Category Archives: Indie

Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Sampson ‘Damned’

Halifax-born indie electro-pop artist Sampson has released her new single, ‘Damned’ off her most recent album, ‘Dark Sky Night’. This noir pop track is steeped in sultry electronics as a sticky beat slaps and gloops between Sampson’s luring coo. Its enticing as lush backing vocals add a haunting chilling quality while lamenting guitar broods in the background. The flashing swirling darkened electronics add an eerie dizzying spin to the track that dazzles and blinds building up to the crescendo. This track is superbly crafted creating moments of intensity and drama which is subdued between the gloomy darkened daydream- like soundscapes. Thoroughly thrilling and chilling this track seeps, creeps and almost wallows in a hazy sense of pessimism while building a lush electronic soundscape for its shadowy cinematic atmosphere.

When asked about the track Sampson said: “Damned, the latest single off the album, was co-written by two of my best friends – Nicole Ariana and Laurenn Marchand – at a song camp in Cape Breton Island. It’s a song about feeling stuck, and having choices to make that all bear consequences. For me, it was about whether or not I should leave somewhere and miss it, or stay while knowing something that would inevitably make me start to hate it.”

Stream ‘Damned’ below


Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Deep City Diver ’Dream Sequence’

London-via-Stoke on Trent band Deep City Diver have released their new single ‘Dream  Sequence’. Comprising  Australian  expat  Ryan  Nicolussi  (Voice/Guitar)  along  with  Stoke  on  Trent’s  Joe Macmillan  (Bass)  and  Dom  Davies  (Drums),  Deep  City  Diver combine  the  melodic  sensibilities  of  80’s  English  new  wave  with  the  incandescent  energy  of  New  York 00’salt-rock.

’Dream Sequence’ is an invigorating slap of indie pop that hops and bops with exhilarating infectious grooves while shimmering synths flurry about and ricochet off glimmering guitars to create a sublime buoyant backdrop. It’s snappy, breezy and vibrant as a soaring chorus lifts the track to ethereal heights while the funky swagger-soaked verse springs a dash of vitality and dynamism into the track. It’s instantly likeable and energetic as zesty guitars weave and boomerang off the animated bass to create a rich danceable number that is both sturdy and fluctuant all at ones. This charming number is clap along ready and feet shuffling-ly infectious- it’s hard not to swish, sway and bounce around the room while listening to it.

Stream ’Dream Sequence’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Mellor ‘Tri-State Blues’

Reading indie quartet Mellor have released their new single ‘Tri-State Blues’. Having recently been tipped by promoters ‘This Feeling’ and Subculture to be ‘Big in 2018’, Mellor’s music has gained exposure from Amazing Radio, BBC 6 Music along with inclusions on Spotify playlists ‘Hot New Bands’, ‘The Indie List’ and ‘Transistor’ (which have a combined following of over 250,000 listeners). The band have had previous gigs playing alongside The Kooks, Bay Rays, Carl Barat & The Jackals, Flyte, and Blaenavon and have now released another catchy banger to wrap your ears around.

A shrilling suave guitar wail introduces ‘Tri-State Blues’ with a choppy steamy swagger that commands your attention. Once that drum kicks in, your hooked. This boisterous panache-soaked track is steeped in adrenaline rushing guitars, punchy drums and dynamic vocals to create a thrilling roller-coaster ride. It’s slick and polished with ear worm melodies that are so smooth and delicious its like they are soaked in honey just to tempt and lure us music mad little bees. The electrifying guitar quivers are riveting while neck snapping hefty elements insure a sweaty, frenzied live performance. Its frenetic yet at the same time cool and chilled as a cucumber. Another sing along ready smasher from the Reading quartet.

You can catch Mellor live at:

28/04/18 – Are You Listening Festival? – Reading

03/05/18 – The Monarch, Camden

12/05/18 – The Horn at The Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

25/05/18 – The Star, Guildford

16/06/18 – The Black Prince, Northampton

 

Stream ‘Tri-State Blues’ below

 


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

whenyoung ‘The Collector’

Limerick’s whenyoung have revealed the video for new single ‘The Collector’ which is the third track from the hotly tipped three piece and follows stunning tracks ‘Actor’ and ‘Pretty Pure’. The clip was shot on location in London and directed by frontwoman Aoife Power. This superb gem is engaging and delightful as twinkling guitars and Aoife Power’s crisp vocals introduce the track delicately. The track builds becoming more dynamic as reverb laden guitars whir around her sweet immaculate vocals while the catchy chorus surges through with heart racing urgency. The Collector is subtly anthemic with a captivating melody that flurries around your brain for days. The instrumentation is breezy gripping and majestic without becoming over powering. A sublime track, keep an eye out for this young trio.

