It is a rare and treasured moment to hear an album and think “this is truly like nothing I’ve heard before and it’s spectacular.” Perhaps you had this moment with Radiohead’s 1997 futuristic ‘OK Computer,’ or with the modern jazz of Tom Misch’s ‘Beat Tape 2.’ Some of you had it with ‘Tranquillity Base Hotel and Casino’ (some of you didn’t) and, if you put it on this afternoon, you’ll have it with South American experimental, existential EP ‘Strawberry Moon’ by Carter. Inspired by the trials and tribulations experienced by those around him, the annual super moon that lends its name to…
Author: Ty Bennett
A folk gig in Bristol usually follows a basic structure: the back room of an oak bar, off a graffitied side street, filled with dungaree clad whiskey youth nursing pints and swaying, occasionally dragging nonchalantly on a cigarette or leaning through the music to whisper enigmatically into studded ears. Jordan Mackampa’s mid-evening set at The Crofters Rights is no different, accompanied by swaying teens and a yellow spectacle. Following two applauded EP’s that combine a unique blend of jazz, folk and gospel music, Jordan Mackampa steps onto the blue hue stage in Bristol after a year, to an audience four times the size. As…
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness,” wrote Maya Angelou, reflecting a feeling reverberating through generations of music lovers and artists and people who feel pain. Not only is Angelou summing up the solace that can be found in a melody, but she is the platform upon which innovative electronic musician ECKOES is building her voice. Her new track ‘Hurricane of Storms’ encapsulates the mood of the artist: music as a force to fight pain. ECKOES’ deeply unique, somewhat androgynous voice has been heralded already as being unmatched by anything else on the market.…
Melbourne pop artist NELSØNN paired up with his sister to write ‘Try’, a vibrant and buoyant track that acts as a pillow of hope during periods of anxiety and loneliness. ‘Try’ became NELSØNN’s debut single, proceeded by a short film entitled ‘I Am Not Alone.’ The multi-talented artist seems to have strong feelings on anxiety and depression, which he expresses through his art, as captured in this interview where NELSØNN exclusively reveals his feelings on hard-hitting issues in pop music, depression amongst our generation and who he would be if he wasn’t himself. Where did your name come from? My…
The words that come to mind when describing haunting vocalist Charlene Soraia, are: unexpected, electrifying, raw and fragile. If spinning into fame with Twinning advert track ‘Wherever You Will Go’ wasn’t startling enough, the keen-eyed lyricist has now recorded her 2019 album entirely from her South London flat, alone, in single takes, without edits or autotune. The result is epitomised in the newly released title track ‘Where’s My Tribe’ – a raw and poignant track, alive with Charlene’s intricate musicianship. Soraia’s signature is producing stripped down singles with only one or two instrumentals to accompany her shivering vocal work. Previously, Soraia’s voice has wrapped…
In the Curzon cinema, a modern noir venue with a basement cinema lined with armchairs and fairy lights, Ferris & Sylvester gave an intimate look into their forthcoming EP. The folk duo has been carving their way in the industry for two years, playing with an array of renowned singer-songwriters like themselves, including James Blunt and George Ezra. But what they showed us on Tuesday is a far cry from the cliche lyrics, lap steel guitar and insincere hooks of their classmates. Their music already had a unique, [honest], raw sound. What they give us now is a stronger instrumental…
LEADER, a 5-piece band from Oxfordshire & Buckingham have shared the stage with artists including The Lambrettas, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling, The Fratellis, Tom Jones, Razorlight, Lonely The Brave and most recently The Hoosiers. They sold out their first headline show at Oxford’s O2 Academy, in support of their EP in 2016. Earlier this year the band toured the UK to promote their single ‘Golden’. With support from the likes of BBC Introducing and various tastemakers as well as new partnerships on the horizon and now their latest single, the rest of the year proves to be bigger and…
The soundscape to Chloe Foy’s latest single ‘Asylum’ is a blue and grey wash, speckled with turquoise strings, textured by rolling piano and filled with bright bursts of colour as the vocal arrangement moves over the scene like a storm. The music video is the perfect companion to this, bringing the song to life in a manner that mirrors both the narrative and the visual instrumentals of the indie-folk single. Opening with still landscape seaside shots, ‘Asylum’ sets the tone for a traditional folk music video. Acoustic guitar and Foy’s low, almost gravelly voice, leads us into a song about…
RuthAnne’s stirring single ‘Liquid’ makes us wonder why she has been hiding behind songwriting credits for the last decade. This R&B-meets-pop number is the third track from her forthcoming 2019 solo album, and it leaves its listener thirsty for more. Although, this isn’t the first time people are talking about the Irish artist. With 1.5 billion streams accumulated for her collective work, two BMI awards and writing credits on chart-topping singles – from Niall Horan (‘Slow Hands’) to Britney Spears (‘Work Bitch’) – RuthAnne is a force to be reckoned with. ‘Liquid’ follows debut singles ‘The Vow’ and ‘Take My…
The cavernous marble ground floor of Bank’s five-star hotel, The Ned, is an unlikely setting for a reggae gig. However, striking artist Shelly Ravid wanders around the circular centre stage as if she is a permeant fixture of the venue, as at home as if she were playing in a reggae venue in the Caribbean. People recline against long oak bars, leaning over bottles of champagne in their casual evening wear, as Shelly Ravid opens New Music Monday with track ‘Six Strings.’ Her stage presence is immediately noticeable, as people pause mid conversation to survey the young artist. She conducts…