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Thursday, 1 March 2018

New Video: Brad Stank - O.T.D

Brad Stank has shared the new self-directed video for his brilliantly sensual single 'O.T.D'. Stank first came to attention after releasing the relaxed but equally groovy tracks 'Flirting In Space' and 'Daddy Blue'. Stank's solo material is far removed from his work as the drummer in rock 'n' roll reinventors Trudy and the Romance, and with this new jazz-influenced vibe, we can't get enough.

Released through your new favourite indie label Untitled Recs, the video explores the pathetic state of being separated from your lover with both humour and romanticism. The tune itself is beautiful slow-burning track full of thickly textured vocals and guitar licks that hit you right in the feels. The hints of subtle psychedelia played against breezy, jazz-tinged drum grooves are a wonder; making it easy to get lost in the vast soundscapes of Stank's creations.

We're excited to see what happens next with the young Liverpudlian. His unique sound has definitely caught our attention and hopefully will grab yours too. 'O.T.D' is now available on a very limited run of copies as the B-side to a newly remastered version of the majestic 'Daddy Blue'. Get yourself one here before they go.

Watch the video for 'O.T.D' below.

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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)

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!

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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Thursday, 25 January 2018

Track Review: Lucky Girl - 'Awake'

Fresh from a recent name change, Lucky Girl have released their brand new single 'Awake'. The Hastings-based indie band, formerly known as Laura Palmer cite their influences to include The Maccabees, Fleetwood Mac and Dry the River.

The track opens with a simple, heavily reverbed guitar riff before thumping drums are introduced. The London Grammar influenced lead vocals then takes centre stage. The sparse instrumentation allows for the vocals to breathe and build with a delicate touch before the chorus finally kicks in. In the choruses, lead guitars harmonize with the vocal melody to accentuate and add another layer of dynamic as the drums and bass pick up the pace creating an unexpected but highly welcome groove.

'Awake' is a brooding epic of a track with dark themes and melodic tones throughout. The song plays on simple ideas to good effect but there are moments where Lucky Girl could have been more daring. The final stages of the song sometimes drag and it's here where a little more experimentation could go along way.

With 'Awake', Lucky Girl have carved out a musical style that feels unique and with the right amount of experimentation and a little more audacity, the four-piece from Hastings can really make a name for themselves.

Listen to 'Awake' below.

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Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Track Review: Geowulf - 'Sunday'

Australian natives and London-based dream-pop duo Geowulf have released their brand new single titled 'Sunday'. The single arrives prior to the release of their debut album 'Great Big Blue' on the 16th of February. Since 2016, and the release of their beautiful debut single 'Saltwater', Geowulf have garnered critical acclaim for their dreamy indie-pop tunes whilst racking up more than eight-million Spotify streams along the way.

The steady pace of the track is reminiscent of all Sundays (especially ours) and the warm, glistening production by Duncan Mills (Peace, The Vaccines) gives the track that extra sprinkle of magic. Star Kendricks whistful lead vocals are complimented brilliantly by the soothing backing vocals of Toma Banjanin to create beach-like imagery. The introduction of the lead guitar towards the end of the track adds another layer of gentle dynamics before one last rousing chorus.

'Sunday' is a melodic slice of hazy pop with catchy vocal hooks and dreamy synth work that is sure to get fans dreaming of the summer. We can't wait to hear the new album and we're expecting big things from Geowulf in 2018.

Find the track on all good streaming sites or listen to 'Sunday' below.

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