Speaking about the clip, Aoife Power said: “The video for The Collector documents the simple, everyday movements that everyone experiences. We are all carrying out the same routine to show that we are all connected in the universal tasks of daily life but still individually searching for a sense of place and belonging. The gentle tones and slow paced everyday storyline was inspired by the films of Eric Rohmer.”

‘The Collector’ comes in the midst of a series of support slots throughout spring for whenyoung, with the three piece touring with the likes of Peace, The Vaccines and Declan Mckenna later this month. Tickets are on sale now, and the full list of dates can be found below.

May

3rd – Headline Show @ The Grand Social, Dublin

4th  – Jimmy’s, Manchester

8th – St. Luke’s, Glasgow (with PEACE)

9th – Leadmill, Sheffield (with PEACE)

11th – Fibbers, York (with PEACE)

12th – The Venue, Derby (with PEACE)

13th – Welly, Hull (with PEACE)

 15th – Norwich, The Waterfront (with PEACE)

16th – Kentish Forum, London (with PEACE)

 19th – Engine Rooms Southampton (with PEACE)

23rd – Dryden Social, Leicester (with PEACE)

24th – Birmingham 02 (with PEACE)

Watch the video for ‘The Collector’ below

 


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

Run Into The Night ‘The Devils Rhythm’

Run Into The Night are a female indie rock / noise pop duo from Glasgow, Scotland formed by Christina Cassette and Ellie May. After spending many late nights drinking and listening to their favourite records, from 60’s pop to 70’s punk, the friends began fusing genres and making music together. The band had success with the self-release of their first 7″ record ‘Turn To Static’ in mid 2017, which reached the Top 100 songs by unsigned bands in the UK with Salute Music and aired on many radio stations, most notably on Steve Lamacq’s BBC 6 Music radio show. Run Into The Night are a BBC Introducing artist and their sound has been compared to bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Arcade Fire, The Black Keys and Blondie. Performing live is where Run Into The Night really come to life by delivering raw energetic shows and recreating the experimental sound captured on their records. Whilst touring, guitarist Christina Cassette picked up sponsorships from Eastwood Guitars and Honeyboy Amps. Since the band’s first release they have been touring the UK’s underground scene and have opened for international acts such as California’s Deap Vally and New York’s Twin Guns (ex The Cramps).The duo have now released their second single, ‘The Devils Rhythm’.

‘The Devils Rhythm’ is a sultry slap of bluesy tinged rock smeared in sassy eerie swagger. A stuffy beat provides the ominous groovy foundation for the steamy guitar to entwine while haunting backing vocals coo creating a mysterious chilling atmosphere. Its misty covered verses lure and tempt entrapping you in its darkly hued vapourous melody. The chorus explodes into a fiery angsty punk flavoured attitude while the guitars stride and crash between the ghostly backing vocals. This track creeps and entices before building to a mighty hefty crescendo as the razor sharp guitar wails and jabs between the rumbling drums. It’s thrilling and a sizzlingly dangerous track from the duo.

Watch the video for ‘The Devils Rhythm’

 


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

Father John Misty ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ and ‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’

Father John Misty has released two new songs, ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ and ‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’ from his forthcoming album, ‘God’s Favorite Customer’ which is due out June 1st via Sub Pop/Bella Union.

These two tracks follow the cool, love drenched suave with gloriously dark undertones that Father John Misty does so well. ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ follows the swoony sound and delicacy we have come to adore with a melty luscious melody mournfully caressing the jazzy- esque piano jangles reminiscent of Elton John while a steady beat and concise guitar strums in the background. However, this track isn’t soppy and lovesick as it first appears. Though sonically lavish, the piano strikes add a harshness and sneering quality while the lyrics, “Like a pervert on a crowded bus / A glare of love bears down on us” opens up a whole new meaning to the track. Father John Misty croons and howls between his sweet falsetto  and the stomping, cinematic instrumentation. Though the track is cynical of romance it’s still beautifully written in the most dreamy fashion. The track broods and builds to an outstanding crescendo with a dramatic brass instrumental finish. It’s got a delightful bounce and some heart skipping a beat moments yet lying underneath is a more sombre tone.

‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’ is your sweet, heart felt ballad that hits you right in the chest and would make even the toughest of people shed a wee tear. It’s tender with honest lyrical content that stops time and makes you feel every painful line. He croons and pines over a brooding lamenting piano melody which caresses the fuzzed guitar whines and steady beat. Sweetly melodic and hard hitting it’s a beautiful new addition to our much treasured Father John Misty collection.

Stream ‘Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All’ and ‘Just Dumb Enough to Try’ below


Album Review, Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music

Moon Loves Honey ‘You Drift Away From Me’

Danish  dreamy  alt.  rock/pop  band  Moon Loves Honey have released their highly anticipated  debut album ‘You  Drift  Away  From  Me’. The album takes  the  listener  on  a  colourful  journey  through  uncertainty,  loneliness  and  finally  hope  via  nine  finely  crafted  songs  –  three  of which  have  been  released  as  singles  and  enjoyed  radio  airplay  and  acclaim  from  media  across  the  globe.  Moon Loves Honey functions  as  a  band  in  concert,  but  in  the  studio,  its  Jeppe  Dengsø  as  a  one-man-band.  The album was  in  the  making  for  a  year  and  a  half  and  took  huge  dedication  to  complete  because  of  Jeppe͛s  growing  obsessive  attention  to  detail.  In May  2016  –  shortly  after  the  release  of  the  band’s  debut  EP  ‘Apart’  –  Jeppe  started  recording  songs  in  Aarhus  with  friend  and  mix engineer  William  Brinch.  The initial plan  was  merely  to  record  a  couple  of  single-ideas,  but  the  plan  of  creating  an  entire  album  slowly  manifested  itself.  Over the  next  year,  the  entire  album  was  finished

‘You Drift Away From Me’ displays huge emotional and musical  variety with every song  differing from the next,  while the album  still has a unique  sonic character  throughout. There is a lot of blissful juicy sounds packed into this album yet it doesn’t seem over the top each track cruises along blending together becoming a sweet glorious component of the mellow and euphoric entity that is the ‘You Drift Away From Me’ album. From the electronic and chill wave-tinged  pop of opening track ‘To Be Without You’, Moon Loves Honey completely consume you in a luscious dreamy state of soft delicate melodies wrapped in a fluffy cloud of euphoria. The delicate vocals soothe while subtle flickering soundscapes lure you deeper into a trippy sweet state of psychedelia. The tracks that follow lead you down a glistening path of discovery as delicious melodies snappy soft beats and swirling electronics radiate sun kissed vibes. ‘Lonely Day’ and ‘Before I Crash’ provide images of summer sun, chill vibes and azure blue sky’s. It’s easy going yet brimming with silky intricate instrumentation to provide a satisfying listen. It’s almost like these guys create a little world within this album to loose yourself and just recline into as it soaks away all your problems in soothing tunes. Title track ‘You Drift Away From Me’ adds a perky little bounce and swirling adrenaline to the album while the atmospheric ballad ‘I’m Falling Out Of Love With You Baby’ glides along with a honey drizzled melody and lo fi vocals. ‘Blå’ acts as the wispy electronic intermission before the shoegazey  rock- esque ‘Is It Just A Dream?’ and ‘Should Have Waited’ spiral in a hazy whirl with subtle anthemic bursts over subdued crashing instrumentation. Moon Loves Honey bring us to the end of this glorious album with the twinkling ‘Replaced’. Flickering electronics sparkle glimmers of scintillation through a melty emotional melody while lush vocals coo over the melancholic tones.

‘You Drift Away From Me’ blends sun kissed chilled dream pop with shoegazey rock and atmospheric electronics effortlessly to create a wholly mesmerising dreamy listen that relaxes, soothes and tranquilises while throwing in some groovy bops and sublime textures on top. It’s magnificently crafted and leaves you refreshed and vitalised.

