Tag Archives: Worth a Listen

Alt- Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Photo credit: Braverijah Gregg

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From TWIN XL

TWIN XL have released their new single ‘Friends’. The band are no strangers to musical success. Ex-The Summer Set members and brothers Stephen and John Gomez and Nekokat’s Cameron Walker-Wright comprise this alt-pop trio. Collectively, the three have written and produced for artists such as All Time Low, Lindsey Stirling, and Life of Dillon, and have had their music featured in commercials and trailers like Disney’s Christopher Robin and Fox’s Lucifer.The accompanying music video to ‘Friends’ was directed by Jade Ehlers (Panic!, Weezer, MAX), choreographed by Kayla Kalbfleisch (The Ellen Show, Backstreet Boys), and conceptualized by TWIN XL themselves in collaboration with Ehlers.

‘Friends’ is a silky sun kissed delicious can of fruity alternative pop filled with refreshing carbonated synths and an infectious groove. Laid back smooth vocals glissade upon the melty sweet melody while and glucose soaked beat slaps and rolls between the elastic bass and lush backing vocals. It’s a tutti fruity gem swirling beneath a rich effervescent synth progression while zesty sharp guitars sting between the catchy melody. It’s a chic, slick, well crafted song that oozes sunshine from every note while a joyous catchy whistle feature injects a dash of peppy delight through the dance-able rhythms. With touching lyrical depth highlighting emotions of self-doubt, insecurity, and anxiety TWIN XL provide darker flickers of emotion through this tasty track adding a beautiful contrast to their refined, crisp musicianship

TWIN XL says of “Friends,” “We really wanted to find that happy balance between writing a catchy pop song that still had a lot of depth lyrically and also had a dark sonic undertone. The lyrics in the first verse talk about our desire for isolation and the internal conflict of an introvert. As the story progresses, we find sanctuary in the presence of strangers in strange rooms completely outside our comfort zone – here, we are free of judgement and we are free to be whoever we want.”

Watch the video for ‘Friends’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Pretty Visitors

Portsmouth indie rock band The Pretty Visitors have released their new single ‘It’s Not Easy’. Originally forming in 2012, the band played many shows in Southampton, Portsmouth and London, supporting artists such as Circa Waves, Jaws, Billy Lunn (The Subways), The Family Rain and more recently, Sisteray. Making a Victorious Festival debut in 2014, the band made a decision to pursue other avenues for the coming years. Reforming in Autumn of 2018, The Pretty Visitors are back, with bigger sounds and ambitions. They kicked off the year in style with a headline gig at Wedgewood Rooms, after selling out the smaller sister venue within a week of announcement.

‘It’s Not Easy’ is a crisp biting display from The Pretty Visitors. Swallowed up in an energetic wall of sound this blistering punchy number is raucous old school indie rock at its most potent. Raw guitars wail and shriek while crashing off snappy, pounding drums. A rooted elastic bass creates a fluctuant foundation and dance-able quality to the track. Hyperactive and filled with mosh ready madness this burly assault storms in ready to get a live audience in a frenzy. With a scorching guitar solo between a heavy rhythmic backdrop and attitude soaked vocals The Pretty Visitors showcase their swaggering raw sound with subtle flickers of finesse glimmering through the thrilling mayhem. It’s a catchy, exhilarating adrenaline shot of indie rock.


Watch the video for ‘It’s Not Easy’ below


Alt- Pop, electro - rock, electro- pop, Funk, Indie, Indie Disco, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Mini Mansions

LA trio Mini Mansions have released their new single ‘GummyBear’ taken off their upcoming third studio album ‘Guy Walks Into A Bar…’ which will be released on July 26th on Fiction Records.This fizzy, sugar sweet track struts in, slick and smooth with a luscious dreamy melody soothing the effervescent sticky instrumentation. With a toothsome pop shell, this peppy number swirls and weaves its glossy way into a darker hued bitter center. A little disco- like, the song is brimming with infectious grooves as a funky bass line and buoyant drums fluctuate through the euphoric soundscape creating a rich elastic foundation. The twinkling keys wander playfully about the majestic zesty sting on guitar as Mini Mansions flesh out this delectable biting number. From the anthemic thudding start right through to the wobbly guitar tickles and chiming key injections this track is steeped in chic panache and effortless charm. Tyler Parkford’s sweet falsetto vocals blend perfectly with Michael Shuman’s depth creating a full bodied sound that is so satisfying. Doused in effortless swagger ‘GummyBear’ is another suave track from the melody masters, Mini Mansions.

Lead singer Michael Shuman says of ‘GummyBear’, “Although GummyBear is rather fun and comical, the sentiment and story behind it are quite the opposite. At that time I really wanted to make an all disco record, but I guess this is as close as Mini Mansions gets to being part of the Gibbs family.”

Mini Mansions will be touring the UK and Ireland in May, including several festivals and a show at Dublin’s Whelan’s.. Tickets are on general sale from 9am GMT, Thursday 21st February.  

Full dates below:

04.05.19 Live at Leeds Leeds, UK

05.05.19 Hit The North Newcastle, UK

06.05.19 King Tut’s Glasgow, UK

08.05.19 Whelan’s Dublin, Ireland

09.05.19 Hare & Hounds Birmingham, UK

11.05.19 The Great Escape Brighton, UK

12.05.19 The Joiners Southampton, UK

13.05.19 The Cavern Exeter, UK

14.05.19 Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff, UK

16.05.19 Esquires Bedford, UK

17.05.19 The Portland Arms Cambridge, UK

18.05.19 The Waterfront Studio Norwich, UK

20.05.19 Picturehouse Social Sheffield, UK

21.05.19 The Forum Tunbridge Wells, UK

22.05.19 Islington Assembly Hall London, UK

23.05.19 District Liverpool, UK


Stream ‘GummyBear’ below


Alt Rock, Garage Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock and Roll, Worth A Listen

Worth A listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Rezner

New indie / alternative rock four piece The Rezner are set to release their debut single ‘Micky’ on March 29th through AWAL on JamX Recordings.Formed at Truro College in 2016, Sam Stone (vocals and guitar), Redley Flowerdew (guitar and vocals), Liam Palmer (bass) and Ze Barradas (drums) have rapidly garnered a sterling reputation for their high energy performances impressing the likes of Sarah Gosling at BBC Introducing Devon and Cornwall as well as Lee Trewhela from Cornwall Live.The Rezner have played the likes of Leopallooza, Looe Music Festival and were on the BBC Introducing Stage of Boardmasters in 2017, and also grabbed themselves main stage slots at Boardmasters and The Great Estate festival the following year.

‘Micky’ was produced by Ben Woods and Julian Able who produced The Velvet Hands debut album and mastered by John Cornfield.This abrasive track is a raw battering of indie garage rock flourishing in a rock n’roll swagger-filled persona. It’s vibrant, catchy and brimming with adrenaline fueled instrumentation to create a wholly satisfying listening experience. The sharp guitars shred, soar and scorch through the crashing assault that is the chorus while flurrying delightfully through the verses. Punchy drums and a fantastic bass groove lays down the irresistible hyper foundation to the track while the expressive vocals whack a touch of punk flavoured aggro into the mix.There are intense screamy vocal moments where the instrumental chaos is at its most thrilling however, this band blend and refine their melodies and instrumental refrains perfectly creating pockets of release through the ferocity. The Renzer melded together their garage-rock roots with pop smacked melodies and propulsive rhythms making this an exciting debut. Keep an eye on these guys.

The Rezner will be playing a gig at the monarch in Camden for The Zine and musicians against homelessness on the 26th of march so make sure to catch them there.

Stream ‘Micky’ below


Alt Rock, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Gorilla Punch Radio

Manchester based Rock Band, Gorilla Punch Radio are back with a 12 track album titled ‘No Retreat’. The album comes two years after their debut single reached worldwide radio coverage. They have produced 12 powerful, hard hitting examples of rock music. Each of the tracks have a tantalizing raw edge. The leading track ‘No Retreat’ is their most popular single to date which achieved worldwide radio play despite being a debut.Gorilla Punch Radio consists of guitarist James Booth, drummer and producer Elliot Vaughan, whose previous work includes clients such as ‘Frank Turner’ and ‘Pulled Apart By Horses’, alongside the talented Horus Ghani on the bass axe and Sam Jackson on the six string.

‘No Retreat’ is a heavy beast, battering through your skull with blistering slick riffs, punchy drums and a thrilling infernal rumble on bass. Overflowing with gritty, ruckus infused energy this track relentlessly travels through your ears clobbering you instantly with guitars louder and meaner with each verse and chorus progression. Catchy and intense it’s intricately crafted, meticulously polished and ruthlessly efficient in its pursuit to provide the listener with the ultimate rock thrill. It builds from hyper mania into a metal hued crescendo that throws caution to the wind and allows frantic chaos to take over while falsetto vocals wail in a haunting tension building manner. A whispered vocal continues this tension before they frantically break to a dramatic end. It’s one ear smacking anthem.

Stream ‘No Retreat’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Rock, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Circus Wolves

Guy Wynn Davies (vocals), Cameron Tetlow (drums), Ben Dodson (bass) Jack Taylor and Jim Ker (guitars) comprise Manchester alt.indie band Circus Wolves who have shared the stage with the likes of The Slow Readers Club, The Amazons and No Hot Ashes. They are set to release their new single ‘No Country’ on January 26th ahead of the band’s highly anticipated headline show at Night & Day in Manchester on Saturday 2nd February.

‘No Country’ is a searing, jaunty swivel of the exhilarating alternative rock Circus Wolves do so well. The five piece whack out the intense high voltage rock from the get go with blistering guitars crashing off dynamic drum whacks while a rooted bass groove rumbles and wiggles creating a sublime fluctuant foundation for this track to soar and ricochet off. With animated jagged rhythms thumping through scorching guitar fondles and smashing solo’s, Circus Wolves have blasted into 2019 taking no prisoners. Dripping in swagger and a gritty rush of adrenaline- this high powered track is locked and loaded for the sweaty live shows. With its catchy laid back melody in tow and powerful vocals adding that final atomic punch- it’s the perfect sweet and sour blend to tantalize your power rock taste buds.

For more you can follow Circus Wolves on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/CircusWolves/


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From The Ringards

London indie rock quartet The Ringards have released their new single ‘Steppenwolf’. This slinky chilling number creeps in from the first drum thud as The Ringards tease and entice you into the creepy depths of their sound. Its haunting soundscapes swirl around an intoxicating guitar refrain while ominous drum rumbles and meticulously placed rhythmic taps lure you down a menacing rabbit hole of chilling doom. With deep mysterious vocals echoing through the wailing guitars this track builds in intensity as it progresses to its perilous crescendo with subtle howling, sultry guitars and haunting backing vocals. The guitars evaporate off this bewitching number with a steamy vaporous sting while the dark mysterious vocals whisper, tempt and hush you to secrecy. This is one wholly tantalizing, sticky and ominous number- perfectly crafted to leave you hooked and craving to hear it again.

Stream ‘Steppenwolf’ below


Alt Rock, Hypnotic, Indie, Indie Psychedelic, indie rock, New Music, psychedelic, Shoegaze, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Sun Mahshene

Dublin’s “Psychgazers”, Sun Mahshene, are set to release their fizzing new single  ‘Come Alive (Leave This City)’ tomorrow the 11th January. This is the second single to be taken from their forthcoming debut album ‘Contradictions and Tales of Fiction’. It was recorded at Darklands Audio, Dublin and co-produced with Daniel Doherty.

‘Come Alive (Leave This City)’ coolly whacks out that shivering dark and wild side to Sun Mahshene’s psychedelic shoegaze. These guys have never been shy at throwing everything they have into their tracks and this new single is no different. Brimming from the start with shrilling guitars blistering through a hyper drum pound, charging bass and scalding raw electronics, this lean mean psych spun number is saturated in mind frazzling soundscapes and adrenaline inducing energy. The catchy melody drips nectar coated bliss onto the effervescent backdrop as Nathan Henderson’s deep vocals rumble the verses through the snappy drum whack and flexible bass blitz. Filled with ominous spine chilling distortion, pristine production and breathtaking musicianship- this is another killer track from Sun Mahshene.

Stream ‘Come Alive (Leave This City)’ below

https://soundcloud.com/sun-mahshene/come-alive-leave-this-city-1


Alt- Pop, Dream Pop, Indie, Indie Pop, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Ten Fé


London’s Ten Fé have released their new single ‘Echo Park’ taken from their upcoming sophomore album ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’, due for release on Some Kinda Love/PIAS on March 8th. This dreamy laid back track glides upon a sultry bass groove as luscious guitar sweeps fill the track with an easy going vibe. The smooth melody melts upon the breezy backdrop as the warm vocals coo and soothe throughout. This mellow tune is effortlessly suave with deep lush musicianship, elastic bass and a relaxed light beat. It’s heart-felt and sweet as Ten Fé create a soft summers day tune to cruise along to.

About the track the band said: “It was written shortly after getting back from our tour of the States last year. We’d spent the last few days staying in an apartment in Echo Park, and hanging out in different places around the city, always driving around with the radio on. Our heads were still very much in that place when we returned home, and the more sultry feel of this song was evocative of that time. It’s a conversation between two friends, one offering his advice to the other – it’s in the spirit of being a band out in L.A, loved up, blissed out, getting each other’s backs “. 


The band have just announced their biggest-yet tour of the UK, Europe & US in Spring 2019 to promote ‘Future Perfect, Present Tense’, and have just added new dates in Manchester UK, Washington DC, Ottowa and Montreal .Check out their facebook page for the dates here https://www.facebook.com/tenfemusic/


Stream ‘Echo Park’ below


Alt Rock, Indie, indie rock, New Music, Worth A Listen

Worth A Listen

Our Worth A Listen Track This Week Comes From Michael Jablonka

London’s Michael Jablonka has released his new single ‘Papier-mâché’.Born and bred in the capital, Jablonka has been gigging since the tender age of 14 as an in-demand guitarist for hire, including, over the past couple of years, touring arenas and festivals worldwide with fellow North Londoner and Brit-soul sensation Michael Kiwanuka. During this period, Jablonka decided it was time to blaze his own trail as a bandleader and songwriter, collating a set of intense yet universal rock’n’soul tunes.

‘Papier-mâché’ is another kinetic treasure from Jablonka. Filled with his high powered intensity, passion and prowess for songwriting- this track exudes effortless swagger with tenderness and emotion exploding from every note. With a snappy meaty rhythm driving and pulsing through the track like adrenaline in your veins Jablonka builds the tension slowly adding a new thrilling dimension with each verse as it ferments and broods into the dynamic chorus. Just when you think this molten sweltering gem couldn’t  get any better Jablonka bursts into the most riveting spine tingling guitar solo. This solo shreds through your skull with shivering distortion, sublime nimbleness and spiraling grandeur ensuring his masterful guitar skills are firmly imprinted into your brain until you are attempting air guitar while kneeling on the floor dramatically. With an infectious chorus doused in a sweet melody and warm vocals this is another outstanding track from Michael Jablonka.   

Lyrically, ‘Papier-mâché’ is something of a metaphor for an intangible idea, a thought that flounders on uncertainty. Michael explains: “Sometimes unconsciously an idea might snowball into an emotion that you’re afraid to confront. And ‘Papier-mâché’ for me is that structural object you can’t quite figure out, it’s fragile and easily falls apart if not taken care of.”

Stream  ‘Papier-mâché’ below

https://soundcloud.com/jablonka-music/papier-mache