POST CATEGORY : Indie

Caoilfhionn Rose – ‘Flourish’

Manchester-based singer/songwriter Caoilfhionn Rose came to our attention with her exquisite debut album Awaken in 2018, and has announced plans to release new album Truly on April 9.

Rose’s sound draws from a deep well of folk, psychedelia and subtle electronica influences, ranging from The Mummers, to Rachel Sermanni, Melody’s Echo Chamber and Broadcast, she produces her own unique brand of beautiful, expansive, fragile and experimental psych-folk.
And with the new album on the horizon, Caoilfhionn Rose is back with lead single ‘Flourish’; a rich and intoxicating haze of dreamy psych-folk. Bathed in a lush and woozy haze, Rose’s soothing and tranquil vocals glide elegantly over a lightly strummed guitar, subtle instrumental arrangements and a trickle of keys, creating a mesmerising, ethereal air. ‘Flourish’ is a gorgeous, deeply immersive and dreamy psych-folk gem, and one that completely transfixes from start to finish. ‘Flourish’ expands on where Awaken left off and hints at another superb record.

Listen to ‘Flourish’ below and keep an eye out for ‘Truly’ coming on April 9.

Freedom Fry – ‘Corde Sensible’

We love a bit of Freedom Fry round these parts – no question.

Over the past number of years the prolific pairing of Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll have  regularly brightened up our lives with charming, catchy and memorable indie-pop jams culminating in 2018 debut LP, Classic, and 2020’s Songs from the West Coast.

And now, Freedom Fry are back with new single ‘Corde Sensible’ – a second track lifted from their forthcoming third album, their first entirely in French. ‘Corde Sensible’ is an exquisitely crafted track fueled by a dance beat coupled with moody piano chords, bright strings, shimmering synth and ethereal tones of Parisian, Seyrat. It has something of an indie-music-to-dance-to vibe as it grooves along a disco-indebted beat  and flows with an ease and breeze. ‘Corde Sensible’ might be Freedom Fry’s danciest tune to date but while it marks a change of pace it retains their signature touches; an ear for hook,  melody and harmony amid their charming shimmering sonic delights.

Get acquainted with ‘Corde Sensible’ below –  it will be released alongside two other new songs as part of a three-song EP on Friday, February 12.

Tertia – ‘Emily’

Tertia is a  London / Dublin based multi-instrumental artist, songwriter and producer with a flair for charming, synth-splashed indie-pop.

A classically trained musician, Tertia simultaneously incorporates this with lush synths, electronics, stylized production and meditative vocals to create an exciting lo-fi / indie-pop brew – exhibited beautifully on new single ‘Emily’. Lifted from Tertia’s recently released debut EP,  Tertia’s Mixtape, ‘Emily’ is a lush, melodic and dreamy escape. Electronics flutter and synths shimmer and fizz while soft beats patter at a pace below as Tertia’s smooth honeyed vocal tones reign supreme, flowing over us with an ease and breeze. ‘Emily’ is serene, addicting and utterly spectacular – a perfect intro to both Tertia and debut EP, Tertia’s Mixtape.

Listen to ‘Emily’ below – and the EP is available here

Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 – ‘Lawr Yn Y Ddinas Fawr’

With so much of our lives put on hold as we navigate our way through the pandemic, it was with great joy we discovered that Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 fast-tracked their second album ‘Mas’ for release in 2021 instead of 2022. 

‘Mas’ is the follow-up to 2019’s stunning debut ‘Joia!’ and is out today via Banana & Louie Records. As with its predecessor, it consists of songs in Welsh, backed with a distinct pop flavoured with music from across Latin America; a beautiful melting pot fabulously informed by tropicália and bossa nova, but with a psychedelic flavour. Accompanying the album’s release is ‘Lawr Yn Y Ddinas Fawr’; a suitably breezy breathe of fresh air underpinned by a soft patter of drums and gentle bassline bubble. It is sweet, charming and joy filled, as sweet vocals cruise gracefully above a lush strum, warm chimes  and array of sunny tones, beautiful breezy feelgood vibe. Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 sounding wonderful once again; resplendent psych-pop perfection and perfect soundtrack to brighter times ahead. 

Listen to ‘Lawr Yn Y Ddinas Fawr’ below and the new album ‘Mas’ is out today – tune in here.

San Salvo – ‘Khanta’

San Salvo are a neo soul / psych outfit from Brooklyn; a collaborative project of Jared Schapker (Grandpa Jack), Matt C. White and Sean Smith (Rubblebucket / Kaleta & Super Yamba Band).

Together the trio have carved out a rather special place on the musical landscape with timeless psych-infused soul and funk, anchored and propelled by an enviable love of groove. Their new EP ‘Rarities’ is a colourful and imaginative exploration in sound, with a focus on mood and groove, and single ‘Khanta’, provides a succinct distillation of their sonic adventures in four wonderful minutes. Composed of a grooving rhythm section, soaring hornlines, and fuzzed out guitar and psychedelic brush strokes ‘Khanta’, is a churning, winding groover bathed in a swirling haze of shimmering tones, psychedelic keys, and parps of rich brass. ‘Khanta’ is a thrilling and pulsating powerhouse of rhythmic fervour that is totally irresistible and will leave an indelible mark on your soul.

Listen to ‘Khanta’ below – and check out the EP ‘Rarities’ here too.

Moderate Rebels – ‘Perfect Grey Day’

Rotating around core members Kate Worthington (vocals), Susan Milanovich (drums), Emma Faulkner (vocals) and Morag Bruce (keys/synths), Moderate Rebels are anything but orthodox. 

The London based music collective will follow up their debut with not one but three albums this year on Moshi Moshi – the first of which is If You See Something That Doesn’t Look Right, coming on April 30.  

Ahead of the album’s release later in the year, Moderate Rebels have shared the wonderful lead single ‘Perfect Grey Day’. There are echoes of Phil Spector, Spiritualized, St Etienne, Flaming Lips, Mercury Rev, Super Furry Animals and Stereolab here, but stamped firmly with their own inimitable identity too. Fueled by driving rhythmic repetition, discordant guitar fuzz, jangle and twangs dance amid a swirl of hazy psychedelia and divine harmonies, as hushed dreamy vocals and lilting melodic hooks float above the bewitching waltzing groove. ‘Perfect Grey Day’ is dreamy and playful as it danders along with a lullaby-esque charm, delivering its hypnotic spell – utterly beautiful.

Listen to  ‘Perfect Grey Day’ below now – the album is out on April 30. 

Anorak Patch – ‘Irate’

Colchester-based foursome – Effie Lawrence, Eleanor Helliwell, Oscar Ryland & Luca Ryland – Anorak Patch, are a formidable proposition.

Formed among high school friends in late 2019, they quickly released the singles ‘Beans’ & ‘6 Week Party’ last year, and their raucous rock sound has left a mark. So much so, that their latest single ‘Irate’ is the latest to grace the Nice Swan Introduces… series; a monthly series started last year by Nice Swan Records to shine a light on exciting emerging talent incl. Sports Team, Pip Blom, Courting, Sprints, Hallan, among others).

So, back to the single. ‘Irate’ is a colossus. Pulverising drum beats combine with razor sharp riffs and meaty, crunching guitars, chugging bass to create a thunderous backdrop of seething, pent up rage and fury unleashed, while vocals soar high above. Barbed yet nonchalant, the vocals set the tone for what is a powerful, a fierce, uncompromising and compelling slice of searing grunge-filled indie-rock – but one that is incredibly catchy and tuneful too.

Listen to ‘Irate’ below now – batten down the hatches.

Ffredi Blino – ‘(Take Me Back to) Honolulu’

Ffredi Blino is an Aussie-born, Wales-based singer-songwriter with a penchant for bright, sunny and playful indie-pop; an indulgence born out with great gusto on recently released debut album, The Dishwasher Tapes.

Recorded at home in September and October 2020, the album is an escapist fantasy defined by limitation: a single mic, a creaking Windows Vista laptop and no bandmates. No genre is sacred, these are ten songs loosely bound together by the ever-present sound of the dishwasher, and the creative solutions to overcome the aforementioned limitations.

By way of an introduction, Blino has afforded us the album’s lead single is ‘(Take Me Back to) Honolulu’; a beautiful melting pot of fabulously formed infectious pop. Anchored by a bright guitar strum, this joyous bundle of sunshine tips along a bright strum, bubbling bass and seductive pattering groove while lush breezy vocals flow amid the sunny tones, feelgood vibes and pang for carefree times. It is charming, infectious and dripping with melody, and in all honesty, as perfectly formed a pop song as has ever been crafted.

It is sweet, charming, colourful and playful – an undeniable triumph – don’t just take my word for it, give ‘(Take Me Back to) Honolulu’ a spin below. The Dishwasher Tapes is here too.


Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 announce second album ‘Mas’; Share ‘Ar Ôl Y Glaw’

With so much of our lives put on hold as we navigate our way through the pandemic, it brings great joy to hear that Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 will release their second album ‘Mas’ in 2021.

Originally penned for release in 2022, the follow-up to 2019’s stunning debut ‘Joia!’ has been fast-tracked by a year and out on 26 February 2021 via Banana & Louie Records. As with its predecessor, ‘Mas’ will have songs sung in Welsh, backed with a distinct pop flavoured with music from across Latin America; a beautiful melting pot fabulously informed by tropicália and bossa nova, but with a psychedelic flavour. Ahead of the album’s release next month, we have been afforded a glimpse of what we can expect with lead single, ‘Ar Ôl Y Glaw’ (After The Rain). It is a joyous bundle of sunshine that tips along a bright strum, bubbling bass-led groove, array of sunny tones and beautiful breezy and feelgood vibes. It is sweet, charming, colourful and playful – an undeniable triumph; this is pure unadulterated psych-pop perfection. Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18 sounding fresh, new and alive, once again.

Listen to ‘Ar Ôl Y Glaw’ below:



Detective Larsson – ’21 (Dreamt of Freedom)’

’21 (Dreamt of Freedom)’ is the debut single from Welsh psych-rock outfit Detective Larsson.  

Based in the old mining village of Blaenrhondda in the Rhondda Valley, their debut blends shimmering post-punk, rumbling shoegaze, ’60s pop and frontier balladry into a compelling, raw and melancholic tale of love and loss. Evocative vocals float with a haunting air, while in the haze below, basslines rumble, guitars shimmer and jangle while riffs burn through the blanket of fuzz and distortion. Dreamy yet edgy, ethereal yet muscular, Detective Larsson make these competing and contradicting factors work, and how.

Listen to ’21 (Dreamt of Freedom)’ below now: