Category Archives: Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Dull Blue Lights

The Dull Blue Lights are a band in between. Drawing from influences as varied as Motown soul, Nuggets psychedelia and Jamaican rocksteady, the Philadelphia-based group’s definitive blend of cascading harmonies, screaming guitars and relentlessly grooving rhythms lives somewhere between each one. The band calls this in-between sound Basement Soul. Their new single ‘Press Play’ is the latest single from The Dull Blue Lights’ upcoming self-titled debut album, due out July 13th which was produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Benjamin Booker, Clear Plastic Masks).
‘Press Play’ is a juicy fruity blend of slick rock and roll. Sharp nimble guitar teamed with relentlessly shimmying rhythms, this track is a massive explosion of feel good bright rock and roll. It’s cool with smooth vocals and a swagger infused cruising glide that creates an impulsive strut and prance. Exuding flamboyance and panache this track is the slick back charmer that will have girls swooning from the first note. It’s a track reminiscent of 50’s rock and roll mania. Once that rich rhythm section kicks in you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing. With quirky organ chords thrown in and a melty infectious melody, it’s a swanky stride of explosive energy and slick musicianship. Oozing soul and passion this track is vintage cool and sublime while also remaining current. A must listen.

Stream ‘Press Play’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From April Towers

Nottingham April Towers have released their new single ‘Takes One to Know One’. Since forming, the duo of Alex Noble (vocals, guitars & keyboards) and Charlie Burley (production, samples, guitars & keyboards) have put out a series of singles and EPs including last year’s ‘Silent Fever’ and have played shows and festivals in the UK and Europe. They have been away from the spotlight in recent months honing the finishing touches to their debut album ‘Certified Freaky’. Recorded at Soho’s legendary Dean Street Studios in the same room David Bowie recorded Diamond Dogs, the album is co-produced with highly revered electronic artist-cum-DJ Ben Pearce and mixed by Nathan Boddy.
‘Takes One to Know One’ is a shimmering synth pop track jammed with infectious grooves and lustrous soundscapes. It’s a sweet bubbly can of sugar rush filled pop. Smooth vocals glide along a rich catchy melody while bopping beats slap with honey coated stickiness. With body grooving rhythm and glittering synths it’s instantly enjoyable and teamed with a Pet Shop Boys vibe it’s a timeless gloopy yet smooth delight.

‘Takes One to Know One’ is the first single taken from their debut album, due out early next year, which is currently being funded through Pledge Music, more info here http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/apriltowers

You can catch them live at
MON 26 JUNE – THE OLD BLUE LAST – LONDON, UK

Stream ‘Takes One to Know One’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Trooper Charlie

Dublin’s indie four piece Trooper Charlie have released their new single ‘Indigo’ which was self written and produced. The band consisting of members Adam Lunnon-Collery  (Lead Vocals), Luke O’Brien ( Lead Guitar),Victor Bell (Bass Guitar & Vocals) and Colin Jackson  (Drums & Percussion) have been playing together for the best part of almost 8 years since the age of 13 years old where they met in secondary school. They have played shows all over Dublin and Ireland from Cyprus Avenue in Cork to Whelan’s in Dublin.

‘Indigo’ is a lush laid back sun soaked track drenched in tropical tones and hazy vibes. Sharp zesty guitar and elegant twinkling keys add spurts  of fruity freshness while smooth bouncy  percussion and mellow vocals soothe creating a calm relaxed atmosphere. This catchy daydream laced track cruises with an effortless flow and infectious groove. It’s polished and breezy, well layered and richly textured. These guys have created a slick fluently smooth track that is just heavenly.

Watch the audio video for ‘Indigo’ below

 


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Fontaines

Los Angeles based The Fontaines have released their video for their new track ‘Two Bodies’ due for release on 9th June. Continuing the rich lush sound of their previous releases this year ‘Vacant’ and ‘Evaporate’, ‘Two Bodies’ is a sultry silky track that glides with effortless smooth swagger. The silky melody is melty and creamy while Charlotte Fontaine’s vocals coo with a soft soul tinged entrapment. Smothered in a hazy dreamy vibe, it’s a sticky muggy bubble. The fuzzed sharp guitar injections add a zesty sting and almost tropical flavour to this sensual indulgent track. The elastic spring on bass and soft beat gives the track a limber pliable texture. It glides with a steamy heavenly grace that is simply splendid. The Fontaines never disappoint, their sound is so refined and sublime they really are first rate musicians.

Watch the video for ‘Two Bodies’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Vast Robot Armies

Toronto’s Vast Robot Armies have released their new single ‘Dinner Music’. The four piece Jason Thomson (Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards), John Agee (Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Piano), Joseph Wells (Guitars, Bass) and Chris Metcalf (Drums, Percussion) have created a garage indie rock track oozing with effortless swagger and subtle bursts of anthem like might. Its slick cool and filled with bright exuberant energy.Hazy echoed laid back vocals and shredding guitar riffs fill your veins with a powerful supreme feverous sound. Sharp guitars add a blissful shrill of ecstasy while punchy drums and rich percussion add a meaty elastic texture. It’s a rapturous delight and sweet honey to the ears.
Stream ‘Dinner Music’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Screens

The Screens are Neil and Colin. They are unique in that they collaborate on all writing and producing yet are rarely in the same room when they do so. Everything is done online. The Screens have a musical history in film and TV music through composing, arranging and/or producing music. Their credits include Kill Bill 2, The Soprano’s, The Simpsons, Superman Returns, West Wing, Lost, 24, Mr & Mrs Smith.Their production credits also include working with artists such as Tom Jones, Paul Weller, Ruby Turner, Will Smith, A Tribe Called Quest and Tony Hadley. They have now released their new single ‘Avalanche’.
‘Avalanche’ is a lavish swoony track theatrically romantic and dramatic with sing along chorus. The sway like simplicity of this sixties-like  dreamy track features elegant string and lush backing vocals, its a fanciful feather light emotional burst. Gracefully the track glides with dainty grandeur and class. This emotionally creamy silky song tells a romantic story in a cinematic way that exudes beauty and splendour. Its incredibly lavish and rich with soft delicate textures ironically contrasting the lyrical depiction of the bloody heartache and turmoil of love. ‘Avalanche’ tips its hat to the classic British gangster stories of the sixties and seventies but lavishes in an opulence of strings and theatre. It has a sound far removed from what most artists are trying to create in order to conform to the industries current requirements.
Watch the video for ‘Avalanche’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Himalayas

Cardiff four-piece Himalayas have released a video to coincide with the release of their new single ‘Thank God I’m Not You’. The Tom Large directed video takes place at the derelict St. Luke’s Church in the Welsh town Abercarn. Filming of the video took place in one day and spanned 22 hours, with the generator almost cutting out in the middle of the night. With a slew of network radio plays and rowdy gigs across the country, the first half of 2017 has seen Himalayas catapulted to completely new heights.
‘Thank God I’m Not You’ is a scorching indie rock track, boisterous and fiery with strident guitars and punchy drums. Exuding rebellious swagger filled attitude this track hits with high voltage energy and explosive might. Piercing guitar riffs shrill through the track leading to that lusty solo that is so slick its air guitar ready. Brawny rhythm pounds with headbang ready potency as the track builds to a strong vigorous crescendo. Its a catchy effective blow to the head of loud and noisy indie/alt-rock and is absolutely riveting.
You can catch Himalayas live at
27th May – The Verve, Leeds.
9th June – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
7th July – The Magnet, Liverpool
8th July – The Half Moon, Putney
18th July – The Social Bar, Doncaster
5th August – The Verve, Leeds
30th September – The Gate, Cardiff
Of the video, the band said, “The concept of the video is a sense of torture, not only from other people but from your own self; the idea that you and many others criticise every last detail of your person.”
Watch the video for ‘Thank God I’m Not You’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Jackobins

 

Liverpool’s finest The Jackobins have released their much anticipated new single ‘Nightfire’. This band have developed a steadily rising fan base across the U.K. They have played sold-out shows on their current tour, a number of well-received festival appearances in 2016 and have gained recent airplay on BBC Introducing Merseyside, Radio X and Radio 6. With a recent change in the line up The Jackobins return with a little shift in their sound.
‘Nightfire’ presents us with The Jackobins dreamy silky indie pop side. Its sophisticated, smooth and polished while still packing quite a mighty punch. Bringing their anthemic chorus to new heights by packing a mighty heartfelt emotional wallop. Warm melodic guitars sparkle throughout the track interweaving between the melt in your mouth melody. Its light with an aerial atmosphere that has a feather like float which is grounded by the steady bounce on drums and agile elastic bass. What stands out for me with all of the Jackobins tracks is the nimble proficient radiant guitar and this track is no different. With a splendid display the guitar elements lift the track with dazzling luminosity and scintillation. Soaked in melancholic tones teamed with sweet passionate vocals it’s radio friendly and proves these guys can do whatever they put their mind to.

Stream ‘Nightfire’ below


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Cuckoos

Psych rock band The Cuckoos from Austin have recently released their self-titled debut EP. The Cuckoos are Kenneth Frost (Lead Vocals/Songwriter, Keys), Dave North (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals), Eric Ross (Bass) and Cole Koenning (Drums). These young guys (the oldest is just 21) create music that sounds like it’s straight from the 1960’s however with their own unique twist. The quartet recently completed a successful first-ever run at SXSW and aren’t slowing down any time soon, booking shows across their home-state and in the UK. We have chosen their track ‘Mind Breakthrough’ as our worth a listen track this week.
‘Mind Breakthrough’ is a dark grimy twisted concoction of classic rock brewed with psychedelic garage and hints of acid. Its an opaque trip into a thick hazy hallucinogenic delusion. With mesmerising eerie synths and thrilling razor sharp guitar, its a swirling dizzy opiate mirage smothered in dark dingy tones. The groovy rhythm adds a shimmy to the track, the limp kind one would do when mind boggled and dazed. Deep strong vocals command with a spellbinding possession while the track consumes you in its narcotic swirling abyss. ‘ Mind Breakthrough’ is an enchanting luring track that is riveting and smothered in nostalgic and retro vibes. It showcases the fine musicianship of these young guys. If they are writing tracks like this now imagine whats next… its going to be good. Watch out for these guys.

Stream ‘Mind Breakthrough’ below

https://soundcloud.com/the-cuckoos/mind-breakthrough-1


Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Factory

Rock and Roll four piece Factory have released their new single ‘Step A Little Closer’. The band consists of members James Shelley (Lead vocals/Guitar), Karl Richardson (Vocals/Lead Guitar, Tony Dainteth (Vocals/Bass Guitar) and Benjamin Worrall (Drums/Percussion). They have played countless gigs and festivals up and down the country at venues like the Queens Hall and The Cavern as well as packing out venues in their home town. The band are no strangers to big stages, playing academies and theatres such as the Epstein Theatre and the Brindley. They were also chosen by Alan McGee (Creation Records) to open up at the British Sound Project for Primal Scream at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester.
‘Step A Little Closer’ is a swagger soaked rock and roll doozy, infusing swinging 60’s blues with the razor sharp edge of modern rock. Dripping in panache with slick splintery guitar and shimmying percussion its an infectious blistering triumph. This high energy track builds in intensity right up to the sultry steamy bridge which slows the tone to a hip swaying sensual psychedelic trip. Punchy drums and dynamic powerful vocals give the track a rugged texture and a Jagger strut vibe. These guys have crafted a staggeringly good hair raising track that is definitely worth a listen.
Stream ‘Step A Little Closer’ below

 

https://soundcloud.com/factorybandruncornliverpool/step-a-little-closer