Kylie Odetta - Swimming Tapes - Rival Cavves - High Signs - Monogold

Kylie Odetta - Stress.

Background - 19-year-old Kylie Odetta has always been able to access a musical maturity that transcends her age. By 6 she was playing piano fluidly, by 12 she was recording her own material in her own iconic style and, as of 2017, has clocked in hundreds of shows that include opening slots for Gavin DeGraw, Colbie Callait and Mat Kearny. 

The slow-burning R&B that is saturating the mainstream as of late was always in alignment with Odetta’s sensibilities, culminating in 2016’s High Dreamer EP which was a pivotal moment in her musical trajectory, both personally and professionally. Its bluesy ballads accessed the lower register of her sultry voice, drawing comparisons to contemporary soul torchbearers like Yuna, Lianne La Havas and Adele and securing coverage in outlets as varied as Paste and The Music Ninja. 

Odetta’s mellow yet modern aesthetic was molded from a youth spent listening to both top 40 radio while entrenching herself in the pantheon of jazz pianists: Ellington, Monk, Coltrane, etc.… The symbiosis between pop and blues has always been apparent in her unique style and is something she drew on heavily when returning to the studio earlier this year. The name of her newest EP, Undertow, plays on her intention to follow her muse and not defer to mainstream trends - moving in a direction that is different from that of the surface current.

Undertow is due out May 19th, website here, Facebook here.

If I describe 'Stress' as resplendent, beguiling and similar, I might still be accused of understating just how good this song is. Kylie Odetta is young, pretty and can sing, enough these day's to have TV talent shows falling over themselves to hype her up. A closer listen at both her vocals and piano skills, suggests there is some real depth to Kylie's musical interpretation and naturally developed talent. Resplendent, beguiling? go watch and listen (here), and decide for yourself!

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Swimming Tapes - Queen's Parade.

Background - London-based indie band Swimming Tapes share new track "Queen's Parade". The track was produced by Adam Jaffrey (Palace, Gengahr, Leif Erikson). Stay tuned for more details on the new EP which will feature the single, to be announced soon. The band have announced a number of UK tour dates, including stops at The Great Escape and Dot To Dot Festivals, and a headline show at The Lexington.

The now London-based five piece arrived in 2016 with a self released demo track, ‘Souvenirs’, which quickly won them acclaim from the blogging world. Follow up tracks ‘Set The Fire’ and ‘Cameos’ saw them reach the top spot on the Hype Machine chart, earned the band their first play from BBC Radio 1, and tipped them well over 1 million track streams on Spotify. Swimming Tapes rounded off the year with the release of their debut EP, named after their first single ‘Souvenirs’, on burgeoning London indie label Hand In Hive, and have firmly cemented themselves as ones to watch for 2017.

"Queen's Parade" is available digitally now via B3SCI Records (US) and Hand In Hive Records (UK). Swimming Tapes are Robbie Reid (guitar + vocals), Louis Price (guitar + vocals), Jason Hawthorne (guitar), Paddy Conn (bass), and Andrew Evans (drums). Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Swimming Tapes clearly have an ear for a fine melody and 'Queen's Parade' is no exception. Bright indie music with some appealing vocals and harmonies, backed by some glittering guitar lead music makes for a very catchy track.

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Rival Cavves - Creep.

Background - Marissa Longstreet and Matthew Lieberman first encountered one another in 2012. An LA native, Lieberman's new group Magic Bronson was looking for a rehearsal/studio space and had stumbled upon a warehouse in the San Fernando Valley that seemed to fit what they wanted. Upon arrival, Lieberman met the owner's sister who happened to be Longstreet. 

Having recently moved to LA from upstate New York, Longstreet was fronting an indie dance band and just getting her feet wet in the LA music scene. Over the next 3 years Lieberman and Longstreet found themselves playing multiple shows together with their respective bands.

Fast forward to 2015 when Lieberman moved into the same North Hollywood neighborhood as Longstreet. They began to hang out more frequently and spent a lot of late nights listening to Lieberman's record collection and showing each other new music and bands. Using his vintage Roland Juno-106 Synthesizer, Lieberman began making beats influenced by these hangouts and started giving them to Longstreet. 

Armed with a mic and laptop she began putting Lieberman's beats into garage band and tracking vocal ideas. Within a few weeks they had a number of songs and Rival Cavves was officially born. The duo debuted in June ’16 with the buzzed single “EZ Way Out” which Indie Shuffle called "a dream/synth-pop electronic jam that exudes LA vibes and LA swag.”  Their 7 song self-titled debut expands on their unique ability to fuse dream & electro-pop in the best possible way. Lieberman’s array of glitchy synths and sweeping soundscapes provide the perfect springboard for Longstreet’s bouncy, poetic and hypnotic vocals. Facebook here.

'Creep' builds around a focused synthy rhythm and some understated and yet menacing and plaintive vocals, now there's a juxtaposition. Or in English, it's a fabulous electo song.

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High Signs - A Much Larger Ocean.

Background from High Signs - We just released our new single “A Much Larger Ocean”. It’s a song about the struggle to remain positive without clinging to empty hope or unfounded optimism.

Staying present, grounded, and connected to what and who we care about is more of an action than a desire, but it is one that needs to constantly be teased out. Even if we can find this piece of mind for just a moment, it is something we can hold onto and continue to find strength in. If nothing else, it is a mindset to aspire to.

After forming in the basement of a DIY venue in Toronto, we reset our approach to music in 2016, focusing on writing songs that are honest and simple. “A Much Larger Ocean” exemplifies our process, and acts as an introduction to our full-length debut “If So, Then What?”.  Recorded by Collin Young at B-Town Sound, and mixed by Jesse Gander (Japandroids, White Lung), the album will be released this summer. Facebook here.

'A Much Larger Ocean' launches itself like a whirlwind going at breakneck speed and refuses to ease off. Two and a half minutes of perfect rock uproar, now that's enough to wake a good few listeners.

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Monogold - Naked.

Background - Brooklyn-based Monogold have just shared their artistic new video for "Naked," taken off of their latest release, Yolk, out now via Chill Mega Chill Records.

Since the release of 2015's Good Heavens, which was Monogold's acoustic-based effort, they have torn down any preconceived notions that they or anyone else had of them. After completely stripping down their sound for Good Heavens, the Monogold boys took this new foundation of simplicity and started building with their signature, catchy power-trio melodies and hooks. They still like to go deep on the lush soundscapes, but their songs have become a bit more focused and driven by the instrumentation and the vocals. 

With their new EP in hand titled, Yolk (Chill Mega Chill Records) out now, Kelly, Apuzzo, and Falotico are giving the world a small taste of what is to come in the future of the band. The four song EP is a prelude to another full-length record which is in the process of being mixed right now. As with their new found musical simplicity, the lyrical content will tackle the simple things: breastfeeding, giving birth, being born, sex, bugs, and more.

There's about two albums worth of songs written, and Monogold couldn't bear to keep them to themselves anymore. Facebook here, Bandcamp here.

An intriguing music video that's charming in it's own right, just happens to be accompanied by a fabulous and equally artistic song that is 'Naked'. Warning this is exceptionally catchy!


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CIITY - TAWLS - Sophia Kennedy - Martin Simpson - Lød - Witching Waves

CIITY - DNVR.

Background - Dallas based Indie-Pop band, CIITY, have been creating music since 2015. Their highly anticipated new single, ‘DNVR’, just might end up in your summer playlist.

The latest single from their EP Parallels, the song was recorded at The Lair studios and produced by Matt Noveskey: owner of Austin based Orb Recording Studios. Singer Carter Davis says, “‘DNVR’ is about not seizing the opportunity you were given and having to live with the regret of never having the fulfilment you wanted.” 

This song is an Electronic/Alternative mixture that creates a cloud of ambient swells, driving drums, and catchy synths to peak interest in the listener. A perfect match for fans of The 1975, St. Lucia, Foster the People, and Coldplay.

CIITY, has been making waves across the North Texas community since the release of their first single, ‘Late Night Confession’, in October 2016 and continue to lure new listeners with their creative lyrics and unique sound. North Texas radio stations like 91.7 KXT and 96.7 the local ticket frequently feature their newly released EP. Website here, Facebook here.

With a smoothly textured electronic feel and some fine and distinctive vocals 'DNVR' is a vibrant and pacy indie song.

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TAWLS - 2+2.

Background - TAWLS is a treasure chest of original songs and stories which draw on an eclectic mix of folk, nursery rhymes and electronica.

Their debut single, ‘2+2’ bursts into our ears with the nostalgic sounds of a playground. It whisks you into day-dreams of simpler times, while tackling grown-up questions about relationship fights and compromise. “We’re supposed to be grown up, so how come it feels like we’re still just two kids trying to navigate the monkey bars?” say TAWLS on the meaning of ‘2 + 2’. It’s a melting pot of influences; textural production, an understated singing approach and unexpected rhythmic punctuations. One may hear elements of Sufjan Stevens, Regina Spektor and Hiatus Kaiyote.

Written and recorded in bedrooms across the country from Perth WA to Mittagong NSW, this song possesses a whimsical attraction and an infectious hook that will have you groovin’ in your boots.

This is the work of two musical nomads, from Perth, to Sydney to Berlin they live and breathe, creating and collaborating with music. TAWLS are euphorically uplifting.

‘The Adventures of Wonderchild & Little Seal’ (TAWLS) is a chronicle of the musical escapades of Anna-Kat (Wonderchild) and Ronan Chapple (Little Seal). Anna-Kat and Ronan both completed the Bmus (Jazz Performance) at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. Facebook here.

Inventive and sprightly '2+2' mixes melodic vocals, alongside some intricate electronic sounds where the rhythm twists and turns creating a beautifully different song.

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Sophia Kennedy - Build Me A House.

Background - Elegant, melancholic, sometimes menacing, with smoldering piano melodies, desolately whistling organs, and a jaunty jaw's harp loop; kissed by the golden Californian sun, or shrouded in gloomy, dreary fog: Sophia Kennedy is currently the most versatile composer in German pop music – not to mention the greatest singer. Her debut album "Sophia Kennedy" reveals her as a dramatic romanticist and distanced diseuse, as a deft lyricist and master of melody. In her eleven songs, she travels from doo-wop to dubstep, from classic crooning to breathless R'n'B, from Frank Sinatra to Beyoncé. Her talent for songwriting is deeply rooted in history, yet it seeks nothing but the present: both historically versed and timelessly beautiful at the same time.

Sophia Kennedy produced and recorded the album together with Mense Reents, best known for his work with Die Vögel and Die Goldenen Zitronen. Together they developed the spartan arrangements and electronic textures that determine the willfully dense sound of this album. Often, Kennedy's voice is the only instrument that pursues a harmonic development over the repetitive structures. Then she doubles and multiplies her voice and sings alongside herself in a choir. She shines with bold syncopation over a hobbling piano, as well as in the field of the melancholic lament that suggests a late Beach Boys ballad. This results in multi-dimensional, highly individual music, which easily escapes all the traps of inwardness: just as her lyrics unfold from seemingly simple wordplay to subjective confessionals without ever regressing into the euphuistic pathos of romantic self-reflection.

This is the first songwriting record to be released on Pampa Records, and yet "Sophia Kennedy" is perfectly at home on this label, which for almost a decade has been making the connection between tradition and modernity, avant-garde inventiveness and pop sensibility. One can detect different traditions and historical impressions in every track – yet you can forego all the analysis and simply enjoy the craftsmanship with which Sophia Kennedy creates an absolutely contemporary musical language from her knowledge of classic songwriting: "I want to take tradition to the limits, to where it becomes extreme," she says, yet it sounds so easy and not at all preconceived. The unheard-of refinement of this music lies in its apparent simplicity: "You just can’t be afraid," says Sophia Kennedy, "that it turns out to be pop music." Facebook here.

If Sophia Kennedy's distinctive and delightful vocals don't get you on 'Build Me A House' then the piano lead and innovative music surely will. It's the only song I have heard from the new album and it's good enough to ensure I will check out the rest.


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Martin Simpson - Blues Run The Game.

Background - World renowned guitarist, singer and songwriter Martin Simpson releases his 20th solo album in 40 years ‘Trails & Tribulations’ on September 1st 2017 via Topic Records. The brand-new studio album, his first new solo work since 2013’s widely praised ‘Vagrant Stanzas’, will be available in standard and deluxe CD, digital download and standard vinyl (the latter through Vinyl 180).

‘Trails & Tribulations’ is a collection of songs about nature, about travels and about real life stories. There are traditional songs, poems and contemporary songs by great writers, and songs that I had to write because nobody else knew what I wanted to say. I travel, I learn songs, I write and try to get better at the skills required for me to do my job. I look at the world as I pass by, on the road, out of the train window, or as I stop and pay close attention to the square foot under my nose. There is so much to see and to hear and to inspire and to try and understand. I had a huge amount of fun playing and recording these songs, using different instruments, different noises, old friends and new ones, all of whom brought so much to the mix. Martin Simpson, April 2017.

Produced and engineered by Andy Bell, ‘Trails & Tribulations’ features some of Martin’s most inventive playing yet, showcasing his virtuosity on a variety of instruments including acoustic guitars, resonator guitars, Weissenbown lap steel guitar, electric guitars, 5 string banjo, ukulele – and voice.

Guest musicians on the new album are: Ben Nicholls (string bass and electric bass guitars), Toby Kearney (drums and percussion), Nancy Kerr (fiddle and viola), Andy Cutting (diatonic accordion and melodeon), John Smith (electric guitar and backing vocals), Helen Bell (strings), Amy Newhouse-Smith (backing vocals) and his daughter Molly Simpson on vocals. Website (includes tour details) here.

With his musical track record 'Blues Run The Game' reassures us that Martin Simpson can still turn out an inventive, original and top quality song. Melodic and with wonderful musical craftsmanship, the album may be a few months away, however I reckon it will be well worth the wait.


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Lød - Folder

Background - Danish group Lød have shared the icy, brilliant  "Folder" ahead of their first EP for Tough Love Records (worldwide ex-Denmark) & Part Time (Denmark). Limited to 300 copies on 12", you can pre-order the 4-track EP here.

The four original members of Lød formed after graduating school in Copenhagen, inspired by the post-punk that was prominent in the fervent, close-knit music community of the city. The first version of Lød was very much birthed in this same shadow: loud and heavy.

With time and addition of a fifth member, their sound began to rely less on distortion, foregoing aggression for a greater focus on melody and rhythm. Bands like LCD Soundsystem & Kraftwerk provided further inspiration and it became an ambition for Lød to create music that - while never taking the easy route - could make people dance. With their debut EP, released via London-based label Tough Love, they have very much achieved this. They're a dance band, in the same way one might consider NEU a dance band.

The recording of Folder began in October 2016 with engineer Julius Pedersen, who helped the band shape tracks that had taken more than six months to write. The result is a 24-minute, four song debut EP sung in Danish. You might consider it uncompromising were the songs not so accessible.

And despite their length, these are 'songs', with defined melodies and structure. Looping and monolithic, early commentators in their home country have noted a “trance-punk” aspect to their sound. Such nomenclature can be tedious, but it's not a million miles from the truth. Bringing to mind the likes of Preoccupations in their similarly propulsive take on post-punk, Lød add a further glacial edge indebted to both early industrial and no wave. Facebook here.

Now trance punk is a new genre for me, however it does help convey what the new track 'Folder' is all about. Rhythmic and potent, even at eight minutes length this is both addictive and play again material.

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Witching Waves - Better Run.

Background - Odd Box is delighted to be reissuing the debut album 'Fear Of Falling Down' by Witching Waves. The record was originally released on the Soft PowerRecordings (now sadly defunct) in 2014. It has long since sold out and the record sells for ££££s second hand. When Witching Waves approached the label with this idea it seemed to make perfect sense.  Here's some words from the band on why they wanted to reissue the LP.

Graeme from Soft Power came up to me after our set in front of literally no one in Edinburgh. It was our third gig with our new bass player, who had learned the songs in a soundcheck before an equally empty room in Manchester. Graeme said to me “I can’t wait to hear the EP, if even you wanted to do an album, we’d be up for that”. I politely thanked him, as my adrenaline soared. We were going to make An album based on this man’s very poor judgement. 

We had like five songs, and wrote six more. We recorded it. I agonised over every snare hit, and we made our first ever LP. Fear Of Falling Down came out in December 2014. I don’t think it made any charts. I think Tom Ravenscroft might have played ‘Better Run’ on his show. And we continued going up and down the country playing to almost no one.

Something strange happened though, ‘Better Run’ had a great video by Moe Meade, and a lot of people liked it. The record had received a glowing review in Drowned In Sound, and Norman Records, my favourite record shop, had deemed it worthy. Then the record sold out in less than a couple of months. All of our copies went in no time and before we knew it we were being asked where our LP was, and how people could get their hands on it. 

We’ve made another record since then, and that has done alright too. People still ask me about FOFD though, and seem at least moderately sad or genuinely put out when I say that we don’t have any left. One of those people happens to be Pete Dale out of Milky Wimpshake. Now it’s time for Fear Of Falling Down to get another shot, and be available to at least the people who asked for it the first time. Thanks to Trev from Oddbox this is possible, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll play to some people in Edinburgh. Bandcamp here.

The featured music video for 'Better Run' is mentioned in the promo above. It typifies the music found on the reissued 'Fear Of Falling Down' album, where unpretentious, hook laden totally natural songs are the norm.


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Zak Fleisher - Peaking Lights - Miranda Lee Richards - The Hurt

Zak Fleisher - Decisive.

Background - Zak Fleisher, a 23-year old Australian, is a multi-instrumental and talented singer songwriter. He starting playing guitar at age 7, there has been no looking back since.

Zak is excited to release his new single ‘Decisive’, through The A&R Department, marking his followup to debut ‘Green Girl’. In late 2015, Zak decided that it was time to take the leap of faith and play solo, playing shows in Western Australia, Melbourne, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Tel-Aviv and Vancouver. ‘Decisive’, which was originally written in late 2015, is broadly about making a decision with someone regarding a relationship. 

“For me it means either a ‘yes let’s go for it’, or a ‘no not for me’ attitude rather than the grey area of let’s see how this pans out. Either way, I can deal with the answer, the real trouble is getting that answer because people are too conscious of hurting other people’s feelings, which shows a higher degree of empathy but also a lack of those essential interpersonal skills that people use to have”, Zak said. “At the time of writing this, I was seeing someone I really had fallen for. All I wanted was a simple answer and the only way it seemed I could get that answer was through song.” 

‘Decisive’ was recorded at Head Gap studios in Melbourne and Produced by Finn Keane. Facebook here.

Some vibrant and breezy guitars provide a contrasting background for Zak's smooth vocals, on 'Decisive' a catchy indie song, that's both melodic and refreshing.

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Peaking Lights - I'll Be In The Sky.

Background - Peaking Lights new album 'The Fifth State Of Consciousness' is out 16th June 2017 on Two Flower Records. "A  journey thru an alien landscape where the dream world tells stories of lost innocence, finding strength and seeking an enlightened state of being after trials and tribulations all wrapped up in  two syrupy dubbed to the bone balearic pancakes sprinkled with powdered psychedelia.” — Peaking Lights

Peaking Lights’ fifth studio album, "The Fifth State Of Consciousness", is a 12-track, double LP produced in the band’s Dreamfuzz studio over the course of the last two years. 

Musically, the album shifts through many states from beginning to end, resembling a car journey through foreign landscapes. A sense of wonderment flows with each track and with every listen, new sounds and eccentricities begin to surface. Bringing together their love of Psychedelic music, House, Electronic and Reggae, each song lives and breathes it’s own life but as an album, remains knitted together by Peaking Lights’ tight, conceptual writing. Facebook here.

'I'll Be In The Sky' is the second track we have featured, that's taken from Peaking Light's forthcoming album 'The Fifth State Of Consciousness'. The song features some rich synth sounds, that provide a beautiful backdrop for the dreamy vocals, which in turn add to the overall atmospheric feel.

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Miranda Lee Richards - Lucid I Would Dream.

Background - Following 2016's Echoes Of The Dreamtime (4* MOJO & 8/10 Uncut); LA-based Miranda Lee Richards has announced the release of new album Existential Beast on June 16th via Invisible Hands Music. Existential Beast is a beautifully constructed album characteristic of the effortless, 70's influenced, country-tinged psychedelia, evident through Miranda's work. 

Existential Beast is a political album, examining the issues of our time, but with intent of tackling these difficult and sometimes taboo subjects in a poetic and heartfelt manner. The title is also a mash-up of terms, referencing the existential crisis that has in turn arisen.

“In varying degrees, we are all still working with the animal urges of fear, competition, survival, and sexuality that are deep-seeded and manifesting in different ways, depending on where people are at. Perhaps a more endearing outlook is to see this as an assignment in working with the inner child, who can at times behave like a wild beast. But like it or not, these tendencies have been revealed, within our leaders, our countries, and ourselves; it is indeed a pivotal and transformational time.” Miranda Lee Richards. Website here.

Taken from the 'Existential Beast' album due out next month we have 'Lucid I Would Dream'. Comprising of ten songs, the featured track is a good indicator of what to expect. Folk and country orientated music with plenty of melodic hooks, is taken further with some dreamy psychedelic influences that add richness and originality. Overall the calibre of the new album is very good, and should have a wide appeal.


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The Hurt - Sleeping.

Background - 'Sleeping' is an epic and brooding masterpiece. Co-written by Rikki Turner (Paris Angels) and Stephen Evans of Cabbage, the song is dark and beautifully sinister; Lo-fi American Gothic meets Cave and Cohen. 

Turner's baritone is commanding yet vulnerable, perfectly complimented by the eerily beautiful backing vocals of Jaq Gallier against a backdrop of mournful strings. Polished and pristine have no place here, 'Sleeping' is raw and pensive, it hisses and crackles with emotion.

The single marks the return of prolific songwriter Rikki Turner and his musical collective The Hurt. Having spent the last eighteen months collaborating and co-producing on Manchester's dynamic music scene, Turner unveiled the products of these studio sessions with the release of Summer 2016's critically acclaimed new single 'Berlin' along with a free download of Nico's 'One Last Chance'.

Returning to the studio, March 2017 has seen him emerge once again to launch Blindside Records in conjuntion with the enigmatic Lady D and Steve Balance, a familar face on Manchester's music scene. Facebook here.

The vocals are deep and haunting, whilst the music builds in layers making 'Sleeping' a very individualistic and fabulously dark song. The backing vocals by Jaq Gallier give the piece further depth and character, enjoy!


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Layla Frankel - The Furious Seasons - Scott Ruth - Ayla

Layla Frankel - To Disregard.

Background - Born in Los Angeles and raised in a musical family in Chicago, Folk/Soul songwriter and vocalist Layla Frankel has been delighting audiences of all ages for as long as she can remember. A performer from a young age, she appeared on her father, Joel Frankel’s, children’s records and often joined him on stage.  As a teenager, with her formal training in choirs and range of musical influences, Layla began composing songs and quickly developed her own vocal style.  She later attended the University of Illinois where she started as a jazz studies major with a vocal concentration, but soon realized that her passion lay not only in music, but in songwriting. She began to focus on creative writing and poetry while also singing in big bands and jazz combos - gaining experience as a songwriter and as a band leader. 

Between 2013 to 2015, Layla honed her craft as a songwriter, creating a body of music including the tracks on her debut EP, Tame the Fox. In the fall of 2015, Layla took a backpack and her Little Martin guitar and went sightseeing/volunteering in Europe for four months with the goal of meeting interesting people, experiencing other cultures and exploring new scenery. She spent the spring of 2016 off the grid and thru-hiking for two months on the Israel National Trail, a 600-mile hike.  It was on this trip that she conceived of the vision for Tame the Fox, a title inspired by the book The Little Prince, which she carried with her on the trail. 

Sound engineer Josh Richter recorded Tame the Fox at Victorian Recording in Barrington, IL and Frankel produced and arranged all of the tracks. The EP features multi-instrumentalist Dave Hildebrand on almost all of the guitar tracks as well as bass guitar on the whole record. Robert Rashid handled drums, while Eddie Ganet played keys. Layla played rhythm guitar on the tracks “Tenderly” and “If I Had the Words” and performed all of the vocals, including overdubs and harmonies. 

Layla Frankel performs in Chicago as a solo artist but is often accompanied by her full band consisting of bass, drums, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, and backup vocals. Website here, Bandcamp (Tame the Fox) here.

The first song on the new 'Tame The Fox' EP is 'To Disregard' one of six tracks that really do mix folk and soul genres together, with a little blues along the way. This is a fabulous and quite unique collection of songs, where melodic and high quality music is delivered with such beauty. The cover version of The Cures 'Just Like Heaven' is stunning, her own material no lesser, absolutely recommended!

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The Furious Seasons - We All Belong.

Background - The Furious Seasons' new single "We All Belong", is a new entry in the tradition of the protest folk song. The new single from The Furious Seasons, “We All Belong”, is particularly relevant in this divided time. It’s a seemingly simple folk song drawing on the sharp political divides experienced in this country and how the anger and hate should be overcome and that “together we stand strong / we all belong”. 

Having rightfully been compared to Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Jason Isbell, The Furious Seasons continue the tradition of the protest folk song with “We All Belong”. The Furious Seasons are an acoustic trio consisting of David Steinhart (guitar, vocals,) Jeff Steinhart (standup bass) and Paul Nelson (guitar, vocals).

The Steinhart’s have been a staple of the Los Angeles indie pop scene since the 1980s. Their career spans 30 years and over 20 releases. Paul Nelson played professionally in the Santa Barbara area for years and was involved with several other recording projects before joining the Steinhart bothers in The Furious Seasons. The band creates ethereal and lyrical folk pop music with blended harmonies and sophisticated guitar interplay. Website here.

We first featured The Furious Seasons last August and are delighted to share the new song 'We All Belong'. A classic sounding folk protest song, that would be comfortably at home decades ago, albeit it's new and relevant to today.

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Scott Ruth - Are You There.

Background -  LA-based singer-songwriter Scott Ruth has shared his new single "Are You There". Produced by acclaimed indie folk musician Noah Gundersen and recorded at X Studios in Seattle, the track brings a melancholy feel, with Ruth’s rugged vocals ruminating on a void left by a past relationship. "The song is about that feeling you get when someone who was once a huge part of your life, suddenly isn’t there anymore and all the things that go through your head. Wondering what they’re doing, if they’re feeling what you’re feeling," Ruth says of the track.

Working with Gundersen helped Ruth get a new perspective on "Are You There." His first time not self-producing a project, Ruth was able to relinquish control over to Gundersen and engineer Andy Parks, giving him more creative freedom. As long-time friends with Gundersen, working with him was a comfortable, collaborative experience.

Formerly of LA indie rock outfit The Futures League, Scott Ruth has since put down the bass guitar to further hone his craft as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. He released his hauntingly reflective solo debut The Weight of It All in 2016, and has since been touring extensively, supporting Noah Gundersen as well as headlining tours of his own. All the while, he was still finding time in the studio to be working towards his next release.

Now Ruth has returned with “Are You There," channeling Ruth's love of classic American songwriting and admiration for artists like Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. The track is a refreshing song for Ruth that marks a new direction. "I’m now in a different chapter of my life, and I couldn’t be more excited to get the rest of these songs out in the open." Facebook here.

'Are You There' is a mixture of alt rock vibes and some passionate and personal vocals, which combined create a melodic and reflective song. There is a timeless feel to this piece, and the quality of the production is superb.

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Ayla - Shallow End.

Background - Diving into 2017, Brisbane's singer/songwriter Ayla returns with conversation starting single, 'Shallow End', news of a new EP, freshly inked label and booking deals and an East Coast tour.  

Premiering on triple j's Good Nights last night, 'Shallow End' marks the opening track from from the Sunshine Coast songwriter's forthcoming EP to be released later this year. The track sees Ayla flex her growth as a writer in collaboration with co-writer Glenn Sarangapany (Birds of Tokyo) producer Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music) and mixer Ian Pritchett (Boo Seeka, Kim Churchill, Angus & Julia Stone).

Following incredible reception to her singles,  'Like the Other Kids', 'Wish I Was', 'Waiting' and 'When The World Ends', an impressive performance on triple j's Like A Version and an almost sold out EP tour in 2016,  there's been a mountain of support rolling in behind the scenes. Recently partnering with Caroline Australia and Select Music, Ayla now heads out on a national tour, older (now 21) and wiser and with a stock of new songwriting experiences and a stunning new live show in tow. Ayla's single 'Shallow End' is out via Caroline Australia, Friday May 12. Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

Ayla's striking and appealing vocals ensure 'Shallow End' is very much, her song. Powerful modern pop, with a whole load of hooks, make this song hard to ignore.


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Kylypso - Brudini - Marlene Enright

Kylypso - Blame Love.

Background - Evolving from a two-piece to a three-piece, East London’s Kylypso are comprised of recent addition Hugh Fothergill, a record producer; Rudi Falla, Ableton set designer; and Tom Greenwood, a session musician. Initially the project started as Rudi and Tom sent ideas back and forth between each other to jam on and flesh out. The resounding success of their collaborations prompted them to form a band. 

Their first track, last year’s 'Means 2 You' was a firm and striking statement of intent, combining pop melodies with a mesmerising production approach that takes in ideas from a broad spectrum of popular music. It caused a respectable ripple in the blogosphere, leaving those in the know with a strong sense that their natural musical chemistry together was something special. Now, with new material like latest single ‘Blame Love’ on the way, Kylypso sound like they’ve already arrived fully formed and leagues apart from the herd without compromising on any of their uniqueness. Central to the construction of their music is a sheer, simple, unabashed love of sweet melody. It’s an approach that will no doubt resonate with people everywhere. All bets on Kylypso to be an undeniably and peerless new sound in the capital. 

‘Blame Love’ is the immersive new single from London three-piece Kylypso. Swelling in with its panoramic synths, it’s a vibrant and multi-tonal affair, traversing a spectrum of different moods. From the glacial sparsity of the intro, it goes through detailed dance segments, warm melodies, and funk guitar lines, all alternating in the blink of an eye. Already virtuosos in production and only at the start of their career together, Kylypso are the new purveyors of smart, slick and considered indie music, a natural progression from the nocturnal sounds of The xx via the meticulous auteurism of Tame Impala and Caribou. ‘Blame Love’ is a song about love, the oldest topic in songwriting, but Kylypso’s unique execution and musical acuity lend it a refreshing new spin. This is a sound for the summer, evoking half-remembered feelings of euphoria, warm nights, and the pervasive feeling of love and all the myriad emotions that go with it. Facebook here.

'Blame Love' suggests Kylypso have a considerable amount to offer. Musically the song is refined with clear attention to detail, alongside that are some fabulous vocals and harmonies. Making indie music that stands out is challenging enough these day's, doing so with such unabashed style is something else!

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Brudini - The Nightcrawler.

Background - A unique voice emerging from Soho’s bohemian arts scene, Brudini spent his upbringing in Norway before uprooting himself to settle in London after a nomadic period absorbing the swarming metropolises of Tokyo and Paris. A regular fixture in Soho’s Society Club, Brudini has attracted praise from NYC punk manager legend Danny Fields (The Stooges, MC5, The Ramones) for his erudite approach to music and lyricism. He has also collaborated with Lulu Gainsbourg (son of the famous French legend) and Californian writer Chip Martin. 

A product of both literary modernism and rock and roll, Brudini’s music evokes a wealth of artists and mediums. From Jim Morrison and the chansons moderne of Jacques Brel, to the avant-garde driving beats of Krautrock via the writings of Hamsun, Fante and Sartre, he comes off like a new-age lounge crooner in some smoky existential dream parlour. Wielding a live show that’s psychedelic to the point of being a total sensory experience, Brudini can always be found in that cosmic last chance saloon, uniting wayfarers and music lovers across the void through his cinematic plainsong. 

“'The Nightcrawler' is the tale of a jaded, worn-out character's inevitable march into darkness; briefly overcome by a triumphant moment of warmth and nostalgia, before the night swallows it all.”
An ambitious and beautifully bittersweet debut single from a vital new London sound, Brudini’s ‘The Nightcrawler’ is the odyssean portrayal of a limping vagabond whose nightly descent into darkness is interrupted by a moment of nostalgia and connection to the world that’s ostracised him. Recalling the organic textures of Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool of yesteryear, Brudini builds his own inimitable style with an artful flair for arrangement. Cannily expressionistic in its use of sound to convey story, - an abrupt swell of strings marks the moment his flaneur catches the nauseating light of the setting sun, for instance - Brudini’s ambition transcends the framework of popular music and puts him in a tradition of narrative songwriters like Nick Cave and Scott Walker. Website here, Facebook here.

Intricate beats and atmospheric vocals are there from the opening moments of 'The Nightcrawler'. Layers of music unfold and the graceful vocals ensure your maximum attention. This is one of those songs that has me hooked and wanting to hear more from Brudini, before it's even finished.

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Marlene Enright - Alchemy,

Background - After a busy end to 2016, including an appearance at The Other Voices Festival, Cork based artist Marlene Enright releases her debut solo album, ‘Placemats and Second Cuts’.

Marlene Enright has a charm and an undeniable songwriting talent. Her solo debut showcases her passions and influences. Written and recorded over a year, the result is a melange of the heavy grooves of RnB, the warmth and nostalgia of great folk songs and the richness of thickly layered harmonies of artists such as Bon Iver and Feist. Enright harnesses all of her influences and delivers her own brew of a life being lived and expressed with touching honesty through the gloriously realised medium of her own thoughtfully crafted songs. It is the sound of modern roots music evolved as it has over decades to something that is unmistakably 21st Century, a sound that is infused with contemporary pop while still carrying echoes of the past.
  
The title, ‘Placemats and Second Cuts’, a line from the outro of the album's closing song, is fitting, for this album offers depth and introspection. Says Enright, "Hindsight has made me realise that it's a much more self-reflective album than I initially realised. It speaks of self-doubt, dancing the fine line between feeling comfortable in your own skin and feeling totally lost at sea, indecisiveness, the battle between strength and weakness, passion and apathy, belonging and isolation and self-acceptance."

While Enright has been looking back and self-reflecting, her work urges her forward. The release of 'Placemats and Seconds Cuts' on May 26th follows the success of her previous band The Hard Ground seeing the singer's star steadily rise, as listeners embrace her unfeigned confessional. Website here, Facebook here.

You still need a good song, even if the video is as appealing as the one for 'Alchemy'. In fact it was only when I listened without the images, that I realised just how gorgeous and beguiling 'Alchemy' really is. The soon to be released album 'Placemats and Second Cuts' is definitely on my want list.


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Sugarchild - The Konincks - CREO - Lucy & La Mer

Sugarchild - Offering.

Background - 90s Indie darlings Sugarchild are back with an album of dark, sparkling and utterly contemporary rock songs. The new album Dangerous sees the band delivering on its early promise with themes and tunes for the current age. Dangerous is set to shock and awe with epic guitars and vocals that switch between sweet and menacing.

Sugarchild’s prestigious history dates back to when the band were teenagers in the 1990s. A staple live act of the time, Sugarchild supported Jebediah’s national ‘Animal’ Tour, as well as Pollyanna, Effigy, The Rosemary Beads and many more. The band played at Fremantle’s Millennium concert to 20,000 people. They have received airplay on Triple J, RTRFM, RRR and independent radio around Australia, and been profiled in Rolling Stone and national street press.

In 2016, Sugarchild enlisted drummer Tim Jewell, formerly of Humbug, to record an album with Dave Parkin at Blackbird Studios. Dangerous showcases a band finally delivering on its early potential. With themes running the gamut of the zombie apocalypse, suicide in faraway places, the love-rush of parenthood and racism in Australian society, Dangerous is truly an album for our time, delivered by a band who have waited 20 years to make their masterpiece. Facebook here.

One of ten tracks on the new album 'Dangerous' is 'Offering' a natural and distinct rock song. It is typical of the accomplished music Sugarchild create, music that slips across rock genres with ease and is so engaging and refreshing.


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The Konincks – Staring at Walls.

Background - Looking back Julia, Marc, Mike & Phil played nearly all the stages of their hometown, now  they’re taking over the rest of the world. Richie Kotzen was touring with the four piece around Europe. 

And after having released an EP and an album indie-magazines (Rockstar mag), radios (international airplays) as well as rock origins (Metalhammer) found great interest for these four rednecks. 

It might be because The Konincks dash head on and with a fierce heart in poetry and rhytms, singing guitars and hypnotic compositions like there’s no tomorrow. 

The Konincks originated from old souls, now they contribute greatly to the zeitgeist of our time. Vehement, relentless, dew-fresh, approachable; all of this while remaining subtle. A trait that today’s radio often lacks. Website here, Facebook here, live dates on Beehive Candy's tour page.

We featured the song 'Daytime/Nighttime' by The Konincks back in March describing that track as "a swaggering, bluesy rock'n'roll song" and the new single 'Staring at Walls' is another delicious piece of laid back blues rock where the vocals and the band work hand in hand to deliver some timeless sounds.


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CREO - Give Me Yours.

Background - After a successful 2015 off the back of releases, “Suay” and “Light It Up”, CREO spent majority of 2016 working with long-time friend/producer Nathan Sheehy (Birds of Tokyo, Bluejuice, Dune Rats) on what would become the Sydney quartet’s upcoming EP titled ‘Subtitles for X, Y, Z’, due August 25. 

A record that the four piece say is "not afraid to flirt with nostalgia, whilst establishing the notion of hopefulness for whatever the next chapter may be", we first heard EP opener “Behind The Beat” earlier this year, and now they reveal the first official single “Give Me Yours”.

 "I go through these waves of emotions where I want something so bad I’ll kick everything I know and love to get it.  ‘Give Me Yours’ is all about that undying desperation to achieve, love and be loved or in more general terms; whatever it is you long for that nothing else in the world matters anymore, almost to the point of an unhealthy obsession."  - Jorjee Haman (vocals)

Building a reputation for being an incredible live act, CREO’s ability to translate their meticulously textured indie-rock sound into a ferociously loud and energetic free-for-all is one of the key elements that made people sit up and take notice. After gaining some support from national broadcaster Triple J and countless community stations around the country, CREO toured nationally supporting the likes of British India, Tired Lion, Bad//Dreems, Last Dinosaurs and Spookyland, and sold out all of their respective hometown (Sydney) shows.

"Give Me Yours" will be available to purchase/stream on Apple/Spotify May 12. EP ‘Subtitles in X, Y, Z’ will be out on August 25, 2017. Website here, Facebook here.

'Give Me Yours' is a sprightly, upbeat indie rocker, that just manifests passion and charm, through and through! A definite play me again type of song.

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Lucy & La Mer - Honey, Put Your Weapons Down.

Background - Lucy & La Mer is the stunning musical endeavour of Los Angeles based singer, songwriter and activist Lucy LaForge. Lucy’s sound consists of delicate indie folk melodies, alluring pop layered vocals and her signature baritone ukulele. 

Her latest single “Honey, Put Your Weapons Down” is produced by Grammy Award-winning Jared Lee Gosselin (India Arie, Eminem, Corinne Bailey Rae). Featuring breathy vocals, poignantly honest lyricism and a stunning string instrumentation, “Honey, Put Your Weapons Down” is the perfect indie pop anthem. Lucy & La Mer succeeds in composing music with a direct and clear disquisition. "The central theme for the single is transitioning, most of my songwriting happens when there’s a change occurring in my life” reveals Lucy.  

Lucy describes how the single was created through experimentation and the breaking down of boundaries. Lucy & La Mer aims to be a constant reminder for audiences to learn self-love, to take a break from something that is wearing you down emotionally and to focus on what’s most important. Her music beautifully blends acoustic sounds with a modern indie pop approach. Website here, Facebook here.

If gentle indie pop appeals to you, then 'Honey, Put Your Weapons Down' is more than worth a listen. This is an elegant song with delightful vocals supported by a sophisticated musical arrangement, wonderful.

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Neil - First Blush - Jade Jackson - AyOwA

Neil - Blank Sheet.

Background - Seahorse Recordings presents the sophomore album from Neil, called ‘Black Flowers’. Recorded on the isle of Sicily in southern Italy with renowned producer Paolo Messere (Blessed Child Opera), these 11 tracks showcase songmanship that mix folk with grunge, and vocals with an uncanny resemblance to Gavin Rossdale (of Bush). 

The first single from this album is ‘Blank Sheet’, which deals with writer's block – that moment when the artist is in front of a white sheet and cannot dial into his muse. 

Written and performed by Neil Lucchetta (vocals, guitar, harmonica). This second album offers a more rock-oriented sound than the previous album thanks to the contribution of Andrea Breda on drums and Alessandro "Ake" Donazzon on bass. Now, during live performances, he is accompanied by Andrea Breda and Alex Michielin (bass).

Originating from the Italian city of Pieve di Soligo (Treviso), Neil began his path as a singer-songwriter, having written his first song in English at the age of 14. He’s been composing ever since, his sonic output infused with folk pop, laden with acoustic guitars and dreamy lyrics.

This new album follows up Neil's debut album 'Apart', released in 2013. This new offering takes the listener on an intimate journey through his personal experiences and stories. The unremitting vision permeating his music presents us with great scenery and breathtaking views of the different facets of his life. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.

'Blank Sheet' is a good indicator of the style and quality to be found, amongst the eleven tracks that make up the new 'Black Flowers' album. Powerful acoustically lead alt rock music, mixes with more understated pieces where Neil Lucchetta's distinct and full-hearted vocals, are rightly the focal point of each song.


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First Blush - Wouldn't We All?

Background - First Blush is the brainchild of Charles Sekel, a former Julliard pre-college program kid-turned-indie musician. A blissed-out blend of lo-fi rock and dream pop, "Wouldn't We All?" is the first single off his forthcoming Monologic EP, expected out this Spring.

Sekel's music is a reflection of his battle to defeat a continuous cycle of self-destructive behavior stemming back nearly a decade. From his college days as a classical/jazz musician at the Peabody Institute, Sekel struggled with alcohol abuse and panic attacks, and turned to original music to help with his mental health. 

Now completely sober thanks to the help of music, a good therapist and assistance from his girlfriend (now wife,) he was able to pull himself out of addiction and confidently release his solo venture. Website here, Facebook here.

Lush, dreamy and rich synth's act as a prelude for the more paced song that is 'Wouldn't We All?' Lo-Fi rock of sorts that is enriched by the continued use of swirling synths, and flowing vocals that help drive the beat.

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Jade Jackson - Good Time Gone.

Background - The track, entitled "Good Time Gone” is from Jade Jackson's debut album Gilded, produced by Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness and out May 19th. “Good Time Gone” is a supremely catchy reverb guitar drenched punkabilly anthem loaded with swagger and a sense of crashed out romance.

As Jackson explains, “I came into rehearsal one day with a song I'd written the night before and we started jamming. Tyler upped the tempo, Andrew and Jake added some chords and I messed with the melody. After we found the groove, I realized the lyrics no longer fit. The following weekend, as I stared out the car window on my way to LA it hit me, I had a story I wanted to tell. On an old, dirty envelope I found under my seat and with a half broken pencil, I scribbled down this hero-less tale of two lovers. When Mike (Ness) heard it he said it was "wild" and wanted it on the record. In the studio, Mike added his flare and it came to be. We are all excited to share "Good Time Gone" with you.”

Jackson’s album Gilded is unapologetically country rock, merging the heartbreak and resilience of Lucinda Williams with the melodic confidence of Emmylou Harris, yet containing the emotional presence of a young musician who cherished albums by The Gun Club and Smiths alongside the works of George Jones and Hank Williams. Website here, Facebook here.

Our third feature for Jade Jackson this year, this time with 'Good Time Gone'. The new song is more alt rock than country rock, or quoting from the above piece punkabilly a term that I really like. Fabulous music from an album that meets this calibre, song after song!

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AyOwA - Fri.

Background - Danish duo AyOwA releases the single “Fri” (out May 5th) leading up to Debut EP “Eremit” (out May 19th). Already confirmed for big live shows at Spot and Roskilde Festival, the Danish duo AyOwA are ready to take on the summer. Armed with modular synths, old reel-to-reels, and a haunting voice on top, they create dark and moving electronic pop songs. Sung in Danish, but with a certain universal and dreamy appeal, this band combines noise pop with vapor wave, and melodies with improvisation, in an evocative and playful mix. 

The single “Fri” leads up to their anticipated debut EP “Eremit” that will follow on May 19th. In a more hopeful tone than ever, AyOwA dreams of the simplicity of being ‘free'. With an uplifting catchy chorus and their signature vocal samples, they swim into the summer on a wave of electronic dream-pop.

After a winter of hibernating in their Copenhagen studio, the duo is releasing their 6 track debut EP “Eremit” (means Hermit) on legendary DJ Kenneth Bager’s own label “Music For Dreams". The EP is a soulful search into the depth of electronic music, and the Scandinavian DNA. With many months of darkness and anticipation for a summer that sometimes never comes, the tone is set for melancholy. 

Under the headline "Danish Never Sounded So Sexy" Huffington Post praises AyOwAs sound, and the language’s unique timbre. And although it isn’t commonplace to hear the Danish language mentioned for its beauty, it bears a strange attraction of the incomprehensible and mysterious to listen to. And sexy or melancholic - AyOwA continues to capture the audience with their unique and moving sound. Facebook here.

'Fri' is the third song we have featured by the duo AyOwA as they continue to impress with their superbly crafted genre defying music.

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VŌS - Cajsa Siik - Tunabunny - Flamingods - Rudy Stone - Thieves Like Us

VŌS - Patience.

Background - London-based VŌS will self-release their new single Patience on 10th May.

With their influences sat firmly on the electronic and alt-pop spectrum, Dawn and Palmer of VŌS describe their sound as “somewhere between Banks, Sohn and James Blake”. This new track ‘Patience’ is a really strong slice of electro-pop, mastered by John Davis (Lana Del Rey, FKA Twigs, Royal Blood) and mixed by Julian Kindred (Ellie Goulding, James Blake). The pair first came together at a house party jam where they fumbled through a track by shared inspiration, Lianne La Havas and have now been making music for over a year.

Speaking about the track, the duo say: "Patience is about love’s meanderings, specifically when you’re not moving at the same pace as someone. It’s less of an isolated moment, but a moment you’re in because of both your past experiences with others and the present situation. Like all of VŌS’ songs, it is written from a first hand experience." Facebook here.

'Patience' is a pleasing and smooth electro pop song where the music is distinct and produced with clarity, allowing the flowing vocals to standout, above the refined soundtrack.

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Cajsa Siik - Empire Mine.

Background - Following on from her highly acclaimed 2014 sophomore album ‘Contra’, Swedish-native Cajsa Siik returns with her latest full-length ‘Domino’, due out on the 2nd June via Birds Records, and will include the new singles ‘Talk To Trees’, ‘White Noise’, and ‘Empire Mine’.

Much like her previous releases, Cajsa Siik aims to inject a pop sensibility into an avant-garde and experimental disposition. Giving her a sound that is both accessible and atmospheric in the process. Recorded in Stockholm with producer Rolf Klinth, ‘Domino’ sees the songstress embark on a much bolder direction than in her previous material that still manages to maintain her core sound.

The record’s lead single ‘Talk To Trees’ displays her new intentions perfectly as she uses her collaborations with Thomas Hedlund (Phoenix, Deportees), Rasmus Kellerman (Tiger Lou) and Carl Ekerstam to add texture and depth to the single, making it the perfect introduction to the album ahead. Describing the track as a, “colourful dreamy zone where I felt connected with reasons and beliefs. Like a subconscious talk with nature. Like a blessing or a blind spot.”

Speaking about the record, Cajsa Siik explained that, “Domino can be described in two different ways. First I wanted it to represent the fact that we’re all connected to each other and that we have a responsibility towards each other and this world. To shoulder that responsibility is easier said than done, but we must try. Be aware. Not only mind our own business. I’ve given that a lot of thought lately. Secondly, every song on this album depends and relies on the other. Together they create a unit and the unit is supposed to be diverse. I aimed for creating a dynamic album.” Website here, Facebook here, live dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

'Empire Mine' is the third single from the forthcoming album and the second track we have featured from the June album release. Once again we are treated to Cajsa's engaging vocals that are supported by a sprightly, rhythmic musical arrangement, that develops into a catchy, danceable groove.

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Tunabunny - Incinerate.

Background - Tunabunny release first new track in three years "Incinerate" and announce the release of their 5th album also a double "PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland JR" released June 23rd on HHBTM Records.  

A 75-minute double-vinyl masterpiece, PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland Jr, the fifth album from Athens, Georgia’s Tunabunny, is the most creatively ambitious album in the band’s history. Featuring singles like ‘Incinerate,’ ‘The Rest of Us,’ and ‘Nevermind the Cobblestones,’ the band takes their experimental rock into a place that is both stranger and more accessible than anything they’ve done before. It’s ferocious, passionate, smart. political, desperate, feminist, and alive. Every song is important. Every song goes someplace the others don’t. There are no accidents; there is no filler.

28 songs structured as a song-by-song response to The Beatles’ White Album (there’s even an experimental track called ‘Revolution None’), PCPPAIWJR is packed w/hits, and packed w/originality. On PCPPAIWJR, Tunabunny proves they can do anything. It takes the sonic breakthroughs of 2014’s Kingdom Technology to a place that’s less claustrophobic and more open. Songs about surveillance, songs about futility; songs about alchemy & winter, metamorphosis & anger. Side Four features a twisting song cycle about motherhood—from pregnancy to birth, through postpartum emotional desolation, to the rebirth of self. Facebook here.

If 'Incinerate' appeals to you, then I reckon you are going to love the cosmic journey that is PCP Presents Alice In Wonderland Jr. The album takes us from psych to indie rock and a whole load of other places. Sometimes it's quite avant garde other times hook laden and sparkling, there is never a dull moment, that's for sure.

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Flamingods - Mixed Blessings.

Background - Flamingods’ art is rooted in a love for the spaces between cultures. They’re cross-cultural magpies, absorbing styles and instruments from the world over into their mesmerising sound. Latest single Mixed Blessings from their new Kewali EP is an atavistic trip through classic psych territory with all the bells and whistles of clever contemporary production.

Accompanying the single is an animated video by Alpaca Animations. It’s a rich dreamscape of primitive artwork that feels like an animated cave painting or the reverie of a brain-fried DMT tripper. In creative protest against the xenophobia which abounds in international politics right now, the video centres around an intrepid explorer on a quest for enlightenment. The narrative takes a nightmarish turn when he encounters strange and terrible looking beasts. When they throw a big party for him, he realises the illusory nature of his judgements. They’re not so bad after all.

Through fearless invention and heady creative abandon in all aspects of their artistry, from recording and composition, to their notorious live show, and their recent surreal Kewali interactive video game, Flamingods have become one of the most exciting outfits in the music scene today. 

Having started as the bedroom project of multi-instrumentalist and singer Kamal Rasool, Flamingods' second incarnation as a cult psych band sprang out of a freeform eight hour jam at ATP six years ago. Now they’re a fully fledged and feral tour-de-force, a well-oiled machine attracting praise throughout the press, festival circuit and airwaves for their peerlessly expansive approach to music. 

Mixed Blessings is further proof that Flamingods’ modus operandi with regards to their art is both fun and thoughtful. Resisting the cliches of political music, Flamingods are intent to show, rather than tell. The engaging imaginative world they build is one of peace and spirituality, eroding the pernicious and constructed prejudice around us to remind us what a joy it is to be alive and to be human. Facebook here, live dates are on Beehive Candy's tour page.

A vigorous beat and some funky bass lines ensure 'Mixed Blessings' hits the ground running. The layers of musical energy, satisfying vocals and overall upbeat nature of this song, gives us a fine track alone, the video really is the icing on the cake!


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Rudy Stone - Rudy's Dream.

Background - Nola by way of Brooklyn band Rudy Stone are releasing their debut full-length on June 16 and have shared  the video for the first single, "Rudy's Dream." 

"Entitled The Blinking Light/Peace on Earth and recorded “in fits and starts over the course of a year” at The Bunker back in Williamsburg, this new missive of good vibes is split into two distinct sides — with the A-side (The Blinking Light) devoted to a “seamless collection of songs showcasing his slice-of-life observations and advice to himself about how to be the best person he can be”.

The B-side is Peace on Earth consisting of one “side-long instrumental” that explores his “long time interest in analog synthesizers, echo devices, and drones.” (It should therefore offer a pretty handy accompaniment to kicking-back with your “recreational relaxer” of choice and giving yourself a nice pep-talk on life, and then wordlessly reflecting back on it for a while.) And don’t worry; you won’t have to wait too long to get your hands on it, either, as this wonderful self-help aid will be available in cassette and digital formats on June 16. Facebook here.

'Rudy's Dream' has a measured pace that is quite hypnotic and catchy. The power and layers of sound slowly build reaching a zenith that at first was quite unexpected, however most definitely welcome.


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Thieves Like Us - Dani.

Background - After a four-year hiatus, Thieves Like Us have returned with their fifth eponymously titled record. The Swedish/American band, named after a New Order song, tracked and produced the new record in late 2015. The new self-titled record reinvents the band's cosmic song based aesthetic with the introduction of live bass (Thomas Franklin) and drums (Tore Knipping), steering its songs into more spirited waters.

The first song on the record, Dani, explores the recurring Thieves Like Us theme of seeking completion, affirmation, or distraction "after hours". Dani is a fictitious character -- young, and inexperienced. She lacks co-ordinates to navigate safely through the evening storm. All of her interactions with other people (friendships and relationships) are based on pleasure. She will always fall victim to vampires and vice. Be it drugs, or a love affair. All attempts to escape lead nowhere and only bring her right back to the beginning of the maze. She can never escape herself. She should be locked away in a reading room and simply learn to be (alone). There is a little bit of Dani in all of us.

The new full-length album is out now worldwide via Seayou Records/Rough Trade. The artwork depicts a re-enactment of Hans Conrad Schumann’s iconic jump from communist German Democratic Republic to freedom; by a woman of colour wearing the same pilot suit that singer Andy Grier’s father wore in Vietnam. We leave its interpretation to the listener. Facebook here.

Rich vibrant synths and beautifully contrasting vocals make 'Dani' a scrumptious and moreish song within moments. The retro video contrasts even further, clearly the four year break has done no harm to the creativity of Thieves Like Us.


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