Stream ‘You Drift Away From Me’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Central Hall ‘Social Awareness’

Waterfords alternative four piece Central Hall have released their new single ‘Social Awareness’.The band which consists of members Jordan Gough (Lead Vocal), Eamon Ganley (Lead Guitar), Alex Gough (Drums and Vocals) and R.J Kavanagh (Bass) have evolved constantly over the last two and a half years, from their young indie darling beginnings to consistently bringing the house down in all their gigs. Having recently being crowned winners of the prestigious UCC Battle Of The Bands 2018, Central Hall have developed a name for themselves in the Cork music scene as well as holding down their roots in the Waterford scene. Starting as a two piece ambient jam band project between Eamon and Alex the group quickly added Ross and Alex’s brother Jordan to create a more varied and fuller sounding group.

‘Social Awareness’ spreads out catchy vibrant indie jangles evenly upon an alternative backdrop of crashing alternative rock with some hip hop elements thrown into the mix. The track gradually builds -fermenting with sweet toned guitar weaving between a progressive snappy rhythm while dynamic vocals move between rap and singing. It’s brisk yet infectiously melodic as swift jagged soundscapes dart in between luscious cruising melodies. This track ventures from smooth, vividly golden tones to rushing mosh ready heaviness, creating a unique enthralling listen. The production on this track is outstanding, compact and dense keeping the listener engaged in suspense right up to the shredding shrilling guitar laced crescendo. These guys display their fine musicianship creating a track that groves with a slinky swagger as well as battering with some gritty rough instrumentation. It’s a refreshing track that makes these guys ones to watch out for.

Stream ‘Social Awareness’ below


Grunge, Grunge Pop, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From MeMe Detroit

Since her 2016 debut album release ‘Live to Love You’ll Love to Live’, MeMe has been pulling in fans with a magnetism that is both eloquent yet effortlessly cool. With previous support slots that include bands such as Dead Sea Skulls, Piano Wire, Fun lovin’ Criminals, Asylums and stand out shows which include The main stage at Moto GP, Silverstone, The O2 Academy, Dublin Castle, The Finsbury pub for ‘Get in her ears’ and Jurassic Fields festival MeMe’s energy and sleazy grunge is one to take note of. She has now released her new single ‘Soc Med Junkies’. This grunge smothered track oozes and seeps with dark gritty tones and fiery attitude. Sultry guitars shred and lacerate with relentless stamina through the rapid shuffling rhythm while MeMe’s luring vocals coo and entice for the verses before belting out the fiery chorus. It’s lean, mean, power indie that makes you want to jump kick, wiggle and groove all at once. Swallowed up in a chilled, cool persona and hypnotic melody mixed with heavy angst and crashing instrumentation this track kicks ass, wrestles you to the ground and mesmerises you in its hazy muggy hook driven charm. MeMe has a knack for writing tracks that slash bash sizzle and steam all at once while packing in some striking lyrics. ‘Soc Med Junkies’ is definitely worth a listen.

Stream ‘Soc Med Junkies’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll

Miles Kane ‘Loaded’

Miles Kane is back with a new solo album, his first in five years. ‘Coup De Grace’ follows 2013’s ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’ and is set for release June 8th via Virgin EMI. He has now released the lead single, ‘Loaded’ as a mouth-watering appetizer. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced by John Congelton (St. Vincent), the track was co-written with Lana Del Rey and Jamie T. ‘Loaded’ is a laid back melodic track dripping in flaunty swagger and slick coolness. A pop laced rock and roll sprinkled melody melts upon steamy T-REX-esque sultry guitar licks and spongy beat. The track becomes anthemic and ethereal as it builds to its passionate crescendo as Kane croons over breezy soundscapes. The verses slap a nice dose of punk-ish attitude while chiming keys twinkle between the steady beat. Lush backing vocals add a sweetness and celestial quality to this charming effortlessly cool number while the sizzling guitar drives the track with sharp stings and smothering scorching strides. ‘Loaded’ cruises, bops and blisters all while riding a mellow wave of infectious melodies, rich rhythms and swayable grooves. If this track is anything to go by ‘Coup De Grace’ is going to be one heck of an album.

Stream ‘Loaded’ below