POSTS TAGGED : Only Real

BarryGruff Albums of the Year (2015)

BGs Albums of the year 2015So it is that time of year again, lists, lists and more lists. Well, not be out done, here are my 41 (yes 41, and yes it’s a weird number) albums of 2015.

It has been such a good year for new albums, probably the best since I started the blog back in 2010. So much so that there is very little difference between the top 5, top 10, top 15 and so on. So without further ado, here are my favourite records from 2015:

There is also a Spotify playlist of the Top 20 albums, to save you time and hassle (it’s here).

41. Only Real – Jerk At The End of the Line’

40. Rozi Plain – ‘Friend’

39. Wildling – ‘Molecules To Moon’

38. The School – ‘Wasting Away And Wondering’

37. Sweet Baboo – ‘Boombox Ballads’

36. The Stammer – ‘Days In Between’

35. SexWitch – Sex Witch’

34. Faith Healer – ‘Cosmic Troubles’

33. Girl Band – ‘Holding Hands With Jamie’

32. Joanna Gruesome – ‘Peanut Butter’

31. Fort Romeau – ‘Insides

30. Soft Serve – ‘S/t’

29. Applescal – ‘For’

28. Zefur Wolves – ‘Zefur Wolves’

27. Hot Chip – ‘Why Make Sense?’

26. Drenge – ‘Undertow’

25. The Charlatans – ‘Modern Nature’

24. Gaz Coombes – ‘Matador’

23. Bill Ryder-Jones – ‘West Kirby County Primary’

22. Drinks – ‘Hermits on Holiday’

21. The Expert – Dynamic Drift

20. Boxed In – ‘Boxed In’

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(Video) Only Real – ‘Yesterdays’

We’re in the silly season for album announcements, with hardly a day passing without news of a forthcoming release or other. That’s not a complaint by the way, it’s certainly offers a welcome respite and a distraction from the thrifty and austere month of January.

Looking forward in 2015 and it seems we’re set for a bonanza of ‘potentially’ sublime album releases, and few come with as much anticipation attached as Only Real‘s debut, Jerk At The End Of The Line. Having trailed a watchful eye over Only Real, aka Niall Galvin, since introducing himself with woozy slackerish, surf-rock inspired tunes, produced in his West London bedroom – it’s fair to say he’s endeared himself no end while not putting a foot wrong. Sticking to this script is latest single ‘Yesterdays’, a delightful prelude to his debut record. It is sugary, sun-drenched and somewhat unseasonal surf-rock goodness, better suited to sunny beaches than cold crisp days. Opening with a whirl of harmonies and charming samples before Galvin lays down typically telling half-rap/half-spoken word lyrics. Shimmering melodic guitars echo the laid back, nonchalant poise flourishing toward a woozy feel-good climax that ensures us that summer is not too far away. Accompanying the single is the Dexter Navy directed video which sees Galvin, eating some questionable eggs and donuts with altogether strange and unusual events unfolding. With relatively little time till the release of his debut LP, ‘Yesterdays’ keeps the woozy, chilled and feel-good vibes flowing.

Only Real’s debut album Jerk At The End Of The Line is out on March 30th.

Only Real – ‘Yesterdays’

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London’s Only Real aka Niall Galvin has unveiled a new track ‘Yesterdays’, taken from his forthcoming debut album.

Latest single ‘Yesterdays’ sticks to the script; sugary, sun-drenched and somewhat unseasonal surf-rock goodness, better fit for sunny beaches than the grey skies of wintertime. Opening with a whirl of harmonies and charming samples before Galvin lays down typically telling half-rap/half-spoken word lyrics. Shimmering melodic guitars echo the laid back, nonchalant poise flourishing toward a woozy feel-good climax that ensures summer is not forgotten just yet. Since introducing himself with woozy slackerish, surf-rock inspired tunes, produced in his West London bedroom, Only Real hasn’t put a foot wrong. Rather, he has proven a profuse source of sun-kissed lo-fi-indie-pop. In ‘Yesterdays’ we’ve got yet another deliciously woozy, feel-good track

As yet there is no title or date for Only Real’s forthcoming debut LP but it’s penned in for release in early 2015. For now? Check ‘Yesterday’ out below.

Only Real – ‘Pass The Pain’

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We’ve been keenly keeping tabs on Only Real for quite sometime now, and it’s been an enjoyable one at that. He’s not put a foot wrong since introducing himself with woozy slackerish, surf-rock inspired tunes, produced in his West London bedroom.

In keeping with this convention, Only Real is back with another unbelievably excellent new track, ‘Pass The Pain’, taken from his forthcoming debut album. The young Londoner continues to bring the feel good summer vibes, blending jangly guitars with helpings of fuzz, some woozy atmospherics and a nod to the psychedelic. Add to that, skippy percussion and malingering basslines, which combine for a charming, upbeat and woozy tune, Only Real’s signature sound if you will. All a perfect backdrop his witty, off the cuff and tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The delivery of which alternates between more traditional fuzzed-out ‘indie’ vocals and a sort of half-rapped vocal style, in which words trickle from his mouth with a free-flowing fluidity. Another top notch gem from Only Real and further reason to be truly enamoured by his music. ‘Pass The Pain’ is a perfect indulgence for the last glimpses of summer sunshine.

‘Pass The Pain’ is released September 29 on Virgin EMI (UK) and Harvest Records (US) and comes ahead of Only Real’s debut album which is penned in for release in early 2015.

Phoenix 48 Radiothon: 2 Hours w/ BarryGruff + The Boozey Swine

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A few weeks back, myself and The Boozey Swine, sandwich maker to the stars, took to the airwaves as part of Phoenix FM‘s 48 hour Radiothon.

The Radiothon was to raise funds for the station and to support the continued work it does in the Dublin 15 community, and it was an absolute pleasure to be part of. It was pretty nerve racking but after Boozey said a few prayers to the patron saint of radio, Larry Gogan, we we’re on our way and it was loads of fun. Sure what’s more enjoyable than taking over a studio to play loads of your favourite music? You can listen to the full two hour show in all it’s glory below and the tracklist is after the jump. We’d quite like to do something similar in the future but we shall see, maybe those prayers Boozey was rattling off will come through for us.

Before that, a massive thanks to Boozey for being part of the show, and everyone who donated a few quid and all the sound people at Phoenix FM, we thank you. Enjoy!

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Only Real – ‘Cadillac Girl’

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Two years after appearing online in demo form, ‘Cadillac Girl’, the track that introduced us to the hazy sounds of Only Real has received a polished re-release.

Polished it may be but the West Londoner, who’s now signed to Virgin EMI, maintains the lo-fi, hazy slacker pop vibe of the original. ‘Cadillac Girl’ is one of those tunes that gets inside your head and refuses to leave – sun-flecked and summery – it meanders along a lazy but catchy riff, steady drumbeat, and his signature, carefree and hazy vocal drawl. Two years on from sharing DIY bedroom productions with the world, he’s signed with Virgin EMI and is said to be currently working on an album for release this year. He’s headed for the big leagues it seems. If this is perhaps the first time you’ve crossed paths with Only Real, a date with his debut EP Days in the City is a must. A prefect intro to his charming sun-soaked sounds.

Only Real’s first release of 2014 ‘Cadillac Girl’ will be out on 12 May. Give it a listen below.

(Video) Only Real – ‘Get It On’

Only-Real-Get-It-On

Only Real‘s progress has been keenly followed over the past year or so, and he has yet to put a foot wrong, impressing ever more with quality track after track.

Earlier this month the 22 year old West Londoner (aka Niall Galvin) released his Days In The City EP through Luv Luv Luv and surprise surprise, it’s great. This guy has quite a talent for crafting infectious, feel-good, lo-fi indie-pop. The gentle fuzzy guitar and his lazily half-rapped lyrics helps with the easy-breezy summery vibes that is utterly contagious. Lead track from the EP, ‘Get It On’ is a case in point. Permeated by a lazy slacker kind of vibe, a free flowing, nonchalant vocal drawl are set to some catchy riffs, steady beats and some woozy atmospherics. Through a combination of a purposely unpolished, lo-fi approach, calculated laziness and youthful indifference, he’s found his own rather unique and special place. Perhaps to match the summery vibes, perhaps to remind us that his EP is out, he’s released a video for ‘Only Real’. In which, he and friends head through city streets enjoying some mild delinquency and fun until night falls. The whole grainy VHS vibe works to reinforce the song’s gentle glimmer and meandering haze.

Days In The City is out now through Luv Luv Luv. 

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Only Real – ‘Get It On’

Only Real (Photo by Carolina Faruolo)

Only Real (aka Niall Galvin) has impressed no end with a slew of top quality singles over the past 12 months or so.

The young man from West London has proven quite a talent for crafting infectious, feel-good, lo-fi indie-pop and ‘Get It On’ compounds this growing rep. ‘Get It On’, much like what we’ve heard from Only Real before, has the uncanny ability to worm its way inside your head and stay there. Permeated by a lazy slacker kind of vibe, a free flowing, nonchalant vocal drawl are set to some catchy riffs, steady beats and some woozy atmospherics. Through a combination of a purposely unpolished, lo-fi approach, calculated laziness and youthful indifference, he’s forged a great sound and found his own perfect space on the musical landscape.

‘Get It On’ is taken from Only Real’s forthcoming EP Days in the City, set for release via Luv Luv Luv Records on 7 October,

(photo by Carolina Faruolo)

Only Real – ‘Blood Carpet’

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This week sees the release of Only Real‘s debut double a-side ‘Backseat Kissers’ / ‘Blood Carpet’. The young Londoner (real name Niall Galvin) has proven quite the card when it comes to über infectious feel-good indie-pop, with both these tracks adding further weight to this rep.

‘Backseat Kissers’ (which I’ve featured before) is a catchy laid-back homage to backseat fumbling. ‘Blood Carpet’ is an usual mix of woozy atmospheric and off-the-wall freestyling, featuring Only Real’s trademark fuzzy vocals, snappy drums and loungey guitars. Very much the perfect companions for each other.

The quality of output from this guy has been impressive. He has found a rather exceptional sound and space on the musical landscape and I for one can’t wait to hear what comes next. Until then of course, you can pick up the 7″ vinyl from ASL or digitally from all the usual haunts. 

(Video) Only Real – ‘Backseat Kissers’

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Only Real (20-year-old Niall Galvin) has proven to quite the man for a tune, to say the least. Be it the über infectious ‘Cadillac Girl’ from earlier this year or his latest single ‘Backseat Kissers’.

‘Backseat Kissers’ is a woozy, dreamy cut, filled with all echoey vocals, lounging guitars with a real head nodding groove. If you have ever wondered what a love in between Jamie T and King Krule might sound like, probably not but this is it. The young man from West London has nailed it again but surely it’s not always sunny in west London as his new video suggests?

‘Backseat Kissers’ is out January 28th 2013 through ASL & if you’re in London this weekend, he makes his live debut at this.