DATE ARCHIVES : March 2018

Cloud – ‘Heartfluttered’

26733895_1366665373434837_7361438362524059631_n

Cloud is Long Island-based musical adventure revolving around chief songwriter Tyler Taormina & friends.

Earlier this year, Cloud released their new LP Plays With Fire; a treasure trove of wide-eyed, optimistic and dreamy indie-pop. On the back of that, Cloud have shared ‘Heartfluttered’, the latest single lifted from their new LP – and my, is it a tune. Unfurling with a steady, seductive beat, melancholic strum and alluring harmonised vocals, Heartfluttered’ intoxicates and woos with a brimming sense of optimism and soothing soundscapes and dreamy, lullabies with wave upon wave of gentle fuzz lapping from the side. With this, we are introduced to another level of calm tranquillity akin to floating among the clouds – so much so, that even the squalling riffage midway through cannot not deter the overwhelming sense of snug warmth and sheer dreaminess.

‘Heartfluttered’ is a joy, simple as that, and one you can tune into below. If you like it, why not check out the new LP Plays With Fire here.

Superheart – ‘After Midnight’

artworks-000308653155-wblz41-original

UK-based musician and producer Luke Batt aka Superheart introduced himself toward the end of last year with debut single ‘Count On Me’; a lovely, comforting and dreamy, electronic synthpop jam.

Batt has opened his account for 2018 with equally divine follow-up single ‘After Midnight’. A lush and loved-up cut of dreamy electro-pop that radiates a sentimental energy that is impossible to ignore. Across three-and-a-half minutes of delicate, soft vocals over mildly tropical downtempo instrumentation, all bound together by an inescapable romanticism that will leave you with goosebumps, and make an indelible mark on your soul.

Stick ‘After Midnight’ on and fall in love. You will never want it to end.

77:78 – ‘Love Said (Let’s Go)’

77:78

As card-carrying members of the kaleidoscopic musical maestros The Bees, Isle Of Wight musicians Aaron Fletcher and Tim Parkin were responsible for some of the most magical, downright brilliant moments of the last decade.

Back to the present….. and the duo has an entirely new project called 77:78, a debut album called Jellies, penned for release via Heavenly Recordings on July 6th and a taste of said album in the shape of ‘Love Said (Let’s Go)’. It’s a radiant, jaunty and joyous cut of infectious soulful pop with some psychedelic leanings; namely the fluttering flutes and echoing atmosphere which abound on the peripheries. It’s breezy little gem with a subtle swagger that will whisk your mind far, far away to long summer days of glorious sunshine. Like The Bees, 77:78 echo classic pop, folk and psych of the past but just like their previous incarnation, they bring plenty of their own character to make it their own delightfully irresistible sound.

Check out ‘Love Said (Let’s Go) below – the video is a delight too.

Continue reading →

Sal Dulu – ‘Tyko’

26231222_744743289049035_1591121340403172556_n

Heralded by the impressive introduction of two stellar singles ‘Duluoz Dream’ & ‘Antasma’, Sal Dulu’s fleeting steps in the world have been nothing short of outstanding – and the Dublin-based producer’s latest ‘Tyko’ is nothing short of breathtaking.

Sal Dulu has a flair for fantastic hip-hop inspired electronic productions and mastery is front and centre with ‘Tyko’. A stunning and well weaved work of delicate Balearic percussion, evocative field recordings and found sounds, warm synths and vocals by Xao; ‘Tyko’ has a transportative quality. One so powerful, given half a chance, it will have your mind away in the outer reaches of’the upside down’ other-worldliness to glistening, heavenly blissfulness and back again. Through a seductive blend of calming vocals, electronic flavours, Japanese samples and brass, its warm glowing allure is irresistible. As good as Sal Dulu’s earlier releases are, ‘Tyko’ is another level altogether – this is one of 2018’s finest tracks so far.

Waste no more time, listen to ‘Tyko’ below now. The Dublin producer’s other work is available here too, and well worth a moment of your time.

Why Not – ‘Pink Hat’

26230615_1574607269275172_2926465709535503760_n

‘Pink Hat’ is the lead single from Minnesota outfit Why Not‘s second LP, ‘Spring Cleaning’; penned for release on March 21.

The Minnesota trio – Joshua MacGregor, Isaac Dell & Henry Breen – decidedly deadly dexterity in the math-rock meets ’90s indie/garage-rock stakes. Simultaneously intense and nonchalant, Why Not rifle through a rumbustious realm of relentless riffs, ratcheting up the energy only to slow to a meander, bob and let vocals momentarily resonate before bursting into life once again. It is fierce and furious but with a subtle and seductive catchiness sewn in. Its allure is neigh on impossible to resist and as an opening intro to the forthcoming new record, it promises great things.

Do yourself a favour, listen to ‘Pink Hat’ below now. ‘Spring Cleaning’ is out on March 21.

Irish trio whenyoung share new video for ‘Pretty Pure’

whenyoung-interview

whenyoung – Aoife Power (Vocals/Bass), Niall Burns (Guitar) and Andrew Flood (Drums) – already shared their superb new single ‘Pretty Pure’ with us, kicking off 2018 with a storm.

Following on from that, the London-based Irish trio have unveiled a sublime video for ‘Pretty Pure’. A superbly shot, stylish and evocative video, it works as a perfect companion for what is already an indie-pop delight. This is an irresistible and infectious four-minutes of pristine, melodic jangle-pop with a punky-edge and hooks that you could hang your hat on. Powers’ vocals meanwhile, are the pièce de résistance, sweet, yet punchy vocals bristling defiance leaving you utterly powerless to resist the allure of ‘Pretty Pure’.

In short, ‘Pretty Pure’ is marked by everything that has made whenyoung a standout this far. Jump below to watch/listen to ‘Pretty Pure’ – which out now.

They’ve a pile of live dates across the UK & Ireland coming up, check ’em here.

Jumanji – ‘Swings and Roundabouts’

27749858_562033720826475_9112349398493154723_n

At every juncture thus far, six piece power-punch of indie-pop, Jumanji have proven themselves masterful in the way of bright, breezy and highly melodic indie-pop with dreamy riffs and really infectious feel – the sort sure to be stuck in your head for days.

Based in the south coast seaside town of Brighton, they have cooked up another resplendent piece of indie-pop perfection; sunny, bright and powerful enough to dispel the recent polar conditions. The new single ‘Swings and Roundabouts’ is bouncy, joyous and unbelievably infectious. It exquisitely intertwines a jovial rhythm, neon bright guitars, super-catchy, sing-along choruses and a touch of the tropical, with the final layer of gloss completed by Atkins’ powerful voice, bringing their delightful indie-pop sound to life. A perfectly formed sound; providing addictive, easy listening that is packed with plenty of punch.

Listen to ‘Higher’ below, you won’t regret it and that’s a guarantee.

YellowStraps – ‘Nights Up’

24174543_1216070355191839_2930138155310743080_n

YellowStraps are the Belgian trio comprised of Yvan Murenzi, Alban Murenzi, and Raphael Starkier – together this holy trinity whisk together soul tinged alt-R&B with downtempo electro sensibilities.

For their newest release, single ‘Nights Up’, the trio have roped in the delectable vocal talents of Australian singer St. South – with beguiling results. Sculpted around dizzying synths, a click-clack rhythm, elegant and mildly euphoric piano and slowly shuffling bass, with a click-clack rhythm, ‘Nights Up’ trickles fluidly forward, paving the way for a sensual duet to unfold, amid the seductive groove and ethereal soundscape.

A powerful, captivating cut of electronic-infused soul music, moving at a slinky slo-mo pace, unhurriedly bringing a hazy vibe of nocturnal euphoria.

KA-TYA -‘Little House’

KT-MI-1

Soviet-born Australian artist and musician living in NYC, KA-TYA has already wowed us with a flagrant and playful defiance of genres, skipping boldly from haunting, synth-driven ballads to joyfully irreverent quirky-pop.

KA-TYA ‘s latest release is a similiarly skittish melting pot of creativity, colour and artistry. Eeking out a space on the indie-pop landscape between the shadow and the light, ‘Little House’ finds KA-TYA in her element. Simultaneously ethereal and gripping, ‘Little House’ is filled with drama and sorrow as the haunting vocals and emotional weight turns the screw, drawing us in. There is a spareness to proceedings, the space endeavours to evoke a sense of intrigue and mystery, while increasing the impact of both piano and vocals. This haunting, mysterious and beguiling single is complimented by a wonderful video, comprised of childhood VHS footage of KA-TYA and her parents in Ukraine in the early ’90s. A compelling, enigmatic and enticing demonstration of KA-TYA’s artistic prowess.

Check out ‘Little House’ below – it doesn’t disappoint.

Beev Rations – ‘Mystic Lover’

artworks-000291382026-xwvgs9-original

Based in Santander, Northern Spain, Beev Rations is the musical alter-ego of Alan James, a songwriter, singer and multi-instrumentalist, with a loving flair for psych-tinged, country & western flavoured folk jams.

Beev Rations introduced his wonderful wares with single ‘The Bigger Tricker’ – which as far as introductions go, you couldn’t ask for more. James’ latest ‘Mystic Lover’ is similarly lovable and in under two minutes, it waltzing its way into your heart with an old-word charm and rootsy blend of Doo Wop, Blues and Country. Filled with warmth, the vocals (and indeed the song itself) swoons with joy as the clip-clop percussion meanders through Everly Brothers-esque heavenly harmonies as guitars twang, shimmer and sparkle. There is something extremely familiar but different and original, brought no doubt by James’ unique and peculiar touch.

‘Mystic Lover’ is warm, charming and hard to resist – an incredibly heartfelt bundle of joy!

You can listen to ‘Mystic Lovers’ below now & if that is to your liking, there’s plenty more where that came from, over here.