Not Another Music Blog.: February 2018

Wednesday, 28 February 2018

The Best of Fresh Finds (28/02/2018)

In this series, we pick out the best from Spotify's Fresh Finds playlists which shines a light on the latest and greatest songs from undiscovered artists around the world. You never know, you might find your new favourite tune. Click the titles to listen!

Floyd Fuji - Drama

Floyd Fuji is the solo project from Kyle Thornton of soul and R&B collective Kyle Thornton & The Company. 'Drama' is the first single released under his new moniker and it really is a gem. Channeling Anderson .Paak and Childish Gambino, the track is a sexy sounding soul number full of psychedelic moments and smooth instrumentals.

Cereals - Entertainers

German indie four-piece Cereals arrive with their debut single 'Entertainers'. The track is an energetic indie-pop influenced tune that smacks of The Strokes' early material. Its a fun, upbeat and energetic track that with the right exposure, is enough to get people feeling nostalgic for that early 2000s indie magic.

Falcon Jane - Go With the Flow

Falcon Jane makes music in the style of 'Plez Rock' which is apparently a genre inspired by nature, truth, peace and magic which, in all honesty, are things we can get behind. New single 'Go With The Flow' is a lovely song of laidback, layered vocals, dreampop infused synths and whistful guitar leads.

Knox White - You've Been My Girl

Knox White comes from LA and his music is exactly the kind of stuff you would want to soundtrack your LA lifestyle. The funky beats, warped synths and slapped bass lines make for essential listening.

Purr - Painted Memory

New York dreampop outfit Purr combine catchy vocal melodies with relaxed guitars to create a sound not too dissimliar to that of indie legends Real Estate. The harmonised boy/girl vocals are a touch of class and help Purr stand out from the ever growing indie crowd.

John Moods - Leap Of love

Believe it or not, John Moods' new tune 'Leap Of Love' was recorded on a phone whilst travelling around Spain and Portugal. Hailing from Germany, the multi-instumentalist has an endearingly high falsetto that cuts through the dreamlike instrumentation. 'Leap Of Love' is the first single of Moods' new album 'The Essential John Moods' released on April 20th.

Shiboski - Getaway

Released on Majestic Casual records, 'Getaway' is LA producer Shiboski's debut single. The track is an experimental piece packed full of warped synths, funky guitars, insane key changes and enough grooves to get any stiff hip moving. Keep an eye out for more from Shiboski as this tune slaps.

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Friday, 23 February 2018

The Worst and Best of New Music Friday (23/02/2018)

It's New Music Friday and we're here to guide you through the worst and best tunes released today. Click the titles to listen!

Worst

Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever Re:Wired

The worlds worst band are back with a rework of their terrible lad-rock anthem 'Not Nineteen Forever'. Honestly, Liam Fray's voice has never sounded worse and the laziness of the whole thing is unreal. The mix is awful and the string arrangements add nothing. Avoid this at all costs, please don't give Liam Fray another reason to keep churning out this shite.

Sigala & Paloma Faith - Lullaby

The generic dance production from Sigala coupled with Paloma Faith's awful vocal tone makes this tune a recipe for disaster. The steel drums are out and the annoying vocal sampling is rife. There's so much better pop music out there at the moment but somehow this stuff is still making its way to the top. We have no idea how.

Metroplane & Bree Runway - Word of Mouth

The instrumentation for this song is so bad that we wouldn't blame you if you smashed your head into the nearest wall. The irritating vocal samples are used to create a barbershop quartet sound that grates so much. The lead vocal doesn't fit and the EDM production just feels forced. Definitely leave this one out.

Alexandra Burke - Shadow

It's mental how amateur and dated this tune sounds. The instrumentation sounds as if it's been made by a karaoke company and the vocal melody is stagnant and dry. Also, when did it become acceptable for MIDI brass to be on tunes now? It's all so fake it hurts.

Honourable Mentions

Post Malone - Psycho Feat. Ty Dolla $ign

5 Seconds of Summer - Want You Back

Best

Forever Cult - Usurper

Forever Cult have returned with a new banger. The lads are currently out on tour with Fizzy Blood and this new single is another step up for the four-piece. There are elements of darkness in the heavily reverbed guitars but it's in the chorus where the band really let go and the little breakdowns are a touch of class. Go catch them on tour this week, you won't be disappointed.

Parquet Courts - Almost Had to Start a Fight/In and Out of Patience

New York City natives Parquet Courts have shared their first single off their new album 'Wide Awake!'. A song of two halves, it opens with a thrash of guitars and harsh vocals before transforming into a more upbeat but equally brilliant blast of danceable rock. If this first single is anything to go by, Parquet Courts are in for one hell of a year.

Remo Drive - Blue Ribbon

Emo-punk revivalists Remo Drive return with the melodic and lively 'Blue Ribbon'. After blowing up in 2017 with their debut album 'Greatest Hits', the American three-piece have toured the US extensively. This new tune sounds more mature and cleaner whilst still capturing the raw intensity that made their first album so great.

Vancouver Sleep Clinic - Ayahuasca

Ambient singer-songwriter Tim Bettinson has released a beautiful and sprawling eight-minute epic of a track that transforms throughout. The Australian born musician uses electronics and acoustic instruments to create songs of intimacy and atmosphere. A must listen for any fans of Bon Iver or The Japanese House.

Honourable Mentions

Submotion Orchestra - Variations

Sorry - 2 Down 2 Dance

Jimi Hendrix - Lover Man

Father John Misty - Mr. Tillman

Manchester Orchestra & Julien Baker - Bad Things To Such Good People

Pale Waves - Heavenly

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Friday, 9 February 2018

The Worst and Best of New Music Friday (09/02/2018)

It's New Music Friday and we're here to guide you through the worst and best tunes released today. Click the titles to listen!

Worst

James Bay - Wild Love

James Bay has reinvented himself. He's finally cut his hair off and with the hairstyle change comes an awkward musical shift. Ditching the acoustic guitar for synths and auto-tune doesn't make for great innovation and this new song screams of unoriginality. Lilly Allen once referred to James Bay as the most tasteless herb of the same name and we have to agree.

MARSHMELLO & Anne-Marie - FRIENDS

The formulaic pop tune strikes again. The laziness of this predictable tune is unbearable. Anne-Marie is phoning in her vocal performance whilst MARSHMELLO has created a tune of sparse trap beats and annoying synth sweeps. It just sounds like any other pop tune from the last 5 years. Boring.

Jay Sean - Emergency

Washed up R&B singer Jay Sean is back with a new piano ballad. It's drab, whiny and ultimately cringey. Also, we all know auto-tune is used in every single pop song nowadays, but please please please use it properly. The corrections are so easy to hear in this tune it's unbelievable.

Marsicans - Wake Up Freya

Indie is in a bit of a rut at the moment, and if bands like Marsicans keep churning out this rubbish it won't get any better. Paint-by-numbers guitar pop needs to finish. Avoid this track.

Honourable Mentions

Calvin Harris & PARTYNEXTDOOR - Nuh Ready Nuh Ready

The Wombats - Black Flamingo

Best

Kendrick Lamar - Black Panther

This has got us super excited for the new Black Panther film. With amazing production, Kendricks signature flow and Black Panther references, what's not to love? The whole soundtrack which is curated by King Kenny himself drops today and its a must listen for any Marvel or music fan.

Goat Girl - The Man

Goat Girl announced details of their self-titled debut album earlier this week which is released through Rough Trade on the 6th of April. 'The Man' is the latest single from the all-girl punk group. The simplicity of the instrumentation coupled with the snarling attitude of the vocal performance ensures Goat Girl are ones to watch for 2018.

Peace - Power

Worcester boys Peace return with their new single 'Power'. Harry Koisser is on top form with his lead vocal and the insanely catchy chorus is perfect for the summer festival headline slots. We can't wait to hear what Peace have in store for the rest of 2018.

Nilufer Yanya - Thanks 4 Nothing

Nilufer Yanya makes sparse and effortless jazz-pop. Her new single has moments of unexpected heaviness intertwined with a bossa nova vibe. Her vocals are mellow yet they speak of anger and frustration. This is what pop music should sound like, interesting, different and beautifully constructed.

Honourable Mentions

Ezra Furman - Maraschino-Red Dress $8.99 at Goodwill
Laura Misch - Lagoon
U.S Girls - Rosebud
GUM - The Underdog

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Thursday, 8 February 2018

The Best of Fresh Finds (07/02/2018)

Mezzanine - Above the Sun

Mezzanine is the musical project from French multi-instrumentalist Maxime Liebig. The song is a lazy indie jam that screams of summer with drum grooves and basslines brilliantly accentuated by surf-influenced guitar leads.

Bed Scene - Easy on the Eyes

Nick Aponte aka Bed Scene combines elements of indie-pop and psychedelia to create a sound full of swirling synths and relaxed beats. 'Easy on the Eyes' is a breezy journey through multiple textures and sounds perfect for any summer playlist.

JORDANN - Ashore

If you like chilled funk then this is the tune for you. On 'Ashore', Montreal-based JORDANN creates sparse songs reminiscent of Rhye but without the complete lack of groove. The elements of slap bass contrast well with the relaxed synth work and soft, but intimate lead vocals.

Anna McClellen - Flailing Orbits

Anna McClellen's voice takes centre stage on her new single through Father/Daughter Records. There are moments of audible vulnerability on her otherwise strong vocal that compliments the organic sounds of the heavily textured and country influenced instrumentation.

LIGHTWASH - Walkathon

LIGHTWASH channel the likes of Hoops and Whitney to create jangly, catchy and laidback songs with beautifully intricate guitar riffs. The high pitched vocals are sung with brilliant control that works perfectly with the delicacy of the instrumentation. 'Walkathon' is off their newest EP titled ' Half Hung' which is out now.

Shopping - Suddenly Gone

Shopping are a post-punk trio from London and Glasgow. 'Suddenly Gone' is off their third full-length album titled 'The Official Body'. The tune is a short blast of indie influenced riffs, catchy vocals and dance rhythms. Definitely one to lose yourself to.

Jäverling ◇ von Euler - Översiktskarta över Kullahusområdet

No, we don't know what any of that means either but this is one hell of a beautiful ambient piece. The heavily reverbed guitar notes work in perfect harmony with the plodding piano chords and atmospheric ambient synth sounds. Definitely one for those night time listening sessions.

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Tuesday, 6 February 2018

EP Review: Glass Mountain - 'Wow & Flutter'

Bradford-based quartet Glass Mountain have released their second EP and first through Yorkshire label Hide & Seek Records. Drawing influences from alt-rock, dream-pop, post-rock, electronica and grandiose cinematic pieces, Glass Mountain have created a sound that's unique and worthy of any stadium performance.

The EP opens with the massive sounding 'Gin Flows Through My Veins' and from the off, Glass Mountain show their aptitude for creating songs with varying textures and rhythms whilst maintaining a consistent sound. On the second track 'Wait All Alone', the band introduce their indie-pop influences with a lighter, more upbeat sound. Experimental rhythms combined with glistening synths and bright guitar leads build throughout before the track drops to a brilliant single drum groove.

With 'Ghosts', Glass Mountain tap into their heavier, shoegaze influences. The guitars are more prominent here as they drive the choruses along with the heavy drums. The standout moment of the EP is the beautifully delicate closer 'Have to Lie'. The tenderness of Harry Hanson's lead vocal is highly emotive as the instrumentation slowly builds. The song contrasts brilliantly with the more imposing opening tracks.

On this second EP, Glass Mountain have shown they can balance large productions with moments of carefully managed restraint. The songs are emotive and well-formed and as an overall body of work, the 'Wow & Flutter' EP is one of brilliance. It won't be long until their anthemic choruses will be filling stadiums up and down the country.

Listen to 'Wow & Flutter' below.

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Thursday, 1 February 2018

EP Review: Heavy Lungs - 'Abstract Thoughts'

After a handful of shows supporting the likes of METZ and IDLES, Bristolian punk outfit Heavy Lungs release their debut EP titled 'Abstract Thoughts' on the 2nd of February. Forming in the Spring of 2017, the quartet's influences vary from GØGGS to Iceage and Iggy Pop to Tyler, the Creator. These influences amount to a sound of raw passion and heat worthy of any serious punk outfit.

Photo by Jamie E. Murray

The EP opens with the intense 'Poster Boy' which is a three and a half minute blast of complex drum patterns and simple but effective guitar riffs. Up next is the brutal title track that combines heavy beats and blues-influenced riffs. It's on this track where guitarist Oliver Southgate really lets rip with his experimental and noisily jarring solos.

In a welcomed move, the overall pace is initially slowed down on the Blur influenced second single 'Stutter' before the four-piece turn up their trademark ferocity in the final stages of the track. On 'Descend', Heavy Lungs take it back to basics with a four-note blast of a track as frontman Danny Nedelko manically screams the lyrics. 'Charmer' is the heavily distorted, bass-led closer that exudes darkness and passion. Nedelko performs with an energy that is hard to fully fathom and he doesn't let up on the final track. In the final stages of the tune, the band come together to create a riotous sound that can only lead listeners to want more. It's the perfect closer to a brilliantly strong debut EP.

On 'Abstract Thoughts' Heavy Lungs have set the bar high. The use of experimentation, raw energy, fantastic musicianship and unbelievable passion amounts to one of the strongest debut EPs we've heard in a long time. Guitar bands take note, this is how you introduce yourself to the world.

'Abstract Thoughts' is out on Bandcamp on the 2nd of February, in the meantime listen to 'Stutter' below.

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