DATE ARCHIVES : May 2017

JW Ridley – ‘1990’

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Londoner JW Ridley has returned with a beautifully understated new single ‘1990’.

The new single follows motorik, urgent sliver of alternative-indie-disco collaboration with Dan Carey ‘Everything (Deathless)’, and sees Ridley embark on an immersive journey inwards. More focused on atmosphere and delicate ambience, ‘1990’ is led by rippling piano and warm chimes of guitar, it builds from an origin of fragility into a stunning supernova climax. This is the sort of captivating, emotion-filled song that compels you to listen, demanding all of your undivided attention. Great to hear from JW Ridley again and hopefully we’ll be treated to further new releases in the not so distant future too.

For now, of course there is the no so small matter of ‘1990’. Enjoy its stunning qualities below.

The Floozies – ‘Cosmic Rays’ feat. Ryan Zoidis

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Comprised of brothers Matt Hill (producer/guitarst) and Mark Hill (drums), The Floozies are not short on ideas or self-confidence.

Self-described as the “undisputed kings of electro funk”, it is the duo’s luminescent new single ‘Cosmic Rays’ ads credence to this lofty claim. Lifted from their forthcoming album, Better 4 U, ‘Cosmic Rays’ features Lettuce saxophonist Ryan Zoidis and it is a bright, colourful explosion of fun and ideas. Perfect for summer with its ridiculously sunny disposition, it is bursting with vitality, big beats, samples and funky licks rendering it pretty damn irresistible. Oh, and the stunning sax is just the icing on the cake. Fun, funky and cheesy (in a good way) and you know what, sometimes that is just what’s needed.

Listen to ‘Cosmic Rays’ feat. Ryan Zoidis below.

Wall of Ears – ‘Floating of the Line’

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Seattle-based outfit Wall of Ears – comprised of Chris Lott, Tony Pettigrew, Bryant Hammonds, Derrick Wright & Jon Ruseski – craft sublime and subtly seductive psychedelic pop.

Don’t just take my word for it, the quintet’s latest single ‘Floating of the Line’ provides all the evidence required. Lush undulating ripples of synthesizers and samples mingle with warm, indie-guitar jangle to create a colourful sound which pushes to the fringes of weird. An urgency emerges amid the dreamy, head-bobbing wanderings, driven by powerful, impassioned vocals and drums; that said it at all times remains true to its psych-pop raison d’etre, as it sways and moves in a lush sort of way. An immersive sound with beautiful flourishes, abstract flows and sultry flavors. This is premier West Coast psych-pop pleasures by way of Seattle.

Check out ‘Floating of the Line’ and it’s equally colourful video below. Hopefully there is more where that came from soon.

Introducing: Nia Wyn

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It’s never a bad day when you discover a precocious music talent, especially when it’s going to fill a soulful void in your life.

With that in mind, open yourself to the powerful, raw and soulful sounds of London-based North-Walian artist, Nia Wyn. Wyn has a canny ability for raw and powerful storytelling, set within a kind of unorthodox, rich and engrossing vocal, it immediately marks her out as something rather refreshing. She introduced herself with stunning, folk-tinged blues debut, ‘Help Me’, and actually goes one better with latest single, ‘Do You Love Enough’. The music, as with her voice, channels old blues and soul with a modern twist. These are timeless tales of broken hearts at home and in society, told with her unique and powerful voice. Both singles conjure up a very exciting, defiant charisma that’s simultaneously streetwise, witty, hard and warm. A unique and captivating talent, and one to keep your eye on this year, and beyond, for sure.

A debut EP is in the pipeline for a June release, so keep an eye out for that in the coming weeks. In the meantime, make sure and check out ‘Do You Love Enough’ & ‘Help Me’ below.

Atlas Cedar – ‘In Hollywood’

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Atlas Cedar is the moniker of Glaswegian musician and songwriter Chris Syme.

Syme’s musical influences take in everything from Syd Barrett to Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon to Yes, and more; leaving us with a delightfully charming blend of Americana and folk infused guitar-pop. It is something born out with the latest release from Atlas Cedar is new single ‘In Hollywood’. A layered guitar number, it certainly tips its hat to the 60s, with Syme’s reflective, hushed vocals and hazy instrumentation filling the song with warm and inviting vibes. A breezy jangle with beautiful, irresistible melodies, what’s not to like?

‘In Hollywood’ is out now via RIP Records, the 5th in their new single series, you can sample its aural delights below.

If this one is to your liking, be sure to check out more of Atlas Cedar here.

Something for the Weekend: New Music Playlist #8

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A new regular addition to blog, a relatively short weekly Spotify playlist featuring some of the finest new music to prick my ears over the course of past 7 days.

Clocking in at just over an hour, it’s an easily digestible slice of new music, just in time for the weekend. There’s a nice mix of genres and styles too, allowing me to share even more top tunes for your ears. Well, without further ado, here’s #8. Enjoy the tunes & enjoy the sun!

You can follow me on Spotify here.

Bad Mannequins – ‘Buzz Killer Skinny Gene’

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Glasgow-based duo Bad Mannequins – Ross Hamilton (lead vocals/guitar) and Jamie McGrory (drums/vocals) – are here to fill your need for fiery, hyperactive garage-rock.

The pair are gearing up to release the first of a trilogy of EPs trilogy, Deny Til U Die Part I; ahead of which they’ve shared their new single, ‘Buzz Killer Skinny Gene’. It is a sub three minute blast of fiery garage-rock filled with scintillating riffs and stomping percussion. It’s fierce, fiery and profoundly catchy rock ‘n roll delivered with a piercing intensity that brings to mind the early days of The Strokes. A word of warning, so cathcy is this one, it’s likely to be traveling around your head for weeks.

Check out the blistering brilliance of ‘Buzz Killer Skinny’ Gene below.

Introducing: Loco Ono

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First things first, if there was a competition for the best named new band of 2017, Loco Ono would be way out in front with the shortest odds possible.

Handles aside, there are many more reasons to get excited about this London trio of Grace Zacarias, Pieter Stone & Nathan Edmonds. For one, with their ’90s inspired, lo-fi grunge hybrid, they make a hell of a convincing racket. Fuzzed-up, meaty riffs are driven by ferocious and insistent drums, all delivered with breakneck speed and electrifying intensity. There is dreamy quality too, in part due to Zacarias breathy, haunting vocals on ‘Black Hole’; and in the case of ‘Grizzly’, there’s an added dreamy feature of a ukulele interlude. Drawing inspiration from ’90s lo-fi and modern power pop, Loco Ono effortlessly blends fuzzed-up, buzz-saw guitars, catchy melodies with a fierce and fiery energy.

You can sample some choice cuts from their recently released debut EP Dog Massage, below.

Bad Flamingo – ‘Lucky Ones’

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Very little is known about the mysterious masked musical duo Bad Flamingo, who prefer to have their music speak on their behalf. And why not? When you can craft such stellar sounds as the pair’s latest single, ‘Lucky Ones’.

‘Lucky Ones’ is slick but stripped down blend of Americana-tinged, exquisite pop finesse and a whole lot of Western swaggger. It drips of infectious, sun-dreched tones as it shuffles along a groovy drum beat, stabs of guitar and impressive pop melodies, while the rich, sensuous smokey vocals mingle with an array of desert-drenched guitar riffs to tantalising effect. At just under three minutes, this is an exquisitely crafted sound that crawls its way into your head and destined to leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Exactly who these ladies are remains a mystery for now. In the meantime, get acquainted with the seductive sounds of Bad Flamingo’s new single ‘Lucky One’.

Yonaka – ‘Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya’

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YONAKA are indie-rock juggernaut – Theresa Jarvis (vocals), George Edwards (guitar), Alex Crosby (bass/keys) and Robert Mason (drums) – from Brighton and judging by their form thus far, they look destined to take a spot at the top of Britain’s indie-rock table.

The quartet’s new single is ‘Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya’; and it is a heavy hitting example of what they are all about. This is heavy-hitting indie-rock with a dark pop heart which shifts from menacing, threatening riffy rock to anthemic, epic soaring variety. The hammering percussion and bass line pound incessantly, while when Jarvis’ stunning vocals enter the fray, it renders everything else secondary. A scintillating introduction by any estimation; file next to Wolf Alice, Joy Formidable & Estrons.

You can listen to ‘Wouldn’t Wanna Be Ya’ below. Hopefully we’re hearing from these four very soon.