Chris Scheler Will Take You Back To The ‘Good Old Days’ With His New Song

Chris Scheler is an alternative rock artist from York, PA. He has been a frontman, guitarist, and bassists for several bands drawing inspiration from Stone Temple Pilots, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin. His songs are known for their deep lyrical hooks, charged melodies, and catchy guitar riffs which continues in this new single.

His new song ‘Good Old Days’ takes a new indie-pop style and truly shows off Scheler’s talents. It has a bicoastal collaboration with Robin Diaz on drums, recorded in Los Angeles, then finished in Atrium Audio in PA with Jason Greenwood.

Midnight Flowers dig into first loves, break-ups and overpowered emotions with debut EP ‘We All Seem Fine’

Midnight Flowers are an indie-pop/rock duo of in-laws from Philadelphia, debuting in 2020 and finally releasing their first EP, ‘We All Seem Fine’. 

With ‘Shades of Blue’, the band kick off their EP with a song providing a dreamy rock vibe. The drums and guitar riff are calm and consistent, maintaining their soft indie genre. 

‘That’s Life’ portrays the message of looking back on happy memories, despite needing to move on with life and finding your own path. This tune feels more mellow than the previous even with the profound sounding lyrics, “That’s life, I’m moving on / Better off now that I’m finally gone”.

Albums of the year: 2021 Round-up

A note from the founder: 2021 has been a tumultuous year, to say the least, but luckily for us, music was here as a vital crux to help us through. With personal highlights including Arlo Parks, Griff and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, 2021 is sure to be a sonic year to go down in the history books.

Thank you to all of our readers who have stuck with us through this crazy little year, and here's to hoping for a cracking 2022!

Here, fourteen of our contributors round up their favourite album releases of the year.

The Rec Take On Tales of Working Class life To Great Effect On ‘EP4: Two Fingered Gestures’

Dovey and Ritchie, the duo behind the Rec, initially met in 1981. After forming The Assassins, stardom briefly threatened to find them after a series of raucous shows in their hometown of Oswestry, Shropshire, yet success slipped through their grasp. Now, after nearly three decades away, the pair have reconnected and are eager to make up for lost time. 

Their fourth EP since their resurrection, the marvellous ‘ep4: two fingered gestures’, finds the band revisit and rework songs from their youth, as they beautifully convey the mundane reality of growing up in a small English town.  

Vice Killer Show How They’re Ruling The Indie Scene With New Single ‘Heroine’

Following the release of their 'Alone, in This World' EP in June of this year, ‘Heroine’ is Vice Killer’s latest single yet, another triumph for the alt-indie four-piece. 

‘Heroine’ wastes absolutely no time getting into the main groove of the song. At the heart of it lies silky smooth guitars and uptempo drums which are introduced almost immediately. This cleverly gives the listeners barely any time to anticipate where the song may be heading, and instead unapologetically throws you into the rough and tumble of the mix.

Vice Killer deserve a huge round of applause for managing to stay inspired enough to create music in such unpredictable times. Instead of letting the madness and confusion dishearten them, Vice Killer have channeled this energy into writing energetic, cathartic music. 

Girlpool’s Latest Single Is (Yet Again) A Masterclass In Songcraft

Girlpool are perhaps best defined by their unwavering, no-frills honesty. 

The group, comprised of Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad, released their debut self-titled EP on Bandcamp in 2014, landing somewhere between Bratmobile and Kimya Dawson by melding group vocals, twangy and confrontational guitars, and plain but poignant lyricism. 

This sound became a staple of the Girlpool oeuvre, and their first studio release, ‘Before The World Was Big’ refined their style and cemented the band as an essential part of the mid-2010s indie scene.

Beach House Releases First Half of Their Highly Anticipated Double-LP with ‘Once Twice Melody’

Beach House has always been a project with a deeply nostalgic sound, in part, due to their history: the project, made up of Victoria Legend and Alex Scally, is in many ways emblematic of the mid to late aughts indie-pop scene, the world of Zooey Deschanel,  twee, Tumblr, and drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon in a Williamsburg subterranean. Lead vocalist Legend even lent her voice to what may have been that era’s anthem, the iconic track ‘Two Weeks’ by Grizzly Bear. 

And yet, despite their iconic status among ageing liberal arts college grads and 17 year olds discovering r/mu for the first time, Beach House remains exciting and refreshingly relevant.

Abbie Ozard wears her heart on her sleeve on tender track ‘Grown’

Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Abbie Ozard reflects on a past relationship on her latest single ‘Grown’. 

Describing her music as ‘beachy' indie, ‘Grown’ is a slight departure from this, leaning more towards being a stripped-back bedroom pop affair.

Gentle piano notes and gorgeous vocal harmonies combine to create Ozard’s heartfelt and mature response to a break-up. Something about the track’s tenderness evokes the piano-led songs on Bill Ryder-Jones’ ‘Yawny Yawn.’

Alix Page retells heartbreak in intimate detail with new single ‘Radiohead’.

Alix Page had already amassed a lot of interest after only a handful of releases. She has an angelic voice with a raspy edge that lends itself perfectly to her candid tracks that explore the intricacies of love and heartbreak. Her latest single ‘Radiohead’ is a haunting song on the topic of lost love. 

She recollects a betrayal of her previous partner in intimate detail with a vicious whip of lyricism – “I think that she was on your mind while you were on my neck”. 

Interestingly, the opening of the song describes a dream that Page has, in which she and her partner were still together – opening a chapter she thought was closed. Lulling the listener into a false sense of security as you learn of the discretions and breakdown of the relationship.

The Wombats savour each moment with new single ‘Everything I Love Is Going to Die’

Popular Liverpudlian indie band, The Wombats have had a busy year performing at festivals over the summer, including Reading and Leeds. Leading on from that, they have returned with the release of their latest EP, which includes the track ‘Everything I Love Is Going to Die’. Despite what the title may suggest, worry not as it is not all doom and gloom.

The song serves as a gentle reminder to embrace life for what it is and to make the most of the people who are there to provide love and support. The release of the track has been perfectly timed, aligning the meaning of the song with the ongoing global crisis. It also plays with the idea of it often being tough to cut through the noise pollution to find a sense of clarity.  

St Paul and the Broken Bones send a ‘Love Letter From A Red Roof Inn’

St Paul and the Broken Bones released their third single, ‘Love Letter From A Red Roof Inn’ from their upcoming album, ‘The Alien Coast’, out in January 2022 via ATO records.

The track’s release is accompanied by a live in-studio performance, filmed at Ol Elegante Studios in Birmingham, Alabama where the eight-piece band is based and where most of their earlier releases were made.

Following ‘The Last Dance’ and ‘3000AD Mass’, their latest single takes the final slot on the new album’s tracklist.

IDLES explore the duality of light and dark with new single ‘When The Lights Come On’

Bristol-based rock phenomenon IDLES have released their soul shuddering new single ‘When The Lights Come On’. 

Accompanied by a particularly unsettling midnight monochrome style video that allows all of our fears of the night to be realised.

As we journey through the track, we see the band exploring the fine line between light and dark, utilising a night camera and harsh torch-style light throughout the video, building an aesthetic that screams ‘Blair Witch’.

Witch Fever challenge misogynistic musicians on latest single ‘Bully Boy’

Mancunian punk-rock quartet Witch Fever have dropped another stomper of a single in the form of ‘Bully Boy’, lifted from their latest EP ‘Reincarnate.’ Lead singer Amy Walpole’s vocal delivery evokes the sung-spoken shouts of Poly Styrene, as she sings “The pressure’s on me” over unrelenting guitar riffs.

The group formed five years ago, and have built up quite the following since then, perhaps due to their notoriously raucous live shows and riotous performing style. They’ve picked up a few famous fans on the way, having been invited on tour with post-punk stalwarts IDLES.

Sad Girls Rejoice! Phoebe Bridgers Has Released Her Annual Christmas Cover…

…and it’s her most depressing yet.

Phoebe Bridgers continues her annual release of Christmas covers with a haunting rendition of Tom Waits’ ‘Day After Tomorrow,' from his 2004 album ‘Day’s Gone.' In true Christmas spirit, all proceeds from the single will be donated to Los Angeles’ Local Integration & Family Empowerment Division, a charity that provides resources to refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking. 

One of Waits’ few openly political songs, the track is narrated by a soldier writing home during the height of the Iraq war assuring his loved ones he will return, “On the day after tomorrow.” 

Snake Doctors Make a Valiant Return With 'Got Him Another Girl'

Known for their expansive back-catalogue of edgy and contemporary rock cuts, Poland's Snake Doctors are back with the delightful and daring 'Got Him Another Girl'. Taken as the fifth single off of their third LP 'Mellow Joy', the track embodies their classic rock elegance and offers a delectable glimpse behind the curtain of what the four-piece band has to offer.

Exploring the narrative of unrequited love, 'Got Him Another Girl' takes a unique perspective of the classic 'right person, wrong time' heartache tale. Complete with swirling electronic beats and punching vocals, the punk-infused basslines and roaring drums take heed from bands such as Happy Mondays and The Stooges.

Mild Horses Delight With the Stunning 'Suited'

The moniker of Matthew Leuw, Mild Horses, is an ambitious solo project set to surprise and delight through a colourful discography of upbeat cuts and psychedelic explorations into the sonic underworld.

Having been previously involved in projects that toured with the likes of Death Cab For Cutie and Django Django, Leuw's experience and sonic maturity perfectly translate through his progressive soundscapes.

Taken from his upcoming LP 'Ignorance To Enlightenment And Back Again', 'Suited' explores a foray of dream-pop synths that make for a welcome re-emergence onto the music scene after his short hiatus.

George Ezra brings his signature sunny sound to the festive season with ‘Come On Home For Christmas’

George Ezra hasn’t released music for three years since his sophomore album ‘Staying at Tamara’s’ received critical acclaim in 2018.

But with several live shows lined up for 2022, including a set at next year’s Boardmasters, it’s safe to assume that plenty of new music could be on the way.

This new era is being kicked off in style with an original Christmas track, ‘Come On Home For Christmas’, which was released alongside a suitably merry music video last week.

Desert Ships sail away to space with new single ‘Fire on the Moon’

London-based four-piece ‘Desert Ships’ have released their latest new single ‘Fire On The Moon’  the most recent track from their forthcoming third LP ‘Heavy Soup.’  

With skin-tingling synths, electric vocal harmonies, futuristic fuzz bass, and psychedelic beats ‘Fire On The Moon’ transports us to space and radiates a sense of otherworldly dream-like euphoria with lyrical content such as:  “… A man in a spacesuit fixing the stars”.  ‘

Fire On The Moon’ helps remind us of the existence of something other than our present realities and tells the story of a man living alone in space missing his family and carrying out his daily duties in orbit.

‘You’re Not Harry Styles’: A Dating Standards Anthem

DYLAN, a 22-year-old English artist hailing from Suffolk, has blessed the ears of her fans with a new self-love hyper-pop/rock anthem. 

‘You’re Not Harry Styles’, is a brutally honest takedown of a self-obsessed, stuck-up partner who is not treating her right. Lyrically, this song is full of sass and direct digs at its subject, notably including: “When you're messing with my head for pleasure/ You ain't tall enough to act like that.”

And then the line “Running around with your god complex / Do you picture yourself while we're having sex together?”, that just begs to be screamed out loud in your bedroom. 

Cellos Look To Restore The Faith With 'Out Of Luck'

The four-piece Indie band Cellos hail from County Durham and have been busy lately as they have recently unveiled their latest offering titled ‘Out Of Luck’.

The band members Niall, Joe, Jack, and Harry have recorded a single that is considerably both empowering and angst-ridden, serving as a lifeline for the many whose lives have been hindered substantially due to the mounting crises imposed on most parts of the world.  

German indie pop pioneers Subterfuge release trippy new single ‘The Good Good’

Mixing bedroom pop and psychedelia, Subterfuge are back with their latest track ‘The Good Good’. The woozy 3-minute anthem is taken from their forthcoming album ‘Dots’ which will be available from March 4th, 2022.

Formed in 1991, Subterfuge are one of a handful German first generation indie-pop groups that are still around. This release is a lo-fi gem, layered with Beatles-esque experimental sounds and textures. Fans of Tame Impala and Mac Demarco will find joy in the dense atmospheric layers of synthesisers, reverb drenched guitars and vintage drums.

Wake Up And Listen To The Breakdown’s ‘ALARM!’

A raucous guitar pop track is always a pleasure to listen to, and ‘ALARM!’, the new offering from The Breakdown, is a shining example.

It’s catchy and concise, and its brevity seems apt considering the title – it’s almost as though the band are racing through it as quickly as possible, on limited time.

It fizzes with energy throughout, and the inevitable consequence of that for the listener is that it’s nigh on impossible not to nod your head.

Javi Jimenez Tackles Love in High School With 'HSL'

Costa Rican singer songwriter Javi Jimenez has been carving out a space in the pop and electro-pop milieu since the release of his debut single 'Haunt Me'. Clearly cribbing heavily from The 1975 , his next two follow up singles would see him stretching his musical legs into both straight forward pop by way of 'Little Miss Sunshine' and a stripped back acoustic ballad with 'Octubre'. 

Jimenez's most recent outing in comparison feels like the much needed synthesising of his musical inspirations; marrying the plodding poise of a Tears for Fears ballad with the pop-confessional singer songwriter-ism of Halsey.

Sunday afternoon in a song with Beans on Toast's new single

Beans on toast is the stage name of Essex born singer Jay Mcallister who has become a prominent feature of the UK Folk Scene. 

Following tradition, the 40-year-old is releasing his new album ‘Survival Of The Friendliest’ on his birthday, December 1st and ‘Human’ is the 3rd single to be released so far.

The track is introduced with the sound of his daughter's voice which sets up the wholesome tones enjoyed throughout.

Warahenege Leads Us To ‘Skyscrapers And Oceans’ In New Single

Manchester-based, new-kid-on-the-block Warahenege has released their newest single ‘Skyscrapers and Oceans’. 

Growing up in Sri Lanka meant that Warahenege had had relatively little exposure to Western music at a young age. While their teenage years saw them exploring genres such as hard rock and power metal, they now find themselves being influenced by bands such as The National, Radiohead and Grizzly Bear.

This song is sweeping, subtle and soothing. Panoramic in scope, ‘Skyscrapers and Oceans’ leads the listener through landscapes of sound and meaning. It explores the depths of caring for someone and floats effortlessly between fantastic writing and a mellow shoe-gaze sound.

Did You Die has us feeling ‘Weightless’ in latest single

Alternative rock band, Did You Die have recently released ‘Weightless’, which is the lead single from their sophomore album, ‘Thirteen Moons’ to be released  01/01/2022. 

The Vancouver, BC-based band wrote the track during the pandemic, a time where the band’s Richie Felix Alexander and Madison Penland were made homeless.

The group is tied together by bassist and vocalist, Jula Lafit, and drummer, Tom Rapanakis.

Hazel Meditate on Fresh Starts on 'Start Over'

Founded by Trev Heaton as a solo project in 2018 at his studio Gunfactory, Hazel has released two tracks prior to 'Start Over' and have been building a presence online since. Their most recent single 'Start Over', sees Hazel take a more atmospheric and wistful approach to song structure. 

Musically 'Start Over' is a spacey acoustic ballad about trekking out into the unknown, or more specifically the all consuming desire to start a relationship anew.

Blonde Diamond Gives Courage In New Single ‘Red Flags’

Vancouver-based band Blonde Diamond released their newest track ‘Red Flags’ to herald the beginning of a new era. An interesting mix of genres, ‘Red Flags’ has everything a listener could want: soft indie sounds, a rock melody and dulcet vocals that are reminiscent of the early ‘00s. Their sound is individual and is self-described as “what the 60s thought the future would sound like” (Blonde Diamond Official Website).

After a step back from their rocket-like trajectory, they have come back with a bang. The band seems to have an even better grasp on their sound. They still bring slinky synths and intimate vocals to the table, with lead singer Alexis Young’s personality and prowess serving as a cornerstone. However there is something more self-assured in ‘Red Flags’.

Ollie Twohill releases his foot-stomping new single ‘Boots’

Recorded on the sunny Gold Coast of Australia, Ollie Twohill’s newest single ‘Boots’ tackles life’s inevitable task of taking on more responsibly as you grow older, filling the boots of becoming an adult. Sonically, this track has shades of Mumford And Sons choral range, mixed with Lewis Watson’s vocal delivery and lyrics.

Driving drums command the song, accompanied by prominent acoustic guitars which are palm-muted during the verses for effect. Twohill’s vocal performance is strong and direct, placed well within the mix to ensure the sensitive and emotive lyrics are fully heard. 

Zuzu // Manchester Deaf Institute

Artist: Zuzu

Venue: Deaf Institute

Capacity: 260

Date: 13/12/21

Merseyside's latest rising star led a stellar performance at Manchester's Deaf Institute, with a set-list jam-packed with tracks old and new. 

Zuzu, after receiving critical acclaim with her debut full-length offering 'Queensway Tunnel', bounced onto the iconic Manchester stage to deliver the show of a lifetime.

half • alive’s new song musically discusses bittersweet passion and the desire that engulfs lovers

The band half • alive, consisting of members Josh Taylor, J Tyler Johnson, and Brett Kramer, have taken the globe by storm since forming in Long Beach, California.

Since 2016, the band have released studio albums, extended plays, singles, and music videos for their adoring fans, following their alternative vibe through every second of every song they write. 

‘Lucifer’s Christmas’ Is An Instant Holiday Classic

Dale is an independent folk pop singer/songwriter based in Yorkhill. Brand new in the music scene, he released a self titled EP back in August.

Dale is clearly a story teller, with books and music, which is evident with this new Christmas classic. ‘Lucifer’s Christmas’ is a satirical number about Lucifer longing for a Christmas celebration of his own.

He has released this as a charity single for this holiday season.

flora cash look back on life and ‘A Good Childhood’

flora cash, a Swedish/American duo band made up of Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall have recently released their latest record, ‘A good childhood’, a poetic love letter to childhood days. It is accompanied by a home-movie styled music video following a young boy through his adolescent years in the '90s. 

Within the first minute of the track, they dive into the idea of wanting to turn back the clock, having someone you love so much the frustration of not meeting them sooner overwhelms you. 

This is evident in lyrics like: “Wish I could do it all again, but meet you when I’m ten / Be so much better with my best friend.”

The Lottery Winners Are Certainly Giving Us ‘Something To Leave The House For’

Indie-pop foursome The Lottery Winners formed in 2008 and truly bloomed in 2020. With the release of their self-titled debut album they delivered feel-good, energetic, guaranteed pop hits. The record charted the very day lockdown was announced. 

During this period of living in a bubble, the group wrote their hearts out and recorded a wealth of new music. They were prepared to return in 2021 with sold-out shows and festival mainstages including the O2 Ritz in Manchester. The Winners took the year of struggling with mental health and isolation and turned it into an album full of songs reminding listeners to always look on the bright side.

Galantis team up with Years & Years to produce their sweetest new release

‘Sweet Talker’ sees Years & Years return following the release of ‘Starstruck’ in October. The iconic artist teams up with Galantis for the new track, to produce a groovy, synth-soaked hit.

 Whilst Years & Years has ultimately become a solo project since its formation in 2010, the single follows the news that the singer’s third album, ‘Night Call’, will be released January 7th.

The iconic frontman and soloist, Olly Alexander, delves further into his catchy and uplifting pop production with his latest batch of tracks, whilst also focusing on life’s many challenges.

Jimmy Knows – The Greek Indie Band With A Point Of Difference

When thinking of Greece, the first thing that springs to mind may well be its excellent food or the vast wealth of history and culture that have been born from its golden sanded shores. Indie bands, however, are probably far from your mind. Jimmy Knows, a duo based out of Athens, are here to change that mistaken perception.  

Known for their melancholic lyrics and easy-listening style, latest release ‘Sweat’ finds the band carry on that trend in what is an excellent example of chilled, psychedelic rock. 

MMIV’s debut embodies teenage angst as their drugs run out

The latest single from MMIV, ‘The Drugs Are Running Out’, sees the trio create a compelling listen that evidently draws inspiration from fellow indie stars such as JAWS. The Leeds-based solo project is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist of Max Rawdon.

With a commanding bass intro, and a tantalising drum accompaniment, the track hooks the listener from the get go. Perhaps very similar to the recognisable rumble of a particular Stone Roses intro, the band unmistakably boast their heavy influences.