During this unsettling time, there’s a need for cheery news and that comes in the form of Modern Daze’s latest single Barcelona. It’s the refreshing hit of summer we all need. There’s an indie-rock feel to this track and the lead singer’s voice is raspy and textured. The Killers spring to mind with the fuzzy, feel-good opening beat. While still being very chilled and happy, Modern Daze adds an element we haven’t heard before. There’s a tense build-up; it’s bubbling and unexpected, adding another dimension to the track. You still envisage yourself sat in the garden watching the sun go…
Author: Beth Shipley
The self-titled ‘Schizophrenic indie/pop-rock’ duo, Gravity Circus, has released their latest single which is about a life of solitude and alienation. Ironically, it was written months before this current time of isolation and uncertain dismay. Jimmy Nagaura’s raw sound in Shuteye shares a likeness with Declan McKenna and DMA’S’ Tommy O’Dell – although grittier and with a less bouncy, happy-go-lucky tone. There are many elements to this easy-listening, confident track; it’s buzzy TV music with jingles and a kick driving through, the pounding heartbeat of the single. The Netherlands based band definitely showcase their schizophrenic sound. Shuteye’s sharp, scratchy Fret…
It’s hard to believe this powerful artist is only the tender age of 16. Hattie Oates’ new single High takes an unexpected turn with the tense, pounding second half of her track, revealing new depth and grittiness. The tone shifts in High when there is a sudden dark, crashing tone. This is a dramatic change from the beginning of the track where Hattie’s pretty, acoustic intro makes you think a mellow, soft-sounding, indie newbie will be dominating the track. High is a song about having a crush and how those butterflies flood your body, leaving you with a sickly, exciting…
Since bouncing onto the alternative R&B scene in 2017, this avant-garde artist is a breath of fresh air in a crowded genre. Latir’s soulful, emotional Juvenile Forever is a far cry from 2017’s Juvenile Youth; it’s a far more grown-up and powerful single. The maturity in Latir’s sound is impressive. There’s a Cocteau Twins-esque, wobbly, almost opaque background with a rich, soulful, hip-hop layer. A lot is going on and it’s enticing. Juvenile Forever is slow with a bouncy, indie-hip-hop voice guiding the track and giving it an extra boost. The strong, twinkly pangs give it another sparkle; an exciting…
I’m not familiar with the Romanian electronic music scene but I’d say Golan has conquered it. Their spacey, mysterious tones in Anima set the scene for an exciting four minutes of synthy Caribou-like sounds. Anima shares likeness with Caribou’s Suddenly and the unpredictable depth of Tame Impala – this is most prominent towards the end of the track when it really builds and changes character from slow and steady to punchy and more like the electronic music we’re used to. Anima is enchanting, drifting you through the track with ease. It’s afterparty music: the perfect 4 am winding down track…
The mystical, echoey tones of Jillian Lake’s Bleed Baby Bleed makes you feel tense and calm all at the same time. It’s not quite a classic acoustic love song but it has its own identity. Bleed Baby Bleed is slightly distorted sounding with Lake’s mellow voice guiding you through the track in a fragmented but swishy fashion. The song is filled with a pretty piano background and wavy, fairy-like gentle sounds. It’s a gentle mess, and that’s meant positively. There’s a vague distorted background with a soothing voice on top, mellowing the track out. It’s a beautiful darkness. It’s childlike…
Blair Lee’s Less Or More is a summer breeze, a hippy-dippy acoustic Sunday afternoon track. There’s an enjoyable, steady thud with twinkly whispers and a flowery rhythm. It’s carefree and calming, pretty and stress-free. The soft, subtle sounds of Blair Lee’s voice take you away to a happier place; a joyful, calming serenity. Amongst the happy acoustic-ness, there is a jingly, wavy layer, subtly adding a new dimension in the background. This gives Less Or More a new dynamic and breaks it apart from generic one-melody, acoustic tracks. In parts, it’s quite difficult to decipher what Lee is singing but…
Looking into the future as an orange-haired pop-punk singer in the midst of the emo heyday, I wonder if Hayley Williams ever pictured herself experimenting with a solo project and a tame hairstyle. Williams has an impressive catalogue of albums and genres – she’s certainly expanded her musical talent and explored new styles over the years. This dynamic little powerhouse has shaken up her sound yet again; even more so than Paramore’s 2017 album, ‘After Laughter’, which saw the band discover a more mellow sound. Paramore’s years have been turbulent, to say the least: with the departure of band members,…
Bethany Ferrie’s Stayed is a modern love story and the nostalgia of being with someone and remembering a simpler, better time. It’s honest, real and heart wrenching, the kind of song you would hear in the chocolate aisle in Asda and burst into tears when you think you’re fine. However, at the same time, it’s lovely to listen to. It’s an enjoyable, powerful track that is so simple yet strong and beautiful. Stayed is happy but so honest, you almost want to cry for Ferrie but her voice is so confident pulling the truthful words together like little fragile fragments…
There’s something about ‘Normal Now’ that immediately sits you in a field with the sun beating down and a fruity cider in your hand. It’s the perfect summer song: upbeat but chilled enough that you melt away and just smile. LA-based Indie duo Limón Limón seamlessly fuses inventive beats with clever lyrics which is more impressive considering they play five instruments between them as well as produce the vocals. There’s a subtle New Order – Blue Monday element with the constant thuds, it’s not as pounding or distinctive but it’s still as simple and effective. ‘Normal Now’ carries 80s synth…