A condensed look at tracks, EP’s and albums that are sound-tracking this month.
SINGLE: HoneyMushroom – Mugen
The latest release from Mugen pairs vintage-esque vocals and energetic riffs, creating a sound which perfectly captures the essence of modern indie rock, whilst keeping the reminiscence of bands such as The Cribs and The Strokes.
SINGLE: Plead – Freeda
Amplified alt-pop songs bursting with colour, Freeda take jangly riffs and hooking beats, complete with bright vocals and a juicy melody.
SINGLE: Millennial Boy – Pink Lemonade
Taking on the sweet alt-pop vibes of the likes of Troye Sivan and The 1975, the dream pop duo from South West London produce a highly aesthetically pleasing sound which shouts of sunset drives and warm summer evenings.
SINGLE: April Fool – Currls
Currls have developed a modern, yet retro sound, Glam, but funky, the Brighton trio pair heavy riffs and funky melodies, paving the way towards an exciting strand of rock music, and delivering a unique single struck full of energy.
SINGLE: Blue Movie Baby – The Seamonsters
6-piece Sheffield rockers The Seamonsters combine retro melodies and heavier riffs, creating a heavenly indie-rock sound which brings an 80’s influence into modern rock.
SINGLE: On Your Mind – Jaunt
Soulful, almost hip-hop esque, yet identifiably pop, Jaunt expand across different genres, presenting an interesting sound which provides the listener with intrigue as to where the band will go next – it’s addictive.
SINGLE: Bloomin’ Flowers – Dantevilles
Manchester band Dantevilles combine rock and alt-pop with hooking choruses, creating a power-driven anthem full of drive and ambition.
SINGLE: Kathmandu Kid – Cavalcade
Spirited riffs and an unmatchable raw energy, Cavalcade hit the edge with their red-blooded rock and roll, selling out venues across London – and soon the rest of the UK.
SINGLE: Brood and Bloom – Kasador
Captivating vocals pull you into a trance, enthralled by infatuating melodies which take you elsewhere – the Canadian four-piece take compelling riffs and thrust them into a world where funk and rock combine.
SINGLE: Tell Me – Roma Palace
Brighton trio ‘Roma Palace’ throw together lush riffs and tropical melodies, creating a shimmying sound full of catchy lyrics and party energy.
SINGLE: Restless Mind – The Bullseyes
You’d be forgiven for thinking they were a 4 piece… The roaring grittiness of The Bullseyes is electrifying – and the sheer noise emitted by just two people places them on a level with bands such as Royal Blood and The Black Keys.
SINGLE: Tel Aviv – The Lighthouse
Euphoric indie-pop full of optimism, matched with lively melodies and blissful riffs, perfect for heading into the sunnier days of Spring.
SINGLE: Where Do We Go? – Candid
The pounding energy of the latest release from indie-rock four-piece Candid brings together anthemic choruses and thrilling melodies – creating a dynamic sound worthy of big festival stages.
SINGLE: My Time Is Now – Shambolics
Thumping riffs and a blasting chorus, the latest release from Shambolics is brimming with energy. Influenced by music of the 60’s through to the 90’s,
SINGLE: Half Past Nine – Close Talker
The laidback tranquillity of ‘Half Past Nine’ takes you on a journey of late nights and holding on to memories, blending harmoniously calm resonances with addictively funky beats.
SINGLE: Play Nice – Little Grim
Featured earlier this March as ‘Track of the Month’, the South London pop outfit take fiery melodies and mix them with compelling lyrics, creating bittersweet tunes that drift between danceable and sad. Soulful, 90s-esque alt pop, with zesty guitar riffs and dizzying vocals, complete with hip-hop beats and a funky bass riff – ‘Play Nice’ is impossible not to bop to.
EP: Soul Wrinkles – Runrummer
Eloquently sweet, the laidback vocals of Livi Morris AKA Runrummer are meltingly good, yet tinged with a sentient knowledge of the issues faced by people across society on a daily basis. With lyrics exploring mental health, identity, sexuality and relationships, the spirited honesty of Runrummer paces towards an authentic kind of pop, for which she could easily become one of the forerunners of.
EP: FUR – FUR
Established in Brighton, FUR have been quickly gaining popularity over the past few years. After releasing a string of singles, the band have finally put out their debut EP – and it’s been well worth the wait. With retro melodies reminiscent of The Beatles, FUR pair fuzzy vocals and sun-kissed riffs, creating dreamy alt-pop tunes that could perfectly soundtrack a summer road-trip. The warm breeziness of lead single ‘Angel Eyes’ feeds fluently into the high-spirited grooves of ‘Where Did All The People Go’, before leading into latest single ‘Him and Her’. Ending on subdued guitar notes and gentle vocals, the poignant lyrics of ‘Love Song For No-One’ concludes the EP on a melancholic note. Modern, yet heart-warmingly vintage – FUR have created a timeless EP that could fit simultaneously between the current music scene, and that of six decades ago.
ALBUM: This Time Next Year – The Trust Fund Kids
Drifting between elements of rock and pop, and almost verging into psychedelia, ‘This Time Next Year’ takes you on a journey through different genres – Connor is unafraid to experiment with both his production and writing. “I’d say my ambitions are to try and make weird pop songs in a lot of different genres that I’m really proud of. I talk about a lot of the issues I’ve had with panic attacks and anxiety,” he states. The album is audacious, fiery, and red-blooded; propelling hard-hitting lyrics into tireless riffs. From the bright, fuzzy melody of ‘Hello My Friend’, to the heavier, murkiness of ‘Orlando Gloom’, the unstoppable energy of each track is towering. The instrumental ‘Be Cool’ throws together hypersonic riffs and psychedelic melodies to create a spirited tune, with an infectious dancey quality, feeding into the same fizzing effervescence of ‘Portmanteau’, ‘Always On My Mind’ and single ‘Mercy Me’. Released across the past year, singles ‘Waiting On You’, ‘Adderall’, ‘Evelyn’, ‘Loving You (Is Such A Waste Of Time)’ and ‘Let’s Assume The Worst Forever’ relish in stadium-filling choruses and pit-inciting riffs – the fearless spirit of Connor is relentless. ‘Growing Up’ is the perfect end to the album. Subdued guitar notes building up into something seemingly euphoric, yet matched in melancholy. 8 minutes long, yet it’s impossible to skip a single second. With lyrics surrounding the pain of growing older, and the long to be a kid again – it’s easily the highlight of the album,
LDOI 