POSTS TAGGED : Alt-Pop

Justina Shandler – ‘Creature’

snip02020

‘Creature’ is the brand new single from Miami-based singer-songwriter Justina Shandler.

Between studies and work, Shandler spends whatever spare time she can find, penning music for her forthcoming album. Such is the stunning nature of ‘Creature’, one can only hope that it is a taste of things to come. Joined by Gene Knific, and Jackson Firlik, it is a potent song of enigmatic beauty. The striking vocal delivery sounds both wise and beautiful, imbued with a striking level of touching emotion. ‘Creature’ intricately weaves between the bright and dark, exquisite arrangements including cello, banjo, acoustic piano, and electronics, which swells to climax with an all consuming finale. Undoubtedly the power and purity of Shandler’s vocal is the undeniable focal point but the music too, is beautiful. She’s got such a knack for drawing out emotion without overcooking the song with flickering moments of warmth amid the haunting shadows.

Listen to the enchanting and entrancing ‘Creature’ below. Purchase it here.

Violet Days – ‘I’m A Dreamer’

Violet-Days

Stockholm-based alternative pop act Violet Days, fronted by singer-songwriter Lina Hansson, has spent 2017 introducing a series of compelling alt-pop gems.

New single, ‘I’m A Dreamer’ is of the same vintage and will take its place on her forthcoming EP. A song about frustration born from having people around you that don’t see things or believe in them the way you do, ‘I’m A Dreamer’ is a pristine piece of alt-pop. Harnessing its persuasive pop powers from a perfect brew of brooding synths, chiming textures and sharp percussion, topped by bright and alluring vocals from Hansson. Catchy a captivating, this is pop done right.

You can listen to ‘I’m A Dreamer’ below. Stay tuned for details of Violet Days’ new EP.

 

Introducing: Wardrobe

wradrobe

Wardrobe is the moniker of Belgian musician Johan Verckist who has a welcome penchant for timeless, exquisite alt-pop, filled with heart and soul.

Verckist will release his debut album Crawling, on February 24th and he has set the standard and cause for excitement with debut single, ‘Man of Straw’. It a sweet, sentimental song that gently waltzes along with an endearing warm glow and punctured with some heart-strung bouts of melancholy. Verckist’s vocals are warm and soothing to the ear, and deeply affecting. Similar praise can be laid at the feet of the latest single, ‘Nowhere Now, which too, is an exquisite piece of pop-craft. It softly trickles by with a gentle strum and warbley synth forging a soothing and warm partnership, pronounced further Verckist’s impeccable and genial vocals – much like ‘Man of Straw’. A magnificent and delightful listen, this is pop-craft at its stellar best.

Debut album Crawling shall be out on February 24th. For now you can sample the wonderful delights that ‘Man of Straw’ & ‘Nowhere Now’ have to offer. You can also check out the ace video for the former.

Buck – ‘Hold On’

12189504_1503735939929962_1175640244335343122_o

Ed Jones – best known as the vocalist/frontman with Welsh indie-rockers Masters In France – has returned with a brand new single from his solo/side-project, BUCK.

Previous singles ‘Arecibo’ and ‘Underneath The Glow Of My Skin’ marked BUCK as a project to watch, and latest track, ‘Hold On’ is no less impressive. Continuing an exploitative foray through a world of silky, slick electro infused alt-pop, Jones’ soulful vocals ride a wave of electronic flourishes and swells, with subtle gushes and sublime synths. Tinged by a mild manifestation of darkness, the unravelling wave of lush atmospheric melodies and velvety production maintains its luminescence. An undeniably infectious and undeniably glorious. Hopefully 2017 will provide us with plenty more from BUCK, and perhaps something more substantial too.

‘Hold On’ is out now. Check it out below:

Our Krypton Son Shares New Single ‘Everything Reminds Me Of You’

13307263_1188589057848720_6206541601214482785_n

‘Everything Reminds Me Of You’ is the lead single from Our Krypton Son‘s forthcoming and long-awaited, second studio album.

Derry musician/songwriter Chris McConaghy aka Our Krypton Son is a master craftsman, and this is, you guessed it, masterfully crafted. ‘Everything Reminds Me Of You’ is a sweet, sentimental love song that gently waltzes along with swooning chord changes, sublime harmonies and sumptuous strings, to form four minutes of exquisite alt-pop. McConaghy’s vocals are impeccable as usual, soothing, warmth and inviting – along with the music – forge an endearing warm glow and punctured with some bouts of heart-strung melancholy. It conjures up similarities to slower, more emotionally weighted Blur numbers a la ‘Under The Westway’, ‘Best Days’ or the like. Always a magnificent songwriter, it is a timely reminder of what McConaghy and Co. are capable of, this is probably the most affecting work to date. It is good to have OKS back, no doubt about it.

There’s no firm date on the new album but ‘Everything Reminds Me Of You’ is out now and available from here.

You can check out the ace video – courtesy of LUMO – for ‘Everything Reminds Me Of You’ below.

Watch Fauna Twin’s Video for Sublime New Single ‘Water on Mars’

artworks-000156991591-rzhlqg-t500x500

Having recently re-branded from Pankhabilli to Fauna Twin, the duo of Parisian singer-songwriter Claire Jacquemard & Hippies vs Ghosts‘ Owain Ginsberg introduced their new moniker with a sublime single, ‘Water on Mars’.

As with their previous output, their latest musical endeavour is deserving of great praise. A dark pulsating synth alt-pop track that unfolds with a brooding atmosphere and eerie sense of forbidding. Growing at pace, on the back intoxicating rhythm and some darker tribal beats, which conspire with Jacquemard’s gripping vocals, to leave a truly indelible mark. Accompanying the single is their first and excellently shot and crafted video, which only accentuates the vibe of track. A superb debut single, with an excellent first video to boot. Lot’s to look forward to from this talented duo.

‘Water on Mars’ is released on May 6th through Crammed Discs, with an EP to follow this autumn. For now? Check out ‘Water on Mars’ below: