POSTS TAGGED : psych

ROTATION ROUND-UP #4

Time is becoming increasingly precious and difficult to obtain these days but I still have a grá on me for blogging.

So, this is an attempt cover more of what I am listening to on a regular basis, with a relatively quick roundup of what has been on rotation over the past week or two.

Enjoy!

Adwaith – ‘ETO’

Welsh outfit Adwaith – Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony & Heledd Owen – will release the follow-up to their wonderful and Welsh Music Prize winning debut with new album Bato Mato on July 1st via Libertino Records. The new record is led by ‘ETO’, a soaring evocative guitar driven adventure brimming with confidence and ideas. It is shimmering, evocative, life-affirming and moving, and bursting with open-hearted soaring melody’s and lyrical vulnerability – instantly sweeping us along with this stirring anthem. This is Adwaith at their finest; you will be replaying, again and again, and again.

Many Voices Speak – ‘Within Reach’

Many Voices Speak – the project of Swedish musician Matilda Mård – has announced her return with second album Gestures, released on 29th April 2022 via Strangers Candy.

A master of misty-eyed, melancholic and hazy indie-pop, Many Voices Speak has always found its power in its ability to capture an eternity in an expression; found in abundance on her debut and lead single ‘Within Reach’. A six-minute long reflective slow burn that just brims with beauty, as Mård’s elegant, yearning dream-pop makes the world seem to slow down around it, where time stretches out, and you become totally immersed in it. ‘Within Reach’ showcases Mård’s continued growth as a songwriter, one more comfortable in her own skin.

Komla MC vs Fold – ‘Victoria Falls’

Komla MC vs Fold is the unlikely combination of two expats in Leeds, UK. Hailing from Accra and New York respectively, Rob (Komla MC) and Seth (of the band Fold) were brought together by having kids at the same school and united in their undying love of hip hop. Given that Seth’s work with Hip-Hop/Trip Hop outfit Fold has a rep for funky, groovy and cool sounds, it is no surprise that this delivers a healthy dose of all three pitted with a fun and cheeky sensibility. Hopefully there is more to come from this collab – top marks!

The AM – ‘On Joy Road’

The AM – AKA Ann-Marie Teasley – is a DJ with a penchant for Techno and Electro that started out as a classical violinist in Detroit. The AM is releasing her debut EP Black Majik on March 11, and comes fronted by ‘On Joy Road’; an Electro-influenced jam named after the long, dual-carriageway street that connects the centre of Detroit to Nankin Lake and the enclaves on the city’s west side. It is urgent and intense while simultaneously elegant as a hypnotic spell is spun by frantic up-tempo snappy beats, claps, rippling electronics and winding synths, while a warped vocal sample and woozy flourishes fade in and out of view. A mesmerising and thumping dancefloor ready banger.

Clwb Fuzz – ‘Sertraline’

Cardiff outfit Clwb Fuzz return with new single ‘Sertraline’; a magnificent blaze of fuzzed-up spiralling psychedelic-rock. Burning guitars fuzz, ominous eerie synths and swaying, pendulumic percussion, set the swirling stage for Emily Kocan’s haunting vocals, regaling vivid and sometimes far too real dreams, occurring as a side-effect of taking antidepressants. Unsettling paranoid introspection has never sounded so glorious.

Live Review: The Charlatans in Dublin (23/11/21)

Personally a big fan of The Charlatans, Us & Us Only still ranks as one of my favourite albums so I was delighted when Alan Brady emailed me though a review of their show in the Olympia. I have seen them live maybe six times over the years and I can’t say I ever felt short changed. Anyway, thanks to Alan for the review and how nice is it to be talking about gigs again. Take it away Alan.

What has been one of the most irritating things about the whole Corona Virus lockdown which has engulfed us in this country for the last two years? Possibly it has to be the lack of a live music gig, and the opportunity to go to a rock concert in a dark, wedged Olympia Theatre. Well the Charlatans ended that drought in superb fashion in late November, with a newly long blonde-haired Tim Burgess and co. thrilling the audience in what is surely the best music venue in Dublin.

The task of providing support for the West Midlands, England act lay at the feet of Aoife Nessa Frances, and the pop and folk Dublin songwriter duly began her set in a relaxed and leisurely manner with ‘Blow Up’ – a tune from her debut album ‘Land Of No Junction’ (2020). Maeve McKenna on the harp supplemented Frances’ singing and guitar playing, although it must be noted that the consequences were varied. The pair performed a lot of songs from Frances’ upcoming new album, which the Sallynoggin-originated singer told us won’t be released for a considerable period of time. The packed audience was enamored by her reverberating singing and guitar strumming, which firmly got the spectators in the humor for the headline act.

Enter the Charlatans – led by the strangely haired Burgess in his eccentric jumper – who were on top form from start to finish of their 23-song set. Proceedings were set in motion with a long intro to ‘Forever’, during which a very enthusiastic looking Burgess danced onstage to rapturous applause. Some of the best performed tunes were ‘Just When You’re Thinking Things Over’, ‘Can’t Get Out of Bed’, and ‘A Needs To Be Told’ – in which the steel guitar was somehow bestowed on keyboards.

Mark Collins was in superb form throughout as his riffs on songs such as ‘One To Another’ and ‘North Country Boy’ – encouraged the crowd to firmly bop – with Burgess duly egging them on to do so. Fans loudly sang along to the latter tune as those in attendance were now seriously in concert mood, and thunderous applause appropriately ensued. ‘How High’ was another ballad to see the voice-level raised around the one-hundred and sixty-six year-old venue.

‘The Blind Stagger’ built up in a slow and leisurely fashion, whilst conversely the audience was treated to an ecstatic rendition of ‘The Only One I Know’; and those present were further treated with a fantastic version of ‘ I Never Want An Easy Life’. The encore possibly encompassed the best-performed songs, as a harmonica-wielding Burgess led the way in an energetic version of ‘Impossible’, before their customary set-closer ‘Sproston Green’ – which again contained Collins displaying various burly guitar riffs – ended proceedings.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and although it’s been a tough two years for us fans of live music in Ireland, it was fantastic to see Burgess, Collins, Martin Blunt and Tony Rogers provide all at the famous Dublin Two venue with their fix of entertainment again.

Alan Brady

Rotation Roundup #1

Time is becoming increasingly precious and difficult to obtain these days but I still have a grá on me for blogging.

So, in an attempt cover more of what I am listening to on a regular basis, here is a quick roundup of what has been on rotation over the past week or two.

I’ll try keep them coming on a weekly / biweekly basis or failing that, I might as well pack this malarkey in altogether.

Melody’s Echo Chamber – ‘Looking Backward’

Melody’s Echo Chamber aka Melody Prochet has announced a new album, Emotional Eternal, which is due April 29 via Domino. The record will be the French musician’s third album and first new music since her excellent 2018 record Bon Voyage. Emotional Eternal is preceded by single ‘Looking Backward’; a dreamy and intoxicating psychedelic pop song with layers of shimmering synths, colours, soft grooves and woozy tones, with Prochet’s recognisable soft but euphoric vocals drifting above.

The first sampling of the new material is all that we would have hoped for and some.

Cate Le Bon – ‘Remembering Me’

Cate Le Bon has released her sixth album Pompeii, follow-up to 2019’s Reward, it is fronted by single ‘Remembering Me’. Difficult to box-off with a taste for offbeat folk but an equal propensity for psych, Le Bon is a treasure and ‘Remembering Me’ reminds us why. Sitting on a cool yet wonky waltzing groove Le Bon’s vocals are as otherworldly and stunning as ever while flourish of guitar appear amid an austere atmosphere; the latter reflected in the introspective and weary lyrics.

Looking forward to sinking the teeth into the album – there is also a rare and great interview in the Guardian for those interested.

Silverbacks – ‘A Job Worth Something’

Dublin-based post-punk outfit Silverbacks have kicked off 2022 in style with new album Archive Material, the follow-up to their superb 2020 debut Fad. The new record continues their propensity for brilliance; a colorful, vivid and exuberant record built upon irresistible grooves and propulsive rhythms, it is spearheaded by lead single ‘A Job Worth Something’. We find Daniel reflecting on his experiences working in insurance while his sister treated patients in a COVID ward, marked by the feelings of futility and guilt he felt at the time. A tight and pointed tune filled alluring guitars, hooks and jangly groove that veers from melodic meander to super focused.

More brilliance from long standing BG favs.

Deadletter – ‘Pop Culture Connoisseur’

Released toward the end of last year, ‘Pop Culture Connoisseur’ signalled the signing of Yorkshire outfit DEADLETTER to the always interesting indie label Nice Swan Records. Lyrically serious yet surreal, musically, it is brash and boisterous (yet very groovy) as a wall of post-punk, dubby bassline, swaggering guitars and impassioned vocals set the blistering tone. Think Gang of Four, Franz Ferdinand and lots of bite. Stellar stuff.

Simple Kid – ‘Failed Musician’

Another released and missed late last year, London-based Irish artist Simple Kid (aka Ciaran McFeely) continued his drip feeding of new material following a long period of musical hibernation with ‘Failed Musician’. A jaunty jam riffing on ‘I Feel Free’ by Cream, guitars glisten and shimmer atop a chugging bassline while McFeely’s recognizable vocals thrive amid the warm tones, charm and general sparkle. Long standing patrons will be aware of my fondness for Simple Kid, his two records – SK1 in 2003 and SK2 in 2006 – are also worth your time.


Sakura & Aloa Input – ‘Another Rainbow’

Hong Kong via London to Vienna, musician and songwriter Sakura has joined forces with Neo-Krautrock outfit Aloa Input for new single ‘Another Rainbow’; and together this collaboration delights and enthralls with a sweetly hypnotic and spaced-out dreamer.

Driven by a gently undulating and hypnotic rhythmic groove, Sakura’s captivating, cool and hushed vocals snake above while guitars shimmer, flicker and twang amid the hazy world of lush and dreamy atmospheric splendor. It is sweet, cosmic and lavish psych-infused dream-pop perfection that dazzles and hypnotizes, grows and seeps into your senses with each and every listen, and leaving you better for it.

Nothing short of stunning, listen to ‘Another Rainbow’ below:


Gushh – ‘Here We Are Still’

Gushh is the solo project of Bristol-based artist Richard Stockley who looks after everything involved; composing, recording, mixing, mastering and artwork.

Gushh revolves around the concept of looping elements and building tracks up whilst telling a narrative through old-timey samples from forgotten pieces of media and having introduced the project with ‘Drifting Through the Emptiness of Space’ back in June, Stockley has returned with new single ‘Here We Are Still’. Propelled by a hypnotic cosmic groove, steady beats build and build whisking us through a misty haze of psychedelic and ambient textures while bright, clipped riffs spark alongside shimmering guitars. Oozing with a cosmic aura, ‘Here We Are Still’ builds and builds to a triumphant explosion of epic proportions, marked with a real sense of awe, wonder and hope. Magnificent once again from Gushh!

‘Here We Are Still’ is lifted from a forthcoming – so far unnamed – EP due in the Autumn. Till then, give the single a spin below:

koleżanka – ‘In A Meeting’

Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer koleżanka (aka Kristina Moore) is readying the release of her debut LP under this moniker.

koleżanka’s sound is difficult to box-off; there is a flair for offbeat folk, indie and flourishes of pop while co-existing in a space with an equal propensity for psych – but it is captivating and magical, and somewhat hypnotic and playful.

Ahead of the release of Place Is, on July 30 via Bar/None, koleżanka has lifted another single from the record called ‘In A Meeting’, which demonstrates all those aforementioned attributes in abundance. Opening with gentle keys (Casio-esque), soft pattering beats and bubbling bassline. providing a beautiful backdrop for Moore’s cooing melody and lush and beautiful vocals to thrive before swathes of psych enter the fray with frazzled synth and colourful instrumental breakdowns. it is both playful and vulnerable, strange yet comforting, and like the composite sounds, in lesser hands would sound jarring but in Moore’s it is a revelation. ‘In A Meeting’ is weaved together with a boundless versatility, and the moments of musical whimsy probably wouldn’t resonate so much were it not for the moments of melodic sweetness.

Listen to ‘In A Meeting’ below and keep an eye out for the album coming on June 30.

Moon Rituals – ‘Painting A Bird’

Moon Rituals is the project of Melbourne pair Sarah Hardiman (Deaf Wish & Brickhead) and Mikey Young (Eddy Current, The Green Child & Total Control) and together, Hardiman and Young craft playful and melodic psych-splashed pop.

Moon Rituals’ latest venture is new 7″ single ‘Aura’ – a melodic boppy synth-pop jam with an effervescent personality – and backed by playful and meandering b-side ‘Painting A Bird’, and it is the latter that concerns us today. ‘Painting A Bird’ struts along amid a playful melodic air as we are whisked off to a world of offbeat folk with psych brushstrokes. It is brimming with stirring defiance led by Hardiman’s powerful versatile voice that cruises above warm fuzz, meandering off-beat groove as it chimes with a unique musical whimsy. ‘Painting A Bird’ palatability draws from an oddity paired with melodic sweetness – an absolute gem!

Listen to ‘Painting A Bird’ below:


Death Hags – ‘Chaos Magic’

Death Hags is the moniker of Los Angeles-based, French artist, Lola Jean, who carefully crafts hypnotic, dreamy and psych splashed aural escapes from the secluded hideaway hills of East LA.

An enigmatic creative force, Death Hags output over the past 18 months or so has been stellar, with a ready supply of hypnotic, futuristic and minimal electronica. Death Hags’ latest single, ‘Chaos Magic’ is a variation of this form. Just as an intoxicating, escapist and hypnotic, ‘Chaos Magic’ sees shimmering guitars replace synth as the driving force as Jean’s hushed honeyed vocals cruise calmly over a melodic patter of soft drums and haze of dreamy atmospheric tones. A beautiful, melodic and hazy jam from a reliably brilliant artist.

Listen to ‘Chaos Magic’ below: 

’59 – ‘The Forbidden Zone’

’59 is led by Ryan Ehresman, a synth-obsessed writer and producer based out of San Francisco who create exhilarating, manic and kaleidoscopic psych-splashed post-punk/krautrock sounds.

’59’s latest is called ‘The Forbidden Zone’ and it is an absolute beast. Fuelled by a relentless electronic beat, pulsing synth, repetitive guitarlines, buzzsaw riffs and sharp rhythm section, ‘The Forbidden Zone’ makes for a taut, furious and intoxicating whirlwind of somewhat frenzied sounds – with moments of melodic respite and relative calm strewn throughout. ‘The Forbidden Zone’ feels organic in its composition and exudes exhilarating energy and is brilliantly manic and unique. One of the finest tracks of 2021, ‘The Forbidden Zone’ more than hints that keeping tabs on ’59 is going to be exciting.

Listen to ‘The Forbidden Zone’ below now:

Fleur bleu.e – ‘STOLT 89’

Fleur bleu.e are Paris-based dream-pop pairing of Delphine and Vladimir who met in 2019 and bonded over a mutual love of The Smiths, Beach House, Françoise Hardy and Elli et Jacno among others, and a desire to craft music that was emotionally ambiguous while being fueled by their teenage myths. And thus Fleur bleu.e came into being.


Deriving their name from a French expression that gently mocks sappy lovers, the pair delight and enthrall with their woozy indie-meets-dream-pop stylings, and latest single ‘STOLT 89’ is a perfect case in point. A woozy wander through a hazy world of lush and dreamy atmospheric splendor, ‘STOLT 89’ is gently propelled along a meandering groove while guitars shimmer and twang while signature dreamy vocals float gracefully above the warm blanket of mild fuzz. It is beautiful, hazy and heart-swelling psych-infused dream-pop perfection that will hypnotise you entirely. 

Listen to ‘STOLT 89’ below now.