'Fixation' from GURU is a formidable punk rocker, the vocals are fierce and not to be left behind, the band are equally forceful. We have already featured a couple of gorgeous songs from Wy's forthcoming album and the final teaser 'Swedish Summer' ups our anticipation even more! We are a little late sharing Kris Kelly's music video for 'Birthplace' but this is such a wonderful song, it simply has to be featured. Cardiff (Wales) based Silent Forum's third single 'Safety In Numbers' is imaginative and not easy to categorise, so we will file under creative post punk, indie something.
GURU - Fixation.
Brighton’s endless production line continues to reinforce their status as one of the UK’s finest indie hotbeds and in punk sensations GURU they’ve certainly found another to add to the growing list.
Bursting out of the blocks with their rollicking third instalment Fixation, the rising quartet demonstrate all the makings of a band ready to make a name for themselves with their raucous live shows, having torn up stages throughout the UK on their recent sold-out tour alongside fellow risers Lady Bird.
Switching out the distortion driven guitars in favour of Dick Dale inspired licks and a clearly discernible chorus, their latest effort possesses an all-round groove, dealing with irreconcilable differences between people as part of a natural human condition, and follows encouraging early comparisons to the likes of Shame and Fat White Family.
Detailing their upcoming release, front man Tommy Cherrill explained: “Lyrically I’ve focused on the irreconcilable nature of some relationships I’ve failed to repair from earlier years of my life. I realised I wasn’t alone in having these botched relationships and so began writing the verses from the third person as an imagined narrator of others who’ve fallen out. Sometimes things just don’t work out and I’m not making a judgement call on whether that’s a good thing or not, we just wanted to write a blood number one for the Billboard Hot 100, ha”!
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Wy - Swedish Summer.
Ahead of the release of their highly anticipated second album 'Softie', Swedish duo Wy have today shared the final taster of the new record; the melodic, captivating and haunting 'Swedish Summer'. The song was the first the band wrote for the LP, which is due for release in one week via Hybris and Beatnik. Accompanied by another stunning video, directed by the band's singer Ebba.
On the meaning behind the song, Ebba explains: "Swedish Summer is about having too high expectations on yourself. It was actually one of the first songs we wrote for the album. We were growing tired of the tempo of our debut album and this track really helped us break away from it and have more fun with our songwriting. The name "Swedish Summer" was just a working title because we wrote it during the summer last year, but we kept it because it fit the sound so well. It's a funny name, because the lyrics are kind of dark."
The band's earnest eleven track sophomore album includes the previously released, BBC 6Music supported singles 'Pavements', 'Softie' and 'Tired II'. It follows their debut LP 'Okay', which became something of an underground sensation and garnered the highest praise with comparisons to Slowdive, Cigarettes After Sex and Mazzy Star. The new record is set to further cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around right now.
The forthcoming album is very much a statement on the turbulence of human existence, written from Ebba's experience of being bipolar. With their clarity in emotion and unapologetic use of lyrics, it's an important record in more ways than one. She explains, "'Softie' is an attempt at proving there is more than one way of being a functioning human being. The album is about coping, growing out of your fears, learning how to distance yourself from your anxieties and the ups and downs that comes with being bipolar. 'Softie' is ultimately about releasing the pressure from yourself and that's what we have been doing in the process of writing these songs. We ended up with a record that was turbulent, back and forth and non-conforming. And we love that, because it feels very 'us' and we really wanted our second album to hit you in the face rather than rock you to sleep."
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Kris Kelly - Birthplace.
Kris Kelly is pleased to share the song and video for his newest single “Birthplace.” Throughout the song, Kris explores the idea and concept of one’s birthplace, and what that means on a deeper, wider scope, provoking the listener to examine and dissect their own genesis.
The accompanying video, executively produced by the widely-recognized and acclaimed Alma Har’el, and directed by Adi Halfin (Radiohead/Batsheva Dance Company), is a gorgeous counterpart to the track.
“For the ‘Birthplace’ video, I explained to director Adi Halfin what the song meant to me, and she came up with this beautiful concept. The video unfolds like a dream. There is me, the narrator, in a room, away from the outside world, juxtaposed by these different characters on the exterior, each one very different from the other, in different emotional states, relating to their environment in different ways. There is struggle, peace, conflict, harmony. And there is definitely an element of surrealism and there is not a linear storyline or sense of time. It’s a dream. And like in a dream, to me anyway, the characters all represent different pieces of the main character. I ended up relating to each character in my own personal way, and I think the viewer will have their own experience as well,” explains Kris. “Birthplace” will appear on Kris’s new record Runaways, due out Summer 2019.
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Silent Forum - Safety in Numbers.
‘Safety in Numbers’ is the third single released by the Cardiff based Post-Punk / New Wave four piece Silent Forum on Libertino. Following on from the swaggering, off-kilter, infectious pop energy of ‘How I Faked The Moon Landing’ and ‘Robot’, ‘Safety in Numbers’ explores a far more reflective musical landscape. This is a song that “expresses the importance of looking after your friends......that time will forget us, but that our relationships are the most meaningful thing we can achieve in life.”
Yet again Silent Forum delivers a song very much on their terms, a song that resonates with kindness and a musicality that captures your heart.
