1. Songs We Fall Asleep To - Frank Hamilton Frank Hamilton, is a British singer/songwriter and producer, best known for his #OneSongAWeek project, in which he wrote, recorded and released a song a week, for a whole year. Since then, Frank has toured loads, become the first person to make an EP on the London Eye (in the time it takes to go round - 28 minutes), headlined a week long music festival at Chris Evans' pub and recorded a new album in his living room... 'Songs We Fall Asleep ' is the first song shared from his second album, and it stays true to 'Frank's sound' whilst offering something slightly new. The guitars and rhythm offer a steady backing to the lyrics, which are (as always) brilliantly written and presented with Frank's emotive and soft vocals. With elements of rock, pop and folk, Frank has created a fantastic song, and I'm looking forward to hearing album two even more now! (If you want to see him at his annual Christmas gig - they're always a great show - you can grab tickets here).
2. Alive - Sia 2014 and 2015 have been big years for Sia and her music, and now she's back with 'Alive', the lead single from the Australian singer/songwriter's forthcoming album 'This Is Acting'. Co-written by a power team of Sia, Adele and Tobias Jesso Jr. and rejected by Adele and Rihanna. I'm kinda glad Sia's released it as her own, her powerhouse vocals and range are incredible and that shines through this track.
Australian singer/songwriter, Matt Corby, is back! It's been about two years since Matt released new music, but on 1st October (2015) he released 'Monday', taken from his forthcoming debut album. It's a really honest track and it's a bit of a masterpiece. Only taking about 10 minutes to record and being entirely made of sounds produced by Corby's body and voice. He's on tour in Australia and the UK in November (tickets) and his debut album is due to be dropping in early 2016!
4. Wicked Heart - The Feeling The Feeling are also back and have been pretty busy recently. They've just announced the release of their fifth album, self-titled 'The Feeling' (released on 12th Feb' 2016), as well as new track 'Wicked Heart' and an exclusive show at London's Oslo on 28th October (tickets). The track stays true to their other albums, but you can really hear influences of Queen in this song. Beautifully layered vocals, a steady beat, guitars, bass and keys coming together to create a powerful track that paves the way for the rest of the album.
5. Oh Brother - SOAK SOAK is a young and incredibly talented musician from Northern Ireland. Her debut album 'Before We Forgot How To Dream' made it into the Top 40 Albums Chart in the UK and the Top 20 in Ireland. 'Oh Brother' is one of my favourites from the release, and even though this solo session is a longer version, it's so easy to listen to and lose yourself in, it's stunning both lyrically and musically - enjoy!
Nova Heart are a pretty big deal in China and have started to cause a ripple over here in the UK, as well as the US. Helen Feng (vocals/keys), Bo Xuan (bass) and Shi Lu a.k.a. Atom (drums) have already gained support for previous releases from NME, Rolling Stone and The Guardian and have built up 700,000 streams on Xiami (media streaming platform), over 200,000 views on LeTV (Chinese Netflix) and 150,000 hits on Yoku (Chinese YouTube). They've recently been on a successful European tour including a performance at Glastonbury Festival and they've just released their self-titled debut album.
'Nova Heart' Review: The album opens with 'Drive To Our End' an intense and mainly instrumental track, led by bass, a steady rhythm and space themed synths, this track really starts the adventure into something out of this world. The latest single from the album, 'Lackluster No.' is a dreamy track, incredibly easy to listen to, vocals from Helen add to the song and accompany the bass and keys perfectly. There are also catchy riffs that carry through the song well. 'Interlude' is one of my favourite tracks from the release, it's haunting, atmospherical and incredibly creative - I really love it! The album closes with 'Dancing Barefoot', the layered vocals highlight the lyrics and the alternating volumes and directions of the track hold the listeners attention and allow them to solely focus on this fantastic creation. This album is a brilliant masterpiece, I really hope Nova Heart, gain more attention and support from the UK and the US, as well as the rest of the world; they truly deserve it!
So, it's that time again, where we look back at what previously featured and spotlighted artists and bands have been up to... A lot has gone on in the past few months!
The Shade Of The Trees - Zones
This is the latest track from one of our more recent spotlight blogs, with the Zones Project... 'The Shade Of The Trees' is an intense, alternative rock track, perfect for a thriller soundtrack. James Burrage lends his fantastic vocals to the track, as well as Tom Donovan producing the song, it's a brilliant showcase of what Zones Project is all about and is another step forward to bigger and even more exciting things!
This name probably won't ring any bells, as it's a new project, it's Jamie Willetts latest project, and I'm loving the first track he's released! If you're into all the electronic music that's around at the minute, Oh Wonder and Halsey etc. you'll love this, but there's still enough hints of Jamie's previous releases for most people to really enjoy it! He's /iamhvnter on most social media but here's his FB for more updates etc. (FB)
Summer Heart's just been on tour in the US, announced a new single release, and has some more live dates at the end of November (including Hoxton Bar, London on 20th Nov). This is a really summery, lo-fi, chilled track, perfect for these sunny days starting Autumn off in England. It makes me want to put my tie-dye t-shirt on and crank the BBQ up! The single is released on 16th October and you can keep up to date with Summer Heart here.
Layla and Shauna, aka Juneau, are one of the most exciting duos at the minute, I reckon they've got a fantastic future ahead of them. We featured them recently and reviewed their demo track 'Spit It Out', but now they've released their debut EP, and of course we had to include it in this post. I love all the songs on the six-track release, they all have something different to offer, but all offer brilliant melodies, guitar and lyrics presented by beautiful vocals. If you enjoy what you hear, head over to grab it from their band camp page: http://juneaujuneau.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-mouth-of-the-wolf
Some not so happy news now, we only featured these guys in June about their fantastic self-titled album, which included one of my favourite tracks of this year 'Books'. Unfortunately, the band have broken up after suffering from 'major label syndrome', and 'Overflowing Futures' is their farewell album. It's good to see them ending with a brilliant album, full of some really great tracks, just gutted there won't be music to look forward to from them for now. Here's the album link: Overflowing Futures.
Just over two years ago, we did a session with Haytham, and two years later, we've done another one! He's now in his second year of uni, has set up a band (Handd), whom are gaining a following via gigs around their uni and battle of the bands etc. Both of these songs are originals, and I'm looking forward to hearing some demos from Haytham and the rest of Handd soon...
English punk rock / Britpop band, The Ordinary Boys are back with a new album, after a hiatus of nearly 10 years. The re-formed line up consists of the original trio - Preston, James Gregory (bass) and Charlie 'Chuck' Stanley (drums) - plus new member Louis Jones, whom Preston met stage-diving at a Cribs gig. Over the last year they've been busy writing and recording their new (fourth studio) album, eponymously self-titled, The Ordinary Boys; which is now ready for release on 2nd October (2015) and they've announced a 25-date UK tour in this October and November...
'The Ordinary Boys' Album Review:
‘About Tonight’ kicks off the album well,
with striking guitar and intense chord progression underlined by a continuous
hard drum. It’s a pleasant surprise to hear Louis’ (the newest member of the
band) opening on the vocals, instead of Preston. The lead single ‘Four Letter
Word’ is reminiscent of their earlier releases, with plenty of layers and
thrashing guitar, bass and drum combos as well as intricate under riffs. This
track is basically the perfect pop punk kind of song.
‘Panic Attack’ is a little repetitive but
brilliant for singing along to and would probably be the song off the album
that everyone can join in with on their tour, there’s also a really neat bass
line in this song that rounds it off really nicely.
The album closes with ‘Disposable Anthem’,
which has a slower pace throughout compared to others, but I think it’s one of
my favourites from the release. It’s steady but it still has the trademark
Ordinary Boys sound in the chorus.
Overall, this album is a welcome difference
to their previous material, the songwriting skill is still showcased through
the duration of the album, and there are fantastic layered melody led sections,
with guitar, bass and drums all playing their parts and now with Louis up alongside
Preston with vocals, the team work amongst The Ordinary Boys shines through.
It’s a matured sound and it is very different from the well known sound found
on ‘Brassbound’, but it’s been a few years and to be honest, who cares, this
new album is wonderful in it’s own right!
