POSTS TAGGED : Alternative

Catholic Action – ‘People Don’t Protest Enough’

Glasgow outfit Catholic Action – Chris McCrory, Ryan Clark, Jamie Dubber & Andrew Macpherson – will release their second LP, Celebrated by Strangers on March 27 next year.

In building excitement they have already shared ‘One Of Us’ which took aim at the billionaire-owned media and their Bullingdon Club buddies, latest single is no less potent or politically charged. Entitled ‘People Don’t Protest Enough’ it is an upbeat call to get organised for a progressive, positive future – and it is simply sensational. Built around insatiable lockstep groove, propulsive bassline and kinetic rhythms ‘People Don’t Protest Enough’ is urgent, pulsing and also, incredibly catchy and danceable. Jerky art-rock riffs dart in-between twitchy vocals while all peppered with shimmering synths, hand claps and Casio tones completing the stunning sonic onslaught. Unleashing a relentless propulsive energy, it hits the sweet spot between melodic repetition, pent up aggression and danceable infectiousness – a la a fortuitous coming together of Franz Ferdinand, Django Django and LCD Soundsystem.

Listen to the phenomenal ‘People Don’t Protest Enough’ below now – and keep an eye out for Celebrated by Strangers in the new year.


Worldcub – ‘Here Comes The Moonshadow’

Formerly known as CaStLeS, Worldcub are Welsh psych-pop outfit piloted by brothers Cynyr and Dion Hamer, in addition to new members Carwyn Ginsberg (Hippies V Ghosts / Fauna Twin) on guitar and Dion Wyn Jones (Alffa) on bass.

Under previous guise of CaStLeS, their swirling sonic brew of psychedelic surf rock kraut-rock grooves never disappointed and 2016 debut Fforesteering is magical. To accompany the new handle, Worldcub have released a new single ‘Here Comes The Moonshadow’. With its layers of beautiful vocal harmonies engulfing stomping percussive loops, it is hypnotic and blissful psych.It is underpinned by hazy, reverb-heavy guitars which gradually become more erratic and off-kilter while cosmic flashes and frazzled effects cascade from above as lilting Welsh vocals float above this sonic brew. Beautiful, blissful and utterly bewitching.

Check out ‘Here Comes The Moonshadow’ below, it is out now alongside equally wonderful Welsh language b-side ‘Hel y Hadau’.

Cousin Kula – ‘MIMO’

Bristol six-piece Cousin Kula specialise in explorations of dreamy, jazz-influenced psych-tinged pop, and with latest single ‘MIMO’ they do that with aplomb.

MIMO is the final single lifted from second EP STROODLES, follow up to 2017’s OODLES, and it is a smooth, smouldering and seductive slice of proggy psych-pop. Taking in an eclectic blend of music from pop and jazz through to psych and prog, it slinks languidly through a cosmic world of colourful synths, frazzled electronics, bubbling bass and free form rhythms. It is simultaneously laid back and bursting with passion as empowering lyrics flow over this exploration in sound collage. It is an amazing track with layers upon layers of intricately pieced together components revealing more and more with each listen – and by the same virtue, rewarding more with each and every listen. 

Check out ‘MIMO’ below – and the entire EP is here too.

Maddie Jay – ‘I Got You’

Maddie Jay is a Canadian musician, bassist, producer, writer and multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for jangle pop, experimental music, synthesizers and sloths.

Having grown up in the relative wilderness of the small mountain town of Smithers, British Columbia, Jay traded that for the warmer climes of Los Angeles, where she now resides, crafting music in her bedroom studio.

Jay introduced herself to use earlier in year with ‘Little Love’ – a gentle whirlpool of shimmering and lush dream-pop – and has returned with another suitably lush and woozy wonder in ‘I Got You’. Written for her roommate’s dog, it is a lush and alluring blend of irresistible slinky grooves and woozy tones as a soft wave of hypnotising shimmering synths cascade over a twinkling guitar. ‘I Got You’ is a lavish composition, one of breathtaking and beguiling beauty. The swirling textured haze mellow undulation is the perfect companion for for Jay’s soothing vocals.

Do yourself a favour, give ‘I Got You’ a spin below:

Faux Canada – ‘Stockton’

Faux Canada is a San Francisco-based indie-pop foursome, heavily inspired by the early 00’s Secretly Canadian lineup of indie rockers, the quartets influences also touch on elements of 90’s shoegaze, grunge, and electro-lounge, all wrapped up in a delightfully charming and energetic pop sheen.

The aforementioned brew is the sound of their new EP, Liars’ Teeth, which is led by single ‘Stockton’. It is a charming and melodic delight as sporadic guitars mesh with sweet harmonies, catchy riffs and sharp hooks, propelled onward by drums and meaty bassline, and engulfed in a mild blanket of warm fuzz and distortion. An effortlessly sweet and catchy slice of bright and bouncy indie-pop laden with delicious harmonies and warm fuzz. Faux Canada have figured out the deceptively simple, age-old secret to transcending influences: just write top notch songs.

Listen to ‘Stockton’ below and if that is to you liking, check out their new EP, Liars’ Teeth here.

