Galway indie band City Victim have released their new single ‘Screaming’, along with the announcement of a string of gigs around Ireland and UK, as well as playing at Whelan’s Ones To Watch music festival in Dublin tonight.
‘Screaming’ follows City Victim’s slinky dreamy indie as they create a lush prismatic soundscape with psychedelic hues. From the twinkling guitars to the groove-riddled bass the band weave and refine their sound with tight intricacies and lush sounds to create an enriched indie gem that intoxicates, asphyxiates and lulls with rich intensity. The reverb laced vocals coo and resound through the shimmying percussion and buoyant beat as the pop sprinkled melody drifts elegantly and sweetly into the ears. The band have layered the track superbly mangling the bass line tightly between the beat, guitar distortion and shimmering soundscapes to create a mind numbing, dizzying and mesmerising number.
Dublin based three piece noisy post pop band Nerves have released their new single ‘Glasshouse’. This biting track showcases the bands adept ability to create tense explosive soundscapes with frenetic destructive undertones. The refined competence to which Nerves’ display this skill is something to be admired. Sharp raw guitars relentlessly rip and slice through the thick agitated atmosphere while the bass chaotically slaps and rumbles with fiery endurance throughout. Building to a massive chorus and frenzied crescendo aggressive vocals spit venom and disgust against a harsh, dizzying soundscape dripping in distortion and acid. It’s complete anarchy crammed into a rapid four minute track. Utterly savage and thrilling this dark fizzing concoction is a sublime assault on the senses by Nerves.
About the track the band said : “Lyrically the song is an outcry against toxic masculinity and its effects on young Irish men and brings up various themes such as fatherhood, Irish education, our drinking culture and religion.”
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Bright Orange Spectacle
Bright Orange Spectacle have released their new single ‘I Struggle to Communicate’. The north-London four piece comprised of Charlie Sinclair, George LePage, Kyle Torode and Darcy Calton, burst onto the scene early 2019 with their first single ‘She Could Do Better’. They have have two successful sold out London shows with fans and taste-makers alike eagerly awaiting new material. The self-proclaimed ‘millennium glam’ rockers have been self-producing their tracks since the get-go – taking their DIY ethos from the bedroom to the stage.
‘I Struggle to Communicate’ is a light stomping of precise indie as Bright Orange Spectacle smear a dash of glam rock into their swagger steeped sound. With confident gritty guitar riffs the band announce the track with a raw edge and charming flamboyance. The punchy rhythm shuffles its way through with foot tapping relentless stamina while the smooth catchy melody and charismatic vocals buoyantly dance and cruise along the bubbling backdrop. The band layer the track superbly to create joyful cheery moments of shimmering key hops and pop sensibilities with a Bright Orange Spectacle twist to create a satisfying finger-clicking good number to immerse yourself in.
On creating the track Charlie added: “We live in a time where everyone has to be a social commentator. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but it leads to a certain amount of pressure for bands to make very grand political statements from day one. I kept sitting down to write that song and eventually this came out.It’s just a lot of honesty about my own lack of understanding towards our correct cultural climate. We live in a time where information is so readily available, yet I still feel like I know nothing. Things are bad, obviously things are bad, but that’s about all I know-and that’s fucking depressing. So ‘I Struggle To Communicate’ is just a reaction to my own ignorance and a personal call to arms for me to better facilitate myself with knowledge.”
Walsall band The Assist are back with their new single ‘I Don’t Care’. Formed in 2014, The Assist have sold out venues across Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield as well as shared the stage with the likes of Happy Mondays and Blossoms. They have played in Paris with Black Honey and played UK’s famed O2 Academy with The Twang. Most recently, the five-piece completed a six-date tour across Russia, headlining Boris Yeltsin Open Air at the Ural Night Music Festival, performing in front of over 12,000 people.
Filled with dizzying soundscapes and kinetic energy ‘I Don’t Care’ is another infectious indie banger from The Assist. With fizzing riffs weaving fruity squirts of vitality into the luscious dynamic wall of sound this track instantly bursts with youthful adrenaline. The track is a vibrant sun saturated gem with a funk element entwining the bass and rich rhythm in shuffling grooves that wrestle you to the dance floor. The confident attitude soaked vocals resound over the glistening guitars and punchy backdrop. With a catchy soaring melody and light summer atmosphere ‘I Don’t Care’ is a raw pulsing rush of sublime, fresh musicianship from The Assist.
Speaking of the new song, the band said, “There’s plenty of new music on the way but this track is one we are mega proud of. There are always so many opinions and outlooks on life, what’s right or wrong so that’s what this new track is about. It’s about doing what you want to do no matter what anyone says”
Following the release of previous single ‘Sometimes, Lately’, Manchester indie band Delights have released their new single ‘Paradise’. This sun speckled gem sparkles and gleams with Delights’ infectious and fruity indie pop as they create a sweet refreshing number filled with rich luscious tones and 80’s -esque elements. A wiggling elastic bass groove creates a dance-able funky flex to the track while the vibrant beat and beach-like percussion creates a summertime careless atmosphere. With zest-filled intricate guitar lines, the track swoons and sweeps beautifully into the ears with ease. Warm velvety vocals caress the dreamy sweet melody as the band present another marvelous sun saturated track to get us through the cold winter months.
You can catch Delights live at Manchester’s Deaf Institute on Friday 24th January, with support from Monks and Manifesto
Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Gallerys
Photo Credit : Briony Graham-Rudd
Kent alternative rock band The Gallerys have released their new single ‘On the Other Side’. The song was written by Craig Barden, arranged by The Gallerys, recorded at Squarehead Studios in Sittingbourne, Kent. It was engineered and mixed by James Simpson, and mastered by Kristofer Harris.
‘On the Other Side’ is a sweet slice of indie rock with 60’s elements and luscious sounds. The soft melody melts beautifully on a blustery backdrop of blistering guitars and punchy drums as The Gallerys weave edged raw indie rock into their exquisite melodious musicianship. With delicate harmonies creating a doo-wop candy floss texture the track creates a rose-tinted glow and cheery effect. With lyrics about forgetting your problems by having a good time ‘On the Other Side’ is a dreamy number filled with the illusion of hope and optimism. With a shredding rock ‘n‘ roll solo and edged harsh undertone The Gallerys keep the track fresh and instantly likeable.
About the track the band said “ ‘On the Other Side’ is an alternative indie rock track written about forgetting your problems by having a good time. the ‘Other Side’ is that place we all know and feel when we’ve had a few drinks and feel invincible. When we’re in that good place we have a ‘rosy gaze’ on and forget about all the problems and issues of our everyday lives but we’re actually just ‘living in the land of lies.’’
Reading quartet Mellor are set to release their new EP ‘Dive into the strange’ on December 6th. The current line up with Gary Kingham on vocals, Sam Igoe on drums, Kristian Bell on guitar, and Josh Woodward on bass formed in 2017. The band have received radio support from Abbie McCarthy, Radio 1; Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music; John Kennedy, Radio X; Charlie Ashcroft, Elise Cobain, Frankie Francis, Jim Gellatly and Scott McGerty from Amazing Radio to name a few. The band have also featured on Spotify’s Hot New Bands, Indie List and Transistor playlists as well as Amazons Best New Bands playlist, and Apple Music’s Breaking Rock & The A-List.
After a busy summer of festivals packing out tents at Isle of Wight, Truck, and Camden Rocks just to name a few, Mellor decided to build a home studio to self record a five track EP.
‘Dive into the strange’ wraps Mellor’s blistering, guitar-heavy sound into a tight and satisfying body of work. Following the high intensity and energetic blasts of previous releases this year ‘I Don’t Know Where You’re Sleeping Tonight’ and ‘Helsinki’, Mellor present an EP equally as energetic and brimming with the scorching instrumentation this band do superbly. Each track flows seamlessly into the next with ease. From opener ‘Control’ the band execute their refined ability to create sweet majestic guitar melodies and express them to its fullest potential.
The guitar work for me is the highlight of the EP. The band create golden, light and ethereal moments within each track through the clean and precise guitar elements as they venture between harsh sharp strides and shredding nimble solo’s with sweet piercing capacities. The melodies are catchy and powerful ( as is always the case with Mellor ) however with this EP the band carefully create a wonderful sonic soundscape that ventures between dreamy aerial atmospherics and deft heavy magnitude. Title track ‘Dive into the strange’ has a quirky obscurity lying beneath its eerie undertone. With a sublime haunting bass groove and obscure guitar progression the band present a sinister fun-house with danger around every corner while a smooth, vulnerable and naive melody innocently wanders into this instrumental entrapment – consumed by the end of the song by the harsh devouring backdrop.
Punchy drums and playful bass lines are another wonderful element to this bands sound that automatically hook you in – ‘Delicate’ and ‘Hey now, sister’ are prime examples of this. Mellor have clearly spent time carefully layering and placing each component part of their tracks to create a wholly invigorating sound. Gary Kingham’s vocals make Mellor’s tracks instantly recognisable. His warm rasp and dynamic tone emblazon a Mellor stamp on their blistering tracks. When they travel into psych hued territory like with ‘Hey now, sister’ ( which again features magnificent guitar work) his vocals carry this frenzied track wonderfully and maintain the smooth and polished stance while the instruments swirl frantically and chaotically around Kinghams’s steady pace creating a sublime contrast. ‘What if there’s love’ is a spinning concoction which brings us to the end of the EP. It’s a jittery itchy number of abrasive guitars, dizzying bass and manic drums as Kingham screams and wails for the chorus. The track continuously builds in intensity to its expressive crescendo. Mellor end the EP with one blazing track.
‘Dive into the strange’ is a blazing and solid EP as Mellor flesh out their catchy sound adding more substance and intricate elements to create something to be proud of.
You can catch Mellor live at :
11th December – Purple Turtle, Reading (BBC Introducing)
12th December – The Monarch, London (This Feeling)
‘Dive into the strange’ is out on 6th December you can pre order the EP here
Drop The Shadow have released their second single ‘Other Voices’. The track was recorded with James Darkin at Black Mountain Studios in July 2019 along with the final touches of their third single ‘Cross To Bear’.The music video was produced by Mike and his comedy sketch group Castlewood Tales; all of whom feature in the video, along with friends from the acting industry.
‘Other Voices’ stomps in with slick precision as Drop The Shadow bury and intensify their roots in their funk flavoured indie rock. A tight and infectious groove is something this band create wonderfully as they use their ductile bass and intricate swanky buoyant drum progression to create beautiful tones and add panache to their sound. Bursting with oodles of swagger the track wriggles and weaves sublimely with strut quality and vibrancy as the blazing guitar provides a vaporous quality and zealous sting. With raspy, soul-hued vocals drifting expressively over the intoxicating wall of sound it’s difficult not to instantly love this track. It’s a polished clean slice of indie rock with enough rough edge to entice your ears for more. With gritty riffs, catchy melody and adrenaline induced dizzying wall of sound the band create a track that is both refined and exhilarating. ‘Other Voices’ is a sleek and strong second single that confirms Drop The Shadow are a band to get excited about.
Limerick based experimental post punk band Van Panther have released their new EP ‘Overcast’. Formed in 2015 Van Panther have supported the likes of noise-rock giants Holy Fuck on their Irish tour dates in Cork (Cyprus Avenue) & Limerick (Dolan’s Warehouse), and have played alongside up-and-coming Irish acts such as The Murder Capital, SENU, Kodu, Cruiser, Anna’s Anchor, and many more.The band have also played at Whelan’s Ones To Watch 2018 Festival and The Midnight Hour (Whelans, Dublin), and have performed at the Electro-City Synth Festival in Sin É (Dublin).
‘Overcast‘ is a vivacious EP overflowing with intricate rich sounds and the refined and exhilarating genre blending Van Panther do so well. With electronics swirling around sweet guitar moments and heavy alternative rock elements the band create a unique and intriguing collection of tracks that has something for everyone. The main backbone to the EP is the lush grooves that saturate each track in hip wiggling elastic beats and bass lines. Title track ‘Overcast’ begins the compelling journey into the EP with quirky electronic bloops and squirms with delightful pop flutters and a buoyant indie groove. Each track is tied together by dreamy candied melodies that melt into the ears. Even the swagger dipped strut of ‘No Seasons’ with its quirky keys and Beck – esque prance and sass features an irresistible melody along with some slinky guitar lines against a funky rhythmic backdrop.
There is a summery vibe to all the tracks that is glorious to hear however ‘Moon Eyes’ is the most experimental. This track takes a heavier distorted stance on the EP with its stomping beat and sharp intro but once the vocals kick in, the band glide into a laid back shoegaze aesthetic. The chorus becomes dizzy and the guitars jaggedly crash through a chopping wall of sound and grittier fuzzed hue of electronics. ‘Moon Eyes’ is a fantastic alternative rock track with sweet surf elements pushing through. It feels like a fight to see which sound wins – the sweet dreamy surf or the blasting heavy alternative. ‘The Cutters’ brings the EP to a close with space-like sounds creating an eerie chilling atmosphere before the track develops into a 60’s hued guitar jangled shimmy.
Van Panther build and develop their tracks superbly to create a jarring exhilarating listening experience full of infectious grooves and delicious melodies that you can’t help but love. There is something special about this band. The vibrant unique instrumental brakes and perfect blends of electronic, alternative, pop and indie will leave you gobsmacked. I especially love the dizzying instrumental break in ‘The Cutters’, it creates a flashing house infused little pocket between a surf rock / indie track that is a surprising and refreshing feature.
‘Overcast’ is a well crafted, fun and perfectly produced body of work that contains something for everyone in a tight package of delight. A must listen.
Reading based alternative three piece doops have released their new single ‘Rehash Ver. 2’. This ominous prism of relentless tension glimmers with psych facets, crashing alternative blasts and twinkling sweet moments. A tapping beat, murmuring bass and sinister strike on guitar introduce the track as the band simmer and bubble into the explosive chorus with hair-raising earnestness. Consumed in gritty ferocity the track builds superbly to the epic chorus. Guitars blaze and shred, crashing into the pulverising drums to create a kinetic and demolishing wall of sound drenched in dark tones and grimy abrasive textures. The vocals progress from a mysterious eerie whisper into snide whines and exclaims as the band create a thrilling and utterly manic instrumental backdrop sure to ignite a mosh pit. There is a dazing sense of paranoia seeping through the verses and this reaches its peak as the song travels to its manic crescendo outburst.
‘Rehash Ver. 2.’ tightens its grip around your ears with each precise instrumental movement as if slithering carefully around its prey until you are firmly encased and bound within its tight suffocating and dense soundscape. With haunting backing vocals and shredding guitar distortion weaving between an almost harrowing musical experience with a humming infectious backbone doops present another scorching wallop of their unique and utterly exhilarating musicianship.
You can catch doop live at :
Nov 28th – The Monarch, Camden (This Feeling Club Night)
Dec 10th at Facebar in Reading
Dec 14th – Beyond The Download, Wokingham (Christmas all Dayer)
Stream ‘Rehash Ver. 2’ below
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
