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Alternative

Sticker – Making Mistakes: A Garage Grunge Anthem for the Fatally Fallible

Posted on 22 September 2024

Sticker’s debut single ‘Making Mistakes’ erupts as an explosive anthem for the perpetually remorseful and as a vindicating release for anyone haunted by the spectre of past missteps.

With its garage-grunge aesthetic sharply intersected by the electrifying surges of pop punk, the track from their debut EP, ‘Hello! My Name is Sticker’, cements the Nevada-based powerhouse as unreckonable evocateurs of caustic catharsis.

Formed in Las Vegas in 2019, Sticker, led by vocalist and guitarist Dennis Fija, alongside drummer Carlos Daniel Herrera and bassist Jacob Anthony Hennagir, the trio rapidly distinguished themselves in the Las Vegas circuit with a raw, fuzzy punk sound steeped in a plethora of influences. ‘Making Mistakes’ marries the nostalgic grit of Nirvana during their ‘Bleach’ era with the melodic poise of Smashing Pumpkins, layered with the contemporary edge of bands like Fidlar.

The track’s relentless energy and piercing lyrics provide a mirror to the soul, reflecting the tumult of self-criticism and the liberation found in acknowledging fallibility. It’s more than just music; it’s a frenzied, sonic purge of pent-up emotions, driven by dissonant chords, catchy melodies, and harsh vocals that challenge social norms and delve into the theme of unreciprocated emotions.

As the centrepiece of their EP, ‘Making Mistakes’ is the perfect introduction to Sticker’s gritty domain of rhythmic rebellion, proving that sometimes, the most profound reflections are found in the echoes of our errors.

Making Mistakes was officially released on September 8th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

snailosaur – Nature:  A Panorama of Eccentrically Untempered Alt-Rock

Posted on 21 September 2024

snailosaur’s seminal single ‘Nature’ shreds through the veneer of indie banality with a ferociously eccentric bite. This single, paired with ‘Kaleidoscopic Mind’ in their double A-side release, is a gritty symphony of dissonance and melody, interlocking the spirits of alt-rock, shoegaze, and noise/art rock. Laced with spoken word, the tracks assert themselves as fierce declarations of style.

Emerging from New York City’s music scene, snailosaur has been tearing up stages across NYC and Brooklyn with their unabashedly raw energy. Following their debut album ‘Talk Therapy’ released in January 2024, the band has etched an indelible mark on the indie map with their sonic scriptures of rebellion and introspection.

‘Nature’ channels the nostalgic echo of The Psychedelic Furs and melds it with the anarchic edge of Dinosaur Jr and the quirky kicks of Pavement as the vocal style, reminiscent of Frank Zappa’s iconoclastic drawl, merges into harmonies that subtly nod to the Beach Boys in the chorus.

The track is a visceral punch of tangled harmonies and textured disarray which peaks with a guitar solo that strips back the layers of grunge to bare the skeleton of Snailosaur’s musical genius—unrefined, unapologetic, and underpinned by technical intricacy.

Nature & Kaleidoscopic Mind was officially released on September 13; stream the double A-side single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nostalgic Smells shredded through reality with the distortion in his latest single, Unfounded

Posted on 21 September 2024

Nostalgic Smells ventured deeper into shoegaze territory with Unfounded, by constructing oscillating walls of sound that hit with the same force as My Bloody Valentine’s heavier tracks. The distortion pulls you into the undercurrent like a relentless tide as the solo artist’s signature distinctive vocals rise above the chaos, offering clarity through the rancorous sonic storm.

The middle eight introduces a twist of fate for the single, proving Nostalgic Smells can riff with the best of them. The searing guitar solos slice through with white-hot precision, adding new alchemic waves to the tide of this immersive installation of ingenuity which draws influences from Cave In and Mastodon while combining ferocious energy with cultivated songwriting, weaving themes of alienation and displacement into every progression.

Lyrically, the chorus hits a bittersweet note, urging listeners to hold on to life’s fleeting moments – a sentiment that cuts through the digital distractions and empty noise of today, giving the track an edge of sonic and philosophical reckoning.

Stream Unfounded on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Reservations at 8 – Come Around: A Visceral Anthem of Disparate Desolation

Posted on 20 September 2024
Come Around / Not So Easy St by Reservations at 8

Reservations at 8 unleashed a formidable force in their double A-Side release, “Come Around / Not So Easy St.” This sophomore installation from the Massachusetts-based trio drenches listeners in a sea of distorted melodies that gnaw deep into the soul.

The hybridic beast of a synthesis of grunge, no-wave and pop punk in Come Around created the ultimate anthem of disparate desolation which thrives on visceral hooks that intertwine seamlessly with Peter Tuohy’s vocal onslaught.

The single encapsulates the agony of clinging to the ephemeral, with guitar solos that mourn like the final throes of a resigning hopeless romantic. If you’re all too familiar with the tumult of fading futures and the strife of holding onto the slipping threads of hope, find swathes of resonant consolation in this antagonised earworm.

Since forming in 2019, Reservations at 8 has evolved from covering bands like Green Day and Nirvana to defining their unique sound—a cagey cocktail of power rock and pop imbued with their idols’ spirit. Now entrenched in the local Massachusetts music scene, the trio aims to transcend the preference for covers in bars and make an indelible mark with their original material. With several tours and a growing following, they stand at the cusp of their creative zenith

Stream and Purchase Come Around on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bask in the ‘Alpenglow’ of Lounna’s latest alt-indie folk rock rendering of poetic yearning

Posted on 20 September 2024
Louanna

Lounna’s latest single, Alpenglow, panoramically expanded indie-folk with a sound infused with the ruggedness of Big Thief and the euphonic beauty akin to the works of Gregory Alan Isakov and Boygenius.

The song unfurls with swathes of soul that seep through every note, achieving a séance of seraphic serenity with its Grammy-worthy craftsmanship. Louanna doesn’t just sing; she commands a profound respect that transcends typical genre confines, pulling listeners into a bask-able warmth.

The traditional folk instrumentation intertwines with ornate crescendos, crafting one of the most stirring aural experiences of 2024. The composition breathes the very essence of wonder, reminiscent of breathtaking landscapes, stunning beyond compare. Each note and lyric in the track feels like a brushstroke on a vast sonic canvas, portraying mental health struggles, difficult life circumstances, and the enduring human spirit.

Brenna Slate, under the moniker Lounna, is not new to the music scene. With fifteen years of songwriting, performances at notable festivals, and opening for nationally touring artists, Slate’s voice has matured into a poignant echo of indie folk innovation, which is exemplified in Alpenglow, which will leave you thematically alongside her, yearning for the nostalgia of lost love.

Alpenglow is being primed to debut on September 20th; purchase the single on Bandcamp; for more ways to listen, visit Lounna’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wagner Gracciano became the definition of emotional depth in ‘I’m Here’

Posted on 17 September 2024

Wagner Gracciano’s single, I’m Here, from his sophomore album, The History of Mark Beck, is a veritable smorgasbord of stylistic influence and innovative substance which will transport rock fans back to an era when Chris Isaak dominated the airwaves.

With soul-drenched production, sensual RnB touches weave through a tight mesh of rock guitar lines, classic pop harmonies, and the shimmer of organ keys, creating a unique gospel of pop rock. As diverse as the track is, the seamless cohesion pulls everything together in a sublime display of genre fluidity.

‘I’m Here’ makes a bold statement of passion and dedication, showing that romance isn’t as dead as we perceive it to be as Gracciano exhibits his forte in transcending the confines of genre labels and creating utopias of euphonia with his songwriting. With each listen, there’s a deepened appreciation for the superlative arrangement and emotive depth that defines the track.

As a multi-talented guitarist, composer, and producer, Wagner Gracciano has spent over 25 years mastering his craft across genres such as progressive rock, blues rock, jazz, fusion, RnB, and heavy metal. The History of Mark Beck (2024) showcases his affectingly immersive lyricism and Grammy-worthy compositions, with guest appearances from Cleveland P. Jones, Carlos Zema, and Rachael Da Silva. Supported by world-class musicians such as Charles Judge, Michael Webb, and Adair Daufembach’s pristine production, Wagner’s vision is undeniably realised.

I’m Here is now available to stream with Wagner Gracciano’s sophomore LP, The History of Mark Beck on Spotify and all major platforms.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Divert from your destination to isolated despair with IGOR’s pop-punk anthem, Alone

Posted on 16 September 2024

IGOR pierced the pop-punk veil with his latest single, Alone, which implants a self-deprecating flag in the post-breakup landscape and anthemises the ache of romantic dissolution.

Born in Ukraine, raised in Russia, finessed in America, and now based in New York and part of the LGBTQ+ community, the independent artist is unflinching in his mission to soak the airwaves in self-love. Alone is one of the most affecting sonic extensions of his dedication to uplifting his listeners from self-inflicted despair.

Alone taps into early 2000s rock vibes, offering a rhythmic rebellion that evokes nostalgia while marinating it in a euphorically projected melancholy. The battle cry for the soul pulls at the heartstrings with the universal mantra we’ve all whispered post-heartbreak, “I’ll be better off alone”. IGOR transforms this often private concession into a rallying cry for communal solace, affirming that no one is truly isolated in their feelings of destined solitude.

It’s so much more than just a journey through emotional desolation; it’s a cathartic release that prises serotonin from the grips of despair. IGOR paved the path back to embracing the empowering nature of self-reliance with the therapeutic hit dedicated to the broken-hearted looking to find their way back to themselves.

Alone hit the airwaves on September 4th, stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lie awake in the illusory land of Mindless Crowd’s new wave seminal release,  ‘Dreamscape’

Posted on 15 September 2024

With their desperately anticipated LP, Wanderlust, released on 30th August, Mindless Crowd stand as innovative new-wave indie architects; if you’re always looking for new ways to explore this vain of sonic nostalgia, let Mindless Crowd be your guide with the standout single, ‘Dreamscape’.

‘Dreamscape’ may not deliver your quintessential dreamy ambient aesthetic, but who decided dreamscapes are unanimous in tonality anyway? Mindless Crowd orchestrated their own chimaera with the reverie of angular jangle pop guitars that resonate with the perpetually influential rhythms of Johnny Marr and echoes of Iggy Pop through gruff, spoken-word style vocals that strikingly juxtapose the vibrant tones of the instrumentals.

As the track evolves, the guitars transition in the middle eight, creatively adorning the track in veritable rock n’ roll stripes. The vintage-toned lead work ascends to what can only be described as guitar porn, embodying the perfect melodic narrative switch for indie fans always on the lookout for boundary-pushing new-wave indie sounds.

Emerging from Geneva, Mindless Crowd has evolved from covering rock titans like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin to crafting their original material. Formed in 2012 by school friends and driven by a blend of nostalgia and innovation, the band—comprising Alex, Julien, Gaël, and Lucas—has grown a significant following, propelling them forward with over 150,000 listens on Spotify.

The album ‘Wanderlust’ encapsulates this growth and exploration, offering a mix of motivation, disillusionment, success, and failure, reflecting the winding journey of introspection the band describes.

Mindless Crowd’s LP, Wanderlust, is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Goodfellow delivered the antidote for obsessive rumination with his alt-pop hit, Think 2 Much

Posted on 15 September 2024

Goodfellow, accompanied by the honeyed harmonies of female vocalist seleen, dropped a genre-defying single that seizes the RnB Trap Pop scene with an undeniable groove. ‘Think 2 Much‘ hit the epicentre of the contemporary genre-fluid zeitgeist by weaving pop elements reminiscent of Maroon 5’s chart-dominating era with ‘Payphone’ into a foundation of trappy beats.

In ‘Think 2 Much’, the lyrics paint a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts induced by an overwhelming crush, offering listeners a sticky-sweet vignette of emotional turmoil. This perennial earworm doesn’t just narrate; it plunges you into the heart of melodious obsession where there’s no escaping the razor-sharp hooks which are embedded within the quintessential soul of RnB.

The slick production ensures that the beat remains too addictive for just one listen, and the same goes for Goodfellow’s cheeky, hedonistic charm that permeates the track, resonating through augmented summer-vibe melodies that promise to outlive the season.

For those entangled in the messy throes of romance, here’s your anthem.

Think 2 Much is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Those Heavy Souls opened the doorway to the Britpop pantheon with How High’s Too High?

Posted on 14 September 2024

With plenty of stylistic and introspective substance to put behind their indie rock swagger, Those Heavy Souls hit the ground (trail)blazing single, How High’s Too High. Orbits above indie landfill, this indie dance rock hit, which takes the infectious rhythms of Kasabian and Led Zeppelin and gives them a gritty 90s Britpop edge, won’t know when it’s time to stop reverberating around your mind after the outro.

With red-hot wailing guitars searing across the frenetic pace of the single which is punctuated by strobing synths, electronic breakbeats and bass drums big enough to kick you in the chest, the single asserts itself as a definitive indie anthem.

If you’ve ever come close to slipping into hedonistic oblivion to escape the fray of a torn material reality, How High’s Too High will hit hard enough to bruise. After news of the Oasis reunion has swept up the UK in a fever of indie nostalgia, How High’s Too High is the perfect track to remind indie fans that there are plenty of contemporary acts worthy of the Gallaghers’ iconic status.

How High’s Too High? dropped on August 23rd; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

To stay up to date with news of the debut LP, Without Our History We’ve Got No Future, follow Those Heavy Souls on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast