Tag Archives: Alternative Pop

Alt- Pop, electro- pop, Electronic, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Pop Rock, Power Pop, Synth-pop, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The RPMs

Straight off the back of a string of summer gigs and festivals up and down the country, Brighton’s The RPMs are back with their new single ‘Your Ghost’ and all revved up with a bigger sound than before. The RPMs recently released their second EP ‘Agents Of Change’ in June 2017 through Xtra Mile Recordings. They followed their release with a run of shows throughout the spring and summer months, including supports with We Are Scientists. Alongside this they also played Camden Rocks, Isle of Wight Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Butefest,110 Above, Big Feastival (run by Jamie Oliver and Alex James from Blur) and RivFest in honour of the memory of River Reeves and the members of Viola Beach. The EP continued to win them fans on the radio, including airplay of lead single ‘Oh My God’ from Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq, Chris Hawkins and Tom Robinson across BBC 6 Music and Radio 1, BBC Introducing in The South & the Radio X Evening Playlist.  More recently, ‘Things I Forgot To Do’ was added to Huw Stephens’ Best of BBC Introducing playlist as well as the Radio X Evening Playlist and John Kennedy Recommends on Radio X.

‘Your Ghost’ is a flickering indie pop sprinkled bombshell. This band know how to write an insanely catchy tune brimming with rich intensely satisfying soundscapes. Dazzling electronics flash and fluctuate throughout adding a surge of adrenaline inducing bedazzlement. With bright spirited guitar jangles and a snappy beat this track is an instant vitality shot of pizzazz and high-powered energy. Smooth laid-back vocals add a hazy daydream vibe that exudes summer sun and good times. These guys write smashing indie pop bangers and ‘Your Ghost’ is a prime example of this. The melody is luscious and sweet while the instrumentation blinds with bright breezy scintillation and power pop energy while still holding an indie edge. Another great track from The RPMs.

Stream ‘Your Ghost’ below

 


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Flatlands ‘Friday Night’

Flatlands are an indie pop four piece from Oxford. They combine the melodic world of modern British indie with the dance punk vibes of West Coast USA. The bands first foray onto the UK music scene in 2016 saw the band achieve support slots for Yonaka, Redfaces, Rhys Lewis, Rews and Neon Waltz. Early 2017 saw the release of their debut E.P, with support from BBC Introducing followed by a sold-out headline show. Having signed to New Level Management, Flatlands have been invited to play for Sofar Sounds Winchester and Oxford, played festival slots at, amongst others, Cornbury and Riverside. The  band have now released their new single ‘Friday Night’ today. This indie pop banger is catchy, vibrant and bursting with good vibes. Bright sharp guitars playfully entwines with the infectious melody and snappy punchy drums. Featuring thrilling guitar wails and smooth sometimes screaming vocals, it’s a scorching blistering indie track. This song exudes oodles of fiery energy and charisma with rapid lyrics it’s a buzzing rush of adrenaline. It’s one for the lively mania of the mosh pit while the crowd bellow out the infectious lyrics joyously. Well crafted it’s crisp, edgy and meticulously layered creating a wholly satisfying listen. Perfect for Friday night antics.

Watch the video for ‘Friday Night’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, EP Review, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Pop Rock

Cider Wasps ’Ethereal’ EP

Cider Wasps are a four-piece alternative rock band from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland. The band consists of brothers Danny and Tommy Dunford, Stephen Keating and Colin Drummey. Formed in early 2013 the quartet have been gigging in various venues across the country but as of late have started hitting the Irish festival scene with an appearance at Indiependence 2016. The band launched their debut EP entitled ‘HERE’ in the autumn of 2015 which featured their single Lúnasa. Many radio stations and DJ’s picked up on the EP immediately and it began to hit the Irish airwaves on stations such as WLR-FM, Beat 102-103, CRY104FM, and 98FM to name a few. Their most recent ’Ethereal’ is the second EP release from the band which was launched alongside an independent tour of Ireland starting in Whelans and finishing in Waterford.

’Ethereal’ is an impressively smooth EP packed with passion and sublime melodies. Each track glides smoothly into the next. The tempos are easy-going with dramatic crescendos and with sleek production it’s radio ready. The dreamy delicate ‘80beatspersecond’ kicks off the EP. Silky smooth vocals caress a sweet luscious melody while a throbbing beat sets up the tension for the explosive chorus. These guys write tracks from the heart, every song evokes a rush of urgency and intense emotion while soaring backing vocals and aerial breezy soundscapes lift the tracks to skyscraper heights.’Hummingbird’ trots in with a lively bounce and jangly melodic distorted guitar. The heavy rapid drums and resounding pulse on bass adds a lively energy to the track and danceable foundation. ‘Home’ slows the tone again to start. It’s a heavenly delicate romantic track that builds into a mammothly anthemic explosion. Elevated backing vocals and a heart wrenching rush of blood to the head chorus displays just how good these guys are at making you feel every heavy towering note. ‘Magic Beans’ is simply beautiful and graceful with heavenly soundscapes to start. The track once again erupts for this striking mind-blowing crescendo as Danny Dunford slips into his sweet falsetto range while hefty drums pound and crashing guitars blister and burst through the colossal soundscape. The divine ‘Ethereal’ finishes the EP with warm mellow guitar plucks and tender glowing tones. It’s candy coated purity and tear jerkingly delicate. A sublime melody and sharp guitar stings create a hazy sombre feathery lightness that is just heavenly. When the beat kicks in it’s soft and spongy adding a soothing cushion and bounce. It’s just sublime, a song to treasure.

The ‘Ethereal’ EP is a luscious highly emotive and passionate collection of tracks that touch on all aspects of modern pop/pop-rock without losing cohesion. Silky smooth with the right amount of punch and heaviness throughout. Dunford uses his velvety vocals to inject the right combination of sincerity, drama and emotion into all five tracks creating a satisfying beautiful listen.

You can catch Cider Wasps at their next live show on 23rd November at Fibber Magees, Dublin make sure to check them out.

Stream ‘Ethereal’ below


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

Fling ‘That’s Nice’

Bradford five piece Fling have released their new single ‘That’s Nice’ by revered independent label Dance To The Radio. The track has recently clocked up radio plays with Huw Stephens, Steve Lamacq & Zane Lowe. The band were described as ‘off kilter pop-perfection’ by Wonderland and have been garnering critical praise from all areas of the indie world with Steve Lamacq playing the band numerous times on BBC 6 Music alongside extensive spins from Radio X and even Beats 1 jumping on board. New single ‘That’s Nice’ is a sugar coated indie pop tune, smooth and sleek this quintet have created a laid-back indie pop dazzler that celebrates the natural things in life. A smooth hazy track about having sex, it’s blatant, exuberant and insanely catchy. The sultry guitar licks weave between a honey drizzled melody and spongy beat they cruise in with laid back verses and sizzling instrumentation. Its warm tones wrapped in cosy fuzzy joyous vibes and good times. From the opening catchy keys riff to the scorching guitar and velvety raspy vocals its instantly likeable. It’s a natural  floral and wreaths, irresistible homage to the finer things in life put to dreamy sweet music.

Not one to mince his words, Fling’s frontman Charles McSorley explains ”A lot of people write songs that talk about sex or wanting to have it, but not about doing it. So we did one about doing it because it’s nice doing it.”  …….. fair enough

Stream ‘That’s Nice’ below


Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

Brass Phantoms ‘Indigo’

              (Picture: Olga Kuzmenko)

In support of their single ‘Indigo’ Dublin fourpiece Brass Phantoms will be playing upstairs in Whelan’s on Friday October 27th. The single is the follow-up to recent single ‘City Of Wolves’ which we previously featured on Indie Buddie. The band have garnered airplay all over Irish radio, as well as being featured on BBC Radio 6 with Steve Lamacq, Spotify Discover Weekly, and Amazing Radio. Earlier this year they were listed as The Metro’s ‘Artist Of The Week’. They have headlined shows throughout Ireland, as well as New York this month for their first US dates which will be followed by a UK and Irish tour.

‘Indigo’ is a euphoric indie gem, smothered in areal breezy tones and oozing oodles of passion. Biting blustery guitars swirl and soar crashing into a galloping rumbling beat while Ryan Cashell’s unique powerful vocals add potency and might. It’s passionate and intense with little anthemic bursts that are blissfully aerial and refreshing. These guys have a knack for packing a lot into their tracks and ‘Indigo’ is no different. It’s brimming with luscious indie pop melodies consumed in a whirlpool of rich ethereal soundscapes creating a kinetic catchy tune that shows their refined musicianship and is sure to be amazing live.

The video for ‘Indigo’ was produced by Alan McCarthy. It shows a dancer performing a routine in a hall alongside a live performance by the band, which builds in intensity with the song. 13-year-old Alicia Premkumar stars as the dancer in the video.

Brass Phantoms are playing upstairs in Whelan’s on Friday October 27th make sure to head down and  check them out.

Watch the video for ‘Indigo’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

The Assist ‘Give It To Me’

Indie four piece The Assist have released their new single ‘Give It To Me’. These guys have had a massive impact on 2017 since their debut EP, ‘Trouble’ was released. Their recent single, ‘Wonderful’, made the Spotify Viral 50 and they’ve played sets at Isle of Wight, Reading + TRNSNT (Jack Rocks/This Feeling) as well as support slots with Blossoms, Rat Boy and The Twang. ‘Give It To Me’ fleshes out their infectious blend of indie rock sprayed with danceable grooves and enough energy to have a live audience going crazy. Infectious melodies are coated in biting guitars and rich shakeable rhythm. Drenched in attitude it’s a no-nonsense belter that is insanely catchy. Just that “do do do” backing lyric will have you hooked – you will have to prise it from you brain. Upbeat immensely energetic and fresh these guys shake thing up with a simple tune that radiates bright scintillation while also packing a nice bit of grit and punch to keep it interesting. Slick guitar lines and groovy bass add a touch of swagger and greasy slickness while the spoken lyrics add a smack of Brummy attitude.  Fine track from the four piece.

Watch the video for ‘Give It To Me’ below


Alt Rock, Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music

The Curious ‘Gentleman’

The Curious are an Indie/Alternative band from London. The five piece consists of members Dominic Smith (Lead Vocals), Sam Roberts (Drums), Lewy Rutherford (Guitar and Vocals), James Cooper (Guitar and Vocals) and Alexander Nuti (Bass). They have released a video for their track ‘Gentleman’ taken off their ‘Electric Sheep’ EP. This infectious snappy ditty bops, hops and shakes with refreshing zing and swagger oozing indie. It’s an intoxicating guitar driven slice of slick, musicianship from the shredding razor-sharp guitar solos and jagged stinging riffs to the sticky elastic rhythm that rebounds and springs with a glutinous vitality. With a melty delicious melody and slick panache drenched vocals, its sure to get those feet tapping and body grooving in no time. Animated, extremely energetic and likable its one to put on repeat, let everything go and dance around the room to. These guys have a tight refined sound that is so cool, slick and fun all while packing some luscious melodies with sophisticated snazzy instrumentation. Keep an eye out for these guys.

 

Watch the video for ‘Gentleman’ below

 


Alt- Pop, EP Review, Indie, indie rock, New Music

Hammy & The Pilgrim ‘Nothing To See Here’ EP

Hammy & The Pilgrim is a four-piece alternative rock band from Limerick. The band honed their skills by appearing informally in the vibrant local music scene, playing acoustic and electric sets. Now playing gigs all over the country the band have begun to draw large crowds as support for nationally recognised acts such as Le Gallaxie & Hermitage Green. As a result of their ‘Put It On Ice’ single launch in July they were selected to play this year’s Electric Picnic. Most recently, Hammy & The Pilgrim have released their second EP ‘Nothing To See Here’ to a sold out launch show at the Kasbah Social Club, Dolan’s, Limerick.

‘Nothing To See Here’ displays how Hammy & The Pilgrim have developed their own blend of melodic bluesy tinged alternative rock. ‘Riding High’ adds a snappy nostalgic start to the EP. Elastic bass lines teamed with bouncy drums creates a flexible peppy foundation while the honey smooth melody coats the track in nostalgia and mellow tones. It’s catchy and subtly anthemic. There are some pretty sweet guitar moments in the EP which really shine and add a vibrant lift to each of the tracks. ‘Bow your Head’ is laced in a dreamy lush melody and punchy percussion with the perfect air guitar worthy shredding solo as the icing on the cake. ‘Put It On Ice’ adds a speckle of reggae infused bounce and a dash of vitality to the EP. Hammy & The Pilgrim have created a collection of smooth dreamy tracks richly layered in hazy golden guitar lines and luscious melodies. It’s mellow and melodic with just enough vivacity and buoyancy to have you bopping and grooving. ‘Nothing To See Here’ is a tight polished EP that shows real promise from Hammy & The Pilgrim.

Stream ‘Nothing To See Here’ below


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, New Music, Pop Rock

Fears Chella ‘Lush’

Stoke/Manchester based band Fears Chella have released their new single ‘Lush’. The track follows the success of their last single ‘Girlfriend’, which earned the band playlists slots with Ditto Music, Spotify, Hattie Pearson and Shell Zenner along with BBC Introducing ‘Track of the Week’, support from Huw Stephens on Radio 1 and a plethora of media. With upcoming shows supporting The Big Moon and MISFIRES, whispers of a headline tour around the corner and previous shows headlining a stage at Dot To Dot, slots at Threshold and Sonder Festival as well as slots supporting All Tvvins, Honeyblood, LIFE, King No-One and PINS these guys are really grabbing attention and making their sound heard.

‘Lush’ is a juicy burst of refreshing indie pop. Smooth and breezy these guys glide in on an effortlessly cool wave of sun soaked indie sprinkled pop with a hint of grunge underneath. Dreamy lavish soundscapes swish around sharp guitar stings and a soft bouncy beat. It’s anthemic with a catchy chorus and exhilarating instrumentals. It’s an adrenaline rush of youthful bliss. Sugar coated and sweet yet blustery and raw. Fears Chella keep their sound edgy and polished at the same time to create a hazy dreamy, airy almost chaotic 90’s tinged indie banger. To put it simply it’s well ‘Lush’.

Stream ‘Lush’ below