track boasts their skills of refined riff and lick creations. The swagger infused ‘Rock Her World’ displays their funky side soaked in anthemic might while holding a sensual groove. ‘The Game’ takes the roll of the slow jam, emotional and soft yet backed by a mighty raw chorus and bright jingle on guitar. ‘Take Me If You Dare’ closes the album with headbang worthy might that’s mosh pit ready.  The Raise have created a solid album with hints of fluctuating musical hues that are compelling.

When asked about the album the band said:

“The album was influenced by the concept of our constant search for more time and freedom to do the things we really love to do. “The Raise is a project that allows us to play the music we love and say what we want to say about this crazy world we live in.”

‘Chasing Time’  is set to be released on 22nd April 2017 and will be available via all major media providers. More information about The Raise can be found via their social media pages or official website here http://www.theraise.co.uk/