DATE ARCHIVES : August 2018

Automatism – ‘Propeller Propulsion‘

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Automatism is an instrumental kraut/space rock band from Stockholm, Sweden.

Formed in the spring of 2017 by guitarist Hans Hjelm, who gathered friends and band members from Kungens Män and New Rose – Gustav Nygren (guitar), Mikael Tuominen (bass), Jonas Yrlid (drums) – their songs are born from live improvisation in the studio, with overdubs added later, resulting in part psych, kraut and space rock excursions.

Having released debut album At The Lake earlier this year, the latest single lifted from is ‘Propeller Propulsion‘ and it is massive – a sprawling 12 minute long hypnotic intrepid adventure in sound and space. Opening with a haze of hissing noise, distortion and fuzz which begins to fade as cosmic cascading guitars riff and chime, and come to the fore. Propelled on by a motorik/ krautrock beat, what we are left with is something rather special indeed as it expands the blissed-out rhythms, while enveloping everything in a sea of beautiful spaced-out noise.

A heady brew of swirling psych, Krautrock and Motorik rhythms, it is a wonder of imagination and ideas that burrows into your consciousness, building into an enthralling ride. Awe-inspiring stuff, just wow!

The Radio Edit is below but you can find the Full Monty over here, along with the rest of the album.

The Molochs – ‘Too Lost In Love’

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LA’s The Molochs are gearing up to release their second album Flowers In The Spring, due September 7th via Innovative Leisure.

Previous record, 2017’s America’s Velvet Glory is a love-letter to the guitar; with its cheery acoustic chords, jangly indie and surf-rock vibes and flourishes of ’60s psychedelic folk. And with the second single lifted from their forthcoming album, ‘Too Lost In Love’ falls somewhere similar on the guitar lovers spectrum. ‘Too Lost In Love’ carves out a joyous, lackadaisical and carefree identity, with its sun-drenched blend of swooning melodies, bright and breezy ’80s indie jangle, swaying surf-rock, flurry of whimsical ’60s garage and sunkissed reverb. In short, it is a charming strain of gloriously ramshackle and instantly addictive lo-fi garage pop. So, the question is, what’s not to like?

Check out the delight that is ‘Too Lost In Love’. Album number two, Flowers In The Spring follows on September 7th.

Charlie Lane – ‘Crazy Happy’

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Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Charlie Lane does a fine line in bittersweet indie-pop.

Lane, who last introduced herself with 2016 EP Mood Swings & Antidepressants, has returned with a superb new single ‘Crazy Happy’.

Witty and distinctive, the Melbourne-based artist is as witty offers up a bittersweet cut of indie-pop exploring the tangled hearts of a destructive relationship. Opening with an irresistible riff and steady back beat, the laid-back musical vibes swell as the song progresses and joined by a gorgeous trumpet line, a touch of brass giving proceedings a triumphant lift. Despite this underlying sense of angst in the lyrics, ‘Crazy Happy’ is surprisingly chipper, especially the sweet pop vocals, conjuring up some dazzling summertime vibes as she bares her soul to the world.

Packed with charisma and charm, listen to ‘Crazy Happy’ below:

Whyte Horses – ‘Never Took the Time’

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Manchester psych-pop outfit Whyte Horses whisk us off to a land of blissful, dreamy psychedelia that sounds both familiar yet fresh.

Whyte Horses released their wonderfully uplifting and timeless second album Empty Words back in March and it sounds simultaneously like everything and nothing you’ve ever heard. ‘Never Took the Time’ is the latest single lifted from the record and it displays all the best of what Whyte Horses and their album has to offer you in under four-minutes. Filled with shimmery, wistful, ’60s pop hues, ‘Never Took The Time’ takes us on a swirling, kaleidoscopic journey through all lush psychedelic, hazy, dreamy melodies, eastern guitar twangs and sweeping grandiose orchestral pop. A final and crowning touch of enigmatic beauty is provided by the dual vocals of Leonore Wheatley (The Soundcarriers) and Mélanie Pain (formerly of Nouvelle Vague) – absolutely magical!

‘Never Took The Time’ and its video comes just a mere few weeks before members of The Go! Team will join The Whyte Horses Experience (alongside La Roux, Badly Drawn Boy, Melanie Pain and St Barts Choir) at their huge multi-media, special guest-laden headline show at Royal Festival Hall on September 13th.

As previously mentioned, ‘Never Took The Time’ comes with colourful video directed by James Slater, which you can also stream below. If it is to your liking, you can listen to the latest album here too. Enjoy!

October Fires – ‘Pray’

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October Fires are Kildare-based alt-pop foursome of Carol Somers, Lisa Baker, Eoghan O’Neill and Eric Somers.

Their latest single is called ‘Pray’ and going by that, October Fires have found a perfect blend between beauty and otherworldy eeriness.

From the gentle harmonies and piano-led opening to ‘Pray’, you would be forgiven for expecting a full on folk ballad but as it develops, layer upon layer reveals itself to be a more thrilling and chilling beast. As it progresses, ‘Pray’ slowly shifts itself off to an otherworldy zone with a flurry of unsettling piano plonking and guitar notes beneath swelling percussion. The vocals, crystalline and soulful, rise from the unsettling, murky shadows and cut a sway through a majestic collage of spectral swirls, dark and haunting atmospherics, and trip-hoppy beats to top off this chilling, beguiling and beautiful song perfectly. With its spooky, gothic, haunting and otherworldly aura, altogether, it makes for a rather compelling listen.

Listen to ‘Pray’ below now:

Angry Saints – ‘Satan’s In Your Neighbourhood’

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Fresh off the back of releasing their debut album, Nothing New In The Human Zoo, Madrid-based alt-rock outfit Angry Saints have shared new single ‘Satan’s In Your Neighbourhood’.

Formed in Madrid in 2015, the foursome comprised of Lindsay Moxham, Ricardo Regúlez, Dave Robinson & Carol Viñe – from Spain, Australia & England – have a preference for powerful alternative rock with a bit of punk, psych and power-pop (among others) thrown in for good measure. ‘Satan’s In Your Neighbourhood’ captures this aesthetic perfectly with its meaty guitars, muscular riffs, rumbling bassline and powerful percussion set to a jarring, frantic and unsettling backdrop. Throughout their album the songs are set against a backdrop of varied landscapes – the sea, the desert, dreams and nightmares; your apocalypse of choice – and aptly with ‘Satan’s In Your Neighbourhood’ it is very much the latter two. What marks Angry Saints (and indeed the debut LP) is an enviable ability to strike a balance between the darker tones in the lyrics, sometimes menacing backdrop and the upbeat/uptempo nature of the sound.

A great track and a superb introductory point for their debut LP Nothing New In The Human Zoo. Tune in below.

Nick Ferrio – ‘I Don’t Know How Long’

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Canadian musician, singer-songwriter and The Burning Hell member, Nick Ferrio is gearing up for the release of his new solo album Have a Nice Day on September 28.

With the release date not far on the horizon Ferrio offered a preview of the new record in the shape of new single ‘I Don’t Know How Long’. The song revolves around an unforgettable fuzzy riff and a manic beat, that cranks up the tension and ’60s garage rock vibes as he critiques the gentrification of his hometown Peterborough, Ontario. A repetitive melody and chord progression combine to up the ante as Ferrio airs his fears and grievances of the destruction of community through with raw, real and poignant lyrics. A great track and way to whet ones appetite for the new record coming next month.

Check out ‘I Don’t Know How Long’ and the Shawn Kosmerly directed video below.

Saguru – ‘Semantic Death’

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Saguru is the musical moniker of 22-year old German musician, multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Chriz Rappel.

Rapple began writing music from the age of 11, honing a sound that is heavily indebted to that of Alex Turner’s solo work in particular which, under the Saguru guise, stepped out into the world in 2016. While he’s got quite a few releases already under his belt, his latest effort finds him in fine form, with his best and most affecting work to date. ‘Semantic Death’ is beautiful song plain and simple – musically and lyrically – it is powerful and emotive, with a melancholic and lamentable feel. It is as though Rappel has gazed upon final days of a declining world, ready to implode. Led by piano and acoustic strum, and back by some swish, swooning orchestral-esque vibes coalesce while Rappel’s deep, dark brogue endeavours to raise his lyrics to pride of place – emblematic of the song’s stirring emotion and rousing defiance. Powerful and compelling, this is brilliantly moving.

Listen to ‘Semantic Death’ below, sheer excellence.

wwoman – ‘FOA’

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wwoman is the moniker of Pittsburgh artist Gi Smee, whose project is self-described as ‘depression pop’.

Smee’s distillation of psych and pop, is anything but depressing. While smouldering with an undercurrent of melancholy, it is smarting a peppy, upbeat psych-pop vibe and hypnotic allure – of which latest single ‘FOA’ is a prime example of. ‘FOA’ swirls together a soft atmosphere with piercing fuzz, and there’s a palpable, frenzied energy steering us through a sea of lush synths. The quivering synths invite us into a dimly lit world of late night street lamps and mid winter fog while the  breathy vocal whisper in to the ears. This is a sublime synth-pop groover with bouncy neon-bright beats and hypnotic allure to capture your imagination.

Listen to ‘FOA’ below:

 

Adwaith – ‘Gartref’

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Welsh trio Adwaith introduced themselves and their experimental post-punk earlier in the year with stellar double A-side single ‘Fel i Fod’ / ‘Newid‘.

Hot on the heels of their double A-side, the trio – consisting of Hollie Singer (vocals, guitar), Gwenllian Anthony (bass, keys, mandolin), and Heledd Owen (drums) – have announced new single ‘Gartref’.

Opening with acoustic strum and tender, hushed vocals, ‘Gartref’ builds slowly, smouldering with emotion as it draws you in under its intoxicating spell. A beautifully melancholic slice of wistful indie-pop, based around minimalist instrumentation and the beautifully, mesmeric vocals; a truly beautiful song. As with all Adwaith’s songs thus far, they instinctively forge a direct emotional connection with the listener,

Oh, and that’s not all! A much anticipated debut album is due for release later this year too. Exciting times.

Out via the excellent Libertino Records, ‘Gartref’ is out now. Tune in below.

Adwaith are also one of twelve acts selected from across Wales for Horizons 2018, so expect to be hearing plenty more from them over the next 12 months. Find out more about them here.