Birmingham glam rock band Tremendous have released their new single ‘Open For Closing’. This anthemic old school number drizzled in glam rock-sprinkles of delight is a powerful track that packs one hell of a punch. With their keen ear for melody Tremendous belt out an infectious gem saturated in swaggered rock ‘n’ roll persona and mighty instrumentation. Shredding guitars shrill, whine and soar with air guitar worthy grandeur while the punchy drums and elastic bass create that compelling backdrop. It’s arena ready and filled with oodles of raw gusto as the dynamic vocals knock you for six while the smooth earworm melody glides in and charms your very soul. You can’t get more powerful, anthemic and kick-ass as ‘Open For Closing’.
Contemporary, Electronic two piece, tau0n have released their debut EP ‘Time is Silence’. Passionate about all things surreal and sci-fi, tau0n produce a sound that creates an “idiosyncratic listening experience to sooth your most fantastical, psychedelic urges.” The birth of tau0n came after a decade of friendship turned into a musical collaboration back in 2018.Hailing from the vibrant city of Los Angeles, the eccentric duo spend most of their time gigging around the party scene or relaxing with a green tea.
‘Time is Silence’ transcends the listener into various new dimensions, to feel as if they are weaving through the boundaries of time. The three track collection was heavily inspired by Octavia Butler’s ‘Xenogenesis’ as it plays on the themes of time travel and the presence of an alternate universe.Title track ‘Time Is Silence’ begins the EP with sweet delicate tones, soft wisping electronics and beautiful melodies. The electronics create a flickering sense of wonder as the rich rhythm and heavy beats flood the track with vibrant textures and multi-dimensions. The velvety expressive vocals whisper and coo through the dynamic soundscape. tau0n continue to tantalize the senses with the slightly more distorted ‘Bottom of the Hole’ as it skittishly hops and flickers into an acid dipped dance track with flashing and spluttering electronics through the ethereal soundscape.The EP comes to a close with another dizzying number, ‘Winter Flesh’. The duo balance the delicacy of the song ‘Time Is Silence’ and the frenzy of ‘Bottom of the Hole’ through this final track. Their vocals blend beautifully as they coo over a sweet melty melody while the dance infused electronics flicker and groove around the background. It’s a compelling and mesmerising display as tau0n bend pop elements with alternative electronics and heavy beats creating a well crafted perfectly layered number to indulge in.
‘Time is Silence’ is a three track EP brimming with compelling electronics, refined musicianship and wonderful melodic flows. It’s a wholly satisfying listen.
Birmingham alternative four-piece Y!KES have released their second single ‘The Y Factor’. The single was produced by singer Joby Fitzgerald and Magic Garden Studio’s Gavin Monaghan and The video is a pastiche of TV shows such as The X Factor and Gogglebox which see’s the band in various different costumes and environments playing multiple characters, all being glossed with an 80’s retro feel.The band have just completed the ‘Arch Nemesis Tour’, the last show of which saw a sold out headline show at the Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham.
‘The Y Factor’ is a scorching blast of Y!KES’ speedball alternative rock at its most frenzied and infectious. With blistering guitars smashing through a buoyant snappy bass and punchy drum backdrop this track surges with intense adrenaline. The frantic riffs carve through the track with slick precision as the gritty vocals and catchy anthemic melody creates the perfect tune for a bloodthirsty live show. It’s a gob smacking number brimming with brawny drums, a thrilling guitar solo and fantastic musicianship.
Kios have released their new single ‘Asleep’. Kios is an indie rock band out of Nashville, TN. The three piece is made up of Cole (vocals/guitar), Aaron (drums), and Mitch (bass).
With its delightful vitality and tight musicianship ‘Asleep’ is a refreshing sun soaked indie gem from Kios. Zest filled guitars playfully meander throughout the track injecting tasty fruity bursts while the punchy drums and elastic bass set that shimmy-ready, groovy foundation. It’s an infectious uplifting track that radiates sunshine and good times from every note while Kios showcase their slick fun sound. With smooth vocals gliding effortlessly on the melty honey drizzled melody this catchy radiant number is instantly like-able and another euphoric tune from Kios.
London’s (via Limerick) whenyoung have announced they will be releasing their highly anticipated debut album, ‘Reasons to Dream’, through Virgin EMI on the 24th May. In anticipation of the album release the band have released their new single, ‘Future’ which tells the story of a close friend who sadly took their own life, while also striving to find a message of hope in the darkness.
‘Future’ is sweet fizzy indie rock at its most exhilarating and refreshing. whenyoung present a tender wholesome number bursting to the seams with vibrant delicious instrumentation while tackling a striking and emotional theme. Filled with elegance and ethereal innocence, this driving track soars and chimes with glorious guitar moments sparkling gracefully between a peppy beat and passionate vocals. These guys pay attention to detail – from the short clap clap moments to haunting backing vocals, lush harmonies and refined, dignified guitars this track has everything to charm the hearts and minds of the nation. The melody, coated in Aoife Power’s heavenly vocals is infectious and warm. These guys can write a tune that will have you singing along, dancing in seconds and with a strong meaningful lyrical content they are the band to watch.
The video was directed by award winning short film maker Michael Baldwin and stars young actor Badger Skelton, who featured in Tom Beards critically acclaimed ‘Two for Joy.’ It takes inspiration from Wim Wenders’ New German Cinema classic, ‘Wings of Desire’, showing the trials of suburban youth in stark monochrome.
Mini Mansions have shared a video for their new song ‘Hey Lover’, starring The Kills’ Alison Mosshart. The song follows their recent single ‘Gummy Bear’, which was released earlier this year and both tracks will feature on the trio’ s upcoming third album ‘Guy Walks Into A Bar…’
‘Hey Lover’ is a bittersweet libation for indie and psych lovers alike. It is as beautiful and delicate as it is raw and sharp. This guzzle of pop shimmered delight is that breathtaking slow burner that glimmers with emotion and pristine melodies on a sizable instrumental backdrop. A 60’s pop melody floats and swoons over a buoyant beat and twinkling synths while Michael Shuman’s smoky whispers caress the lyrics with steamy seduction as he coos and blends perfectly with Alison Mosshart’s sultry tone. The elegant guitar weaves majestically through the rich rhythms while the jangly keys playfully bounce about the track creating a sugar sweet quality and wonderfully light texture to the song. The band meander from a graceful innocence to lustful messy arrangement with grace and refinement as the track progresses to a psych-blasted crescendo of distortion and intensity. The track flows with a twinkling fluidity that is masterful, each component part adds a new dimension to the track making each subsequent listen just as exhilarating as the first. With a sweet melodic bridge leading to the final chorus-explosion Mini Mansions tease their upcoming album with another mouth watering tune.
Mini Mansions are set to release ‘Guy Walks Into A Bar…’ on July 26 via Fiction Records. Ahead of its release, they will embark on a UK headline and festival tour. Shuman’s Queens Of The Stone Age bandmate Jon Theodore will be joining them on drums for the live dates.
Following on from their recent, critically-acclaimed comeback single ‘Tombstone’, Irish four-piece Otherkin have released their new single ‘All That Remains Won’t Be the Same’. The single (as with Tombstone’) comes from the same sessions in Brighton with Chemical Brothers producer Steve Dub, and Jolyon Thomas (Royal Blood, Slaves) on mix duties
‘All That Remains Won’t Be the Same’ brings a crunching cinematic feel to Otherkin’s sound. The track is tightly wound as intense anthemic synths add a determined edge and 80’s sheen.This track gallops in on hefty drum thuds while the lone ranger guitars whine over the feisty backdrop. With its dark theatrical approach, triumphant synths, and all out epic tone ‘All That Remains Won’t Be the Same’ is a shift in the four pieces’ sound that makes Otherkin an important band to keep an eye on. These guys pack a lot of emotion and character through the guitars as they glimmer, pine and shrill through the ominous hued soundscapes. The track injects a hefty dose of mosh ready aggro and instrumental battering however the band cleverly weave this through their refined and compelling lyrical content. Another impressive and invigorating track from Otherkin.
Speaking on the track, frontman Luke Reilly states: “The lyrics were written at the end of 2017 as the horror stories emerged of everyday abuse and sexism perpetrated by men of power in all walks of life. The song is a rejection of anyone who feels they can behave that way and the title itself is a declaration for change, a statement that these vile actions have no place in society today.”
Indie rock band Echo November have recently released their new single ‘Fall Into Me’. Echo November (occasionally stylised as EchoNov) was formed in Hertfordshire in 2018 and is comprised of old school friends Rob Parker (guitar and vocals), Zach Flint (lead guitar and backing vocals), Sam Bojakowski (bass and backing vocals) and Andy Price (drums).
‘Fall Into Me’ is a vibrant juicy burst of indie rock with zest filled guitar riffs glistening between upbeat rhythms and a luscious melody. Brimming with sun kissed ethereal vibes with a hazy sweet toned guitar sprinkling glorious specks of scintillation throughout – this dynamic indie charmer is well crafted for a wholly satisfying listen. With a rooted bass groove, punchy drums and sun kissed soundscape ‘Fall Into Me’ has everything to keep you dreaming of summers past. The track builds to a blistering crescendo as the band slide away from their laid back melodic sound for a mosh worthy finale.
40 Shillings on the Drum have released their new single ‘Mean Streets (Born in the Same Gutter)’. Having kickstarted 2018 with a well-received live album and short UK tour (their first), the band were quickly snapped up for an appearance at Beautiful Days festival alongside the likes of Manic Street Preachers and The Hives. During this festival, the band became friends with Skinny Lister and Tom Gleeson of Slaves to Gravity and Feeder, the latter has now completed mixing duties on the brand new single.The single shows a huge departure from their traditional folk-punk roots, with the band taking a more contemporary, punk-rock sound to new heights. The band’s debut album, also produced by Tommy Gleeson, is due for release in late 2019.
‘Mean Streets (Born in the Same Gutter)’ is a swift slap of alternative rock smothered in dark riffs and a theatrical rawness. Eerie guitars jaggedly slice and shred through the track with relentless stamina while a punchy rhythm creates a buoyant meaty foundation for them to ricochet and soar off. The track is a robust brawny effort from 40 Shillings on the Drum with a substantial rock backbone that will have a mosh pit going wild. The raspy vocals spit out the lyrics in a dramatic fashion creating a spooky quality to this blistering track.Its a dynamic infectious and exhilarating number from 40 Shillings on the Drum.
Stream ‘Mean Streets (Born in the Same Gutter)’ below
Boston self produced indie artist James Burke has released his new single ‘Less Than Binding’ from his upcoming album ‘Future Eye’. He creates interesting, adhesive tracks that submerge you entirely in a unique and tantalizing world created by Burke. ‘Less Than Binding’ fleshes out his sound with its beautiful and elegant composition, precise spacing and luscious electronics. It’s an experience through beat taps, organ- esque keys and reverb. There is an R&B feel to the track with a pop drizzled melody as the laid back vocals drown you in the chilled vibe of this dreamy song. With its aerial approach and ethereal crisp production ‘Less Than Binding’ builds…broods and bubbles into a moody mesmerising beauty.
Stream ‘Less Than Binding’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
