DATE ARCHIVES : October 2016

Introducing: Dioscó na mbó

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Dioscó na mbó are a Sligo-based three-piece with a real flair for a deliciously vibrant and catchy blend of disco, funk and kaleidoscopic pop.

Using old analog synths and multiple instruments they craft insanely catchy, extremely addictive and pretty brilliant music designed to make people dance. While previous singles ‘Dioscó na mbó’ and ‘Brassanova’ fully embrace the disco/funk side of things (and magnificently so), their latest single ‘We Can Run’ adds a neo-psychedelic direction. A heady swirl, ‘We Can Run’ finds Dioscó na mbó sifting through a warm and fluffy haze of soft but lively drum rhythms, subtle grooves, baggy-esque beats, sweet melodies and ravey euphoric undertones. The trio’s musical vision is overwhelmingly bright, uplifting and optimistic – and the bringer of feel-good vibes. There are shades of a more tempered Jagwar Ma or Bad Sounds, with a touch of Super Furry Animals or The Beta Band. Great company to be in yes but it isn’t without merit, this is superb stuff.

You can check out the warm and fluffy aural feast that is their latest single, ‘We Can Run’, below – along with the playful and addicting ‘Dioscó na mbó’ and ‘Brassanova’.

 

Jinx Lennon to Release Two New Albums in October; Shares ‘Past Pupil Stay Sane’

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Jinx Lennon is a unique talent, a national treasure to be exact. Influenced as much by post punk and hip hop, he is the embodiment of a modern folk singer. Whether it’s played on a one string guitar or sampled disco beat, raw garage noise and blues, his are songs of raw truths that kick back against the humdrum bullshit of modern life.

Needless to say, it has been far too long since we’ve had a new record from Jinx – the last seems like a distant memory – so news of not one, but TWO new Jinx records this month, is cause for serious excitement. Recorded with Liverpool experimentalists Clinic, Past Pupils Stay Sane & Magic Bullets of Madness to Uplift Grief Magnets will be released simultaneously on October 21st. Ahead of the double release, we’ve been afforded a glimpse of what’s to come in the shape of ‘Past Pupil Stay Sane’ and it is typically brilliant and typically Jinx. His way with words and delivery is unique and backed by a steady electronic beat, synths, twangy reverberating guitar and acoustic strum ‘Past Pupil Stay Sane’ is Jinx at his very best. There’s no one quite like him anywhere in the world – brilliant as always.

Both Past Pupils Stay Sane & Magic Bullets of Madness to Uplift Grief Magnets will be released simultaneously on October 21st. For more info / pre-orders go here.

CZARFACE Announce New Album ‘A Fistful Of Peril’ & Share ‘Two In The Chest’

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CZARFACE – the collaborative trio of Wu-Tang’s Inspectah Deck, 7L & Esoteric – are back, and back with a bang!

The trio are gearing up to unleash their new, and third album, A Fistful Of Peril on the world. Ahead of the album’s November 4th release, Czarface has shared ‘Two In The Chest’, yet another piece exciting of Hip Hop gold from the superhero themed hip-hop ensemble. Energetic and banging, ‘Two In The Chest’ is a seamless collaboration, featuring their recognisable chemistry as the two emcees trade lines, razor-sharp lyrics and a fair bit of humour over 7L’s stellar production. This is Czarface at their finest, to be fair, the trio don’t do anything other than exceptional. Really excited for the new album, the first two were great, expecting the same with this one.

A Fistful Of Peril is out on November 4th but you can listen to ‘Two In The Chest’ now.

London-based Lazy Day Return With Beautifully Melodic New Single; ‘Disappear’

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If you cast your mind back to Record Store Day last year, you may remember Lazy Day teaming up with Tuff Love for excellent split single, ‘Portrait’ / ‘Groucho’.

Well, since then, things fell sadly quite – until now that is. The London-based quartet have teamed up with Lost Map records to release their brand new single ‘Disappear’. Now 18 months is a bloody long time, but this is a beautifully melodic return, and one that radiates warmth. Led by Scantlebury’s powerful and compelling croon, it quietly builds from ambient origins, as guitars chime and flicker around the vocals before being engulfed by a swell of instrumentation – exploding into life with tight percussion, cascading melody and thick and crunchy guitars billowing from all sides. ‘Disappear’ perfectly balances the light with the dark. Scantlebury’s vocals splattered with melancholy and yearning, are tempered by hazy guitar textures, dreamy melodies and lively drums to give life to a sort of lo-fi, dream-pop/grungey hybrid. Phenomenally brilliant, and unforgettable.

Released on a super limited run of 7″ vinyl, ‘Disappear’ is backed by b-side ‘All The Time’. Limited or not, we have here, listen to to ‘Disappear’ below.

CaStLeS Announce Debut Album, Share New Single ‘Amcanu’

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Having kept a watchful eye of North Walian trio CaStLeS for quite sometime now, it is really great discover they shall release their debut album Fforesteering on 18th November.

The trio have impressed at every given opportunity with a signature sound that sits somewhere between Django Django, the Beach Boys, Os Mutantes and Ennio Morricone. Recorded and self-produced inside a static caravan outside of guitarist and vocalist Cynyr’s home high up on the hills of Snowdonia, the album looks set to continue the themes of their PartDepart EP and take inspiration and comfort from the surrounding North Wales landscape. Preceding the release of their debut LP is new single ‘Amcanu’ (out November 4th). Splicing together psychedelic surf rock, blues and mildly dancey, kraut-rock grooves with sweet vocals harmonies, this swirling infusion sees CaStLeS craft a unique sonic brew of irresistible grooves laced with psych riffs and hypnotic reverb soaked melodies. An utterly brilliant single and sound – nothing new there!

CaStLeS debut album Fforesteering is out on 18th November but you can listen to ‘Amcanu’ & previous single version of the album’s title-track, below, now.

Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 Preview: 8 Must See Acts

 

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Hard Working Class Heroes takes place in venues across Dublin this week.

Running from Thursday, October 6th to Saturday, October 8th and it will showcase well over 100 of Ireland’s most promising emerging acts. One of HWCH’s biggest draws (and festivals of its ilk) is rambling around, seeing acts you have previously been unfamiliar with. That said, there are a couple of names that immediately jump out and come highly recommended with the much sought after BarryGruff seal of approval*.

The full line-up / stage times for Hard Working Class Heroes 2016 is here. And as always, feel free to share your own recommendations in the comments section below. *May not be much sought after.

Eoin Dolan: Thursday, 19:40 – 20:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest finds from the past 12 months. Dolan has a real flair for twinkly and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems, with a healthy dose of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney (moments) threaded through the fabric of his sound. His brand of surfy psych-pop is totally charming, entirely irresistible, easy-going and timeless. Dolan’s self-titled debut album was released last month, for a taste of that & what to expect at HWCH, check out ‘Dear Brian’; a playful blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, SFA-esque synth work, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals. Not to be missed.

New Pope: Thursday, 21:40 – 22:10 @ Tengu Downstairs

Galway-based New Pope – fronted by Dave Boland – deal in truly beautiful, timeless and carefully crafted acoustic folk sounds. Passing with a whisper rather than a roar, New Pope’s songs are delivered with warmth and tenderness, as Boland’s distinctive vocal creates a warm, lush atmosphere – and an overwhelming sense of sense of nostalgia. Last year’s YOUTH EP & LP are wonderful and New Pope were excellent at Electric Picnic this year, and if that doesn’t entice you? Check out the layered, lush and beguiling beauty of ‘Love’ below:

Slow Riot: Friday, 20:10 – 20:40 @ The Hub

Limerick trio Slow Riot‘s ferocious, tense and searing post-punk, has marked them out as one of Ireland’s most promising guitar bands in sometime. Taking classic post-punk influences – Gang of Four, Television, Wire – and infusing them with more contemporary ones such as Girl Band and Future of the Left, they create an irresistible and thunderous modern take on a classic sound. Still need convincing? Check out the intense, insistent and menacing ‘Trophy Wife’ below. Peerless.

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