Performing under the name Silent Forum since late 2015, the four-piece deemed Wales' most promising band blends shadowy Post Punk with uplifting, inspiring New Wave. They move unpredictably from serious and direct to playful and overblown. Since they signed to Libertino records their sound has taken an ambitious turn, gathering praise for epic singles like 'How I Faked the Moon Landing' and 'Robot'. They have an eagerly awaited debut album set for release later this year.
Destroy//Exist "The sound sophisticated and playful at the same time, certainly reminiscent of the artful progressive pop sound of XTC, the nerve of Wire and the new wave idiosyncrasy of Squeeze and Talking Heads, while maintaining the entirety of the quartet's fervent originality."
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Showing posts with label Wy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wy. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
Saturday, 30 March 2019
Heavy Heart - Mt. Doubt - Josh Alexander - Wy - Trudy and the Romance - Alice Tambourine Lover
'Dowsabel' by Heavy hearts is a refined meeting of dream pop and alt rock, a combination that works exceptionally well. From Edinburgh we have Mt Doubt and 'Unravelling' where polished musicianship and distinctive vocals are notable. Josh Alexander shares a tender modern folk song which is both melodic and beautifully arranged. Our second taste of Wy's promising new album this month, and it comes in the form of 'Tired II', the rest will be released a month today. It's appearance number six on Beehive Candy for Trudy and the Romance whose 50's mutant pop remains wonderful and very catchy. Alice Tambourine Lover round things off today with 'Blow Away' as elements of psych, blues and cool rock come together with genuine feeling.
Heavy Heart - Dowsabel.
Expertly crafted dream pop has become something of a personality trait from London alt-rockers Heavy Heart and in spellbinding latest release Dowsabel their trademark approach is firmly on display once again.
The second of three tracks, mixed and co-produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gabe Wax (The War On Drugs, Fleet Foxes, Soccer Mommy). Dowsabel provides the ideal follow-up to January release Bed Bug, capitalising on their widespread critical acclaim from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Clash.
Heavily touted across the airwaves courtesy of BBC Radio 1’s Phil Taggart and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, the bustling quartet have become well-known for their dynamic and atmospheric live shows with slots alongside fellow indie risers Another Sky and Honey Lung already ticked off over the last few months.
Touching on the origins of the track, the band revealed: “Dowsabel is an old English word for sweetheart, and this song is about a love affair, but it’s a bittersweet, broken and defeated one. It’s about the jagged edges and the blood we draw; the damager that we do to each other in the name of love. Living in a room filled with dust, dying flowers, and the ghosts of unspoken words, we’re together but alone, too afraid to walk away, prisoners in an unlocked cage”. Produced by Patrick Fitzroy and Gabe Wax, Heavy Heart’s Dowsabel is out now and available via all digital platforms.
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Mt. Doubt - Unravelling.
Scottish Fiction are proud to present Unravelling, the brand new single from Edinburgh alternative five-piece Mt. Doubt.
Returning with their first new music of 2019, Unravelling sees Mt. Doubt working with producer Rod Jones (Idlewild, The Birthday Suit) at Post Electric Studios, giving the band a fresh lease of life. The single builds throughout with chiming keys and melodic guitars swooning behind rich, warm vocals.
Lyrically the track continues to display frontman Leo Bargery's penchant for societal observations. The song rails against the negative impacts of our phones, social media and the culture of incessant self-documentation whilst yearning for a reconnection with the natural world; sequoia trees, buzzards and all.
Unravelling was be released digitally on all platforms on 29th March 2019 via Scottish Fiction.
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Josh Alexander - Closing.
The majority of 2018 saw multi-instrumentalist Josh Alexander working as a bike mechanic and finishing his studies whilst residing with his girlfriend in the Netherlands. This time abroad, steeped in the cultivation of story and discipline, nurtured Josh’s expressive power and the emergence of his rousing single Closing.
Closing is a heart breaking exposition into the beauty and pain of long distance love. The struggles with time zones, distance, intimacy and simple connection are expressed with undulating emotion and gospel-like declarations, countered with the delicate moments of reunion and the tender memories that are a made in such a circumstances.
Seeing this song come to fruition was a long time coming. Closing came really naturally to me when I began writing it and I knew I had to use it somehow. My girlfriend and I had been apart for a while, and it was becoming more apparent to formulate lyrics around the struggles of long distance relationships. Peter and I thought we would just do a short acoustic version and smash it out in a day, but 5 days in the studio later, we had a full and final version that we couldn’t have been any happier with.’ - Josh Alexander
Music has always been a vital part of Josh’s life. Whether it was learning to write songs at age 11, or performing in front of various crowds, there was no doubt for him that music was paramount. After spending time in his teenage years learning multiple instruments, such as trumpet, guitar, drums and piano, Josh Alexander began to fully flesh out his musical ideas, bringing them to life modestly in his own bedroom. The result of this was a surplus of 60 tracks, but it was not until he moved to the Netherlands in 2018 that Closing was realised.
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Wy - Tired II.
Ahead of the release of their highly anticipated second album 'Softie', Swedish duo Wy have today shared a new taster of the record; the sincere and anthemic 'Tired II'. Written about being close to giving up, but pushing through your lowest moments, the spellbinding single is accompanied by a deeply personal video, which was directed by the band's singer Ebba and features both herself and fellow member/lover Michel.
Ebba says of the video, "We filmed it during the fall and winter of last year, which was a really tough time for both of us. I had a job that was killing me, we broke up with our current record label, we fought with our friends, we were forced to leave our apartment and cancel our tour. It was just a lot at the same time. We came up with the idea because we wanted to balance out the drama of the song with something simple and personal, and because of the circumstances the video became really important to us. I get very emotional when I watch it because this is the first time one of our videos is showing Michel how I see him, and how he sees me."
The band's earnest eleven track sophomore album is set for release on 30th April via Hybris/Beatnik, and includes the previously released, BBC 6Music supported singles 'Pavements' and 'Softie'. It follows their debut LP 'Okay', which became something of an underground sensation and garnered the highest praise with comparisons to Slowdive, Cigarettes After Sex and Mazzy Star. The new record is set to further cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around right now.
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Trudy and the Romance - Doghouse.
Trudy and the Romance reveal new single Doghouse alongside a vintage semi-cartoon video in the storied lineage of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Space Jam, directed by Homer & Farley and animated by Thunderpuss (AKA Amber McCall). It’s dropping just after they’re set to let their unique doo-wop sound loose in Austin, Texas, as an official SXSW showcase act for 2019, including a session with acclaimed tastemaker Desert Daze.
The timeless sound is accompanied by a timeless silver-screen theme; regret at a lovers’ squabble, a relatable yearning for putting romantic mistakes right. On this frontman Olly Taylor explains the video as “a noir with vibrant cartoons; troubled ne'er-do-well Little Johnny is lonely and out of luck. Fortunately magic sparks and the wonderful world comes to party.”
It’s the second act in their ride through the mutant 50s pop and self-declared alligator rock-n-roll of their eagerly-anticipated debut album Sandman. Following scene-setting opener The Original Doo-Wop Spacemen it maintains their flair for dreamboat-pop through Spector rhythms, and nods to Jonathan Richman, Louis Prima, Brian Wilson’s wall of sound, film composers Henry Mancini and Bernard Herrmann, and the golden age of Disney.
”Doghouse is our Hollywood thud & number 1 hit in another dimension. Waiting on a lover & always caught in the rain” says Olly, “With glitter on its socks to put diamonds on the soles of your shoes. An all-night fiery dance-floor bop, half way to heaven on the roof of a 7 car pile-up.”
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Alice Tambourine Lover - Blow Away.
'Blow Away', is the first single off Down Below, a new album by psych/blues/desert rock duo Alice Tambourine Lover.
Wandering between lazy Mazzy Star/Cowboy Junkies atmospheres and more gritty moments reminiscent of Mark Lanegan, the comeback of Bologna-based duo Alice Tambourine Lover lingers on their stripped down psych blues signature sound, this time plunging more on the psychedelic side, still keeping a folk-like authenticity.
Alice Tambourine Lover were founded in 2011 as a side-project of psych band Alix, with five albums released among which Ground, recorded by David Lenci and Good One, recorded by Steve Albini. In 2012 they played All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival, headlined by Neurosis, Shellac, Red Fang, Uzeda.
They have released, all on Go Down Records, Naked Songs (2012), Star Rovers (2013) and Like A Rose (2015), which features two songs by Dandy Brown (Hermano, Orquesta Del Desierto) and John Garcia (Kyuss, Unida, Hermano).
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Heavy Heart - Dowsabel.
Expertly crafted dream pop has become something of a personality trait from London alt-rockers Heavy Heart and in spellbinding latest release Dowsabel their trademark approach is firmly on display once again.
The second of three tracks, mixed and co-produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gabe Wax (The War On Drugs, Fleet Foxes, Soccer Mommy). Dowsabel provides the ideal follow-up to January release Bed Bug, capitalising on their widespread critical acclaim from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Clash.
Heavily touted across the airwaves courtesy of BBC Radio 1’s Phil Taggart and BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq, the bustling quartet have become well-known for their dynamic and atmospheric live shows with slots alongside fellow indie risers Another Sky and Honey Lung already ticked off over the last few months.
Touching on the origins of the track, the band revealed: “Dowsabel is an old English word for sweetheart, and this song is about a love affair, but it’s a bittersweet, broken and defeated one. It’s about the jagged edges and the blood we draw; the damager that we do to each other in the name of love. Living in a room filled with dust, dying flowers, and the ghosts of unspoken words, we’re together but alone, too afraid to walk away, prisoners in an unlocked cage”. Produced by Patrick Fitzroy and Gabe Wax, Heavy Heart’s Dowsabel is out now and available via all digital platforms.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mt. Doubt - Unravelling.
Scottish Fiction are proud to present Unravelling, the brand new single from Edinburgh alternative five-piece Mt. Doubt.
Returning with their first new music of 2019, Unravelling sees Mt. Doubt working with producer Rod Jones (Idlewild, The Birthday Suit) at Post Electric Studios, giving the band a fresh lease of life. The single builds throughout with chiming keys and melodic guitars swooning behind rich, warm vocals.
Lyrically the track continues to display frontman Leo Bargery's penchant for societal observations. The song rails against the negative impacts of our phones, social media and the culture of incessant self-documentation whilst yearning for a reconnection with the natural world; sequoia trees, buzzards and all.
Unravelling was be released digitally on all platforms on 29th March 2019 via Scottish Fiction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh Alexander - Closing.
The majority of 2018 saw multi-instrumentalist Josh Alexander working as a bike mechanic and finishing his studies whilst residing with his girlfriend in the Netherlands. This time abroad, steeped in the cultivation of story and discipline, nurtured Josh’s expressive power and the emergence of his rousing single Closing.
Closing is a heart breaking exposition into the beauty and pain of long distance love. The struggles with time zones, distance, intimacy and simple connection are expressed with undulating emotion and gospel-like declarations, countered with the delicate moments of reunion and the tender memories that are a made in such a circumstances.
Seeing this song come to fruition was a long time coming. Closing came really naturally to me when I began writing it and I knew I had to use it somehow. My girlfriend and I had been apart for a while, and it was becoming more apparent to formulate lyrics around the struggles of long distance relationships. Peter and I thought we would just do a short acoustic version and smash it out in a day, but 5 days in the studio later, we had a full and final version that we couldn’t have been any happier with.’ - Josh Alexander
Music has always been a vital part of Josh’s life. Whether it was learning to write songs at age 11, or performing in front of various crowds, there was no doubt for him that music was paramount. After spending time in his teenage years learning multiple instruments, such as trumpet, guitar, drums and piano, Josh Alexander began to fully flesh out his musical ideas, bringing them to life modestly in his own bedroom. The result of this was a surplus of 60 tracks, but it was not until he moved to the Netherlands in 2018 that Closing was realised.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wy - Tired II.
Ahead of the release of their highly anticipated second album 'Softie', Swedish duo Wy have today shared a new taster of the record; the sincere and anthemic 'Tired II'. Written about being close to giving up, but pushing through your lowest moments, the spellbinding single is accompanied by a deeply personal video, which was directed by the band's singer Ebba and features both herself and fellow member/lover Michel.
Ebba says of the video, "We filmed it during the fall and winter of last year, which was a really tough time for both of us. I had a job that was killing me, we broke up with our current record label, we fought with our friends, we were forced to leave our apartment and cancel our tour. It was just a lot at the same time. We came up with the idea because we wanted to balance out the drama of the song with something simple and personal, and because of the circumstances the video became really important to us. I get very emotional when I watch it because this is the first time one of our videos is showing Michel how I see him, and how he sees me."
The band's earnest eleven track sophomore album is set for release on 30th April via Hybris/Beatnik, and includes the previously released, BBC 6Music supported singles 'Pavements' and 'Softie'. It follows their debut LP 'Okay', which became something of an underground sensation and garnered the highest praise with comparisons to Slowdive, Cigarettes After Sex and Mazzy Star. The new record is set to further cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around right now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trudy and the Romance - Doghouse.
Trudy and the Romance reveal new single Doghouse alongside a vintage semi-cartoon video in the storied lineage of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Space Jam, directed by Homer & Farley and animated by Thunderpuss (AKA Amber McCall). It’s dropping just after they’re set to let their unique doo-wop sound loose in Austin, Texas, as an official SXSW showcase act for 2019, including a session with acclaimed tastemaker Desert Daze.
The timeless sound is accompanied by a timeless silver-screen theme; regret at a lovers’ squabble, a relatable yearning for putting romantic mistakes right. On this frontman Olly Taylor explains the video as “a noir with vibrant cartoons; troubled ne'er-do-well Little Johnny is lonely and out of luck. Fortunately magic sparks and the wonderful world comes to party.”
It’s the second act in their ride through the mutant 50s pop and self-declared alligator rock-n-roll of their eagerly-anticipated debut album Sandman. Following scene-setting opener The Original Doo-Wop Spacemen it maintains their flair for dreamboat-pop through Spector rhythms, and nods to Jonathan Richman, Louis Prima, Brian Wilson’s wall of sound, film composers Henry Mancini and Bernard Herrmann, and the golden age of Disney.
”Doghouse is our Hollywood thud & number 1 hit in another dimension. Waiting on a lover & always caught in the rain” says Olly, “With glitter on its socks to put diamonds on the soles of your shoes. An all-night fiery dance-floor bop, half way to heaven on the roof of a 7 car pile-up.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alice Tambourine Lover - Blow Away.
'Blow Away', is the first single off Down Below, a new album by psych/blues/desert rock duo Alice Tambourine Lover.
Wandering between lazy Mazzy Star/Cowboy Junkies atmospheres and more gritty moments reminiscent of Mark Lanegan, the comeback of Bologna-based duo Alice Tambourine Lover lingers on their stripped down psych blues signature sound, this time plunging more on the psychedelic side, still keeping a folk-like authenticity.
Alice Tambourine Lover were founded in 2011 as a side-project of psych band Alix, with five albums released among which Ground, recorded by David Lenci and Good One, recorded by Steve Albini. In 2012 they played All Tomorrow’s Parties Festival, headlined by Neurosis, Shellac, Red Fang, Uzeda.
They have released, all on Go Down Records, Naked Songs (2012), Star Rovers (2013) and Like A Rose (2015), which features two songs by Dandy Brown (Hermano, Orquesta Del Desierto) and John Garcia (Kyuss, Unida, Hermano).
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Friday, 1 March 2019
VOIID - Seatbelts - Wy - Junodream - Jonny Kosmo - Morabeza Tobacco
VOIID just cut to the chase with Vile, a punk fuelled song without the pretence, but armed with plenty of hooks. Seatbelts 'Spanish Songs' is a refined piece that mixes fine vocals, harmonies and a few spoken words whilst the refreshing musical backdrop adds more. The vocals on 'Softie' are gorgeous and distinctive ensuring Wy standout, as they tease us with this taste of the forthcoming album. Junodream offer some rhythmic indie rock with some sparkling guitar as 'Terrible Things That Could Happen' hits the spot. Jonny Cosmo's quirky video makes a good companion for 'Circus Of Dreams' a catchy vibrant song with plenty of charm. Morabeza Tobacco have a rich and expansive sound for just a duo, what's more their music is lush, melodic and just so dreamy.
VOIID - Vile.
Taking no prisoners with an authentic riot grrrl approach, VOIID's latest belter 'Vile' isn't too dissimilar from what has come before, instead acting as a vivid sign post for what's next.
The video is the ideal DIY affair, directed by Hey Aidan and capturing the band in their natural habitat while confronting the band's punk aesthetic accurately.
The band says of the song: "‘Vile’ is a song written about a personal experience that caused a lot of hardship and pain. While the lyrics convey negative connotations, they are relatable to a lot of situations people in their late teens can go through."
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Seatbelts - Spanish Songs.
Seatbelts have released their first track of 2019, ‘Spanish Songs’. The second single from their forthcoming EP, ‘Please Slow Down’ - ‘Spanish Songs’ is a thrillingly upbeat and lively ode to the idea of a country. A gonzo-snapshot of way of life, which brings the band’s avant-pop influences to the fore. By using a male-female vocal arrangement, which dances from English to Spanish, Seatbelts tell of the relationships formed between people and place.
As with their previous release, multi-instrumentalist, Nick Branton (Dead Hedge Trio) joins Seatbelts, this time providing bright, mariachi-inspired cornet lines, over the excited “ba ba ba ba ba!” of the backing-vocalists. This joyful experimentation makes for layered, energetic choruses, showcasing an openness to the potential chaos of collaborative-songwriting. A process which Seatbelts’ seem eager to explore.
Towards the end of the track, we hear the lines: “Hay algo real, hay algo fácil, there’s something out there I’d like to find,” sung over drummer, Alex Quinn’s hypnotic beat, and Abi Woods’ (keyboard, vocals) sun-searching synth lines. It’s in this moment when we begin to feel the pull - the sizzling heat, the Spanish skies, the Sangría-drenched dream.
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Wy - Softie.
Swedish duo Wy have announced the follow up to last year's critically acclaimed, underground debut album 'Okay'; with their forthcoming LP 'Softie' - a highly personal, eleven track account from the pair (real names Ebba and Michel), due for release on 30th April via Hybris and Beatnik. With the release of their debut, Wy garnered the highest praise with comparisons to Slowdive, Cigarettes After Sex and Mazzy Star, and the new record is set to further cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around right now. In tandem with the news, they have released a new single; the album title track, which you can listen to via the link below.
This latest track release is loaded with vulnerability; it's a raw, spell-binding ode and apology to those on the receiving end of singer Ebba's bouts of depression. In her words, "Being really down makes me a jerk to people. But if I'm being a jerk to you that probably means I love you very much. It's very complicated." The single follows the recently released 'Pavements'; a gritty, bold and electric release which was championed by Lauren Laverne at BBC 6Music and described by Consequence of Sound as "weaving atmospheric compositions and emotional lyricism".
The album is very much a statement on the turbulence of human existence, written from Ebba's experience of being bipolar. With their clarity in emotion and unapologetic use of lyrics, it's an important record in more ways than one. She explains, "'Softie' is an attempt at proving there is more than one way of being a functioning human being. The album is about coping, growing out of your fears, learning how to distance yourself from your anxieties and the ups and downs that comes with being bipolar. 'Softie' is ultimately about releasing the pressure from yourself and that's what we have been doing in the process of writing these songs. We ended up with a record that was turbulent, back and forth and non-conforming. And we love that, because it feels very 'us' and we really wanted our second album to hit you in the face rather than rock you to sleep."
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Junodream - Terrible Things That Could Happen.
Bristol born, and now London based band Junodream are announcing the release of their debut EP 'Terrible Things That Could Happen'; as well as sharing the first single and title track.
A 90s inflected indie rock cut bursting with vibrant guitar based instrumentation - the new single..."is a one way conversation between a couple in a car," explains the band's Dougal Gray. "Trying to get a response - by saying increasingly weird things - from someone too distant to listen. It's comical but also very sad."
Taking inspiration from artists such as Beck, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Pavement - the band have undergone many transformations over the years; recently "evolving into our superior form", as the band succinctly put it. That superior form is Junodream.
Having already surpassed over 1 million streams on Spotify, with no management or label backing, the band have also built up a heady live reputation in London in the short time they've existed as Junodream. Headlining venues such as The Pickle Factory and Bermondsey Social Club along the way - they've busied themselves self-recording and releasing various tracks over the past 12 months - the latest of which, their debut EP 'Terrible Things That Could Happen'. Due for self-release on 12th April, the EP was self-recorded by the band in an old cottage in Andover, using mattresses and pillows for soundproofing.
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Jonny Kosmo -- Circus of Dreams.
Jonny Kosmo shares new single/video "Circus of Dreams" with his forthcoming record out today.
Los Angeles artist Jonny Kosmo is no stranger to groove, most recently performing as the bassist for Los Angeles’ psych-pop synth outfit Mr. Elevator. Steeped in pop-strange composition and a rich history of musical theater, Kosmo creates songs full of color, movement, and imagination all while keeping ears dosed in a palette of shimmery soul.
Kosmo’s solo debut demonstrates the dynamic hues and shapes his songwriting takes. The LP sees the invitation of funk/r&b idol Aldous RH, drummer Miles Wintner (Ian Sweet), synth-genius Tomas Dolas (Mr. Elevator/Thee Oh Sees), as well as a collaboration with Kassie Carlson (Guerilla Toss). Self-titled release Jonny Kosmo leaves the listener in soundscapes of wonderment and honeyed possibility. The album was recorded by seasoned producer Tomas Dolas at Studio 22 in Los Angeles California.
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Morabeza Tobacco - Ally McBeal.
Swedish duo Morabeza Tobacco have always been ones to repurpose cult TV shows into their music. With their previous single ‘Defenders Of The Glam’ taken from the 80s cartoon series Defenders Of The Earth, the pair now return with their latest release ‘Ally McBeal’, although it is not actually inspired by the hit TV show. 2018 was a blinding debut year for the band, culminating with Pitchfork naming previous single ‘TTYL’ in the Top 100 Tracks of 2018.
“We’re not sure actually [where the name came from]”, the band say. “We were talking about what to name the song, then ‘Ally McBeal’ popped up and both of us thought ‘yeah, that’s the one’. One theory we have is that we associated it with one of the lines in the song (‘it’s no big deal’ =Ally McBeal)”.
Stepping away from the more groove-filled singles of recent, ‘Ally McBeal’ looks to be the band’s more ethereal and psychedelic release, With notable comparisons to the likes of Animal Collective and Toro Y Moi, the single is filled with dreamlike synths and subtle yet commanding basslines that give this new release a very grand and cinematic-like experience.
Speaking about the creation of their latest track, the pair added, “All of it was pretty much written and produced one afternoon. The feel and the harmony were inspired by The Land Before Time, another one of those nostalgia trips. It’s probably the saddest song we’ve written so far. We have one song on the upcoming album that is another candidate in the competition of being the saddest song. Let’s hope that ‘Ally McBeal’ is gonna help some people open up their tear canals for a little cry that makes them feel better afterwards”.
‘Ally McBeal’ is set to feature on the group’s long-awaited new studio album, alongside a number of previously shared singles, adding “It’s going to be an album with eleven songs we have worked on for a long time and that are all unique. You can expect love ballads with wobbly synths, groovy tracks with mystique and our take on lo-fi pop”.
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VOIID - Vile.
Taking no prisoners with an authentic riot grrrl approach, VOIID's latest belter 'Vile' isn't too dissimilar from what has come before, instead acting as a vivid sign post for what's next.
The video is the ideal DIY affair, directed by Hey Aidan and capturing the band in their natural habitat while confronting the band's punk aesthetic accurately.
The band says of the song: "‘Vile’ is a song written about a personal experience that caused a lot of hardship and pain. While the lyrics convey negative connotations, they are relatable to a lot of situations people in their late teens can go through."
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Seatbelts - Spanish Songs.
Seatbelts have released their first track of 2019, ‘Spanish Songs’. The second single from their forthcoming EP, ‘Please Slow Down’ - ‘Spanish Songs’ is a thrillingly upbeat and lively ode to the idea of a country. A gonzo-snapshot of way of life, which brings the band’s avant-pop influences to the fore. By using a male-female vocal arrangement, which dances from English to Spanish, Seatbelts tell of the relationships formed between people and place.
As with their previous release, multi-instrumentalist, Nick Branton (Dead Hedge Trio) joins Seatbelts, this time providing bright, mariachi-inspired cornet lines, over the excited “ba ba ba ba ba!” of the backing-vocalists. This joyful experimentation makes for layered, energetic choruses, showcasing an openness to the potential chaos of collaborative-songwriting. A process which Seatbelts’ seem eager to explore.
Towards the end of the track, we hear the lines: “Hay algo real, hay algo fácil, there’s something out there I’d like to find,” sung over drummer, Alex Quinn’s hypnotic beat, and Abi Woods’ (keyboard, vocals) sun-searching synth lines. It’s in this moment when we begin to feel the pull - the sizzling heat, the Spanish skies, the Sangría-drenched dream.
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Wy - Softie.
Swedish duo Wy have announced the follow up to last year's critically acclaimed, underground debut album 'Okay'; with their forthcoming LP 'Softie' - a highly personal, eleven track account from the pair (real names Ebba and Michel), due for release on 30th April via Hybris and Beatnik. With the release of their debut, Wy garnered the highest praise with comparisons to Slowdive, Cigarettes After Sex and Mazzy Star, and the new record is set to further cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around right now. In tandem with the news, they have released a new single; the album title track, which you can listen to via the link below.
This latest track release is loaded with vulnerability; it's a raw, spell-binding ode and apology to those on the receiving end of singer Ebba's bouts of depression. In her words, "Being really down makes me a jerk to people. But if I'm being a jerk to you that probably means I love you very much. It's very complicated." The single follows the recently released 'Pavements'; a gritty, bold and electric release which was championed by Lauren Laverne at BBC 6Music and described by Consequence of Sound as "weaving atmospheric compositions and emotional lyricism".
The album is very much a statement on the turbulence of human existence, written from Ebba's experience of being bipolar. With their clarity in emotion and unapologetic use of lyrics, it's an important record in more ways than one. She explains, "'Softie' is an attempt at proving there is more than one way of being a functioning human being. The album is about coping, growing out of your fears, learning how to distance yourself from your anxieties and the ups and downs that comes with being bipolar. 'Softie' is ultimately about releasing the pressure from yourself and that's what we have been doing in the process of writing these songs. We ended up with a record that was turbulent, back and forth and non-conforming. And we love that, because it feels very 'us' and we really wanted our second album to hit you in the face rather than rock you to sleep."
