DATE ARCHIVES : July 2020

Colorama announce new album; shares ‘And’ & ‘Dusty Road’

Following a break of three years, Colorama is back with news of a new album, Chaos Wonderland, which will be released July 31, 2020.

Now, three years isn’t an unusually long gap but Carwyn Ellis, the brains behind Colorama, has spent the intervening time focused on his other Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 and in doing so released last year’s finest record; Joia! (Welsh psych meets Brazilian pop).  Back on Colorama duties Ellis has teamed up with American producer Shawn Lee for the new record and in advance of its release at the end of the month, have share two sublime cuts to get us in the mood. First up, ‘And’, is a shimmering, slo-mo 60s-inspired psych-soul groover. It gently swaggers along a super seductive groove while hushed, hazy vocals drift above the distorted guitar shimmerings, bittersweet organ, and cymbal-heavy drums. Meanwhile ‘Dusty Road’ is just a big on the grooves while psychedelic & spaghetti western in tone. It gentle bobs along a groovy beat, fuzzy guitar strum and sitar twang while the hazy melodic vocals drift breezily above. Amid the twangy haze there emanates a sense of dangerousness and outlaw vibes.

Two magnificent reasons to be excited for ‘Chaos Wonderland’ on July 31, 2020.

Simen Mitlid – ‘Murders’

Simen Mitlid is a Norwegian singer-songwriter hailing from the woodlands of Os, has a proven himself a precocious talent for lush, dreamy indie-folk; a statement given great clout by two sublime albums – 2017’s Everything is the Same & 2019’s Neutral.

And not long since ushering the latter into the world, Mitlid is back with delectable offerings from a forthcoming new album Birds. Mitlid shared the beautiful ‘Weeks’ and gorgeous title track, ‘Birds’ earlier this year and now it is the turn of ‘Murders’. It is another carefully crafted and sincere indie-folk ballad. Mitlid’s lilting vocals, serene and tender, rise gracefully above the softly plucked guitar, twinkly tones and gushing haze. It is yet another charming, heartwarming and utterly bewitching slice of indie-folk – Mitlid’s calling card.

Listen to ‘Murders’ below and the new album is expected in the Autumn.

Abracadabra – ‘Dirty Pan’

Abracadabra are Oakland-based outfit comprised of core duo Hannah Skelton (cassiopeia) and Chris Niles (Maus Haus) that craft unconventional electro-pop music littered with imaginative ideas and unique sounds.

The pair have just released new single ‘Dirty Pan’ into the world which captures the essence of their exquisite sound in just four-minutes. A reflection on the struggles we face as a society, both in a social and environmental sense, that have been amplified by the current pandemic, ‘Dirty Pan’ radiates an otherworldly dreamlike surrealism that is utterly transfixing. It skips and swaggers along a strutting drum machine led rhythm amid a sea of atmospheric textures, sparkling synth and fizzing electronics while ethereal vocals, mesmerise and enchant in equal measure. A tantalizing and groove-driven slice wonky-electro-pop – magnificent!

Listen to’Dirty Pan’ below, and keep your eyes peeled for their debut album is set to be released on on July 24 on Anniversary . 

AfriCali – ‘Daughters of the Sun’

AfriCali is a California-based musical collective embracing a broad base of influences as evidenced by their work to date; a journey of musical exploration and fusion of sounds.

Their latest single ‘Daughters of the Sun’, and indeed the album in which it is lifted from Taught Of A Culture captures the very essence of what Africali and their sound is all about. It is a jazzy and soulful cut with a funky base-line that swaggers along a seductive groove and soft beats while guitars twang amid the sun-kissed shimmering feedback. A genre-hopping jam mixing up afrobeat, rock, pop, and hip-hop and topped with coastal-psych seasoning and catchy melodies. A superb, seductive and sunny groover – tune in below.

Listen to ‘Daughters of the Sun’ below and if that is to your liking, check the album here.

Ynys – ‘Aros Am Byth’

Ynys is the moniker of Welsh artist Dylan Hughes (formerly of Race Horses and Radio Luxembourg) who has dazzled us with his work to date; namely singles ‘Mae’n Hawdd’ and  ‘Caneuon.

Teaming up with the excellent Libertino Records once again, Hughes has returned with a super smooth and hypnotic new single; ‘Aros Am Byth’. It is yet another lavish psych-washed synth-pop beauty filled with starry-eyed wonder as Hughes brings together 70s Italian disco synths and power pop harmonies – a magical combo. ‘Aros Am Byth’ washes over you with ease as lush vocals flow above a slinking groove and seductive beats while woozy flourishes of synth ripple amid the psychedelic swirl. A beautiful hypnotic tune tinged with melancholy and swelling heart and soul – another dazzling display from Ynys.

Listen to ‘Aros Am Byth’ below:


Luke Hawker – ‘Uno Mono’

Luke Hawker is a musician and producer from Bournemouth on England’s south coast, mixing it up between electronic, downtempo and trip-hop.

Hawker’s latest single ‘Uno Mono’ came to fruition as an attempt to create “Nintendo meets Tame Impala” – he’s arrived there, and a whole lot more. At its core, it is built upon a charming blend of bright synths, seductive grooves and melodic allure. ‘Uno Mono’ danders along a bed of colour synths and playful melodies (that bring to my mind The Specials) with an airy, carefree vibe while more sounds, riffs and frazzled electronics enter the fray. It is measured, melodic and never overdone – everything has its place to which it fits perfectly for an utterly irresistible electronic excursion.

A beautiful charming delight – listen to ‘Uno Mono’ below:


Sprints – ‘The Cheek’

Sprints are Dublin-based post-punk foursome of Karla Chubb (vocals/guitar), Colm O’Reilly (guitar), Sam McCann (bass) and Jack Callan (drums).

Together, Sprints create a raw, raucous and potent post-punk sound – one filled with a ferocious blend snarling vocals, driving rhythms, meaty riffs, swagger and noise. The aforementioned attributes are captured perfectly by their latest single ‘The Cheek’; re-released as part of  Nice Swan Records’ monthly singles club. ‘The Cheek’ is loud, confident, and defiant. Driven by a fierce and propulsive bass line, it grabs you from the off and refuses to relent as it swaggers along barrelling drumbeat. Guitars rumble, buzz and crunch amidst the hail of noise and feedback as Chubb’s vocals increase their bite, growing increasingly defiant, leading the charge to an electrifying climax. A huge, thrilling and furious jam, delivered with a swagger and laced with sarcasm, ‘The Cheek’ tackles sexuality head on.

An absolutely massive tune, listen ‘The Cheek’ below:

Eoin Dolan – ‘June Hope’

Whenever Galway musician and singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan, one of Ireland’s finest talents as it goes, releases new material it is a great day.

Following on from last year’s Commander of Sapiens – Dolan’s third album to date – new EP June Hope is a gentle, carefully crafted collection of psych-inflected indie-pop. Dolan has a remarkable ability for crafting sci-fi-tinged surf pop, marrying heartbreaking melodies and gentle instrumentation, sadness with beauty and interstellar psych-pop exploration – and this signature sound is all over ‘June Hope’. Breezy, light and thoughtful, it charts a journey from youth to young adulthood through the prism of seasonal change. It is woozy and dreamy as it drifts along a gently waltzing groove flanked by Dolan’s breezy air and twinkly guitar, while radiating a sense of hopeful optimism. As always, Dolan has delivered an absolute treasure.

Listen to the single below and check out the David Boland aka New Pope crafted video – the EP is here too.


Nia Wyn – ‘Atlantis / Ghosted’

Forever serving us with stunning soulful jams, London-via-North-Wales soul singer-songwriter Nia Wyn has returned’, with not one, but two singles.

Wyn has been busy in 2020 and this double dose of soul – ‘Atlantis’ and ‘Ghosted’ – comes hot on the heels of debut EP Love I Can’t Ruin and single ‘Who Asked You’. ‘Atlantis’ is a vintage soul ballad filled with soft guitar lines, plush beats, seductive grooves and all submerged in soothing, woozy waters with Wyn’s smooth vocals bobbing along above. An utterly beautiful stirring ballad delivered with passion and emotion. ‘Ghosted’ meanwhile is also a laid-back and woozy wonder but fleshed out with more of a R&B/hip hop feel. Wyn’s inimitable vocals take centre stage with a backdrop of bouncy beats, addicting groovy rhythms and warm parps of brass as she tells a heartfelt tale of a friendship drifting apart. Two superb additions to an ever growing catalogue of brilliance from a huge talent that impresses time and time again – long may it continue.

Listen to ‘Atlantis / Ghosted’ below now: