Released in November last year the second EP from Italian dream pop / shoegaze project Dead Rituals spawned one of my favourite tracks of the winter. Singer-songwriter Andrea Caccese created a world in a song. Beautifully picked acoustic guitar plays over a subtle synth and programmed drums. His hushed vocal seals the deal, drawing usContinue reading “Dead Rituals – When The Lights Are Out”
Category Archives: 2021
La Club Royale – Rise Up
By Jo Smith. For their debut single, ‘Rise Up’ by La Club Royale is an accomplishment, one that they should be proud of. It showcases their unique blend of sound which should be welcomed and highly anticipated by the music scene in Scotland. The song shows originality and talent, giving the duo a promising startContinue reading “La Club Royale – Rise Up”
Tren Go! Sound System / Ornamental – Assessment
Since 2021 arrived I have been patiently waiting for word on the first release of the year from Dirty Filthy Records. After a stellar set of releases in 2020 I was a bit worried they may have peaked in quality. Thankfully, I needn’t have worried. For their first release of the year Dirty Filthy RecordsContinue reading “Tren Go! Sound System / Ornamental – Assessment”
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 usContinue reading “Hadda Be – Another Life”
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.Continue reading “Strata Florida – Achilles”
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 projectContinue reading “Dreamback – After Before”
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 creepingContinue reading “Last Tourist – Public Service”
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. ThisContinue reading “The Churchill Garden – Fade Away”
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. EpicentreContinue reading “Mystery Rose – Stability”
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. WhiteContinue reading “White Flowers – Within a Dream EP”
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 andContinue reading “You, Nothing – Reflectie”
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. ItContinue reading “The Empty Sleeps ‘PANTHERS’”
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 songsContinue reading “The Rosie Varela Project – Low”
