Rotation Round-Up #3

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.

The aim is to keep them coming on a weekly / biweekly basis or failing that, I may as well pack this malarkey in altogether.

Stephen Durkan – ‘Prayer’

Glaswegian artist Stephen Durkan released his debut EP The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Ourselves last week and ‘Prayer’ is the latest single lifted from it. Less energised and meaty than previous single ‘The Acid Commune’, we find Durkan poetically reflecting on a lack of divine belief as hard-edged, introspective words play out amid muted swathes of downbeat electronica. Like the rest of the EP, ‘Prayer’ will captivate and will have you hooked from the get go. Durkan is a voice worth listening to.

Langkamer – ‘Teeth’

From Bristol in the UK, Langkamer are commonly described as country rockers (the best yet is Avon Americana, serious thumbs up) but they land somewhere between Pavement, Creedence, Wilco and Hooton Tennis Club. Their latest single ‘Teeth’ is undoubtedly a perfect blend of these components, crafting a supremely addictive, smart and contagious sound that is simultaneously familiar and excitingly fresh. There’s a lo-fi aesthetic to the drums and vocals, lending a garage band vibe as a slide guitar bathes ‘Teeth’ with an alt country shade. It is bright, catchy and playful, finding a sweet spot between off-kilter and hooky, it is a vivid and irresistible tune.

Captain Rico and The Ghost Band – ‘Dracula On A Skateboard’

French surf-rock aficionados Captain Rico and the Ghost Band will release their second album Fréquences d’outre-tombe (Rhythms from beyond the grave) on March 4, 2022, which promises 1’1 new instrumental tracks  featuring a kaleidoscope of guitar riffs, from powerful to simply off the wall’. Ahead of the new album, Captain Rico and The Ghost Band has shared lead single ‘Dracula On A Skateboard’. A free flowing and energetic ramble, it has a vintage yet timeless air to it, with serious echoes of 60’s surf sound of The Shadows and Dick Dale as bright, energetic surf guitars and glistening riff thrive over frantic rhythmic groove that hares off at a furious pace from the off. Wonderful.

Maida Rose – ‘Fallen’

Maida Rose is dream-pop pairing of Roos Meijer and Javièr den Leeuw from Dutch seaside city the Hague, and will release their debut LP Tales Of Adolescence on March 25. Ahead of the album, the pair share new single ‘Fallen’ which perfectly captures their prowess for rich and wistful dream-pop. It oozes with nostalgia and a pang of melancholy, as soft vocals purr with feeling and heartstrung melodies hover above a languid meandering groove and soft shimmering guitar. ‘Fallen’ is yet another beautiful and moving single from Maida Rose; the album promises a lot.

RIFLE – ‘Flag’

RIFLE are a North London punk outfit who’s debut EP, Holloway Demos was recorded live and in one take at Storm on Holloway Road, and all for the price of a tube fair. Fronted by blistering single ‘Flag’ – it, like the EP – is a short, sharp shock to the system, the proverbial kick in the bollocks if you like, filled with scintillating guitars played at breakneck speed, over a furious beat, while raspy vocals fight to be heard amid the barrage of noise. A bolt of biting raw punk energy; an absolute tour-de-force.

Rotation Roundup #2

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.

The aim is to keep them coming on a weekly / biweekly basis or failing that, I may as well pack this malarkey in altogether.

Panic Shack – ‘Mannequin Man‘

Cardiff noisemakers Panic Shack will release their debut EP, Baby Shack EP, on April 8th via Brace Yourself Records and ahead of which, they have shared lead single ‘Mannequin Man‘.The track is exactly what you’d expect from Panic Shack; a raw, spiky and incendiary punky cut bursting with bouncy basslines, chant along vocals, hooks galore and plenty of attitude. A rip roaring return, the forthcoming EP promises to be quite something.

Lyndsey Lawlor – ‘Love, Lust, Indifference & Hatred’

Lyndsey Lawlor is a Dublin spoken word artist who has teamed up with Kildare producer Gary O’Reilly (Mix & Fairbanks) for new album, Dearest Philistine, released in January. The album came to fruition with Lawlor locked down away from her band and creating an entire record with O’Reilly. ‘Love, Lust, Indifference & Hatred’ is the latest single lifted from the album, Lawlor’s vocals brimming with a positive and hopeful air flow cooly above a beautiful blend of warm, fluffy electronics that shimmer above a soft pattering of captivating beats. 

Peaness – ‘How I’m Feeling’

Longstanding BG favs Peaness have announced their debut album. The Chester trio will release World Full of Worry via their own Totally Snick Records on 6th May, preceded by new single ‘How I’m Feeling’.

Having charmed our ears for years with their irresistible brand of melodic, indie-pop goodness, and latest single is no different. Propelled by a playful, sunny energy juxtaposed by reflecting on the self-loathing and melancholy that can come from being stuck in an unfulfilling job, whilst offering a sense of hope that you can make a positive change. It is insanely catchy, littered with gloriously glossy harmonies, honey-sweet vocals and uplifting jangling hooks . Yet another gem from Peaness who have a propensity for such magic you know.

Listen to ‘How I’m Feeling’ below.

MEMES – ‘Second Thought’

Glasgow’s self-proclaimed “laptop-rock” duo MEMES – composed of cousins John and Paul McLinden – are back with another scintillating slice of fiery and fierce post-punk in the shape of ‘Second Thought’. Unleashed with a feverish intensity, it underlines all there is to love about this tempestuous pairing; unpredictable and unconventional ‘Second Thought’ is fuelled by an erratic, jerky punk electricity and coiled up bassline while the raspy vocals dance over the jagged rhythms and meaty stomp. A thrilling and exhilarating jam; brilliant from MEMES, who have nailed it again.

Astrosurf – ‘Highlife’

Astrosurf are a Toronto based trio with a penchant for freeflowing blues-rock leaning surf sounds, inspired by the cosmos, the open range and seas (like a harder edged, blues embracing version of Wales’ Y Niwl).

The trio’s latest release, Anything But… came out in December of last year and ‘Highlife’ is the latest single lifted from it. ‘Highlife’ perfectly captures the essence of Astrosurf in just under four minutes; it is marvelously scuzzy, unfurling with a lifeforce of its own packed with seductive grooves, meandering catchy  melodies and lashing of fuzz, feedback and mighty reverb laden riffs and licks. To their credit, Astrosurf sound familiar yet authentic, carving their own modern day niche that is, in their own words, “music for surfers, cowboys and spies”.

Drens – ‘No’

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Drens are a fuzz loving garage rock / surf punk foursome from Dortmund/Cologne, Germany.

Their debut ‘Wilhelm Be Gone’ was released in January of this year and has been quickly followed by the brand new single, ‘No’. A freewheeling frenzy of energetic surfy punk-tinged indie, ‘No’ packs a hell of punch. Unleashing itself with all the energy of a coiled-up spring, wave after wave of hi-octane racy riffs, spiky guitars, snappy drums and rumbling basslines coalesce with equally springy (Zebedee-esque) vocals for a whirlwind salvo of raucous vitality. A lively, infectious and fun tune, it is a bona fide two-and-a-half minutes of punky indie gold (and the video is pretty nifty too).

Listen to ‘No’ and its predecessor ‘Wilhelm Be Gone’ below:

Introducing: Twinsmith

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Twinsmith are an Omaha-based indie outfit with a sunny disposition and a penchant for chilled-out surf pop vibes.

Rising from the ashes of Americana-inspired outfit called Betsy Wells, the current incarnation of Twinsmith – consisting of Jordan Smith (vocals, guitars) and Matt Regner (vocals, guitar, keyboards) drummer Oliver J. Morgan and bassist Bill Sharp – have two albums under their belt with a third due this year. Entitled Stay Cool and penned for release on July 14; ahead of which we’ve been treated to two singles ‘Matters’ and ‘Boji’. A sparkling piece of stellar pop-craft, the former gently wins you over and engulfs your very being, as shimmering guitars mingle with soft but steady beat, hushed, hazy vocals and some lush synths. ‘Boji’ meanwhile, is just as alluring. Led by a soft breeze of instrumentation, this gorgeous track is tender and restful, and imbued with warmth of golden summer glow. A blissful moment of sun-kissed enchantment. Two alluring chill-outs to repeatedly fall in love with.

The band will release their forthcoming album Stay Cool via Saddle Creek on July 14, 2017. For now, sample the delights of ‘Matters’ & ‘Boji’ Below.

Eoin Dolan Shares ‘Dear Brian’, Ahead of Releasing His Debut LP This Week

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Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the finest finds from the past 12 months, Galway-based singer-songwriter Eoin Dolan, is releasing his self titled debut album this week.

Out through Citóg Records on September 22nd, Dolan has previewed his debut LP with ‘Dear Brian’ – a timely reminder of the dazzling brilliance of Dolan’s charming, surfy psych-pop. ‘Dear Brian’ radiates all the hallmark’s that have marked out Dolan and his work thus far. It is a playful, easygoing and enchanting blend of woozy, soothing sounds, sinuous melodies, SFA-esque synth work, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals. We already knew from his previous releases but ‘Dear Brian’ reaffirms that Dolan has a real flair for twinkly and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems, with a healthy dose of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney (moments) threaded through the fabric of his sound. His brand of surfy psych-pop is totally charming and entirely irresistible, and his debut LP coming this week promises to be just that, and more. Not to be missed.

You can check out ‘Dear Brian’ below and Eoin Dolan’s self-titled debut LP is out on September 22nd, through Citóg Records.

Eoin Dolan also plays Dublin’s Hard Working Class Heroes festival on Thursday, October 7th @ 19:40 in Tengu Downstairs.

Introducing: Dumb

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Dumb are a Vancouver foursome – Nick Short, Felipe Morelli, Gal Av-Gay and Nir Av-Gay – who proclaim themselves as a “punk rock band!”. They are that, and a whole lot more.

Following on from two 2015 EPs, Friendship and Tulips, they’ve recently released their debut album, Beach Church. In this holy house of beach (Beach Church), across nine-songs we a graced with a rather ‘smart’ collection from Dumb. The album is littered with an intoxicating flurry of crunchy indie-rock songs that flirt with indie, punk, garage, post-punk and even occasional surf elements. From the twangy, surf-themed instrumentals of ‘Beach Church pt. I, II & III’ to the rough-and-ragged, crunching guitars, cymbal crashing and shout-able lyrics of the likes of ‘Refrain’ or ‘7-11’; Dumb eek out a middle ground between garage rock, spaced-out psychedelia and the driving stomp of punk. It all works together and come across as endearingly authentic, suggesting that Dumb is a band to keep an eye on.

You can listen to some choice cuts from Dumb’s debut LP below and if you would like to get your mitts on Beach Church, it is here, all you gotta do is ‘name you price’. Also, they play Vancouver’s Music Waste on Saturday, June 4th (the full schedule is here).

Introducing: Eoin Dolan

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Eoin Dolan is a singer-songwriter from Galway City, on the west coast of Ireland. Having released his debut EP, Placid Ocean in 2014, Dolan has recently joined forces with independent record label Citóg Records, to release his new EP Something Good.

Dolan has an inherent knack for twinkly, enchanting and whimsical, good old fashioned pop gems. These are easy-going and timeless songs blending a wonderful mix of surf/folk/pop, with elements of Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett and Lennon/McCartney threaded through the fabric of Dolan’s sound. Yet amid all the sinuous melodies, giddy-pop-playfulness and reverb-drenched vocals, there is a sombreness, nay a sadness at hand. Due in no small part to Dolan’s song-writing, which is steeped in the imagery and atmosphere of a vintage seaside town and we see the world through the eyes of an intuitive storyteller on the very top of his game. The beauty for the likes of ‘Something Good’ and ‘Heavenly Possessed’ flows from the juxtaposition enchanting and whimsical pop and the hint of melancholic sombreness.

Eoin Dolan’s Something Good EP is one of the finest wee releases to come my way so far this year; it’s a utter joy to behold. There are a few choice cuts below and Something Good is available, in full, from Bandcamp.

 

 

Sea Pinks – ‘Yr Horoscope’

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With the release of their new album Soft Days only around the corner – Belfast trio Sea Pinks have afforded us another taster from the LP, in the shape of ’Yr Horoscope’.

Neil Brogan and company have proven thus far, to possess an innate ability for incredibly catchy indie-pop jams; and with ‘Yr Horoscope’ the trio have repeated the trick, and how! ‘Yr Horoscope’ is a sub-two-minutes of peppy, upbeat indie jangle, bounding along a bouncy bassline with a rambunctious energy, while cruising some surf-tinged riffs and cheerful vocals. Spritely, inspired and utterly magnificent lo-fi indie rambling from Sea Pinks. As has so often been the case with the Belfast outfit, we’re not left short changed.

Soft Days is out this Friday, January 8 via CF records and it follows 2014’s excellent Dreaming Tracks – a very nice way to kick off the weekend. Till then, you can stream ‘Yr Horoscope’ and ‘Depth of Field’ below.

Introducing: Peaness

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There’s something familiar and retro-leaning about Chester trio Peaness – Rach, Balla & Jess – who dare to jangle in the long shadow of their influences. Early days they may be but the trio appear to have figured out the deceptively simple, age-old secret to transcending influences: just write top notch songs.

These three Cheshire lasses provide an injection of buoyant surf-pop-rock goodness, just in time for summer. Their surfy-guitar-pop-jangle is laden with effortlessly sweet harmonies, catchy riffs and sharp hooks; the ones you could hang your hat on. From the bright and bouncy solid indie stomp of ‘Summer Song’ to the super buoyant ‘Fortune Favours The Bold’. In three minutes, they unleash a sunkissed blitz of catchy riffs, melodies and sweet heavenly harmonies, that are all coated in a light fuzz and imbued with youthful energy and assuredness. Two charming, addictive and perfectly formed songs bursting with cheery, chipper and uplifting vibes, the kind of tunes guaranteed to raise a smile.

Peaness have a debut EP in the works at the moment and it should be with us very shortly. For now, you can check out ‘Summer Song’ & ‘Fortune Favours The Bold’

(Video) Beach Day – ‘How Do You Sleep At Night’

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During the summer Beach Day released Native Echoes, a collection bright and cheeky, lo-fi garage rock tunes. Inspired by nostalgia but powered by a fresh verve, it captured that hazy summer vibe and this bright blend of garage rock, surf pop and girl group sounds, sits comfortably alongside contemporaries like Cults and Tennis.

Needless to say, hazy summer days (and nights) are but a distant memory on this side of the world but doesn’t mean we must dispel the hazy, sun-kissed and cheery tunes. Beach Days’ latest single, ‘How Do You Sleep At Night’ provides an easy and breezy escape from the shackles of winter. It has a swooning, peaceful feel to it, aided by the sound of waves lapping a Holywood shore line. A gentle jangle accompanies Skyler Black’s wonderful floating vocals in tenderly piercing the soft fuzz that crackles with warmth and tingles with nostalgia. One of many loveable and inescapably brilliant tunes that festoon their latest album, Native Echoes.

You can check out ‘How Do You Sleep At Night’ below and if you’re liking that, why not give the album a whirl over here?