POST CATEGORY : Music

Rotation Roundup #1

Time is becoming increasingly precious and difficult to obtain these days but I still have a grá on me for blogging.

So, in an attempt cover more of what I am listening to on a regular basis, here is a quick roundup of what has been on rotation over the past week or two.

I’ll try keep them coming on a weekly / biweekly basis or failing that, I might as well pack this malarkey in altogether.

Melody’s Echo Chamber – ‘Looking Backward’

Melody’s Echo Chamber aka Melody Prochet has announced a new album, Emotional Eternal, which is due April 29 via Domino. The record will be the French musician’s third album and first new music since her excellent 2018 record Bon Voyage. Emotional Eternal is preceded by single ‘Looking Backward’; a dreamy and intoxicating psychedelic pop song with layers of shimmering synths, colours, soft grooves and woozy tones, with Prochet’s recognisable soft but euphoric vocals drifting above.

The first sampling of the new material is all that we would have hoped for and some.

Cate Le Bon – ‘Remembering Me’

Cate Le Bon has released her sixth album Pompeii, follow-up to 2019’s Reward, it is fronted by single ‘Remembering Me’. Difficult to box-off with a taste for offbeat folk but an equal propensity for psych, Le Bon is a treasure and ‘Remembering Me’ reminds us why. Sitting on a cool yet wonky waltzing groove Le Bon’s vocals are as otherworldly and stunning as ever while flourish of guitar appear amid an austere atmosphere; the latter reflected in the introspective and weary lyrics.

Looking forward to sinking the teeth into the album – there is also a rare and great interview in the Guardian for those interested.

Silverbacks – ‘A Job Worth Something’

Dublin-based post-punk outfit Silverbacks have kicked off 2022 in style with new album Archive Material, the follow-up to their superb 2020 debut Fad. The new record continues their propensity for brilliance; a colorful, vivid and exuberant record built upon irresistible grooves and propulsive rhythms, it is spearheaded by lead single ‘A Job Worth Something’. We find Daniel reflecting on his experiences working in insurance while his sister treated patients in a COVID ward, marked by the feelings of futility and guilt he felt at the time. A tight and pointed tune filled alluring guitars, hooks and jangly groove that veers from melodic meander to super focused.

More brilliance from long standing BG favs.

Deadletter – ‘Pop Culture Connoisseur’

Released toward the end of last year, ‘Pop Culture Connoisseur’ signalled the signing of Yorkshire outfit DEADLETTER to the always interesting indie label Nice Swan Records. Lyrically serious yet surreal, musically, it is brash and boisterous (yet very groovy) as a wall of post-punk, dubby bassline, swaggering guitars and impassioned vocals set the blistering tone. Think Gang of Four, Franz Ferdinand and lots of bite. Stellar stuff.

Simple Kid – ‘Failed Musician’

Another released and missed late last year, London-based Irish artist Simple Kid (aka Ciaran McFeely) continued his drip feeding of new material following a long period of musical hibernation with ‘Failed Musician’. A jaunty jam riffing on ‘I Feel Free’ by Cream, guitars glisten and shimmer atop a chugging bassline while McFeely’s recognizable vocals thrive amid the warm tones, charm and general sparkle. Long standing patrons will be aware of my fondness for Simple Kid, his two records – SK1 in 2003 and SK2 in 2006 – are also worth your time.


Future West – ‘Late Last Nite’

Future West is the creative outlet centred around Dundalk-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Francis Watters, who do a fine line in scrappy indie meets groove ridden post-punk.

Having spent the last year-and-a-half writing and recording new material with an all-new line up, Future West will release debut album Who Will Forgive All My Sins in early 2022 and have also shared the first glimpse of their graft, with the superb ‘Late Last Nite’.

Born out of frustration from fear and an internal argument after one too many nights of drinking and staying up too late indoors during quarantine times. Introspective, melancholic wistfulness and smouldering anger thrive in equal measure as vocals shift through the gears to hammer home the lyrics while guitars burn, buzz and jerk amid a layer of fuzz and Strokes-esque vibes meets LCD-style grooves. It is captivating, urgent and groove fuelled post-punk that is candidly introspective yet swaggering – and absolutely brilliant.

Tune in below:

Stephen Durkan – ‘The Acid Commune’

Glaswegian artist, Stephen Durkan is preparing to release his debut EP in February and the second single lifted from the EP is ‘The Acid Commune’.

It is a thrilling, hypnotic and exhilarating post-punk jam that shifts seamlessly between driving (drums and bass) rhythms and acoustic strums to choppy bursts of dreamy guitars; it feels vast and somewhat sprawling and works perfectly as a backdrop for Durkan’s rhythmic spoken/semi-sung venting, offering a searing critique of individualism that cuts to the heart of our everyday experience. It is a hypnotic, groovy and mesmerizing post-punk sound that will have you hooked from the get go.

Listen to ‘The Acid Commune’ below – and keep an eye out for the debut EP coming in February.

David Harks – ‘Mists’

David Harks is a name that should be familiar to long standing patrons of the site.

The British-born, Berlin-based artist and singer has been the recipient of much deserved lavish praise for his work with Safetalk, varying collaborative projects and of course, his solo work – and it is the latter that are concerned with on this occasion.

Harks has returned with a softly lit, seductive serenade entitled ‘Mists’; a cinematic sojourn into blissed-out lofi ambient pop, awash with soaring harmonies and dubbed-out synthesis. It slinks and gently bubbles along a seductive groove as soft beats patter below the colorful swirling textures, crunching guitar riffs and computer game tones while Harks’ hushed, mellow and incredibly easy on the ear – all dripping with melody. It’s always great to hear from Harks and this is an incredibly beautiful, blissed-out and seductive – this up there with Hark’s best work.

Listen to ‘Mists’ below, you are in for a treat:

English Teacher – ‘A55’

English Teacher Share New Single ‘A55’ and Announce Debut EP ‘Polyawkward.

Trading in meaty and razor-sharp sprawling post-punk alchemy English Teacher introduced their wares with ‘R&B’ and ‘Good Grief’ last year and now, the Leeds outfit are back with new single ‘A55′ and news of a debut EP ‘Polyawkward’.

Centred around the trademark enigmatic wordplay from Lily Fontaine, ‘A55’ is a cathartic exploration of waking up with ‘The Fear’ the morning after the night before. Musically it consumes us as the shifting tension builds and builds, mirroring the introspective and intense lyrics – guitars burn and churn while drums rumble amid the fuzz as momentum grows and grows to explode. It is yet another massive tune from English Teacher; extremely excited to hear the EP when it arrives.

Listen to ‘A55’ below:

Maida Rose – ‘I Remember’

Maida Rose is dream-pop pairing of Roos Meijer and Javièr den Leeuw from Dutch seaside city the Hague.

Having introduced themselves with ‘Harmony of Heartache’, ‘Where Do We Go’ and ‘Every Day Is Blue’, the pair are back with another wonderful single, ‘I Remember’ and news that Maida Rose will release their debut LP ‘Tales Of Adolescence’ on March 25th. The new single is a real gem; it is three minutes of pure pop perfection. A gentle and somber wander, it is oozing with a sense of nostalgia and melancholy as sighing vocals and heartstrung melodies coiled around a gentle piano led waltz amid a sea of lavish fuzz, woozy tones and dreamy air. A truly beautiful,rich and wistful track, simple as that.

Listen to ‘I Remember’ below and keep an eye out for debut LP ‘Tales Of Adolescence’ in March.

Sprints – ‘Little Fix’

Dublin-based post-punk outfit Sprints have released another single from their forthcoming A Modern Job EP; and quelle surprise, it is a cracker!

The new single ‘Little Fix’ is the latest in a line of brilliant tunes from Sprints – it is a fast-paced, spiky and frantic three-minute post-punk thriller. In keeping with Sprints’ raucous and defiant, yet fun, potent post-punk sound, ‘Little Fix’ is fuelled by short, snappy, repetitive bassline duking it out with a biting guitar riff laying a powerful, memorable and catchy foundation for lead vocalist, Karla Chubb to thrive and soar.
We’ve been keeping tabs on Sprints for a while now and they have impressed on each and every time of asking – ‘Little Fix’ is bursting with explosive energy, swagger and an in-your-face attitude. Take a bow. 

A Modern Job, which is due out via Nice Swan Records on March 11 2022.

DYR – ‘Dysko Mystik’

DYR is a Minneapolis-based DJ and producer who embraces a wide range of genres, weaving eclectic selections of techno, house and disco, creating an innovative, hypnotic and thrilling sound designed for elevating dance floors.

DYR’s latest track ‘Dysko Mystik’ encompasses all the aforementioned attributes and more.

Residing in a space between techno, house and electronica ‘Dysko Mystik’ whisks us off to a futuristic world of subtle, nuanced and transfixing, dancefloor minded, techno influenced music. Heavy on mood, texture and atmosphere with relentless oscillations, driving techno beat and pulsating synth. Although everything is delivered with a pin point accuracy, it has a murky, industrial feel, as we are entranced by relentless repetition and groove, leaving us utterly powerless to resist it’s tempting allure. Driving, pulsating and relentless – a triumph.

Listen to ‘Dysko Mystik’ below:

Fleur bleu.e – ‘Sun’

Fleur bleu.e are Paris-based dream-pop pairing of Delphine and Vladimir who met in 2019 and bonded over a mutual love of The Smiths, Beach House, Françoise Hardy and Elli et Jacno among others, and a desire to craft music that was emotionally ambiguous while being fueled by their teenage myths. And thus Fleur bleu.e came into being.

The pair introduced their woozy indie-meets-dream-pop stylings back in April with ‘STOLT 89’ and they are back with another bewitching beauty in ‘Sun’. A dreamy, mellow and hazy sojourn to a world of blissful atmospheric splendor, rich dreamy vocals purr with melodic allure atop a gentle waltzing undulating groove while guitars shimmer, twang and flicker while bathed in a warm blanket of mild fuzz. It is beautiful, dreamy and hypnotic dream-pop perfection – yet again.

Listen to ‘Sun’ below now – guaranteed to brighten up your day and wash away any January blues.

Freedom Fry – ‘Ego Trip’

Freedom Fry is held in very high esteem around these parts – no question about that. 

Over the years the prolific pairing of Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll regularly brighten up our lives with charming, catchy and memorable indie-pop jams culminating in 2018 debut LP, Classic, 2020’s Songs from the West Coast, and L’ Invitation earlier this year.

Not content with releasing a new album, Freedom Fry are signing off on 2021 with a new EP, Broken Down on Planet 909, and with it, a new single ‘Ego Trip’. Retaining their signature touches; an ear for hook, melody and harmony amid their charming shimmering sonic delights – ‘Ego Trip’ is rich and heartwarming as it meanders along a gentle waltzing groove while sinuous melodies melt into the warm organ and rich vocals amid a sea of lush and woozy tones. It is just a fabulous track, and one that sees them continue to flirt with electronic elements and all whisked together into a beautiful confection of melodic, dreamy and hazy indie-pop.

Tune in below: