POSTS TAGGED : post-punk

NANCY – ‘Orange Yellow Orange’

Based in the North East of England, NANCY have demonstrated an enigmatic talent with a propensity for audacious sonic adventures that are anything but conventional.

More accustomed to frenzied blasts of art-rock meets post-punk steeped-in-psychedelia, on this occasion NANCY affords us a glimpse at a softer side with synthy single ‘Orange Yellow Orange’. It is a woozy little jam that will lull you into a trance with its seductive melody and laidback tranquility. Basked in a hazy glow, lush synths and pillowy soft percussives provide the perfect environment for the soothing and transfixing whistle to whisk you away before hushed vocals flutter into view. ‘Orange Yellow Orange’ is hazy, gentle and swoons with a heart melting melody doused with a tinge of beautiful melancholy.

‘Orange Yellow Orange’ offers us a glimpse into forthcoming EP ‘Happy Oddities’, which is out on August 7.

Neurotic Fiction – ‘Happy Goth’

Neurotic Fiction are Bristol-based outfit with a penchant for fast-paced, frantic, jerky and melodic post-punk sounds.

The foursomes latest release, EP Romance, is something of a bittersweet moment. Yes, it is a wonderful blast of jerky, agitated guitar pop but it marks their final bow, as they go their separate ways. Across the four tracks the EP offers us a short but precise insight to the magical allure of Neurotic Fiction’s sound and if there is one track that encapsulates their harmonic balance between frenzied guitar heroics and resplendent, intricate pop craft and ear for melody and the catchiest of hooks, it is EP closer ‘Happy Goth’. Propelled by relentless driving bass and urgent drums, jerky riffs and reverb-drenched surfy guitars collide to provide a twitchy and agitated backdrop. In lesser hands, the juxtaposition of this with the sunnier, lush and dreamy vocals probably wouldn’t work but thankfully Neurotic Fiction nail it.

Listen to ‘Happy Goth’ below, a standout from a superb EP (which is here). It’s a shame to see them ride off into the sunset…..

Mofer – ‘Across the Border’

Mofer are a German post-punk trio with a penchant for rough, raw and immediate sounds rooted in 80s and 90s indie and post punk vein.

The trio’s latest single ‘Across the Border’ is a perfect encapsulation of their sound. A bit indie, a bit post-punk, a bit alt-rock and a bit rough around the edge it – this coarseness is not to be confused with lacking skill. The gritty raw materials of slant-edged rhythms, chugging riffs and distortion provide a perfect vehicle for the sullen yet reflective vocals. It is a compelling jam filled with menace, noise and melancholy, and also ear pleasing melodies.

Listen to ‘Across the Border’ below:

Springfield Elementary – ‘Doctor Doctor’

Springfield Elementary are Manchester-based post-punk powerhouse comprised of Billy Goodwin (Vocals/Guitar), Brad Lewis (Lead Guitar), Liam Moffat (Bass) and Chris Tomkinson (Drums).

The foursome introduced their raw, raucous and thrilling sound with singles ‘Machine Fiend’ and ‘Five Second Rule’ – a fierce and fearsome blend of post-punk and garage-rock. With their new single ‘Doctor Doctor’ Springfield Elementary continue to explore the punk and psych realms of their sound with thrilling results. It is beautiful carnage as a huge wall of fuzzed-up guitars, meaty riffs, muscular drums and big bassy sounds combine over what is a very catchy groove while powerful, gritty vocals soar high above.  It is a massive tune, exhilarating and bursting with vitality and will have you headed straight for repeated plays.

‘Doctor Doctor’ is out now on Detention Records, and available from the usual haunts:


Mewn – ‘No Country’

Manchester outfit Mewn have spent the past two years refining and perfecting their sound in a decrepit mill where their studio resides. #

Theirs is a sound reminiscent of the passion from early Arcade Fire, the piercing energy of the Pixies and the ethereal electronics exploits of Brian Eno; and is all captured with gusto and confidence on Mewn’s debut single ‘No Country’. It is a bristling anthem that sprawls out with smoldering emotional grit as guitar lines glisten and shred amid the dark atmospherics and ominous low hum. ‘No Country’ is simultaneously eerie yet beautiful, as elegance and heartwarming charm sit perfectly side by side with a chilling air and murky mist. This is a stirring, powerful and captivating slice of dramatic post punk meets indie-rock that carefully carves its path through a sea of mournful airs.

Listen to ‘No Country’ below now:


Dumb – ‘My Condolences’

Dumb are a Vancouver foursome who’s output to date has been nothing short of startling. Their intoxicating brand of post-punk noise wields a mighty power and it is a sound enhanced by dalliances with indie, punk, garage, post-punk and even occasional surf elements.

A fact abundantly clear from even a cursory glance at their back catalogue; Dumb have impressed no end from early EPs Friendship and Tulips, and of course albums Beach Church and last year’s Club Nites. While on the road supporting the latter, Dumb recorded a Tapetown Session between shows on the Scandinavian leg of their European tour, and the song the chose to perform is ‘My Condolences’. Lifted from 2019’s Club Nites, it captures the raw energy of the bands live shows caught for posterity in a ‘live in-studio’ setting. It is a frantic, frenzied of barrage of barked vocals backed by scintillating riffs, angular guitars and relentless jerky rhythms; ‘My Condolences’ is an absolute beast but one that is rather easy on the ear at the same time.

Listen / watch ‘My Condolences’ below & check out their back catalog here



Silverbacks Announce Debut Album; Share ‘Muted Gold’

Yes, you read the headline correctly, Irish post-punk outfit Silverbacks have announced their long-awaited debut album will be released on July 17.

Entitled Fad, it was recorded with producer Daniel Fox (of Girl Band fame) and features previous singles ‘Dunkirk’, ‘Just In The Band’ and ‘Pink Tide’, and new one ‘Muted Gold’, which is every bit as brilliant as previous singles. Unspooling the ingredients of their sound is always an ask; there are touches of post-punk, art-rock, new wave and 90s indie to name but a few as they venture realms not many can tread (lyrically especially) to craft a colorful, vivid and exuberant sound. Built around a motorik rhythm and taut groove, ‘Muted Gold’ rushes past with a whirlwind of shifting multi-sensory sound as triple guitars attack. It is a peculiar, groovy, urgent and extremely catchy concoction up there with the very best of their output to date. Their debut album has been a while coming but judging how they gone from strength to strength over the past few years, one feels it will be worth the wait.

Listen to ‘Muted Gold’ below – and Fad is out on July 17.

FONDA – ‘No Begonias’

It’s been four years since we’ve heard new material from Irish post-punk outfit FONDA but the intervening period was anything but boring.

Lead singer and frontman Liam O’Connor did a stint with brilliant Limerick post-punk powerhouse Slow Riot through to their conclusion and subsequent posthumous album release, while Patrick Bourke & Laura Kelly left for pastures new in North America.

All that aside, O’Connor and FONDA are back with a new line-up featuring fellow Limerick musicians; John Ahern (Hey Rusty), Paul Cosgrave (Slow Riot) and Sean O’Mahony (Inner City Radio) and the first fruits from this new formation comes in the shape of powerful new single ‘No Begonias’. It is a huge and epic post-punk anthem with dark and dramatic vocal soaring stridently above as urgent guitars burn, riffs surge with intense and searing intensity, and meaty basslines relentless rhythm reverberate amid the distortion below. A gripping, insistent and emotionally charged post-punk fervour – a triumphant return from FONDA.

Listen to ‘No Begonias’ below:

Junk Drawer – ‘What I’ve Learned / What I’m Learning’

Junk Drawer have been creating unruly blasts of sonic fury since 2016 but the Belfast quartet are releasing their debut album Ready for the House this coming Friday (April 24th) via Art For Blind.

Ahead of the album’s arrival comes new single, and the album’s opening salvo, ‘What I’ve Learned / What I’m Learning’. Mixing it up with brush strokes of psych, post-punk, 90s indie, shoegaze, psych and post-punk Junk Drawer deliver a sprawling 7 minutes of relentless, frenzied delirium. Opening with a meandering array of slowburning guitars and riffs that melt the heart before subtly drifting away as rampaging rhythm, caustic guitar lines and barrage of relentless roar of searing riffs emerge through a swell of distortion, feedback and psychedelic drones. It is a raw and caustic thriller, an unrelenting electrifying juggernaut of a jam that screeches through serrated layers of sonic energy, squealing distortion and spiraling fuzz. As was previously stated, this is the album opener, and oh my, does this get you in the humour for the album. Yes sir. 

Taken from Junk Drawer’s debut LP Ready For The House, out April 24 via Art For Blind Records.

Jinx Lennon Shares ‘North Louth’; New Album Out Now

Jinx Lennon is a unique talent – a national treasure to be exact – and one of Ireland’s most insightful songwriters who is influenced as much by hip hop and post-punk, Jinx is the embodiment of a modern folk singer. 

Whether it is an acoustic guitar or sampled disco beat, raw garage noise or breakbeats his are songs of raw truth that push us to confront uncomfortable home truths in our society while kicking back against the humdrum bullshit of the modern world. Jinx’s new album Border Schizo Fffolk Songs for the Fuc**d was released on Friday last, and came accompanied by single ‘North Louth’. The tune, and the video, are immense. ‘North Louth’ is a hard-edged tune but one that has more than modicum of infectious allure, not to mention extremely danceable. While bristling with rawness as Jinx delivers his powerful lyrics in his distinct and brilliant manner, fizzing synths, frazzled electronics and break-beat add the dancey grooves.  Jinx Lennon’s music isn’t for everyone, sure but there is no one else quite like him and it hard to be unique nowadays but Jinx does it with ease and is searingly brilliant as always.

Border Schizo FFFolk Songs For The Fuc**d is out now – watch the superb video for ‘North Louth’ below: