Hadda Be – Another Life

Regular readers will know I have a particular soft spot for the amazing Last Night From Glasgow label. Every year they shine a spotlight on some really amazing talent. One such act that blew my mind was Brighton’s Foundlings. Their self-titled 2019 EP is still a regular spin in my house.

They return to us anew in 2021 ready to release their debut album on an unsuspecting world. They have also decided to rename the band for this next stage in their journey. So was born Hadda Be.

Ahead of the album release we have been gifted a sneak peek through the release of the single ‘Another Life’. Angular indie rock at its finest it’s accompanied with a video filmed at each of the band members’ homes.

This is music designed for a big stage. I can see Hadda Be being the must-see band at future festivals. This song is built for the mosh pit. If this is any indicator then we are in for a treat with the upcoming release of their album also entitled Another Life.

If high energy, guitar driven indie pop is your thing. If you like a killer chorus then you Hadda Be checking this band out.

Another Life will be released by Last Night From Glasgow on 30th April 2021. Pre orders are now available from the label’s webstore.

Strata Florida – Achilles

The record label 4AD has sound tracked most of my life. From bands such as Pixies, Cocteau Twins and Lush I learned there was so much more to music than the dross in the Top 10. It was from this stable that Swallow emerged releasing their landmark album Blow to wide critical acclaim in 1992. I played that album until it wore out my CD player.

Louise Trehy was once half of Swallow. After two exceptional albums together, Swallow broke up in 1994. Trehy walked away from music and left London for a self-sufficient life in rural Wales.

She returned to music after 20 years after meeting Peter Pavli (High Tide, Robert Calvert, Third Ear Band, Annette Peacock) at their local choir. They started to work together and over the next few years released two stunning albums.

In 2019 Mike Mason, the other half of Swallow, and Louise were in contact to sort out publishing permissions for a Swallow sample to be used by The Avalanches for a song to appear on their 2020 album We Will Always Love You. The song never appeared on that album but the relationship between Mike and Louise that had ended back in 1994 was mended.

Mike recorded and produced Strata Florida’s new music at his studio in mid-Wales, and also contributed by playing keyboards and programming the drums.

The two tracks from those sessions are now out in the form of ‘Achilles’ and ‘Ghost’.

‘Achilles’ is a song based around that signature gaze bass sound we all know and love. Louise sings of times ancient and forgotten. Hearing that voice again. Hearing that voice in this song. It’s really very special indeed. The song ebbs and flows and builds to a really satisfying finish. If you aren’t reaching for the play button to listen again, I’ll eat my jumper.

Much like ‘Achilles’ the second track ‘Ghost’ centres around the dancing bassline conjured by Pavli. There something comforting and familiar in his playing style which immediately made me warm to the track. That only compounds when Trehy’s trademark breathy vocals kick in. Love lost and the aftermath is the theme here but, all in all, the feeling you are left with is one of euphoria.

These tracks are available now on the groups Bandcamp in digital format as well as a now sold out, limited-edition box art cassette created by Louise herself.

Dreamback – After Before

I’m a huge post rock fan and find myself wallowing in fifteen-minute-long instrumental tracks and loving every minute. What I really enjoy though is when post rock merges with other genres to create something new and exciting. This is exactly what the debut EP from Staffordshire-based producer/musician Jamie Duddy has achieved with his musical project Dreamback.

Drawing on influences including My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Slowdive, Japanese Breakfast and Tame Impala; Dreamback combines lush, dreamy reverberation, fuzzy distortion and shimmering acoustic guitar to create layered soundscapes. Jamie has been sound tracking his dreams since August 2020 then self-releasing the After Before EP in October 2020.

The EP opens on ‘Before’ a wonderfully light song. It floats along on a picked acoustic theme, echoing Nick Drake in parts. In other parts you feel like you are listening to a lost Massive Attack song. A confident and assured way to open any EP.

‘Daze again utilises that acoustic base to build from. This time however Jamie strikes a marked contrast with a fuzzed-out guitar playing a wonderful glide part. Definitely drawing on his inner Kevin Shields. This song showcases Jamie’s understanding of dynamics and scale in a song. Superb.

After the pair of large open sounding songs, we have just heard, ‘Pressure’ turns the whole EP on a penny. We are now in a claustrophobic, eerie sounding place. Everything sounds distant from the drums to the main guitar line. I loved losing myself in this track.

The EP closes on the aptly titled ‘After’. There is something very final, something that’s says ‘this is the end’ about ‘After’. The layered guitar parts that escalate in the verse sections to the steady and sure-footed drums it’s a beautiful conclusion to this EP.

This is a stunning debut and I cannot wait to hear the upcoming album scheduled for release in Spring this year.

After Before is available now via the Dreamback Bandcamp page.

Last Tourist – Public Service

I have to admit to being a sucker for a cool seven inch single. There’s something about the format that makes the listening experience that bit more personal and immediate. I was absolutely buzzing when I received my copy of Public Service from Leeds based outfit Last Tourist.

Last Tourist conjures the sound of creeping down dark corridors and wandering through deserted spaces, all set to a moody and rhythmic danceable beat.

Drawing firmly from post-punk ideals, this darkwave, shoegaze, synth-infused four piece formed in 2017 and now feature John Wellby (guitar, vocals, programming) and Adam Simpson (synths, programming, backing vocals), Jason Booth (bass guitar, bass synth) and Andrea Parra (drums, backing vocals).

They cite influences by such as Joy Division, Interpol, Suicide, Diiv and The Jesus & Mary Chain.

.This first single is a double A side seven inch featuring the tracks “Public Service / Are We Just Algorithms?” and was released back in November last year.

“Public Service” is a darkly glorious synthwave meets shoegaze blend. Shimmering synths fight with 10-foot-tall guitars for your attention. Powerful bass lines, entwined with moody vocals and rhythmic danceable drums complete this heady concoction.

‘”Are We Just Algorithms?” has all the swagger of early Gary Numan but instead of that cold, robotic feel his work has, here, there is a human heart. The line “at least we’re still alive” has that hopeful counter to the title. The song is driven by the bass and drums sitting beneath wailing guitars and a catchy synth hook.

The single features a hidden track, consisting of an original Commodore 64 BASIC program written by Last Tourist, to accompany the single “Are We Just Algorithms?” A copy of this program file is hidden within the vinyl and cassette versions. Each record also contains a private QR code linking to a demonstration video.

The single is available to buy now, on vinyl or digital, from Bandcamp.

The Churchill Garden – Fade Away

It only seems like minutes since I was writing here about the last single from The Churchill Garden, ‘Reality’. Now here we are with the latest track from the collective mind of Andy Jossi and Krissy Vanderwoude.

Where ‘Reality’ was a real mover. with their latest single, ‘Fade Away’, the pace is more sedate. This slower tempo really plays to both their strengths. Andy has an uncanny ability to convey emotion through the dynamics of his music. As the song progresses we rise and fall, start and stop all leading to a stunning crescendo at the climax of the song.

Krissy, as usual, is pulling her lyrics straight from her heart. Layering heavenly harmonies over a stunning lead vocal. This is the summery hit we all need right now in these cold winter months.

If you haven’t listened to any of The Churchill Gardens previous work I would highly recommend their Heart & Soul album. As well as being an exquisite collection of songs it’s also one of the most beautifully designed records I have in my collection.

‘Fade Away’ is available now, digitally on The Churchill Garden Bandcamp page.

Mystery Rose – Stability

In a strange curve ball for me I received this out and out pop track this week. Normally I tend to lean to the alternative or indie artists however this artist seems to be ploughing a furrow all of her own.

Mystery Rose is a seventeen-year-old artist who has grown up in Los Angeles. Epicentre of the “look at me” culture. Rather than buying into all of that she has decided to eschew it, in favour of letting her music speak for her. Her style is familiar It has the indie pop of Amy McDonald with the acoustic strums and the teenage snarl of Avril Lavigne.

To date she has released five singles and now is back with new single ahead of her album release later this year.

‘Stability’ is a catchy number which will earn her a lot of fans. The tale is familiar. A failed teenage relationship that our singer is reflecting on.

“Lyrically, it’s about relationships. Whether you leave someone or you get left, you still feel vulnerable, like someone took away your stability — not just with them, but for future beaus! Break-ups have a lasting effect on everyone, no matter which side they are on.”

Whilst the songs lyrics have that naivety of youth, the melody is more fleshed out, especially in the chorus. Chiming guitars over a pounding drum beat lend a real credibility which I think an acoustic version of this song would lack.

 Mystery Rose has a great attitude to her music and how it is performed.

 “My interest is really in creating the song. Not so much who sings it, but who listens to it and how that audience is impacted or affected by the poignancy. If other artists use my material, or if ordinary listeners are singing in the mirror, that’s cool for me. I get a kick out of being the creator, not necessarily the only performer. I hope my work is universal in its appeal and that many will want to perform it.”

‘Stability’ is out now and you can access it on your chosen platform here.

White Flowers – Within a Dream EP

After two exquisitely crafted single releases in ‘Night Drive’ and ‘Day by Day’, Preston’s White Flowers return with their new EP Within a Dream. Recorded at home and in the studio back in 2020 during the various lockdowns the songs on the EP explore themes of isolation, dissociation and self-reflection in this troubling time.

White Flowers is made up of Katie Drew and Joey Cobb who together weave the most wonderful soundscapes blending post-punk, goth, dreampop and shoegaze in their own unique way.

The EP kicks off with the title track. It slowly appears, as if from the dark, with Katy’s whispered vocal over a cascading synth. An ominous bassline looms large until the chorus blooms with the most joyous melody. It’s a surefooted opening and retains the White Flowers aesthetic from their previous releases.

‘Blue May’ follows, a more chilled affair. Laid back vocals and reverb-soaked guitar. It has all the intent of a 1950’s ballad couched in the most modern of delivery and production. The swirling outro is pleasantly discombobulating and a great way to finish the song.

Over on Side B we find ‘You Caught Me’ a dynamic and enthralling mix of goth and dreampop. The balance struck between the dark bass and synth parts against Katy’s beautiful voice and the glistening guitar is spot on.

After the three originals which explore the outer edges of post-punk, dreampop and shoegaze in increasingly alien ways comes a beguiling cover version of Mama Cass’s ‘Didn’t Want to Have to Do It’. As with their version of Red House Painters’ ‘Katy Song’ from the Day-by-Day single it provides another example of how defined White Flowers’ aesthetic has become, as they’re effortlessly able to shape the music of others to their own vision.

This gorgeous four song collection is out now via Tough Love. Alongside digital formats, it will be pressed to 12″ transparent vinyl in an edition of 300 which you can order via their Bandcamp page, Tough Love or a selection of indie retailers.

You, Nothing – Reflectie

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. There is a fine tradition of world class music emanating from their shores. Continuing that tradition is You, Nothing, an up-and-coming shoegaze/dreampop band based out of Verona. Formed in 2019 the band consists of Gioia Podestà (vocals and guitar); Federico Costanzi (guitar and keyboards); Giulia Cinquetti (bass) and Nicola Poiana (drums and drum machine).

Back in October 2020 the band released their dreamy first single “Waves” and its video which you can check out below.

Their music mainly recalls the shoegaze scene of the early 90s, made up of reverberated and distorted sounds, vocals sometimes ethereal, sometimes punchier with the addition of post-punk rhythms.

Now they are back to release their second single “Reflectie” and a homemade video, edited by the guitarist, filmed and directed by the band. The song is exquisite with Gioia’s voice complementing the chiming guitar and crystalline synth perfectly. The chorus is massive. I can see this playing well in big venues one day. This is a band with ambition and the skill and passion to deliver.

Last summer they recorded their debut album which I can reveal will be called “Lonely // Lovely”. There is no release date set as yet but as soon as I know about it, I’ll be back to give you a track-by-track breakdown.

“Reflectie” is out now via Flippy Dischi and you can access it here.

The Empty Sleeps ‘PANTHERS’

This last year has been a tough one for all of us, for so many reasons. As we headed into 2021 my hope was for another great year of music to help us all escape the stress and chaos of life today. Music to lift us up and envelope us in its warm embrace.

It was with absolute joy that I received the new EP from Australian gazers The Empty Sleeps who are Nic Datson (formerly of No Through Road / Alpha Beta Fox) and Tristan Hennig (formerly of Little Ice Age / Bye Bye Mountain). After stirring up quite the buzz on the international shoegaze scene with their first release ‘Good Place’, this Adelaide two-piece dreamgaze outfit return with ‘PANTHERS’.

As soon as this song begins you immediately exhale and smile. It feels like a wave of joy just washing over you. It almost feels orchestral in places. The guitar riff loops around and each time another layer is added. A guitar lick here, a vocal line there. All adding up to an exultant, joyous four minutes.

The title track is then remixed by Blush Response, Tim Koch, Lone Kite, Deep Sea Data and Dental Jams/Ezroh. What is really interesting is how each remix retains that jubilant heartbeat that drives and powers the song whilst adding their own unique take.  I would draw the listeners ear to the Blush Response remix in particular. It is just stunning.

What a fantastic way to begin the year. ‘PANTHERS’ is being released on CD, download and a limited edition 10” vinyl available now from The Empty Sleeps Bandcamp page.

The Rosie Varela Project – Low

The EEP singer is back with her own solo outing with The Rosie Varela Project. ‘Low’ is the first single from Rosie who says she created this outlet for herself so she could stay productive and sane between her monthly virtual EEP recording sessions. This will also let her record her back catalogue of songs leading to an album in 2022.

The song kicks of with a shimmering wall of guitars supported by pounding drums. Immediately you can tell this is going to be altogether different to her work with EEP.

Dreamy, woozy and overlapping vocal lines keep the listener off balance whilst the crystalline guitars chime over everything like sunlight on a lake. The song climaxes with a sixties style psychedelic jam with Rosie channelling her inner Grace Slick.

‘Low’ will be released February 5th on Rosie’s Bandcamp page. For a sneak peek head over to The Rosie Varela Project Facebook page.