ISLE are Scottish electro-pop duo Liam Rutherford and Ben Singer. The have created a refreshing blend of electro pop and rock that is just infectious. Their track ‘Kid’ is an energetic explosion of dynamic synths winding guitar and snapping beats. With beautiful piano feature in the background and even a Celtic undertone this song has everything and more. From just seconds into the song you are blasted into a swarm of amazing sounds that blend remarkably well together. The animated spirited vocals adds an anthem-like quality to the song with fist pumping intensity that makes this song vibrant and enthusiastic. ‘Surrender’ is a melodic track with again a beautiful piano feature running throughout. Its upbeat positive tone is conveyed with clap along bridge, snapping snare and uplifting “oh wo-oh” backing vocals. Its a catchy rhythmic track that you can’t help but sing and clap along to.
Stream ‘Kid’ and ‘Surrender’ below
Social confusion are a four piece alternative rock band based in Shropshire, taking influence from The Verve, Ride, Oasis, members Mat Spence (guitar/vocal), Rob Flynn (guitar/vocals), Wil Blase (bass) and Chris Symonds (drums) have created a very tight polished sound that’s great to listen to. ‘You Give Me Everything’ is an upbeat bouncy track with catchy chorus and great guitar solo. Its a well thought out track with a professional sound. These guys know what their style and sound is and are going for it. The slick guitars and add a refreshing edge to the track. ‘Your Life Is Waiting Outside’ takes the tone down to a more melancholy Oasis vibe. With an airy light vibe and sombre vocals The sharp guitar drives the song with a steady rhythm on drums that keeps a sway pace. Its a melodic track especially in the chorus while the verses have a faster passed vocal.
These guys have a very polished sound and considering they began in the early days of 2012. They have a lot of experience under their belt and are definitely a band in the game for the long hall.
Stream ‘You Give Me Everything’ and ‘Your Life Is Waiting Outside’ below
Greywind are a two-piece alternative rock band from Killarney that formed in June 2014. The band consist of siblings Steph O’Sullivan and Paul O’Sullivan. In March this year they released their single ‘Forest Ablaze’ a powerful mighty track with pounding drums, punchy bass and vigorous guitars. Its a full, heavy robust track with strong vocals from Steph as she preforms in an intense almost grungy manner for the verse with heart beat pulsing drums. Then it kicks in to a high energy loud vocal chorus, accompanied by a full “Evanescence” style guitars and drums up to a bursting and booming crescendo.
A band Killarney can be proud of! I’ll look forward to more from these guys!
Watch ‘Forest Ablaze’ below
Manchester’s PALE WAVES are Heather, Ciara, Hugo and Charlie. They are making a name for themselves for their infectious indie pop sound. ‘The Tide’ Is a bright pop track with a daydream beach feel. The longing vocals give this track a sentimental tone while the guitar bursts give a hazy fantasy feel that you can lose yourself in. The smooth drum beats and slick lustrous guitar riff make this song easy to listen and enjoy every minute of it. It has a youthful “run away with me” freedom vibe. ‘Heavenly’ is a fantastic catchy melodic track. It radiates sunshine with gleaming, light airy vocals that is appealing to the ear. The glistening sun kissed guitar riffs are stunning yet subtle and give a free and easy vibe. This is a bright bouncy tune that you can get up and dance along to or sit back in the sun with a drink in you hand and let Pale Waves take your imagination on a shimmering sun lit journey
PALE WAVES have a bright future ahead of them!
Stream ‘The Tide’ and ‘Heavenly’ below
Washington, D.C. post-punk pop band Dot Dash are made up of members Terry Banks (guitar/vocal ), Steve Hansgen (guitar), Hunter Bennett (bass) and Danny Ingram (drums). Their single ‘Flowers’ is a light energetic blend of post punk and power pop. Its a short track coming in at only 2 minutes and 4 seconds but that doesn’t stop it from making an impact. The bouncy drums, infectious bass line and driving melody make this song very catchy. It has a sixties hop feel with references to the fifties and sixties dances in the lyrics ‘bunny hop’ and ‘mash potato’ only with cutting guitars. The versus and chorus are very melodic and Banks vocals have a warm depth to them which gives this song radiance. Its definitely a song to get you bopping and dancing
Watch ‘Flowers’ below
LIFE are an alternative punk-rock band from Hull. Band members Mez , Loz, Mick and Stew released their new single ‘Popular Music’ in February this year and it has caused an instant frenzy on the airwaves bagging multiple spot plays from Annie Mac, Huw Stephens and Phil Taggart on Radio 1 as well as Steve Lamacq on BBC 6 Music. These guys are a force to be reckoned with. ‘Popular Music’ is a fierce track that is fast passed from the start with accelerated verses that make you feel like your running a marathon at a hundred miles an hour and cant keep up. With powerful, ferocious screeching guitars and pounding drums you are taken in to a frenzy created by a savage tune that refuses to let you go. You get a moment to breath as they break into an addictive chorus where the music breaks and the vocals repeat in an almost whisper ” feels like she’s pealing off” and then you are rushed off again into a whirlwind of psychedelia where you are thrown back into the race. By the end of the experience you feel exhausted but want to do it all again. This is a turbulent track and not for the light hearted but a must listen!
Look forward to more from these guys!
Stream ‘Popular Music’ Below
Our Worth A Listen Track this week comes from Broken Hands
Formed in Canterbury, Broken Hands are brothers Dale & Callum Norton, Jamie Darby, Thomas Ford and David Hardstone. They have made a name for themselves with their fusion of space rock, psychedelic garage and blues influences, and their track ‘Four’ is a concoction of heavy dark rock that has festered and ready to explode. Its blistering energy, riffs and rhythms and loud monstrous sound make this an awesome track. The grungy bass riff adds the hard rock vibe that shakes your core and would wake the dead. The verses are full of intensity with pounding drums and sick bass as the chorus becomes more vocally melodic while instrumentally still hitting it hard. A brilliant track to mosh to! definitely worth a listen!
Stream ‘Four’ below
Bel Esprit are an Indie/Alternative Rock band based in Southampton. With sets at Common People, Wickham, Independence and Icebreaker Festival under their belts and playing sold out shows at Southampton’s Joiners, Sheffield’s Plug and Camden’s prestigious Barfly supporting acts such as Ezra Furman, Sundara Karma and Nothing But Thieves, band members,Billy Herklots, Fahad Siddiqui, George Wardley and Sachin Croker are really making a name for themselves. Their début single ‘Lose My Mind’ has scored over 150,000 plays across all platforms and their most recent release ‘Leave Me Here’ is sure to follow in its footsteps. ‘Leave Me Here’ is a smooth and groovy track with gritty guitar and sizzling sultry vocal. The seductive guitars featuring distortion and addictive hooks give this song a confident and alluring vibe. Herklots’ effortlessly cool vocals is full of suave and swagger and conveys the lyrical yearning. The foot tapping rhythm and sensual bass gives this song its groove feel.
Looking forward to more from these guys.
Stream ‘Leave Me Here’ below
Originating from a combination of Stockport, Devon, Yorkshire and Liverpool, BARRON are Alex Barron on piano and lead vocals, Lewis Jones on guitar and backing vocals, Ryan Lee on Bass, synth and backing vocals and Aaron Haigh on drums. They have gathered a following from their energetic live performances and memorable feel good sound. Their most recent release ‘We Can Run’ is a polished uplifting track with a smooth ” free as a bird” vibe. The airy motivating chorus and smooth vocals make you want to drop everything and go on a road trip. With its light pop beats and running piano this song can make you believe you could fly. ‘Waiting For’ again is an uplifting anthem with piano riffs bouncing along behind and forming the backbone of the track. Its light pop beats and soft vocals make this track very catchy and atmospheric. With strong chorus and bridge which softens to make way for a piano solo until it kicks into the final intense emotional chorus. ‘All For You’ is a melodic sentimental track, with again beautiful piano and soft accompaniment. With a heartfelt chorus you can imagine the crowd at a gig swaying and pouring their hearts out as they belt out the chorus. The sweet vocal harmonies create a tender atmospheric vibe.
BARRON have recently finished their début EP and are set to release their First Single ‘Waiting For’ so keep your eyes out for that.
Stream ‘We Can Run’ and ‘All For You’ Below
VITAMIN are a four piece indie band from Leeds, band members Jared, Theo, Harrison and Cameron, who are signed to National Anthem records have just released their new single ‘Waterfall’. This is an upbeat, uplifting track with tropical melodies and shimmering synths radiating sunny vibes from every note. With beaming guitars and a pop bouncy beat you just wont be able to stop yourself from dancing! Its definitely a track that sticks in your head. The infectious chorus and strong vocals keeps you wanting more, like a soft sponge cake you can’t refuse. ‘Waterfall’ is definitely a track to add to your summer playlist
VITAMIN have toured with other incredible indie bands such as Sundara Karma and The Magic Gang so they have great experience performing live. Definitely a must see if you can, they are playing at:
Sat 21 May, The Great Escape, Brighton
Sun 29 May, Lost Village Festival, Lincoln
Fri 03 Jun, Studio 24, Leeds
Fri 10 Jun , X&Y Festival, Liverpool
Fri 24 Jun, Studio 24,Leeds
Listen to ‘Waterfall’ below
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
Picture by James Polley
