Not Another Music Blog.: bristol

Showing posts with label bristol. Show all posts

Friday, 18 May 2018

Track Review: ZELAH - 'Closer'

Alt-pop outfit ZELAH have released their debut single 'Closer' through London-based indie label Which Hit? Records. Hailing from London via Bristol, the three-piece blend dark, raw and electronic soundscapes with soulful vocals that take influence from Sigrid, to the brilliant BANKS

'Closer' is a slow builder. Initially, the sparse instrumentation paves a way for the soft lead vocals of Zelah Van-Gowler before new elements are added to keep things interesting. The simple guitar notes and piano chords are backed by a straightforward beat, therefore, allowing Van-Gowler's vocals to take centre-stage. The simple instrumentation and production allows for the song to channel an intimacy that is hard to find in modern day pop music. The way ZELAH have created a sense of intrigue around their sound is brilliant.

'Closer', as explained by Van-Gowler is, "the feeling of realising that you're starting to develop feelings for someone, and wanting to tell them everything at once but also wanting to fight your feelings back at the same time". These feelings are accentuated by the slow build in the instrumentation and the final exhilarating climax.

On the choruses, you really start to get a sense of how ZELAH sound as a whole unit. The instrumentation becomes more fleshed out and the lush backing vocals compliment Van-Gowler's more intense delivery. The final stages of the track are lush and dark building to a rousing final section. It's here where ZELAH really come into there own with new musical elements and fantastic vocal passages.

With this new single, the alt-pop outfit have truly stamped their authority and shown they mean business. The way the band play with dynamics, emotions and melodies has made us want more. It won't be long before ZELAH start making waves in the world of pop.

Listen to 'Closer' below or check the tune on your favourite streaming site.

Follow our socials to keep up to date with new posts and features from Not Another Music Blog.

Thursday, 5 April 2018

EP Review: LICE - 'It All Worked out Great, Vol. 1'

Bristol is currently having a real musical moment. We've recently covered the likes of IDLES, Heavy Lungs and Dogeyed. Now it's the turn of satirical art-punks LICE. Signed to the recently founded Balley Records which is the brainchild of Mark Bent and IDLES' very own frontman Joe Talbot, LICE have released their debut EP 'It All Worked out Great, Vol. 1'.

The EP opens with the beautifully chaotic 'Stammering Bill'. The repetitive bass riff and drum rolls amount to a passionate performance that is enough to grab anyone's' attention. The vocals here are near on inaudible but that's what gives them such charm. The song then breaks to a simple but dirty riff with a groove that contrasts perfectly with the track's turbulent opening stages. The second track, 'Voyeur Picture Salesman' is more laidback instrumentally but the vocals, more audible this time, are passionately delivered with a rawness and fierceness that can be hard to find in modern punk.

On 'Ted's Dead' LICE show us their more unconventional experimental side. The free-form trumpet solo in the middle of the track is a real touch of class and shows that LICE have more about themselves than your run of the mill punks. The lyrical themes are dark but witty, mirroring the band's playful image. The EP closer is a bass driven track that fluctuates in tempo introducing scratchy guitar riffs and heavy drum grooves. It's a brilliant final tune to end a fantastic debut EP.

With 'It All Worked out Great, Vol. 1' LICE have definitely cemented themselves as a punk band to watch. Their chaotic instrumentals combined with satirical lyricism, danceable grooves and brilliant riffs ensure this is a debut EP to remember.

Listen to the EP below.

Follow our socials to keep up to date with new posts and features from Not Another Music Blog.

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.

Follow our socials to keep up to date with new posts and features from Not Another Music Blog.

Wednesday, 13 December 2017

Track Review: Monocle - 'Jan1'

'Jan1' is the new track released from Bristolian noise-rock trio Monocle. This is the second release from their impending 2018 EP following on from their brilliant debut track 'Crabs'. Monocle was born out of a mutual desire to create something weirder, heavier and nastier than previous musical projects and it sounds like they have done exactly that.

The track opens with noisy guitars that contrast well with the tightness of the kit giving the tune a sense of heaviness whilst also creating an unconventional groove. The most captivating part about 'Jan1' has to be the vocal melodies. Delivered with sincerity and passion, vocalist Becky Whitlock sometimes sounds like a woman possessed. The melody chops and changes throughout, showing an incredible vocal range full of different tones and techniques. The experimentation doesn't stop there. The song structure is unorthodox, there is no clear 'verse, chorus, verse, chorus' structure which could make the tune a challenge for some listeners. It's these individualistic musical traits that ensure Monocle stand out from the crowd.

With 'Jan1', Monocle have released a challenging body of work that pushes the boundaries of the noise-rock genre. With this second teaser from their impending EP, the trio have definitely peaked our interest. We can't wait to hear what's next.

Listen to 'Jan1' below.

Follow our socials to keep up to date with new posts and features from Not Another Music Blog.

Friday, 8 December 2017

Track Review: Heavy Lungs - 'Poster Boy'

Bristol punk outfit Heavy Lungs have released their debut single 'Poster Boy'. The four lads have been making a name for themselves on the live seen with massive support slots this year for Canadian punks METZ and fellow Bristolians (and Not Another Music Blog favourites) IDLES. With their forthcoming EP titled 'Abstract Thoughts' slated for a 2018 release, it's time to get excited about Heavy Lungs.

The track is a 3 and a half minute blast of complex drum patterns, and simple but effective guitar riffs. The tempo of the track never lets up and the passionate, screamed vocals add to create even more intensity. Musically, the track is quite dark and lacks a little melody until the harmonised guitar solos. This isn't a bad thing whatsoever, British punk is screaming for a little darkness these days and Heavy Lungs duly deliver. The track ultimately builds to a chaotic climax with screams panning left and right and contrasting bluesy guitar riffs. The chaos here is incredibly intense before the tracks tempo slows bar by bar ending with warped feedback and distortion.

This really is a rip-roaring punk track from a band with heaps of potential. After hearing 'Poster Boy', we can only imagine what their live performances are like. Punk music is coming back in such a strong way and we believe Heavy Lungs will be at the forefront of this revolution.

Listen to the blistering 'Poster Boy' below.

Follow our socials to keep up to date with new posts and features from Not Another Music Blog.