Not Another Music Blog.

Friday, 17 November 2017

Track Review: Sleepovers - 'Good Sides'

Sleepovers are main songwriting duo, Alfie Smith and Elliot Crabtree (formerly of indie darlings Skallywags), brothers Tom and Ed Reynolds, and drummer Ashley Hodge. The London based five-piece arrive with their first single 'Good Sides' off the debut EP 'Heartbreak High'.

The slacker rock influences are plain to see from the start as Mac DeMarco-esque electric guitars open the track. This isn't a bad thing, the pretty guitar tones set the carefree, indie vibe of the whole track. Alfie's strong, cockney vocal is introduced in the verse which contrasts well with the US-indie influenced instrumentation. The attitude in his voice is excellent, especially in the choruses where reverbed guitars sprawl around in the background to add more sonic contrasts.

Overall the production of the track is well done. The sound compliments the aesthetic of Sleepovers, but there are moments when that reverb knob could have been turned down a little. The lead guitar parts are sometimes lost in the instrumental and could have done with a little more cleanliness and bite.

The music video has been collated using front man Alfie's actual phone camera roll over the last year, charting an ended relationship and the writing/recording of the debut EP. Alfie says, ''we chose to use the camera roll idea because although there may be a few bad photos, you never capture a negative moment for Instagram if you're miserable. Only the good sides make the story".

With 'Good Side' Sleepovers have delivered a fantastic tune full of catchy hooks, infectious lyrics and sing-a-long choruses. With the anticipation growing for their debut EP, the time of Sleepovers is now.

Check out 'Good Sides' below.

Sleepovers support Average Sex at The Shacklewell Arms in London on 20/11/17. GO!

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Thursday, 16 November 2017

Track Review: Sauce - 'What Feels Better (Than You And I)?'

Hot off the heels of a run of successful live shows up and down the UK, the Sauce boys return with their massive third single 'What Feels Better (Than You And I)?'. Based in Manchester, the band have gained a strong live following and from listening to the new single, its easy to see why. Band members Dean, Henry, Lewis and George took the short trip to record the new tune with Alex Quinn (Blossoms, The Coral) at Liverpool's Parr Street Studios garnering impressive results.

'What Feels Better...' opens with distorted amp noises before the drums blast through, bringing the rest of the instrumentation with. It's here that the groovy nature of the track really comes to prominence. With group backing vocals and distorted guitar riffs, the opening few bars are enough to make anyone wake up and pay attention. In the verse we are introduced to Dean Molyneux, this time taking lead vocal duties from Henry Lewis. The chemistry of both Dean and Henry (now on backing vocals) is excellent, creating a catchy 'call and response' sound which will be more than enough to get the fans singing along. The chorus is where Dean really comes into his own. His vocal is carefully controlled, but also shows a raw passion that is sometimes hard to find in rock music today.

The instrumentation throughout the tune is heavy and noisy. Compared to Sauce's previous two singles, you can really hear their musical progression. The sound of 'What Feels Better...' is more mature, with a clear song structure and consistent, well-rounded vocal melodies. The band's psychedelic sound is brought to the forefront in the middle-eight with warped, swirling guitar riffs and a booming drum section which builds to one final vocal part from Dean.

Sauce have come through with a fantastic, sophisticated and catchy third single here. It will only be a matter of time before the word spreads about the psychedelic rocking lads from Manchester.

'What Feels Better (Than You And I?)' is out on all good streaming services on 17/11/2017.
In the meantime, listen on SoundCloud below.

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Thursday, 9 November 2017

Track Review: Average Sex - 'Ugly Strangers'

'Ugly Strangers' is the new single from indie noise-rock outfit Average Sex. 'Ugly Strangers is the first release off their debut EP 'Ice Cream', which arrives on the 1st of December through Tim Burgess' (The Charlatans) own label, OGenesis Recordings. Hailing from London, the five piece consisting of Laetitia Bocquet (vocals), Sam O'Donovan (guitar), Louise Earwaker (guitar), Jamie Graeme (bass), and Finnigan Kidd (drums), incorporate heavily distorted guitars and high tempo beats to create an edgy alternative sound not too dissimilar from 'Blue Album' era Weezer.

The track opens with clean guitar stabs before harmonised vocals are introduced and it's not long before the rest of the band kick in. The intensity of the track is instantly increased with added drums and distorted guitars. The charm of the tune comes from the production value. The rough and ready guitar tones coupled with distorted, double-tracked vocals give the track a 'Wall of Sound' feel to it, but the band equally know how to utilize dynamics, allowing the track much needed time to breath in the verses. Lyrically, the song shines. 'Ugly Strangers' is about using alcohol to escape real life problems. The choruses focus on Laetitia's efforts to bury her mental health issues before getting treatment by drinking most nights at the Victoria pub in Dalston, where the rest of the song is about life being shit, hence drinking to 'be happy'.

'Ugly Strangers' is a gem of a track leaving us wanting to hear more. We can only hope the debut EP delivers on the 1st of December.

Listen to 'Ugly Strangers' here

Be sure to catch Average Sex on tour in the next few months.

Headline show:

20th November - The Shacklewell Arms, London

Tour (All dates supporting The Charlatans):

29th November - Rock City, Nottingham

30th November - O2 Academy, Sheffield

1st December - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

2nd December - O2 Apollo, Manchester

4th December - O2 Academy 1, Glasgow

5th December - O2 Academy 1, Newcastle

7th December, O2 Academy, Leeds

8th December - University Great Hall, Cardiff

9th December - O2 Academy Brixton, London

Wednesday, 8 November 2017

EP Review: Tempesst - 'Adult Wonderland'

Tempesst are fronted by London based, Australian-born twins Andy and Toma Banjanin. After breaking into the psychedelic rock scene in 2015 with a string of brilliant singles, they have arrived with their debut EP 'Adult Wonderland'.

The four-track EP kicks off with the dreamy 'Waiheke'. Lazily played drums lay the ground work for a song with layered vocals and swirling, reverberated slide guitars, not too dissimilar from an early Fleet Foxes track. This is a perfect opener for the EP and sets the relaxed tone for the whole record. Second track 'Tidal Wave' cranks up the momentum without deviating too much from the bands overall sound. The lead vocals are brilliantly backed by falsetto harmonies in the chorus before developing into a Beatles-esque middle-eight. The guitar solo towards the end of the track is a welcome addition, with dirty 60s tones and blues inspired licks.

Though the two opening tracks are equally great, it's on 'Feel Better' where Tempesst really come to life. This song has some serious #riffs. The guitar break before the first verse kicks in is a real 'fist pump' moment. Banjanin's vocals in the verses are reminiscent of Kurt Vile, but those trusty vocal harmonies return in the chorus to great effect. There are added moments of magic here with female backing vocals that could have come straight from 'Gimme Shelter' by legendary The Rolling Stones, and a developing guitar riff that builds throughout getting more distorted as the song goes on. The EP closer 'God Knows I Need A Muse' see's Tempesst crooning away to a 60s inspired psychedelic backdrop. The arppegiated synths and experimental guitars build to a noisy crescendo giving the EP the perfect ending.

With this debut EP, Tempesst have really set the bar high. A must listen for any flare-wearing, psychedelic-loving rock fans.

Listen to 'Feel Better' here

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Friday, 3 November 2017

The Worst and Best of New Music Friday (03/11/17)

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

Sia - Santa's Coming For Us

How anyone can enjoy listening to Sia's voice is a total mystery. The harsh sounding sleigh bell's coupled with Sia's whining vocal tone make this a Christmas song to forget. It's also November remember, November. By far the worst tune to come out this week.

U2 - Get Out Of Your Own Way

The 3rd single off U2's upcoming 14th studio album was clearly written for one thing, to tick that 'stadium anthem' box. Opening with sequenced drums and gang vocals, the track is clearly pandering to the massive live audiences U2 have accumulated over the years. The song isn't terrible, it just doesn't show much imagination or grit. Bizarrely, Kendrick Lamar pops up at the end to shout a speech about how blessed superstars are. No, we don't get it either.

Robbie Williams - Run It Wild

Your Dad's favourite pop star is back with another classic stinker. Admittedly, 'Run It Wild' isn't as bad previous single 'Go Mental', but it gives it a run for it's money. By now Robbie has clearly run out of ideas both lyrically and musically and this latest offering cements the fact. Robbie sounds like he's phoning his vocal performance in and the song structure leaves a lot to be desired.

OneRepublic & Kygo - Stranger Things

We're convinced this is just a marketing ploy to cash in on the success of Netflix's extremely popular TV show of the same name and the song bears no relation to Eleven and the gang. Kygo's signature cheesy EDM leads pop up in between a lazy vocal performance from One Republic's Ryan Tedder with generic chord progressions that sound like they have come from the Chainsmoker's School of Writing An Uninspired, Drab Pop Banger.

Honourable Mentions

Maroon 5 - Wait

David Guetta Feat. Charli XCX & French Montana - Dirty Sexy Money

Best

RAYE & Mr Eazi - Decline

Image result for raye decline

RAYE is back with another pop banger. The London based singer-songwriter has teamed up with Nigerian singer Mr Eazi to deliver a dance hall inspired R&B tune that's sure to get people grooving. Produced by Fraser T. Smith (who's credits include Stormzy's 'Blinded By Your Grace'), 'Decline' is an interpolation of Ja Rule's 'Always On Time' making the song feel like a throwback to the simpler times of the early 2000s.

Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - Spray Paint Love

The ex-lead singer of Gallows and garishly amazing suit wearing gentleman, Frank Carter has returned with a riff heavy, slow rocker titled 'Spray Paint Love'. The song sounds like a mix between an 'AM' era Arctic Monkeys track and Brighton rock duo Royal Blood. Carter's vocals get better by each release and it's in this song that his range really steps up a gear. A must listen for fans of hard rocking anthems.

Feist - Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye

Feist originally performed this Leonard Cohen cover during the 2017 Juno Awards and is also set to take part in the upcoming Cohen memorial tribute held in Montreal on the 6th of November. Feist's take on the Cohen classic is respectfully charming, building slowly with layered backing vocals and beautiful lead melodies.

Young Fathers - Lord

2014s Mercury Music Prize winners Young Fathers arrive with their new single 'Lord'. Gospel choir inspired vocals start the song, before low bass drones are introduced. Vocalist Alloysious Massquoi sings over a heavily distorted instrumental, contrasting with the light touch of the lead piano section. 'Lord' is the first single from their latest album.

Honourable Mentions

N*E*R*D & Rihanna - Lemon

Goat Girl - Cracker Drool

Wiley Feat. JME - I Call The Shots

The Staves & yMusic - Toruble On My Mind

Twin Peaks - With You
alt-J - Adeline (Shade/Code Orange Remix)
Tom Misch - Movie
Turnstile - Real Thing

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Thursday, 2 November 2017

Track Review: The Incarnations - 'Love Drugs'

Scottish four-piece The Incarnations arrive with their debut single 'Love Drugs'. Formed in 2014, the Aberdeen-based, guitar driven band consists of Fraser Bateman (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Ian Hay (lead guitar), Jamie Thomson (bass and backing vocals) and David 'Deco' Smith (drums). Released through Sound Hub Records, the track draws influence from both The Small Faces and 90s Britpop legends, Dodgy.

'Love Drugs' opens with a vintage sounding guitar riff not too dissimilar to 'Passenger' by American punk legend Iggy Pop. It's not long before the rest of the band kick in with an upbeat, groovy rhythm. The fuzzy guitar riffs, driving tambourines and walking-blues bass lines give the single an uplifting tone. Bateman's double-tracked vocals cut through the energetic beats, but it's in the chorus where the vocals really shine. The layered harmonies from both Bateman and Thomson compliment each other well. With 'Love Drugs' The Incarnations wear their influences on their sleeve, but for a first single the Scottish outfit have done more than enough to get their audience's feet tapping.

Go check out 'Love Drugs' here

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Wednesday, 1 November 2017

Live Review: SCARLXRD @ Camden Assembly, London (23/10/17)

Marius Listhrop aka SCARLXRD (pronounced Scarlord) is a trap rap artist hailing from the UK. Formerly a YouTube blogger known as Mazzi Maz, Listhrop had over 600,000 subscribers when he transitioned into his SCARLXRD alter ego. With three albums released this year already and with such a massive online following (he's also ranked up more than 50,000 followers on SoundCloud) there is an inevitably large amount of hype surrounding the young 23 year old.

The Camden Assembly show was a sell out, which is an incredible feat considering it was a Monday and also his first solo London show under the SCARLXRD name. The young, diverse crowd arrived in droves and there was an air of excitement around the room as SCARLXRD's DJ and hype man took to the decks. From here on in, the crowd were bouncing and the anticipation was growing. When SCARLXRD finally arrived on stage, the audience literally lost their minds. With seriously heavy trap influenced beats and distorted, warped production throughout, SCARLXRD's music is refreshingly original. His flow is odd, and sometimes he sounds like a young Oli Sykes (never a bad thing) but the passion SCARLXRD shows on stage is breathtaking. His energy throughout the extensive 90 minute set never dropped and this clearly infected the audience. With mosh-pits, crowd surfing and the metal genre stalwart, the wall of death, there was barely time for anyone to take a breather. At times you could have been forgiven for thinking you had walked into the wrong gig, especially when SCARLXRD tore through 'Lies Yxu Tell' with its heavy guitar riffs and screaming vocals, not too dissimilar to a Ho99o9 track. On break out track 'Heart Attack' the ex-YouTuber's rapping prowess really came to the forefront. The speed of his delivery on parts of the tune were fantastic and without taking a breath, he showed real control. The biggest highlight of the night came when SCARLXRD played '6 Feet'. The crowd went crazy as soon as the opening bars blasted through the speakers. This went down so well, SCARLXRD played it twice.

There were moments on the night that left a little to be desired. Unfortunately SCARLXRD performed along to the main recordings of his original tracks, which felt a little lazy at times. There were times when he was putting all his energy into his stage presence and sometimes this meant SCARLXRD's actual musical performance suffered - occasionally he seemed like a hype man for his own tracks. Focusing on how to distribute energy to both his vocal performance and stage presence is a must, and this will definitely come in time.

For a debut London performance, this was one of a kind and with a little more attention to detail when it comes to the live instrumentation, the young rapper's performances will have people queuing up to see him in droves. Watch out 2018.

Listen to 'Lies Yxu Tell' here

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