Boe Weaver – ‘Polcut’

Boe Weaver are Isle of Wight-based production, mixing and songwriting duo centred around brothers Jim and Rob Homes.

Back in 2010, in the very early days of this blog, Boe Weaver released their self-titled debut record; a great record then and a great record now. Since then, the brothers Homes have concentrated their attention on production duties, most recently working with the likes of Rhys Lewis, Wolf People, The Archie Bronson Outfit, 77:78, Whyte Horses and Lauran Hibberd. However, nine years later, Boe Weaver are back with new material of their very own in the shape of single, ‘Polcut’. Enlisting the assistance of Isle of Wight musicians Samuel James and Pete Corney, as well as drummer Rupert Brown, for the single; ‘Polcut’ is magnificent.

It is an intoxicating cocktail of strange, exotic and heavily instrumental psychedelic tune. From the opening furious blast of organ, ‘Polcut’ demands your attention as we are dragged headlong through a frantic organ-led funk, that swaggers and cavorts on its way though an exotic world of kaleidoscopic escapism. Aided and abetted by glorious blasts of brass and organ as it grooves along, reaching explosive colourful highs before slumping to spooky subterranean vaults, then surging toward spectacular climactic eruption. A ferocious, exhilarating and imaginative five-and-a-half-minute trip; ‘Polcut’ is a phenomenon.

You can listen to ‘Polcut’ below. Nine years old it may be but I also wholeheartedly encourage you to check out their self-titled debut LP here.

Telephone Explosions – ‘Still Water’

Telephone Explosions are experimental dream-pop duo Dolores Fogarty and Adrian Mee, formed in Maynooth in 2016.

After a brief hiatus in 2018, the Kildare pair will return with a new full-length album for 2019, and one heralded by new single ‘Still Water’. Outwardly, ‘Still Water’ appears to be dreamy affair laced with bewitching atmospheric tones, swirling textures and mesmerising elegance; however, beneath this chic veneer, there is bubbling undercurrent of apprehension and dread. While the beguiling qualities of Fogarty’s soothing silky vocals never falters, the serene ambience is pricked and prodded by manic bells, flurries of unsettling electronics and steamy drum beats. A dreamy meditative journey that is simultaneously beguiling, beautiful and foreboding; the juxtaposition is an instant hook and one that makes for an altogether wonderful song.

Listen to ‘Still Water’ below now and a new album is promised later in 2019.

Foundlings – ‘Busan’

Residing in a world between infectiously melancholic indie-pop and angular, post-punk inflected stomps, Foundlings is Amber Price, Bryan Ong, Matthew Sykes and Oliver Wareham.

Earlier this month, the Brighton/London foursome released their self-titled debut EP via Last Night From Glasgow and fronted by lead single ‘Busan’. Inspired by Korean horror film Train To Busan, it is a sharp edged barrage of thunderous post-punk guitars, punchy bass, haunting vocals and relentless driving rhythm section. A powerful, passionate and thunderous slice of riff-heavy, post-punk fuelled indie-rock, it flits between contrasting caustic and poppy edges to find a sweet spot between the two to give us a track of that is soaring, melodic and triumphant, and will leave an indelible mark on your psyche! An absolute masterclass.

You can check out ‘Busan’ below & if that is to your liking, you can check out their debut EP in its entirety here.

Nia Wyn – ‘Last Laugh’

We’ve been keeping tabs on London-based North-Walian artist, Nia Wyn for a while now, and on each and every given opportunity, she has impressed no end.

Singles like ‘Do You Love Enough’, ‘Help Me’ & ‘Turnstile’ introduced us to Wyn and marked the Welsh artist and her powerful, raw and soulful sounds as something special. Teaming up with producer Nutty P (Ghetts, Wretch 32), new single ‘Last Laugh’ is of an equally high calibre as those which have gone before it. Moving over a soulful hip-hop-tinged backdrop, ‘Last Laugh’ moves, grooves and swaggers along as Wyn’s rich soulful voice takes centre stage as she takes aim at some of the liars and bullshitters that pop up in the music industry, promising the sun, moon and stars, but in reality are just in it for themselves – a ‘me feiner’. ‘Last Laugh’ is another sublime single, rich and soulful, and the vocals – just stunning!

Listen to ‘Last Laugh’ below & if that is to your liking, why not check out Nia Wyn’s back catalogue.

BDRMM – ‘Heaven’

BDRMM are a Hull based 5-piece who explore the worlds of ‘90s indie-rock, shoegaze, psychedelic-rock and slacker dream pop.

This knack for weaving dreamy sonics and sentimental tales together was illustrated to perfection with single ‘C.U.’ toward the end of last year, and latest single ‘Heaven’ repeats the trick. It’s a real doozy, too. A perfect cocktail of synth soaked layers and shoe-gazing moments, ‘Heaven’ floats dreamily on by with sweeping cinematic grandeur. There is an other-worldliness to it as intricate glistening guitar lines and warm jangle provide an elegant foundation for those evocative vocals to leave their mark. A twinkling, heartfelt and simply exquisite slice of dream-pop perfection.

Listen to ‘Heaven’ below: