POSTS TAGGED : Alt-Pop

Amber Jay – ‘Equal’

Amber Jay is a Liverpool-based artist and musician with a real flair for captivating, synth-splashed, electronic alt-pop – and a flair matched by an enviable embrace for experimentation and pushing the boundaries.

Jay introduced this penchant for futuristic synth-fueled alt-pop with debut EP Never Too Far From A Dark Thought earlier this year, and has followed that up with new single ‘Equal’.

Deep basslines whisk us into a trance as suave blissful vocals deliver precision tones sending an eerie shiver down the spine while synths burn and shimmer, as Jay’s message of equality is cast in an ever-evolving and cinematic soundscapes. Rarely does an artist bring so many alternating facets of sound to bear, while crafting a sound so cohesive, captivating and transfixing – but in the case of Amber Jay, that’s the raison d’etre.

Listen to ‘Equal’ below – yet another piece of brilliance.


Amber Jay – ‘Pencilled Brims’

Amber Jay is a Liverpool-based artist and musician with a real flair in the way of captivating, synth-splashed, electronic alt-pop – and this flair is matched by an enviable embrace for experimentation and pushing the boundaries.

Jay’s latest single ‘Pencilled Brims’ is a perfect case in point; a futuristic alt-pop synth-fueled cut that captivates and transfixes. Opening with Jay’s delicate vocals and elegant strum amid a hazy atmosphere she creates a vacuum for it to quickly evolve, taking a haunting and gritty futuristic turn. Dark beats bubble amid a haunting air while synths squelch and shimmer, and frazzled electronics cascade from above creating a hypnotic back drop for Jay’s vocals to thrive. Marked by poignant lyrics, ‘Pencilled Brims’ transcends genres, effortlessly finding a sweet spot the feisty backdrop with touching bouts of vulnerability.

Listen to ‘Pencilled Brims’ below – it does not disappoint.

Loyal Lobos – ‘Burn’

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Colombia-born singer/songwriter Andrea Silva, otherwise known as Loyal Lobos, has finally released her debut EP under this moniker, The Fall.

Now based in Los Angeles, Silva crafts compelling, alt-pop songs – with more than a hint of folk/Americana – imbued with a hazy melancholy and rich melodic purr that makes you privy to every iota of emotion. ‘Burn’ is the latest single lifted from the aforementioned EP and captures heart-achingly beautiful and intimacy that runs through the record. ‘Burn’ is a dreamy journey through transfixing hazy textures and moody, dreamy and somewhat gloomy atmospheres as we’re treated to Silva’s intimate, poetic lyricism which are delivered with stirring and commanding craft. ‘Burn’ is all kinds of wonderful – it captivates, evokes emotion and thrills in equal measure.

Listen to ‘Burn’ below – and you can listen to the EP here.

October Fires – ‘Pray’

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October Fires are Kildare-based alt-pop foursome of Carol Somers, Lisa Baker, Eoghan O’Neill and Eric Somers.

Their latest single is called ‘Pray’ and going by that, October Fires have found a perfect blend between beauty and otherworldy eeriness.

From the gentle harmonies and piano-led opening to ‘Pray’, you would be forgiven for expecting a full on folk ballad but as it develops, layer upon layer reveals itself to be a more thrilling and chilling beast. As it progresses, ‘Pray’ slowly shifts itself off to an otherworldy zone with a flurry of unsettling piano plonking and guitar notes beneath swelling percussion. The vocals, crystalline and soulful, rise from the unsettling, murky shadows and cut a sway through a majestic collage of spectral swirls, dark and haunting atmospherics, and trip-hoppy beats to top off this chilling, beguiling and beautiful song perfectly. With its spooky, gothic, haunting and otherworldly aura, altogether, it makes for a rather compelling listen.

Listen to ‘Pray’ below now:

Honey Moon – ‘(Why Do You Think You’re So) Special?’

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London-based jangle-pop foursome Honey Moon have shared their brand new single ‘(Why Do You Think You’re So) Special?’; their first release on Manchester label Heist or Hit.

Self-described as a “60s-styled patchwork of a tune, quilting together a bittersweet tale of romantic longing”, ‘(Why Do You Think You’re So) Special?’ might be the most lush and perfect pop song of the year. A gorgeous throwback to ’50s/’60s doo-wop and pop, it initially simmers from its laid-back loungey origins of languid guitars and lax basslines, which undulate behind vocalist Jack Slater Chandler’s proficient falsetto. With each passing moment, tripping along a lively beat, ‘(Why Do You Think You’re So) Special?’ grows in stature and scale, as it swells to climax with a spectacular flourish of brass for a grandiose finale. Before you know it, the song implodes in the grandest and most spectacular supernova!

This is grand, dreamy and escapist pop perfection in its purest form – enjoy!

KA-TYA -‘Little House’

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Soviet-born Australian artist and musician living in NYC, KA-TYA has already wowed us with a flagrant and playful defiance of genres, skipping boldly from haunting, synth-driven ballads to joyfully irreverent quirky-pop.

KA-TYA ‘s latest release is a similiarly skittish melting pot of creativity, colour and artistry. Eeking out a space on the indie-pop landscape between the shadow and the light, ‘Little House’ finds KA-TYA in her element. Simultaneously ethereal and gripping, ‘Little House’ is filled with drama and sorrow as the haunting vocals and emotional weight turns the screw, drawing us in. There is a spareness to proceedings, the space endeavours to evoke a sense of intrigue and mystery, while increasing the impact of both piano and vocals. This haunting, mysterious and beguiling single is complimented by a wonderful video, comprised of childhood VHS footage of KA-TYA and her parents in Ukraine in the early ’90s. A compelling, enigmatic and enticing demonstration of KA-TYA’s artistic prowess.

Check out ‘Little House’ below – it doesn’t disappoint.

Kan Wakan – ‘Tuesday’

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Over the past few months Los Angeles-based artist Kan Wakan has been slowly revealing pieces of his forthcoming triple LP, Phantasmagoria; outstanding tracks like ‘Still Feather’, ‘I Had To Laugh’ and ‘I Would’ to name but a few,

With each new layer revealed, comes more intrigue and curiousness, especially given the depth of the project seems to never end – and the same can said for the superbly soothing latest single ‘Tuesday’. Featuring Rachel Fannan and Avi Buffalo, it is gorgeous, with gentle orchestration joining delicate guitar as Fannan’s voice hovers and twirls, and finds root in your soul amid the fresh, autumnal meditative vibe. Absolutely gorgeous!

The only downside to be found is that we are still none the wiser to when the forthcoming triple LP, Phantasmagoria will see the light of day, but so long as it does finally arrive, we’ll be fine.

Listen to ‘Tuesday’ below – and while your at it – Kan Wakan’s can be easily found on all the usual streaming services.

Thanks. – ‘Annabelle’

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Steve Pagano and Mario Borgatta make music under the moniker thanks. – which they blend, morph and encompass psych through the prism of melodic and irresistible proggy pop.

The Los Angeles-based duo’s latest single ‘Annabelle’ captures their enchanting psych-pop confection perfectly. It is a hallucinogenic slice of woozy, waltzing and enchanting psych-pop perfection, with an abundance of sinuous melodies. laid-back and spaced-out vibes. Truth be told, it is hard not to be taken by this wonderful, woozy number. A playful, easygoing, enchanting and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gem, with a healthy dose of Lennon/McCartney and Brian Wilson threaded through the fabric of his sound. The pair are currently prepping their debut album ‘Colfax’, which, if ‘Annabelle’ is anything to go by, should be a treasure trove of buoyant and irresistible psych-pop.

Check out ‘Annabelle’ below & watch the video too, while you’re at it:

Rathbone – ‘This Time’

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Based in New Orleans, Rathbone’s ‘This Time’ is a mellow lo-fi electronica gem, with lyrics inspired by the poetry of W.B. Yeats.

It’s deceptively simple on a first listen, but with more listens it reveals expresses a deftness of touch and texture is all. This gentle, sombre synth-driven little gem hits all the right spots required for vivid and vital an electro-pop earworms. While melodically simplistic in nature, ‘This Time’ is layered without coming across in any way dense or laboured. The vocals are hushed and breezy, thus supportive of woozy, hypnotic sound. This subtle mix of sounds is so seductive that it will leave you utterly powerless to resist its allure.

‘This Time’ is the latest single lifted from Rathbone’s current and self-titled EP. You can listen to ‘This Time’ & slightly different but equally beautiful ‘This Heart of Mine’ below & the new EP here.

PS – it’s great!

Sorcha Richardson – ‘4AM’

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While I might be a later arrival to Sorcha Richardson, the Dublin-born, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter has been carving quite a name for herself with a series of gorgeous slices of guitar pop.

Richardson’s latest single ‘4AM’ is nothing short of phenomenal. While this brooding, late-night anthem marks a significant sonic evolution, Richardson’s vocals and captivating storytelling remains front and centre. The track revolves around a contrast between sweetness and harsher production, as Richardson’s vocals teeter above booming piano, dizzying synths and antagonistic bass. A pensive, introspective and captivating cut with a hazy late night vibe (and the conversational chronicling also brings to mind Kate Tempest).

Better late than never, yeah? In fact my better half is responsible for putting me on to Richardson’s beguiling sounds; she’s got good taste obviously.

Listen to ‘4AM’ below. It does not disappoint.