DATE ARCHIVES : January 2019

Ilu – ‘Jaanus’

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Dividing their time recording between Tallinn, Estonia and rural Wales, Ilu are a Welsh Psych/Krautrock outfit crafting epic, spacey, interstellar hymns.

They introduced themselves (and found a sizeable place in my heart) with the spectacular ‘Graffiti Hen Ewrop’ last year, and follow that with ‘Jaanus’; an equally intoxicating proposition. ‘Jaanus’ is elegant yet bold, delicately drifting off in the chillest of vibes as synths chime and shimmer, gently winding electronics orbit and sparkle like stars to a place of wonder and tranquillity in the cosmos. It’s jubilant yet melancholic; busy yet laid-back – a paradoxical sound but one of awe and beauty that climaxes in a haze of heavenly choral repetitions cascade upon stuttering drums. An immaculate palate of sonics, sounds and textures that intoxicates with airiness and beauty.

As with ‘Graffiti Hen Ewrop’, the recording was began in Tallinn, Estonia and was completed by Tim Lewis (Spiritualized, Julian Cope, Coil) in Aerial Studios in Carmarthenshire.

There is talk of album later in the year which is great news but for now listen to ‘Jaanus’ below:

Introducing: DefByMisadventure

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Originally from Co Tyrone, DefByMisadventure (aka Marius Magfhogartai-Marius) is an Irish producer based in the UK – Preston to be precise.

DefByMisadventure has a clear preference for head-nodding and lavish explorations of genres and styles but the hip-hop influence looms largest on the horizon, as evidenced by introductory tunes ‘Chevynova’ & ‘Versacered’. Both tracks are smooth, cool as fuck hip-hop inspired electronic tunes, with popping beats, slick samples and swaggering grooves, and all permeated entirely with an elegant air of chicness. Moving along an uptempo, stuttering snappy beat combo, ‘Chevynova’ swaggers on its way with sultry sax-solo sample and vocal snippets adding a final veneer of allure to this infectious production. While the bumping beats remain, ‘Versacered’ offers a more chilled and elegant side to his approach. Fueled by a bouncy beat and infectious rhythmic groove, it bobs along a rippling of chiming synths, popping percussion, as it moves along on its merry way with quite a swagger. Two sublimely cool tracks to introduce you to DefByMisadventure’s wares.

Listen to both ‘Chevynova’ & ‘Versacered’ below now:

Dreaming of Islands – ‘Silencio’

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Dreaming of Islands are Ida Gyllensten and Magnus Hedberg, a Swedish duo from Malmö who experiment with a post-rock sound infused with nods to trip hop and dark electro, and their creations are brooding, ominous and beguiling.

The pair’s latest release is ‘Silencio’; an elegant, atmospheric and spectral dose of ethereal electronica. A hypnotic and captivating track, with a powerful dark groove that pulsates with vibrant emotion, dark, mysterious and atmospheric as it goes with the semi-chanted lyrics increasing the primal vibe and enthralling. Beauty and ominous darkness work simultaneously as the semi-chanted lyrics increase the primal vibe as ‘Silencio’ ebbs and flows to an epic crescendo. ‘Silencio’ is an irresistible and entrancing six minutes plus, that quickly locks you under its spell and enthral no end.

Listen to ‘Silencio’ below:

Allen & Douglas – ‘We’re Beginning To Go Backwards’

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Birmingham musical duo Allen & Douglas have been crafting songs together since their teens – strumming, singing and concocting songs in old railway stations and under canal bridges – and their music is always heavily weighted with honesty, charm and a love of making music.

The pair have a new album called Wheels & People penned for release this spring and ahead of which they have shared new single ‘We’re Beginning To Go Backwards’. This early taster continues their adventures in off-kilter/left-field indie, as ‘We’re Beginning To Go Backwards’ flits between muscular riffs and jangley chords, and sprigs of psych-tones with powerful vocals roaring us home. Each and every time Allen & Douglas pop up onto our musical radar they leave their mark and ‘We’re Beginning To Go Backwards’ is in keeping with this tradition; a wonderfully distinctive reminder of what Allen & Douglas are all about.

Listen to ‘We’re Beginning To Go Backwards’ below and keep an eye out for the forthcoming new record.

Swine Tax – ‘Conversation’

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Newcastle-upon-Tyne, DIY trio Swine Tax have proven their credentials in the way of classic indie/alternative inspired sounds – their’s is probably best summed up as a bit indie, a bit alternative rock, a bit rough around the edges and a whole lot melodic.

Their latest single ‘Conversation’ – much like last year’s ‘Never Ending’ – is an irresistible combination of catchy melodies, bustling guitar, bubbling bass and pumped-up percussion, matching their trademark witty lyricism and all treated with a mild but warm layer fuzz. Lyrically we find soul-crushing small talk in the cross-hairs of the Geordie trio, as they take a tongue-in-check approach to forced awkward interactions – and with the festive season just behind us, everyone no doubt know that feeling. ‘Conversation’ is another raucous, bustling and brilliant blast of fuzz-filled alt-rock / indie greatness.

Tune in below:

Introducing: Moony Matelot

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Moony Matelot is the musical alter ego of NYC-based artist Todd Goings who writes and records his music from the solitude of bedroom; the outcome of which has given rise to three releases; 2015 self-titled EP, 2017 debut LP Voyage and 2018 album Tempest.

Moony Matelot sound is bound by an impressive, eclectic and exquisite aural enchantment, and lifted from his records, it is something both ‘Molly’ and ‘Munich’ are testament to. ‘Molly’ skips breezily along a playful giddy, bouncy beat, navigating its way through a smiley psych-toned pop adventure of chimes, bleeping electronics, sunny and carefree temperament with vocoder vocals. Taken from the aforementioned debut EP, ‘Munich’ is the breezier of the two, a hazy laid-back dose of wonderful escapism. A warm, charming and serenely beautiful slice of indie-pop, it sports a gentle but addicting guitar riff and subtle but seductive melody, ‘Munich’ is sweetly a melodious, delicate and dreamy delight. Fizzing with ideas and ingenuity ‘Molly’ and ‘Munich’ illustrate the splendiferous quality of what the project is all about.

Listen to ‘Molly’ and ‘Munich’ below and if they are to your liking, you can listen to Moony Matelot latest album here.

Richard Devine – ‘Takara’

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After a six year break, Atlanta’s Richard Devine returned to the fold in 2018 with new album Sort/Lave, sculpting a sound that is complex, elegant and organic.

Devine’s return was heralded by his ambition to create a record that sounded different to his previous work, which had been more cold, digital, clinical even, in favour of something more organic, detailed, spacious, big and warm; a record to play all the way through that flowed in a seamless fashion. While Devine’s idea of warmth may be open to discussion, Sort\Lave is exquisite, as is the latest track lifted from it ‘Takara’. Something of an ambient lullaby, it is elegant, soft and beautiful. ‘Takara’ is a gorgeous track that twinkles and glistens amid ambient textures, subtle melody and atmospheric gushes – one of the album’s finest moments, perfectly suited to its role as the album closer.

Listen to ‘Takara’ below now – and if that is to your liking why not give Sort/Lave a spin? You can do so here.

Party Fears – ‘Sun King II’

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Party Fears are Berlin-based Irish duo Maggie Devlin and Eilis Frawley. Formed in South Korea before moving to Berlin, Party Fears concern themselves with art-rock meets garage-pop with a touch of punk, jittery guitar riffs, shout-able lyrics and decidedly danceable disco grooves.

In 2017, the duo released their self-titled debut album and they are now prepping a new EP, Just Friends for release in 2019. ‘Sun King II’ is the second single lifted from the forthcoming EP, and it is powerful post-punk with disco and art-rock leanings. Moving along a forceful drum beat and urgent bassline, it is an upbeat, synth-splashed and defiant anthem. Caught between exhaustion or frustration, ‘Sun King II’ and Devlin’s scorching vocal, rails in the face of Brexit chaos, Trump, toxic masculinity and crash economics. Amid the energetic rhythms and powerhouse bass, an irresistible jerky guitar riffs slides into place perfectly to complete the jigsaw. A very promising indication of what is to come from Party Fears.

Listen to ‘Sun King II’ below. Like what you hear? Check out their self-titled debut LP here.