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Junodream - Terrible Things That Could Happen.
Bristol born, and now London based band Junodream are announcing the release of their debut EP 'Terrible Things That Could Happen'; as well as sharing the first single and title track.
A 90s inflected indie rock cut bursting with vibrant guitar based instrumentation - the new single..."is a one way conversation between a couple in a car," explains the band's Dougal Gray. "Trying to get a response - by saying increasingly weird things - from someone too distant to listen. It's comical but also very sad."
Taking inspiration from artists such as Beck, Brian Jonestown Massacre, and Pavement - the band have undergone many transformations over the years; recently "evolving into our superior form", as the band succinctly put it. That superior form is Junodream.
Having already surpassed over 1 million streams on Spotify, with no management or label backing, the band have also built up a heady live reputation in London in the short time they've existed as Junodream. Headlining venues such as The Pickle Factory and Bermondsey Social Club along the way - they've busied themselves self-recording and releasing various tracks over the past 12 months - the latest of which, their debut EP 'Terrible Things That Could Happen'. Due for self-release on 12th April, the EP was self-recorded by the band in an old cottage in Andover, using mattresses and pillows for soundproofing.
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Jonny Kosmo -- Circus of Dreams.
Jonny Kosmo shares new single/video "Circus of Dreams" with his forthcoming record out today.
Los Angeles artist Jonny Kosmo is no stranger to groove, most recently performing as the bassist for Los Angeles’ psych-pop synth outfit Mr. Elevator. Steeped in pop-strange composition and a rich history of musical theater, Kosmo creates songs full of color, movement, and imagination all while keeping ears dosed in a palette of shimmery soul.
Kosmo’s solo debut demonstrates the dynamic hues and shapes his songwriting takes. The LP sees the invitation of funk/r&b idol Aldous RH, drummer Miles Wintner (Ian Sweet), synth-genius Tomas Dolas (Mr. Elevator/Thee Oh Sees), as well as a collaboration with Kassie Carlson (Guerilla Toss). Self-titled release Jonny Kosmo leaves the listener in soundscapes of wonderment and honeyed possibility. The album was recorded by seasoned producer Tomas Dolas at Studio 22 in Los Angeles California.
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Morabeza Tobacco - Ally McBeal.
Swedish duo Morabeza Tobacco have always been ones to repurpose cult TV shows into their music. With their previous single ‘Defenders Of The Glam’ taken from the 80s cartoon series Defenders Of The Earth, the pair now return with their latest release ‘Ally McBeal’, although it is not actually inspired by the hit TV show. 2018 was a blinding debut year for the band, culminating with Pitchfork naming previous single ‘TTYL’ in the Top 100 Tracks of 2018.
“We’re not sure actually [where the name came from]”, the band say. “We were talking about what to name the song, then ‘Ally McBeal’ popped up and both of us thought ‘yeah, that’s the one’. One theory we have is that we associated it with one of the lines in the song (‘it’s no big deal’ =Ally McBeal)”.
Stepping away from the more groove-filled singles of recent, ‘Ally McBeal’ looks to be the band’s more ethereal and psychedelic release, With notable comparisons to the likes of Animal Collective and Toro Y Moi, the single is filled with dreamlike synths and subtle yet commanding basslines that give this new release a very grand and cinematic-like experience.
Speaking about the creation of their latest track, the pair added, “All of it was pretty much written and produced one afternoon. The feel and the harmony were inspired by The Land Before Time, another one of those nostalgia trips. It’s probably the saddest song we’ve written so far. We have one song on the upcoming album that is another candidate in the competition of being the saddest song. Let’s hope that ‘Ally McBeal’ is gonna help some people open up their tear canals for a little cry that makes them feel better afterwards”.
‘Ally McBeal’ is set to feature on the group’s long-awaited new studio album, alongside a number of previously shared singles, adding “It’s going to be an album with eleven songs we have worked on for a long time and that are all unique. You can expect love ballads with wobbly synths, groovy tracks with mystique and our take on lo-fi pop”.
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Saturday, 15 April 2017
The Foreign Resort - Wy - Idiio - Hajk - John K. Samson

Background - Danish post-punk trio The Foreign Resort release their new single 'She is Lost' on April 19. This is the first song from the band’s next full length album, marking a return to the analogue sound of their 'New Frontiers' album, only this time the sound is more minimalistic and with plenty of electronics and spacious drums to create a dreamy yet upbeat soundscape full of contrast. The release is timed with a 10-day Canadian tour and a performance in Toronto at the prestigious Canadian Music Week.
For lead singer Mikkel B. Jakobsen 'She is Lost' is a very personal song about what he sarcastically refers to as “the summer of love”: “It was one of the worst summers in my life. I came out strong on the other side, but this song was written partly when things were looking very bad and I was not doing the right things to get to a better place and partly when I had realized it was not just me who was the problem. Hence the title 'She is Lost'.”
The band has also contributed the track 'Skyline/Decay' to 'Alternative F?acts: A Shoegaze Resistance Compilation'. Curated by DKFM Shoegaze Radio, this involves shoegaze and dream pop artists in opposition to tyranny, and in support of civil liberties and women's health. All proceeds from this compilation shall be split evenly between American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood.
The Foreign Resort are Denmark's finest musical export of post-punk and dark new wave, led by singer and songwriter Mikkel Borbjerg Jakobsen. The band combines the shadowy mysticism of The Cure’s Pornography era with a driving production aesthetic akin to LCD Soundsystem. Intricate reverb-enveloped guitar lines glide over Steffan Petersen’s motorik bass and Morten Hansen’s powerful drumming, all while Mikkel’s taut and sincere vocal delivery demands your attention. Bandcamp here, Facebook here, website here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.
We are featuring the album version of the new single release 'She Is Lost'. With a very tight rhythm and vocals and guitar carrying the melody, this is a gorgeously refined post punk song.
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Background - Wy stands out like a diamond in the rough in the midst of the occurring comeback of the dream pop genre. The duo combines mellow instrumentation with attitude and desperation - incisive guitar melodies in combination with Ebba's powerful vocals make their songs swiftly shift between a feeling of dejection and hope.
With their floating synthesizers and melancholic guitars Wy do sad pop music where bare emotions are camouflaged by reverbed pop melodies. This young duo serves up a taste of tears in heaven.
With their debut-EP "Never Was" they gave a glimpse of the deep emotion that lays ground for their contemporary sound. Their upcoming first full-length LP "Okay" will seek to arouse even deeper emotions, with the duo continuing their exploration of the doubt and confusion of being a 20-something today.
Preserving their sound, but in a well-groomed manner, the first single "Bathrooms" from their upcoming album surely will touch some of your inner areas that you might have forgotten about. Facebook here.
Deep, dreamy and slowly flowing 'Bathrooms' is a beautiful soulful and moody sounding pop song. Full of emotion, the video helps convey the feeling further. Keeping a watch for the new album.
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Background - Raised in Christchurch, New Zealand and now residing on the Gold Coast, Australia, Idiio are known for their passion towards music. They strive to create emotion through music around people, whatever the situation may be. Idiio are keen as biscuits to today release their new single into our ears. After receiving worldwide adornment with their breakout single, 'Holding Me Back', Idiio's new track, 'One Night' is out today via GD FRNDS.
'One Night' is Idiio appearing as their most resolute to date. Distinctly haunting, the song cruises on neo-soul vibes before descending into some cleverly structured, yet weighty and solemn bass dips. Taking cues from contemporaries Sampha and Jarryd James, Idiio craft ingenious and sensual electronica.
Frontman Tyler Vivian said this about the track, "'One Night' is a calling from a higher energy that you are pouring your heart and soul into. You'd grow with that person being the blossomed flowers on the tree that represents you. But the higher energy gives you insight to be weary about who this person really is, under all the roses. Put trust in that consciousness, put trust in your gut feeling."
After a generous heap of lineup shifts and now adding two live members as permanent editions, Idiio retain as a blusterous four-piece format–sparing nothing when it comes to their power of soul electronica. Emotions are high for Idiio's reinventive clench on electronic music and 'One Night' pushes them further into the void. Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.
Mixing soul and electronic music in a highly creative manner Idiio have delivered a superb song with 'One Night'. Vocals bring the soulful feelings and the soundtrack is rich in content and something to be enjoyed with the volume just a little up!
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Background - Hajk's new single 'Nothing Left To Say' is out this week on all streaming services. Debut album 'Hajk' out Spring 17 via Jansen Plateproduksjon.
Hajk’s debut album is finally here, and the newest member of the Jansen family dazzles us all. Their beguiling mix of indie and intricate pop smarts has gone straight to the hearts of the listeners and fans.
Their first release, Common Sense, was listed by Norwegian radio stations almost before the band got out of their rehearsal space, and the follow-up single Magazine received a great reception from international media. In the US, Vice picked up the single straight away, and this blazed the trail for the band over there. Indie Shuffle went on to include Magazine in their top 10 songs of 2016.
Considering that they’re such a fresh band, Hajk have been surprisingly quick to adjust themselves. Not long after they’d written enough for a set of music, they played at Slottsfjellfestivalen, Øyafestivalen and by:Larm. They were playlisted by radio before they left the stage at those festivals, and now they’re here – with a confident debut and a collection of songs that any band would have envied.
Hajk are fronted by Preben Sælid Andersen and Sigrid Aase, who share the vocals, while Johan Nord (drums), Knut Olav Buverud Sandvik (bass) and Einar Næss Haugeth (keys) are the band’s backbone. Musically, Hajk are situated in a modern landscape, but looking back to the fine pop of the past, with an emphasis on very strong melodies. The band are influenced by artists like Dirty Projectors, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Amason, but still they stand firmly on their own feet, with an original sound that also challenges the genre they belong to. Facebook here.
'Nothing Left To Say' might be described as funky indie pop, and as such you can expect plenty of hooks alongside some vibrant music and vocals.
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Background - John K. Samson has released a new video for “Alpha Adept”, a song from his latest full-length album, Winter Wheat, which was released in October last year, on Anti-.
The video was made by John K. Samson’s good friend and musician/artist Shotgun Jimmie, who made the video for John as a present.
John K. Samson will be touring in Europe and UK in May this year. Website here, Facebook here, tour details on Beehive Candy's tour page.
Second time around on Beehive Candy for John K Samson and this time with the new video for 'Alpha Adept'. Another fetching song that is accompanied by some intriguing images that give there own story line to the song.
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