The EP recurs from indie / psychedelic rock to bedroom synth-pop, which determines the musical direction of Wallows.
Another point that draws my attention while listening was the transition between each song. It seems like Wallows encourage every listener to listen to this six-track EP in a correct order and in full; this is a unique Remote experience and shuffle plays would result in the loss of fun like this.
In the same interview, she said she “wanted to explore these darker themes but ended up twisting the messaging by sugar coating it with fun synths to make it sound spicy. Even though this song is essentially a ballad it is explored in the context of a wannabe Kylie Minogue dance anthem.” The transformation of the tune, from sombre ballad to electro pop song, gives a totally different vibe to the lyrics as she sings, “I make boys cry, I’m so good at goodbyes”. It becomes an unapologetic alpha anthem about letting go with no remorse, giving listeners a different introspective to many popular love songs as she takes responsibility for the breakup singing, “His tears, they’ll shatter like glass on the pavement. Don’t know why it was me he put his faith in.”
‘Down Days’ is all about being OK, battling with your demons (or in this case, more of a monster) and how it is fine to feel this way sometimes. The song, although written pre–coronavirus, reflects the current year well, mirroring the ups and the downs of the human mind.
Some lyrics are very fitting to the current climate and mood of the past year, “I’m not falling back, I’m stumbling aside”, shows a way with words which puts life into perspective and highlights how it is never as bad as it seems. “They’re bound to come around more than once in your life” is more factual if not anything else, tells us ‘Down Days’ do quite literally come and go.
‘Daydream’ quite literally makes the listener feel like they’ve entered a spellbinding daydream. Auburn pairs smooth, dream-like vocals with lyrics drenched in a burning desire for wanderlust and sweet escape, simultaneously conveying melancholy and eagerness. Accompanying trippy, hypnotic visuals perfectly capture the aesthetic of hallucinatory escapism Auburn has created with the track.
The multifaceted band have amassed a slew of praise which has crystalised reviews on CLASH, Independent, Dork and The Line of Best Fit. MarthaGunn has also featured on both the BBC Introducing Track of The Week and John Kennedy (Radio X). Their music is an amalgamation, sampling the rock elements from Fleetwood Mac, vocals of Florence and The Machine, the sonic cues from indie-pop trio Haim and the ambient and contemporary sound of R&B legend James Blake.
The moments that come as time passes and your path veers further and further from a lost love, a moment that Lizzie has captured in Seamless as she sings “You asked how’s my sister, the wedding’s next summer and I’m sad that you won’t be there.”
It has now been four years since The Horrors released their album ‘V’ which had a much more mainstream indie style then they had ever had before. Adele’s producer Paul Epworth worked on the record and it looked at the time like the band were heading down the commercial avenue.
However, we are here now in 2021 and the new EP ‘Lout’ is the bands heaviest material to date. You could be mistaken for thinking you had gone back over ten years on first listen of the EP.
The four-man band delivers a real masterclass in easy-listening with a rhythm that could surely mellow out Charles Bronson even if he were halfway through a prison brawl with a punching bag.
Following on from hits like ‘Stargazer’ and ‘Just That Time of Night’ ISLAND are forging quite the reputation for songs with a dreamy feel that transport their listener to a state of bliss. Just as much as it is a song ‘Octopus’ is an experience.
Black Tar is an anthemic and ferociously melodious track, the kind that would start a record off impeccably. The introductory contemplative guitar warns you that what is directly forthcoming is going to blow your socks off. Ten seconds in, we’re proven right and off we go on a powerhouse journey that, if you’re a fan of this kind of rock, you never get tired of hearing. The vocals are ardent, the guitar is symphonious and the drums and bass are tight, keeping the layers of this tune locked together.
When Born to Die came out, I had the album on repeat for months. With my headphones in and the volume turned up high, Lana Del Rey's smoky voice blanketed my morning commute from London's suburbs into the city. I couldn't get enough. It was the first album in my adulthood that felt like mine and mine alone. I still get a thrill seven years later when I hear her voice, but does Chemtrails Over The County Club hit the same?
COVID may have halted production, driving the initial album release date into the new year. Still, Chemtrails Over The Country Club is finally here and not without some initial controversy over this seventh studio album.
It’s a fairly different sound to when they were Skinny Living a few years back. Ryan Johnston’s vocals are almost unrecognisable, but in a very credible way. It would seem their former rock n’ roll, bluesy variant of indie has matured into a more mellow, ruminative form of the genre with this track - but this is executed deliciously and it is evident that the passion remains.
Despite a year of worldwide tour cancelations and postponements, the Nottingham based singer-songwriter has been busy, releasing six singles since May of 2020 in the run up to his new album. Gaining his name by mixing the street he grew up on and his grandfather’s name, Saint Raymond (real name is Callum Burrows) received early support from BBC Introducing and landed a spot on the introducing stage at Reading and Leeds back in 2013, before signing a deal with Asylum Records.
According to his Spotify, KNIGHT has previously written music for some of pop's hottest prospects with 2021 being the year he wants to bring his own talents to the fore; and so far, he has succeeded.
The new album will also include previously released single ‘The Holding Hand.’ Obscuring the sonic boundaries of punk-rock music with spacey synth instrumentals, the Copenhagen-based quartet consists of band members Elias Bender Rønnenfelt, Jakob Tvilling Pless, Johan Surrballe Wieth, and Dan Kjær Nielsen.
Time well spent: here, the marked absence of more traditional, acoustic/electric-guitar-
Comprised of band members Jody, Niall (Jody’s husband), Alex, Peter, Robert & David, their songs ’It’s All Up To You’ and ‘Deeper’ have been promoted on a myriad of radio outlets such as BBC Introducing, Radio X, BBC Ulster, RTE and Sirius XM.
The Leeds-based quintet have released their latest single ‘Former Warning Cluster’ on the Heist or Hit Records label, who have also signed with acts such as: Hannah’s Little Sister, Jwestern and Tungz. The group are self-proclaimed as “David Byrne and Lou Reed’s dyslexic child playing out of a Motorola Pebl” and to summarise, what more could we possibly ask for?
“Channeling” the likes of The Velvet Underground, Talking Heads and The Strokes, Eades have formulated a single that will satisfy your musical cravings… so get ready.
‘Fire’, originally by Waxahatchee, follows previous covers of Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘No One Knows’ and Kacey Musgraves’ ‘High Horse’ – which feature on the upcoming ‘Cosy Karaoke Vol. 1’ EP.
They have released a taster of what is to come from their debut album, due 16th March, when they dropped their new single ‘Flama’ on 9th February. The duo worked on the record mainly during lockdown, which certainly adds a silver lining to the last 12 months. Whilst unusual in the fact that this track doesn’t have any lyrics this piece is exactly the kind of escapism that is welcomed with open arms during lockdown.
The artist writes all of her music herself, whilst recording and producing the songs, with the help of her dad, at their own home studio. This arguably makes the high quality of Real Life all the more impressive.
Basciville have released their debut album Hymns to the Air and I was in it for the ride from the opening bars...
Formed in Edinburgh, Laurence Murray Project is the birth child of songwriter and guitarist, Laurence Murray. Murray’s song writing is believed to be inspired by his travels in the Middle East, where he underwent serious self-exploration, but the band’s music is also heavily inspired by 60s psychedelic rock and a number of other well-known artists, such as Jimi Hendrix. ‘Providence’ was released in late February and the band are said to be working on their debut album ‘Still’, which is expected later this year.
The Pennsylvania-born star amassed headlines by announcing that she will be re-recording her entire discography in order to regain control of her music. In 2019 Swift’s master recordings were sold to Shamrock Capitol in 2019, against her will.
The story of Shay Baker, a 14-year-old boy from a working-class family and his punk revelation. Everyone loves Alexander Gold, even Dolly Parton. Rumor has it she invited him in deepest Tennessee as a guest. He also had a chat with Moby during a casual dinner.
The song begins with an electronic opening that sound wise is almost comparable to a retro video game sound track. The electro then becomes the background sound to allow for the layers of acoustic guitar and Hannah Joy’s lead vocals to take centre stage. Her vocals give the song a softness and provide the listener with a gentle comfort. The instrumental sounds are almost unheard during the verses of the song allowing Joy’s vocals and the lyrics to become the focus. However, when the chorus hits the song hits home with its volume and power with Joy’s vocals being matched with the power of the guitar and drums, and her higher notes giving a haunting feel to the song that gets under your skin.
Citing influences such as Queen, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix, the band have already displayed an array of styles from post punk, psychedelic and even a dash of house music (“I Know You Know”, which still contains an ample amount of rock n’ roll flair). They have also amassed an impressive fanbase since forming in 2019, with comical band updates presented to fans via their blog.
For a song that he explains ‘just showed up on its own,’ is superbly uplifting if not anything else. ‘Get High’ evokes the atmosphere of being high, with its relaxing yet upbeat style. Whether you’re standing up or sitting down you can’t help but tap your foot to the beat of the groove.
Slowthai has never been afraid of exceeding expectations, breaking social norms, or hiding polemical opinions; often making national news headlines with his energetic, daring, and chaotic performances. Although his fast paced, and often, politically charged music may not be to everyone’s taste, one subject on which all can agree is his unwavering ability to cause a stir: holding up a model of Boris Johnson’s severed head at the 2019 Mercury Prize ceremony and starting a brawl with a crowd member during the 2020 NME Awards are just a fraction of examples of the British rapper’s anarchic persona.
I think the thing that is so quintessentially brilliant about all of Blu's discography is the way she spotlights the bass, taking it from an instrument generally assumed to have the role of a backing track to front and centre on stage; as a bass player myself this approach fills me with excitement - perhaps a new chapter is beginning for the bass, finally giving it credit for the amazing and versatile instrument that it is.
Ellis is Cave’s compatriot and pivotal, co-writing, Bad Seed. He is also a formally-trained, poly-instrumentalist (violin, viola, piano, flute, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin…) who has so exquisitely written and arranged the string section framing the album. Only a musician of such calibre could achieve such nuance, colour and drama as Ellis has here.
They formed in Brighton after Dutch lead singer, Michelle Hindrix, found two new friends with a similar passion for music. Since then, they have performed alongside the likes of TEEN and Penelope Isles, climbing their way up the music industry. Having their first music release in 2017, CIEL have since transcended their sound - previous releases were moody and hazy, the perfect backdrop for a rainy day, whereas their new release sees them potentially in a new era in which they explore a more upbeat sound.
DMA’s played their biggest headline show to date before the release of their third studio album The Glow, which was released in April 2020. Performing major hits such as ‘Step Up The Morphine’, ‘Delete’, 'In The Air', ‘Play It Out’, and ‘Lay Down’, the Aussie trio also performed a part of the new album ‘Life Is a Game of Changing’, ‘Hello Girlfriend’, ‘The Glow’, and ‘Silver’.
Watch out world, there is a well-known name making their way back into the music industry and they are not coming back quietly.
Melissa “Charlie” Storwick is best known for winning season four of the Canadian hit musical talent show, The Next Star in 2011. Even more impressive, she did it when she was only twelve and became the first contestant to hit over a million views on YouTube. After her win, she scored the role as Piper Grey on the popular Canadian show, Some Assembly Required. The show ended in 2016 and this allowed her to take the time she needed to prefect her craft. Once she felt her creation was ready, she introduced herself to the world as FAANGS in 2018.
While not being able to play shows or follow their normal schedules, we have seen many artists release more spontaneous music than they had ever done before, and ‘Flowers for Vases/Descansos’ is proof that this new spontaneity and freedom artists, like Hayley Williams, have found has enabled them to create music with more depth and range than ever before. This album is worlds away from the synth pop sound and colourful world of Paramore’s ‘After Laughter’ which uses confident and bright music to disguise it’s downcast lyrics and stories. Now Williams has nothing to hide.
Alien Tango has stated that he brings music from a parallel universe - expect the unexpected - the multi-talented artist is able to play various musical instruments and produce distinctive sound, all from the comfort of his bedroom.
To start off, we have the EP’s titled track ‘Sunshine seekers’ featuring original sounding vocals and a great music video. When I first listened to this track, the lead singer's voice slapped me in the face, he has really got something special. His voice carries a strong distinctive sound for a young singer and the way the scouser accents peeps through sounds amazing. The track comes in hot and maintains enough variation to keep it exciting. Although it is very typical of the genre, I found their use of real instruments refreshing and indulged in the slightly out of tune piano recordings.
Three years after Howard’s more experimental ‘Noonday Dream Album’, this new track feels closer to its warm, summary predecessor ‘Every Kingdom’.
Despite the song’s winter release date, it makes me nostalgic for holidays on the coast and listening to songs like ‘Old Pine’ and ‘Only Love’ with my friends on the beach as a teenager. ‘What A Day’ can’t be described as wholly commercial, but it is equally a lot easier for new listeners to appreciate than the tracks of Howard’s more musically complex ‘Noonday Dream’.
All the while on this introspective journey, it still carries the ever growing crescendo of a militaristic ballad that the band so often and effectively delivers.
In comparison to their arguably most famous song ’The Night I Drove Alone’ this new track leans more towards an edgy pop sound. About as poppy as a distorted vocal and crisp electric guitar can be anyway.
However, discussions about genres sometimes seem never-ending, and whichever one Citizen have taken on as of late it’s working for them. ’Blue Sunday’ is a definite head bobber. And one that could easily become a regular at the mainstream radio stations.
The album opens with the track Partly Of My Making which has a somewhat psychedelic trip style to it. The song is filled with reverb, electric guitar, a heavy drum beat and electro elements to give it the trip like feeling. The psychedelic style is enhance with the main vocals being layered with falsetto moments that give a haunting sound to the song and almost make it feel like it’s the voices in your mind talking to you that you can hear.
‘De una vez’, which roughly means at once, is an exploration into the growth and healing that a person experiences after their heart has been broken. Focussing less on the pain and more on the recovery, this song is uplifting and hopeful. It shines a light on dark times and amplifies the strength of someone who has been wrongly dragged backwards through more than just bushes.
Signed to Big Machine record label when she was 15 years old, Swift broke onto the country music scene to huge acclaim and quickly became the label’s most commercially successful artist. Over the course of her contract with Big Machine, Swift released six albums, from 2006’s Taylor Swift, up to and including 2017’s Reputation.
Ariel’s new song “Now I See” from his upcoming release “Headway” (March 5th) Forgive me for making a subtle pun but I think he’ll be making Headway with this song.
If you could imagine what a love child of Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer would be, then this is probably what you would have in mind. As a musician myself, I can’t help but analyse all the little intricate details in his playing…however his voice takes over and you can’t help but be lost within his subtle tones.
He likes to compare his style to Steve Lacey who made a big impact on Sol’s life. Lacey taught him that having your own unique production style is a good thing and you need to embrace that and let the people know that this is what you can do.
The song has 32,000 streams so far which tells you life is looking bright for Sol. The song has a nostalgic fuzzy summer feel to it and makes you dream of happy memories you once had in the good weather enjoying yourself with a drink or two.
Mike Rosenberg (known by his moniker, Passenger) recorded the LP of ten songs at Black Crow Studios in Brighton shortly after ending a relationship back in 2019. Each track is a glimpse into the “fragile window” – as he referred to his post-breakup experience – of loss, and serves to gently manoeuvre us, step by step, through varying emotions and unique, character-driven scenarios stemming from heartache.