Off The Wall are a young band from Colchester, Essex. The band have been together for five years, but have known each other since infant school and even before that! They've self - released a debut single 'Red Face Tight', but as two 16 year olds and two 17 year olds, they're fighting the under 18 gig battle, but I'm sure they're going to breakthrough and do well as a band.
General Questions:
1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how?
6 or 7 years old.
2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever seen?
Reverend and the Makers at Norwich when Jon (singer) went outside the venue when the gig had finished and did another 'gig' outside to the crowd leaving. Dingus Khan at the Colchester Arts Centre. Royal Blood at Koko, and of course Kylie at the O2!!!
3. Who have you been listening to lately?
Jamie T / De Staat / Iggy Pop / first Arctic Monkeys album.
3 Qs for Off The Wall:
1. You've been a band for five years now, how do you feel you've grown musically over that time?
Songs have got louder and bigger!! Got a new song on the go at the moment which is in a different tuning. We also write a lot faster now as well.
2. Where would be your dream place to perform and why?
We would like to build it up, and enjoy each step, so maybe Koko, then Brixton Academy, then Wembley, then Glastonbury!
3. What process did you go through creating 'Red Face Tight'?
Started with a riff at home, then one of us took it to rehearsal. We then added drums and bass along with a guitar part two to create a chorus. We sat and discussed ideas for verse and then it all just came together and words inspired by a Guy Martin documentary where he used the term 'red fact tight' aha!
Random Q:
Favourite pizza topping?
Any pizza but it needs the following toppings - pepperoni (but not too spicy), jalapeños and olives.
'Red Face Tight' Review:
Intense guitars start this song off, with drums crashing their way into the track. 'Red Face Tight' has the perfect flow of builds and stripped back sections. The perfect track to shout along to at a gig and there are some wonderful instrumental sections with gritty guitar riffs and heavier moments too, these guys could easily follow in the footsteps of the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen with time.
Glasgow's Medicine Men have recently returned with their latest single 'Lowlands', which was released earlier this month. They've already caused quite a stir with their debut single 'Show What You're Made Of', released late last year, along with a coveted slot at Scotland's 'T in the Park' festival, pulling a huge crowd at only their fifth gig! They also graced the stage at this year's Isle Of Wight Festival and have played gigs up and down the UK.
'Lowlands' Review:
The single starts off with a buzzing synth, and brilliant bass line, which continues throughout the track, with a fantastic guitar riff that'll easily get stuck in your head and the catchiness of the chorus is perfect for shouting along to at one of the live gigs. It's a brilliant end of summer track, to listen to anywhere and any when. If you're a fan of Tame Impala, Temples or MGMT, I can guarantee you'll love this!
London's Rodney Cromwell, is the solo project of Adam Creswell, founding member of indie-folktronica band Saloon and one half of electronic two piece Arthur & Martha. He recently released his debut LP 'Age Of Anxiety', with multiple tracks having been premiered on BBC6 Music, Soho Radio, and Phoenix FM, as well as already gaining repeat airplay on national Radio 3 in Spain. This LP introduces the modern electronic lover to some epic retro future synth music...
General Questions:
1. How old were you when you started getting involved in music and how?
Unlike some I didn't come from much of a musical household. Growing up my Dad listened mostly to classical and jazz, my Mum, stuff like Warren Zevon and Elvis Costello. For years we didn't have any musical instruments in the house other than a Fisher Price Xylophone and Casio PT-80. One day I went over to my friend Sean's house and there was an acoustic guitar in the corner of the living room; to me it seemed like the most radical and rebellious thing ever, to own an actual guitar. So I started a band with Sean, we were called Cosmic Onion and we played mostly Joy Divison and Pixies covers (the easy ones). I was about 17 at the time.
We plugged away for a couple of years until I moved to Reading and formed Saloon in 1998, which was my first 'proper' band. We played folk-tinted indie Krautrock with moogs. We were fairly successful considering that we didn't fit into any neat pigeonhole or play the industry game that well. And I suppose that really was the start of my love / hate relationship with the whole music scene.
2. What is the most inspiring musical performance you've ever seen?
Probabl Kraftwerk on the Tour de France tour, or Mahogany in 2000 back when they were using a reel-to-reel player for the rhythm sequencing. Or Stromae who we've seen several times over the last year. Basically, I find most inspiring anyone who can pull of an exciting live show without use of a drummer.
3. Who have you been listening to lately?
I've had 'Clearest Blue' by CHVRCHES, pretty much on repeat since they dropped it a couple of days ago.
3 Qs for Adam:
1. What is your favourite track from your LP 'Age of Anxiety' and why does it stand out to you?
Well, as the title suggests, the album deals with my own battles with anxiety, so a lot of the themes on the records are pretty dark, about depression, panic, paranoia and so on. (I hope that doesn't put anyone off of listening to it - the music itself is actually quite cheery and danceable - it's not a Goth record or anything.)
There is one track though, the instrumental 'Baby Robot', which to me is a joyful celebration of fatherhood, so I suppose that is probably my favourite track. Although admittedly, when the kids are screaming their heads off at three in the morning, or attacking my laptop (like they are as I type) that sense of joy can be somewhat tested.
2. Who would you most like to collab / work with and why?
Well there are countless bands I would love to remix or tour with. To be honest though I'm massively happy with all the people I'm working with at the moment. I've got a couple of remixes currently in the pipeline for the awesome bands Meter Bridge and The Leaf Library, which is all very exciting.
I suppose the collaboration I would most like to happen would result in a second Arthur and Martha album. Arthur and Martha was a band that I was in with my friend Alice Hubley, who also plays and sings on several of the 'Age of Anxiety' tracks as well as playing in the Rodney Cromwell live band. We released one Arthur and Martha album called 'Navigation' way back in 2009, but we drifted onto other projects afterwards and she's now in a fab indie band called Cosines. 'Navigation' is a great album though and I think a few people would enjoy a follow-up. So if I could persuade Aice it would be ace, and hopefully if she reads this, it might convince her further!
3. What process did you go through creating 'Barry Was An Arms Dealer' and did it differ to other tracks on the LP?
For me every song I have written, whether it be for Saloon, Arthur and Martha, or Rodney Cromwell, has to have an idea at the heart of the process; it can be a really simple idea like 'this one will be in 5/4' or 'this one will be Spanish-Punk-Flamenco', but ultimately it needs that initial spark to drive it forward. So, the idea for 'Barry Was An Arms Dealer' was to write a disco song based around the motorik 'apache' beat used in so many great Krautrock records.
What I generally do is record the ideas for a few hours, mix them onto my iPhone and then over the next few days, weeks, years (!!!) listen to them on the train or around the house, and come up with extra melodies or lyrics for the next time I'm in the studio. 'Barry' was a song that came together trlatively quickly for me - i.e. it only took about six months.
I am quite a slow worker. I once did a remix for an upcoming US indie band but by the time I'd got half way through finishing their remix they'd split up. Rod Cromwell fans can probably expect the follow up to 'Age of Anxiety' in about 2035!
'Age of Anxiety' LP Review: This release unites the best of 80s electro music with todays; and despite the topic of anxiety and depression running throughout this LP, the music itself contrasts that with a cheery, upbeat and hopeful tone throughout. 'Barry Was An Arms Dealer' taps into the sound of the 80s, but is still kept far enough away from the likes of Kraftwerk for it to still be unique and original. 'You Will Struggle' is a stand out song for me from the LP; the duet features Alice Hubley (other half of Arthur & Martha), the pair compliment each others vocals and the synths and robotic elements make this a song to get stuck in anyone's head. Baby Benedict Cresswell's gurgles feature on the instrumental track 'Baby Robot' which adds to the childlike cheeriness to this particular song, chimes of a xylophone can be heard and it just holds a meaningful innocence, listening to this one put a smile on my face. The last track on the release is one of the other songs that really stands out to me, musically it is a little more emotional in some way, and the lyrics explore the metaphor of 'Black Dog', it closes 'Age of Anxiety' summing it all up in a brilliant way.
