Hard-rock band ModernWelfare have released their new single, ‘Death Of Me’. Based in the USA, but with members from around the world, this alternative rock outfit combines the angst and raw power of hard rock, with the immaculate melodies of electronic pop.
‘Death Of Me’ erupts with ModernWelfare’s raw and all-consuming alternative rock. The band create a heavy and mosh ready wall of sound filled with pummeling drums and jagged guitar riffs to accompany the tracks catchy melody. The verses sear with tension and stop-start backdrops while the chorus builds to a dynamic outburst and brawn-filled onslaught of alternative rock. With expressive vocals bellowing emotional lyrics through an instrumental assault, the track runs on a thrilling concoction of adrenaline and emotion. Touching on themes such as mental health and substance abuse, ‘Death Of Me’ is a powerful tune that display’s ModernWelfare’s bracing and compelling sound.
Dublin artist James Lonergan has released his new single ‘Joop’. Lonergan joined his first band, aged 10; since then, he has steadily fronted bands – most notably as the vocalist, guitarist, and principal songwriter of the recently disbanded progressive band, Synk.
Blending ambient soundscapes with looped harmonies on backing vocals ‘Joop’ displays the refined, lush sound of Lonergan. The track flows upon ripples of silken melodies and grand instrumental builds to create an atmospheric piece of music that boasts gripping soundscapes filled with washes of synths and elegant piano. A bubbling rhythmic undercurrent of shaking percussion and buoyant beats draws the listener into the song’s many intricate layers and musical depths while Lonergan’s passionate vocals exude soothing tones that become more dynamic before fading out into a blustery wall of distortion. Fusing harsh elements with delicate tones and sweeping moments on strings, ‘Joop’ is an awe-inspiring single as Lonergan pushes boundaries to create quite a mesmerising piece of art.
Dublin alternative rock outfit TV People have released their new single ‘Out of the Silence’. Working alongside Dan Doherty at Darklands Audio (Fontaines D.C., Vulpynes), Christian Wright at Abbey Road Studios (Radiohead, Blur, LCD Soundsystem) and Grammy award-winning Caesar Edmunds (QOTSA, St. Vincent, PJ Harvey); ‘Out of the Silence’, is the band’s first new music of 2021.
Within ‘Out of the Silence’ TV People flesh out their dark and brooding sound to create a spacious and intense tune for listeners to indulge in. The band have become known for their meticulously crafted songs and ‘Out of the Silence’ follows this trend superbly. The verse simmers with rooted bass and thudding drums while Paul Donohoe’s rich baritone croons over the dreamy melody with a sense of longing. As the song progresses into the chorus the soundscape becomes lighter as sweet glimmers on guitars fragment the muggy backdrop with subtle yet energetic instrumental bursts. With vivid eloquent lyrics drifting through the building instrumentation, the band showcase their poetic flair and maturing lyrical prowess “I watched the Liffey bleed along the banks of distant quays, and I awaken when the feeling flows from out of the silence”. TV People are an evocative and compelling band to listen to. With each release, the listener gets an exciting glimpse into their vast, rich pool of talent and it’s simply extraordinary.
About the track Paul Donohoe said: “We wrote ‘Out of the Silence’ at the start of the year when we got back into our rehearsal room in Dublin after months of writing from home. I remember feeling inspired and invigorated by the energy of the city at the time, despite the fact that everything was closed and the weather was dark and grim. I found solace in the fact that the city was indifferent to everything that was going on in the world around it, and started to reflect on the fact that I needed a bit more perseverance in my own life. The tune is a homage to that timeless energy and presence that certain places have and how you can find comfort in the permanence of these places when you’re feeling a bit lost and dejected. For me, it’s an expression of optimism and appreciation for life, despite its faults and imperfections.”
Recorded in the height of the pandemic, Damn Good Liars have released their self-titled EP. A passion project years in the making, Damn Good Liars is the result of guitarist and co-producer Steve Jenner’s enduring ambition, his long-standing friendship with producer and multi-instrumentalist Ian Turner, and their combined efforts to transform their concept into existence. Originally creating instrumental demos, Damn Good Liars was completed by the vocal and lyrical talents of Ellis Turner who joined the band in 2020. Elevated by Ellis’ vocals, Damn Good Liars released their debut single, and opening track from the EP, ‘Station Wagon Motel Chic’ was released in June 2021 and has already received support from BBC Introducing Berkshire.
Damn Good Liars is a brooding and enticing collection of tracks that displays Damn Good Liars intricate musicianship and tantalizing songwriting. Blending haunting melodies with Turner’s smoky vocals, the band create an eerie and mysterious soundscape for listeners to immerse themselves in. Exuding lulling vaporous tones in ‘Unworthy’ and rock and roll undertones in ‘Station Wagon Motel Chic’, the EP boasts Damn Good Liars engaging and diverse sound. There is oodles of swagger within the EP enhanced by rich mellow refrains on guitar and ethereal synths that create a dreamy narcotic atmosphere throughout. This is best shown in ‘Tobacco Lips’ where a slow 60’s shimmy and panache driven melody slips gently into psychedelic territory while funky guitars and a sensual bass line groove throughout. Damn Good Liars have crafted a satisfying EP that blends edgy alternative rock with smooth psychedelia and grunge elements to create one thrilling, cohesive listening experience.
Liverpool based alternative-rock artist, Ambro River (aka Richard Batty), has released his debut single, ‘Electrolyte’. With elements of ’90s gunge providing an edge between sweet melodies, this driving rock track is a fantastic and ambitious debut. Batty creates an exhilarating and raw backdrop of gritty guitar riffs, rumbling bass lines and punchy drums to create one blistering gem for listeners to enjoy. The guitars exude an epic quality reminiscent of 80’s rock anthems and smoulder through the chorus while the verses tease and intensify throughout. The song boasts Batty’s musical prowess and tight songwriting as he uses expressive instrumentation to enhance his clever lyrical content. Melding playful lyricism with majestic and refined musicianship, ‘Electrolyte’ is an impressive and well-crafted tune from Ambro River.
Born out of the existential crisis that has been Covid, and a general feeling of global turmoil, ‘Not Today’ is the massive debut album to come from UK rock band Giant Sky. Finding themselves ready to record in March 2020, the pandemic restrictions meant that they were stopped in their tracks. Still desperate to focus on their music, the band put together crude demos, which soon turned into an EP. Gradually finding their style changing and seeing that there was no end to restrictions in sight, Giant Sky headed to a studio to record this full-length album, wearing masks and testing daily to get the album completed. Formed of Olivia Bond, Toby Mcfee, Jay Amesbury and Jon Hatch, Giant Sky was born after meeting Olivia in 2019. Having been in bands together since their teens, the boys have played music together for years, with Olivia’s vocals and lyricism completing the picture.
‘Not Today’ is a powerful alternative rock album surging with Giant Sky’s sonic onslaught of heavy riffs, crashing drums and dark melodies. The band create tense tunes that brood with moody grunge verses and anthemic choruses. From the cinematic and robust ‘Rust’ to the triumphant raw smack of ‘Elephant, the band take a resounding foundation of roaring bass and pummeling drums and scatter coarse guitar embellishments into the mix to create a lean, mean and musically tantalizing wall of sound. The songs travel at a brisk neck-snapping pace as Giant Sky layer acute instrumentation atop a jagged rhythmic pulse within tracks such as ‘Change’ to create a manic mosh ready soundscape for listeners to immerse themselves in. The blazing instrumental backdrops within the album creates an exhilarating contrast to the melodies’ hazy effect, which, teamed with Olivia Bond’s delicate coos, adds a softer element to the songs. We see this particularly within ‘Heroin’. The coarse sawing bass and sharp guitar refrains lacerate with aggressive force, which Bond cushions with her soothing vocal delivery.
‘Not Today’ is a fine display of the band’s musical prowess, ‘Wolf’ and ‘Elephant’ in particular are prime examples of Giant Sky’s endless talent where we see the band sprinkle moments of guitar delight throughout. However, it’s the bittersweet ‘Home’ that sits as the pinnacle moment within the album. Boasting ethereal guitar, a bright atmosphere and Bond’s pristine vocals the song builds to a hair raising cinematic crescendo filled with expressive drums, lush backing vocals and soft keys. The track is a captivating gem and a wonderful assault on the senses.
Giant Sky have poured themselves into this fantastic album to create a mature, refined and thrilling collection of tracks ready for repeat plays.
Gang Of Youths have released their new single ‘the angel of 8th ave.’ The track represents their first new music since 2017’s ‘Go Farther In Lightness’ album. Entirely self-produced, the track was recorded in their own studio in Hackney, a place which provides them with unlimited creative freedom. It was subsequently mixed by the Grammy-winning Craig Silvey (Arcade Fire, The National). Since forming in Sydney, Australia in 2011, Gang Of Youths have made a big impression with their two albums to date, ‘The Positions’ (2015) and ‘Go Farther In Lightness’ (2017), the latter of which won four prestigious ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Group. London shows have included four sold-out nights at the Islington Assembly Hall, and a show as part of BRITs Week 2020 in support of War Child. Meanwhile, international festival dates have spanned everywhere from Splendour In The Grass to Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, Rock Werchter and Mad Cool.
‘the angel of 8th ave’ is an expressive rush of indie rock that showcases the dynamic musicianship of Gang Of Youths. The song ignites with a catchy rhythmic intro before Dave Le’aupepe’s deep vocals express the lyrics as a rapid progression of thought,“So we got straight to the heart, And I was a coward and worse to my shame, I fell hard upon the weightless weeks, But wasted every day”. The earnest lyrics move through a jogging backdrop of bass rumbles and resounding sprints on guitars as the band create an intense and hyper wall of sound for listeners to indulge in.
The band layer and craft the song superbly to create an invigorating listening experience. The song builds becoming more vibrant with each flourishing musical element as the dynamic chorus elevates the track with soaring sharp guitar embellishments and a driving bounce on drums. Everything pivots around the snappy rhythm within this song as warm injections on acoustic guitar, haunting reverb pines on synths and lofty guitar refrains ricochet off the snapping percussion and drum beat.
Gang Of Youths present a marvellous new tune that effortlessly displays their passion and musical prowess. With a tune this impressive, powerful and ambitious, I’m excited to hear what the band has to offer next.
Dublin alternative indie rock four-piece Fruitz are back with a new single, ‘Be Like This’. The song follows their popular previous release ‘Daydream’ in 2020, a sold-out headline show at Whelan’s, and support for Louis Berry. ‘Be Like This’ was recorded in Dublin’s famous Windmill Lane Recording Studios. Fruitz teamed up with producer Cian Synott and mastering engineer Fergal Davis on this song as well as Gareth Halliday ( Noel Gallagher) for the artwork.
Doused in sharp riffs and driving rhythms, ‘Be Like This’ is an impressive track from Fruitz that balances 90’s alternative rock with indie undertones. The tune is an emotive and confident display of passion-filled musicianship that showcases the band’s mature and dynamic sound in all its glory. Brooding verses simmer with rumbling basslines, jangly guitars and tense drums to provide the perfect pressure cooker to perk the ears and tantalise the senses before erupting into the mighty chorus. Boasting expressive vocals, an exhilarating melody and majestic guitar display, ‘Be Like This’ is a hair-raising anthem that marks Fruitz as ones to watch.
Big Sleep have released their new single ‘Tattoos’. Big Sleep are a Dublin based indie-alternative band who spent the last two years playing to packed out rooms of a steady-growing and dedicated fan base until the lockdowns came along. The four-piece formed when frontman, Rónán, entered a Battle of the Bands as a singer-songwriter. He reconnected with some old bandmates and was introduced to some new ones to form the current lineup: Matteo Poli on percussion, Evin O’Connor on lead guitar, Rónán Connolly on vocals and rhythm guitar and Dougie Sealy on bass. Right up until COVID restrictions, the band was flat out with multiple gigs a week in venues across the city, including Workman’s, Sound House, WigWam, Grand Social, the Sugar Club and a sold-out headline show in Whelan’s Upstairs in January.
Filled with mellow arrangements and sun-kissed atmospheres ‘Tattoos’ is a beautiful tune from Big Sleep. The track flows upon a foundation of laid back rhythms and lush guitar refrains to create a euphoric, nostalgic sound that is utterly irresistible. The soundscape ebbs and flows gloriously – layered guitars ripple between elastic bass grooves and Rónán Connolly’s soothing vocal delivery to create a dreamy backdrop for listeners to indulge in. As the song builds into its dynamic crescendo the instrumentation becomes more heavy and features a wonderful shredding guitar solo. Big Sleep have crafted a mesmerising tune perfect for hazy summer days. The track is a joy to listen to and ready for repeat plays.
Following the release of their #3 acclaimed third album Moral Panic last year, Southend five-piece Nothing But Thieves have released their dark and explorative new single and video ‘Futureproof’ via RCA Records, which was premiered on BBC Radio 1 as Annie Mac’s Hottest Record in the World. The track was produced by Rich Costey (Biffy Clyro, Haim, Foo Fighters) and recorded between London’s RAK Studios and guitarist/keyboardist Dom’s home studio.The video, directed by Jake Jelicich, sees the band bathed in an auburn glow giving an intense performance that is filmed chaotically, matching the energy and uneasiness of the song.
Raw, unbridled and saturated in a thrilling concoction of guitar rock and hip hop, ‘Futureproof’ is a spectacular single from Nothing But Thieves. The band creates a muggy wall of sound filled with heavy beats, biting bass lines and intense keys for listeners to indulge in and boy it doesn’t disappoint. The five-piece have turned their impressive sound up notch to create an immersive, blazing new tune that boasts refined production and exemplary instrumentation. The track spirals through dark tones and explosive outbursts while Conor Mason’s vocals expel the striking lyrics “Why do you wanna do good when you can feel good?”. ‘Futureproof’ is a gripping, and utterly fantastic display of musicianship from Nothing But Thieves that is ready for repeat plays and sure to have a live audience going wild.
About the song the band says; “‘Futureproof’ is about self-preservation; what that means to different people and the lengths that those people would go to achieve it. It’s designed to be a guitar rock and hip hop hybrid. That can be a bit of an eye roller and it’s easy to get wrong, but there’s a parallel between some of our heavier songs and the more aggressive side of hip hop, which we wanted to try and get at. It’s dark and chromatic and then it’s mixed like a hip hop track with loud drums and vocals. The idea was to try and explore that territory in the most authentic and fresh way.”
Stream ‘Futureproof’ below.
Author : Danu
Indie: (n) an obscure form of rock which you only learn about from someone slightly more hip than yourself.
