DATE ARCHIVES : September 2019

BDRMM – ‘Shame’

Hull based outfit bdrmm have been blurring the lines between ‘90s indie-rock, shoegaze, psych and slacker dream pop since 2018, and wooing us in the process.

Having teamed up with them for their Singles Club, bdrmm have signed to Sonic Cathedral, for debut EP If Not, When? which arrives on October 11. Ahead of the forthcoming release they have shared ‘Shame’, the first track to be lifted from their new EP and arrives via a similar sonic playground as its predecessors. Anchored by a winding, meaty bassline and glistening guitar-line it hurtles off along a metronomic beat as a white hot scorching riff rises to welcome locked, icy monotony of the vocal delivery. Combine the aforementioned qualities with the transfixing rhythms and you have ‘Shame’; this is bdrmm at their most assured and most potent to date.

Listen to ‘Shame’ below:

Sun Bloom – ‘Take It Away’

Sun Bloom are a London-based trio crafting an addictive blend of dreamy, fuzz-filled guitar-pop.

Their latest single ‘Take It Away’ – from their debut EP of the same name –  is a sizzling slice of hazy indie-pop that injects some sunshine into our lives. Their addictive surf-inspired dream-pop sound fizzes with effervescence as bright riffs, shimmering guitar and bouncy rhythm coalesce with a sunkissed, lush and alluring warmth;a perfect backdrop for the breezy, honeyed vocals to thrive. A charming, bright and sunny slice of  jangley indie-pop wonderment and packed with a punchy character too, it brings to mind the likes of Alvvays or Best Coast.

Listen to ‘Take It Away’ below:

Bad Flamingo – ‘Open the Gates’

Masked musical duo Bad Flamingo introduced their desert drenched, woozy Americana sounds with album I Said a Prayer Twice for Both My Faces, and companion singles last year – and as the adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Their latest single ‘Open the Gates’ another warm, woozy western slowburner. It is assured and somewhat dangerous as it swaggers along a muted guitar riff with soft, subtle drums and rolling bassline in the background, as the lead vocals claw their way through the layers of woozy, smokey atmosphere. Amid this sparse, desert drenched sound Bad Flamingo strike a balance between stomp and finesse as the combined seductive power of rhythmic, bluesy swagger and exquisite pop harmonies reels you in.

Listen to ‘Open the Gates’ below now:

M O S E S – ‘Joy’

M O S E S are a London four-piece with a preference for fizzing indie sounds recalling a thrilling mixture of Jamie T and Blur.

The foursome have been introducing their wares over the past 18 months with a steady release of singles and their latest ‘Joy’ is a colossus. Amid these gloomy surroundings and sparse sounds emerge an uplifting, heart-swelling surge, bristling with anthemic fervour, it leads to an with it’s unforgettable chorus as riffs buzz and guitars swell. The distinctive and passionate voice is the perfect pairing, adding a final layer of emotive allure. It is rousing and bristling with energy, purrs passion and will leave the hairs on the back of your neck on end.

Listen to ‘Joy’ below:

The Hannah Barberas – ‘It’s Not Over For The Heartache’

London-based indie-pop foursome The Hannah Barberas have graced us with a steady stream of irresistible sounds over the past few years and in doing so, have forged a rep for home-brewed charms, with a knack for charming effervescent indie-pop gems.

Continuing their winning formula for crafting charming indie-pop, their latest single ‘It’s Not Over For The Heartache’ leads the way on their new, 6-track EP, Dial H for Hannah Barberas. ‘It’s Not Over For The Heartache’ takes their quintessentially easy going and refreshingly ramshackle sound and inject it with some precision Motown rhythm and Northern Soul stylings. Sweet 60s beat-esque vocals and lush vocal harmonies woo us above layers of pop hooks, sweet jangly guitar and rich melodies to deliver an enchanting and addicting parcel of indie-pop perfection.

Tune into the timeless indie-pop gold below and the EP is here too.

NANCY – ‘When I’m With You’

NANCY is mysterious, reclusive post-punk outfit hailing from the North East of England.

Self-described as “Sgt. Peppers for degenerates”, NANCY demonstrated a propensity for furious, jerky and brilliantly mind blowing art-rock meets post-punk sounds with colourful EP The Mysterious Visions last year. 

Following on from that, NANCY is back with yet another weird and wonderful tune in the shape of ‘When I’m With You’. It’s a spectacular return, one comprised from a glittering confection of colours and shimmering synths and whisked together with otherworldly magic as melodic vocals rush over a seductive, Northern Soul-esque groove. It is supremely catchy and it’s off-kilter, playful allure is one that is hard to resist – it is an arresting fusion of sound. 

Listen to ‘When I’m With You’ below – The Mysterious Visions EP is well worth checking out – tune in here.

Oddnesse – ‘Donut Shop’

Oddnesse is the fruitful collaboration between musician Rebeca Arango and producer Grey Goon, two east-coast expats based in Los Angeles with a shared affinity for catchy hooks, heavy grooves and apocalyptic hypotheticals.

The pair introduced themselves with singles ‘Are You Down’ & ‘I Used To’ in late 2017 but have been quiet since. Thankfully, however, the pair have made a buoyant return with ‘Donut Shop’. A first offering in over a year it is a forceful, driving song propelled by Arango’s gorgeous vocal harmonies and melodies, as synths gush alongside a burst of hazy guitars and a persistent drum beat – and all covered in a mild blanket of warm fuzz. It is a rich, melodic and reverb-laden treat – one that will be spinning around your head all week.

Listen to ‘Donut Shop’ below:

Introducing: Mazoulew

UK-based producer Mazoulew has been creating captivating electronic sounds since 2004.

Drawn from a deep source inspiration from trip-hop, jazz, downtempo, drum&bass and more, his sound continues to evolve and be refined over time. More recently he’s teamed up with the eclectic Stereofox Records for a series of releases (four to date) with the latest being ‘Shogun’ & ‘Overdue’.

The former is a hypnotic, transfixing and dancefloor minded, techno influenced sound. Heavy on mood, texture and atmosphere, relentless oscillations and skittering percussion bend you to its will, leaving you utterly powerless to resist the tempting allure. Although everything is delivered with a pin point accuracy, it has a grainy and dusty atmospheric feel. ‘Overdue’ affords a different but equally exquisite side to Mazoulew’s talent. It is a gorgeous slice of downtempo electronica; all warm tones, lush strings, bright chimes and breathtaking melodies, and swells of brass. It is a swelling, alluring and dreamy downtempo excursion. Both takes help whisk you away, in their different way, taking you on a journey to a place of musical excellence.

You can check out both tracks below:

Altvater – ‘Even Young’

Hailing from Columbia, South Carolina, producer Altvater proven a reliable source of downtempo electronica over the past 18 months or so.

His flair for fusing cinematic electronica, trip hop, and dark synthwave is marked by a deft ability to blend colour and warmth to a glacial but imperious ambience – as evidenced by his output thus far. Latest single ‘Even Young’ is of a similar high standard.It is an elegant, moody and emotive journey propelled along a steady drumbeat through a mellow veil of cinematic, ambient atmospheres. It is lush and dreamy as a delicate strum and ambient sounds set the clam tone as exquisite vocals add a lift while a flourish of warm keys and winds brings some illumination. It is rich and textured, deeply emotive and calming; it is a beautiful and meditative track, and one that is rather easy-on-the-ear too.

Listen to ‘Even Young’ below: 

Joviale – ‘Storm’

Joviale is a musician and songwriter from London with a flair for colourful, infectious, effervescent and soulful psych-pop.

She introduced her intoxicating sound with suitably titled ‘Taste Of The Heavens’ ahead of the release of debut EP Crisis, this week. Coincidentally coinciding with this is the unveiling of ‘Storm’, Joviale’s reworking of Rare Silk’s 80s jazz jam for London producer Bullion’s 4 Down compilation – more info on that here. Joviale’s commanding vocal take centre stage, with a slightly haunted tone, pulls heavy as it stridently towers amid a flurry of fizzy electronic beats, flourishes of twinkly synth and increasingly pulsing rhythm. Joviale’s take on ‘Storm’ is nothing short of breathtaking – a stunning track.

Tune into ‘Storm’ below and check out Crisis – it is out now